An emergency meeting held by the Wellesley Board of Health and Board of Selectmen on Friday to discuss a possible mandatory face mask order got rerouted midstream when the state issued a new face covering order of its own to help stem the spread of the new coronavirus. The live-streamed Wellesley meeting lasted more than 2-and-a-half hours and attracted more than 150 viewers at times, at least 10 times as many as we’ve ever seen.
(The Swellesley Report broke the story on Wednesday this week that the Town was discussing such an order.)
About a dozen residents commented during the citizen speak portion. Commenters questioned everything from the urgency of the COVID-19-inspired meeting, to the possible temporary banning of runners and cyclists from the Brook Path (allowing walkers to rule), to town overreach and an erosion of civil liberties, to a perceived profusion of local busybodies.
(See also: Wellesley exercising bad judgment with possible Brook Path ban for runners & cyclists)
Resident Kevin H said, “We should not get hysterical about these people without masks or with ill-fitting masks. We shouldn’t try to micro-manage the people of Wellesley.” He advised the Boards to focus their efforts instead on educating the public.
Resident Eugene L. also opposed a mask requirement outside. “There is a very vocal minority who believes they can dictate their will and shame people,” he said, referencing an active social media platform. “Don’t let this minority control this town.”
More than 120 emails were sent to the Board of Selectmen over the past day regarding the meeting. And this was before people even saw what was in the draft order, which would have gone into effect May 5. The new state order is effective May 6.
The draft order, which underwent editing on the fly under the watchful eye of town lawyers, will now be mulled over the weekend and revisited at Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting. The draft order in some ways is less strict than the new state order, but also would include more specifics about things such as using re-usable bags and the aforementioned ill-conceived Brook Path rules.
The 2 boards appeared to be nearly full-steam ahead on approving the order for the first half of the meeting, but once Board of Health Chair Shep Cohen alerted the boards about the new state order, the tone shifted dramatically to one of “let’s give this a bit more thought.”
Among those raising questions about going too far with face covering rules was Dr. Marcia Testa from the Wellesley Board of Health. Improper use of face coverings can do more harm than good, especially as people tend to go way more to their faces when wearing and readjusting them, she stressed. “Unless we provide people with FDA-cleared masks and training,” she said, ordering mask use everywhere wouldn’t be safe.
Board of Selectmen member Beth Sullivan Woods also raised the issue of public shaming in a time of stress, such as when someone who for medical reasons cannot wear a mask needs to go out in public.
While Wellesley’s order would not put police into the untenable situation of actively enforcing mask wearing, they would be equipped with protective gear to distribute if needed in a situation they came across. (Fortunately, no one on the police force has been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date.)
You can review the draft order and recording of the Friday meeting (below) to gather your thoughts on it if you want to weigh in before Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.
It sounded toward the end of the meeting that a more likely outcome than a strict town order will now be a guidance that supplements the new state order. That and reverse 911 calls. And lots of new signs in town reminding you to do this or that to help keep each other safe.
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I have lived 50 yards from the Fuller Brook Path since 1983. I have the luxury of enjoying the trail between Dover Rd and the High School 2-3x’s/day. I have just watched the most recent meeting of the Board of Selectman and Board of Health on Friday, May 1st.
With regard to the most recent MA directives: One Cannot Maintain 6 feet or more of Social Distancing Entering, Exiting or Being Inside a Public Building thus: “Everyone must wear a facial covering inside.” I’m not convinced a Town Ordinance/Order is Needed. 1+1 = 2…keep it simple.
The central issue outdoors is social distancing, not masks. Based on our current science facial coverings (homemade masks) are a poor substitute from 6 or more feet of social distancing Wear a mask if one must or in addition to distancing.
How can our community of Wellesley do better maintaining a minimum 6 foot distance outdoors. SIGNAGE on Town Paths!
Signage would be a simple inexpensive measure that would likely improve social distancing. The simple temporary fence around the Honeywell Playground took minimal effort. The fence has been very effective. I walk by there at least twice/day and I have yet to see one adult or child inside the fence on the playground.
The issue is timely on town paths especially on the Fuller Brook Path and other outdoor trails. The nicer weather is just starting..
I am on the Fuller Brook Path 2 hours/day 6-7 days/week. I have the following observations:
1. A majority of people are careful to maintain a minimum of 6 foot spacing.
Many users walk or run or even bike off the trail as needed.
In several narrow areas where this not an option they will wait for others to pass.
2. A minority, but not tiny number of people simply don’t appear to be paying attention.
Walkers and Runners move with 2-3 others two feet apart often with masks.
Bicyclists are traveling too fast or too close to others.
They make no effort to maintain social distance with others nearby.
Some simple signs placed along the 2 1/2 mile Fuller Brook Path would remind people to pay more attention, to be more considerate of others. Currently there are none!
Consider the following information on these signs:
Maintain at least 6 feet of distance with your friends and other users at all times
Wearing a Mask does not substitute for social distancing.
Walk, Run next to one person if others are nearby.
Bicyclists –
Ride single file passing others.
Yield to walkers and runners.
Move off the path or stop if necessary.
I would gladly volunteer my time to place these signs along the 2 1/2 mile path.
Please consider these measures.
Jay Prosnitz
Really appreciate you covering this important community information/topic. Thank you.