In June 2021, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo removed mask mandates in New York state for fully vaccinated people. This might seem like a step towards normalcy, but the reality is, COVID is still a risk. The Delta Variant of the coronavirus is said to be more deadly and spread more quickly than its predecessor, making it even more of a risk. It is far too early to have removed restrictions that have been proven to help slow the spread of the virus when an even more dangerous variant has been discovered.

There are many reasons why masks should still be mandatory for ALL New Yorkers, including, but not limited to,

1) Even those who are fully vaccinated can catch the virus.

2) The virus has disproportionately affected many New Yorkers including in Black and Brown communities, the immunocompromised, the disabled, etc.

3) Wearing a mask has been scientifically proven to stop the spread of COVID and its variants.

EDIT: As a New Yorker, I have seen Governor Cuomo's response to the pandemic, and it has seriously been one of the best in the country. Now that Kathy Hochul is stepping into his position, I hope that she will continue to enforce all necessary precautions to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Once she takes office, I am demanding that Governor Hochul bring back ALL mask mandates for all people: indoors or outdoors, vaccinated or unvaccinated.