Who Was That Mask-Bearing Man? Latimer Makes A Special Delivery

BEDFORD, NY — County Executive George Latimer proved that no job is too small when it comes to keeping school kids safe, personally delivering a shipment of disposable masks to Mount Kisco Elementary School on Friday

Westchester County has partnered with the Westchester County Superintendents Association to distribute child and adult-sized masks to students returning to in-person classes this fall. County officials visited the elementary school in the Bedford Central School District to deliver the masks.

"We want children, who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, to continue to be safe and learn in a healthy environment," Latimer said. "These masks are part of the continued safety protocols our school districts are taking to keep our children well so they can succeed academically while being in the classroom."

The County has procured more than 200,000 child-sized masks for the youngest students. The masks are specifically designed to protect the county’s children who are not yet eligible for the vaccine, according to the officials. Currently, only those age 12 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Our children are most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 until they are able to be vaccinated," Mount Kisco Mayor Gina Picinich said. "We want to ensure that our children are in school, our businesses stay open and that all in our community are healthy and safe."

The Bedford Central School District received ten thousand child-sized masks and ten thousand adult-sized masks. Superintendent Joel Adelberg, Principal Inas Morsi-Hogans, Pound Ridge Supervisor Kevin Hansan and the district's Westchester County Legislator Kitley Covill were on hand to receive the special shipment.

"We are incredibly appreciative of our ongoing partnership with Westchester County and County Executive Latimer as we continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, keep our students and staff safe, and keep our schools open," Bedford Central School Superintendent Joel Adelberg told those gathered.

Masks have already been delivered, though with somewhat less fanfare, to: White Plains Central School District, Somers Central School District, Pleasantville Union Free School District, Yorktown Central School District, Greenburgh-North Castle Union Free School District, Ossining Union Free School District, Mount Pleasant Central School District, Blind Brook School District, Elmsford Union Free School District, Port Chester Union Free School District, Bronxville School District and Mamaroneck Union Free School District.