‘It’s crazy’: NYC air quality alert prompts a return to masks for some students, parents on Staten Island

Staten Island students and staff head to school on Wednesday morning during an air quality alert. All outdoor activities are canceled, but public schools remain open. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City public school students headed to class Wednesday morning with a backdrop of haze in the sky and a familiar sight — some were wearing face coverings.

A rash of wildfires throughout Canada in recent weeks has delivered haze and deteriorated environmental conditions across the five boroughs. It prompted the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to issue an air quality health advisory for New York City until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

"We just got out of COVID, and now going to this. It's crazy," said Aida Liu, a grandparent of a student at PS 22 in Graniteville, as both wore a face covering. "Yesterday, during pickup I noticed it [the haze], but today it's not as bad."

It was not too long ago that masks were mandated in schools due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

While Liu said it's the smart move for the city to cancel outdoor activities, she added that "it's not good for the kids to be stuck in school all day."

All outdoor activities in New York City public schools are canceled on Wednesday. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson)

There were some students and parents wearing a face covering while walking outside during school arrival on Wednesday morning in the Graniteville and Mariners Harbor neighborhoods. However, there were many parents who did not express concern about the haze or the air quality while bringing their kids to school.

Emerly Mejia, a fifth-grader at PS 22, said she was wearing a mask because she was sneezing more recently, but wasn't sure if it was because of the haze. She wasn't concerned about the air quality, or that she would miss out on outdoor recess. Another parent at PS 22 said they weren't concerned about sending their child to school, but noted that the family wouldn't be exercising or playing outside after school.

"It's not as bad as yesterday," said Sinead Felix, a crossing guard at PS 22.

Felix said she isn't able to wear a face covering, because her job requires her to be on alert and blow a whistle as needed.

New York City public schools canceled all outdoor activities on Wednesday, which includes recess, Public School Athletic League (PSAL), field days, and other activities, according to a tweet by Nathaniel Styer, a spokesperson for the Department of Education (DOE).

A rash of wildfires throughout Canada in recent weeks has delivered haze and deteriorated environmental conditions across the five boroughs. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson)

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