Chicago’s top doctor says vaccine, mask mandates won’t come back soon

COVID-19-related hospitalizations would have to reach 10% for mask and vaccine mandates to return.

By Claire Hyman
Illinois vaccine
A dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at Lurie Children's hospital, Nov. 5, 2021, in Chicago. Gov. JB Pritzker announced he's appointed a new leader of the state's public health department. Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press, File Photo
Illinois vaccine
A dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at Lurie Children's hospital, Nov. 5, 2021, in Chicago. Gov. JB Pritzker announced he's appointed a new leader of the state's public health department. Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press, File Photo

Chicago’s top doctor says vaccine, mask mandates won’t come back soon

COVID-19-related hospitalizations would have to reach 10% for mask and vaccine mandates to return.

By Claire Hyman
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As COVID-19 cases rise again in Illinois, Chicago public health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady says mask and vaccine mandates won’t return in the near future. That’s because the state’s hospitalization rate for COVID-19 has remained relatively stable even as infections tick up.

Reset checks in with an infectious disease specialist about the science behind public health officials’ decision making and for the latest on the BA.5 wave.

GUEST: Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care