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Date: 8/16/2021
EASTHAMPTON – The Easthampton Board of Health recently announced that Easthampton residents five years of age or older are advised to wear a face covering indoors or in a public location, regardless of vaccination status.
According to the Board of Health, COVID-19 cases have increased over the past few weeks in Easthampton, while Hampshire County is currently experiencing moderate transmission. Berkshire County and Hampden County, meanwhile, are experiencing high transmission rates, while Franklin County is experiencing “substantial” rates, as of press time.
To prevent Hampshire County from reaching a “high” or “substantial” transmission rate for COVID-19, the city of Easthampton is implementing this new advisory.
“Vaccinations are extremely effective in reducing severe illness/symptoms, hospitalizations, and deaths; however, breakthrough cases are being reported,” said Bri Eichstaedt, the health director for Easthampton. “We felt it was important to start wearing masks again, a simple but effective preventative measure, while indoors.”
As of July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidance urging the increase of COVID-19 vaccination coverage. They also recommended that everyone living in areas of substantial or high transmission to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
“We are currently considered moderate, but our neighbors in Hampden County and Berkshire County are high and Franklin County is substantial,” said Eichstaedt. “We feel we should be proactive rather than wait on our heels.”
A couple weeks ago, Eichstaedt participated in a meeting with Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, Public Health Nurse Amy Hardt, and Board of Health Chair Maggie Hebert. During that meeting, the group discussed the current state of Easthampton regarding COVID-19.
“Amy’s dashboards were reflecting an increase in cases, including breakthrough cases locally, but we also obviously saw the increase nationally as well,” said Eichstaedt. “The delta variant is highly contagious and is currently accounting for 80 percent of our cases in the Northeast.”
Hardt agreed with all of Eichstaedt’s sentiments on the matter and added that the Board of Health will continue to monitor both transmission and vaccination levels in local and surrounding counties, with the hope that delta cases will decrease in the near future.
“Obviously, as kids return to school and we move into the cooler months, our exposure to one another indoors will increase, so indoor masking and distancing when possible, makes sense for a while,” said Hardt.
These face covering requirements are not applicable to those who have a medical or disabling condition, and people will not be required to show proof of their condition. The face covering requirements will also not apply during a situation where a face covering would impede communication by or with a person who has a hearing impairment. Lastly, the mask requirements will not be enforced while seated and drinking or eating.
Eichstaedt told Reminder Publishing that the city is starting with an advisory with the hope that the public and businesses self-comply. “If we get to a point where we think the cases are increasing significantly, we may have to look at a mask mandate,” said Eichstaedt.
In the meantime, the Board of Health will continue to encourage people to mask indoors, socially distance when necessary, stay home when sick, get tested, and offer more vaccination clinics and other opportunities for residents to get vaccinated. They will also be hosting flu vaccine clinics soon.
“Get vaccinated,” Eichstaedt said, regarding her message to residents. “If you are hesitant, reach out to your primary care physician or local health department. Get facts around COVID-19 and the vaccine from reputable sources. Stay vigilant.”
For more information on vaccination clinics, people can see the full advisory at https://www.easthamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2509/BOH-Advisory-Re--Masks-in-Indoor-Places.