Mass. Voters Want A School Mask Mandate -- Including Most Republicans

[TexasTowelie]

Governor Charlie Baker has so far resisted imposing a statewide mask mandate in schools, including for students too young to get vaccinated. However, a new MassINC poll found that 81% of Massachusetts voters — and nearly 70% of Republicans in the state — would support such a mandate. In for Jim Braude, Adam Reilly was joined on Greater Boston by pollster Steve Koczela and by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky to talk about it.

“I think there is a chance that this gives him a nudge,” she said. “As much as the governor is a data-driven manager, and he’s known for that, he’s also mulling a third term right now and does need to protect his right flank if he goes for that… and also have to appeal beyond that to Democrats and Independents.”

Koczela noted that national polls are showing that 69% of Americans support a school mask mandate. If he did enact a mask mandate, what would it mean for Baker if he chooses to run for re-election? Koczela says it’s too early to tell. “This specific issue is going to evolve in so many ways. If the primary were tomorrow and he were to do it then it’s not going to be the thing that sinks his candidacy by any means,” he said.

https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2021/08/20/mass-voters-want-a-school-mask-mandate-including-most-republicans
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[Tadpole Raisin]

1. Going to the grocery store here some don't have masks but many still do

As do the workers, although they removed the one way arrows in the aisles.

I’ve never seen anyone hassled for wearing a mask. Everyone seems considerate. I could not imagine living in a state where wearing a mask meant you were targeted. Full approval of Pfizer may also give companies cover for vaccine mandates.

MA is not doing too badly but Baker may have to make a decision on masks unless the vaccine gets approved for under 12 soon. The good thing is if he has to do it the citizens will understand because they know it’s best for everyone and a minor inconvenience, something other states don’t understand or care about. Baffling!!