A possible surge in COVID-19 instances this winter might present an early check for Gov.-elect Maura Healey and put the state a step nearer to returning to masks and vaccine mandates.
Where Healey will come down on these thorny points surrounding COVID is unclear since she hasn’t supplied any detailed plan how she would take care of one other virus wave.
But the Democrat will face stress from all sides — anti-maskers and academics’ unions and the state police union – within the coming months if a brand new pressure of COVID does make a robust comeback. The academics backed her marketing campaign and Healey is likely to be extra prone to take their facet in any coming battle.
In Massachusetts, a brand new COVID subvariant is inflicting concern that instances will surge this winter – even amongst individuals who have been vaccinated.
The Boston Public Health Commission has urged residents to get boosted, examined and put on masks indoors throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas vacation season to stop a brand new surge of instances from overwhelming hospitals.
“Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, getting a flu shot, wearing a well-fitted mask while traveling and testing for COVID-19 before gathering are important ways to protect yourself and your family and friends during the holiday season,” mentioned Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of Public Health.
And simply final week in Los Angeles, officers went again to “strongly recommending” masking indoors to take care of a rising variety of COVID instances.
Healey has not given any prolonged interviews since profitable the election – holding a surprisingly low profile regardless of her election mandate. She hasn’t been requested about how she would take care of a wave of COVID.
As a candidate, Healey imposed vaccine mandates on her workers and she or he mentioned she supported Gov. Charlie Baker’s mandates for state staff like state troopers – in addition to Baker’s determination to present exceptions for non secular or medical causes to a small variety of staff.
State police at the moment are combating Baker’s vaccine mandate, however Healey has mentioned she believes it’s authorized to bar staff from their jobs in the event that they don’t get vaccinated.
“It’s the right move,” Attorney General Healey mentioned of Baker’s determination final 12 months. “In terms of legality, it’s absolutely legal in my view.”
She informed WGBH in August 2021 that she didn’t assume the mandates had been “onerous” – a place in direct odds along with her GOP opponent, Geoff Diehl.
“The vaccine is out there, the FDA has approved it and that’s why I think we see not only government agencies but…venues and businesses and employers just generally moving in the direction of taking the steps to require folks to be vaccinated.”
But issues have modified since Healey made these feedback. The state rescinded indoor masks mandates and President Biden declared the epidemic over.
Healey will face a robust backlash if she tries to return the state to masking mandates, or require all state staff to get vaccinated.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”