Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Thursday, December 8, 2022 7:00 pm Board of Health Members Zoom/Virtual Meeting AGENDA Present: BOH Chair: Dr. Edward Linn; BOH Members: Dr. Bruce Gaynes, Juliet Haido, Margaret Keeler, Dr. Girija Kalyan Kumar, Heidi Nickisch Duggan, Rohit Pandya, Dr. Kyungran Shim, Romil Sood, Ruth Varma, Dr. William Werner, Sibyl Yau; Staff: Mike Charley Absent: BOH Members: Dr. Swapna Dave, Maureen Hanlon, Dr. Jeremy Schwartz, Jan Shiffman, Patricia Urbanus, Irtaza Usman, Dr. Larry Williams, Emeritus Member: Dr. Michael Drachler; Trustee Liaison Keith Robinson, James Johnson; Staff: Jennifer Davis, Cameron Hendricks I. Call to Order @ 7:04 PM II. Approval of Agenda: Approved by consent. III. Approval of Minutes, November 10, 2022: Approved by consent. IV. Chair’s Report, Dr. Linn: Dr. Linn communicated that there is currently a triple header of respiratory diseases. The good news is that RSV cases have started on a downward trend; but been replaced by what experts are calling one of the worse flu seasons in recorded history. The flu vaccine match isn’t perfect for the current flu variant, but still offering protection and everyone eligible should get vaccinated. It does take approximately two weeks after the vaccination to get a full immunological response. This flu season started three weeks earlier than usual. With COVID- 19 the predominant variant is no longer BA.5, but is now BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. The good news is that the bivalent vaccines do impart some increased immunity, which is greatest in people below 50 years of age, but individuals older than 50 will still receive increased immunity. Mitigation strategies, as we head into the holiday season, such as masks and ventilation are critical and ongoing messaging to Skokie community are important. Handwashing is important with all respiratory diseases. Dr. Werner commented that he had heard of shortages of Tamiflu and Amoxicillin and shortages of pediatric items like acetaminophen and ibuprofen; are there reports of shortages locally? Dr. Linn communicated that he isn’t aware of any shortages locally and Mike Charley communicated he had not received any messaging of any shortages locally either. Dr. Linn communicated the FDA recently communicated that Bebtelovimab, a monoclonal antibody, is no longer authorized because it is not effective against the leading strains of COVID-19. V. Reserved Residential Parking, Will Program, Mediation Program & Lending Closet Program Presentation, Mike Charley, Director of Health and Human Services: Mike Charley provided information on all of these programs in a PowerPoint Presentation. VI. Director’s Monthly Report, Mike Charley, Director of Health and Human Services: Mike Charley first communicated that Dr. Michael Vernon resigned from the BOH this week. Charley communicated that he had spoken to Mike Vernon via telephone this morning, thanked Mike and did receive some feedback from Mike on the BOH. Mike then presented COVID-19 updates, IPLAN updates and Sustainability Plan updates. Charley communicated that both with the IPLAN Document Number: 603744 Version: 1  process and Sustainability Plan process there is an opportunity for BOH members to participate outside the BOH meeting and contribute their expertise. Sibyl Yau communicate that the Sustainability Plan is available on the Village website and that once the Village internal stakeholders are done with their internal review that external stakeholders will be needed to work on the plan, including the section on Health & Safety. Mike concluded his presentation with information on the Assist A Family program where Target &/or Jewel gift cards are distributed to eligible families in December. The gift cards are funded through the generous donations of mostly Skokie residents. Mike ended by communicating that he will be sending an email to BOH members inviting them to tour the HHS Department at Village Hall. VII. Old/New Items of Business A. BOH Onboarding Subcommittee: Heidi Nickisch Duggan asked to table this item until January 2023. Heidi asked when someone leaves the board, do they get a thank you. Mike Charley responded that the Mayor’s office does send out a thank you letter. Dr. Linn hoped that the Village sends out a nice framed certificate to the departing BOH member. B. BOH Member Introductions: Sibyl Yau introduce that moving forward we will ask 3 BOH members to give a 2 to 3 minute introduction at each future meeting. Members would introduce themselves and communicate their background and why they wanted to join the BOH. Dr. Linn, Sibyl Yau and Margaret Keeler offered to be the first three BOH members in January 2023. VIII. Public Comments: No public comments received. IX. Adjournment @ 6:54 PM, First by Sibyl Yau, Second by Dr. Bill Werner Next Meeting: January 12, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Document Number: 603744 Version: 1