New York State Leading The Way To Provide Essential Workers With Facemasks

Apr 13

On Sunday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he will issue an executive order directing employers to provide employees with a cloth or surgical mask when engaging with the general public.

As the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic continues to cast a shadow over the world, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are recommending the usage of wearing protective masks as the best way to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19.

This not only goes for those individuals experiencing the symptoms of the Coronavirus, but also for healthy people when venturing outside of their homes to places like grocery stores, pharmacies, and other public areas where social distancing can be difficult. Now those measures are being ramped up in New York to include essential workers themselves.

On Sunday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he will issue an executive order directing employers to provide employees with a cloth or surgical mask when engaging with the general public.

"The big question for everyone right now is when do we re-open the economy, but first we need to make sure we have a smart, safe and coordinated plan in place to do it without risking public health," Governor Cuomo said in his statement.

"The keys to reopening the economy are continuing to limit the spread of the virus and ramping up antibody testing. I am going to issue two executive orders - one directing employers to provide essential workers with a mask to wear when they are interacting with the public, and one to expand the number of people who are eligible to conduct the antibody test. These measures will be key to getting people back to work and making sure they are protected when they do go back."

New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, echoed the sentiments stating that beginning Monday, city workers who interact with the public will need to wear a mask while working.

"We already provide 1.4 million face coverings to city workers. We will provide as many more as are necessary for our city workers to consistently constantly have a face covering on when they interact with the public. Very clear about putting on that face covering, you're protecting everyone else. That was for the good of all," de Blasio said during his press conference on Sunday.

Along with surgical masks, wearing cloth face coverings like scarves and bandanas was also recommended. According to the CDC, masks should be worn snugly along the sides of the face, work best if made with several layers of fabric, should be secured with ties or ear loops, and should allow for breathing without restriction.

As of Easter Sunday, there were 188,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in New York state, which is the highest tally of confirmed cases in the country.

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