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New State Guidelines on Masklifting issued Tuesday Night.
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WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. From the New York State Department of Health. March 2, 2022:
(Editor’s Note: WPCNR has learned from the Rochester news outlet Channel 10, that the Department of Health of New York State issued the following guidelines to School Districts Tuesday evening. The following is a copy of those guidelines printed in a Ch. 10 news website under the New York State Department of Health letterhead. The White Plains City School District Reopening Committee met Wednesday morning to consider those guidelines. Michelle Schoenfeld, Clerk to the School Board advised WPCNR that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca will address the school district on the District Facebook website Friday at noon to update parents and interested parties on how the district will proceed with implementing these guidelines. Herewith, the guidelines, dated March 1.)
I. Implementation of the Removal of Mandated Masking in the School Setting
The state requirement for universal masking in P-12 school settings ended on March 2, 2022. Decisions on masking that are more protective than state requirements may be made by local, health departments, guided by local conditions.
Attention should be given to equity in the adoption of more protective measures, particularly testing.
Schools in NYS have been operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic through adoption of recommended public health measures, including but not limited to masking. Additional mitigation measures should remain in use, including improved ventilation, widespread vaccination, testing and use of home test kits, maintaining physical distance as feasible, hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette,encouraging students and staff to stay at home when ill or symptomatic, and voluntary mask wearing for those who prefer the extra protection.
This updated guidance aligns with the new CDC Community Burden Framework which guides state and local jurisdictions on COVID-19 mitigation measures based on level of community burden. Counties are designated “Low” COVID-19 burden when there are fewer than 200 new cases per 100,000 residents over the previous 7 days, there are fewer than 10 new admissions per 100,000 persons total over the previous 7 days, and less than 10% of all occupied inpatient hospital beds are occupied by someone with COVID-19.
CDC guidance recommends masking for all individuals, including in schools, when a jurisdiction is at “High” community burden. Local health departments are strongly encouraged to implement universal masking when the county COVID-19 community burden is high.
MASKING:
Students, staff and teachers must wear masks on return to school during Days 6 – 10 of their isolation period.
NYSDOH recommends students, staff and teachers wear masks when:
They feel more comfortable wearing a mask for personal reasons.
They were in the same room within the school as someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for 15minutes or longer and were thus exposed or potentially exposed, when group contact tracing isused (see below).
They are known to have been exposed to COVID-19 in any setting within the previous 10 days.
They are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised and have discussed the need to maskwith their healthcare provider(s).
Masks should be well-fitted and appropriately worn (to cover nose and mouth) and should conform to CDC guidelines for masks and respirators.
Masking is no longer required on school buses or vans. Individuals who are required to wear masks in school should wear masks on school transport.
School monitoring of masking compliance should focus on ensuring anyone returning from a new COVID-19 infection is appropriately wearing a well-fitting mask on days 6-10.
Masked and unmasked people will be working and learning alongside each other in schools. It is essential that schools establish “mask positive” environments so those who wear masks, whether
choice, expectation, or requirement, are not stigmatized, bullied, or made to feel uncomfortable, and likewise, those for whom masks have not been required or recommended are not stigmatized, bullied,or made to feel uncomfortable.
Pursuant to the Dignity For All Students Act, students have the right to a school environment free from harassment and bullying.
School officials should communicate mask policy changes to the local community to manage expectations. School officials also should communicate about and plan for a possible return to universal mask wearing should community burden increase.
Whenever persons are expected or required to wear masks, masks may be removed when eating,drinking, singing, going outside, or playing a wind instrument. When masks are removed for these purposes, physical distancing of 6 or more feet should be maintained to the extent possible.
NYS aligns with the CDC definition of close contact in schools.
In the school setting, with universal masking, a close contact was generally defined as less than 3 feet from an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.
The exception allowing 3-feet of distance to determine exposure in schools does not apply to unmasked individuals
, nor does it apply to teachers, staff, or other adults regardless of masking.
This means that in settings where masks are not worn, anyone within a 6-foot radius of an infected person should be considered exposed.
This “zone of exposure” does not mean schools should rearrange the physical footprint or space students six feet apart.
