questions for the COVID-19 update

1 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Sumbul Siddiqui Mayor TO: LOUIS A. DEPASQUALE, CITY MANAGER FROM: SUMBUL SIDDIQUI, MAYOR SUBJECT: COVID-19 UPDATE: QUESTIONS DATE: 4.22.2021 CC: CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL A communication from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting questions from City Councillors regarding the COVID-19 Public Health Update for April 26, 2021.

2 CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: April 26, 2021 COVID-19 UPDATE QUESTIONS COUNCILLOR NOLAN 1. At this point in the pandemic, there is extensive evidence on mask use outdoors and the risk of Covid19 transmission. Being outdoors and not in close proximity for a prolonged period is an extremely low risk activity. If Governor Baker lifts the mask mandate statewide for outdoors, will Cambridge follow suit? 2. Now that anyone over 16 can get a vaccine and we are over the 50% initial dose, is there any sense that there is resistance to getting the vaccine? Any thoughts on how to ensure that all residents eligible get the vaccine? MAYOR SIDDIQUI 1. CPHD staff recently met with several Cambridge restaurant owners to get feedback on strategies to help restaurants with some guidance on air quality or posters that can motivate safe dining behaviors. Improving masks used by restaurant staff and assessing air turnover and placement of HEPA filter units were discussed as positive steps. The panel suggested that these safety measures are crucial to keep restaurants open. The panel also agreed that any way to convince establishments with indoor dining to collect contact info from all parties (or individuals) will be crucial during follow up contact tracing if there are transmission clusters. What are some next steps on these discussions?