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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
SAVE OUR SENIORS
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout the county, state and nation; and
WHEREAS, one-third of all U.S. Coronavirus deaths are nursing home residents or workers; and
WHEREAS, at least 28,100 residents and workers have died from coronavirus at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities for older adults in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the majority of workers at nursing homes and long-term care facilities are Black and Brown women that receive low wages and are currently working without adequate protective equipment; and
WHEREAS, corporate operated nursing homes average higher rates of abuse, complaint, fines and staffing shortages; and
WHEREAS, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports 351 facilities are facing outbreaks. Of those, 60% were cited for infection control violations; and
WHEREAS, nursing homes and long-term facilities account for 11,437 coronavirus cases and 1,563 deaths; these facilities account for 46% of all COVID-19 deaths in the state of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, $240 million in state funds already allocated to nursing homes; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, to mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus and prevent deaths in nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Cook County:
1. Long term Care facilities must conduct regular universal testing for all residents and staff
2. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities will disclose all COVID-19 case and deaths to residents, family members, Illinois Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control
3. Nursing home staff who have tested positive for coronavirus will be given15 days paid sick leave
4. Nursing home staff will be given hazard pay due to the “clear and present danger” of working in facilities with limited Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) and high rates of coronavirus infections
5. Local, state, and federal governments will establish alternate care sites with staffing
6. The State of Illinois should establish a commission to implement increased state oversight of nursing facilities, provide additional staff resources and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers; and consider receivership for facilities with chronic public health violations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Department of Public Health, Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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