A New York community college walked back its mandatory masking policy hours after a county official raised concerns about the efficiency of wearing a face mask on Friday, NBC New York reported.
Nassau Community College (NCC) officials briefly reinstated an indoor mask mandate for all individuals regardless of vaccination status to combat an increase in reported COVID-9 cases, according to NBC New York. Currently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends individuals in Nassau County wear a face mask while indoors based on its “high” community level.
However, the policy was reversed after school officials held a meeting with County Executive Bruce Blakeman who argued that the mandate would have “little value.”
“At this time we are monitoring the spike in COVID diagnoses and have importantly not seen a spike in hospitalizations,” Blakeman tweeted on Friday. “As we have seen in the past, there is very little value in mandating masks to prevent the spread of COVID.”
“After strong evidence-based discussions with the President of the College, they are withdrawing their premature decision to mandate masks,” he continued. (RELATED: Colleges Are Finally Starting To Realize They Can’t Test, Mask Students Forever)
At this time we are monitoring the spike in COVID diagnoses and have importantly not seen a spike in hospitalizations. As we have seen in the past, there is very little value in mandating masks to prevent the spread of COVID.
— Bruce Blakeman (@NassauExec) December 9, 2022
Lindsey Angioletti, NCC’s marketing & Communication Director, provided the Daily Caller News Foundation with the school’s statement, which read “[a]fter additional discussions, the College will not be reinstating the mask mandate.”
NCC now recommends that students and employees wear face masks while inside campus buildings, according to its website which was last updated on Friday.
“The College recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask while indoors on campus,” it reads. “CDC states that wearing a mask can help prevent severe illnesses and reduce the spread of respiratory viruses including, the flu, RSV and COVID.”
The school deferred to the CDC on guidance about what masks should be worn indoors.
Students are still required to be fully vaccinated or be in the process of becoming fully vaccinated to attend in-person classes, however booster shots are not required. Medical and religious exemptions are available.
Blakeman did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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