NORTH ATTLEBORO - The state senator representing North Attleboro and Plainville has filed legislation that would implement universal masking for early, primary and secondary education programs for the 2021-2022 school year and promote youth access to COVID-19 immunizations.
Senator Rebecca Rausch filed the bill in the senate on Monday, the same day the Massachusetts Teachers Association called on Governor Charlie Baker to implement a mandatory mask requirement for all students and staff in all programs from pre-K through higher education.
Senator Rausch spoke about the legislation during an online interview with North TV on Wednesday.
Click the video below to stream that interview.
The rise in the number of COVID cases in the area has local officials concerned.
Data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Thursday night for the two-week period ending Wednesday show numbers heading in the wrong direction.
There is good news, however, North Attleboro and Plainville are still listed as grey communities – the best of the four designated colors set by state officials.
North Attleboro’s positivity rate is now at 2.57 percent– up for the third consecutive week. It was at 2.26 last week, 1.04 percent two weeks ago and only 0.23 three weeks back.
The daily incidence rate per 100,000 residents was also up.
It is now at 6.1 percent, up from 5.4 last week. It was 2.1 two weeks ago and only 0.5 three weeks back.
Plainville actually had a decrease in its positivity rate this week to 1.78 percent, down from 1.88 last week. It was 0.72 percent two weeks and 0.00 three weeks back.
The daily incidence rate per 100,000 residents in Plainville also rose.
It is now at 5.4, up from 4.7 last week. It was only 1.6 two weeks ago and there were no cases reported only three weeks ago.
