As the country, and the world, grapples with rising COVID-19 cases, the Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker (Republican) issued a mandate on Friday November 6th which effectively bans anyone in Massachusetts from getting fresh air in public. The previous mask decree, mandated that everybody wear a mask outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained. The new mask law states that masks must now be worn under all circumstances when outside in public—with no exceptions. This means that if you are working out in a park alone at 6am, taking your dog out for a walk, strolling with your significant other or family on a beach, or taking a hike up in the mountains—and nobody else is nearby—you must still always wear a mask. Violators face civil penalties including fines.
As an internal medicine physician who has treated many hospitalized patients with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, and also had it myself, I am all for any science-based public health measures that can help slow the spread and target vulnerable groups in particular. I will always be an advocate for that, and people in Massachusetts were already wearing masks in workplaces and shopping premises. But as a doctor with a passion for wellness and preventive medicine—I will also be the first to tell my patients that getting outdoors and breathing in fresh air, is extremely good for your health, and I encourage it. In fact, a great habit to get into is standing outside and doing deep breathing exercises to fill your lungs with a sea breeze, mountain wind, or still forest air. Evidence shows that COVID-19, is almost exclusively spread indoors when people are in close contact with each other. One would have to be exceptionally close outdoors to pick up any respiratory virus—it rarely ever happens.
I love Massachusetts and have lived here for several years. I think the people are great, the education and health systems are top notch—and I am fascinated by the Revolutionary history. When mandates go too far, they erode public trust in the system. There has to be some common sense and a rational logical approach with COVID restrictions. This decree from Governor Baker is far from that. It is illogical, unscientific—and also probably totally illegal. If it ever got taken to court, it likely wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on. The new law technically makes it illegal to get fresh air in the state for 7 million people. If I want fresh air, I have to drive up to New Hampshire.
Suneel Dhand is a physician, writer, and YouTuber. He is Founder at MedStoic Lifestyle Medicine and DocsDox . Follow him on YouTube and Instagram
I’m also a doc – intensive care in NC. Amen to everything you said here. The south is so different. Nobody wears mask in my area outside Charlotte, even indoors. Store clerks mostly don’t wear one because they have enough common sense to know it’s ridiculous.