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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBOH 2.23.22packetO�C,:'OF E1"DER e9:�ip �� =3 (M) h>U= CO 'PCORPORATEO SEB. 19 1803 %ulaminmv Board of Health Penny Holeman Annette Graczewski Joe Ford Jeannie Kampas Kimberley Crocker Pearson Health Director Amy von Hone Assistant Health Director Sherrie McCullough Senior Department Assistant Tammi Mason Town of Brewster Board of Health 2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 brhealth@brewster-ma.gov (508)896-3701 EMERGENCY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING AGENDA 2198 Main Street February 23, 2022 at 5:OOPM Pursuant to Chapter 20 ofthe Acts of 2021, this meeting will be conducted via remote means, in accordance with applicable law. This means that members of the public body may access this meeting via virtual means. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, and public participation in any public hearing conducted during this meeting shall be by remote means only. Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so in the following manner: Phone: Call (301)715-8592 or (312)626-6799. Webinar ID: 820 43944509 Passcode: 979174 To request to speak: Press *9 and wait to be recognized. Zoam Webinar: https:Hus02Web.zoom.us/i/820439445097pwd=MvtpM2kvUExKbU1RSOhmMOlZb3dQZzO Passcode:979174 To request to speak: Tap Zoom "Raise Hand", then wait to be recognized. When required by law or allowed by the Chair, persons wishing to provide public comment or otherwise participate in the meeting, may do so by accessing the meeting remotely, as noted above. Additionally, the meeting will be broadcast live, in real time, via Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brewster-ma.gov) or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov) 1. Call to Order 2. Chairman s announcements 3. Discussion and possible vote to revoke, modify or extend mask madate in all municipal buildings 4. Adjournment Date Posted: Date Revised: 2/21/2022 \\fileserverl template:docx Received by Town Clerk: Town of Brewster 2198 MAIN STREET BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS 0263 1-1 898 PHONE: 508.896.3701 EXT. 1120 FAX: 508. 896.4538 hrllealth�d).brewster-ma.:t;9�' W W W.BREW STER-MA.GOV BREWSTER BOARD OF HEALTH Health Department Amy L. von Hone, R.S., C.H.O. Director Sherrie McCullough, R.S. Assistant Director Tammi Mason Senior Department Assistant EMERGENCY TEMPORARY ORDER REGARDING MASK MANDATE FOR ALL MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS At the Brewster Board of Health Meeting on January 19, 2022, the BOH voted unanimously to extend the current Emergency Mask Order to March 2, 2022 per the following original motion of December 15, 2021: To return to a temporary mask requirement for individuals working in and visiting municipal buildings with the exception of Freemans Grill commencing on Monday 12/20/21 and continuing through the 01/19/2022 BOH meeting. Mask requirements to also include individuals working in the same vehicle. Additionally, the Board of Health unanimously voted not to extend the Mask Mandate to the general public or private businesses per the current state recommendations for a Mask Advisory only. Approved by: Annette Graczewski Kim Crocker -Pearson Penny Holeman, Chair Joseph Ford Jean Kampas Effective: January N:\Health\Coronavirusl9\BOH Emergency Orders\Mask Mandate 01.19.2022.doc Tammi Mason From: Jovita Olsen <naikjx1@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, February 18, 2022 5:19 AM To: Tammi Mason Subject: Please lift the Mask mandate on feb. 28 Good morning, Amy. I am writing to you to inform you of the letter that was sent out to all Nauset School District parents yesterday. In it, Brook Clenchy the Superintendent of Nauset, stated that the mask mandate in schools would only be lifted if each town's Health Department lifted their indoor mask mandate in municipal buildings. You must know that Dennis -Yarmouth, Sandwich, Harwich, Chatham, Monomoy, Falmouth, Barnstable, and Cape Cod Tech all voted to END mask mandates effective February 28 in school buildings. Orleans Board of Health ended indoor mask mandates for town municipal buildings yesterday effective February 28 as well. Which means Orleans Elementary will go mask optional on Feb. 28. Is it possible for the Board of Health in Brewster to meet prior to the March 2 meeting to vote to end the mask mandate so that our children in Stony Brook and Eddy Elementary can go mask optional on February 28 as well? I am pleading with you for the mental health of all of our Brewster children. How can they go to school on February 28 in masks when their peers only a town away will not be forced to wear one? I am speaking on behalf of our young children who cannot speak up for themselves and will do anything they are told by their teachers at school. All teachers, staff, parents, grandparents, high schoolers and children have had the option to be double or triple vaccinated. It is shown in numerous studies that cloth masks are not as effective at stopping the transmission of the virus. The CDC also states on their website that "loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection". That is the