Mass. Medical Society calls for statewide mask mandate for all indoor public settings

The president of the Massachusetts Medical Society is recommending that state officials require the use of masks in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status, in the face of worrying COVID-19 trends in the commonwealth.

The call to bring back an indoor mask mandate came a day after Gov. Charlie Baker said he has “no plans to bring back the statewide mask mandate,” despite the urging of health experts to do so.

Dr. Carole Allen, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, in a statement on Tuesday pointed to the “alarming upward trend” of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations that are “straining” the state’s health care system as motivation for recommending an indoor mask mandate.

In recent weeks, Massachusetts has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations to levels that have not been seen since the surge last winter, prompting state officials to order hospitals facing capacity constraints to cut elective procedures by 50 percent. 

“Masking is a public health measure proven to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Allen said. “Wearing masks while indoors is an effective and appropriate way to slow transmission of the disease, especially with the holiday and cold and flu seasons upon us. We must all work together to take steps to confront and stem what could be a continued rise in cases, hospitalizations, serious illness, and death.”

Since state officials lifted the indoor mask mandate in May, Massachusetts residents are only required to wear a mask in particular locations, like public transit systems and health care facilities. The state still advises all unvaccinated individuals to wear masks in indoor public settings where social distancing isn’t possible.

Some municipalities, including Boston, have since brought back indoor mask mandates in response to the COVID-19 trends seen in their local communities. Starting Monday, Salem is also requiring all individuals entering a public or municipal building to wear a face covering, regardless of their vaccination status. 

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Baker cited the state’s vaccination rate and the vaccines’ effectiveness at preventing severe illness in his reasoning for not bringing back a mask mandate. 

“This winter is very different than last winter,” he said.