NOTIFICATIONS:
To protect themselves and others and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the household and community,schools should notify through either group or individual level contact tracing affected school staff,students, and their parents/guardians whenever an individual:
- Was in the same room as an infected individual and so was exposed or potentially exposed (i.e.,in the same classroom as an infected individual for longer than 15 minutes), if schools are employing group level contact tracing, or
- Was identified as being exposed because they were a close contact of an infected individual ifschools are employing individual level contact tracing.Note: Group level contract tracing (e.g., classroom, school bus), in #1 above, is expected to alleviate the need for most classic (individual) contact tracing in schools. Criterion #2 above should be used if the school is conducting individual-level contact tracing to reduce the number of students affected by masking/testing and in some situations where there might have been exposures outside the classroom setting, such as non-classroom-based extracurricular activities. NYSDOH recommends exposed or potentially exposed individuals follow NYSDOH Isolation andQuarantine Guidance for testing and masking.
II. Testing in a school setting with reduced mask usage
In the absence of a statewide masking requirement, COVID-19 testing remains a recommended publichealth strategy for surveillance and to identify infected individuals quickly so that they can isolate andavoid spreading COVID-19 further.
New York State has provided schools with over 20 million tests tosupport this strategy. Whenever someone in school – student, staff or teacher – is determined to havebeen exposed or potentially exposed, the individual should be tested for COVID-19 as follows:
Consider testing immediately upon learning of the exposure or potential exposure, At least 5 days after the last date of exposure or potential exposure, regardless of vaccination status,
If the individual is not fully vaccinated and attending or working at school after an exposure or potential exposure, frequent testing (e.g., daily, every other day, at least twice within 5 days from the date of the exposure or potential exposure (Day 0) through at least day 5 should be strongly considered and encouraged,
Exclude from school if a test is positive and/or exclude from school and test as soon as possibleif symptoms develop,
Exception: Individuals with lab-confirmed COVID-19 within the past 3 months do not need to get tested unless they develop symptoms.
Symptomatic individuals, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, should stay home until tested and if positive or not tested, should isolate for 5 days, or until other criteria are met for school attendance (e.g., resolution of fever), whichever is longer.
The NYSDOH flow chart addresses school attendance and requirements for children who have symptoms consistent with vaccine side effects shortly after receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Exposed school staff and students and/or their parents/guardians are primarily responsible for ensuring that recommended testing occurs. Schools may supply testing kits to affected families for testing at home and/or provide access to existing testing programs at the school. To ensure that all families can comply with recommended testing, schools should conduct (if able and with consent) or facilitate /make available the recommended testing when families express concerns about their ability to do the testing.
Schools should track testing, including at-home testing, and may choose to prioritize or limit tracking to cases in which testing compliance is of the greatest importance (e.g., higher risk exposures such as presence of someone with COVID-19 in the household, unvaccinated individuals, large clusters of cases).In the setting of COVID-19 outbreaks with ongoing transmission, schools should take a more active role to ensure that the recommended testing occurs.
State-provided school specialists can assist in efforts to track cases and testing as needed.Schools must remain current on their reporting of all COVID-19 test results that they conduct or that they become aware of, including results of home testing, to the New York State COVID-19 Report Card,in addition to their other reporting obligations under Public Health Law.
Exposed individuals, regardless of vaccination status, may remain in school by appropriately wearing a well-fitting mask and undergoing recommended testing and may participate in school-based extracurricular activities. These individuals also may continue to ride the school bus and attend school-administered childcare programs and programs licensed or permitted by OCFS to care for school age children (whether on-site at the school or off-site at a different location and whether they include students from a single or multiple schools).
OCFS-licensed or permitted programs may have additional recommendations or requirements on masking or testing. Those childcare programs should contact their regional office or regulator if they have questions. A list of OCFS Regional Offices can be found here.
TESTING RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS
There are many resources available to support testing for the school population. Please visit the CDCGuidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools which provides a list of resources for screeningtesting programs in schools and the New York State Department of Health Isolation and Quarantinewebpage for additional information.
III. Exemption to weekly unvaccinated staff/teacher testing for recently recovered persons
School staff/teachers who were diagnosed with and recovered from COVID-19 within the past 3 months are not subject to the weekly testing requirement established in 10 NYCRR 2.62, which remains in effect.