type of mask that most children wear to schools. All of these cloth masks have a statement on the package saying "this mask in not a personal protective equipment offering protection form Covid-19 or any other airborne particles". That was taken from the back of an Old Navy kid's non-medical grade cloth face mask package. Also, know that Stony Brook Elementary does keep their windows in each classroom open year round for ventilation. We, as parents, are instructed to send our children to school with extra winter coats and sweatshirts that the children can wear in the classroom since it can get very chilly with the windows open for ventilation. I have pictures of my second grader's class from this past week, when it was in the teens, of children in winter jackets doing their best work in the classroom. As Governor Baker said, when he announced the school mask Mandate being lifted, "give students and staff a sense of normalcy after dealing with enormous challenges over the past two years". As Education Secretary James Peyser said "we are moving from mask requirement to mask optional, and we want school districts to move along with the state by malting it optional, while still creating supportive environments for students and staff who choose to wear a mask." (https•//www google tom/amp/s/www wwlp tom/news/health/coronavirus-local-impact/g overnor- baker-education-commissioner-riley-make-covid-l9-announcement/amp/) Thank you for reading this. Sincerely, Jovita Olsen i Tammi Mason From: Allie K <joyfuldayphotos@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, February 18, 2022 10:38 AM To: Tammi Mason Subject: Mask mandates in Brewster Hi Amy, I am writing to you to let you know, as a member of our Cape community, that I think your extension of masking mandates in public buildings to March 2 needs to be re-evaluated. Look at the towns around us dropping masking mandates left and right because they have realized it is no longer a necessary mandate, that people are smart enough to make the decision to mask or not for themselves. We know that you all have been trying to do what you think is best, but in order to be a leader you need your people to trust you, trust you to re-evaluate the situation when things have changed. Not only does your mandate affect our town, it affects the kids in our school system. It does not allow the people we put in place, who should be making the decisions about the kids wearing masks, to actually make the decisions. Time to rethink what is going on in town and remove mask mandates. Thank you Allie Kelley Tammi Mason From: Laura Cox <mrsracerx1961@hotmail.com> Sent. Friday, February 18, 2022 5:35 PM To. Tammi Mason Subject. Mask Mandate In Town Buildings I have been informed that you are planning to review the current mask mandate in town buildings in Brewster at the next meeting in March. I wish to heartily support revoking this mandate due to the falling cases of COVID across Cape Cod in the majority of towns including Brewster. I was a Brewster resident for 12 years, and although I currently own a home in South Dennis, I still spend a great deal of time in Brewster. I was a volunteer for years at the Brewster Ladies Library and it is still my library of choice. Mask requirements are no longer the norm in a lot of places on Cape Cod. But, I still must remember one every time I go to the library which is weekly. I don't believe this is still a necessary requirement. A person can frequent a crowded restaurant, a busy bar, a chaotic grocery store without wearing a mask. I do understand an establishment's postings of a recommendation to wear one IF you are unvaccinated or your immune system is compromised. Yes, there are people that are opposed to getting vaccinated and while that is something I cannot understand, it is their choice. They are justified in continuing to wear a mask. Those of us that are fully vaccinated (including a booster) should be allowed to resume a normal way of life. If people have done the responsible thing and gotten the shot and are healthy, then they should be allowed to celebrate that with a mask -free existence. My husband and I (he is also fully vaccinated) can enjoy a beverage at a busy bar and be elbow to elbow with fellow patrons. Yet, I cannot go into the library that may have, perhaps, 8 other people around and sit browse books comfortably without a mask. That makes zero sense. If Governor Baker feels that children can return to a normal school day existence without masks, you should consider following his lead with regards to the town buildings in Brewster. Laura A. Cox Jeffrey C. Riley Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Slreet, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906 MEMORANDUM Telephone: (781) 338-3000 TTY N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370 To: Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, Assistant Superintendents, Collaborative Leaders, and Leaders of Approved Special Education Schools Froin: Jeffrey C. Riley, Commissioner Date: February 9, 2022 Subject: Update on DESE Mask Requirement After• consulting with medical experts and state health officials, the Commissioner will trot renew the state mask requirement after it