Westfield Director of Public Health Joseph A. Rouse. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce hosted a virtual networking meeting for members with Public Health Director Joseph Rouse Aug. 17, who answered questions on state guidelines that impact businesses during the pandemic.
Rouse said he anticipates that there will be a viable treatment or vaccine by the end of the calendar year or beginning of the new year.
“If we don’t have something out there that will lessen the likelihood of contracting the virus, I’d be very surprised. That’s what it’s all pointing to right now,” he said, recommending everyone to stay the course. “Everyone is getting antsy. Give it a little more time, we’re not quite ready.”
“The event industry that you know I’m part of, which I keep tabs on worldwide; it wasn’t long before we knew we were going to lose this year. Now, we’re looking at probably losing next year, too,” said music producer Jay Pagluica. He said in his industry, they have to plan four to six months ahead, and there has to be enough of a comfort level for people to buy tickets to an event.
Pagluica said he is hoping to hold drive-in concerts in the spring, and asked if there is a comfort level around drive-ins.
Rouse said that the state has added a category specifically for drive-ins, including movies, live concerts and events in their sector specific protocols. He said there are not a lot of regulations that come into play for such events; including no stated limit to the number of participants. The guidelines do limit people staying in their cars except for lavatory or concessions, which Rouse said he doesn’t recommend.
Chamber Executive Director Kate Phelon said she has a smaller window for planning Chamber events, such as the golf tournament scheduled for Aug. 31 at East Mountain Country Club, their first signature event since the shutdown.
Phelon said it’s her understanding that the tournament is a go, but sometimes the answers aren’t clear. She said without these events, 30% of her revenue is gone.
Rouse said he understands that the recent reduction from 100 to 50 people in outdoor gatherings has caused confusion. “There’s a reason for that. We understand it’s confusing; it’s confusing to us,” he said, adding if anyone is on the fence or has questions, they should always feel free to call the Board of Health.
Rouse said guidance for compliance is often given on a case by case basis, and all businesses have to self-certify for compliance by going through the checklists.
“You have to go back and read the orders themselves. Rule from day one is we’re not running around patrolling this, looking for trouble. You self-certify, you put that in and say you’re doing this in compliance with the orders. We only respond to complaints, and there’s plenty of those, believe me,” Rouse said.
Rouse said unless the Board of Health gets a complaint, they’re not going to show up at a business. “Unless you’re flagrantly, knowingly (not following guidelines). Other than that, do the best you can. The first time, if there’s a violation, please extend your hand so I can slap it. The second one is a verbal warning. The third one probably would be a fine, but we haven’t even gotten close to that in Westfield,” he said.
“The state police aren’t going to be beating down your door unless somebody calls them, and it would have to be so egregious, or they would call us,” Rouse said.
Phelon said on a recent call with chambers of commerce and state officials, they were told the first step is education, the second a written warning, and the third is a violation of $300. “They reemphasized the fact that they don’t really want to fine people. It’s more education, helping them comply,” Phelon said.
Sally English of the Forum House asked how her organization can plan for the winter, and a possible spike in cases.
“You’re right, it’s not going anywhere. We can only take baby steps with this. We can’t predict what we’re going to be looking at even a month from now. In the season that we’re in, outdoor events have been the biggest contributor to clusters spiking,” Rouse said.
“Do everything right, right now We’re looking at a projected spike in October. Those models are based on us not being as diligent now as we are going forward,” he said, adding the same applies to schools. “Do something today that your future self will thank you for. Right now is the critical phase, and right now we’re very good (in Westfield). Let’s not all be chomping at the bit so much.”
Rouse said he hears all the time how much people are sick of it, and can’t take it anymore. “We can’t will it to be done,” he said, adding that now is the time to get ready for the next possible surge. “The city has done that. I was able to secure 7,000 masks from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. When we get to the event of the vaccine, we will have PPE available to give mass immunization clinics.”
Rouse also said if anyone needs something right now, they should consult with him. He said he is now co-directing the Westfield Emergency Management Agency with communications manager Nina Barszcz.
English also asked about temperature taking, which in her program is divisive. “My understanding is 100 degrees for the cutoff.” She said some of the state guidelines are not very strict.
Rouse said temperature taking is not the “be all to end all.” He said people use all sorts of instruments; many of which have to be calibrated, and all of which have a one degree plus or minus variance. He suggested reading the instructions.
Rouse said the more effective process is wearing masks and social distancing.
“That would be an important message. My focus has always been on sanitizing, wearing masks, and social distancing,” English said.
“I’ve really seen a negative impact of quarantine and isolation on people. A lot of the people I work with don’ t have access to technology. Any thoughts on what we can do as a city to try to support our citizens going through this,” English asked.
Rouse said it was a good point. “We are concerned about the socialization aspect of isolation. People need to take advantage of the phase 3 status that we have. We are allowed to assemble indoors, 25 or less.. Maybe you can have some kind of event where people can get together. We may get to a point in the fall where we have to scale back,” he said.
“It is still possible right now. Keep it small, maybe do multiple things, more frequent, smaller events outside. These will quickly get rolled back if we start spiking again. So long as we stay in that average of about one new case a day, and 8 active cases in isolation and quarantine,” Rouse added.
“The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce was so pleased to offer a virtual workshop this morning with Joe Rouse, City of Westfield Public Health Director,” said Phelon, after the meeting. “This workshop was available to both members and non-members and it was so informative having our local top health official answer our members’ questions.
“This pandemic needs to be taken seriously and Joe eased our minds and shared that Westfield is heading in the right direction with active cases, yet reinforced how important it is to keep doing what we are all doing by wearing masks and social distancing. The Chamber will be looking at holding more virtual workshops in the future that will benefit the members,” Phelon added.
