New York institutes mask mandates for TODDLERS aged 2 and above in state-run day care centers
By arseniotoledo // 2021-09-17
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mask mandate for all children two years old and above in state-regulated day care facilities and other childcare centers. This mask mandate was passed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo back in May, but the strong pushback from the public forced him to rescind the order just days later. Hochul's mask mandate also applies to all staff and visitors to state-regulated childcare facilities. When she announced the mask mandate, Hochul explained that it applies to all, regardless of a person's vaccination status. Exemptions will only be granted to people who are medically unable to tolerate wearing a mask. In justifying her mask mandate, Hochul claimed that requiring toddlers to wear face coverings while in day care will help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. "If you're watching the national news, the scariest announcements coming out every single morning are the number of children now contracting COVID," said Hochul. "We don't have a vaccine available for five to 11-year-olds. I am anxious to get this approved. And as soon as it is, we'll be working with parents and pediatricians and schools to make sure that the children are vaccinated, but we're not hearing that that will occur for a number of months yet." Hochul failed to mention that the COVID-19 cases found among children and teenagers are caused by them getting infected by their fully vaccinated parents and teachers.

Hochul to pass more restrictions, including more mask and vaccine mandates

The governor is following up on the promise she made right after taking her ceremonial oath of office on Aug. 24 that she would restrict the freedom of New Yorkers, especially children, by forcing them to wear masks almost everywhere. Her next goal is to force children to wear masks at all times while in school. Not only that, she wants to make masks mandatory for after-school programs. Hochul has also passed a mask mandate for everyone in congregate and residential settings, such as inpatient mental health facilities and substance abuse programs. The governor is also getting ready to expand the state's vaccine mandates. This comes just after a federal judge blocked her vaccine mandate for healthcare workers because it did not recognize exemptions based on sincerely held religious beliefs. (Related: Judge in New York temporarily halts state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.) "We're hoping we will make overwhelming, persuasive arguments in support of allowing the state of New York to do what is necessary to protect public health," said Hochul. "It's the smart thing to do and we have to continue the mandates," she added. "This is not intended to be dictatorial. This is intended to save lives." Hochul followed this up with an announcement on Wednesday urging everyone in New York 12 years old and above to get vaccinated against COVID-19. She has previously allocated an additional $65 million in state funding – paid for by taxpayers – to local governments in New York to help them distribute and administer booster COVID-19 doses when they become available. Hochul added that local health agencies have already identified over 200 sites to set up new mass vaccination centers to administer booster doses. "I just want the message to go out, be aware of when you had your last shot," she said, in anticipation of booster doses. "Eight months later, start talking about going to see your doctor, a pharmacist, or take advantage of one of our … mass vaccination sites. We'll make sure all the information gets out." New York is currently going through a worsening COVID-19 outbreak. On Tuesday, an additional 2,424 people were hospitalized for the coronavirus and at least 31 people died. Hochul said the only solution was for New Yorkers to simply get vaccinated. "We all want this to be over," she said. "Everybody's tired of it." Hochul's statement is ignoring the fact that New York's current outbreak is caused by the state's fully vaccinated individuals, and coercing the state's remaining unvaccinated population to get the vaccine will only make matters worse. As of press time, 73.7 percent of New York's adult population is fully vaccinated, and an additional 8.5 percent of the population has received one dose of the vaccine. Learn more about how Democrats are forcing people to wear masks and get vaccines at Pandemic.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Townhall.com BuffaloNews.com NYTimes.com
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