During the upcoming holiday season, the Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity is advocating for hospitals and healthcare providers to reintroduce universal mask mandates in order to protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. The coalition, which was established during the pandemic with the aim of protecting individuals who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, hosted a virtual press conference on Monday to urge health systems to reconsider their masking policies.
Many hospitals had lifted their mask mandates after the public health emergency ended in May, but the coalition believes that it is essential to continue wearing masks in order to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. The coalition also believes that it is important for hospitals and healthcare providers to prioritize the safety of their patients and staff by implementing mask mandates, especially during high-risk periods such as flu season.
The Boston Business Journal has more on this story.