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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-11-BOH-min RECEIVED 2022 f " Ipim LEXINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES I OWN CLERK Tuesday, January 11, 2022 6:30 pm LEXINGTON Conducted by Remote Participation Approved February 15, 2022 Board of Health Members in Attendance: Wendy Heiger-Bernays Chair, PhD, Burt Perlmutter, M.D., John "Jay" Flynn, J.D., Susan Wolf-Fordham, J.D. MPA David Geller, M.D (attend meeting at 6:45pm) Board of Health Member Absent: Select Board (Liaison): Doug Lucente Office of Public Health Attendees: Joanne Belanger, RN,Public Health Director Alicia McCartin, Assistant Health Director Siqing Pan, Department Assistant Documents: Covid-19 Public Health Mandate of the Lexington Board of Health, as amended on October 27, 2021 Covid-19 Public Health Order of the Lexington Board ofHealth, dated:January 11, 2022 COVID cases updates and analysis in Lexington Mask Mandate Order Discussion Materials Mask FAQ and Recommendations dated 1-7-2022 A Quick Note on masks and CDC Guidance Letters from Lexington Residents regarding support vs opposition mask mandate order Published reports and researches on Covid-19 Meeting Called to Order: Board of Health meeting of January 11,2022 was called to order by Chair Wendy Heiger-Bernays at 6:31 pm. Review of Mask Mandate: Consideration to Retain or Rescind—Board Discussion - Rationale for Public Health mask mandate - Status of COVID 19 Pandemic The chair Dr. Heiger-Bernays gave a brief overview of Covid-19, the situation in Lexington, Middlesex County and the US in order to review mask mandate order in Lexington: • Covid cases increased after New Year's holidays in Lexington, as shown in the Covid case numbers (PCR tests) in Lexington Residents from 1.1.2022 to 1.9.2022. 1 • 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 in the manner provided for non-criminal disposition of violations of Board of Health regulations by MGL Chapter 40, § 21D. Ms. Wolf-Fordham stated she was in favor of continuing the order and the added inclusion of Section 9. She requested the board to update signage of order. Dr. Perlmutter stated he supports continuing the mask mandate. He will vote in favor of continuation and Section 9 enforcement regulations. But he stated the Board were not ready to support use of any one particular mask because of supply issue. Dr. Geller also stated he supports the Section 9 and the continued mask mandate. Mr. Flynn also stated he supports the Section 9 and the continued mask mandate. He commented the mask mandate order signage should be simple. He expressed the town website is helpful to get education. Dr. Heiger-Bernays stated she also supports the Section 9 and the continued mask mandate. Ms. Belanger stated we have had a few issues with repeated offenders and compliance with the mask mandate order. She stated there will be multiple steps to accomplish compliance, starting with verbal education,then a written warning, and then a fine. Regarding the issue of signage, she stated the signage will be updated. The fact that there is now an enforcement component in effect will be advertised to make people to be aware of it. Dr. Geller inquired about the in-home testing and reporting of results to the Health Dept. Ms. Belanger stated that the Health Office is tracking as best they can and will have some anecdotal information from residents calling. The in-home (non-PCR) positive results are under- reported. Only the PCR tests, or antigen tests that are generated in an observed situation, get entered into the State (MAVEN) data system. Dr. Heiger-Bernays made a motion the Board of Health mask order as approved in August 2021 shall remain in effect until the Board of Heath votes to amend or rescind set order, the Board of Health shall review the mask mandate requirements at regular intervals, specifically the Board of Health shall review the mask mandate on or before March 15th, 2022. The rationale behind the date is two weeks after the children's public school winter break. Mr. Flynn seconded. Roll call vote: Ms. Wolf-Fordham—Yes, Dr. Perlmutter — Yes, Dr. Geller — Yes, Mr. Flynn — Yes, Dr. Heiger -Bernays- Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. All in favor. The Board had a unanimous vote that mask order shall remain in effect. 3