Burr Ridge Board Moves Meeting To July 27 As Coronavirus Cases Increase

Press release from the Burr Ridge Police Department:

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MAYOR GRASSO ON COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS

Monday, July 13, 2020
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING CANCELLED – “MASK FOR US”

Tonight’s Board meeting is cancelled. It was to be our first meeting in the Board room since Covid-19 caused the stay-at-home order and virtual board meetings. However, since there has been an overall increase in new cases, even accounting for increased testing, I saw no urgent need to meet tonight. There were no timely items on the agenda that required immediate Board attention. The Board will now meet on July 27.

The new case count in Burr Ridge increased only one since Friday to 117. Fourteen days ago, there were 98 cases – 19 new cases in 14 days. As we have discussed at length since the outset of the pandemic, the total number of cases have little relevancy to the current effects of COVID-19. For our focus, the number of new cases over a rolling 14-day period (here 19 new cases) is critical data because this figure better demonstrates the rate of new infections in a period where both symptomatic and asymptomatic people are being tested. Remember, in March, April, and May, only visibly symptomatic people qualified for a COVID test; not so now. The 14-day active case data coupled with the positivity and hospitalization rates are more indicative of our status.

Because so many tests are being done (the Governor’s early goal was 10,000 a day but now routinely exceeds 30,000) that include asymptomatic persons, new cases have to be compared to the positivity rate coupled with actual hospitalizations. The latter lags about 7-14 days, while deaths lag about 28 to 42 days. The positivity rates, even with more testing and more new cases, is still at about 5% or less here, and statewide, even less while hospitalizations and deaths remain low (though deaths have increased in the last several days). We can take some comfort that increased cases have not yet resulted in increased hospitalizations or deaths. Nevertheless, that may be false hope – only time will tell as they say, and in our circumstance, the next 2-4 weeks will tell the tale.

I participated in a mayors’ call with the DuPage County Board of Health today. Health officials reported that on June 23, there were 33 new cases on a seven-day average, but as of July 11, the seven-day average was 60 cases, or about 81% higher.

While the Board of Health emphasized that positivity and hospitalizations remain low, the message remains one of vigilance. They urged compliance with the 3Ws: wear masks, watch your distance and wash your hands. At the next Village Board meeting, I believe the Board will approve the mask resolution I am asking for to make it Village-wide policy that masks must be worn whenever there is public interaction. Mask for US emphasizes that masking benefits not only you, but also all those around you – that we are all in this fight to win it. Make a statement by masking and show that you care for others.

I respect that we are a nation of liberty that allows us often to choose our paths. We should choose wisely in this fight, not selfishly. Here are some cogent words to consider from a true activist, reformer and social worker that apply to today’s health choices.

“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” – Jane Addams

SOCIAL DISTANCING - ELBOW BUMPS - WEAR FACE COVERINGS

This press release was produced by the Burr Ridge Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.