New York Mask Mandates – Will You Have to Wear a Mask in Your Town?

Get your frowning and scowling out of the way now, because unfortunately, we may not be able to see you do it for much longer.

Mask Mandates Have Returned to Western New York

With a spike in COVID-19 cases hitting the country during the usual cold-and-flu-season months, New York's Erie County has re-issued a mask mandate. As reported by WNYT News Channel 13, anyone ages two and up will be required to wear a mask while indoors.

Here's more from WNYT...

"County Executive Mark Poloncarz said if the mask mandate doesn't work by mid-December, the county will require vaccine mandates for indoor dining." - Associated Press through WNYT

The decision comes on the heels of a spike in both COVID-19 cases state and nationwide, and a spike in hospitalizations, as well.

COVID Cases and Hospitalizations on the Rise in the Capital Region

Per Worldometer's infographics on cases in the state of New York, we're seeing a rise in cases, and deaths, statewide...

The charts assert that the state of New York continues to see a rise in cases, reaching levels that we haven't seen since June and July, when many mask mandates were removed.

The total case and total death charts show that both numbers nearly flatlined during the late summer and early fall, and with the return of cold-and-flu season, have returned to a rising trend.

Will You Have to Wear a Mask in Towns Near Albany?

Unfortunately, the Capital Region is seeing a similar trend in positive cases as the state as a whole, according to the New York State coronavirus database. A continuance of this trend may lead to mask mandates in your hometown, something that new New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, has warned about.