Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New York Governor: Won’t Force Counties to Comply With Mask Mandate
epoch times ^ | 13 Decenber A.D. 2021 | Zachery Steiber

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.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: covid1984; hochul; mask; masks; newyork
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last
To: mewzilla

Another one, Saratoga County...

https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/Some-counties-will-not-enforce-Hochul-s-mask-16698451.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-CP-Spotlight


21 posted on 12/13/2021 7:41:59 PM PST by mewzilla (Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla

Current list so far here...

https://www.nny360.com/news/publicservicenews/hochul-will-not-enforce-mask-mandate-amid-county-pushback/article_27733b28-36cd-5e1a-aa95-d85b524cb134.html


22 posted on 12/13/2021 7:43:10 PM PST by mewzilla (Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: lightman

So now when people get the WuFlu she will claim it was because the counties did not follow her lead.


23 posted on 12/13/2021 7:48:13 PM PST by Tipllub
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lightman
Hochul really has no choice in the matter as the Sheriffs are the highest elected official in the counties and cannot be trumped by either Governors or Presidents whether real or fake.

It is completely up to the respective Sheriffs.

24 posted on 12/13/2021 8:23:26 PM PST by Manic_Episode (A government of the government, by the government, for the government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mass55th

Half the workers now have their masks at least partially pulled down and they’re at some risk of being disciplined. This tells me everyone except the true believers who live in constant fear are done with stupid masks.


25 posted on 12/13/2021 8:24:49 PM PST by bigbob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: lightman

26 posted on 12/13/2021 8:41:51 PM PST by know.your.why (If you dont watch the MSM you are uninformed. If you do watch the MSM you are misinformed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lightman
Meanwhile...

New York Bill Would Allow Gov. to Detain Anyone Considered to be Public Health Threat

27 posted on 12/14/2021 3:19:41 PM PST by mewzilla (Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lightman
Meanwhile, this enemedia piece advertises a rat line for people to use for switching on non-compliant businesses.

Onondaga County businesses could receive warnings, fines if mask mandate is not enforced

28 posted on 12/15/2021 3:14:00 AM PST by mewzilla (Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla
Get a load of this one threatening non-compliant customers with the fuzz...

Bello: Monroe County will comply with mask mandate, work with businesses on education & enforcement

29 posted on 12/15/2021 3:16:18 AM PST by mewzilla (Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: lightman
Meanwhile...

"There was no executive order for a mask mandate" in NYC. Holcunt's office admits it was a suggestion from an un-elected Doctor in NY.

30 posted on 12/16/2021 10:33:34 AM PST by mewzilla (Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson