NASHUA – City officials are now considering an ordinance relative to requiring the wearing of face coverings at various places in Nashua.

Mayor Jim Donchess emphasized the importance of wearing face masks during a press conference Wednesday, especially as more people are occupying public spaces with businesses opening back up.

Whether or not coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reemerges in the fall remains unknown, but Donchess said what officials do know is that as people begin to gather together in small groups, it could lead to the spread of the virus to some degree. This could potentially lead to the reemergence with a greater number of cases. However, since no one knows what is going to happen, Donchess said people need to use their best judgement and to follow the advice of health care experts to try to find a way out of this situation.

“I know that in the end our community, our economy will recover, but we don’t know when that’s going to happen and we have to be frank and honest about that,” Donchess said.

In the meantime, Donchess said experts are now reaching the conclusion that wearing masks is far more effective than originally thought, both in terms of taking in any mist in the air with COVID-19 and from preventing the emission of this mist into the air.

During the press conference the mayor showed a slide detailing the effectiveness of wearing masks. The information presented showed that if 60 percent of people wear masks and those masks are 60 percent effective in protecting emission, that is then enough to control the pandemic. Donchess said if people all around Nashua wear masks when they’re out in public, especially in enclosed places such as supermarkets, or even outside if other people are around, that they are very effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

“Certainly, they’re talking about developing a vaccine,” Donchess said. “That’s months or years away. Masks can be right away and the cost of masks is low, a couple of dollars.”

Additionally, free masks are being offered from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. everyday at the Nashua City Hall Plaza. United Way of Greater Nashua is offering these free masks now through May 31 and they will even be available on Memorial Day.

Moreover, Donchess also cited that many countries around the world now require people to wear masks. Donchess explained that there has been a major increase, with many more countries requiring this because of the beneficial health effects that have been demonstrated from wearing them.

“The Board of Aldermen here in Nashua, because of the scientific evidence, is considering a requirement that in stores and other places where people gather that masks be required not only for the employees, but for the customers,” Donchess said.

Board members will take up legislation relative to requiring the wearing of face masks, Ordinance 20-018, during a special Board of Aldermen meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Director of the Division of Public Health and Community Services in Nashua Bobbie Bagley said people are still asked to stay at home and not go out to restaurants or retail establishments if they are sick, not feeling well, or have any symptoms related to COVID-19.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity where we can continue to open up venues and activities wisely in the city of Nashua and in the State of New Hampshire, but we want to do that very intentionally with the purpose of making sure we don’t cause more spread of infection as we engage in some of these activities,” Bagley said.

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Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.