URGENT ACTION IN LONG ISLAND

Nassau County Legislature on Long Island, NY is considering a mask ban bill. The bill could mean jail time and $1,000 fines for people who wear face masks that hide identity.

UPDATE, August 5, 2024: On August 5, 2024, Nassau County Legislature approved the Mask Transparency Act. The bill passed by a vote of 12-0 after much debate. All 12 Republicans voted for the bill. All seven Democrats abstained. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he plans to sign the bill.

Video of the hearing - HERE

Video of the hearing with captions (and from side angle) - HERE

UPDATE, August 2024: At the Nassau County Legislature meeting on August 5th, there was an amended version of the mask ban bill (“Mask Transparency Act”, #142-24) online HERE. (Original bill language HERE).

UPDATE, July 2024: At the Nassau County Legislature Public Safety Committee Meeting on July 15, 2024, the mask ban bill was discussed and members of the public provided comments. Despite concerns raised and calls to reject the bill, the mask ban bill passed the Committee. The mask ban bill now goes to the full session of the 19-member legislature for consideration on August 5th.

Link to mask ban bill language discussed on July 15.

Click here for the video of the hearing. 

News articles regarding the hearing and the mask ban bill:

• Newsday 

• The Island 360
  

ACTIONS TO TAKE:

1) Contact Nassau County legislators and urge them not to support mask ban legislation. Contact details at https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/504/Legislators.

2) Save the date for the full session of Nassau County Legislature on Monday, August 5th, 2024!

Public can provide public comment in person on August 5th or submit written comments ahead of the meeting.

DETAILS ON HOW TO TESTIFY HERE: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/3530/Public-Notice-Index

To provide public comment in person on August 5, attendees who would like to address the Legislature must submit a slip to the Clerk’s office staff. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

To provide written public comments, public comment on any item may be emailed to the Clerk of the Legislature at LegPublicComment@nassaucountyny.gov and will be made part of the formal record of the Legislative meeting.

Meeting Agenda: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agendacenter

Livestream link to watch the hearing on August 5th: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/489/County-Legislature

3) Write a letter to the editor or op-ed. (Talking points below. Sample op-eds and LTEs in Stop NY Mask Ban Action Toolkit )

4) More actions to take and other resources in our Stop NY Mask Ban Action Toolkit .

TALKING POINTS:

• We are still in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. New Yorkers are still being hospitalized with COVID and still dying from COVID. People are still getting Long COVID and other serious health issues from COVID.

• Everyone is at risk of Long COVID and other serious health issues from COVID.

• Masks are a critical public health tool that help protect people from COVID.

• Masks also help protect against other contagious diseases, wildfire smoke, pollution, allergens, and other health concerns.

• Everyone has a right to wear a mask.

• A health exception is not enough.

• There should not be a mask ban. A mask ban puts the lives and health of all New Yorkers at risk.
  
  
  More Info and Resources in our Stop NY Mask Ban Action Toolkit