By Beth David, Editor
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said this week that although the state has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, he has no new closures planned for businesses. He said there are brighter days ahead, in anticipation of at least two vaccines that should be available in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, he said residents need to continue doing all the things we have been doing in the past 10 months, such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and social distancing.
Gov. Baker said that a “deep dive” into the data shows that “too many cases” are from houses of worship. Since October, 36 clusters have been from houses of worship, with 316 confirmed cases.
“The most dangerous aspect of COVID-19,” said he Governor, is its ability to spread by people with no symptoms.
In one case, he said, 200 positive cases resulted, and 90 businesses were exposed. Of those, 23 had clusters of their own, which led to 40 cases at a university. They all were traced back to a house of worship.
Gov. Baker said he understood that the holiday season is filled with traditions.
“But this year should be different,” he said. “We ask faith leaders and those who practice to engage in safe procedures.”
He praised those who are holding remote services, car lot services, and are otherwise trying to stick to the guidelines. He asked people to keep their distance and keep gatherings small if they must go in person, and wear a mask.
“We know how hard it is to ask people to alter these time honored traditions,” said Gov. Baker, but he stessed that those types of gatherings are how the virus spreads.
After 10 months of “fear and anxiety and tragedy and sacrifice and uncertainty,” people are especially needing their holiday gatherings. He said people just need to recognize and understand that if they are going to get together with people they do not usually spend time with, they need to take precautions.
“This isn’t, hopefully, a forever thing,” said Gov. Baker.
As of 11/27, Acushnet, which is still designated yellow, had 282 total cases, with 55 in the last 14 days (active), and a positivity rate of 4.91%. Fairhaven, which is in the red, had 540 total cases, with 110 in the last 14 days, and a 5.25% positivity rate.
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