'You Do You' MTA Masking Signs Draw Backlash As COVID Rules Relax

NEW YORK CITY — As long-standing COVID masking rules eased for New York City's subways and buses, new yellow signs went up with a single line helping summarize the rule change: "You do you."

But many New Yorkers had this response: don't.

"'You do you' isn’t good public health policy in a continuing pandemic," tweeted prominent City Council Member Tiffany Cabán.

"Not cute either."

The controversial new yellow signs went up after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that mask wearing will be optional rather than mandatory on mass transit across the state, including for the MTA, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road.

The signage is a riff on what became a familiar sight for straphangers and commuters in city's subways and on buses: a series of cartoon figures showing what experts say is the correct way to wear a mask to prevent the coronavirus' spread.

But, as scientist Lucky Tran pointed out in a string of tweets, the new signs scrap solid health advice for mask wearing and a long-standing public health message on helping others in a pandemic.

"The @MTA's message has gone from 'I take care of you, You take care of me' to 'You do you!'" he tweeted.

"This is a reckless abandonment of public health by@GovKathyHochul and New York that makes our state less safe and accessible to everyone."

The @MTA's message has gone from "I take care of you, You take care of me" to "You do you!"

This is a reckless abandonment of public health by @GovKathyHochul and New York that makes our state less safe and accessible to everyone. pic.twitter.com/0iji9PIP5a
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) September 7, 2022

The sign's "You Do You" call also garnered widespread mockery and outrage on Twitter.

One Twitter user concocted an MTA-style graphic mirroring the masking advice, except for urinating (and defecating) in pools, as highlighted by Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist.

"Not peeing in the pool is encouraged, but optional," the mocked-up graphic states.

The internet is undefeated. Don’t pee or poop in a pool— nor spread COVID. Wear a mask. #MaskUp

Context: NYC @MTA put out a horrible mask related poster today. The internet exploded. pic.twitter.com/POhQMaVASM
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) September 8, 2022

British parody of the above @MTA poster. pic.twitter.com/lhnkLuWMym
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) September 8, 2022

Others — such as Charles Bergquist, director of WYNC's "Science Friday" — stretched the MTA's laissez-faire message to absurdities.

“Following the MTA's new 'you do you' guidance means no one can complain when I lick the subway poles,” he tweeted.

Another Twitter user posted a photo of a woman eating what appeared to be instant ramen noodles out of a toilet.

"Mta be like 'you do you!'" the user wrote.

Mta be like "you do you!" 🤷🏼‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/sxTJiAfW2i
— Brad Pearson (@BradicalPearson) September 8, 2022

But many, particularly New Yorkers with underlying health conditions, didn't find any of it a laughing matter.

Rescinding the mask mandate elevates the risk of COVID-19 for people who have disabilities or are immunocompromised, the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY, tweeted.

"Additionally, images that have been shared showcasing masks being worn improperly can be dangerous," the group tweeted.

"We are glad that masks are encouraged, but we don't need encouragement. We need safety."

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber didn't directly address the "You Do You" backlash when asked on NY1. He instead said the new signs were a continuation of a "light touch" pandemic public awareness campaign.

"It was a slightly New Yorky voice, you know, encouraging people to use masks, without yelling at them," he said. "And we sort of continued that campaign."