De Blasio keeping school mask mandate in place despite new CDC guidance

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said requiring masks inside schools is "the smart thing to do." He said his office would provide an update within the first few weeks of the school year, but noted the mask mandate will likely remain in place.

When asked about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention new mask guidance, the Democratic mayor replied, "Look, we've been constantly working with the CDC, but we also in this case have been very careful – given everything the city's been through – so I'm absolutely confident based on this guidance and everything else we've seen that we'll be able to get all our kids back in school in September." "But for now, we're sticking with the idea that wearing the masks is a smart thing to do in schools," de Blasio continued. "We'll keep assessing as we go along, but I think for now it still makes sense." De Blasio went on to say that his office would provide an update within the first few weeks of the school year, noting that the mask mandate will likely remain in place "but that could change as we get closer."