Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Thursday, June 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes In Attendance: Chair Dr. William Werner, Dr. Swapna Dave, Dr. Michael Drachler, Ms. Maureen Hanlon, Ms. Margaret Keeler, Dr. Edward Linn, Dr. Kyrungran Shim, Dr. Romil Sood, Mr. Rohit Pandya, Ms. Patricia Urbanus, Mr. Irtaza Usman, Ms. Ruth Varma, Dr. Michael Vernon, Ms. Sibyl Yau, Mike Charley, Staff Liaison Excused: Staff: Bruce Jones, Sue Reisberg Absent: Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Ms. Juliet Haido, Dr. Girija, Kalyan Kumar, Ms. Ashley Moy-Wooten, Ms. Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Dr. Larry Williams Jr., I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. A required statement was read by Chairman Dr. Werner to open the meeting. II. Approval of Agenda: Agenda Approved by Consent III. Approval of Minutes: Minutes Approved by Consent IV. Chair’s Report, Dr. Werner A. Dr. Werner communicated that on May 20, 2021 he spoke to the Village Board regarding the FY 22 Budget where he spoke on behalf of the Board of Health. Dr. Werner related that this month’s American Journal of Public Health had several COVID- 19 articles, the first was titled “First – Do No Harm” that talked about approaching persons that had questions and/or where still hesitant. Dr. Werner related that the recent SkokieNews shared questions associated with hesitancy. Dr. Werner related that responding to individuals in a patient way with understandable answers to vaccine safety is very important. Education and filling an information gap to change the perception of risk is important. The other article is “E-Cigarettes used During COVID- 19”. An online survey of youth and young adults and their use of vaping products. The survey showed vaping use actually diminished during the pandemic. Reasons including vaping/tobacco shops were non-essential and closed (no access to products), schools were closed and there was a reduction in peer pressure because of this. There were also issues with kids not working and without income they couldn’t afford vaping products. V. Director’s Monthly Report, Mike Charley A. Mr. Charley reported updates on Skokie’s COVID 19 Case, the COVID-19 Vaccination campaign and the State’s transition into Restore Illinois Phase 5 effective Friday June 11, 2021. B. Charley also briefly mentioned that as the State and Village transition away from the mass vaccination of individuals the Health and Human Services Department is refocusing on other priorities and core programming including child and adult non-COVID-19  immunizations, food inspections, etc. Charley also provided a small update on the Village’s “Co-Responder” pilot program, where social workers were paired with first responders on mental/behavioral health crises calls in the month of May. The pilot is being reviewed currently, but the results of the pilot are very promising. Dr. Werner asked Dr. Vernon about the prevalence of the Delta COVID-19 variant. Dr. Vernon communicated that the variant has been observed in Illinois and in general the State has concerns with all new variants. Dr. Shim communicated that she had two questions. One, she was talking to a patient that was vaccinated in the spring and works for a ballpark, and she was told that she had a booster vaccine scheduled. Two, do we have any data on breakthrough cases? Dr. Werner responded to question on stating that he had not heard of any booster shots and Dr. Vernon confirmed Dr. Werner’s statement. Mr. Charley communicated that he can provide the Board of Health data regarding breakthrough cases after the meeting. Ed Linn communicated that there are clearly vaccinated individuals that have tested positive. A vast majority of those breakthrough cases have not had significant disease. VI. Old/New Items of Business A. Banning of E-Cigarette/Vaping Products Ordinance Update: Mr. Charley communicated that since the last Board of Health meeting he had submitted a memo to the Village Manager regarding the Board of Health’s recommendation. The Village Manager shared information with the Village Board. The Board of Health members unanimously confirmed that they approve of Mr. Charley and Chair Dr. Werner to present to the Village Board that the Village Board amend the Village ordinance to prohibit the sale of flavored vaping products at this time. Mr. Charley and Dr. Werner are tentatively scheduled to present the Board of Health’s recommendation at the July 19 Village Board meeting. B. Bike Safety Event Summary/Update: Dr. Linn and Ms. Hanlon communicated that they were impressed with the Police Department’s bike safety event, it was very well organized, lots of children and lots of adults. They shared with parents and children the proper use of bike helmets. They enjoyed participating and believed this event to be very worthwhile. C. Proclamation thanking Arie Crown Hebrew Day School and Medical Reserve Corp Volunteers: Chair Dr. Werner recommended to the Board of Health members that he be allowed to work with Mr. Charley on drafting a proclamation thanking and recognizing all the volunteers associated with the COVID-19 campaign and thanking the Arie Crown Hebrew Day School for allowing the Village to use their 7770 Frontage Road location. The Board of Health unanimously agreed to allow for Dr. Werner and Mr. Charley to draft a proclamation and submit the proclamation to the Mayor, Board of Trustees and the Village Manager’s Office. VII. Public Comments: No Public Comment VIII. Adjournment: Adjourned at 7:55 PM Next Meeting: September 9, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Village Hall-Board of Health Members – Virtual via Zoom Meetings