Board of Health

CITY OF SALEM BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES Virtual Meeting held via Zoom and also Recorded by SATV April 14, 2020 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Jeremy Schiller, Paul Kirby, Geraldine Yuhas, Datanis Elias, Sara Moore OTHERS PRESENT: David Greenbaum, Health Agent, Suzanne Darmody, Public Health Nurse, Maureen Davis, Clerk of the Board, Patti Morsillo, City Council Liaison, Dr. Lin Chen, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School ATTENDEES ADDRESSED: Alan Hanscom, SATV, Lori Fonsica, attorney for NS Community Action Programs, Patrick McGuire, NS Association of Realtors TOPIC DISCUSSION/ACTION 1. Call to Order 7:04pm J. Schiller read aloud relevant parts of the COVID-19 Emergency Open Meeting Law Guidance regarding the implementation of virtual public meetings and IT Recommendations for Zoom webinars. 2. Approval of Minutes (March 10, 2020) P. Kirby motioned to approve the minutes. S. Moore 2 nd. All in favor. Motion passed. 3. Update on the COVID-19 L. Chen provided a slideshow of COVID-19 information which included a Pandemic by Dr. Lin H. Chen timeline beginning with Beijing, China on 12/30/19. Within a week the first isolation took place and a week later the first fatal case was reported. To date, worldwide there are nearly two million cases confirmed with 125,000 deaths. Projections show the U.S. is currently at its peak. MA projected peak is around 4/28/20. After 100 days what we know is that this disease is highly transmissible with a wide range of symptoms. 80% of cases are mild-moderate, 15% are severe and 5% are critical. In the U.S. people 65 and older are most at risk. Obesity has been found to be a risk factor. One of the newest symptoms reported is myocarditis. Patients are also reporting a loss of sense of smell and taste. People are most infectious the first week of symptoms. Some pre- symptomatic people are contagious. Laboratory simulation data was presented on the survival of the virus on various surfaces. Face masks can help to protect those not immune. Exposure can take place two days before symptom onset of a positive person. There is currently no vaccine and treatment is limited. There are drugs in clinical trial. Over 115 vaccines are under development. Hand washing and social distancing can help curb the spread. People can get up-to-date information on DPH, CDC and WHO websites. 1|Page  J. Schiller asked how we will be able to control this virus. L. Chen said, much like with measles, not until we have a vaccine. P. Kirby asked if she had any idea on how effective the vaccine will be. L. Chen said so far, the strains are stable, but there is always a possibility the virus can morph. Attendee Alan Hanscom from SATV said his brother had the virus and was told he can now give convalescent plasma. L. Chen said people who have had and recovered from the virus have antibodies in their blood and can donate plasma at the American Red Cross. This treatment is still developing. She said antibody testing will be available soon, but manufacturers need to have their product approved. 4. Discussion and Deliberation D. Greenbaum said Peabody passed their moratorium on 4/1/20. He said it Regarding a Moratorium on is a tool for the Board to use to keep people in their houses to help with Evictions During the COVID-19 social distancing during COVID-19. It is a temporary action the Board can Pandemic take in an emergency situation. S. Moore asked if the moratorium would include commercial tenants. D. Greenbaum said yes and it gives people a sense of security in these difficult times. P. Kirby asked if he has discussed this issue with the Mayor. D. Greenbaum said he had. G. Yuhas asked if this would be for a certain period of time. D. Greenbaum said yes, we would be using the Governor’s emergency timeline. Board members reviewed City Solicitor Beth Rennard’s draft of the emergency order. Attendee Lori Fonsica, an attorney for NSCAP, commented that other cities and towns found it helpful to share the news of the notice with residents so that information and resources would be immediately available to them. She said social media seems to be the go-to, but we could also post it on the website and use the Code Red phone messaging system. She said legislature is working on 30-day or 60-day no evictions or foreclosures. Moratoriums keep people safe until legislation goes through. S. Moore motioned to establish a moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. G. Yuhas 2nd. All in favor. Motion passed. Attendee Patrick McGuire of NS Association of Realtors said item #2 (the no entry item) has been called into question. He cited a situation where an owner was selling a multi-unit house and one of the tenants refused to allow entry to his unit. He asked if there can be clarification of that for showings for buyers or sellers, etc. S. Moore said Beverly seems to have addressed that issue. L. Fonsica said the focus of this moratorium is public health and issues can be addressed on a case-by-case basis. J. Schiller asked the reason for item #2 – what is it protecting? L. Fonsica said it is for the purpose of social distancing. It is a way to limit contact. If others are brought into the home there is a danger to everyone involved – the realtor, the people going into the home and the tenants. S. Moore said she sides with the tenants who seem to have less power in those situations. 2|Page  5. Chairperson Communications J. Schiller praised D. Greenbaum and said he has been outstanding through all of this. He has been communicative, responsive, etc. The Board agreed. D. Greenbaum thanked everyone and said he appreciates the sentiment, but it is his job. He thanked his staff and gave high praise to S. Darmody, the Public Health Nurse, who has been working tirelessly. 6. Monthly Reports-Updates a. Public Health Nurse’s Report Report not available. b. Health Agent’s Report Report not available. c. Administrative Report Reports for February and March were submitted. Copies available at the BOH office. d. Council Liaison Updates P. Morsillo said the topic of accessory dwelling units is continued. Budgeting issues will be discussed. P. Kirby motioned to accept the reports submitted. S. Moore 2 nd. All in favor. Motion passed. 7. New Business/Scheduling of Future J. Schiller said the Board is fluid and responsive and willing to meet online Agenda Items anytime the need arises. Attendee Alan Hanscom from SATV said to let them know of any meetings and they will record them. S. Moore questioned whether face masks/coverings need to be worn while out for walks, etc. She also did not see any fines mentioned in the order. D. Greenbaum said he wanted to talk to the Board about adding an amendment to the face mask order to include monetary fines. He pointed out that our goal is not monetary fines, it is to gain compliance. He clarified that we are not requiring actual face masks, just face coverings for the nose and mouth while at businesses, such as grocery stores, etc. MEETING ADJOURNED: P. Kirby motioned to adjourn. G. Yuhas 2nd. All in favor. Motion passed. 8:36pm Respectfully submitted, Maureen Davis Clerk of the Board Next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 7:00pm At City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street, 1st Floor, Salem, MA 3|Page