Amid new surge, Gov. Charlie Baker resists mask mandate call, says COVID is akin to the flu – MassLive.com

May 19, 2022

Gov. Charlie Baker touted Massachusetts high vaccination rate including among vulnerable residents at greater risk of developing serious coronavirus-related complications as he again resisted calls Thursday to reinstate COVID-19 safeguards to tamp down the commonwealths rising caseload.

More than 80% of adult residents are vaccinated against COVID, with around half of that demographic also boosted, Baker said during a press conference in Boston following a National Governors Association event focused on computer science education.

Meanwhile, the vaccination rate among seniors exceeds 95%, Baker said.

COVID is a very transmissible virus, and each new strain appears to be as transmissible or more so than the one before, Baker said. But I think at this point in time, for most people especially those who are vaccinated their experience with COVID is something akin to the flu. And I think thats an important piece to remember and remind people.

Bakers comments Thursday came two days after he abruptly canceled public events. A spokesman said the governor had tested negative for COVID but was not feeling well. Baker resumed in-person events Wednesday after testing negative for the virus in the morning.

Baker said officials are closely monitoring rising coronavirus-related hospitalizations, though that figure is lower compared to last year.

The vast majority of Massachusetts is experiencing high COVID-transmission levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on federal guidance, people living in Berkshire, Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes counties should resume wearing masks indoors.

Yet at Thursdays event at the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square, there was scant masking during an indoor panel discussion. Masks are also no longer required on public transit, such as the MBTA.

Baker said stricter coronavirus protocols are still required at settings like senior care facilities and primary care operations that serve vulnerable populations.

Certainly we welcome people who believe they need to wear masks to protect themselves to protect others that they may live with or work with, Baker said, as he urged Bay Staters to get vaccinated and boosted. But at this point in time, we pay a lot more attention to the vulnerable population. The vast majority of the population here in Massachusetts is vaccinated.

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