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Minutes 1-5 City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board: Board of Health Subcommittee: Date: January 5, 2022 Place: via Zoom Board Members Present: Dr. Justin Jordan M.D., William J. Alpine Jr. Esq. and Susan Higgins Board Members Absent: Others Present: William Burke, Director of Public Health, Stephanie Williams, City Solicitor, Russell Fiske, City IT Director Recorder: Karen Alpine Mr. Alpine called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. He reminded all present the meeting was being recorded and announced only one item, an indoor mask mandate, was on the agenda. He explained the procedure for the meeting and then turned it over to Mr. Burke. Mr. Burke read case figures from November 22 through December showing an escalating trend, additionally noting that home tests are not reflected in those numbers. He said that other North Shore towns have mask mandates and others are considering one. He indicated that the Board members have been provided copies of all written correspondence in regard to the meeting. He then read a letter that was shared on screen from the President of Beverly Hospital endorsing mask usage. Mr. Alpine explained the Public Comment section on the agenda, saying this is a Public Meeting not a Public Hearing. As such, no questions are to be asked of the Board and there is a two minute time limit per speaker. He repeated the ground rules and advised that the meeting is being recorded. Mr. Fiske added there will be a chime to announce 15 seconds left to speak, then another chime indicating the end of the two minutes. Mary Reilley, a resident, spoke first. She thanked the Board and stated she was for a mandate and is not likely to support businesses without masks. Dr. Erin Acevedo, DC, a chiropractor, is not in favor of the mandate. She feels case counts are not accurate with many false positives. She thinks the Board is diagnosing people they haven't examined and is practicing medicine without a license. Mike Reardon appeared to not be on the call after several attempts to find him were made. Rachel Kwapniewski, NP, MSN, a nurse practitioner and resident, is a Covid case manager for several companies. She said that cases are increasing exponentially, disrupting work places. Masks are evidence based protection and are a proven tool to keep businesses and schools open. Beverly resident, Paul Krueger, is in favor of masks, because they are necessary and appropriate for our immediate future. Masks reduce sickness and spread. Rantoul St. resident, David Ershun is in favor, as all surrounding cities have mandates and the case count is going up. Kent Harrop, a retired minister, believes the community should come together in favor of the mandate. He wants to do business in places with a mask mandate to ensure the well-being for all. It is a moral imperative. Resident Judith Ashkenaz, is in favor, because cases are at an all-time high and other towns have mandates. She will only patronize business with mask mandate. Kat Donellan read a statement she attributed to the Cleveland Clinic saying that masks are not helpful, damages kids in sports, and hurts businesses. It is an individual responsibility. Beverly business owner, Kendra Hewitt, is not in favor, citing freedom of choice and personal responsibility. There's no real evidence masks are effective. She will be taking her business out of Beverly. Leslie Gould, the Director of the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce, surveyed Beverly businesses, finding 74% want to leave the decision to individual business owner. She would like a timeline if the mandate is approved. City Councilor and Beverly business owner, Todd Rotundo,thinks customers should be able to have a choice. It is miserable for business owners either way, due to conflicting guidance. Victoria Jackson, of Atlantic Lab Equipment, hasn't seen evidence that masks prevent the spread. Businesses need to make their own decisions and masks block oxygen for kids. Mr. Alpine announced that was the end of comments and asked the Mayor if he would like to speak. Mayor Cahill thanked the Board, Health and IT staff, and the commenters. Citing high case counts in the hospital and schools, he requested approval of the mandate. Masks are a necessary tool to protect Health Care workers and the unvaccinated, along with the need to keep businesses and schools open. Core city services are undermined by the spread, such as a recent trash collection delay. Masks are part of stopping the spread and moving the meter in the right direction. The City is ready to facilitate education and distribute masks to businesses will be using American Rescue Plan Act funds to help. Businesses will not be expected to enforce the mandate with their customers. Ms. Higgins thanked all who spoke and wrote. She read all letters and emails along with the information. Regardless, she can find numbers to support any position, therefore she would motion for an advisory not a mask mandate. We are not under the same state of emergency as a year ago, with over 70% vaccinated and tests are available. The enforcement in the mandate is only education and people are not getting as sick with this strain. Dr. Jordan has put a lot of thought into an advisory. The CDC shows 18 studies proving masks reduce transmission. This strain has decimated the workforce, especially Health Care, and has had a serious economic impact. Our job is to protect the vulnerable. He recognizes that a mask mandate is extreme, therefore it should have an end date. Mr. Alpine called for a vote on the advisory motion. Ms. Higgins voted yes. Dr. Jordan and Mr. Alpine voted no. Mr. Alpine called for a new motion with respect to the Order for Indoor Masks. Dr. Jordan would like an end date in four weeks to alleviate businesses' concerns of an open end date. Ms. Higgin's comments stand. Mr. Alpine called to vote to adopt the Order with a four week duration. Ms. Higgins voted no. Dr. Jordan and Mr. Alpine voted yes. The Order was adopted with a four week timeframe. Ms. Higgins motioned to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Jordan seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15p.m. The next scheduled meeting is January 31, 2022. Respectfully submitted, Karen Alpine