Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-01-13

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, January 13, 2022
 7:00 PM
 Board of Health Members – Virtual via Zoom Meetings



 AGENDA

 Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, 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 Michael Charley,
 michael.charley@skokie.org and all properly submitted statements or questions will be presented to the Board of Health
 members and be made part of the record. Written comments also may be submitted by email to
 publiccomments@skokie.org by mail to Village of Skokie, Attn: Michael Charley 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

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes: December 9, 2021

IV. Chair’s Report, Dr. Werner, BOH Chair

V. COVID-19 Presentation, Dr. Vishnu Chundi, Chair of the Chicago Medical Society COVID-19 Task Force
 A. COVID-19 and Pregnancy Presentation, Dr. Edward Linn, BOH member

VI. Director’s Monthly Report, Bruce Jones, HHS Environmental Health Supervisor

VII. Old/New Items of Business

VIII. Public Comments

IX. Adjournment


 Next Meeting: February 10, 2022, 7:00 p.m.

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday, January 13, 2022
 7:00 PM
 Zoom Remote Meeting



 MINUTES


Present: Dr. William Werner; BOH Members: Dr. Swapna Dave, Juliet Haido, Maureen Hanlon,
Dr. Edward Linn, Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Dr. Rohit Pandya, Dr. Jeremy Swartz, Dr. Kyungran
Shim, Dr. Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza Usman,Ruth Varma, Dr. Michael Vernon, Dr.
Larry Williams; Sibyl Yau; Staff: Bruce A. Jones

Not Present/Excused: Emeritus: Dr. Michael Drachler, Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Margaret Keeler,
Dr. Girija Kalyan Kumar; Trustee Liaison James Johnson, Trustee Liaison Keith Robinson;
Staff: Mike Charley, Sue Reisberg

I. Call to Order @ 7:05 PM

II. Approval of Agenda: Approved by Consent Vote

III. Approval of Minutes: December 9, 2021: Approved by Consent Vote

IV. Chair’s Report
 Dr. Werner, BOH Chair: Dr. Werner shared a couple slides pertaining to cloth masks that
 might not protect against the Omicron Variant and the details on what type of masks
 are better such as approved N95 masks and NIOSH respirators. The Boards discussed
 several issues on this topic pertaining to what type of masks should be used, with the
 3M Aura N95 Mask being the most predominantly recommended and used. Some
 members spoke about their use of double masking, masking with the use of face shields
 and the reuse of masks after sterilization.

V. COVID-19 Presentation
 Dr. Vishnu Chundi, Chair of the Chicago Medical Society COVID-19 Task Force gave a
 very detailed and informative presentation on the Covid-19 pandemic and the virus
 itself. He gave the Board a COVID-19 Situational Update not only in the United States
 but globally, information on the vaccines and detailed material on the Delta and
 Omicron Variants. Dr. Chundi urged the Board and all the medical community to
 consider “Fully vaccinated” as having the 3 doses, not saying get 2 doses and boosted.
 Dr. Chundi commented that the vaccines do not always prevent transmission or spread
 but affords the “Fully vaccinated” individual the protection to fight the disease.
 The question of herd immunity was raised. Dr. Chundi said there is really no such thing
 as herd immunity – this is an old antiquated veterinary term and to reach the predicted
 percentage we would have millions of deaths and everyone would get the virus.

VI. COVID-19 and Pregnancy Presentation, Dr. Edward Linn, BOH Member
 Dr. Linn presented on COVID-19 Vaccination and Women’s Reproductive Health
 Considerations. Dr. Linn communicated that obstetrician-gynecologists and other
 women’s health care practitioners should lead by example by being vaccinated and
 encouraging all eligible patients to be vaccinated as well. Studies have shown
 hospitalized women of reproductive age who had COVID-19 and were pregnant were at
 greater risk for severe illness, no increased risk of adverse obstetrical or neonatal
 outcomes were reported, and claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility are
 unfounded and have no scientific evidence supporting them. One study demonstrated
 that pregnant individuals were less likely to experience COVID-19 when vaccinated.

VII. Director’s Monthly Report
 Bruce Jones, Environmental Health Supervisor provided updates on COVID-19, including
 new CDC & IDPH Guidance on Isolation & Quarantine, how Skokie HHS is administering
 all three available vaccines to all eligible age groups during the Skokie’s HHS vaccine
 clinic schedule. Skokie vaccination data was presented, resident COVID-19 cases on the
 rise with a spike recently, Skokie’s community transmission rate was “high”, provided a
 chart that showed Skokie cases as of January 2022. Other updates included: Two HHS
 Positions are currently vacant and posted a Social Worker and Public Health Program
 Coordinator/Analyst. Assist a Family Program was a HUGE Success: Human Services
 distributed Target & Jewel Food Store gift cards to 167 families (690 Individuals)
 NEW GRANTS: COVID-19 Crisis Grant: $133,005 for period of 01/01/2022 to 06/30/2023
 COVID-19 Response Grant: $175,000 for period of 01/01/2022 to December 31, 2022
 (Application Process Open).

Old/New Items of Business: None

Public Comments: None

Adjournment at 8:26 PM


 Next Meeting: February 10, 2022, 7:00 p.m.