Mask mandates remain at Long Island schools despite 70% vaccination rate

Some parents on Long Island are not happy with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to keep the mask mandate in schools when most restrictions have been lifted.
Gov. Cuomo announced Tuesday that New York hit the 70% vaccination goal so "we can return to life as we know it."
But per federal CDC mandate, mask requirements are still in place for grades pre-K-12 in schools.
Some parents say it's too hot and not fair that the kids have to still wear masks.
As News 12 has reported, there have been several rallies, including one in Hauppauge where members of the community were pushing to get the mask mandate lifted for the remainder of the school year.
In a letter obtained by News 12 Tuesday, the Smithtown superintendent asked the governor to not only make wearing masks indoors optional, but also release more guidelines about allowing full participation for graduation ceremonies.
The superintendent said in the letter, "Simply put if the State Fair can occur with 100% capacity, we should be able to allow siblings and extended family to attend outdoor ceremonies."
So far, Cuomo is not budging on the mask mandate for schools.
In addition to schools, restrictions still remain in place on public transit, health care settings, homeless shelters and correctional facilities.