“Considering the decline in local positive cases, hospitalization rates along with an increase in the number of people fully vaccinated, it was time for New York to reconsider its mask policy. Many families in the North Country were looking forward to this and I welcome the Governor’s announcement that masks will no longer be required in schools or childcare settings starting on Wednesday March 1st. We all want to keep our children safe and I want to remind everyone to keep following safety protocols.”