If cases among young Chicagoans continue to rise, the city could reverse back to Phase 3, said the Mayor.
In the last few weeks, Chicago has seen a spike in the number of coronavirus cases and young people seem to account for nearly 30% of these. If this trend continues to rise, warned Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago could revert back to Phase 3. “We are dangerously close to going back to a dangerous state of conditions,” stated the mayor in a press conference earlier on Wednesday, July 15.
To all those younger folks thinking they're immune to COVID-19… none of us are invincible. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay 6 ft apart. https://t.co/5D7ng691f8 pic.twitter.com/HuGBR3qigH
— Archived: Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@mayorlightfoot) July 15, 2020
Lightfoot addressed the 18-29-year-olds directly asking them to adhere to health and safety guidelines. “You are not immune to COVID-19,” warned the Mayor. “The reality is actually quite different, and the data proves it. Unfortunately, since June 15, nearly 30 percent of the new cases in Chicago have come from those who are 18-29. And we’re seeing these increases across race and ethnicity and all over the city. And this should be the proof that you need: If you are in the 18-to-29-year-old cohort, you are catching COVID-19. You are getting sick,” Lightfoot said.
“Minimize gathering in large groups. I repeat: The larger the group the higher risk that someone in that group has COVID-19. So minimize gathering in large groups,” she continued. “Wear a face covering when you leave your house everywhere … not just some of the time, but all of the time. That’s critically important to reduce the spread.”
While Chicago remains below the 200 cases per day, a rise in cases above this number could have significant consequences. “When we get back above 200 we’re back in a high incidence state, and for me that means we are back in a caution state,” stated Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Mayor Lightfoot insisted city officials want to avoid shutting down the economy once again. “Nobody wants to go back there, but we will have to if people continue to ignore the public health guidance,” she added.
In other news: Lightfoot Says That Beaches And Swimming Pools Will Remain Closed.
[featured image: @cakeyizumi, Instagram]