Pediatrician: Keep masks at school, but discuss path forward without them

While New York state’s mask mandate is being scaled back for many indoor businesses, the state is leaving it in place for schools.

That decision will likely come after the upcoming winter break.

The governor wants kids to get tested after the break, and says that will help determine the path forward.

Dr. Diane Tenenbaum, a pediatrician with Schoolhouse Pediatrics in Albany, is a familiar face on NewsChannel 13 when it comes to discussing children’s health.

We asked her if it’s the right move to keep masks in school, but then revisit it after the February break and maybe do away with the mask rule then.

She says in her professional opinion, it’s time to at least begin discussing the process of how to remove masks from schools.

However, at this point, even though numbers are going down, masks in schools are the way to go.

She says that’s the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and that’s what she agrees with.

Tenenbaum also discussed messaging from our health experts, how they all need to be on the same page and how that hasn’t always been the case.

Hear her thoughts on that, by watching the video of Subrina Dhammi’s story.