Currently, Illinois is being hit harder every day by the COVID-19 virus. Our essential workers find they are putting themselves at risk at work daily with little to no protection to ensure the citizens of our great state can have access to essential items.

Across the country our essential workers are contracting and dying from this virus. The CDC is recommending that the public should cover their mouth and nose when leaving their homes. The CDC has explained that using any device from a mask (homemade or manufactured) to a scarf or bandana will significantly reduce the spread of this disease "through the respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks." The CDC goes on to further explain, "these droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are NOT showing symptoms."

We are requesting that ALL essential businesses remaining operational during this pandemic require both consumers and essential workers to wear any device from a mask (homemade or manufactured) to a scarf or bandana that covers both the mouth and nose at all times while within the building during operational hours. Signs should be posted at the entrances stating anyone entering the building must have their device already affixed before they will be allowed to enter.

This is not a new idea as similar policies are being enforced in other countries and has proven successful.

Please refer to our references below:

Quotes used above from this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html

Story of two Walmart employees dying from COVID-19 complications in Evergreen, IL: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/05/827816771/2-workers-from-same-walmart-store-die-after-contracting-the-coronavirus

List of many essential workers that have died from COVID-19 complications: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/06/supermarket-workers-deaths-coronavirus-/

Article on recent infections at Amazon warehouses: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/03/24/821178945/workers-in-7-amazon-warehouses-test-positive-for-coronavirus

These measures will help protect us ALL.