Reader feedback: 78% support a local mask mandate
Business survey closer: 56.6% in favor
Dec. 6, 2021 | By Lisa Scagliotti 
Of the 201 responses to Waterbury Roundabout’s poll, 157 supported a local mandate; 44 were opposed.
Ahead of tonight’s Waterbury Select Board meeting where the board will consider a local mask mandate to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Waterbury Roundabout asked readers to share their opinions on the topic.
The informal one-question survey posted on Friday gathered responses from 201 individuals with a breakdown of 157 (78%) in favor of a mandate, and 44 (22%) opposed.
In addition, Revitalizing Waterbury polled about 300 members of the business community with a one-question online survey last week. That garnered 83 responses with 56.6% supporting a townwide mask mandate and 43.4% opposed, according to Economic Development Director Mark Pomilio Jr.
Revitalizing Waterbury polled approximately 300 members of the business community on the local mask mandate question. Graphic courtesy RW
The state legislature in a special one-day session just before Thanksgiving passed a bill signed soon afterward by Gov. Phil Scott allowing for local governments to enact local mask requirements. The measures would not apply to schools and would be in effect for 45 days to start with the option for local select boards and city councils to renew them every 30 days through April 2022.
Officials in municipalities around Vermont have begun to discuss the issue with several already enacting mandates including Burlington, Warren and Brattleboro. Nearby, boards in Stowe and Waitsfield have the item up for discussion tonight; Montpelier City Council meets Wednesday and is to discuss it as well.
These steps come as Vermont has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases since Thanksgiving. Daily new case counts exceeded 500 for most of last week. On Sunday a new record daily high of 643 cases was reported in the state. Today’s Health Department report of 246 cases is keeping with the recent trend of lower numbers early in the week as testing dips over the weekend.
Hospitalizations have reached new highs recently and deaths now number 417, according to state data.
State officials continue to emphasize vaccinations to combat the virus and to recommend that people wear masks indoors in public spaces but not require mask-wearing. The result is varying advice to the public.
Cases attributed to Waterbury based on state Department of Health data have more than doubled since the Delta variant of the virus became commonplace in late summer. As of last week, 249 new cases were recorded for Waterbury since the end of July, approximately 45 of them in November.
Vaccines only recently became available for children ages 5-11. While Vermonters have responded to calls to vaccinate children, that two-shot process will take several more weeks for children to be fully immunized.
Cases in the Harwood Unified Union School District increased in November with 18 new cases reported after only 11 were identified between late August and Oct. 31. So far in December, six cases have been recorded, two at Harwood Union Middle/High School and four at Brookside Primary School in Waterbury where two were reported this morning.
Figures for Waterbury likely also include cases in individuals who live in nearby communities that share a zipcode with Waterbury as the Health Department logs cases by addresses.
The agenda for tonight’s Select Board meeting with video conference details can be found online at waterburyvt.com.
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The Roundabout survey gave respondents the option to leave a comment. Seventy-nine people did so. The survey did not ask people to share their names although it did collect email addresses to discourage multiple individual replies. Here are the comments received and unedited.
Leave it up to the peoples and businesses personal choice. If a business chooses to require masks, it’s up to them. If people want to wear a mask, it’s up to them, their choice
Let folks make their own decision
I don’t feel masks are effective, the spread in our schools is proof. Masks should be an option. If you’re symptomatic or just cautious, feel free to cover your face. But this shouldn’t be mandatory.
Absolutely not !!
As a parent of a newborn that lives in this community, I fully support mask wearing indoors. Without it, I do not feel safe participating in activities indoors, especially with my son. I would love to patronize local businesses and be able to get out into the community. Please, consider adopting a mask mandate indoors for the sake of my family and other families with children under 5 who are not yet able to get vaccinated. Thank you.
We need a mask mandate in town. Trusting people to do the right thing is not working. I know plenty of unvaccinated people not masking when they should be. It puts coworkers, customers and the general public at risk.
It’s time! Given the fact that yesterday I (masked) stood, chatting, in a local business and spoke with the lone employee (unmasked) only to find out that he has no plans of getting vaccinated, it’s the least we can do!!
I would love to see indoor masking at least until all of our children can be fully vaccinated. It doesn't hurt anyone and is a show of compassion and unity among our community members.
I don't believe in mandates, but due to the rising cases, beginning of ski season/increased tourism and people gathering indoors more, our family chooses to wear masks inside all businesses to prevent spreading the virus to those still vulnerable.
If the Select Board wants to govern town-owned places managed by the Town- ok. Private businesses should decide their own policy. There is no real way to enforce a mask mandate unless you are going to call the Police to arrest people... and that's just not going to happen. Many citizens are fed up with "mandates." Those that want to wear masks will and those that don't want to won't change based on yet another mandate.
I have been noticing the number of folks wearing masks is dwindling in many business. We will patronize those places that do require masks indoor.
