The widespread availability of vaccines, despite pockets of strong resistance, is a crucial difference from this time last year, when Illinois suffered its worst, deadliest surge. “It is possible the rates will drop again if people apply mitigation efforts: get vaccinated (including boosting), wash their hands, wear their masks, socially distance,” she said. That includes close to 30% of Illinois residents 12 and older. The state continues to partner with churches, community groups and other organizations to set up vaccination clinics those who have not yet received a shot, Arnold said. That has raised questions about how effective mask requirements can be in reducing the spread in all areas of the state, particularly less vaccinated ones. State surveys have shown that Pritzker’s first mask mandate was consistently followed less in rural areas compared with suburban and urban locales. The entire purpose of masking is to protect people, not penalize them.” “If data shows things might be stabilizing, we can look at lifting the requirement to wear a mask - something that adds a layer of protection on top of vaccination. “We will continue to monitor hospital bed availability, case rates, and vaccine uptake,” Arnold said. Unlike earlier stages in the pandemic, Pritzker hasn’t laid out specific bench marks for when he’ll lift the mask mandate, which - aside from targeted vaccination requirements for certain state employees and workers in other industries - is the main state mandate in place right now to slow the spread.
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