For a video clip of Assemblywoman Walsh’s comments, please click here.

​​Today, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) joined Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I-Schoharie) and members of the Assembly Minority Conference in introducing a bill that would prohibit mask mandates for healthy, non-symptomatic children under the age of 18 in schools, summer camps and similar settings.

“With the most recent statewide 7-day average positivity rate at HALF of 1 percent, it is unfair to force healthy, young children to wear masks all day long. It’s difficult enough for adults to wear masks all day. How can we force children to do the same?” said Walsh. “Each region of the state is different. Parents and teachers know what’s best for their students and this bill gives them the liberty to determine how to proceed as our state moves forward from the pandemic.”

“There is little evidence to suggest that COVID-19 spreads easily among children in school. The mask mandate is just another unnecessary mandate by the state government. It’s time we end this today,” she continued. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in advocating for the end of the mask mandate for our kids.”