'Illogical' Forcing Young Children To Wear Mask: McDonough

MERRICK, NY — A return to normalcy from COVID-19 means stepping over the minefields of the mask. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who issued sweeping guidance about expanded reopening across the state, is getting some criticism for one mask decision.

Cuomo is requiring children two years old and younger to wear a mask at childcare and daycare facilities during the summer.

The reversal of policy comes after toddlers were kept from wearing masks throughout the pandemic and it has caused at least one local lawmaker to attack the governor's new stance.

"It is illogical to force children two years old and under to wear a mask when we currently have a statewide infection rate of 0.8 percent and at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic these children were not required to wear them," Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R-Merrick ) said in a statement. "The inconsistencies coming from the executive chamber have further exacerbated the lack of public faith in government and hastened the demise of transparency in this administration. I stand with my colleagues to call for the end to this unnecessary mandate."

Patch attempted to reach the governor's office for a reaction.