Board of Commissioners of Cook County - File #: 20-2893

• File #: 20-2893
• Version: 1
• Name: PRIORITIZE EQUITY IN CONTACT TRACING
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Approved
• File created: 6/16/2020
• In control: Board of Commissioners
• On agenda: 6/18/2020
• Final action: 6/18/2020
• Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION CALLING UPON PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO PRIORITIZE EQUITY IN CONTACT TRACING WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant public health risk, with more than 2.4 million confirmed cases in the United States and more than 117,000 documented fatalities; and WHEREAS, Cook County has reported more than 84,906 confirmed cases and more than 4,189 documented fatalities. According to Johns Hopkins University's most recent report, Cook County has the highest number of cases in the United States; and WHEREAS, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color, in particular Black and Latinx communities in Cook County; and WHEREAS, the ease of transmission and the rate of death associated with COVID-19 pandemic require rigorous and sustained efforts to prevent, track, and treat the virus; and WHEREAS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified contact tracing as a key strategy to prevent further spread of COVID-19; and WHE...
• Sponsors: ALMA E. ANAYA, FRANK J. AGUILAR, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, LARRY SUFFREDIN

Date	Ver.	Action By	Motion	Result
6/18/2020	1	Board of Commissioners	approve	Pass

title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION

CALLING UPON PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO PRIORITIZE EQUITY IN CONTACT TRACING

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant public health risk, with more than 2.4 million confirmed cases in the United States and more than 117,000 documented fatalities; and

WHEREAS, Cook County has reported more than 84,906 confirmed cases and more than 4,189 documented fatalities. According to Johns Hopkins University's most recent report, Cook County has the highest number of cases in the United States; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color, in particular Black and Latinx communities in Cook County; and

WHEREAS, the ease of transmission and the rate of death associated with COVID-19 pandemic require rigorous and sustained efforts to prevent, track, and treat the virus; and

WHEREAS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified contact tracing as a key strategy to prevent further spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, many public health experts have stated that success of contact tracing depends on public trust and effective community engagement; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners calls upon the local public health authorities including Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to prioritize the areas listed in this resolution when developing and executing a contact tracing plan including:

1) Cultural Awareness: The development of a program that is culturally informed and in consultation with the most affected communities to produce an equitable contact tracing plan that will be key to reach Cook County's diverse communities.

2) Employment: The hiring of residents from the most affected communities to carry out contact tracing activities where there is the highest need.

3) Language Access: Local public health authorities should prioritize language access in the hiring process by considering language ability in the top five langua...