Will COVID-19 Keep You Away From OL’s July 4th Parade & Concerts?

OAK LAWN, IL — Is the Village of Oak Lawn chancing it by holding an in-person Fourth of July parade and outdoor summer concerts so soon after the COVID-19 lockdown? With cases on the downswing in Illinois, coronavirus cases are soaring in the south and west.

Predicted surges after the easing of state lockdowns appear to be playing out, leading health expert to sound the alarm that pandemic could be making a comeback in the United States. One in five Arizona residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and cases in Florida have surpassed 100,000. It’s not only people over 60 with underlying conditions either. The new virus appears to be finding new fuel by infecting younger, healthier people.

>>> Coronavirus Spike 'Disturbing' As 29 States See Increases

Oak Lawn Patch readers had mixed reactions when the village announced that the July 4th parade and concerts on the Village Green were on. Others complained about the uninspired band lineup.

“This is shockingly irresponsible of Oak Lawn. During the midst of a pandemic to host concerts where the size of the audience will not be monitored. Their blatant disregard for our Governor's guidelines and what the CDC is telling us to do is reprehensible. In addition, the lack of diversity in this line-up is naive and behind the times … All people who pay taxes here deserve to be entertained by a diverse and inclusive line-up of performers from a myriad of music genres,” wrote Carly B.

“Wow Oak Lawn, I'm sure glad that money from my overtaxed property will help pay for the non-diverse white band lineup whilst making Oak Lawn a hotspot for COVID-19. I’m guessing that the morons who made this choice must be filthy Trumpniks who thinks it's all a hoax; gave zero consideration to diversifying the bands (even though Oak Lawn is one of the most diverse communities on the south side), and zero consideration to the health of its residents (the concert attendees will infect high risk friends and family). Honestly Oak Lawn, why didn't you book that racist POS Ted Nugent while you're at it... This will not be forgotten when the next local election rolls around, [smh] ....” said Brian Bieber

“Good, I'm going with friends and family from the area. We should give all law enforcement a standing ovation for their service at the events. Who wants a CHAZ or CHOP [organized protest zones] LIKE IN MINNEAPOLIS!!?? Oh yeah, communist Democrats want that throughout [the] USA. GOD BLESS OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT!!,” wrote Deborah

“STAY HOME!!!! KEEP THAT DIAPER WRAP ON YOUR FACE DAY AND NIGHT WHILE YOU ARE HOME, EVEN WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING. PUT ON A RUBBER SUIT AND KEEP YOUR DIAPER WRAP ON YOUR FACE WHEN YOU SHOWER!!! BOOOO!!,” said Trish T.

Some of us (we like to think there are many) have no problem wearing a “diaper wrap” across our faces if that’s what takes to slow down the scourge. We won’t tell you not to attend the parade or to watch yet another cover band on the village green. We hope that if you do go you avoid seeing your elderly parents and grandparents for a few weeks, and that you not use your cute little Cub Scout or Brownie to make a political statement by putting them in a parade.

While other communities have found ways to make summer fun for their residents — drive-in concerts and Fourth of July car parades through the neighborhood — Oak Lawn continues to show an inability to think outside the box, pandemic or not. When we asked about crowd capacity at the summer concerts, we were told there will be signs reminding people to practice social distancing.

We’ll miss the parish carnivals, festivals, parades, concerts, ballgames and all the other pleasures of summer, but they’ll be back next year, and hopefully, so will a vaccine.

Now it's your turn. Tell us if think the Village of Oak Lawn made the right decision to move forward with the Fourth of July Parade and outdoor summer concerts by taking our Twitter poll. Vote as often as you’d like. The poll closes 11:49 p.m. Thursday, June 25.