[ad_1]
Large crowds and queues formed again Tuesday at O’Hare International Airport as travelers prepared to leave Chicago before Thanksgiving despite warnings from state, local and federal health officials against the gathering for the holidays.
Photos showed people lined up at terminals and checking in for flights on Tuesday morning, a day after the Transportation Security Administration reported the highest number of passengers boarding flights nationwide over the weekend since March.
1,047,934 people were screened at U.S. airports on Sunday, the highest number of passengers boarding flights in a single day since March 16, according to the TSA. In all, more than three million people were tested this weekend. Although this is much lower than the same time last year, Friday was also only the second time since mid-March that daily airport checks have exceeded one million.
Face masks are required inside the airport, according to O’Hare’s website, and “when possible, travelers should maintain a distance of 6 feet or 2 meters between individuals.”
Large crowds and long lines could be seen at O’Hare from Friday. The Chicago Department of Aviation did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the number of travelers who passed through the city’s two airports over the weekend.
“The safety, security and well-being of the traveling public is our top priority, and the CDA works closely with our airport and our public health partners to ensure the safest possible environment,” said on Friday. Chicago Aviation Department in a statement. “This means, among other things, that masks must be worn at the airport, social distancing is encouraged via ground decals and other signage, and the most up-to-date public health advice is communicated regularly via various channels. “
Additionally, the ministry said it was working with TSA and airlines operating out of the airport to “ensure consistency across all terminals.” There are also volunteer “ambassadors” who move around the terminals, hand out masks and encourage social distancing, officials said.
“We will continue these efforts, but we would also like to remind travelers of their responsibility to follow public health guidelines, including wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate social distancing,” the ADC statement said. “We all have a role to play.”
The queues and crowds come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines on Thursday urging Americans not to travel for the holidays.
Dr Henry Walke, CDC COVID-19 incident manager, said he was concerned “about transportation hubs.” He said he feared people might not be able to maintain social distancing by queuing, for example, to board buses and planes.
“We are alarmed,” Walke said, adding that the country had recently seen an “exponential increase” in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. “One of our concerns is that when people get together over the holiday season, they can actually bring infections to this small gathering without even knowing it.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has expressed similar concerns, urging families to celebrate the holiday virtually.
“Remember that a negative test does not give you a free pass to celebrate Thanksgiving in person,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said Thursday. “The safest way to celebrate with your loved ones and loved ones is to do so virtually.”
Ezike noted that the exposure could lead to a positive test at any time within 14 days of that exposure.
“It only works if you haven’t exposed yourself to anyone in the 14 days from when you were tested and when you meet your friends and family,” she says. “When you are with other people, you can be exposed to the virus at any time.”
On Monday, Ezike again urged residents not to travel or assemble in person, saying it was “not too late” to change plans.
“We don’t need to have ‘super spreader’ events in homes across our state and across the country and bring them back,” Ezike said. “Please reconsider your plans and be part of the solution to reduce infections, instead of being part of the plan to increase them.”
“Let’s ease the burden on all of our hospital teams, and we can do this by not spreading the infection over the Thanksgiving holidays by wearing our masks, keeping our distance, washing our hands and getting our flu shots.” ”, She added.
State hospitals are bracing for the potential Thanksgiving and Christmas could lead to an increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
Several Illinois hospitals are now reporting more coronavirus patients than during the peak of spring, as medical professionals warn to try for months to come, information from several hospitals revealed.
“Thanksgiving dinners have the potential to be super-diffusing events,” said Dr. Robert Citronberg, executive medical director of infectious disease and prevention for the Advocate Aurora Health hospital system on Monday. “It’s so important that we don’t do it. The numbers are devastating right now. Our healthcare system cannot absorb the double or tripling of these numbers. It could happen if we have many super spreader events arising from Thanksgiving. “
Chicago and the suburb of Cook County are under stay-at-home advisories, effective Monday and continuing for 30 days, urging residents to avoid gatherings with people who do not live in their homes. The IDPH has issued similar stay-at-home recommendations statewide, as the entire state prepares for increased Level 3 mitigation measures starting Friday, shutting down several businesses and imposing new ones. limitations to others.
Chicago has also issued a travel order for almost all of the United States, requiring anyone who comes to the city after being in certain states to self-quarantine for two weeks or, in some cases, test negative before. the arrival.
Some travelers said last week that they were surprised by the number of people at the airport.
“No one is 6 feet apart. Everyone is 3 feet or 2 feet apart. It’s horrible, ”said O’Hare passenger Sidney Morgan.
Even though AAA says nearly 15% fewer Illinois are traveling this year compared to last year, 2.4 million are still expected to take the vacation trip.
Most Americans should travel by car and then by plane, according to the group. Despite the CDC warning, some travelers said they weren’t worried.
“I feel safe to fly,” said O’Hare passenger Ariel Brummel.
“Almost a billion people have traveled by air and only 44 cases of COVID have been linked to direct transmission in an airplane,” said Brian Kelly, “The Points Guy”.
If you are traveling, the CDC reminds travelers of safety precautions.
Walke said there is “no time more important than now for every American to redouble their efforts to monitor our distances, wash their hands and, most importantly, wear a mask.”
[ad_2]
Source link