Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2020-11-12

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, November 12, 2020

 Staff Liaison’s Village Hall
 Board of Health Members – Virtual via Zoom Meetings
 7:00 p.m.


 AGENDA
 U




Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting is being held virtually. Members of the public who wish to comment as to
an item on the published agenda must submit their statement or question in writing to Bruce A. Jones with the Skokie
Health Department and all properly submitted statements or questions will be presented and read during the relevant
portion of the meeting. Written comments also may be submitted by email to citizencomments@skokie.org by mail to
Village of Skokie, Attn: Bruce A. Jones with the Skokie Health Department, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois, 60077;
or via the Village’s drop box located by the public entry to Village Hall

 I. Call to Order
 Statement to be read by Chairman Dr. Werner:
 Until further notice, meetings of the Board of Health will be held electronically, with a majority of
 members participating via remote access in order to comply with the State of Illinois Gubernatorial
 Disaster Proclamation. Members of the public who wish to comment as to an item on the published
 agenda must submit their statement or question in writing to Bruce A. Jones with the Skokie Health
 Department; and all properly submitted statements or questions will be presented and read during the
 relevant portion of the meeting.
 Written comments also may be submitted by email to citizencomments@skokie.org by mail to Village
 of Skokie, Attn: Bruce A. Jones – Interim Director of Health, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois,
 60077; or via the Village’s drop box located by the public entry to Village Hall.

 II. Approval of Minutes

 III. Covid & Flu Updates

 IV. Chair’s Report

 V. Director’s Monthly Report

 VI. Old/New Items of Business

 VII. Citizen Comments (See information at top of page)

 VIII. Adjournment.

 Next Meeting: December 11, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
 Staff Liaison’s Village Hall
 Board of Health Members – Virtual via Zoom Meetings




#582046 V1

Skokie Board of Health
 Meeting Minutes
 November 12, 2020

Present Excused Absent
Ms. Dave Ms. Urbanus Mr. Abbasi Trustee Bromberg
Dr. Drachler, Emeritus Ms. Varma Dr. Gaynes
Ms. Haido Dr. Vernon Ms. Hanlon
Ms. Kumar Dr. Werner Ms. Keeler
Dr. Linn Dr. Williams Mr. Pandya
Ms. Moy-Wooten Ms. Yau Mr. Usman
Ms. Nickisch-Duggan
Dr. Shim
Dr. Sood

Bruce Jones, Susan Reisberg, Staff

 A. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Dr. Werner, Chairman. Dr. Werner
 reminded that the meeting is being recorded and read a statement that meetings will be held
 electronically until further notice per the State of Illinois Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation.
 Members of the public may submit questions to Mr. Bruce Jones and they will be presented and
 read during the relevant portion of the meeting.

 B. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 2020 meeting that was sent to members
 electronically were approved as well as the agenda.


 C. COVID-19 & Flu Updates:
 Dr. Werner stated this meeting will mostly concentrate on the COVID-19 crisis. He mentioned
 the Skokie Health Department has been extremely busy during this time.

 Ms. Reisberg reported. All seasonal flu clinics were completed and roughly 1500 residents were
 vaccinated. Village Employees were vaccinated as well. She reported that the Health
 Department has been extremely busy with contact tracing positive COVID-19 cases. Her staff has
 been able to contact, quarantine and educate all cases that come through the department on a
 daily basis. She also stated the Long-Term Care Facilities are having an increase in cases and
 have implemented testing staff twice a week. She stated the facilities are testing PPE to make
 sure they are acceptable to use. Also, she urged facilities to stay in touch with their medical
 suppliers about stock, because if there is a surge PPE will be hard to get. She mentioned that the
 Health Department is in constant contact with the Skokie Schools that are open, some schools
 that are open may go back to “remote learning” due to the increase of cases in classrooms.
 Dr. Werner asked, if school sports are competing. She replied to her best knowledge the teams
 are not competing at this time. She mentioned that school Superintendents have been on board
 with all the Health Department’s guidance. Ms. Reisberg says some of the biggest challenges
 have been with daycare centers. If there is an outbreak they must close the classes and parents
 must miss work. Also “Super Spreader Events” birthday parties, holiday events and young
 people gathering with groups of friends. She says the only way to beat the virus is to stay away
 from the large gatherings.

 Mr. Jones shared an image of the Village Website and the COVID-19 resource page. He says it
 provides a multitude of resource links, including mitigation for business and case data. He says
 the COVID case data is based on information from the State and is posted as soon as they can.
 He also shared the IDPH COVID-19 informational website, and that Skokie is in Region 10.

 Dr. Vernon added that he is working remotely and maintaining his role with the State Health
 Department and providing guidance to schools throughout the State. He says the trends are
 very concerning to him and that the age range has shifted to the younger population. He
 believes it is due to personal behavior of not following the guidelines. He stresses the point that
 wearing a mask is important and the key to driving the rates down.

 Dr. Linn asked for clarification on what area does Region 10 cover on the IDPH map. Mr. Jones
 replied it is Cook County proper. Dr. Linn also stated he has observed a lack of compliance in
 Skokie businesses, people are not wearing their masks properly and not social distancing. He
 asked if residents been reporting these types of instances to the Village. Mr. Jones replied that
 his voicemail has received several complaints daily from citizens on this issue and they do follow
 up on all complaints. A lengthy discussion followed about outdoor eating tents, mask wearing
 signage and how to enforce the mandates. Ms. Moy-Wooten suggested that the board try to
 establish one action to spread public education. Dr. Drachler added there should be standards
 for wearing a mask as it is for food safety. Ms. Nickisch Duggan quoted the phrase “We are all in
 this together”. She says to try to campaign this to the community. Dr. Werner stated these are
 all good ideas and he will work with Mr. Jones to come up with an action. Dr. Werner wanted to
 go over talks about COVID vaccine and how it will be rolled out. Mr. Vernon stated there is a
 committee established to put plans in place by the time the vaccine is ready for distribution.
 Discussion ended.


D. Old/New Items of Business:
 Dr. Werner said a vaping letter was composed by Dr. Williams and was sent to the Mayor.
 Dr. Linn has established a PSA on bicycle safety and it will be rolled out in the spring.

E. Citizen Comments:
 Mr. Jones reported there were not citizens comments.

F. Adjournment:
 Dr. Werner wished everyone a good and safe holiday. Meeting adjourned at 8:08pm.


 Next Board of Health Meeting:
 Thursday, January 14, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
 Board of Health Members-Virtual via Zoom Meetings