The recent New York State guidelines for child care programs and summer camps have put an undue burden on child care providers without even consulting them. Since the beginning of the pandemic, children 2 and over in child care settings were not required to wear masks, and with the new guidance, they are required to wear them effective immediately. This new guidance contradicts the recent move by New York to relax mask mandates, leading many child care professionals and parents to be confused by this drastic shift in policy.

It is unacceptable that the State has failed to give child care and summer camp providers and parents time to prepare for this new guidance. Considering how most of my district is in a child care desert, I am also concerned about how this guidance will hurt an industry that is already struggling. Working parents throughout the North Country rely on child care programs and summer camps for their child care needs, and our region cannot afford putting any of these providers in jeopardy due to this new guidance. The Governor and the Department of Health must reconsider this guidance, and work with child care professionals to find a solution that better serves our children.