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Notwithstanding the position of the Executive听Chamber听that the Department of Health (DOH) will not be releasing guidance to assist schools with welcoming students back to safe and healthy learning environments in September, Commissioner听of Education听Betty听A.听Rosa has sent a letter asking Commissioner听Howard听Zucker to consider听DOH鈥檚听statutory responsibilities听as the state听agency听devoted to protecting the听public health.听听

The Public Health Law provides that the Department of Health is charged with exercising control over and supervising the abatement of nuisances affecting or likely to affect public health as well as supervising and advising any local unit of government and the public health officials thereof within the state in the performance of their official duties. 鈥疌urrently, there is no greater nuisance affecting public health and safety than COVID-19. There is an urgent need for timely advice and supervision flowing from the State Department of Health to local and school officials as they navigate these uncertain times.听听

The circumstances enveloping the Executive Chamber this week should not prevent the Department of Health from the execution of its responsibilities to the public, as has been promised by the Governor鈥檚 office for months.听听