NYC rules

Not surprised.

I avoid the airports in that city like the plague anyway.

This is not true. Nothing has changed at NYC airports. Masks CONTINUE to be required in all airports and in all forms of public transportation. It is also a gubernatorial election year and the current unelected governor does not want the city to rush into changing mask rules. She has been very vocal about that.

I personally am glad to be flying to Italy through Kennedy Airport, because there is a mask requirement. I'm much less likely to be infected prior to the flight than I would be in a "fully open" airport, given the need to test negative once we arrive for the tour. My sister-in-law just flew back from Miami today and reported that she and her husband were "the only ones" wearing masks in the terminal.

We flew home from Dublin yesterday. Most people unmasked in airport and on flight. We’ll continue to mask up!

This is not true. Nothing has changed at NYC airports. Masks CONTINUE
to be required in all airports

Masks are optional at Newark Airport:
https://www.panynj.gov/airports/en/aviation-safety.html