Graham, Donna
AAALAC S ULL EE ae
From: snewmannh@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2020 5:28 PM
To: Board of Aldermen
Subject: re: Facial Masks Ordinance
CAUTION: This email came from outside of the organization. Do not click links/open attachments if source is
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To Nashua Board of Aldermen/Women Ref: Ordinance 20-018 Facial Masks
From: Sue Newman - 25 Charlotte Ave., Ward 2 -- State Rep. Ward 2
lam totally in support of requiring the wearing of facial masks in Nashua, when inside a
building such as a grocery store, etc. Although grocery stores have marks on the floor,
directional arrows, etc. signage, etc. for social distancing,and post the CDC recommendation for
wearing face masks, there seems to be a small minority of people that simply refuse to wear
masks.
I'll explain my personal experience last evening (May 20th), at Market Basket at Sommerset Plaza. |
got to the store after 5 p.m., | had my mask, there was no line waiting, and | did look at the sign
posted on the entrance docr: "All customers entering these premises SHOULD WEAR A
FACIAL COVERING over their mouth and NOSE in Accordance with CDC GUIDANCE. Thank
you for your Compliance. PLEASE PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING SIX FEET APART "
The majority of shoppers Inside the store were wearing masks, but | saw at least 4 people
shopping, who weren't. While | was walking across the back of the store ( from the Deli/Meat Dept.
along the back aisle toward the Produce section) -- | saw one of the unmasked couples - coming
in the opposite direction on the parallel aisle (they were coming from Produce area towards
Meat/Deli) -- and we were approximately 20 feet apart -- when the woman sneezed.
| did not observe the sneeze, as | was glancing at things on my left -- but | stopped, and looked over
at them. NO mask, aloud sneeze and | have NO idea whether she used her ‘arm to sneeze into - or
not" - but she did say "Sorry".as they proceeded along the aisle.
In this time of Covid19 pandemic awareness and knowledge of how easily the virus can be
spread, hearing a loud SNEEZE ina store, by an unmasked person, is.... memorable. With
A/C weather approaching, | have concerns that air flow systems also might 'expedite' the virus'
spread in enclosed areas.
| told the store manager what happened (he wears a mask) as! was leaving the store. He said that
in Massachusetts, the shoppers have to wear masks. Most people here do wear masks, but a
few just seem to refuse to -- and that seems so wrong, for the rest of us.
Grocery stores have gone to great efforts to sanitize shopping carts, mark off distancing, put
directional arrows on the floors, protect the cashiers with plastic, etc. - and yet we have NO
enforceable requirement for patrons to wear a mask while inside the store -- seems crazy!
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