Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Thursday, February 10, 2022 7:00 PM Board of Health Members – Virtual via Zoom Meetings MINUTES Present: Dr. William Werner; BOH Members: Dr. Swapna Dave, Margaret Keeler, Dr. Girija Kalyan Kumar, Dr. Edward Linn, Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Dr. Rohit Pandya, Dr. Kyungran Shim, Dr. Romil Sood, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza Usman, Ruth Varma, Dr. Michael Vernon, Dr. Larry Williams; Sibyl Yau; Emeritus: Dr. Michael Drachler; Staff: Mike Charley Not Present/Excused: BOH Members: Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Juliet Haido, Maureen Hanlon, Dr. Jeremy Swartz, Trustee Liaison James Johnson, Trustee Liaison Keith Robinson; Staff: Bruce Jones, Sue Reisberg I. Call to Order @ 7:03 PM II. Approval of Agenda: Approved via consent. III. Approval of Minutes: January 13, 2022: Approved via consent. IV. Chair’s Report, Dr. Werner, BOH Chair A. Review of recent APHA/NAM webinar titled “The Third Year of COVID-19: Is this the New Normal”: Dr. Werner presented what was presented as part of this webinar. He walked through a COVID-19 timeline and provided some insight as to what was occurring during different portions of the timeline. Examples included a lack of testing at the start of the pandemic, the challenges of contact tracing, mixed public health messaging, the politicization of the pandemic, the effectiveness of the vaccines, mitigation measures, telehealth, the transition from inpatient to outpatient care, school protocols and what is ahead such as new variants and whether masking will be required in the future. Dr. Linn commented that in general, individuals are not as vaccinated as they should be. Individuals should strongly be encouraged to be up-to-date with vaccine with individuals being boosted and/or a third dose for the immunocompromised. He feels like he would feel more comfortable with removing the masking mandate and/or individuals being able to remove their masks if they are up-to-date with their vaccines. He recommended that we should continue to encourage individuals get boosted. Mike Charley communicated that he would extract ICARE data and look to see if he can determine how many Skokie residents have received more than 2 doses of Moderna/Pfizer or more than 2 doses of Johnson & Johnson. Charley communicated that the weekly SkokieNews has included information weekly on boosters and encouraged individuals to get their third or booster doses.  Dr. Williams commented that he has attempted through Vax Verify to find his vaccination records, however the system says his vaccination records don’t exist, despite the fact that he has received the initial two doses from DuPage County and a booster from Walgreens. He didn’t see anywhere within that process where he could contact someone at the State of Illinois with questions about this. Rohit Pandya recommended that Dr. Williams contact a pharmacist at Walgreens directly to inquire about his COVID-19 dose. Dr. Williams also related that he believes a fourth booster dose is being recommended by the CDC & FDA for those that are immunocompromised. If this is the case a message should be sent out on this. Dr. Linn communicated that although Israel has recommended a fourth dose, that here in the US this has not yet been recommended; although it is being considered. B. Village of Skokie Smart911: Dr. Werner communicated that Skokie has a new notification system and all Skokie residents are encouraged to sign up for the service, even if they had signed up for the prior notification system. The system will be used to notify residents of emergencies, snow messaging and/or other important notices. Individuals can also input any relevant medical conditions such as mobility issues that will help with Village response and service to the community. V. Director’s Monthly Report, Mike Charley, Director of Health & Human Services Charley presented on the current status of COVID-19, which included updates on a decrease in cases since January 7, 2022 in Skokie, the Sangamon County Circuit Court’s temporary restraining order associated with schools and masking and presented Skokie COVID-19 data. Charley communicated that the Skokie HHS intends on ending its mask order and proof of vaccination order on/around February 28, on the same timelines of the State, Cook County & the City of Chicago ending their mask and/or proof of vaccination orders. Lifting the orders is contingent on COVID-19 cases in the region decreasing, positivity rate decreasing and hospital data supporting this decision. Charley also provided other non-COVID updates including updates on HHS open positions, the co-responder program and the Oakton/Village Certificate program partnership. Heidi Nickisch Duggan communicated that at District 202 & 65 they both communicated that they will continue to follow the science with requiring masking and continued testing in their schools. She communicated that those two schools are using a spit test for COVID in the schools and this is the only in-school testing option. She has concerns that there are children that cannot spit and therefore do not get tested. Charley communicated that he may be able to inquire whether other school districts in Skokie are offering alternative tests to those children that cannot participate in the Shield testing, at a meeting he has with Skokie school superintendent’s tomorrow morning. Dr. Werner mentioned that he had submitted to the Federal government to receive the free- rapid COVID tests and has not received anything yet. Several BOH members responded that they had received their free tests, several responded that had not. VI. Old/New Items of Business: None VII. Public Comments: Two public comments were received from a single email address. No name was provided as part of the public comments. Mike Charley read those public comments to the  BOH members. Charley communicated that he would respond to the individual’s public comment emails in the AM tomorrow. VIII. Adjournment @ 8:06 PM Next Meeting: March 10, 2022, 7:00 p.m.