The town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, has made it known it disapproves of a declaration that bears its name.
In early October, three university professors met in the Berkshires town and released what they called the Great Barrington Declaration.
It argues for letting parts of society less susceptible to dying of COVID-19 return to more normal lives. They said the virus would fade fairly soon through herd immunity.
Leading scientists pushed back, saying vast numbers of additional deaths would occur.
Town officials in Great Barrington announced they also strongly disagree.
"This Declaration has gained national headlines and has created harmful misperceptions—just as we are doing all we can to protect residents, employees and visitors," Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said in a statement.
And some in the business community were concerned, according to Betsy Andrus, who leads the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.
"Obviously, we see all over town: signage saying, 'You must wear a mask. You must stay six feet apart,'" she said. "[It's] very different from what the declaration is saying."
Andrus said after the town made clear it had no role in the declaration, she did not hear from any more concerned business owners.