Suburban Cook County issues stay-at-home advisory
It goes into effect Monday and lasts for 30 days, according to county health officials
Oneday after Mayor Lori Lightfoot urged Chicago residents to stay home for the next month, suburban Cook County is doing the same.
The suburban advisory, similar to the city’s version, goes into effect Monday and lasts for 30 days, according a Friday news release from the Cook County Department of Public Health. Both of the notices stop short of a mandatory stay-at-home order because they are intended to be a final attempt at curbing the coronavirus’ recent resurgence before more drastic measures are taken.
“Now more than ever, we must come together to stay apart,” Dr. Rachel Rubin, Cook County’s public health department’s senior medical officer, said in the release. “We know limiting gatherings with friends and family can be hard, but we also know that virtual celebrations will save lives.”
During the course of the advisory, suburban Cook County residents are strongly encouraged to stay home except for essential activities such as work, school, COVID-19 tests, flu
shots or grocery shopping, according to the release. If they must go out in public, people should continue wearing masks, washing their hands often and maintaining a 6-foot distance from others.
People should avoid any gatherings with others who do not live in their households, including holiday celebrations, the release
said. Nonessential travel also is discouraged, and employers should make as many accommodations as possible to allow people to work from home.
The advisory comes as suburban Cook County sees positivity rates over 15% and is already under stricter mitigations from Gov. J.B. Pritzker that include a ban on indoor
dining and bar service. Statewide, Pritzker also has hinted at a looming stay-athome order but hasn’t gone that far yet.
In defending the optional advisory on Thursday, Lightfoot said, “This is a progressive step. I hope we don’t have to go any further than this.”