West Cook News

River Forest and Tinley Park have issued guidelines for wearing of face coverings, and some residents in Tinley Park are not pleased.

On April 13 the village of River Forest announced new guidance for their community members wearing of cloth face coverings.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend wearing cloth face coverings when outside one’s home, especially when social distancing is difficult.

They offer these suggestions:

• Use a scarf, bandana or mask you’ve made from home.
•  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth when you remove the mask and wash your hands quickly afterward. Clean the mask by putting it in the washing machine.
• Do not put coverings on the faces of children under the age of 2 or those who struggle to breathe or are unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The masks should fit snugly and secure with ties or ear loops. They should have multiple layers but still allow for breathing without restriction.

Individuals who cannot make their own but need a cloth face covering can reach out to River Forest COVID-19 Senior Citizen Response program by calling 708-613-1642, or email: rfseniorhelp@gmail.com

In Tinley Park some in the community have offered strong opinions about the village board passing a resolution that requires residents and visitors to wear a mask in public spaces. Although some respondents on the Tinley Park Patch Facebook page approved the board’s decision, there were others against it.

Some of those responses, according to the Tinley Park Patch website included:

"Make a suggestion to wear masks for public safety you have my support," one said. "Tell me you will possibly arrest me if I don't comply that is disturbing. This is not a communist country."

"I will no longer shop in Tinley then," another said. "Civil liberty matters. You're reaching too far."

"Better to be safe then [sic] sorry," said another. "If your [sic] unhappy about this then perhaps shop in (an) area that does not care about human life."

"The potentially high volume of asymptomatic people makes this an easy decision. A temporary inconvenience may save the lives of your fellow citizens. Masks are for protecting other people."

The Tinley Park board required that residents and visitors wear face coverings in public, starting April 24, with a few exceptions. Businesses were required to post signs notified of the requirement for face coverings. The resolution requires people to wear them at all essential businesses that are open, employees as well as customers.

The resolution notes that exceptions include:

• Individuals engaging in outdoor activity like running, walking, biking or another solo activity.
• When riding alone in a personal vehicle.