Posted on 12/13/2021 6:18:30 PM PST by lightman
New York’s governor said Monday that her administration will not seek to compel counties to comply with her new mask mandate, which took effect on Dec. 13.
“I do hope that the businesses will enforce this, and individuals will understand how important it is,” Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters at a briefing in New York City.
“We have left it to the counties to enforce, so counties can choose not to enforce. But we hope counties are enforcing,” she added later.
Hochul, a Democrat who replaced Andrew Cuomo when he resigned earlier this year, on Friday announced that masks would be required in all indoor public places unless the entities imposed vaccine mandates.
The measure started Dec. 13 and runs until Jan. 15, 2022.
Officials in multiple counties, though, are refusing to enforce the mask mandate.
“Governor Hochul derided the use of these types of measures just days ago. Now, we are back to Cuomo-era approaches. That is an unfortunate, and swift, switch of position by the governor,” Livingston County Board of Supervisors chair David LeFeber said in a statement.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day said enforcing the mandate would mean taking workers “who are vaccinating children and others right now with a life-saving vaccine” and have them “go walk around to different places to figure out whether people are masking up or not.”
“That would be utterly reckless on my part and I will not do that,” the Republican said.
Hochul was pressed on whether counties that don’t enforce the mandate will face repercussions. She indicated they will not, though she urged them to carry out enforcement.
“It’s in the best interest of public health, but it also comes down to individual businesses doing the right thing as well,” she said, calling the mandate “a very short-term, minor effort” in compared to lockdowns imposed last year by Cuomo.
Hochul said she would never order lockdowns but left open the possibility of extending the mask mandate.
“It’s a temporary measure, as long as people follow it,” she said.
Hochul, who was lieutenant governor before succeeding Cuomo, is running for a full term as governor. The 2022 New York gubernatorial election also features a slew of other candidates, including Democrat New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), and Rudy Giuliani’s son Andrew Giuliani.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat who has imposed some of the strictest mandates in the country, is also expected to announce a bid after leaving office due to term limits at the end of the year.
About 70 percent of people in New York are fully vaccinated, according to state data. Over 9 out of 10 New Yorkers 18 or older have gotten at least one vaccine dose.
Hochul spoke after joining the Kings County Democratic County Committee at a holiday party last week. Hochul shared a picture of herself not wearing a mask, despite being indoors. She did not wear a mask while announcing a new terminal at the John F. Kennedy Airport on Monday, but put one on before taking questions from reporters.
Hochul’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Let's go Brandon!
Come a little closer, said the spider to the fly.
“We have left it to the counties to enforce, so counties can choose not to enforce. But we hope counties are enforcing,”
Very weak. I love it !
That's the end of her career path in the Democrat party. She doesn't have what it takes to be a modern Democrat.
Maybe she fears widespread non-compliance making her look ineffectual.
Asked my daughter “When do we stop wearing masks?”
She said “I don’t know.”
I said “When enough people say no.”
The chid needs that lesson.
As I was leaving Walmart, a couple came in without masks, and the guy was apparently trying to show his vaccine card to the greeter. She said that based on the HIPPA Law, she's not allowed to see anyone's health-related info, nor does she want to see any.
That’s the end of her career path in the Democrat party. She doesn’t have what it takes to be a modern Democrat.
The party’s over...
F’em all !
Hochul:
“Since you’re ignoring me we’ll just pretend you’re listening by leaving enforcement up to the counties.”
CC
In the one in the town of Clay, way to the north-west of the county, pretty much no one wears them except Target employees.
It would be nice if the insane Gavin followed the New York Governor’s lead, but unfortunately the insane do not follow anyone!
I live in Rome, New York, and periodically go to the Wegman's in Fayetteville, NY. Last time I was there was just before Thanksgiving. Most people didn't have masks on. Thankfully, I don't have any plans to go back there anytime soon. Probably a lot of sheep.
but unfortunately the insane do not follow anyone!
They do, but no one we would follow. They are lost. RIP
Read that several counties in Western NY - Niagara, Orleans, Genesee won’t be enforcing the mandate. Expect others to follow suit. One of the given is that they don’t have the staff resources to do compliance work related to the mask mandate.
Went to my gym today in Ontario county….they had a masks required sign up and I walked right past it. Kid at the desk asked me to wear one. I canceled my membership and left never to return.
they don’t have the staff resources to do compliance work related to the mask mandate.
This is how we beat them.
Good for you. Plenty of other gyms around who won't make you jump through hoops.
Onondaga County blinked...
Some more good news...
https://www.wkbw.com/news/coronavirus/some-county-leaders-vow-not-to-enforce-state-mask-mandate
Bwah hah hah hah hah...
https://www.rochesterfirst.com/coronavirus/livingston-county-will-not-enforce-new-mask-mandate/
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