NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Northampton Public Schools announced Monday that face coverings will be required inside schools from May 10 to May 20 after a spike in COVID-19 cases.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent John Provost said that COVID-19 cases more than doubled in a three day span last week. Case numbers jumped from 64 to 139 from Wednesday, May 4, to Friday, May 6.
“I know there will be a variety of opinions concerning this decision,” Provost said, “it is not a decision I made lightly. Keeping our school community safe and our schools open and functioning are my most important duties at this time.”
On Monday, the Superintendent’s Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) convened for an emergency meeting where the decision was made to bring the masks back into Northampton schools.
Provost said that he consulted with the town’s health department and State Division of Epidemiology, which both supported the temporary reinstatement.
“I believe this intervention must be attempted because the current increase in disease spread is impacting the lives and learning of many within our school community,” Provost continued.
After May 20, the SHAC will reconvene to determine if continued masking is necessary.
Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge have all recommended that students where masks inside their schools, although no official mandate has gone into effect.
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