This is basic and expected of a responsible township
Putting a mask on is an easy and effective measure we can all take to reduce the spread of covid and protect our community, especially in the winter!
Absolutely. Such a simple thing for us to do, just wear a mask. It’s not oppression.
I won't spend more than 15 minutes in a store where there is someone not wearing a mask. I would like to be able to better support local businesses
Efforts should be concentrated on vaccinations not on mask-wearing, mask mandates in town will discourage people from going to restaurants and many other local businesses.
I certainly support the board discussing it!
This issue is similar to the seatbelts issue. Without a seatbelt, you cannot stay in your seat to gain control of your car and you become a danger to others. Some people cannot acknowledge putting others at risk, so they have to have rules put in place for some of them to do the right and respectful thing.
It’s the least that a person can do to keep their neighbors safe.
I'm with the Governor. It's taking a step backwards. I choose to wear a mask when I go in our local shops etc. I'm vaccinated and boosted, but I feel better, when I do. That is MY choice to make, though! Others aren't comfortable and again it's THEIR choice. If an establishment chooses to require masks, someone has the choice of putting one on or not going in.
Going back to a mandate is only going to hurt our already struggling businesses…
It is the SMART option and helps protect all the young children (mine included) who appear to be much more affected by delta and omicron variant. Look at the data!
Obviously another prevention step that should be taken for all. Vaccinated or not please
With a significant majority of the town vaccinated and the vast majority of cases amongst vaccinated mild, and the vast majority of cases in kids mild. Infection rates and Hospitalizations for unvaxed ppl is over 4x that of vaxed accd to the health dept. Also accd to health dept, Breakthrough cases account for just 2% of fully vaxed population. So as a whole, Waterbury is pretty well protected. We have got to learn to live with this as we do any other disease. Those with compromised systems should do what they need to protect themselves like they would do during a flu season. Parents with kids not vaxed yet, should take precautions they feel necessary. Those who choose not to be vaxed are not taking their own lives in their hands. Are statistics showing spread in retail, restaurants, gyms, and other indoor places besides schools? I want to see data and not just have a decision like this made out of emotion.
Why not? I don’t see a downside...it’s a no brainer
I highly encourage the Select Board to adopt a mask mandate. Wearing a mask protects others more than they protect ourselves. We owe it to our store and restaurant owners and employees to keep them safe. I will feel much more comfortable frequenting local businesses if everyone is wearing a mask.
People fully vaccinated should have the choice
Protect yourself, your love ones, and the community.
All the unknowns about the Omicron variant and the continued high case numbers are reasons to do all we can to keep ourselves and our community healthy. Bottom line: we should care enough about each other and our community to do the simple thing of wearing a mask.
A small thing to ask for, keeping everyone as safe as possible wearing a mask is not forever but for now it's a smart choice
Besides a mask mandate I would require vaccinations for everyone that wanted to take part in the community. Restaurants, bars, theatre, public transportation, going to work and school should all require vaccinations. Getting vaccinated is not just about protecting yourself it's about protecting everyone in your community.
Please, please enact a mask mandate in Wby.!
Please adopt a local mask mandate in Waterbury. Thank you.
Please enact a mask mandate. We have to get things back under control. If you think vaccinated people can't get Covid, you are wrong. We had a death in our family of someone that was fully vaccinated. We all have to wear masks and take care of each other. Let's make mask wearing a symbol of love and not divisiveness. Require compliance from those who are choosing to be selfish, and who are putting the lives of others at risk. I am a teacher who wears a mask with middle school students all day, every day. We have been doing it for almost 2 years now. Surely grown men and women can for the short time they spend in the grocery store, and if they don't want to wear one, get curbside delivery.
Keep us all safe and schools open! Mandate masks in all public places in Waterbury
It’s a great idea - seriously, what are the down sides?
The statement is that the board will discuss. Why wouldn't anyone support the board discussing? Are you asking if we support a mask mandate? Because that's not clear from the question.
The only measure during the entire pandemic that has seen any results at all is the wearing of masks and social distancing. Vaccines have not reduced cases at all, in fact, with so many thinking their vaccine gives them a completely free pass, I believe vaccines have increased spread. They have, however, reduced severity, and though that cannot be argued, spread is why we are still in a pandemic. Some people cannot be vaccinated and they are prisoners of this pandemic in their homes. Why should vaccinated people refuse to wear masks and increase the spread to record setting numbers every day? There is no acceptable answer to this. Everyone should mask at all times in indoor public spaces.
Masks and reducing some occupancy limits will be critical in reducing spread especially with omicron at our doorstep.
I fully support a local mask mandate.
Requiring vaccination instead of masks is far more sensical as far as what is attempting to be overcome
The governor believes that people who will wear masks are already doing so. This is not true. There is a group of people who think "it is not required, so it must be ok to not wear one". I think with the relentless increase in cases this last month, it is time to require the simple precaution of wearing a mask.
We are fools if we stop taking COVID seriously. It isn’t gone. It hasn’t magically disappeared. This isn’t a political issue this is a public health issue. Please do the right thing!
