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Date: 1/4/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Amidst a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases caused by the highly-contagious omicron variant, Mayor Domenic Sarno and Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris issued mask mandates during their Dec. 28 press conference.
Sarno opened the session by addressing the “drastic moves” needed to confront the latest COVID-19 surge. “We are now in a crisis mode, but one that we can control,” said Sarno, who shared that Dec. 28 featured an “all-time high” of daily cases with 451. The mayor acknowledged the impressive efforts of local medical centers and COVID-19 testing centers against the new variant, but ultimately revealed that both facets have become overwhelmed by the growing issue.
With the omicron variant spreading swiftly through communities, Sarno officially issued an immediate mask mandate for all municipal buildings – regardless of vaccination status – while also issuing a city-wide mask mandate starting on Jan. 3. He explained the different mandate dates are a byproduct of businesses needing to prepare for the re-issued mandate. “This is to allow businesses to properly prepare for this public health emergency order,” said Sarno.
The mayor explained that the mask mandate will be in place for 60 days, with the city reviewing the order again on March 1. “It’s done to preserve and protect our city and the workforce, so we can continue to provide the vital services to our residents and our business community…This is about public health, plain and simple,” said Sarno. He also stressed the importance of citizens getting vaccinated, noting that the younger populous continues to lag behind other age groups in regard to vaccination rate.
“I’d like to see that same aggressive approach, especially from our younger residents, that are going out getting tested to get vaccinated. That’s our ace in the hole,” said Sarno.
In her remarks, Caulton-Harris described the recent rise as a “sobering time” for Springfield, the commonwealth and the nation as a whole. “COVID-19 cases are at record numbers unlike what we’ve seen in the past,” said Caulton-Harris. The health and human service director shared alarming statistics from the pandemic-dominated year, including the fact the city is likely to surpass the case numbers from December 2020 – which was the previous monthly high for the city at 4,496 cases.
“We have consistently seen the numbers go up in our city. We have consistently seen places where people were not taking the necessary precautions, and so we have to our jobs and put in mandates,” said Caulton-Harris. She explained the mandate is not something the city takes lightly, with the decision being made to protect the public ahead of schools returning from their holiday break.
Caulton-Harris also reiterated the significance of receiving the vaccine, stating that non-compliant individuals shouldn’t ignore the vaccine’s benefits. “Seventy percent who are in the hospital and are in the emergency rooms are unvaccinated…I don’t understand the hesitancy. I don’t understand the resistance. Our hospital workers are tired and short-staffed,” said Caulton-Harris.
The health and human services director issued a final plea for citizens to play their part in curbing the omicron variant’s impacts. “I ask for your cooperation and understand that you have the power to help us with this pandemic,” said Caulton-Harris.
Readers can find updates regarding the city’s COVID-19 case data at https://www.springfield-ma.gov/cos/covid/health-and-human-service-covid-19-coronavirus-statistical-information.