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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE QUALITY CARE FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AND WORKERS DURING COVID-19 ACT
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker declared a statewide disaster proclamation in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle signed a county-wide disaster proclamation in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, as of May 15, 2020, there were 59,905 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cook County and 2,762 deaths due to COVID-19 in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, across Cook County, these cases have been inequitably distributed along lines of race, income, and age; and
WHEREAS, as of May 8, 2020, across Cook County there were 7,494 confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst long-term care facility residents and staff and 1,120 deaths, accounting for 40% of all COVID-19-related deaths in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, the United States Centers for Disease Control stated that people over 65 years old are at higher risk for severe illness due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey reported that Cook County is home to over 750,000 residents over 65 years old; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported 211 registered nursing home providers in Cook County with 26,711 average daily residents; and
WHEREAS, the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act addresses the inadequate response to COVID-19 in nursing homes by focusing on improving the quality of care for nursing home residents and codifying resident rights related to COVID-19 precautions; and
WHEREAS, the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act prioritizes nursing home worker safety by ensuring the provision of training, personal protective equipment, paid sick leave, and increased testing for residents and staff; and
WHEREAS, the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act improves the overall nursing home system by requiring transparent COVID-19 data reporting, developing strike teams to facilities with more than three confirmed or suspected cases, and ensure surveillance of facilities with confirmed or suspected cases over 5%; and
WHEREAS, Cook County values the quality of life and care for our older residents and seeks to comfort and ease the burden COVID-19 places on this group and the disproportionately low wage workers who care for them.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby support the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act and urge the United States Congress and the President of the United States of America to pass the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act to protect our seniors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to President Donald J. Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Jr., Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Speaker of the House Nancy P. Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin O. McCarthy, United States Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, United States Senator Cory Booker, United States Senator Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator Richard J. Durbin, and United States Senator Tammy Duckworth.
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