New York governor considers banning face masks on subways

NNew York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering banning face masks for passengers using the city’s subway system because she has received reports of anti-Semitic incidents perpetrated by people wearing masks.

During a Press conference Thursday, Hochul said he began talking to lawmakers about the possibility of drafting a bill. But she acknowledged the issue was complicated, given that many people wear masks for health, religious and cultural reasons. The governor said she was investigating this issue after “a group wearing masks took control of a subway car, frightening passengers and chanting things about Hitler and exterminating Jews” on Monday night.

That wasn’t the only incident that happened, as the governor’s office said incidents involving masked individuals making threats on the subway had been widely publicized.

“We will not tolerate individuals wearing masks to escape [responsibility] for criminal or threatening behavior,” Hochul said during the press conference. “My team is working on a solution, but on the subway people shouldn’t be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes.”

“Obviously there is a problem here,” she added. “This will be resolved.”

See more information: New York mayor wants to make people take off their masks after a series of robberies

Hochul said if a bill were drafted, there would be “common sense exceptions.”

Although many people have stopped using face masks As the number of COVID-19 cases has declined, others are still using them in public settings, including the subway. Masks were required for subway passengers during the pandemic, until September 2022.

“I assure everyone that we understand how complex this issue is,” Hochul said. “And we’re just listening to people and meeting their needs and taking them very seriously. Therefore, we will also report more on this in the near future.”