During the pandemic, the Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity was established to protect vulnerable individuals from COVID-19. The group has now called for the reinstatement of universal mask mandates in hospitals and other healthcare facilities as a precautionary measure against respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, during the upcoming holiday season.

In May, many health systems lifted their mask mandates in response to the easing of public health restrictions. However, the coalition is urging these facilities to reconsider their masking policies in light of the impending holiday season. To emphasize their stance, the group held a virtual press conference on Monday to discuss this issue.

The Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity’s efforts to encourage the reintroduction of mask mandates in healthcare settings have attracted attention from various media outlets, including the Boston Business Journal, which has highlighted this initiative’s importance.