CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- While some are questioning the wisdom of hosting Lollapalooza next weekend amid rising COVID cases, Governor Pritzker not only supports the massive music festival, but he’s planning to attend.
The Governor said he plans to go to Lollapalooza with his wife and some friends, saying the festival is safer than something held indoors.
“It’s an outdoor festival, as you know, and it’s safer outdoors than it is indoors,” Pritzker said Thursday during an unrelated news conference. “I know lots of people will attend. I think, again, it’s up to individuals to make a decision about whether they want to be in a large group...
"I would recommend to people that if they’re going to be jammed together, please wear a mask. We encourage you to do that if you’re going to be in large crowds," Pritzker added. “But if you feel comfortable and you can, you know, put a little distance between yourself and other people — and if you’re vaccinated, I might add — it’s safer. Just a little distance, and if you’re vaccinated, it’s safe for you to attend something like this.”
The state reported Thursday nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 cases - the highest number since May 7. Illinois has averaged 1,027 new cases per day over the past week, up from a rate of just 357 per day at the start of July. Additionally, the average statewide infection rate has tripled since then, too, with the statewide case positivity rate up to 3 percent.
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Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city expects case numbers to rise regardless of whether Lollapalooza is happening; but she encouraged people to wear masks, saying the city “probably will” be instituting more mask recommendations in the weeks ahead if cases keep rising.
“My big thing is: Are we concerned about overwhelming the health care system, and do we have a widely available, highly protective vaccine?” she said. “If you are vaccinated, your risk remains relatively low, so that’s the most important thing.
“Maybe you don’t want to get right into the middle of the mosh pit, and I can’t make that individual level decision for you. I can tell you that the risk here in Chicago at this point, you know, for someone who is vaccinated, remains low,” Arwady added. “It’s when you’re going into a crowded situation, [the risk] goes up a bit, for sure, but if you’re vaccinated, think about wearing a mask, and, you know, maybe avoid having the people screaming directly in your face.”
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The city expects 100,000 people to attend each of the four-day festival.
This year, concertgoers will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from within 72 hours of entrance. Anyone suffering COVID-like symptoms is asked to stay home regardless of vaccination status.
Anyone who is unvaccinated will be required to wear a mask while attending the festival; and those who are vaccinated are still urged to consider wearing a mask.
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