Incoming Gov. Hochul Says Mask Mandates Likely In Schools

LONG ISLAND, NY — New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said this week that she thinks it's likely masks will be required when children head back to school in September.

In an interview with NBC's "Today" show Thursday — a day after her first address to the public since Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation — Hochul said it was her opinion that everyone in schools should be masked up. "My view is that ... people will be, children and everyone in a school environment, will be wearing masks. That's just an opinion right now, I don't have the authority to make that the policy," she said.

Hochul, in the same interview, also said she plans to run for governor next year in her own right: "Yes I will. I fully expect to," Hochul said in the interview with NBC's "Today" show.

The mask mandate has been a highly controversial issue, deeply dividing parents and school districts for months.

Since New York's state of emergency was lifted in July, the governor cannot mandate masks across the public school system, but the New York State Department of Health can strongly advocate adherence to the pandemic protocols, including the wearing of face coverings.

Hochul also said in the interview that she plans to work with school district officials as well as parents and teachers on the issue — and that she would follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Also, we need be talking to the school districts as well. That hasn't happened in the past and it's the way I think it should be. To find out what's their anxiety. Why there's any objection to this," she told NBC.

In late July, Cuomo also urged school districts in areas where the numbers are high and vaccination rates low to take more aggressive action. "Schools can become super spreaders and in September, it will happen," he said. "This is an intense and pivotal moment and we all have to work together... We have to go further."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its guidance in July to say that in areas where the Delta variant is causing a spike in numbers and vaccination rates are low, even fully vaccinated people will be asked to mask up indoors. The CDC also recommended that everyone in schools from K-12 wear a mask, whether or not they are vaccinated.

Cuomo said the state would do a "full review" of the new CDC guidance and also look to international health experts.

Employers, including school districts, are able to mandate vaccinations for employees, Cuomo said. He urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to grant final approval for the vaccinations — they are currently being administered under an emergency use authorization.

If the vaccines are federally approved, the state would have more authority to mandate vaccinations for state schools and colleges and for local governments in areas with a high number of cases, he said. As it stands, schools themselves can mandate vaccinations for teachers, staff, and bus drivers, because schools are employers, he said.

Hochul, who will be taking the reins after Cuomo spoke down, spoke to the public for the first time Wednesday.

Hochul said she spoke to Cuomo, who pledged his full support for a smooth transition. "Regarding his decision to step down, I believe it was appropriate and in the best interests of the state of New York," she said.

While she said the decision was not expected, she is prepared to step up and will spend the time until she takes office as New York's first woman governor meeting with elected officials, business and faith leaders, and others, as well as building out her senior staff.

Hochul, who will become the state's 57th governor, acknowledged the challenges, including the coronavirus delta variant, which is "raging," as well as the issue of children returning to school, which has sparked a "lot of anxiety" among parents. Hochul also addressed the need to help small businesses.

"I will fight like hell for you every single day," she said.

She added that while she has a vision, she will detail her plans once she takes office. "The state of New York has one governor at a time," she said.

Hochul said she is engaged in regular briefings with the state's health care partners and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..

Discussing the state's lagging vaccination rate or whether the state could again declare a state of emergency, Hochul said that until she takes office, the decisions remain Cuomo's.

"All options are on the table," she said, adding that she was working closely with health care professionals and the CDC. "I believe the key to getting through this is getting vaccinated," she said.

She said concerns remain for children 12 to 17 regarding the CDC's stance on vaccinations.