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To:
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Chemical Industry Council of Illinois (CICI) Members
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From:
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Mark Biel, Chief Executive Officer
[email protected] or 217/522-5805
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Re:
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – Governor Pritzker Orders Masks, Vaccinations for Schools, Some State Employees; Tyson Foods to Require Vaccinations of its Employees; Mayo Clinic Releases Vaccine Tracker; Update on Vaccinations; Update on COVID-19 Cases; ACC COVID-19 Information on State, National COVID-19 Policy
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Governor Pritzker Orders Masks, Vaccinations for Schools, Some State Employees: Due to increased COVID-19 cases and lagging vaccination rates, Governor Pritzker today announced that masks will be required for all students, teachers, and staff at pre-kindergarten-12th grade schools (both public and private) and day cares throughout the state. This requirement also extends to all sports and will be required for all indoor recreation, whereas outdoors, where transmission risks and rates are lower, athletes and coaches will not be required to mask.
Pritzker also is requiring all state employees working in congregate facilities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by October 4th. This includes employees who work in state veterans’ homes, developmental centers, correctional facilities, and juvenile justice facilities. The governor is also requiring universal masking in private long-term care facilities and strongly encourages owners of private facilities to join the state in adopting vaccination requirements.
Tyson Foods to Require Vaccinations of its Employees: Tyson Foods is requiring its team members at U.S. office locations to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021. All other team members are required to be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions. Exceptions to the vaccination mandate will involve workers who seek medical or religious accommodation.
This action makes Tyson Foods the largest U.S. food company to require COVID-19 vaccinations for its entire workforce. Almost half of Tyson Foods’ U.S. workforce has been vaccinated and coronavirus infection rates among team members remain low.
Since February, Tyson Foods has hosted more than 100 vaccination events for team members across the country and more than 56,000 U.S. team members have been vaccinated so far. Additional onsite vaccination events will be scheduled, and the company will continue to collaborate with local health departments and healthcare providers to make the vaccine more accessible.
To support efforts to fully vaccinate all team members, the company will also provide $200 to its frontline team members, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions. This is an expansion of the company’s existing policy of compensating workers for up to four hours of regular pay if they are vaccinated outside of their normal shift or through an external source.
To date, Tyson Foods has spent more than $700 million related to COVID-19, including on efforts to combat its spread, such as buying masks, face shields and temperature scanners, installing protective barriers and providing on-site testing and vaccinations. It also partnered with an independent medical provider to bring medical services on site, hired an additional 200 nurses and its first Chief Medical Officer. In addition, Tyson Foods has invested countless hours educating our team members, in dozens of languages, about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.
Mayo Clinic Releases Vaccine Tracker: The Mayo Clinic has released a vaccine tracker to follow the country’s vaccine rollout and compare progress across states. The tracker also contains a map that shows the percentage of each state’s population with at least one dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, plus the percentage of people who are fully vaccinated. The map is also broken down by age group and contains a set of FAQs about the vaccine.
Update on Vaccinations: A total of 13,336,841 vaccines have been administered to Illinois residents. The average number of vaccines administered daily is 28,180, which is an average daily increase of over 10,000 from a week ago. According to the state’s vaccine administration data, 51.2% of the state’s overall population have been fully vaccinated with DuPage County leading the state with almost 60% of its population fully vaccinated.
Here’s how the rest of the state’s population by age groups ranks in terms of vaccinations:
12 years of age and older – 57% fully vaccinated; 73% one dose administered
18 years of age and older – 59% fully vaccinated; 75% one dose administered
65 years of age and older – 76% fully vaccinated; 92% one dose administered
Additionally, the state has updated its COVID-19 website containing current locations and other pertinent information on one webpage.
Update on COVID-19 Cases: IDPH is reporting 1,430,265 positive tests of COVID-19 in Illinois, an average increase of 2,099 positive tests per day since last reported here 7 days ago on July 28. In total, 27,056,446 tests have now been conducted in Illinois for the virus, an average increase of 47,960 per day since July 28.
The state’s average positivity rate over all 11 regions is at 4.37% since July 28, a full percentage point increase from just last week. You can see where the various regions are at in terms of their positivity rates, hospitalizations, and other metrics at this link.
Unfortunately, IDPH is reporting a total of 23,476 deaths, an average increase of 8 per day since July 28.
