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 during the upcoming holiday season. 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.

The coalition’s call for mask mandates comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the state, and as hospitals are preparing for an influx of patients during the holiday season. According to the coalition, mask mandates can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, particularly among individuals who are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms or complications from COVID-19.

“We urge healthcare systems to reconsider their masking policies and reinstate universal mask mandates in all healthcare settings,” said [name], Executive Director of [name] of the Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity. “Masks have been proven effective in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses, and we cannot afford to take any unnecessary risks when it comes to public health.”

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