Asymptomatic individuals exposed to COVID-19 who have been previously diagnosed with laboratory confirmed COVID-19, and have since recovered, are not required to retest and quarantine within 3 months after the date of symptom onset from the initial COVID-19 infection or date of first positive diagnostic test if asymptomatic during illness.
Schools will have to keep track of when the 3 months is over, at which time the staff person should resume testing.Under these regulations, local health officials are given the duty and accompanying discretion as to howthe requirements will be enforced.
Use of Over-the-Counter Tests
There are numerous COVID-19 antigen tests that have received United States Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), including over-the-counter (OTC) tests authorized for home or self-testing. The Department allows the use of such OTC tests for school purposes;
however, schools or LHDs are empowered to impose prohibitions, restrictions, or conditions on their use based on a consideration of the benefits and drawbacks. Schools must follow guidanceissued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and guidance from LHDs with regard to use of OTC tests,
including the possible imposition of stricter criteria for their use if required by the LHD. If OTC tests are used, schools/districts/ LHDs must follow the instructions found on the package inserts for serial testing (if applicable). Many brands of OTC tests include two tests, both of which should beused as instructed by the manufacturer for asymptomatic individuals.
V. School exclusion
Schools should monitor mask wearing and track the use of recommended testing and may focus these activities on those at higher risk.
When schools become aware of failure to comply with recommended testing, then individuals who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccination should stay home for 5 days after exposure.
Individuals who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccination should be encouraged to complete the recommended testing but are not required to be excluded from school unless by policy of the school or local health department, as long as they wear a mask as recommended.
Some individuals may be medically unable to wear a mask. Schools or local health departments may decide on a case-by-case basis whether these individuals should be excluded from school or allowed to remain in school if exposed or potentially exposed. Examples of factors to consider include:
The level of risk of the exposure (e.g., ongoing household exposure imposes a higher risk than exposure within six feet of distance or classroom exposure),
Brooklyn Man and Yonkers Woman Charged with Production, Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography
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WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 2, 2022:
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Miriam E. Rocah, Westchester County District Attorney, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and John Mueller, the Commissioner of the Yonkers Police Department (“YPD”), announced today that JONATHAN RIVERA and DILICIA AGUIRRE-ORELLANA were charged with production and receipt and distribution of child pornography.
AGUIRRE-ORELLANA was also charged with possession of child pornography. RIVERA was arrested on or about February 26 in Manhattan, and will be presented today in federal court in White Plains.
AGUIRRE-ORELLANA was arrested on or about February 22 in Yonkers, presented on local charges on or about February 23, and detained; she will be presented on the federal charges at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Allegedly at the behest of Jonathan Rivera, Dilicia Aguirre-Orellana is accused of one of the most heinous acts imaginable – the sexual assault of prepubescent children – including the sexual abuse and video recording of her four-year-old son. The harm that child sex abuse can inflict on the most innocent of victims is something no child should bear. We believe there may be more victims of these alleged crimes, and implore anyone who may have information helpful to law enforcement to please call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “The level of depravity alleged in the charges filed today against Mr. Rivera are nearly unfathomable. The FBI and our partners remain committed to bringing to justice all those who would seek to harm our society’s most vulnerable members. We are asking anyone with information about Mr. Rivera or his alleged activity to contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.”
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah said:
“Crimes committed against children, especially ones perpetrated by a parent or caretaker, are deeply disturbing and those who prey upon and sexually exploit children will be aggressively prosecuted. As alleged in this case, Dilicia Aguirre-Orellana sexually violated and exploited her own child in unspeakable ways.
This case shows how law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels can work together to protect the most vulnerable victims. My office is proud to have partnered with the Yonkers Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York on this remarkable collaborative effort which put an end to the alleged abuse of a young victim, and will help any other potential victims come forward.”
YPD Commissioner John Mueller said: “It is at the core of every law enforcement officer to protect the vulnerable and innocent, most of all children. We must hold these alleged criminals accountable to the maximum extent of the law for the abuse they inflicted on the smallest members of our society; the Yonkers Police will always continue to put victims first. I am grateful for the sustained multi-agency collaboration on the County, State, and Federal levels that ensures safe communities in Westchester and the City of Yonkers, and applaud the efforts of the investigators and attorneys who worked this case.”
