BUFFALO, N.Y. — Tuesday marks 1,000 days since the World Health Organization declared the start of the pandemic on March 11, 2020.
While we’ve certainly come a long way since then, a new letter from the New York State Education Department and Department Of Health suggests we may be heading backward.
The two, along with a list of other suggestions, urged the community and schools to consider re-masking students when in public indoor spaces as a precaution ahead of the holidays.
This comes as the nation is being hit by what many are calling a rare “triple demic” seeing an increase in COVID, Flu, and RSV cases.
But despite that school districts in the area like Niagara Falls have no plans to change their policies
“I don't think we're going to go that way at all,” said Niagara Falls City School District Superintendent Mark Laurrie. “I'm hoping that nothing changes. The option to wear a mask is always there, and we really left this up to students and parents, and they've done a good job with it.
Now while the state has seen an increase across the board, here in Erie County flu numbers have actually decreased over the last week but COVID numbers are on the rise with 889 new cases last week alone — a 70% increase from the previous week. As for RSV numbers, Erie County said they do not report those.
In addition to considering masking up, the Education Department and Department of Health advise New Yorkers to stay up to date on vaccines, wash their hands often and of course stay home when sick…to ensure everyone stays safe as the holidays approach.