HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 30, 2021 Minutes for April 30,2021,adopted May 20
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www.nantucket-ma.gov
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Commissioners: Stephen Visco (chair), Malcolm MacNab, MD,PHD (Vice chair),James Cooper *
Meredith Lepore, Melissa Murphy Select Board n
Staff: Roberto Santamaria,Artell Crowley, Kathy LaFavre,Anne Barrett,John Hedden 37.
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— MINUTES — Fs, .-
Friday, April 30, 2021 �;3
This meeting was held via remote participation using ZOOM and YouTube,
Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Regarding Open Meeting Law
Called to order at 1:00 p.m. and announcements by Mr. Visco.
Staff: Roberto Santamaria, Health Director;
Attending Members: Stephen Visco, Chair;James Cooper; Meredith Lepore; Melissa Murphy
Absent: Malcolm MacNab, Vice chair
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
II. REVIEW EMERGENCY ORDERS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
a. Update on BOH Emergency Order Number 13 - masks
Discussion Santamaria–In light of the Governors most recent order and Center for Disease Control (CDC)
eliminating the outdoor restriction on masks, he recommends removing sections in Order 13
referring to wearing masks outdoors. We have seen some transmission of COVID outdoors but
only when people are in close proximity for a long period of time. He feels comfortable removing
the outdoor mask order.
Lepore – Thinks we should keep it in Town and `Sconset. People wouldn't have to wear when
walking around but we're asking restaurants to police mask use in their property. She also thinks we
should keep them for outdoor weddings. Boston isn't following the State and doesn't think
Nantucket should.
Murphy—She has the same thoughts about keeping masks in Town and `Sconset, especially in July
and August when there will be a lot of close contact on the streets.
Santamaria – The biggest issue in enforcement is his department doesn't have the personnel to
police even just the core districts. We have to be able to look at the full risk assessment: what we
can and what we can't enforce. Removing the outdoor mask order makes it easier to enforce use of
masks indoors.
Murphy–She got confused on the governor's orders concerning outdoor events.
Santamaria–There are specific guidance's for outdoor events; we still have the size limit; on May
le it will go to 250 outside and 200 inside.This affects sidewalks,parks,beaches, etc. When people
get in line to go inside, they should be wearing masks.
Cooper–Asked where the wear/no-wear line would be in `Sconset and the Town.
Santamaria–He's suggesting removing the outdoor mask order across the Island.
Murphy–Asked if there are on-going concerns about our status. It's concerning Nantucket has a
6% positivity, rate; we're at this junction of getting people vaccinated but still seeing high positivity
rates. She still has concern about job sites and large outdoor events.
Santamaria–As long as we have 2 or 3 cases a day,we will be in the red.As the seasonal population
grows,we'll see more cases and continue to be in the red;that's a result of using the census numbers.
It's important to pay attention to the fact COVID is evolving and mutating faster than expected.
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Minutes for_April 30,2021,adopted May 20
COVID is here to stay at least for the foreseeable future, and we are going to have to learn the
acceptable rate and looking at seasonal booster shots. We've also learned how to treat f:0)VJI)
bringing the mortality rate down.
Lepore —We haven't seen if we will have a jump after Spring break. She's concerned we're putting
business owners into a position to police this. Wants masks are required in Town historical district
and downtown `Sconset.
Visco—We will have people coming from all over the county-. He thinks to police certain districts
will create havoc.
Pamela Suan — Over the past year, there were areas of grave concern, especially lines outside of
establishments where employees weren't enforcing the mask requirement. Making visitors and
residents wear masks will keep Nantucket in shape and safe. Ms. Lepore and Ms. Murphy- make
good points; we are now used to masking.Asked if am-thing can be done to ensure landscaper and
others wear masks when they are in a truck together.
Santamaria — We have done countless amounts of education with landscapers and construction
workers about wearing masks. We have to catch them not wearing a mask to enforce a ticket.
