12/17/2020 BOARD OF HEALTH Minutes

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schools has been exemplary, and any decision made would be a collaborative effort. If the students'safety were in jeopardy,the School Department would be fully on board with any school closure or discontinuance of the sports program. Chair Baumgaertel asked if Board members had any questions directly related to Mr.Harrington's comments. Ms. Warden speculated that students were not wearing masks on busses, and Superintendent Patty DeBoer corrected her, stating that all kids are masked. She further stated that busses are reduced to 1/3 their normal capacity, due to students being seated in a zig zag pattern that ensures social distancing. Superintendent DeBoer then introduced herself for the record. Chair Baumgaertel commented that the COVID positivity rate has risen with the last update from the state,and Ms. Cantella confirmed that it was currently 4.16%and the daily incident rate was currently 29 per 100,000. In answer to a question by the Superintendent DeBoer, Ms. Cantella stated that the state does not segregate symptomatic from a-symptomatic in their updates. Superintendent DeBoer inquired if the Board had discussed the fall sports program prior to it commencing, and Mr. Harrington answered that they had not. Chair Baumgaertel asked what had prompted a discussion about the winter sports program but not the fall program, and Superintendent DeBoer explained that it had originated from an inquiry by a School Committee member to a Selectman as to why winter sports were being offered but activities like band and chorus were not. Matthew Triveri, Mashpee Athletic Director, Introduced himself for the record. He commented that there were 10 schools in the South Shore League, and nine of them were playing sports. Superintendent DeBoer stated that all South Shore League Superintendents have entered into the same agreement—to pull the plug on all winter sports at any given moment if protocols are not being followed. She further stated that, if a Mashpee team goes to another school where protocols are not being followed, the players get back on the bus and the other team forfeits. Players are taking this very seriously. Chair Baumgaertel asked if Boards of Health In other towns had been involved in the decision about school sports,and Mr.Triveri answered that they had involvement at 2-3 other schools that he knew of. Chair Baumgaertel asked if there had been any specific guidance on this particular issue from the state or DPH,and Mr. Harrington answered that the government was leaving it up to local Boards of Health,with no thresholds to go by. Mr. Virgilio asked to hear from the School Nurse Coordinator, and Stacy Schakel introduced herself for the record. She stated that she is working closely with Mr. Triveri and following protocols to the letter. A dry run for contact tracing had been conducted and went smoothly. She stated that their plan is solid, and everyone involved is communicating well. Mr. Triveri commented that Health Agents were given a description of the procedures being followed, and coaches and players are well aware of the expectations. Ms. Warden asked what grades were included in the winter sports program, and Mr.Triveri answered that the program involved only grades 7-12. Chair Baumgaertel asked what other Cape districts are doing,and Mr.Triveri advised that only Cape Cod Tech and Upper Cape Vocational School were not playing winter sports. Chair Baumgaertel stated that he tends to take a very conservative and safe approach to these matters,so his gut reaction is not to permit the sports. Residents under the age of 18 will not be receiving the vaccine because it has not been approved for that age group. He indicated that he has confidence in the school and in its plan, and he knows the administration would not put 6