Stay At Home Extended Through May – Face Coverings Necessary In Public Beginning May 1st

This is expected to include all traffic within the building! Residents, Owners, Guests, Contractors, Deliveries, etc.

Until further notice, face coverings must be worn to enter the Management Office, and face coverings should be worn in the Package Room, Laundry Room, Lobby, Mall and Elevators.

At the April 23, 2020 daily briefing, Governor J.B. Pritzker indicated that, on May 1, 2020, he will sign an executive order extending Illinois’ stay-at-home mandate for another month, through Saturday, May 30, 2020. In addition to this extension, when the new order is signed next week, it will include the requirement that everyone  over 2 years of age, who can medically tolerate it, will be required to wear a mask in public when social distancing is not possible or practical.

Face coverings may include a homemade cloth mask, a scarf or bandana or a medical mask (if you have access to them).    We’ve included a copy of the CDC publication on face coverings and a link to instructional YouTube videos for your convenience.

In addition, please remember that wearing face coverings or masks is not a substitute for social distancing.  We absolutely understand that this can be somewhat difficult in a co-living environment; however, please continue to maintain at least 6 ft of distance from others at all times.

• If you’re walking outdoors, try to stay to the far right
• Try to bring a towel or napkin with you to open doors
• Use your knuckle for keypads or elevator buttons
• Reduce the number of visitors to your apartment

Our maintenance team will continue to do their best to stay on top of wiping and sanitizing and keeping things as clean and free of germs as possible but as you all know, that is a team effort – we all need to do our part to eliminate this virus as soon as we can.

CDC Face Mask –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGSY3mEMhoE

Management is still operating. However, when you can, please conduct business via phone, e-mail, fax or US Mail.

Office Phone: 773-769-3250

After Hours: 773-769-3083

FAX: 773-769-0047

E-mail: parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com

Mailing Address:

Park Tower Condo Association

Attn: Management Office

5415 North Sheridan Suite #107

Chicago, IL  60640

Office hours continue to be Monday through Friday 8am to 12pm, however, we are working pretty much everyday sometimes around the clock. So please use e-mail if you can. Otherwise, when calling the office please leave a voice mail. We get voice mail alerts via e-mail and will respond.

While these measures are being taken to support the lengthened State Of Illinois Stay At Home order and face covering requirement, they are most importantly for everyone’s protection as a community and as neighbors and individuals.

Stay Home – Stay Safe

As we continue to monitor the current conditions concerning the Covid-19 Pandemic, we continue to modify our approach to the management of the building in response to this situation for the health and well-being of our residents and staff

Accordingly, we ask that you adhere to the following requests:

• Please protect yourself as well as anyone you come in contact with, by wearing some type of face covering that covers the mouth and nose.  Face coverings may include a homemade cloth mask, a scarf or bandana or a medical mask (if you have access to them).
• In recognition of Mayor’s continued requests to limit the congregating of individuals to limit the spread of the Covid-19 Virus, we request that you limit any visitors to your unit to only those who provide essential services (as outlined in the Governor’s prior Stay at Home Order).
• Please practice common sense in elevator use. Give yourself extra time in case you have to take the stairs or wait for a less-crowded elevator.
• To avoid crowding, please limit the number of people getting into elevators and consider only riding the elevator with members of their own household, taking the stairs, or waiting for the next elevator.
• If you are in an elevator and do not feel that the social distancing guidelines can be met,  you may request that a new passenger wait for the next elevator. We ask that such requests be polite and respectful.
• Please retrieve any food or grocery deliveries by coming down to the lobby.  We would like to limit any and all traffic through the common areas of the building to only those essential service providers.
• Please be considerate of your neighbors.  With many people working from home now, please be aware of the level of noise being created within your unit.
• The onsite office continues to operate remotely during regular business hours. Our management team will continue to be accessible via phone at (312) 467-0303 x10, and by email at lnorris@habitat.com .
• We request that, as much as possible, please interact with main lobby personnel by email or telephone.  If there is an unavoidable need to visit in person, please observe proper social distancing and the recommended 6 foot spacing requirement for all parties.
• Open houses are currently prohibited, and we recommend that showings be on a by-appointment-only basis.
• Any non-emergency unit service requests will not be completed in our typical time frame. Our maintenance team has been advised to prioritize cleaning and sanitation over service requests and will complete emergency requests only at this time. Non-emergency requests will be fulfilled when the Stay at Home Order has been lifted.
• Please refrain from group meetings in common areas and limit interaction within shared spaces, including the mail room and lobby.
• Please limit person-to-person contact, including the maintenance and lobby team.
• When possible, please keep your distance between you and other individuals.

The CDC recommends that you protect yourself by:

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Avoiding close contact with individuals showing signs of illness.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth without first washing your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• If you are exhibiting symptoms, please contact your doctor.

As the situation continues to evolve, we will reassess these changes in accordance with the best recommendations coming from the CDC, State and local government and healthcare authorities.

In the unfortunate event that a resident has a confirmed positive COVID-19 test result, we ask that the resident notify the City of Chicago Dept of Health at  coronavirus@chicago.gov or call the City at 312-746-4835 or 311. The City of Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will notify the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as necessary.

Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.

City of Chicago Department of Public Health COVID-19 Update

(Last updated April 22, 2020)

There have been 15,399 cases of COVID-19 identified in Chicago residents so far and 36,934 in Illinois. As this outbreak has spread globally, CDPH is tracking it closely and is using data to guide its response.

Governor Pritzker announced that he will sign a modified version of the Order next week, which will take effect on May 1.

Under the modified Order, healthcare facilities will be permitted to conduct some elective surgeries and procedures, retail stores may re-open to offer pick-up and delivery, and some state parks will have a phased re-opening to allow outdoor activities.

Additionally, everyone above the age of two and medically able must wear face coverings in public, where a distance of six feet between individuals cannot be maintained, and in public indoor spaces, such as stores. If people are observed crowding or violating the Order, restrictions may be put back in place. For more information about the modified Order, please click here.

Courtesy of  Governor JB Pritzker’s Office and IDPH

As of today, there are nearly 37,000 confirmed cases in the State of Illinois. Without the implementation of mitigation strategies in March, the number of cases, along with the number of those who lost their lives, would be much higher as illustrated in the graphic above.

There is no treatment or cure for COVID-19. For most people, the illness is generally mild and can be safely managed at home. If you are exhibiting symptoms, the chart below will help determine if you need to be tested.

This extension of the Stay at Home Order is necessary to continue bending the curve. According newly released data from the Governor’s Office, Illinois is expected to hit the peak number of cases in the coming weeks. Because of the social distancing measures in place, our hospital systems are expected to be prepared, not overwhelmed. A delayed peak also indicates that the rate of transmission has slowed down, which is a good thing.

For updates on COVID-19, please visit: City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and CDC.

Latest Guidance

All Chicago residents must comply with Governor Pritzker’s March 20 Stay at Home Executive Order. Everyone should stay home as much as possible, only leave home for essential tasks, and always practice social distancing and good hand hygiene. Everyone should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if they’re sick. For more information, see How to Protect Yourself.

• Older adults and people with severe chronic conditions should take extra precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. For more information, see CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk.
• Large or Extended Families – If your household includes people in these high-risk groups, then all family members should act as if they, themselves, are at higher risk. Follow these CDC tips and Guidance for Large or Extended Families Living in the Same Household to protect those who are most vulnerable in your household.
• Children – While children are not considered at high risk, they may have mild illness or not show symptoms, they can still spread the disease to others. It’s important to follow CDC’s recommendation for keeping children healthy while school’s out.
• Sick Individuals – Under Chicago’s March 18 Public Health Order, everyone who is sick with COVID-19 symptoms must stay home and self-isolate. For more information, see What to Do if You’re Sick.
• Exposed Individuals – Individuals who have a sick household member or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace or other public setting, must stay home and self-monitor for 14 days. See CDPH FAQ on what to do if you have been exposed.
• Critical Infrastructure Workers – Critical infrastructure workers who have been exposed to COVID-19 can continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, as long as they don’t develop any COVID-19 symptoms. See CDPH Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Workers.

Businesses and Employers need to consider how best to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and lower the impact in their workplace. For more information, see CDPH’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers.

• Food Service– All bars and restaurants in the state of Illinois will be closed to the public until further notice. Delivery, drive-thru and carry out are permitted.
• Grocery Stores – All grocery stores in Illinois should implement social distancing and other preventative actions to protect their staff and customers. For more information, see IDPH Guidance for Grocery Stores.

Congregate Settings – Under Chicago’s March 19 Public Health Order, congregate facilities (such as long-term care facilities, childcare settings, correctional facilities, etc.) must immediately report to CDPH clusters of COVID-19 patients, defined as two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 occurring within 14 calendar days of each other at the facility. To report positive cases, please complete the COVID-19 Online Case Report Form.

• Congregate Living Facilities should implement universal masking policy and enhanced environmental cleaning. For more information, see CDPH Guidance for Congregate Living Facilities.
• Homeless Shelters should screen all clients for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors. Staff can use the CDPH COVID-19 screening tool. For more information, see CDPH’s Guidance for Homeless Shelters.
• Childcare Facilities – Childcare programs that remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic should implement social distancing strategies, intensify cleaning and disinfection efforts, modify drop off and pick up procedures and maintain an adequate ratio of staff to children to ensure safety. For more information, see CDC guidance for childcare programs.

Supporting Guidance Information and Fact Sheets:

Individuals:

• Testing
• Face Coverings
• Construction Workers
• Transit Workers
• Travelers
• Pregnant Women
• Healthcare Professionals
• City of Chicago Employees

Community Locations and Organizations

• Residential Buildings
• Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
• Parks and Recreational Facilities
• Correctional and Detention Facilities
• Community- and Faith-based Organizations
• Hotels
• Schools
• Institutions of Higher Education
• Funeral Homes

Stay up to date:

Illinois Department of Public Health

http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

Stay at Home Order FAQs

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/stay-at-home-order-faq.html

City of Chicago Coronavirus

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home.html

Center for Disease Control (CDC):

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

World Health Organization (WHO)

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019