expires on February 28, 2022. Effective Monday, February 28, the DESE mask requirement will be lifted statewide. The Commonwealth's high vaccination rates and widespread availability of COVID49 testing for school personnel and students support this decision. Masking continues to be required on all school buses, per federal order. DESE and DPH strongly recommend students and staff continue to follow the DESE-DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios. As always, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, should be supported in that choice. DESS and DPH shongly recommend unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks in school settings. The Commissioner will continue to monitor public health data, consult with medical experts and state health officials, and issue fiu•tlrer guidance and/or requu•ements as needed. More than 40 schools have already received approval fi•om DESE to remove the mask requirement. With the removal of the statewide mask requirement, additional schools no longer need to apply. )ESE continues to recommend that districts and schools adopt a layered approach to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in school settings. DESE and DPH continue to sh•ongly urge all eligible individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster and continue to support schools with vaccination clinics. Other mitigations include participating in the statewide COVID-19 testing program, maintaining good hand hygiene practices, and staying home when sick. Jeffrey C. Riley Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4908 MEMORANDUM Telephone: (781) 338-3000 TTY N.E.T. Relay 1-800439-2370 To: Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, Assistant Superintendents, Collaborative Leaders, and Leaders of Approved Special Education Schools From: Jeffrey C. Riley, Commissioner Date: February 9, 2022 Subject: Update on DESE Mask Requirement After consulting with medical experts and state health officials, the Commissioner will not renew the state mask requirement after it expires on February 28, 2022. Effective Monday, February 28, the DESE mask requirement will be lifted statewide. The Commonwealth's high vaccination rates and widespread availability of COVID49 testing for school personnel and students support this decision. Masking continues to be required on all school buses, per federal order. DESE and DPH strongly recorrunend students and staff continue to follow the DESE-DPH Protocols for Responding to C0VID-19 Scenarios. As always, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher rislV from COVID-19, should be supported in that choice. DESE and DPH strongly recommend unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks in school settings. The Commissioner will continue to monitor public health data, consult with medical experts and state health officials, and issue fiu ther guidance and/or requirements as needed. More than 40 schools have already received approval fiom DESE to remove the mask requirement. With the removal of the statewide mask requirement, additional schools no longer need to apply. DESE continues to recommend that districts and schools adopt a layered approach to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in school settings. DESS and DPH continue to shongly urge all eligible individuals to receive the COVID49 vaccine and booster and continue to support schools with vaccination clinics. Other mitigations include participating in the statewide COVID-19 testing program, maintaining good hand hygiene practices, and staying home when sick. CHARLES D. BAKER Governor KARYN E. POLITO Lieutenant Governor The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619 ADVISORY REGARDING FACE COVERINGS This Advisory has been updated as of February 15, 2022 MARYLOU SUDDERS Secretary MARGRET R. COOKE Commissioner Tel: 617-624-6000 www.mass.gov/dph The Department of Public Health urges all eligible residents to get vaccinated and stay up to date on COVID vaccinations, including when eligible for booster doses. Vaccination remains the most effective protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Recognizing that Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccine acceptance, and in light of recent positive progress on COVID49 indicators, the Department of Public Health now advises that a fully vaccinated person should wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated. As a reminder, there are multiple conditions that may put someone at higher risk for severe disease; information on those conditions can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website. Your primary care physician can advise you whether you are at increased risk. For individuals who are not fully vaccinated, it is important that you continue to wear a face covering or mask to help prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to other people. Individuals who are considered close contacts or who have tested positive must follow the isolation and quarantine guidance which includes wearing a mask in public for 5 more days after they leave isolation or quarantine on day 5, regardless of vaccination status. All people in Massachusett s (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including transportation and health care facilities. Please see www.mass.gov/maskrules for a complete list of venues where face coverings have remained mandatory since May 29, 2021. When you wear a face covering or cloth mask, it should: • Be the highest quality mask that is comfort able and that you will wear consistently, • Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, • Be secured with ties or ear loops, • Include multiple layers of fabric, • Allow for breathing without restriction, and • Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. For more information, please refer Lou the CDC at: Your Guide to Masks. This advisory may change based on public health data and further guidance from the CDC. 2/22/22,12:55 PM ALERTS Show Coronavirus Update v ¢eTh zip < COVID-19 Mask Requirements I Mass.gov ;,r, of ici ;i t'ebsitc o1'the evmrnorsvedith oF' Pt1asiachEtsetts, Here's now you know learn z bout C`C)VID-19 rnask regt.lirernens ire Massachusetts. Mask Advisory for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Residents (#mask-advisory-for-vaccinate d -and -unvaccinated -residents-) Mask Requirements in Certain Locations (#mask -requirements -in -certain -locations-) How to wear a mask (#how -to -wear -a -mask-) Mask Advisory for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Residents Effective February 15, 2022: A fully vaccinated individual should wear a mask indoors if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated. Download: Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings PDF (/doc/update d -advisory -regarding -masks -and face-coverings-0/download) I DOC IF .1 (/doc/updated-advisory-regarding-masks-and-face- cove rings-accessible/download) Mask Requirements in Certain Locations , �r'� � .��� Effective May 29, 2021, masks continue to be required for both vaccinatE ` t all times in the following locations, subject to the exemptions listed below: 3, Have a COVID-19it i 1. On Public and Private Transportation, including on the MBTA, cor`' , {�UeStlOn7 airplanes, and while in rideshares (Uber and Lyft), taxis, and livery veh'1L,1%=.:I, o.3 I Cquil cu i ,%.enters for Disease Control January 29, 2021 Order (https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/masks/mask travel-guidanc< itml), Face _.... . _._. .__.... . coverings are also required at all times in transportation hubs, including train stations, bus stops, and airports. The requirement applies to riders and workers. haps://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-l9-mask-requirements 1/3 2/22/22,12:55 PM COVID-19 Mask Requirements I Mass.gov 2. Healthcare facilities licensed or operated by the Commonwealth and healthcare practice locations of any provider licensed by a professional board which sits within the Department of Public Health or the Division of Professional Licensure. These settings include nursing homes, rest homes, emergency medical services, hospitals, physician and other medical and dental offices, urgent care settings, community health centers, vaccination sites, behavioral health clinics, and Bureau of Substance and Addiction Services (BSAS) facilities. This requirement applies to patients, residents, staff, vendors and visitors. 3. Congregate care facilities or programs operated, licensed, certified, regulated, authorized, or funded by the Commonwealth. These settings include the common areas of assisted living residences, group homes, residential treatment programs, and facilities operated, licensed, certified, regulated, authorized, or funded by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Department of Youth Services (DYS), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Department of Veterans' Services (DVS), the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EDEA) and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). This requirement applies to clients, residents, staff, vendors and visitors. 4. Emergency shelter programs, including individual and family homeless shelters, domestic violence and sexual assault shelters, veterans' shelters, and shelters funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development. This requirement applies to guests, staff, vendors and visitors. 5. Houses of Correction, Department of Correction prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities. This requirement applies to people who are detained or incarcerated, staff, vendors and visitors. 6. Health Care and Day Services and Programs operated, licensed, certified, regulated, or funded by the Commonwealth including the Executive Office of Health and Human Services or one of its agencies. These settings include adult day health, day habilitation, Program of All -Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), psychosocial rehabilitation club houses, brain injury centers and clubhouses, day treatment, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, recovery support centers and center -based day support programs. This requirement applies to staff, visitors, vendors and consumers. 