"I Respect You"

Whether a directive or through an executive order, everyone should be wearing a mask while in public. As the North Country and Southern Ontario prepare to open up, wearing a protective face covering will essential in protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.

On May 12 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo urged New Yorkers to wear their masks in public out of respect for the nurses and doctors who are fighting to save lives and for the essential workers who continue showing up to work amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Cuomo stated, "This mask says I respect the nurses and the doctors who killed themselves through this virus to save other people. And I respect the nurses and the doctors, so I'm not going to infect anyone, or allow anyone else to be infected unnecessarily so I don't cause more stress on the nurses and the doctors."

He added, "This mask says, I respect the essential workers who get up every day, and drive the bus, or drive the train, or deliver the food, or keep the lights on so that I can stay home and I can stay safe. It says I respect others. And I respect you. And that is a statement that we should all be willing to make any day. But especially in the middle of this. When you wear a mask, you say, I respect you. That's what the mask says to everyone you walk past. I respect you. I respect you. I respect your health, I respect your privacy, I respect your space, I respect you. I can do anything I want with myself. But I respect you. And out of respect for you, I wear this mask.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe issued this directive;

MASK DIRECTIVE REMINDER. Pursuant to Tribal Council Resolution 2020-23, the Tribe's Emergency Operations Center issued a directive for all individuals to wear a mask or face covering at public places under the Tribe's jurisdiction where social distancing is not possible, which is defined as being at least 6 feet away from others. We ask everyone, including guests from neighboring areas, to please comply and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

SRMT stated, "With no vaccine available for COVID-19, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe's Emergency Operations Center has implemented protective measures to keep the Akwesasne community healthy and safe. Pursuant to Tribal Council Resolution 2020-23, the EOC issued a directive for all individuals to wear a mask or face covering at public places under the Tribe's jurisdiction where social distancing is not possible. We ask everyone, including our visitors from neighboring communities, to please comply and wear a mask before entering our local businesses. This is part of our ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect vulnerable segments of our community's population."

For more information on the Mask Directive, please click on the following link: https://www.srmt-nsn.gov/.../srmt-emergency-operations-center