Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes October 8, 2020 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Ms. Urbanus Dr. Dave Dr. Gaynes Dr. Drachler, Emeritus Mr. Usman Ms. Maureen Hanlon Ms. Margaret Keeler Ms. Nickisch Duggan Dr. Vernon Dr. Shim Ms. Ruth Varma Ms. Juliet Haido Dr. Werner Ms. Moy-Wooten Dr. Linn Dr. Williams Mr. Pandya Sibyl Yau Dr. Sood Bruce Jones, Susan Reisberg, Staff A. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:06 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 September 2020 meeting that sent to members electronically were approved as well as the agenda by consent. C. COVID-19 & Flu Updates: Mr. Jones apologized for the absence of Ms. Reisberg but was glad to report that Skokie’s positivity rate is at a steady 3% for the last 2 weeks, where Cook County is at 5%. Skokie residents and businesses have been very cooperative with following the safety measures. The Health Department conducted its first seasonal flu shot clinic on September 30th he stated it was well received. This year there were changes made to ensure proper social distancing. They changed the appointment flow from 250 appointments per hour to 100 appointments per hour and were still able to vaccinate 844 residents during the clinic. Dr. Werner asked if all the contact tracers have been hired for COVID. Mr. Jones stated all planned contact tracers have been hired at this time, but closely watching the budget just in case more are needed. Dr. Werner also asked if “Point of Care” testing is being done at the Long-Term Care Facilities and if there is data on the results? Mr. Jones replied at this time the facilities have received the testing materials, but the data is still being processed. Dr. Vernon offered to give Mr. Jones his references with the state to assist him in further processing the data. No other questions and the discussion ended. D. Chair’s Report: Dr. Werner reported on the equitable distribution of COVID vaccine once it becomes available. He stated he took part on a conference call, the CDC and FDA tasked the National Academy of Medicine to come up with framework on how they could get the vaccine distributed to the community. The plan is broken down in phases:  The first phase: Front-line health workers and those with underlying conditions. Phase 2: critical workers in high-risk situations, teachers, child care workers, those with underlying conditions that put them at moderately higher risk and all people under 65 who are in prisons. Phase 3: Young adults, children and people who work in in essential industries. Phase 4: Covers anyone else who has not been vaccinated. He opened the floor for questions. Mr. Jones stated the presentation puts it in good perspective on what should be done. Mr. Werner replied this would be a good model for the Health Department to follow. Dr. Vernon stated the State has a taskforce that he is a part of and they have a very detailed plan for distribution, administering and recording. Dr. Werner thanked Dr. Vernon for his info from the state level and the discussion ended. Dr. Werner stated on last month’s report that Human Services was providing residents with rent assistance. He reported the CDC has now issued an eviction moratorium and questioned if that would that have an impact on the support of Health & Human Services. Mr. Jones says in lieu of the departure of Beth Lindley, Mr. Brian McHugh is the lead and he is looking into the statistics on that matter. Dr. Werner wanted to remind everyone to vote, take the census and get a flu shot! Also, he mentioned there are helpful guidelines in the NewSkokie Newsletter on how to safely trick or treat this Halloween. Dr. Vernon added the State has issued guidance on Halloween and how it could be safely celebrated, and he offered to share that with the group. He also mentioned the State will be coming up with how to safely celebrate other upcoming holidays. E. Directors’ Monthly Report: Mr. Jones reported “Best Wishes” to Beth Lindley she took a new position with the Michigan State University School of Social Work. Her Last day was 9/11/20 Bruce will serve as the Interim Director of Health & Human Services. Health & Human Services conducted three training workshops in September by zoom. The three workshops were provided in 3 languages Arabic, English and Spanish to accommodate all the participants. The workshop objectives were to explain the Village of Skokie Human Services mission and the services provided. There were 53 participants. The Open Enrollment Part D Tool Kit was released at the end of September to start preparing for Part D Open Enrollment from October 15th to Dec. 7th. We will be reaching out to our SHIP volunteers to see how to best move forward with Open Enrollment this year. There will be an online Part D Sign-up Assistance Event hosted by the Skokie Library Wednesday, November 11, 2020 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Discussion: Dr. Drachler asked where David Clough went. Bruce replied he took a position with School District 69 and he will be handling data. Dr. Drachler added he will be missed. Bruce did add that before Mr. Clough left he established all the data and graphing links for COVID19 on the Village Website which has been very helpful in keeping the community informed. F. Old/New Items of Business: Old items: a. Dr. Werner spoke on the flavor vaping issue; the Board of Health does not make policy. In 2005 Dr. Drachler and Dr. Williams proposed a letter to the Mayor dealing with the Tobacco 21 issue and it was adapted in the ordinance it is today. He stated they will take the same approach for the vaping issue by sending a letter to the Mayor. Mr. Usman agreed that sending the letter to the Mayor would be a great start. Dr. Werner stated from the last meeting they will add a public safety announcement in the May NewSkokie Newsletter about Bicycle safety. Also collaborate with local bike shops for discount on bike helmets. DOCS 582032  New items: b. Mr. Usman proposed that the board visit the issue with garbage and recycling. He would like to see smaller garbage containers and larger recycling containers and that restaurants sort their garbage and the Village come up with some incentive to assist this effort. Dr. Werner thanked him for revisiting that issue. Dr. Drachler added that he has requested for years that businesses in Skokie need to recycle. He mentioned other towns don’t charge a fee for recycling only for landfill which could help with expenses. Dr. Werner asked Mr. Jones to discuss off line with him later. Mr. Jones closed out the discussion with stating he will follow up with Public Works to see if they can come speak before the board about the topic and data. Discussion ended. G. Citizen Comments: Mr. Jones check for citizen comments on the website and none were submitted. H. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:39pm. Next Board of Health Meeting: Thursday, November 12, 2020, 7:00 p.m. Board of Health Members-Virtual via Zoom Meetings DOCS 582032