According to the Complaint[1] filed on February 28, 2022, in White Plains federal court:
In or about December 2021, RIVERA communicated online with AGUIRRE-ORELLANA and persuaded AGUIRRE-ORELLANA to make videos of herself performing sex acts on her four-year-old child (“Victim-1”). At RIVERA’s direction, AGUIRRE-ORELLANA made videos of herself touching Victim’s genitals and herself performing oral sex on Victim-1, and sent them to RIVERA over a social media messaging application. In conversations with law enforcement, RIVERA stated that he engaged in similar conversations with other women online. RIVERA may have used various social media platforms to communicate with victims, including WhatsApp, Badoo, Telegram, and Facebook. The usernames of some of RIVERA’s various accounts include:
Jriv3ra718
Jriv3ra11
Jaid3nrivera718
Thebrimbrothers
Jano59fifty
Nathan
On or about February 23, 2022, AGUIRRE-ORELLANA was charged in Westchester County with sexual abuse in the first degree and criminal sexual act in the first degree. The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office will be prosecuting these charges.
Anyone who may have encountered JONATHAN RIVERA (or someone who may have been using the social media usernames identified above), is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
* * *
RIVERA, 33, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
AGUIRRE-ORELLANA, 22, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with one count of production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and one count of possession of child pornography involving images of a minor who had not yet attained the age of 12, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the efforts of the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force which includes Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the FBI, US Probation, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Westchester County PD, Westchester County DA’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County DA’s Office, the NYPD and the Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Peekskill, Greenburgh, New Rochelle, White Plains, Clarkstown and Ramapo Police Departments. This investigation is ongoing.
This case began as an investigation in the YPD Special Victim’s Unit, working jointly with the Special Prosecutions Division Child Abuse Bureau of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, including Bureau Chief Christine Hatfield and Acting Deputy Bureau Chief Owein Levin. The federal prosecution is being handled by the White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Simon is in charge of the prosecution.
Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah Newsletter
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| Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Mount Vernon Man Sentenced for Violent Sexual Assault The incident took place in a secluded area in Mount Vernon.Hasarn Myke used a knife to remove the victim’s clothing, sexually assaulted her & stabbed her in the face. He then forced her to walk naked at knifepoint toward his home. Read more » Westchester Launches Opioid Response & Overdose Prevention Initiative (ORI)ORI was formed in response to a rise in overdoses & overdose deaths.The Initiative, launched with key stakeholders & law enforcement throughout Westchester County, will prevent overdose deaths, help people struggling with addiction & target those who perpetuate the opioid crisis. Read more » Somers Resident Guilty in Fatal Drunk Driving CrashThe wrong-way, head-on collision killed an Ardsley man & teenager.Before the fatal collision, Jaime Paucar crashed into one vehicle & fled the scene. He then used the exit ramp to enter I-287 & sideswiped three additional vehicles before the final crash. Read more » WCDAO, Moms Demand Action Host Gun Safety Forum The joint training session was part of the DA’s Safe Storage Program.The “Be SMART” training educated Westchester County parents & caretakers on safe firearms storage practices & ways to curb gun violence, prevent shootings by children & reduce the number of child gun deaths. Read more » Family Arraigned in COVID Fraud Nursing Home Case The investigation was handled in collaboration with the NYS Department of Health.A mother, who is a nurse, & her two daughters were each charged for providing fraudulent COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards to maintain & obtain employment at a Croton-on-Hudson nursing home. Read more » ADA Laura Murphy Receives Prestigious Morgenthau Award Murphy received the award from the District Attorneys Association of New York.Murphy was recognized for her professional accomplishments & exemplifying honesty, integrity & commitment to the fair & ethical administration of justice during her 34-year career with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Read more » |
GEDNEY ASSOCIATION (SOUTHEND STAKEHOLDER) ARTICULATES VISION FOR WHITE PLAINS NY USA
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From Gedney Association March 2, 2022:
