Baker Likens COVID Symptoms To Flu, Resists Calls For Mask Guidelines

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker has no plans to change Massachusetts' mask guidelines, even after state public health officials on Thursday pushed for an "immediate advisory" and stricter masking protocols to combat rising COVID-19 case numbers.

"COVID is a very transmissible virus, and each new strain appears to be as transmissible or more so than the one before," Baker said Thursday. "But I think at this point in time, for most people — especially those who are vaccinated — their experience with COVID is something akin to the flu. And I think that's an important piece to remember and remind people."

Baker held strong on resisting the calls Thursday, even after he abruptly canceled public events Tuesday because he "wasn't feeling well." He resumed activities in the morning after a spokesperson for the governor came forward saying he tested negative for COVID-19.

This comes as federal health officials confirmed that a third of Americans live in counties where the risk of COVID-19 is high enough to re-recommend an indoor mask mandate.

For Baker, it's in the numbers. "More than 80 percent of adult residents are vaccinated against COVID, with around half of that demographic also boosted," Baker said during a news conference in Boston, adding that more than 95 percent of seniors are also vaccinated.

Masking appears to be few and far between, as very few masks were reported to be worn during Thursday's event at the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square during an indoor panel discussion.

Positivity rates are still much lower than they were at the peak of the omicron variant wave in January but have been steadily increasing since the end of March. Over the last two weeks, the relative change in case counts across Massachusetts continues to be classified as higher for every county in the Bay State. COVID-19 levels in wastewater show a continuous uptick in Massachusetts since the end of the first omicron surge in January and the statewide removal of the mask mandate indoors, in schools and on public transportation over the last few months.

Baker also mentioned that health professionals are still monitoring COVID-related hospitalizations and that the numbers are still significantly lower than last year.

Baker held firm on his stance to not reissue a statewide mask mandate, mentioning how Massachusetts still requires masks in health facilities and long-term care spots.

"We certainly welcome people to wear masks, if they take care of a loved one who's got comorbidities or is immunocompromised or if they're dealing with somebody who's over the age of 65 or 70," Baker said, according to a transcript of the event provided by the administration.