EVERYONE should be required to wear a mask in a public setting no matter their vaccination status. It protects all and we will have less illness/death. It's a no-brainer!!!
What are we waiting for. Masks are effective in curbing the virus spread. Do it now. Require !
I am fully vaccinated and wear a mask so I can.t spread the virus if I get infected. Require !
I believe that we should all wear masks while inside at all businesses.
It is a simple thing to do to protect those most vunerable and bring the numbers down again. No brainer.
Plus, as a business owner, I can set my own rules, but policing that creates anxiety for everyone involved. If we all have a standard that respects everyone (wearing masks), there isn't that conversation. Thank you for considering this!
Adopt an ordinance that masks are required in all businesses. It is not an inconvenience and it’s the right thing to do for our fellow citizens.
There is such a divide in our community that this will only increase this divide. I hate to say this but I have seen a lot of anger and judgment from this community over the past two years. This is coming from otherwise very good people and community members.
We need to believe in people, and allow them to make their own decisions. I feel there are very few people that will blatantly expose others to Covid/sickness on purpose. We cannot base all decisions on this very small percentage of people If you are sick, stay home. If you feel like you would like to wear a mask, please do so. We should not force our individual feelings on others.
A mask mandate is a good idea. It helps prevent the spread of Covid and I support that and I still wear a mask. I am doing my part.
Get over it move on with life masks not needed
YES! Very important to adopt a mask mandate in Waterbury asap.
I fully support a mask requirement, of course with exceptions for restaurants and pubs where people are eating and drinking, with the caveat that proof of full vaccination is required for entry to those establishments.
This is overdue at this point. Please help us out by sending a strong message to those who seem to have "moved on" from the pandemic. The pandemic has not disappeared.
Wearing masks indoors anywhere and at large gatherings of any kind is to prevent widespread Covid public outbreaks!
As leaders of the community you have an obligation to make decisions based on facts. The current pandemic is a health emergency. Your decisions should ensure the safety of the community. There is no harm associated with wearing a mask. In spite of political propaganda, the reality is that wearing a mask is no more a violation of individual rights than requiring drivers to give emergency vehicles the right of way. Please act like leaders and put a mask mandate in place for Waterbury citizens.
Anything to stop this virus
I am fully vaccinated and have had my booster. I always wear a mask in public spaces, so I fully support a mandate. I also believe a mandate might make it easier for a business to protect their staff and be able to point to a town mandate rather than having to go it alone.
It makes good sense!
When local transmission rates are high.
If the majority of people were in favor of mask requirements, then the majority of people would be wearing masks in public. Look around, they are not. We've been at this for nearly two years, I'm fully vaccinated and I'm done with masking, regardless of government mandates.
I support the board discussing a mask mandate. I do not support a mask mandate.
waterbury is actually not that great of a place to shop or dine it had limited restaurants and stores and most of the time you need to travel to shop for things needed. If a mandate is passed I personally will not shop in waterbury for anything.
Have you seen the rise in cases lately? I would completely welcome a mask mandate!
My daughter works at Ben & Jerry's where they DO NOT require masks for their customers. Though the staff is vaccinated & wears masks, people come from all over the world & who knows whether they have been vaccinated or even HAVE COVID! PLEASE require masks!!
Even when locals wear masks, visitors from all over may not, bringing with them who knows what. Better if we all cover.
Masking is clearly part of the solution. This mandate is important unfortunately because we can't trust our neighbors and visitors to make good choices for the community.
To clarify, I support them discussing the issue and would also support a mask mandate. Thank you for asking!
With Covid numbers climbing we want to keep our offices, library and restaurants open, why not be safe and smart about it. If businesses are going to stay open we need to ensure that everyone wears masks to keep each other safe. Please be smart and make masks mandatory. Thank you
I live in Duxbury and do almost all of my shopping in Waterbury. I would love for Waterbury to have a mask mandate in local businesses.
Given the levels of Covid in our state and our community, for the time being it seems important to have a mask mandate in indoor places open to the public. It appears that voluntary compliance and “the honor system” of following guidelines and recommendations is not currently sufficient to prevent the spread of this virus and save lives.
I do not support mask mandates.
This is simply a common sense approach we can all do.
It is our obligation to friends and neighbors to vaccinate and wear facial coverings to stop the spread of this disease. There are many people that depend on us that cannot be vaccinated.
Just wear your mask. Unfortunately some people lack the common sense and common courtesy to do so. Rather than waiting for natural selection to fix this problem it’s probably best to have a mask mandate.
Leave it up to the businesses and individuals if they want to mask or not.
Its the simplest way to help stop the spread. It will be difficult for business to enforce as there were incidents of non compliance during the state of emergency. Lot of hot heads feel entitled to no comply with the mask mandate
That we are discussing mandating masks again is completely absurd. Absolutely not.
I do not agree with a mask mandate nor will I support a business or town with one.