2022-01-03 Board of Health Minutes

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Orq� Town of Reading 's Meeting Minutes a •rxvonv^°'�� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2022-01-03 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK / READING, MA q/ 2122 JAN 10 AM 9: 29 Chair Richard Lopez, Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren; Associate Members: Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Others Present: Health Director Ade Solarin, Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen, Administrative Specialist Jackie LaVerde Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Review/Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of December 2, 2021 and December 27, 2021 as written. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren -Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes. Review of Toniaht's Agenda and Opening Comments as to whether a Public Indoor Mask Mandate for Reading should be approved: Dr. Lopez provided a history and context for the consideration of a mask mandate. In March of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, the Board at that time authorized a mask mandate a few days before the state did. This Board rescinded all COVID mandates back in June when it seemed COVID cases were very low and we were getting through the end of the pandemic. In the last three meetings, the Board has discussed mask mandates but has not made any motions or decisions. In October, an emall was sent to food establishments and businesses asking them to post at their entrances a sign advising the Board's strong recommendation to wear masks. During public comment at recent meetings, two residents urged the Board to issue a mask mandate. Currently, the Mass DPH, CDC, and Mass Medical Society, all strongly recommend the use of face masks. The Library mandated indoor masks back in September as the current surge was starting. There is no mandate for masks in other municipal buildings, but it is strongly advised for both employees and visitors. There are currently 232 active cases in Reading. State data of the 14 -day average daily incident rate were down around 20 cases in September and October, but began to skyrocket in November. The MWRA measures viral material in wastewater, which has been shown as a good indicator of future activity, and it has Increased significantly in recent Page I 1