You can also check where these cases are occurring at the State of Illinois COVID-19 website which also contains more information on this outbreak.
Also, IDPH has a case breakdown of the number of positive cases in Chicago and each county relative to the number of fatalities. The IDPH website also now includes a breakdown of the cases under each zip code in the state.
For information on other states and countries, John Hopkins University has developed this website that provides invaluable resources at a one-stop location detailing testing and tracing trends, timelines of COVID-19 policies, vaccinations, and interactive maps.
ACC COVID-19 Information on State, National COVID-19 Policy:
Northeast
New York
New York State announced that vaccination or weekly testing will be required for MTA and Port Authority employees. New York City also announced it will require vaccination or weekly testing for its workers.
NYC Mayor Bloomberg announced a first in the country proof of vaccination that will be required for most indoor activities including dining. Accepted proof includes the Accepted proof of vaccination includes the state’s Excelsior Pass app, a similar app recently launched by the city, and physical vaccination cards.
Massachusetts
The MA Department of Public Health issued a mask advisory (recommendation only) in line with the CDC’s mask guidance. 12 of 14 counties in MA meet the threshold for the CDC’s masking recommendations.
Maine
Five counties in Maine now meet the CDC’s mask recommendation guidance. Counties include Penobscot, Lincoln, Somerset, Waldo and York counties.
Connecticut
There’s no new statewide mask mandate – current masking requirements are in place through Sept. 30 and masks are required on public transportation, when in a health facility and also in schools.
CT Department of Health is recommending that individuals 2 and over wear masks indoors. Many towns and cities including East Hartford, Manchester and Newington are requiring masks in public buildings.
Rhode Island
Governor McKee announced that there is no mask mandate for now, despite higher transmission rates and the fact that cases have doubled in the past week. 72.5% of the population is vaccinated.
New Hampshire and Vermont are experiencing lower transmission rates than other parts of the Northeast and there are no changes to masking requirements or recommendations.
Mid-Atlantic
D.C. Mayor Bowser Issues New Mask Mandate
- Last week, Mayor Bowser announced a new mask mandate that went into effect last Saturday at 5 a.m. Masks are again required indoors in D.C., regardless of vaccination status for everyone older than 2 years old.
Delaware Announces Updates to State Covid-19 Testing Program
- On Tuesday, Governor Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced updates to recommended testing guidance and that DPH will begin offering take-home rapid test kits that Delawareans can pick up at most library locations.
Maryland Governor Hogan Will Not Issue Mask Mandate; However, Mandates Return in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis
- On Tuesday, Governor Hogan stated his administration has no plans to reimpose a mask mandate.
- On Monday, Anne Arundel County announced starting Thursday everyone inside a county building must wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. That includes libraries and senior centers. Anne Arundel County will also require all county employees to either be vaccinated or get tested weekly, and that goes into effect on 09/13/21.
- The City of Annapolis followed Anne Arundel County and announced on Monday it will require masks worn in city buildings by employees and visitors starting Thursday and will require city employees to either have completed their vaccination by 10/01/21 or have a weekly Covid test.
Ohio Governor DeWine Has No Plan to Issue Mask Mandate
- Last week, Governor DeWine stated he does not plan on issuing any mask mandates.
Virginia Governor Northam Will Not Require Masks in Indoor Settings
- Last week, Governor Northam announced that while he recommended wearing a mask indoors, it is not required in Virginia.
West Virginia Governor Justice Launches First Statewide Program to Measure Antibodies
- Last week, Governor Justice launched “Booster Battlefield Assessment,” the first statewide antibody testing program for vaccinated individuals. It will be an opportunity for long-term care facility residents and others over 60 who were vaccinated more than six months ago to have their antibodies checked. If levels measured are low, that individual may qualify to receive a booster of the vaccine—once boosters are available.
