By Dan Murphy
On Feb. 17, chanting “Our Kids, Our Choice, We Choose Not to Mask,”several hundred parents rallied outside the Yonkers Riverfront Library, steps away from the Yonkers Public Schools main offices, to call on Governor Kathy Hochul to end the mask mandate for students in school.
The rally was organized by City Clerk Vincent Spano his wife Jaime, and City Councilmember John Rubbo, who were joined by Assemblymember Nader Sayegh, Council Minority Leader Mike Breen, Councilmember Anthony Merante, and County Legislators James Nolan and David Tubiolo.
Rubbo and Spano have young children in the Yonkers Public Schools who have had to deal with two years of COVID, remote learning and masking. Together with hundreds of other parents, they asked Governor Hochul to end the mask mandate in schools after the winter break on Monday Feb. 28.
“When we see a 90% reduction in COVID cases, there is no reason in the Science to wait until after mid-Winter break in classes to lift the mask mandate in schools. I am calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to end the mask mandate today. Meanwhile, I continue to support the Governor’s efforts to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated and will continue to advocate for this in Yonkers and New York State as this is the best way to protect the health of our children and grandchildren,” said Assemblymember Nader Sayegh.
City Council Minority Leader Mike Breen said, “Governor Hochul, are you listening? Unmask our kids. You can do it, we know what the statistics are. The class of 2020 and 2021 got robbed of a proper graduation and school life. Can you hear us Governor Hochul?”
Councilmemember John Rubbo said, “After two years we want clear guidance. Our children deserve it. We look to New Jersey and Connecticut, both have given clear guidance that after winter break their kids can take off their masks. It’s important to look to the science and the data that says its ok to take your mask off. This is not a democratic or republican issue, its an issue of the people. We don’t want to wait. It’s cruel punishment to not allow our kids to socialize and get back to normal. Governor Hochul, now is the time to lead us and tell us that after the winter break that our parents can have a choice. We are asking for parents choice.”
County Legislator James Nolan said, “Two years is too long. As someone who works in the Yonkers Public Schools, I can see how tough it has been on children and enough is enough. Gov. Hochul’s future is in our hands. It’s time to lose the masks, and let parents have a choice. We are not going away.”
Councilmember Anthony Merante said, “The kids have done their fare share duing this pandemic. The answer is to take the masks off and let them enjoy their life. It time for the Governor to do her part or else we will do our part.”
County Legislator David Tubiolo said, “Our children’s mental health is a serious issue. Governor Hochul, please hear us and do the right thing and life the mask mandate.”
Also on Feb. 17, Mayor Mike Spano tweeted, “I support Yonkers families who are calling on New York State to lift the mask mandate in our public schools. Let’s give parents the choice.”
