May 4, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer (Pictured above Gracie Winters, courtesy photo)
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Baker-Polito administration ordered all residents in the state over the age of two -- effective this Wednesday (May 6) -- to wear a face covering or mask in indoor and outdoor public places where it's not possible to maintain proper social distancing of six feet or more. Those found to be in violation could face a civil fine of up to $300 per violation. Baker signed the order May 1.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, local boards of health, and other authorized agents have the authority to enforce the order, with assistance from state or local police if necessary.
Police Chief Glenn Olsson said the role of the police is to educate the public. "What it amounts to is, does someone care enough to wear a face covering to protect everyone around him or her, from small children to seniors," he said. "People are dying, and this needs to be taken seriously. The best way to protect everyone is for everyone to wear a face covering."
The order applies to workers and customers of essential businesses, including pharmacies, grocery stores, and other retail businesses that fall into that category.
"All persons are also required to wear masks or cloth face coverings when providing or using the services of any taxi, car, livery, ride-sharing, or similar service or any means of mass public transit, or while within an enclosed or semi-enclosed transit stop or waiting area," the order states.
If a customer refuses to wear a mask or cloth face covering for non-medical reasons, a business may decline entry to the individual.
"If there's a case where someone refuses to wear a face mask inside a store and is asked by store personnel to put one on and doesn't, if a police officer is present he will first talk with the person and explain why people are being asked to wear a face covering," Olsson said. "If the person isn't cooperative we would issue him a citation of up to $300, on a sliding scale. At that point I expect most people would cooperate." The idea, though, is for the situation not to even go that far.
Biking, walking, running
Some residents are wondering if they need to wear a face covering while biking, walking, or running in an area with few people. "It's safe to say that you'll likely encounter someone who will come within the six feet wherever you go," Olsson said. "My suggestion is to always have a face covering or mask with you so if you're walking, for instance, and you see people coming in your direction, you can slip it on. Some people wear them around their necks to make it easier to pull them up when needed. The main thing is that the mouth and nose should be covered."
Basketball hoops have been taken down and tennis courts locked in public areas around town because people were found playing impromptu basketball games and tennis matches without respecting social distancing guidelines, according to Olsson.
There's also a new plan in place for Wompatuck State Park. The environmental and state police and park wardens, in cooperation with the Hingham Police Department, are monitoring the park. If it becomes overcrowded/visitors are not wearing face masks, the park will be shut down for two hours and no more people will be allowed inside, Olsson explained. "It's kind of like a supermarket when only a certain amount of customers are allowed in the store at the same time."
The police (and the bathing beach trustees) are also keeping their eyes on the bathing beach, which was especially busy this past weekend. "There's plenty of room on the beach during low tide, but not so much at high tide," Olsson said. "Some people might not like to wear a mask while lying in the sun. They don't want to get tan lines!" And with the closing of the Nantasket Beach parking lot, it's likely more people will visit the Hingham beach than in the past.
The goal, he said, is for people to be aware of Baker's new order and to take it seriously. The police don't want to have to penalize the public but rather to educate them on the importance of cooperating with the order for the good of the general public.
Cloth masks should not be worn by young children under the age of two, and individuals with difficulty breathing, or those who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance, the order directs.
An individual who declines to wear a mask or cloth face covering because of a medical condition is not required to produce documentation verifying the condition.
Rising state numbers
The order was issued at a time when the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts continues to rise. As of April 30, the MDPH had reported 62,205 cases of COVID-19, including 3,562 deaths, with all counties across the Commonwealth affected.
A face covering may include anything that covers the nose and mouth -- including a mask, scarf, or bandana. The use of medical-grade masks is discouraged in order to reserve them for healthcare workers and first responders.
Baker also directed the commissioner of public health to issue guidance, subject to his approval, to implement the terms of the order, including guidance for the use of face coverings by children between the ages of two- and five years old.
The order also states that the eventual reopening of businesses and public places in the Commonwealth "will require residents to continue to take precautions, including the wearing of masks or cloth face coverings."
According to the order, Massachusetts law authorizes the governor "during the effective period of a declared emergency, to exercise any and all authority over persons and property necessary or expedient for meeting a state of emergency, including but not limited to authority over assemblages and pedestrian travel in order to protect the health and safety of persons; transportation or travel; regulation of the sale of articles of food and household articles; and the policing, protection, and preservation of public and private property."
As a precautionary measure the Hingham police are already paying attention to whether citizens they encounter are abiding by social distancing guidelines and wearing face masks. If they come across people not abiding by the rules, they explain why face masks should be worn, and starting May 6, they will be told about the new order.
If the number of people in a group exceeds 10 -- the number set forth as the maximum by Baker -- the police ask them to disperse. "Most people abide by the rules. Some who don't may have forgotten to wear a mask. We all make mistakes from time to time," Olsson said.
He noted that these days it's not uncommon to see cars gathered together, backed in but parked diagonally around a center point, with the occupants sitting on their tailgates, or on the roof of, or inside their cars, enjoying each other's company while respecting social distancing guidelines. "That's fine," Olsson said.
The reality, he said, is that "COVID-19 is not going to go away with the flick of a switch. The sooner everyone wears face masks the better off we'll all be."
Any thoughts on monitoring people who walk/play on South Shore Country Club’s fairways?