Nurses represented by the Illinois Nurses Association have been on the COVID-19 front lines since the pandemic struck Illinois earlier this Spring. More than 100 nurses contracted COVID-19 and two nurses passed away after contracting the disease.

INA has emphasized the need for all health care workers to use appropriate PPE, and the association has encouraged the public to regularly wear masks to help restrict the spread of the disease. INA also supports Governor J.B. Pritzker’s recent emergency rules on face coverings and gatherings.

“The Illinois Nurses Association applauds Governor J.B. Pritzker’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through the implementation of emergency rules for mask enforcement and other important safety measures. In addition, we support the manner in which the rules will engage local public health departments to keep the residents of Illinois safe. The reasonable enforcement of requirements for social distancing and masks will improve the public health of Illinois and help stop the spread of this pandemic,” said Terance Yee, RN, president of INA and a nurse at the university of Illinois Hospital in Chicago.

INA has noticed the number of COVID-19 cases increasing steadily after the state was re-opened in late June.

“We’d like to avoid back sliding to the levels of disease we saw in April and May and following these guidelines will help us stay on the positive side of this public health crisis,” Yee said.

Illinois Register Notice of Emergency Amendment Title 77

IDPH Emergency Rules to Enforce Face Coverings and Gathering Restrictions FAQ

IDPH Emergency Rules to Enforce the Use of Face Coverings and Gathering Restrictions Fact Sheet

Photo courtesy of Chicago Sun-Times, Pat Nabong.