Should we mask or not? That’s the question now that the Centers for Disease Control relaxed guidelines. And neither New York State nor RIOC stepped up with any advice, increasing local uncertainty.
By David Stone
It’s been a long year, but New York is fast reopening. The questions remain, however, over how to best protect ourselves and others. That is: To mask or not to mask.
Mask or not variables…
While relaxing face mask guidelines radically, the CDC drew a firm line between those of us fully vaccinated and those not. But who knows? There is no way of telling if the person plopping down next to you on a park bench is really vaccinated.
As it was all last year, it’s about trust.
Given that, the rest is pretty simple.
- The CDC says, if you’re fully vaccinated, you don’t need face masks in public or private, with these exceptions: You must honor local rules, plus all transportation — planes, buses, trains, etc. — are still face mask mandatory. Locally: Like the rest of New York, Roosevelt Island guidelines have not changed as of now. Stores, restaurants and offices must respect the standing face mask and social distancing rules.
Since Susan Rosenthal’s departure, last June, RIOC’s been relatively lax about promoting face masks or social distancing. It’s unrealistic expecting guidance locally now, but maybe Governor Cuomo will take action.
In their own words: “Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.” – The Centers for Disease Control
Facts behind the guidance
David Leonhardt in a New York Times article put it best:
First, the underlying virus that causes Covid rarely spreads outdoors. Second — and even more important — fully vaccinated people are at virtually no risk of serious disease and only a minuscule risk of spreading the virus to others.
A C.D.C. Aboutface/David Leonhardt, May 14th, 2021
And there’s an important message from the White House: “After a year of hard work and so much sacrifice, the rule is very simple: Get vaccinated, or wear a mask until you do,” President Biden said.
We couldn’t have said it better.
Abide by the rules in all indoor public spaces, but get vaccinated and join the rest of us in showing off those smiling, friendly greetings again.
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- Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputesRIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.
- Flushing Spa Murder: Man Charged After Woman Found Stabbed to DeathFlushing spa murder investigation leads to a murder charge against a 54-year-old man after a woman was found fatally stabbed in a Queens storefront.
- Sunday’s blotter: four medical calls, three non-criminal investigationsRIOC’s Nov. 8 PSD blotter lists 19 incidents, including four aided calls (two hospital transports) and three Investigation Non-Criminal entries at 465, 580 and 546 Main Street.
The Budget Knew Before the “Emergency”
The demolition began on paper long before the City invoked emergency authority to carry it out. In RIOC’s fiscal 2013-14 budget, the Corporation set aside $7 million for fiscal 2015 for the complete demolition and cleanup of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant. RIOC called that figure its worst-case scenario, meaning the State corporation might be left responsible for the entire cost.