| The City of White Plains is requesting your input for the Comprehensive Plan Update! Please visit ONE White Plains and click on Participate. Here you can review the Draft Vision Statement and Planning Goals that were based on feedback collected during Phase I of the Plan update. Participants can add comments and give a thumbs up or down to comments left by other participants. Outlined below is the Vision Statement of the Board. The Gedney Association along with White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations continue to urge the Common Council to reestablish the Committee Structure that was used in 1998, and institute a rezoning moratorium during the Comprehensive planning process. Please email us with any questions. The Gedney Association |
| Comprehensive Plan Process Recommendations: Reestablish Committee Structure used in 1998 Update;Committees of a minimum of 8-10 persons focusing on a specific area;Committees shall report to a Management Committee;Management Committee shall summarize recommendations flowing from each Committee and report to Common Council;Initiate a Moratorium on any rezonings until completion of Plan update. Gedney Farms Vision Statement Pertaining to Gedney Farms: Preservation of low-density single-family zoning;Preservation of historic character of Gedney Farms;Encourage Open Space Preservation;Protection of Area Watercourses and Wetlands resources;Preserve natural areas that provide flood protection;Reduce cut-through traffic;Preserve R-30 single family zoning on golf course properties;Consider and manage flood risk; analyze properties at risk such as former FASNY property and other areas such as Gedney Park Drive. Pertaining to South End of City:Protect low-density single-family zoning;Prohibit cut-through traffic on local streets;Prohibit multi-family apartments on existing low-density office parks;Limit retail to community related needs and limit to existing local retail centers;Maintain requisite fire and police services and consider future needs. Pertaining to City-Wide Issues: Protect the delicate balance between Downtown and surrounding single-family neighborhoods;Consider impacts and limits on City Infrastructure (i.e. schools, sewers, roads, traffic congestion, fire & police services and parks and recreation services;Return to lower height restrictions of residential and office properties in Downtown zoning;Limit multi-family housing to Downtown;Assess the decreasing role of retail facilities Downtown;An Open Space Plan should be a key component of a revised Master Plan;Examine the decline and changes of the office market downtown. |
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WALKING BACK COVID FOR GOOD
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THE MASKLIFT AHEAD: WESTCHESTER HAS LOWEST COVID POSITIVES IN WEEK IN 8 MONTHS—597 FROM FEB 20 TO 27, 85 NEW PERSONS TESTING POSITIVE A DAY. 1,208 NEW CASES TWO WEEKS AGO INFECTED 597 PEOPLE LAST WEEK, 50% Spread Rate
WPCNR CORONA VIRUS MONITOR. From the New York State Covid Tracker and School Covid Case Report. Analysis and Commentary by John F. Bailey:
Westchester County had its most effective week in containing covid since the week of July 11 to 17 when just after Westchester began its resurgence of Covid’s second wave that built in a huge December surge in cases with masking in place.
REPORTED 55 CASES OF COVID MID-HUDSON REGION REPORTED
129 CASES FOR ALL 7 COUNTIES. 9 COUNTIES SURROUNDING NYC
REPORTED 280 CASES COMPARED TO NEW YORK CITY’S 362.
The Saturday covid figure for Westchester County in yesterday from the state recorded 55 new persons testing positive bringing the total for the week of February 20 to 27 to 597 new cases or 85 new cases a day.
STEADY EROSION OF NEW COVID CASES FOR 4 WEEK
FROM 172 A DAY DOWN TO 85 A DAY LAST WEEK
When you look at the infections two weeks ago from February 6 to 12 there were 1,208 persons in Westchester County who tested positive, who two weeks later have spread the virus to 597 other people. This means positives in the last two weeks spread the disease to 50% more people (597 divided by 1,208 is .49 –50% each infecting half a person).
The hospitalizations reported yesterday by County Executive George Latimer as of Monday was 85 down from 677 a month ago. So this tells us people may be getting infected with covid but getting less sick.
Now the one factor that schools opening tomorrow without a state-required masking mandate have to be wary of is how many students will be sent back to school not wearing masks. Or those with masks, not keeping them in place correctly.
In the case of the White Plains Schools we have track record provided by the State School Covid Report. (Similar records are available for every school district. ) They are instructive.
According to the February 28 State Schools Covid Report White Plains schools saw 1,738 students, teachers and administrators– 22% of the district 7,964 universe of 6,792 students, 699 teachers and 473 staff employees since September when students, teachers administrators were masked, socially distancing, teachers, administrators 80% vaccinated or more, In 6 months of school in a highly covid-protective environment, you had 1,738 covid positives or 289 a month, 72 a week.
