Battenfeld: Possible COVID surge could provide early test for Maura Healey

A potential surge in COVID-19 cases this winter could provide an early test for Gov.-elect Maura Healey and put the state a step closer to returning to mask and vaccine mandates.

Where Healey will come down on these thorny issues surrounding COVID is unclear since she hasn’t provided any detailed plan how she would deal with another virus wave.

But the Democrat will face pressure from all sides — anti-maskers and teachers’ unions and the state police union – in the coming months if a new strain of COVID does make a strong comeback. The teachers backed her campaign and Healey might be more likely to take their side in any coming conflict.

In Massachusetts, a new COVID subvariant is causing concern that cases will surge this winter – even among people who have been vaccinated.

The Boston Public Health Commission has urged residents to get boosted, tested and wear masks indoors during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season to prevent a new surge of cases from overwhelming hospitals.

“Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, getting a flu shot, wearing a well-fitted mask while traveling and testing for COVID-19 before gathering are important ways to protect  yourself and your family and friends during the holiday season,” said Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of Public Health.

And just last week in Los Angeles, officials went back to “strongly recommending” masking indoors to deal with a rising number of COVID cases.

Healey has not given any extended interviews since winning the election – keeping a surprisingly low profile despite her election mandate. She hasn’t been asked about how she would deal with a wave of COVID.

As a candidate, Healey imposed vaccine mandates on her staff and she said she supported Gov. Charlie Baker’s mandates for state employees like state troopers – as well as Baker’s decision to give exceptions for religious or medical reasons to a small number of employees.

State police are now fighting Baker’s vaccine mandate, but Healey has said she believes it is legal to bar employees from their jobs if they don’t get vaccinated.

“It’s the right move,” Attorney General Healey said of Baker’s decision last year. “In terms of legality, it’s absolutely legal in my view.”

She told WGBH in August 2021 that she didn’t think the mandates were “onerous” – a position in direct odds with her GOP opponent, Geoff Diehl.

“The vaccine is out there, the FDA has approved it and that’s why I think we see not only government agencies but…venues and businesses and employers just generally moving in the direction of taking the steps to require folks to be vaccinated.”

But things have changed since Healey made those comments. The state rescinded indoor mask mandates and President Biden declared the epidemic over.

Healey will face a strong backlash if she tries to return the state to masking mandates, or require all state employees to get vaccinated.