In direct defiance of Gov. Kathy Hochul, newly installed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman wants to let school districts decide if kids must wear masks inside buildings.
The Republican official signed a trio of executive orders Thursday, including one that would give Nassau’s school boards the ability to scrap student mask mandates.
Arguing that Albany was imposing an “autocracy” upon the state, Blakeman repeatedly ripped Hochul’s mask decrees prior to the signing.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
I signed three Executive Orders today.
#1 gives parents and local school boards the option of whether to require the wearing of masks by school children. Parents have a fundamental right to make healthcare decisions on behalf of their children. Government may not infringe upon these rights without a compelling reason. School boards are comprised of elected officials who make decisions based upon the unique circumstances of each District. They are in the best position to make these decisions, not an autocracy in Albany.
#2 allows Nassau County workers the option as to whether to wear a mask. Workers will not be required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors.
#3 solidifies my decision not to enforce the Governor’s mask mandate that would unfairly fine residents and small businesses thousands of dollars.
Let no one be fooled that we in Nassau County are not taking lightly the challenges and risks of COVID-19. We are taking a very aggressive approach in fighting COVID-19, but this aggressive approach must be balanced by keeping in mind the psychological and economic risks of every decision we make as well as individuals constitutional rights. To that end we are doubling the amount of free test kits we will distribute this weekend. Residents can visit Eisenhower Park and TOBAY Beach this Saturday from 8:30am until 1pm, or until supply runs out. We are asking that if you live south of Hempstead Turnpike that you go to TOBAY Beach. If you live north of Hempstead Turnpike, we ask that you come to Eisenhower Park. We will give out 20,000 kits per site, per day for a total for 40,000 kits per day. That is over 160,000 kits in total this weekend. With these kits we will be able to serve over 13,000 cars per day, at each site. For comparison, we were only able to serve about 13,000 cars combined last weekend. In addition we are opening a vaccination pod to provide free vaccinations to those who want them. The pod will be held at Nassau Community College, and will be open this Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 3PM. The Health Department will be administering the moderna vaccine booster shot, as well as first and second shots. Vaccinations will be by appointment only, you can reserve your spot today by visiting the county website. Finally, I am directing our Office of Emergency Management to make available to every public and private school in Nassau County KN95 masks for teachers, janitors, administrators, and other staff so there will be no excuses to close schools. I agree with NYC Mayor Eric Adams that “the safest place for our children is in school!”
Finally, I would like to thank Senator Schumer and Congressman Garbarino and Suozzi for their efforts to secure federal funds for local governments to fight this pandemic.