Midwest
Illinois Imposes Mask Mandate for State Employees; Localities make Mask Recommendations, No Mandates
- Gov. JB Pritzker's office announced July 28 that masks will now be required for anyone in state facilities and offices regardless of vaccination status. The Cook County Department of Health, which oversees the most populated county in Illinois, issued a statement July 30 supporting the new CDC mask recommendations. The Chicago Department of Public Health recommends businesses, employers, and event organizers require universal masking in all public indoor settings. In outdoor settings, the department says masks remain optional, no changes are being made to the recommendations for social distancing. The health department of DuPage County, the second most populated county, strongly endorsed the new CDC masking guidance. The State-Journal Register reported that the County Department of Public Health of Sangamon County (home to Springfield) strongly encourages vaccinated and unvaccinated county residents to follow state and federal mask recommendations. Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said he was not yet ready to ask the city council to reinstitute the city’s mask mandate. Langfelder said local hospitalizations for COVID-19 would have to rise significantly before he would seek reinstatement of the mandate. The previous mandate came with fines and other potential penalties for individuals and businesses.
Indiana Governor Issues Executive Order, Monroe County Issues Mask Rule
- Governor Eric Holcomb on 7/29/21 issued Executive Order 21-19 which extends the effective dates of certain policies to address COVID-19. The order doesn’t specifically address guidance on face coverings. The governor also extended the public health emergency through the end of August. Indiana Daily Student New reports that the Monroe County Board of Commissioners on 8/4/21 approved a new mask requirement which starts 8/5/21. Bloomington is located in Monroe County. The state’s most populated counties, Marion and Lake, issued mask recommendations. Marion county health department says it supports the new CDC guidelines. The Lake County health department also issued a statement 7/29/21 reporting that the county is experiencing ”substantial” community transmission, recommending that everyone follow CDC recommendations.
Iowa Polk County Officials Worried about State Fair
- KCCI Des Moines reported that Polk County officials and doctors gathered for a news conference on 8/3/21 calling on residents to wear masks indoors and get vaccinated, noting that the CDC raised the county's level of transmission to the highest possible category. Doctors also expressed concern about the potential for the spread of COVID-19 at the Iowa State Fair, set to start in 10 days. The Fair website says “Per current CDC guidelines, masks are recommended indoors, but not a requirement.”
Kansas Governor Defers to Businesses on Mask Policies; Counties Review Mask Policies
KSNT reported that Governor Laura Kelly on 7/28/21 announced that state employees and visitors to state offices must follow CDC masking guidelines in counties marked “red” or “orange” as COVID-19 hot zones. The governor said she would defer to local governments and private businesses to decide if they will require masks in their properties, or in schools, regardless of if they are in a hotspot. Article
- Wyandotte County (home to Kansas City) – KCUR reported that the County Health Department recommended that the Unified Government Board of Commissioners (city/county) adopt a six-week mask mandate, regardless of vaccination status, as the area faces a rising number of COVID-19 cases. Commissioners took no action during the July 29 special meeting. Article Johnson County - The Kansas City Star reported on 8/4/21 that health officials will meet with county leaders in a special session 8/5/21 to discuss COVID-19 mask rules for elementary students, but are not considering a mask mandate Article Shawnee County, home of Topeka - The Commission did not consider a mask mandate on 7/29/21. A commissioner told KSNT that the commission doesn’t have any plans for a mandate.
Minnesota Localities Renew Mask Mandates for City/County Employees
- The Star Tribune reported on 8/4/21 that Minneapolis and St. Paul renewed mask mandates in city facilities and encouraged people in the Twin Cities, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear them indoors in response to a variant-fueled wave of COVID 19. Hennepin and Ramsey counties reinstated their mask mandates in county facilities as well. Article
South
Arkansas Governor Calls Special Session, Reinstates State of Emergency:
Louisiana Reinstates Statewide Mask Mandate:
Texas Governor Signs Order Banning Mandatory Masks, Vaccinations:
West
Colorado: Denver to require vaccines for all city employees, hospital workers and teachers
The city of Denver, Colorado, will require all city employees, specific frontline workers, and correctional homeless shelters and correctional facilities, and all teachers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September. The new order is among the most sweeping in the nation issued by a city government. Link here.
Oregon state employees required to work in-person during pandemic will get hazard pay
Oregon Governor Kate Brown has announced that she will authorize hazard pay for state workers who were required to report to work in person during the pandemic in the form of one-time “COVID hazard payments” of up to $1,550. See article here.
Montana issues guidance on law barring COVID vaccine status discrimination
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry issued new guidance focused on discrimination based on vaccine status. Both private industry and government entities in MT are barred from requiring proof of vaccinations as a condition for entry or services. Read the guidance here.
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