"Like so many New Yorkers, I had been excited to see our case rates declining in recent months and to return to some pre-pandemic activities with limited restrictions. But now, the speed and spread of the Delta variant has changed our trajectory, and unfortunately, must also change our mindset, our behaviors, and our policies.
"I commend the Mayor for implementing a required vaccination-or-testing policy for city workers, and urge that, in coordination with union leadership, the proposed timeline be accelerated and requirements be expanded to twice weekly testing. Both changes would dramatically improve our ability to control the spread of the Delta variant.
"In addition, and in accordance with the scientific guidance on current risks, public and private spaces should require masks to be worn indoors - not only for city workers, but for all New Yorkers. We know that despite some breakthrough cases, vaccinated individuals are primarily protected, but we also know that until New York can increase rates of injection and lower rates of infection, an added layer of protection is a small sacrifice to make for the safety of our neighbors. Our city and state have brought case rates down before, protecting ourselves and our fellow New Yorkers, and I am confident that we can do it again."