7. Home health care workers, including Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) and Home Health Aides in community and home-based settings where they are providing patient -facing care; provided, however, the requirement shall only apply to the worker providing care. The following persons are exempt from the face coverings requirement: • Children under 5 years old. • Persons for whom a face mask or covering creates a health risk or is not safe because of anv of the following conditions or circumstances. 0 the face mask or covering affects the person's ability to breath( X o the person has a mental health or other medical diagnosis that iiask l Have a COVID-19 or covering, question? 0 the person has a disability that prevents them from wearing a fa. 0 the person depends on supplemental oxygen to breathe. Additional Resources haps://www,mass.gov/info-details/covid-l9-mask-requirements 2/3 2/22/22, 12:55 PM COVID-19 Mask Requirements I Mass.gov DPH Order Regarding Face Coverings to be Worn in Certain Settings (https://www.mass.gov/doc/dph-mask-order-may-28-2021 /download) DPH Guidance for Wearing Face Masks in Certain Settings (https://www,mass.gov/doc/dph-guidance-for-wearing-face-masks-in-certain-settings/download) Mask guidance for EEC- licensed facilities (daycare and child programs} (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/eecs-health-and-safety-guidance-during-covid-19-recovery-for-child-care-providers) Mdsk guidance in K-12 schOOIS (https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html) How to wear a mask The CDC recommends that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you can wear for as long as you need it. Learn how to select and wear a mask (/Info-details/covid-19-mask-information) https://www.mass.gov/info-details/could-l9-mask-requirements 3/3 From: Arlynn L. Consiglio <consiglioal@nausetschools.org> Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2022 2:49 PM To: Charles Sumner <charles.sumner@wellfleet-ma.gov>; Jacqueline Beebe <ibeebe _ eastham- magov>; John Kelly <ikelly@town.orleans.ma.us>; Laurie Gillespie -Lee <Igillespielee@eastham- ma. ov>; Molly Bates <mbates town.orleans.ma.us>; Peter Lombardi <plombardi@brewster-ma.gov>; ryoungredirect <rvoung@brewster-ma.gov>; Cindy Nicholson <townclerlc eastham-ma.gov>; Colette Williams <cwilliams@brewster-ma.gov>; Erin Ellis <eellis town.orleans.ma.us>; Agendas <agendas2brewster-ma.gov>; Jennifer Congel <iennifer.congel@wellfleet-ma.gov>; Kelly Darling <kdarling@town.orleans.ma.us>; Linda Sassi <assttownclerk@eastham-ma.gov>; Rebekah Eldridge <Rebekah.Eldridge @wellfleet-ma.gov>; Wellfleet Town Clerk <townclerk wellfleet-ma.gov> Subject: Update on Mask Policy Good Afternoon, Superintendent Clenchy sent the message below out to all NPS Staff and Families today. Xe ivanted to share this communication with. our Member Towns as well, Thank you, Arlynn Update on Mask Policy -From Superintendent Brooke Clenchy Dear Nauset Families and Staff, I would like to update you on mandated masking and the potential to move to optional masking. Currently masks are mandated in all NPS schools as a result of three components -the current state mandate requires masks, the NPS school policy requires masks, and the four local Boards of Health require masking in Municipal Buildings, which include school buildings. The Governor's decision regarding masks reverts back to local control effective February 28th. The structure of Nauset Public Schools creates challenges to navigate this as we move forward, but we have paved a clear pathway forward towards a mask optional environment. However, we are not a single municipality such as Mashpee, Falmouth or Truro. We consist of five uniquely different districts and Union 54 under the umbrella of the Nauset Public Schools. It's important that each of the four elementary and the Regional (which consists of the middle and high school) districts are able to retain their autonomy where possible, and that the pathway allows the ability for each community to be able to make informed decisions on mask options, which may be diff erent from their neighboring communities. Through thought -partnering with the NPS legal counsel, it was determined that the best approach forward is to prepare a new policy to replace the current mask -mandate policy that will allow us the necessary latitude to make local decisions. All policies have to run through a typical process in a school district. The NPS Policy Sub -Committee (which is already in place) will now assume these efforts to craft the new policy and make a recommendation to the Joint Committee for acceptance. We are exploring the possibility of moving this along quicker than the typical policy process would require. We are aiming to have a mask optional policy in place by March 94th -but have left any dates off of the motion made at the Joint Committee on Tuesday evening, should something slow the process. The new policy will designate the decision-making regarding mask-mandate/optional masking to the Superintendent working in collaboration with the NPS Nurse Leader and local Boards of Health. This allows for each community to have its own autonomy, depending on the trajectory of COVID in their individual communities. For example, should Wellfleet experience a surge, we could operationally put a shorter, temporary mask -mandate back into place immediately