Parent Fights School Masking: 'I Know What's Good For My Child'

WANTAGH, NY — With schools opening on Long Island, students are facing a mask mandate from the state to stay ahead of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

But many families are not pleased with their children being ordered to wear a mask.

In Wantagh, an anti-schools mask walk-out is scheduled for Friday morning, organized by Alan Jacoby, who switched his fourth-grade daughter to homeschooling.

"We went the entire summer with no mask mandates, sitting in restaurants, sporting events, barbeques, parties, you name it," Jacoby told Patch. "All of a sudden COVID is back, or whatever they're calling it this year, and they have to put kids back in masks."

Jacoby claims to not be anti-mask or against mask bans, but he said it should be up to each parent.

"I will not co-parent with government," Jacoby said. "I know what's good for my child."

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a mask mandate for students and staff in all schools to start the fall semester. It was formalized by the state's Department of Health to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but Jacoby maintains that children are not adversely impacted by the virus.

"More kids die from the flu," he said. "I honestly don't care about the science; I care about choice."

However, health experts have said that children could be carriers for COVID-19, potentially affecting those who aren't vaccinated or more at-risk.

"Kids in school are cornucopias of germs," Jacoby said. "Every fall when kids start school they are germ factories."

Even though Jacoby is active and vocal in his community, he isn't confident that parents will participate in the protest in coordination with a national anti-mask rally. More than 35 people said they would attend.

"Are we going to change the world by standing in front of the school? Probably not," he admitted.

However, they are getting their voices heard and already planning future protests.

Jacoby, 42, has not gotten the COVID-19 vaccine and never took an influenza shot but claims he is not an "anti-vaxxer."

"As of right now, I won't get it and there's nothing that's forcing me to get it," Jacoby said.

If the school mask mandate was dropped, Jacoby would choose to keep his daughter without a face covering. But he added if a parent felt more comfortable having a child wear a mask "and my kid is not wearing a mask, your kid's protected. We should have no problem," Jacoby said.