The physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society, in consultation with the organization’s COVID-19 Advisory Group, strongly recommend that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in indoor public settings, especially when physical distancing is not a viable option.
Masking is proven to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and slowing the spread of the virus is critical, as the delta variant drives a concerning uptick in key public health metrics across Massachusetts and the nation.
Masking is a simple step we all can take to protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and those who have not been vaccinated or whose health issues make them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 and experiencing a poor outcome.
We know that unvaccinated people are at a heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 and, subsequently, passing the virus to others. Increasing the vaccination rate remains imperative, and we urge anyone who has questions about the vaccines’ safety and efficacy to speak with their physician or health care provider.
-Carole E. Allen, MD, MBA, FAAP, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