The number of students testing positive in 6 months through February 28 is 1,412 of 6,792 (21%). A total of 985 elementary students tested positive. In Middle School, 173 tested positive and in the high school, 254.
Teachers who tested positive numbered 179. Staff testing positive totaled 147.
What that tells us is that masking did a lot to limit infections, but still infections persisted. It might be argued that there might have been a lot more if there was no masking;
Going ahead, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ricca and the school reopening committee have to decide if they can without violating state directives whatever they may be, what protocols to keep according to Department of Health regulations.
Testing, for example there has to be a lot more to see the effects of the socialization the next 6 weeks of socializing March, 4 full weeks of school to see whether or not infections are on the upswing quickly or confirm that spread of the disease is at least even with the present rate. The schools in White Plains will have to test more The school only tested 66 Monday.
The 22% infections over the first 6 months even in a community-supportive environment indicates this policy of masklifting by the state is a gamble to please the public and do what so many parents want. It has not worked in the last 4 waves.
The last time the leaders in Albany and the then governor opened this up, covid started up again in July and has not let up even with masking.
Westchester has covid at low tide again.
The White Plains School District has made masks “optional.” The schools will respect parents’ decisions on whether to send their students in with masks or without.
Human behavior is the key to keeping covid where it is and continue its decline.
If we do not behave responsibly in the way we recreate, socialize, shop, eat out, attend events, and celebrate in this spring socializing season coming up a 5th wave will happen. That’s the history of this Red Plague.
Westchester has stopped covid four times, each time relaxing and letting Covid come back again. Let us keep it stopped with responsible behavior.
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COUNTY EXECUTIVE LATIMER ON THE GREAT “MASKLIFT”: NO COUNTY MANDATES FORESEEN IN IMMEDIATE FUTURE. MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN BUT ARE STILL REQUIRED IN HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES AND COUNTY MASS TRANSIT.
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FLASH! “THE MASKLIFT” MASKING ON BUSES, IN WP SCHOOLS “OPTIONAL” WEDNESDAY IN WHITE PLAINS.
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Dr. Joseph Ricca, White Plains Superintendent of Schools. February 28, 2022 UPDATED WITH GOVERNOR HOCHUL “MASKLIFT” STATEMENT:
As a brief update, we are told to expect detailed guidance from the NYS Department of Health pertaining to COVID-19 mitigation and health/safety requirements within the next 48 hours or so.
While we know that masking in schools (and on district transportation) will become optional on Wednesday, there are still outstanding questions pertaining to the other mitigation strategies that run concurrently with masking.
(Editor’s Note: ) Governor Hochul annnounced the Masklift Sunday afternoon in this news release: “Today we are going to be announcing that we’ll be lifting the statewide mask requirement in schools, and that’ll be effective this Wednesday, March 2
This came out at the end of the day, Friday, we took the entire weekend to work with our Department of Health and our team here at the Chamber, as well as reaching out to the teachers, the PTAs, talking to school superintendents, and even our Commissioner of Education, Betty Rosa, who’s been embedded in this issue with us and what an amazing partner she has been.”
“We’re at our lowest point in pediatric cases since July of 2021, and that was before the school year started. So this has been our trend over the school year. So as you can all see, looking at the data and the evidence that we follow, that we are in a much, much better place.” )
(Dr. Ricca’s statement continues:) It is our understanding that these items will be addressed in the forthcoming guidance update. Once we receive this information, we will be sure to share the same with you.
Additionally, our Reopening Committee will meet this Wednesday to review all recommended changes from the NYSDoH. As always, we will share the recording of this next meeting with our community.
Throughout the pandemic, the WPCSD has worked hard to support all members of our community. We will continue our support efforts moving into the future. We recognize and respect that every member of our community is unique and that feelings and comfort levels with regard to the pandemic differ.
We recognize, and respect, that members of our community will choose to employ personal mitigation strategies, such as masking, into the future.
We as a community will respect all decisions and support all members of the community, masked, or not. We must also make certain that this level of community respect is mirrored in our school environments. Regardless of each individual’s decision to wear a mask, or not, all must be respected.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and flexibility as we begin to navigate this next phase of the pandemic.