2022-01-11-BOH-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Lexington residents' percent positive data from 8/12/2021 to 1/7/2022 shows almost no cases in July, 2021, a rise because of Delta variant thereafter in August, 2021, and a peak of positive Covid cases through January 7 I 2022. • The tracking of the Covid virus is also being done by studying the presence of virus in wastewater. • Travel brings additional exposure risks. Lexington is an area which is heavily influenced by students coming and going from college. • Omicron Variant is a highly transmissible variant. Vaccine efficacy against the Omicron variant is being studied and may have reduced efficacy. • Because insufficient availability of PCR tests and reliable home tests, case numbers are underestimated. • We are still in the pandemic. There are still cases, and people are still hospitalized and dying from Covid, as reflected by Covid-19 hospital data. It has brought about a shortage of workforce everywhere. • The need of layers of defenses to protect societal systems is critical for everyone. • Tools available to decrease case numbers are vaccination, ventilation of indoor spaces, decrease time with infectious people, and use of well-fitting masks. • Studies show masks are effective. • Masks must be worn over the mouth and the nose with no gaps. Ms. Belanger updated that there were an additional 15 new cases received on January 111h 2022. 191 students and 50 staff were tested positive and were absent from Lexington Public Schools. Public Comment • Jim Slack, 517 Massachusetts Avenue, stated he supports the mask mandate. He reported the mask mandate signages of Stop &Shop and Walgreens were not the current CDC recommendation, and KN95 masks are out of stock in Walgreens. He suggested local Public Health should help retailers and public understand mask mandate and how to comply with mask quality. • Noah Michelson, 45 Circle Road, stated he also supports the mask mandate. He expressed the required face coverings was effective throughout the pandemic at his workplace, although he does not support mandated KN95 masks. • Tara Sherman, 4 Dane Road, stated the mask mandate order needs to be rescinded because in her opinion, the BOH does not have the authority to mandate the use of masks. • Linna Ettinger, 15 Birch Hill Ln, stated she supports continuing a mask mandate to slow down the spread. Encouraging use of KN95 mask is a good way if it is available to buy. • Philip McLaine from Washington Avenue in Arlington, stated masks were not working at some point, and CDC has informed that vaccines do not even stop transmission. All public comments were taken under advisement. Board Deliberation and Vote: to Retain or Rescind Mask Order of August 12, 2021 (as amended October 27, 2021) There is an additional component to the order— Section 9. Violations of this regulation may be punished by a civil fine, after verbal education and written warning, of up to $300 per violation 2