Is Gov. Hochul's New Mask Mandate Actually Enforceable?

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s statewide mask mandate went into effect on Monday. It applies to businesses and venues that don't require their patrons and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Hochul said this either-or requirement was the best option to get New York through a recent spike in COVID cases. But as the new rule was implemented, it became clear that much of the enforcement was largely based on the honor system. Some local government officials, including ones for all of Long Island, say they won’t enforce the rules.

WNYC's health and science editor Nsikan Akpan spoke with David Furst about the rollout of the mask mandate, as well as New York's spiking number of COVID cases as the Omicron variant appears to take hold in the region.