Residents in New York City have expressed disapproval of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to implement a partial mask ban in the city. The residents believe that the exceptions to the mask mandate might undermine the efforts to curb hate crimes that have been on the rise in the city.
During a public safety announcement, Governor Hochul mentioned an incident on the subway where individuals wearing masks were intimidating riders with chants about Hitler and anti-Semitic remarks. Hochul emphasized that her administration will not tolerate individuals using masks to hide criminal behavior and that a solution is being worked on to address the issue.
However, some residents, like Emily Alexander, a full-time nanny, are concerned about the potential ban due to the numerous exceptions that might be included. Alexander worries that people could exploit the health and religious exemptions to continue their threatening behavior while hiding behind masks. Another resident from Brooklyn also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such a ban, believing that individuals with nefarious intentions will find ways to circumvent the rules.
Governor Hochul acknowledged that the issue is complex, considering legitimate reasons for wearing masks such as religious practices, protection from COVID, and cultural events. She mentioned the need for a “reset” and highlighted the challenges in distinguishing between those wearing masks with good intentions and those using them for criminal activities.
The proposal for a mask ban would require legislative action, as the previous anti-mask law was repealed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hochul intends to work with legislative leaders to address the issue thoughtfully and has the support of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who also advocates for reviving a ban on masks at protests to deter criminal behavior.
As hate crimes, particularly targeting Jewish Americans, have been on the rise in the city, there is a growing urgency to address the issue of mask-wearing in public spaces. Governor Hochul’s efforts to combat hate crimes while balancing the need for legitimate mask usage will likely continue to be a topic of discussion and debate in New York City.