Mary Watson — She's delighted about Mr. Santamaria's recommendation; it's the right one. A lot
has happened since last summer. We need to promote personal responsibility to take action if a
person has an underlying condition. If you're vaccinated,you shouldn't he required to mask up when
walking down the street. We have to focus on the mental health, especially our young people. Asked
Mr. Santamaria to speak on the positivity rate. With asymptomatic testing being curtailed. our
positivity rate could go higher.
Santamaria — The positivity rate is a 7-day running average. As testing drops, that number will go
up. The positivity rate number are somewhat inflated; that's a relic of the epidemiology. However.
it is an overall sense of how the population is doing.
Hap Cooper—The people in `Sconset and Town did a good job of wearing their masks. l-ollowing
the science,if the vaccination rate will be 50 or 70°o, asked if this could be decided in June.
Santamaria—That's up to the Board; they can put the timeframe on it. Boston is pushing it hack 3
weeks.
Lepore — That's a smart thought—keep the order in place until our next meeting.
Visco — He'd be okay with that.
Cooper—Np matter how the Board votes, we have to have something set up to enforce masks in
"]'own and `Sconset. We have to be detailed about the line where masks can come off.
Santamaria — The Supreme Court has issued an opinion that allows the State under the
Amendment to create its own policing unit, even if it is geographically local.
Amy Eldridge — We have people coming in from all over looking at the Massachusetts
requirements;we could create confusion by not being on the same page as the rest of the State.
Santamaria—There are many Towns across the state that have their own mask orders.
Murphy —Asked if there are vaccine requirements for different jobs. Thinking about landscaping
and construction doing their work with a mask on.
Santamaria — The vaccine is issued under an emergency order and hasn't been fully approved by
the FDA; therefore, it can't be required as part of employment.
Lepore — As far as schools are concerned, people can turn down a vaccine as being against their
religion.
Murphy—She's concerned about crowds,but Mr. Cooper made a good point. She'd be comfortable
with lifting the outdoor mask mandate now while we're still in a lower number of residents. We can
choose to revisit this if we see a negative trend. She's heartened to hear we have more vaccine doses
coming in; combined with antigen testing, and PPR testing, she feels better about lifting masks
outside.
Cooper — Before we vote on keeping the masks in the core district, asked if Mr. Santamaria has
something in place to police it.
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Minutes for April 30,2021,adopted May 20
Santamaria —Three weeks ago,we put an ad on the Town website for a COVID officer position
but received no applications. Only our staff could enforce this, and they are already busy with
enforcement of over 100 regulations.
Murphy—Her sense is last year we had the mask mandate in the core district and it worked fine; a
lot of business groups helped spread the message and we got fair compliance. At this moment, she's
not leaning toward a mask mandate in the core districts. If we do, we have to recommend personal
responsibility.
Suan — With the removal of masks, asked if social distancing would still be in place. Also, if a
restaurant has indoor-outdoor seating, asked if the staff would wear a mask both indoor and
outdoor.
Santamaria —Wait staff would wear a mask both indoor and outdoor because it's still part of the
restaurant regulations and social distancing would remain in place. The governor's order states that
you don't have to wear a mask outside IF social distancing can be maintained. The governor was
clear that at outdoor events you have to wear a mask because you are in a group. If you can't social
distance,you should wear a mask.
Action Motion to Modify Order 13 to remove the mask mandate outdoors per Mr. Santamaria's
recommendation. (made by: Murphy) (seconded)
Roll-call Vote Carried 3-1// Murphy, Cooper, and Visco-aye;Lepore-nay
Murphy—She wants to watch how this rolls out over the next few weeks. She would like the 13011
to revisit this if things do not continue to improve. Asked if this is rescinded immediately.
Visco — It's effective as of today.
Lepore — She is very much against this; it's hard to take something away then put it back in place.
Things could blow up in the next couple of weeks, and she doesn't see why a decision couldn't be
delayed until our next meeting.
Santamaria—Without a set date, it goes into effect immediately.
Action Motion to adjourn the BOH meeting at 1:47 p.m. (made by: Murphy) (second)
Roll-call Vote Carried 4-0//Murphy, Cooper, Lepore, and Visco-aye
Submitted by:
"Terry 1.. Norton
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