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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION TO SHARE ADDRESSES FOR EMERGENCIES (SAFE) WITH FIRST RESPONDERS
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is widespread across Illinois and the safety of our health care workers, first responders, and law enforcement partners are of great importance; and
WHEREAS, we are grateful for the dedication provided by these front-line responders and their commitment to help others and take seriously the need to ensure their safety; and
WHEREAS, we must continue to work together with our federal and state partners to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to help fight the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (DEMRS) has, as of April 9, 2020, distributed 659,524 pieces of PPE; and
WHEREAS, the County understands that access to testing is limited, many residents may be asymptomatic, and many who have tested positive for COVID-19 are no longer contagious, therefore it may not be possible at this time to identify every individual who is positive for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released guidelines for use of PPE by first responders to safeguard their wellbeing, including wearing PPE on all calls when possible, assessing risk at a distance of at least six feet before entering a home, minimizing patient contact, and limiting the number of providers in the patient compartment during transport; and
WHEREAS, PPE is often in short supply, difficult to attain, and artificially inflated in cost; and
WHEREAS, more can be done to provide for the safety of first responders as they perform their essential duties and keep the public safe and healthy; and
WHEREAS, confirming, even in a limited way, which first responders had contact with a particular infected person can contribute to the safety of all first-responders (their families) and those they serve; and
WHEREAS, both the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Illinois Office of ...
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