if we are mask optional, without having to bring together a school committee for an emergency meeting. At the same time all other communities could remain mask optional. We recognize that each of our community Boards of Health will be meeting to review their current policies, particularly in light of newly released guidance on Monday, February 14th. We acknowledge that the Board of Health may make a decision that could be different than ours, and their decision would supersede all else, which is currently the case. We are most appreciative of the relationships that the NPS has with its four health authorities, and our Nurse Leader has regular, ongoing communication with each. She will continue to be the key point person with each of them. This is the fastest way to move things forward given the structure of Nauset Public Schools, and gives us the greatest amount of necessary latitude and autonomy in our individual communities. We ask for your continued patience as we work to move this to the "finish line". Yours in Partnership, Brooke Clenchy Superintendent Nauset Public Schools Arlynn L. Consiglio (slie/hey Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Recording Secretary Notary Public Mauset Public Schools 78 Eldredge Park Way Orleans, MA 02653 (508) 255-880o ext. 7002 consiglioat(dWausetschools.org Follow us on Twitter: (wNausetSu�t The Nauset Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, limited English proficiency, sexual orientation, disability, homelessness or housing status in its educational programs, activities or employment policies. Please note the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office has determined that most emails to and from municipal offices and officials are public records. For more information please refer to: http•//www sec.state.ma.us/pre/preidx.htm. This transmission contains information which is confidential and/orlegally privileged. The information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of action in reliance on the contents of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you are not a designated recipient, you may not review, copy, or distribute this message. if you receive this in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you. I Calendar Add to my Google Calendar I Learn about Google Calendar o ge Nauset Schools Policy Subcommittee (Virtual Mtg) NAUSET SCHOOLS POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE Wednesday, February 23, 2022 @ 4:OOPM AGENDA This meeting will take place fully remotely pursuant to the law signed by Governor Baker on June 16, 2021 -An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency, which includes an extension, until April 1, 2022, of the remote meeting provisions of his March 12, 2020, Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law. Hi there, You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Feb 23, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Policy Subcommittee Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/*/82621193001 ?pwd=VmMzdjZwSDAyOUVLUVI FTGZyRIJ DUT09 Passcode: 308557 Or One tap mobile US: +13017158592„82621193001#,,,,*308557# or +13126266799„82621193001#,,,,*308557# Recording or Taping Notification: "As required by the Open Meeting Law, we are informing you that the District will be videotaping this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to either video or audio tape this meeting they are required to inform the Chair.” 1. Call to Order/Agenda Changes 2. Citizens Speak 3. Priority Business a. Policy EBCFA — Face Coverings 4. Adjournment When Wed Feb 23, 2022 4pm — 5pm Eastern Time -New York le Calen r Add to my Google Calendar I Learn about Google Calendar Go gda Joint mtg of the Nauset School Committees (Virtual Mug) JOINT MEETING OF THE NAUSET SCHOOL COMMITTEES Agenda for Wednesday, February 23, 2022 @ 6:OOPM This meeting will take place fully remotely pursuant to the law signed by Governor Baker on June 16, 2021 — An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency, which includes an extension, until April 1, 2022 of the remote meeting provisions of his March 12, 2020, Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https:Hus02web.zoom.us/j/87401716034?pwd=TT gxWkZza2VJS3lzYWInTnlVblVxZz09 Passcode: 541904 Webinar ID: 874 0171 6034 Passcode: 541904 Recording or Taping Notification: `As required by the Open Meeting Law, we are informing you that the District will be videotaping this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to either video or audio tape this meeting they are required to inform the Chair." 1. CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES 2. CITIZENS SPEAK 3. PRIORITY BUSINESS A. Discussion regarding Mask Optional Policy (Action: Potential Vote) 4. ADJOURNMENT The Nauset Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, gender identity, national origin, homelessness, sexual orientation or disability. When Wed Feb 23, 2022 bpm — 7pm Eastern Time -New York Sixth-graders have their temperatures checked as they arrive for school in New York City on October 1, 2020. New York is expected to consider lifting its statewide mandate on masking in schools in March—joining in the wave of states that have done the same in recent weeks. PHOTOGRAPH BY TODD HEISLER, THE NEW YORK TIMES VIA REDUX You have 3 free articles left this month. Exploration is just a click away. