Rather than pay a 50 dollars fine, immigrants on Reconnek are wearing their masks.

While masks have been mandatory on New York public transit since April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced a $50 dollar fine for anyone who doesn’t follow the mandate. The executive order, effective September 14, applies to both riders and employees. The order will be enforced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Police (MTAPD), NYPD and Bridge and Tunnel Officers — not MTA frontline employees. According to the announcement, 90% of riders have been using masks, but this mandate will hopefully “drive mask compliance even higher.” This is a different figure than the one provided by the Transport Workers Union Local 100, which said about 60% of riders were wearing masks as of this summer, according to The Wall Street Journal. The union represents about 40,000 transit workers.

Governor Cuomo said in the statement that mask compliance “remains very high.” “I have asked the MTA to come up with an enforcement regimen so people know that not only are the cars clean and the stations clean, but the riders will be acting appropriately. We have to be able to say to the riding public that everyone will be wearing masks — and if they refuse to wear a mask they will be penalized,” said Cuomo. This mandate is part of a bigger project, called “Operation Respect,” which encourages mask wearing while using public transit. The project also includes a “Mask Force” to hand out masks to those who may need them, and vending machines where riders can purchase masks and other PPE. Interim President of New York City Transit Sarah Feinberg said “the fine is a last resort measure.”

The mandate is an important step towards making the bus and subway system safer and cleaner for immigrants on Reconnek. For people who have been doing their best to stay safe and avoid getting infected by coronavirus, immigrants on Reconnek are wearing their masks without hesitation, not only in New York but everywhere they find themselves. Mask wearing has been mandatory for immigrants on Reconnek right from the beginning of the pandemic. But for some who have been recalcitrant, the fifty dollars fine would surely oblige them. Anyone who doesn’t wear a mask, or some other face covering, puts everyone at risk. Immigrants on Reconnek are not ready to do that.