|
|
WINDY CITY TIMES
|
|---|
|
|
|
COVID Pritzker: Masks required for pre-K-12 schools, long-term care facilities
2021-08-04
|
|
This article shared 1102 times since Wed Aug 4, 2021
|
|
As COVID-19 infection rates across the state continue to increase and with a number of school districts not yet adopting CDC guidance on masking, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced masks will be required for students, teachers and staff at pre-kindergarten-12th grade schools and day-care facilities across the state.
The new requirement formalizes CDC guidance released in July on universal masking for both unvaccinated and vaccinated people in schools to ensure a safe return to classrooms. The new measures are part of the state's ongoing effort to combat a new surge as the Delta variant rapidly spreads among the unvaccinated.
The Illinois Education Association sent a statement to Windy City Times expressing gratitude that "Pritzker put into effect a 'mask required' order for schools starting this fall."
The statement continued, "The pandemic is not over. The numbers in Illinois are going in the wrong direction. We need to keep our students in the classroom and keep them, and those who teach and work with them in schools, safe. Masks, along with other mitigation, such as ventilation, testing, appropriate cleaning and protective gear, are proven tactics."
"We all want to get back to normal. Let's pull together and take care of one another. Vax up and mask up. We owe it to our students and we owe it to each other," said Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin. "We're so thankful to have leadership in this state that won't let the virus fester and grow. But, it [is] up to all of us to bring COVID-19 to its knees."
Pritzker also announced his intent to require all state employees working in congregate facilities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 4. The state is informing the unions representing these employees of its intention to move forward with this requirement, which covers employees at the Departments of Human Services, Veterans' Affairs, Corrections and Juvenile Justice working in congregate facilities. The state is also requiring universal masking in private long-term care facilities and strongly encourages owners of private facilities to join the state in adopting vaccination requirements. |
|
|
|
This article shared 1102 times since Wed Aug 4, 2021
|
|
|
| ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE |
|---|
| 
|  | HHS awards $48M to health centers to expand HIV prevention, treatment
2021-09-16
On Sept. 16, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded more than $48 million to 271 HRSA-supported health centers across 26 states, Puerto Rico and ...
| 
| | National groups kick off #BiWeek to celebrate bisexuality+ visibility
2021-09-16
Sept. 16 marks the start of #BiWeek, an annual digital campaign to accelerate acceptance for the bisexual+ (bi, pansexual, fluid, queer, unlabeled, etc.) community, according to a joint press release from the organizations The Bisexual Resource ...
|
| | COVID Southern Illinois reports it has zero ICU beds available
2021-09-15
Amid a COVID-19 surge, Illinois' southern region reported Sept. 13-14 that it ran out of intensive care unit (ICU) beds—which has delayed surgeries and resulted in longer waits for appropriate care, The Chicago Tribune reported. In ...
| 
| | Howard Brown hosting Midwest LGBTQ Health Symposium on Sept. 29-30
2021-09-15
Howard Brown Health will host its 2021 Midwest LGBTQ Health Symposium in a virtual format Sept. 29-30. The conference, presented by the Howard Brown Health Center for Education, Research and ...
|
| | COVID Connecticut, D.C., removed from Chicago's travel advisory
2021-09-14
On Sept. 14, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) took one state—Connecticut—and the District of Columbia off its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. The advisory now includes 48 states and three territories, as daily COVID case ...
|
| | Students urged to apply for Musical Theatre Awards
2021-09-14
Broadway in Chicago is inviting high schools across Illinois to participate in the 11th Annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards. These awards celebrate excellence in high school theater throughout the state. Beginning Thursday, Sept. 16, ...
| 
| | Men Having Babies surrogacy conference on Oct. 9
2021-09-13
The Men Having Babies 2021 Midwest Surrogacy Conference & Expo will take place Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. According to a press statement, more than 100 (vaccinated!) ...
| 
| | SAVOR Sunny Bowls
2021-09-11
Looking for a comforting, healthful option for lunch? Then look no further than Sunny Bowls: Souper Food (theMart, #201.; https://sunnybowls.com/), which specializes in various soups? Part of the food court at theMART (which some also call ...
| 
| | COVID Chicago's travel advisory now includes all states outside Illinois
2021-09-08
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), on Sept. 8, added one state—Vermont—to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. The advisory now includes every state and territory in the country, as COVID continues to surge across the ...
| 
| | New safety precautions announced for 30th annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago Oct. 2
2021-09-08
--From a press release - CHICAGO — AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) has announced proof of full vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of event will be required for all in-person participants for the 30th annual AIDS Run & ...
|
| | COVID Rev. Jackson's wife out of hospital
2021-09-04
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.'s wife, Jacqueline, was released from the hospital Sept. 3 after being treated for symptoms of COVID-19 along with the minister, NBC Chicago reported. "Our mother is leaving the Northwestern Memorial Hospital and ...
|
| | Chicago pro-choice activists outraged by SCOTUS' refusal to overturn Texas abortion ban
2021-09-03
--From a multi-organization press release - Calling it a blow to women and all abortion rights supporters nationwide, coalition calls for reversal of the Texas Law SB8, and demands "No Abortion Bans Anywhere: Not Now; Not Ever! Defend Roe!" Several Chicago groups ...
|
| | United Center to require COVID-19 vaccination or negative test to attend all events
2021-09-02
--From a press release - The United Center will require all event attendees, including fans at Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks games, to present proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to gain access to the arena. The decision ...
| 
| | HIV AT 40: Global activist Phill Wilson talks Chicago, the '80s and vaccines
2021-09-01
Phill Wilson is one of the best-known HIV/AIDS activists/educators around the globe. The Chicago native was the co-founder of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum and the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention. He ...
| 
| | Chicago now has 48 states in travel advisory
2021-09-01
On Aug. 31, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) added five states — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Hampshire, as well as the District of Columbia and Guam—to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. Vermont ...
| | |
|
|
|
|
