MONTAGUE — Both essential workers and residents are encouraged to wear protective face coverings in public in Montague.
The Board of Health agreed to strongly recommend, but not require, the use of face coverings during a joint meeting with the Selectboard on Monday, after reviewing examples from other towns that enacted similar measures.
Nationally, the spread of COVID-19 is considered to be at its peak intensity now, noted Board of Health member Mike Nelson, who is also on the Selectboard. The whole Northeast is considered one of the most contaminated regions, and even small towns are at risk, he added.
The Massachusetts state government has recommended that people wear face coverings in public since April 10. Many Massachusetts municipalities have already made further recommendations or requirements of their own.
“I think we should follow suit,” Nelson commented.
Turners Falls Fire Chief John Zellmann mentioned he recently obtained a supply of disposable masks, and can provide a box to businesses to get them started.
“I think we’re going to be wearing masks even when the (state) starts getting back to what’s going to be normal,” Zellmann said.
Whether a recommendation or a requirement would be more appropriate was discussed, but without any significant disagreements among members of the boards. The Board of Health established that it does have authority to enforce a requirement, but members dismissed the notion of policing public spaces and writing tickets.
A requirement would likely have been received poorly by local businesses, Public Health Director Daniel Wasiuk noted. The week before, he said, he had visited local businesses and spoken to workers and managers, and found a clear consensus that a requirement would adversely affect their businesses.
Specifically, Wasiuk mentioned that businesses reported already being strained by the extra workload and stress, and that obtaining masks and enforcing a requirement to wear them would become an extra burden.
Wasiuk said businesses also argued that the Plexiglas barriers that Montague already requires are likely sufficient protection, and that managers have become proficient with tightened policies on employees staying home when sick.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.