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW As more states drop mask mandates, experts explain why keeping them on in schools is still a smart move for families and teachers. BY AMY MCKEEVER PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • 11 MIN READ School mask mandates have become something of a political lightning rod in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic— and, in recent weeks, the dominos have started to fall as one state after another has announced plans to lift their mandates. Some parents and teachers have cited concerns that masks harm kids by impairing their ability to breathe, slowing their social and emotional development, and causing them anxiety. But experts say that the science doesn't back up those worries. It's understandable why there might be confusion, says Thomas Murray, a pediatrician at the Yale University School of Medicine. There's no question that masking reduces the spread of disease, but the evidence is less cut and dry about how masking affects kids You have 3 free �rtie6e� left this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW picked to argue one side or the other of the debate over mask mandates. "But we do have this human experiment that's been going on with kids wearing masks at school, and we know that we haven't seen those fears of health risks realized," says Theresa Guilbert, a pediatric pulmonologist who is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. She and other experts say most evidence suggests that masking doesn't harm children—and that it benefits them in more ways than one. Not only do masks protect kids from COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, but studies show that schools with mask policies in place are more likely to stay open, which decades of research show is particularly critical for kids' mental health and development. Here's what the science says about kids and masks. How masks affect breathing One of the earliest concerns that parents had about kids wearing masks all day was how it might affect their breathing—whether masks You have 3 free articles left this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW ADVERTISEMENT But there's no evidence that masking significantly impairs breathing. In fact, one study showing unacceptable levels of carbon dioxide in kids ages six to 17 who wore masks was widely discredited last summer—and ultimately retracted by the journal JAMA Pedi.atrics— because of concerns over the accuracy of its measurements and validity of its conclusions. Instead, Guilbert points to ameta-analysis of 10 studies, showing that the fluctuation of carbon dioxide and oxygen levels among adults and children wearing masks was "well within normal range." While children with severe asthma might need to take mask breaks in the hallway outside of the classroom, these studies show that most kids can tolerate them. She points out that this makes sense based on what we know about You have 3 fres articles left this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW "There's a lot of hypotheses thrown around, but we have this real-life experiment going on," she says. How masks affect language development Another concern has been whether masks might impede children's language development. Samantha Mitsven, a psychology doctoral candidate at the University of Miami, says she and other researchers worried that the inability to see a speaker's mouth move—and the muffling effects of wearing a mask—could keep children from understanding and learning new words. Studies have shown that masks muffle sound—and how significantly varies depending on the type of mask. One study showed that children can more easily recognize words spoken through opaque masks rather than transparent masks, likely due to the confusion caused by light bouncing off a transparent mask. Another study suggests that surgical masks offer the best acoustical performance, followed by KN95 and N95 masks, then cloth masks—with transparent masks again coming in last. ADVERTISEMENT You have 3 free arii�l�s left this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW But experts say there's no clear evidence that this significantly impairs a child's atto communicate—perhaps because people can compensate by talking more slowly and loudly and by using hand gestures to convey meaning. Mitsven led a recent study analyzing audio recordings of preschoolers —one classroom that was observed over multiple visits before the pandemic and another classroom that was observed when the children and teachers were required to mask. The study found no difference in how much the children spoke or the diversity of the language they used. This was true even for children with hearing aids and cochlear implants, a population that made up half of each class. "The vocalizations are on par with children their age," Mitsven says. How masks affect social development Similarly, studies do show that children have a harder time reading the emotions of people who are wearing masks—but that doesn't necessarily prevent them from learning how to