Hochul Considering Mask Ban During Air Quality Alert, COVID Uptick

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Kathy Hochul says she is considering banning face masks — particularly on public transit — following several antisemitic acts involving masked protesters in New York City this week.

Within the same week, an air quality alert has been issued for the Big Apple; an uptick in COVID cases has also been reported.

Related: Severe Thunderstorms Target NYC As Air Quality Alert Is Issued

Hochul’s remarks came during a press conference addressing a spate of recent incidents surrounding Israel-Hamas war protesters, including the vandalism of the Brooklyn Museum’s director and a incident on Monday in which “a group donning masks took over a subway car, scaring riders and chanting things about Hitler and wiping out Jews," she said.

Local and state police are currently investigating the "vile and disgusting" incidents, she said, noting that increased patrols will be added at "high-risk" sites in the city.

Related: Protestors Vandalized Upper East Side Building Before Fleeing: NYPD

"We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior," Hochul added. "My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes."

Both Hochul and Adams are "considering" taking legislative action on the matter, the governor noted.

The subway car incident follows reports of protesters waving Hamas and Hezbollah flags at a Wall Street-area exhibit commemorating the victims of the Nova Music Festival massacre Monday night, according to Mayor Eric Adams’ office. At other protests, a banner reading “Long Live Oct. 7” was waved.

Hochul first commented on the possible mask ban revival during an appearance on CNN Monday.

“[The ban] was repealed … but I absolutely will go back and take a look at this and see whether it can be restored because it is frightening to people,” Hochul told CNN. The defunct law, a centuries-old ban on masks at demonstrations, was nixed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adams appeared to support Hochul’s consideration during an interview on the "Cats & Cosby" radio show Thursday.

"Dr. King did not hide his face when he marched and for the things he thought were wrong in the country,” Adams said. “Those civil rights leaders did not hide their faces. They stood up. In contrast to that, the Klan hid their faces.”

Adams' statement comes during a plateau of COVID hospitalizations in New York City, though transmission levels have doubled since April, according to data from the NYC Health Department.

The National Weather Service also issued an air quality alert for New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Westchester and Rockland counties Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The alert warns that the air quality index could exceed over 100.

Those levels can affect sensitive groups, including the elderly, and experts recommend limiting time outdoors.