The Story
Governor Chris Sununu did not extend New Hampshire’s mask mandate last Thursday.
What does this mean?
Masks are no longer required in public places. Private businesses, cities, and towns can still require people to wear masks, but it’s no longer mandated at the state level. However, the governor still urges people to wear a mask in public because the state’s new cases and hospitalizations are rising. Yes, he decided to end the mask mandate while cases are rising. Yes, we see the irony here too.
Where did this decision come from?
In a press conference on Thursday, the governor said that his decision to not extend the mandate was based on data points such as deaths, hospitalizations, and vaccinations. With 58.3% of eligible New Hampshire residents having received at least one vaccine dose, hospitals are no longer at risk of being overrun by COVID patients, but now facilities are full of patients whose healthcare was put on hold during lockdown.
How are people reacting?
According to WMUR interviews, a lot of healthcare professionals are not particularly happy with the governor’s decision. State epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan says that getting rid of the mask mandate does not make wearing a mask any less important. In response to the mandate ending, Dartmouth-Hitchcock released a statement saying that the most effective ways to end the pandemic are mask-wearing, vaccination, physical distancing, and hand-washing. So they basically just suggest that we keep doing what we’re doing.
What about at school?
In a letter to parents, Assistant Superintendent Tom Laliberte announced that the Bedford School District will still require students and staff to wear masks. He reiterated that the district’s priority is the safety of students and staff, and masks are proven to greatly reduce the spread of COVID. So regarding masks at school, nothing is changing. Sorry anti-maskers, you’ll have to keep those face coverings on for a bit longer.
What comes next?
With the rising number of Granite Staters who are vaccinated in some capacity, the governor says he’s also prepared to relax some of the “safer at home” restrictions. On May 7, the state will begin to move into universal best practices instead of rigid mandates. However, it is likely that the state of emergency will remain in effect until the end of the year, as much of the federal aid is based on the state of emergency.
The Runaway
It’s starting to look like maybe, just maybe, there’s a light at the end of this very dark tunnel of the pandemic.
What to Say…
When you’re sick of hearing about COVID…
We promise that we won’t have to cover it over and over again soon…because people are getting vaccinated! Last Tuesday, the Manchester Department of Health held a vaccination clinic at Bedford High School for 16-17 year old BHS students to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. This came shortly after the national news that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had to be halted because of a few blood clot issues, so it’s very good news that most students were able to get vaccinated. And for those who didn’t, there will be another opportunity to receive one from the state. It is likely that by the beginning of next school year all students and families that can be vaccinated will be. And last Friday, BSD staff received their second doses of the Moderna vaccine, which means that in two-ish weeks, the vast majority of the school district staff will have 94% immunity to the virus. But based on what we’ve heard about the second shot of the Moderna vaccine, it’s very possible that several teachers will be out today. Good luck to all the substitutes.
When you’re going slightly stir-crazy…
Spring sports are back in session! This past week has been filled with sport updates. On Thursday afternoon, the girls lacrosse team played against Souhegan after a decisive 15-7 win on Tuesday. The first half of the game was very close with both teams scoring 4 points, but our Bulldogs pulled through in the second half and won 10-8, with Sydney Grogan as dawg of the game! Boys lacrosse also played twice this past week. Bedford was unstoppable against Concord and won with another decisive victory of 20-8. Are we sure Concord had a goalie? The boys also played on Saturday but unfortunately lost to Pinkerton with a score of 12-6. And finally, boys baseball defeated Exeter on Saturday. This upcoming week is also packed with sports. The boys and girls lacrosse teams will both go head to head with Salem throughout the week. The varsity baseball team plays against Trinity on Wednesday and the varsity softball team plays Londonderry on Friday. Last but not least, boys and girls tennis will compete against Hanover on Wednesday. That’s right, we’re finally in the groove of spring sports.
Things to Know
One more week…
And then vacation! Only four more wake-ups until April break!