ALBANY, N.Y. (NCC News) — A group of Albany parents has filed a federal lawsuit against the state over mask mandates for children in schools. Five parents filed the lawsuit on behalf of their nine children, claiming that the mask mandates are not based in science and violate the children and parents’ freedoms.
Dr. David Larsen, an environmental epidemiologist and graduate professor at Syracuse University, says he thinks children should be masked in schools until vaccines are available for younger demographics.
“These masks help to protect our kids from the long term effects of COVID, so I’m a big proponent of [the mandate] until they can get vaccinated,” Larsen said.
Outside of specific circumstances, such as eating or playing instruments, students are required, by state health commissioner Howard Zucker, to wear face masks at all times while on school buses and property.
“I’m glad we live in a free country where people can sue the government if they don’t like the laws that are passed, but I don’t think there’s merit in those claims that masks are harmful,” Larsen said.
In June 2021, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that masks would no longer be required in schools for the upcoming school year. However, new Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last month that masks would be required in schools state-wide.
The parents’ lawsuit is looking to have a judge declare the state’s mask mandate in schools is unconstitutional and ban its enforcement.
