WEST LOOP COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION: Safety Reminders For Winter During COVID-19

West Loop Community Organization issued the following announcement on Dec. 18.

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS), Department of Family and Support Services, Peoples Gas, other City departments and sister agencies today reminded residents about the City's available services during the winter months and provided residents with tips to stay safe during inclement weather and health emergencies during the winter season and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“OEMC advises residents and businesses to consider how the cold and changing weather conditions will impact their planning and to take precautions to be prepared for the winter season,” said OEMC Executive Director Rich Guidice. “This year we have already experienced historic flooding, high lake levels, an EF-1 tornado and extreme heat. OEMC will continue to monitor weather conditions with the National Weather Service and coordinate response efforts with City departments and public partners to keep residents safe and informed.” 

Severe cold temperatures, strong winds and snow can cause additional hazards, whether residents are at home or traveling, so it’s important to stay informed. The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) activates warming areas at the City’s six community service centers when temps are at 32 degrees or below. And OEMC issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies. 

• A list of community service center locations is available at Chicago.gov/FSS. Information and multilingual fliers containing warming center information in English, Spanish and Polish also are posted on DFSS's website at Chicago.gov/FSS.
• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at www.NotifyChicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional winter weather preparedness tips to keep you and your family safe, visit chicago.gov/oemc. 

Residents are reminded that Chicago's annual winter Overnight Parking Ban is currently in effect. The ban, which began this past Tuesday, December 1, 2020, will be enforced through, April 1, 2021, daily from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., regardless of snow. The Overnight Parking Ban impacts approximately 107 miles of Chicago’s streets and signage is permanently posted along the affected routes. Violators will face a minimum $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket and a storage fee of $25 per day. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be towed to Pounds 2 (10301 S. Doty Ave) or 6 (701 N. Sacramento Ave).

Chicagoans can visit www.chicagoshovels.org for a map of streets impacted by the ban and to view the City’s snow plows in real-time during a storm. Motorists can also visit chicagoshovels.org or call 311 to find out if their vehicle was towed due to the ban.

Taking preventative action is the best way to stay safe from the serious health risks associated with winter weather. Residents are advised to limit their time outside, wear layers of warm clothing when going outside, and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. As a reminder, under Chicago’s Stay-at-Home Advisory, residents should:

• Only leave home to go to work, school, or for essential needs such as seeking medical care or going to the grocery store or pharmacy.
• Always practice social distancing by staying 6 feet away from others.
• Wear a face covering at all times.
• Do not have gatherings in your home.
• Avoid all non-essential, out-of-state travel.

CDPH is also reminding residents that it’s not too late to get a flu shot. The combination of flu and COVID-19 could overwhelm healthcare settings. We all need to do our part to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses and help conserve potentially scarce health resources in hospitals already caring for COVID-19 patients. 

Original source can be found here.