Friday, October 23, 2020 | View in browser
COVID-19: We are all STILL in this together!
 Photo by Annie Grossman.
In March, I wrote that we were all in this together. Today, I write to remind us… we are all still in this together. Your actions today are just as important as they were this past spring.
On a comparative basis, our community continues to do a remarkable job fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s because we’ve taken this virus seriously from day one and executed a whole-of-community response and recovery approach; where each one of us is responsible for the care and safety of ourselves, our family, and our community. Nonetheless, we are not immune to the rising cases across Illinois and the US.
Three concerning trends
In the last several days, we have seen three concerning trends:
- Our infection rate rose from 1.0 to 1.25 in Cook County. This means that for each person infected with COVID-19, 1.25 others will get it. We want to see that rate at 1.0 or less. Exponential growth occurs as this number creeps up, and that can happen quickly.
- Our seven-day test positivity rate rose from 1.49 percent to 2.1 percent. That means that a greater percentage of those tested for COVID-19 are testing positive.
- Our seven-day moving average of confirmed daily cases rose from 6.86 to 12.29 cases per day, a 79 percent increase.
While Evanston’s 2.1 percent positivity rate is still relatively low, we don't live in a bubble. We've seen suburban Cook County’s positivity rate rise to 7.8 percent and Chicago’s rate rise to 6.7 percent. IDPH metrics for Region 10, suburban Cook County, are getting more worrisome, meaning we could see the State take actions to combat a resurgence and limit certain activities currently allowed in Phase 4, such as indoor dining and organized recreation activities, if we continue trending in the wrong direction. Additionally, we're seeing national headlines, like the one in The New York Times, that U.S. COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen 40 percent in the last month.
Where we’re seeing new infections
In Evanston, we’re seeing a disproportionate rise in cases among 20-29 years olds. Since October 5, 25 percent of new cases in Evanston have been among this age group.
While it’s true that younger people are generally less susceptible to serious illness from COVID-19, any person, young or old, can pass this contagious disease to others who may be at greater risk – even if they’re not showing any symptoms.
With colder weather and the holidays upcoming, I’m asking each of you to take the following actions:
- If you’re 20-29 years old, please think about your parents, grandparents, older relatives, and those with underlying health conditions, and follow public health directives. That includes wearing a face covering around friends, co-workers and those outside of your household. It’s less about you – because you’re young and healthy – but more about protecting others who are at greater risk for severe illness. It's called good citizenship.
- If you have a teenager or young adult, use your influence to make sure they’re taking the pandemic seriously and following CDC guidance.
- If you're sick, stay home.
- If you choose to see parents, grandparents, or relatives during the upcoming holidays, wear a face covering and keep a six-foot distance. If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, quarantine for 14 days prior to any gathering. If you have symptoms or are sick, stay home and isolate for a minimum of 10 days before any travel or gatherings. (See IDPH holiday guidance.)
Reminders as we enter the final two months of 2020
Take care of yourself. Let’s not forget that even though we’re in the midst of a pandemic, your health is essential. Please don’t neglect it. Make an appointment and get your health screenings, check-ups, and other routine care. Studies show that more people are dying because of undetected diseases and delays in seeking medical care due to concerns over visiting a health care facility (see The New York Times article on “excess deaths.”). As the doctors on our recent Coronavirus Q&A attested, health care facilities, doctors and staff are following strict safety protocols.
Take care of our businesses. Our restaurants, hotels, and small shops are struggling. As important as preventative measures are, so is supporting our local businesses. I worry that if we don’t support our local businesses, we will lose the essence of Evanston. Please, please, please shop Evanston first! Carry out! Order locally online! Let’s help our businesses weather this economic downturn. This year, it’s more important than ever to do our holiday shopping in Evanston.
Take care of others. As difficult as this pandemic is on all of us, please remember that its impact is unequal. There are many suffering much more than others. Food insecurity is up. Homelessness is on the rise. Mental health is deteriorating. Please consider supporting the Evanston Community Rapid Response Fund. We need to help each other through this.
If the past is a predictor of the future, the pandemic is going to get worse before it gets better. In 1918, it was in the fall and winter when cases and fatalities rose in our area before the pandemic faded. (See The Daily Northwestern’s video report.) Let’s do our best to avoid repeating that scenario.
Our collective actions this past spring and summer indicate Evanston has the commitment, focus, and fortitude to respond to this pandemic effectively, while doing our best to help each other and businesses, until a vaccine is available. Remember, we are all still in this together.
With Great Respect for Your Efforts to Date and Your Efforts to Come,
  Stephen H. Hagerty
Mayor, City of Evanston
shagerty@cityofevanston.org
COVID-19 testing at ETHS next week
 The City has partnered with IDPH to host a second COVID-19 community testing event at ETHS on Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Testing is free and no appointment is needed. Testing is recommended for asymptomatic contacts of COVID-19 cases as well as those with potential exposure to COVID-19.
Coronavirus Q&A: How to stay healthy during the pandemic
 Yesterday, I was pleased to be joined by Evanston Health & Human Services Director Ike Ogbo; Dr. Martin Siglin and Dr. David Hines of AMITA Health, and Dr. Kamaljit Singh of NorthShore University HealthSystem, for a Coronavirus Q&A to discuss the latest medical guidance related to COVID-19, and ways to stay healthy during the pandemic. Your health is essential, and it’s important that we all continue to take care of ourselves by getting routine checkups, vaccinations, and health screenings.
Don't forget your flu shot
 This year, getting your flu shot is more important than ever. As Health & Human Services Director Ike Ogbo explains (and EPL Branch Manager Miguel Ruiz explains in Spanish), flu vaccinations won't protect us from COVID-19, but they will reduce flu illnesses and help preserve scarce medical resources. Roll up your sleeve and find a flu vaccination location near you at vaccinefinder.org.
COVID-19 Resources
City of Evanston
Cook County
State of Illinois
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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