Judge temporarily restores New York’s mask mandate

By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press

An appeals judge has restored New York’s mask mandate. Tuesday’s ruling comes a day after a lower court judge ruled that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration lacked the constitutional authority to order people to wear face coverings. Judge Robert Miller granted the state’s request for a stay of a Long Island judge’s ruling while Hochul’s office appeals it. The attorney who challenged the mandate on behalf of a group of parents says he will continue to fight. He calls the mandate unconstitutional. Monday’s ruling overturning the mask mandate caused a day of confusion for parents. Some districts quickly announced masks would be optional and others continued to enforce them.