CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- St. Patrick’s Day is less than two weeks away, but the city’s top health official suggests you hold off on any celebrations, once again, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said she was happy to find out St. Patrick’s Day is in the middle of the week this year -- even though in Chicago, parties and other celebrations for St. Paddy’s Day tend to be on weekends no matter what day the holiday falls on.
“Let me start by saying, I was pleased to note that St Patrick’s Day is in the middle of the week this year,” Dr. Arwady said during an online question-and-answer session. “We are not at a point where we can start having major St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. We are just not.”
Dr. Arwady pointed out that it was a year ago that the coronavirus pandemic exploded and the city had to abruptly cancel its St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations. Again, the downtown and South Side St. Patrick’s Day parades were canceled this year. She said this is no time to let down your guard.
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"We are in a much better place than we were a few months ago. You saw that we were able to expand bars and restaurants to 50 percent capacity, some expanded hours there, but we’ve got to keep the COVID precautions in place," Dr. Arwady said. "I would just ask people: not the year yet for a big celebration.
"I’m very hopeful that, in a few months, if things keep headed the way that they’re going, we are going to be sort of more and more open. We’re certainly having conversations about later in the spring, in the summer."
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Dr. Arwady said that if a couple of people, who are fully vaccinated, want to get together, that would be fine. And, she said, if you do plan to go out to celebrate, wear your mask.
“If you’re going to be out, please just wear the mask,” she said. “Keep practicing caution.”