interact with others. From the earliest months of life, children watch the faces of the You have 3 free articles left this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW children between the ages of three and five were less adept at recognizing the emotions on photographs of people wearing masks compared to photographs of unmasked people. But Walter Gilliam, a child psychiatry and psychology professor at the Yale Child Study Center, says this study and others like it are limited by their reliance on still photographs. "I'm more than just my eyeballs," he says. Children also pick up on cues like how people walk through spaces, the tone of their voices, and the hand gestures they make. "All of that is stripped away from those studies." He points to another study showing that children have no more difficulty reading the emotions of a person wearing a face mask than they do a person wearing sunglasses. ADVERTISEMENT These studies are also only a snapshot in time—they can't tell us how You have 3 free articles left fihis monfih. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW Guilbert agrees that there's no sign that masking keeps children and adolescents from developing socially—and, she argues, it might be key to ensuring they can go to school. Over the course of two years, evidence has grown that masking policies help schools stay open by reducing the number of outbreaks. How masks affect mental health Similarly, while some argue that school masking mandates are harmful to a child's mental health, experts say the evidence suggests the opposite. Guilbert says the most significant signal of the pandemic's toll on mental health came early in the pandemic. Back then children who were doing remote learning experienced increased levels of anxiety and depression because they weren't at school with their peers. Gilliam and Murray, the Yale researchers, were also concerned about how school shutdowns were affecting the mental health of kids and their stressed -out parents alike. With that in mind, they decided early in the pandemic to investigate the most effective strategies for keeping schools and early childcare programs open. You have � fr�� ariicles left this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW facilities with mask requirements for kids older than two were 13 percent more likely to have remained open than those where kids were not masked. As with many of the other studies on masking in schools, Gilliam and Murray concede that their study is limited: It's based on real-world observations and could not control for other factors—like, say, whether the adults and children who masked also avoided travel throughout the same period. But it still provides more compelling evidence that masking policies have more potential to help rather than hurt a child's mental health. ADVERTISEMENT You have 3 #ree ar�itles left this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW Gilliam says blaming masks for the depression and anxiety in kids stems from a natural desire to protect them. But he suspects it's not the masking that causes stress in classrooms. "It's the trauma of COVID that the masks were intended to prevent," he says. "When you have an ache and a pain, it's the cut on your arm not the Band-Aid that went over it that's causing the problem. The purpose of the mask is to reduce all the other traumas—traumas that we know for an absolute fact harm children." How will we know when to drop mask mandates? So how can science help guide schools in making these decisions? Well, for one, experts caution that it's important for policymakers to keep in mind that there are always outliers in a study. So even though the evidence suggests that masking doesn't harm most children, mask manA ates may need to carve out exemptions for children who are deaf and need to read lips or for children with autism who struggle to interpret facial expressions. Murray says that risk mitigation is also best done in layers—and that schools have an array of tactics they can use against COVID-19. To You have � free articles lefit this month. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Ge©graphic. SUBSCRIBE NOW Community transmission matters, too. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has urged lawmakers not to drop school mask mandates while infections remain high across the country. Although case numbers are falling, they remain higher than they were before the Omicron surge. ADVERTISEMENT While lifting mask mandates might make sense during times when local cases are low, Murray says that schools need to be willing to go back to masking if a harmful new variant emerges or if they start to see a new surge in cases. There's no magic number to determine when to lift mandates, he says—it can differ based on a variety of factors that can mitigate transmission, such as whether schools have enough space for students to spread out or whether it's warm enough to open classroom windows. But Murray argues that it's important to be willing to consider the evidence and be willing to change your mind You have 3 free articles left this month. Exploration is just a click away. Subscribe to get unlimited digital access to National Geographic. SUBSCRIBE NOW