(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Howard Brown Health has announced it’s pulling out of the Northalsted Market Days street festival slated to begin Aug. 6 because of an increased threat of COVID-19.
Howard Brown Health usually has a presence at public events in the LGBTQ community. But not this time — not at Market Days, says Dr. Anu Hazra, one of Howard Brown’s medical directors.
“I think as a health care institution it was difficult for Howard Brown to take part in events that may not have as much mitigation strategies in place. And that was really the main reason for Howard Brown’s departure.”
The Northalsted Business Alliance organizes Market Days. The president of the Northalsted board on Wednesday said the departure of Howard Brown caught organizers off-guard.
“It was a little bit of a surprise,” said Ramesh Ariyanayakam.
“Our intention is to go ahead with Market Days planning, as we have been doing for the last few months,” he said. “But obviously, we will follow city guidelines. And if we are directed to not do it, obviously we can’t do it.”
Ariyanayakam says they encourage people to be fully vaccinated but cannot mandate it in the open street festival.
With individual bars, they can, he said.
Ariyanayakam says Market Days usually draws 60,000 to 80,000 people, but this year could bring more.
Related
