Hey Cuomo, I’m Confused – Mask On Or Mask Off?

Right when we thought we could start breathing freely, mixed mask messages from the CDC and the state of New York create confusion for Capital Region residents and business owners. The CDC's latest directives give the ok for vaccinated individuals to remove our masks. However, the state of New York is maintaining it's mask wearing guidelines.

Thursday the Center for Disease Control released a statement saying that, if you are fully vaccinated, you can go back to the activities you enjoyed before the pandemic without wearing a mask. You don't even have to do the socially distant thing anymore. The hang-up here is:

except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. - CDC

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Even with the CDC easing it's guidelines, the state of New York is in the process of reassessing it's policies. In the meantime New York State recommendations remain the same as they have throughout the pandemic. So do we keep the mask on or do we take it off? How are businesses supposed to know which guidelines to follow?

CBS 6 reports that that when The Berlin lounge in Troy re-opens their customers will be required to show proof of COVID vaccination. To say that the club owner has received a strong negative reaction is an understatement. One email allegedly threatened to "shoot up the bar".

So, the CDC is confident that vaccinated people can resume mask less normalcy. However, right now, the state of New York is keeping us masked. This contradiction leaves residents frustrated with what is the right thing to do.