Board of Health

Easthampton Board of Health Meeting Minutes August 31, 2021 50 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027 PRESENT: Maggie Hebert (MH); Beth Rist (BR); Bri Eichstaedt (BE), Health Director, Brian Chapdelaine (BC); Jackie Sienkiewicz (JS), Recorder. Absent: Aimee Petrosky Also in attendance: Amy Florek (AF); Lindsi Mailer (LM); Eric Poulin (EP); Ryan Feyre (RF); David Korikosk (DK); Jim Bliss (JB); Rachael Yaseen (RY); Homar Gomez (HG); Jenn Stauffer (JS). Meeting held on Zoom and recorded. Motion to open A motion to open the meeting at 5:00 PM. was made by BR and seconded by MH. All in favor – 2, Opposed – 0. Vote taken by roll call. Public Speak Time: Amy Florek, owner of Amy’s Place in Easthampton stated that she disagreed with the need for a mask mandate. AF said that while the BOH had done a great job during very difficult times, it was now up to businesses if a mask was needed in their establishments. Vaccines are readily available and mandating masks again was going too far. Jim Bliss, a resident of Easthampton, after hearing AF speak, asked if it was possible to have different levels of mandatory masks for different types of businesses. JB said that going into Big E’s and into a restaurant were different circumstances. JB agreed that a mandate was needed, that looking at the dashboard posted every week showed that people don’t always make the right choice. He also stated his concerns about the number of children who were still unvaccinated and exposed to COVID because people weren’t wearing masks. Lindsi Mailer, a resident of Easthampton, stated that she had 2 of 3 children in her home that were not vaccinated. LM stated that she was in favor of the vaccine and masks, she asked that the BOH not require masks while actively playing sports. LM said that she has a son who is currently playing football and has a respiratory condition that will prohibit him from playing if he needs to wear a mask. LM also stated that she has concerns that by adding a mask mandate, this may discourage people from getting the vaccine, since they had to wear a mask anyway. Jennifer Stauffer, owner of Easthampton Feed, stated that as a business owner, she was in favor of a mask mandate. JS stated that with a mandate in place, it would be easier for a business owner to tell customers that a mask was now required rather than suggested.  • Discussion on mask mandate titled: “COVID-19 Mandatory Policies And Procedures For Wearing Of Masks Or Other Face Coverings In Public Spaces In The City of Easthampton Mask Order.” BE read into the record a memo, attached, from Mayor Nicole LaChapelle to the BOH stating her support of a mask mandate. BE also read into the record an email, attached, from Public Health Nurse Amy Hardt, whose last day of work for the City of Easthampton was Friday, stating why she supported the mask mandate for Easthampton. BE showed two graphs with data showing the increase in COViD-19 cases since the mask mandates had been lifted. BE expressed concerns about upcoming events that could add to the increase of cases if no masks were mandated. BE stated that she has had calls and emails from event holders and businesses for guidance with masks. The BOH and BE discussed language changes in the mandate. These changes included adding City vehicles, an exemption to the mandate while sitting and eating in a food establishment. Bars would be mandated to have patrons masked while at the bar but would be excluded while seated and drinking. Social distancing of 6 feet would also be included. The BOH stated that the use of plexiglass alone was not acceptable in lieu of masks. The BOH stated that the mask mandate would be reviewed at monthly BOH meetings rather than give an end date. Sports and the wearing of masks was discussed next. The BOH agreed to mandate masks on the sidelines for high-risk sports, but not If actively playing. BE said that she would work with the contact tracers and have positive cases of COVID-19 be flagged if they were the result of playing sports. A motion was made by MH and seconded by BR to approve, with edits, the mask mandate titled: “COVID-19 Mandatory Policies And Procedures For Wearing OF Masks Or Other Face Coverings In Public Spaces In The City of Easthampton Mask Order.” All in favor: 2, opposed: 0. Vote taken by roll call. A motion was made by MH and seconded by BR to adjourn the meeting. All in favor: 2, opposed: 0. Vote taken by roll call. Meeting adjourned at 5:44 PM.