This means that face coverings will no longer be required in public buildings, with the exception of the schools. The School Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday to review its mask mandate.
"People that certainly want to wear a mask or should wear a mask or need to wear a mask should certainly be able to do that," said Chair John Meaney Jr. "It's an option of each individual person."
The decision to rescind the masking advisory is in line with current guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the low levels of community spread of COVID-19 within the Berkshires.
The CDC is recommending that those who have compromised immune systems or who have not been vaccinated to continue wearing masks indoors. The state dropped its masking mandate for schools on Feb. 28 and lifted mask mandates for school buses based on CDC guidance but has left it up to local jurisdictions to set policy particular to their situations.
North Adams has had eight cases of novel coronavirus over the past 10 days, reported Health Director Heather DeMarsico. Berkshire Medical Center currently has one patient on pandemic precautions.
A number of communities have begun lifting restrictions over the past few weeks as the surge in cases over the holidays has dwindled and more people have been vaccinated and boosted.
Board member Kevin Lamb said the public advisory in December, which had advised all residents to wear face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status, had been in line with the conditions at the time.
"I think we would kind of be in line with other communities, even in our area and across the nation [in rescinding the advisory]," he said. "So I would be in favor of updating that."
The two board members (member October Cellena was absent) discussed putting out a new advisory but decided to vote to rescind the December advisory and issue a statement that reiterated the CDC guidance.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who attended the meeting, confirmed that starting Thursday, face coverings would not be required in public buildings. These include City Hall and the library.
The School Committee had voted on March 2 to extend masking in the schools until at least March 14 because of the February school vacation. The vacations and holidays have accounted for spikes in transmission. However, the committee will decide on Thursday night whether to continue masking. Pittsfield and Hoosac Valley schools have already lifted their mask mandates.
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Mass MoCA Commission Approves Mental Health Practices as Tenants
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Mass MoCA Commission on Thursday approved three new tenants for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
Kimma Stark, project manager at the museum, gave the commission the rundown on each of the new tenants.
Eric Beeman is a licensed mental health counselor who uses art in his therapy. He holds a master's degree in expressive arts and arts therapy from Lesley University, where he's also taught graduate-level practices and principles of expressive art therapy.
He integrates creative arts based interventions into his clinical work including drawing painting, poetry, writing, brief drama and roleplay, movement and sound. Beeman works one-on-one and with small groups and said he mostly works with adults.
He will be operating as Berkshires Expressive Arts Therapy on the third floor of Building 1.
Beeman said Stark has been very helpful. "It's different than just renting a space and she's been very helpful and personable and accessible," he said.
Mary Wilkes, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, works with individuals with severe mental illness, with attachment and relationship issues and needing support navigating major life transitions. She works with teenagers, college and students and adults.
Cory Ahonen, chief engagement officer for the state's Executive Office of Veterans Services, served his country in the Air Force from 2008 to 2014 as a staff sergeant. click for more
The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies Inc. (BAAMS) has recently garnered significant support from the family of the late Edward J. Noel Jr. click for more
But not enough for Finance Committee member Andrew Fitch, who voted against the compensation and classification plan because it did not include a city planner.
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The Corps of Engineers is in the midst of a three-year, $3 million study of the aging concrete flood chutes that control the passage of the river through the city.
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This weekend, the Berkshires and surrounding areas will have a variety of events, including concerts, comedy, farmers' markets, and more.
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