Gov. Hochul says: Get Back to Work. “We are not Shutting Down Businesses, and We are Not Shutting Down Schools

By Yehudit Garmaise

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued new guidance that fully vaccinated healthcare workers and other critical workforce members who tested positive for COVID, but are asymptomatic and fever-free for the last 72 hours, can return to work after five days, and no longer have to wait 10 days, as per a new recommendation of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I am making sure that we can get people back to work,” the governor said of the state’s critical workforce, which is expected to wear masks when they return.

“We need you to go to work,” the governor said. “We are not shutting down businesses, and we are not shutting down schools.”

The 10-day waiting period is no longer required because Omicron, which is not the predominant variant, is a different type of COVID strain that is more mild. In addition, the governor announced that 95% of New Yorkers have had at least one shot of the vaccine.

“The CDC made a new announcement, and we immediately wanted to translate that into the New York state workforce: mainly focused on getting people back to work, so these [providers of] critical services that New Yorkers need: healthcare, transportation, grocery stores—they can get back to work as soon as it is safe to do so: vaccinated, wearing a mask, asymptomatic,” said Gov. Hochul, who pointed out that New York has seen more than 44,000 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours. 

“That’s a new record, up from nearly 39,000 the day before,” the governor said. “This is a very, very contagious variant.”

Nevertheless, given the now 95% rate of vaccination in the state and increasing availability of testing, Gov. Hochul said, “We are going to keep things open, do the right thing, and not get complacent.

“Get people back to work, and keep kids in schools.”

Students do still have to wear masks, but Gov. Hochul reassured, “There is an end in sight, but it is just not now. It does not make sense to remove masks yet.

“I know some parents are frustrated, but others are grateful knowing that their children are safe during this vulnerable time.”

Gov. Hochul recounted that the state has seen very few COVID cases in schools, which “has been a blessing,” but now public-school children are home for winter break, and they are playing with older siblings and grandparents, and “there is a vulnerability that we saw coming.”

“We want to keep our schools open when they are supposed to re-open on Jan. 3,” said Gov. Hochul, who explained the option schools now have so children can “test to stay” in classes if COVID breakouts do occur. “We want healthy kids to stay in school.”

“The CDC has said that Test-to-Stay works, and we are highly recommending that counties and school districts implement it, and we will work with them,” said Gov. Hochul, who will be speaking on a call with the state’s superintendents next week. “We all saw the negative impact on children in terms of their educational development and also emotionally: what this did to everyone from kindergarten and up to high school kids. [Staying home] had a devastating effect, and we cannot take any steps backward.

“We’ll keep safe environments. We have the testing available, which is why we ordered such an extraordinary number, and we’ll get the tests out to schools, so they can stay open.”

Gov. Hochul ended her COVID update by reminding New Yorkers that “the unvaccinated are 20 times more likely to die from this pandemic than the vaccinated. 

“So, what are you waiting for? Please do this: get vaccinated, get the booster at pharmacies, clinics, statewide vax sites, and now at MTA stops in New York City.”

Gov. Hochul also said, “We want people together. We don’t want people isolated from each other, and we want New Yorkers to support businesses.”

But at the same time, she said to “be conscious of crowds.”

“There is a way to strike the right balance because now we have vaccines, boosters, and testing in our arsenal.

“Let’s be smart, we are still dealing with the pandemic. If you are feeling under-the-weather: feverish, sniffling, or coughing: just stay home.

“This is the time to say, “I am going to take care of myself, and I am not going to spread this. To go out when you are sick, when you are showing symptoms, that, my friends, is selfish. 

“You could harm someone whom you deeply care about.”

Gov. Hochul ended her COVID update by reminding New Yorkers to express gratitude to the healthcare workers and other critical workers “who are called to do the extraordinary.”

“They are doing way beyond what they ever thought they would have to do when they signed up for their jobs,” Gov. Hochul said. “We need to look in the eyes of the healthcare workers, and say, ‘We know are you tired, you are exhausted, you are exasperated because you knew it didn’t have to be this bad because we have a vaccine and a booster shot: but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for continuing to show up, leave your homes, put on your uniforms. We would not survive this without you.

“We are so grateful for what you do.”