New York City Mayor Eric Adams was asked why children under the ages of five would still be required to wear masks after the city’s relaxing of Covid restrictions.

Adams was asked by News NY1 host Pat Kiernan: “If you were talking to a four-year-old and they’re trying to explain why they have to keep their mask on but their six-year-old brother doesn’t, what is your explanation to that four-year-old?”

Adams told the news host that he explained his reasoning already to parents at the St. Patrick’s Parade in Far Rockaway, saying:

“Have you said that because when I was in Rockaway in the St. Patrick’s Day parade? I did just that. A group of parents brought me, and talk to their children and explain to them, I told them, ‘you’re going to be taking off your mask like your big brothers and sisters are doing now, you know, when you have big brothers and sisters, sometimes they do things first to make sure it’s safe for you.”

Adams said that children were more understanding of having to wear masks because they trust the government more:

“And those children, they understand it because they trust their parents and they trust the leadership. They’re not tainted, like adults. They still feel that we have to make the right decisions for them,” Adams added. “And I’m with the parents. I want those masks off. I said it in January, but I have to do it right to make sure our city protects its children and don’t close down the city again.”

Last week, Adams announced that basically all Covid restrictions would be relaxed, saying: “Masks will continue to be required for all settings with children under 5 years of age, including programs contracted by the New York City Department of Education with 3- and 4-year-old children as well as 3K and 4K classrooms in district schools,” adding that New York was “among the safest places in the city throughout this pandemic, with record low numbers of infections.”

The mayor even went so far as to criticize principals at schools who don’t abide by his rule.