The mayor of Chicago is going through criticism for attending the ‘super-spreader’ four-day Lollapalooza music competition, regardless of threatening to introduce a brand new lockdown if Covid-19 circumstances rise following the occasion.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot was additionally slammed for going forward with the competition after an infectious illness professional warned ‘a number of folks’ would contract the virus.
Lollapalooza noticed an estimated 100,000 attending the four-day occasion each day for the thirtieth anniversary celebrations in Chicago’s Grant Park.
Live performance-goers had to supply proof of vaccination or a destructive COVID-19 check from 72 hours prior, and on the opening day – Thursday – Lollapalooza officers stated that over 90 p.c of attendees offered proof of a vaccination.
Round 600 folks weren’t allowed to enter the competition because of lack of paperwork, organizers stated.
Lightfoot appeared on the music stage and instructed the large – largely maskless – crowd: ‘Thanks for masking up and vaxing up.’
Many criticised the Chicago mayor for not solely approving the ‘super-spreader occasion’ but in addition for attending the competition and showing backstage and not using a face masks on whereas taking footage with celebrities.
However Kate Le Furgy, the Director of Communications for the Chicago Mayor’s workplace, defended Lightfoot and stated she was exterior whereas not carrying a face masks and was absolutely vaccinated.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is going through criticism for attending the ‘super-spreader’ four-day Lollapalooza music competition, regardless of threatening to introduce a brand new lockdown if Covid-19 circumstances rise following the occasion
Lollapalooza noticed an estimated 100,000 attending the four-day occasion each day for the thirtieth anniversary celebrations in Chicago’s Grant Park
The Lollapalooza competition in Chicago, pictured on Saturday, has drawn crowds of 100,000 folks day-after-day. Attendees are requested to indicate proof of vaccination or a destructive COVID check on the entrance, however well being officers nonetheless worry a surge in circumstances within the coming weeks on account of the gathering
Tripple Redd performs on stage on Saturday. The third day of the competition was headlined by Megan Thee Stallion, Journey and Limp Bizkit
‘Will @chicagosmayor Lightfoot be blamed for approving a #COVID19 super-spreader occasion this weekend — @lollapalooza, three days of music euphoria with an enormous, mask-less crowd?’ journalist Laurie Garrett tweeted.
Retired Division of Protection operative Tony Shaffer stated: ‘Wow – COVID is probably the most clever virus ever in historical past – it’s going to anticipate @LoriLightfoot to get the Metropolis of Chicago all types of tax income earlier than it turns into tremendous harmful and transmissible!’
Reporter Julio Rausseo commented on Lightfoot’s obvious hypocrisy tweeting ‘Based on @klefurgy, it isn’t a giant deal since @chicagosmayor is backstage @lollapalooza. What’s odd is, the mayor is masked outside with most people however not with the boujie celebrities.’
It comes after Dr. Emily Landon, govt medical director for an infection prevention and management on the College of Chicago Medical Heart, instructed NBC Chicago: ‘I believe lots of people are going to get COVID at Lollapalooza.
‘The actual downside isn’t a lot {that a} bunch of younger individuals who come into Chicago getting COVID at this occasion. The actual downside is them taking it again to locations which have very low vaccination charges.’
Lightfoot has beforehand threatened to introduce strict lockdown measures if the each day case charge rises above 200.
She instructed The New York Times: ‘Properly, look, if we get again into an space the place we really feel like we’re in a purple zone, which we’re working very onerous to be sure that our each day case charge is under 200, if we begin to see constantly going over that, we’re not solely going to have a look at a masks mandate, however we will look again at different instruments that we have been compelled to make use of. I hope we do not get there.
‘What we will hold specializing in is pushing the vaccine. However my primary precedence is to maintain folks secure.’
The FBI has been warning that faking a vaccine crime is a federal crime, punishable by a $5,000 advantageous or 5 years in jail.
Solely 51.7 per cent of Chicago’s residents are absolutely vaccinated – though on Thursday, organizers stated, 90 per cent of these attending supplied their vaccination certificates. The opposite 10 per cent confirmed destructive COVID assessments
Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit is seen on stage on Saturday – one of many headliners for the third day
An indication exterior the doorway reads: ‘We’ve got taken enhanced well being and security measures for you, our artists and staff.
‘You need to observe all posted directions whereas attending Lollapalooza.
‘An inherent danger of publicity to COVID-19 exists in any public house the place individuals are current. COVID-19 is a particularly contagious illness that may result in extreme sickness and loss of life. Based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, senior residents and friends with underlying medical situations are particularly weak.
‘By attending Lollapalooza, you voluntarily assume all dangers associated to publicity to COVID-19.
‘Please assist hold one another wholesome!’
The variety of new circumstances reported each day in Chicago had dropped to as little as 34 in late June, however is now again as much as 192 – though hospitalizations stay drastically decrease than their peak this spring.
The Illinois state well being division stories that 58.6 p.c of residents over 18 are absolutely vaccinated, and 74.3 p.c have had their first shot.
Chicago is barely decrease than the state common, with 51.7 p.c of their 2.7 million folks absolutely vaccinated.
Of the six million fully-vaccinated folks within the state, 644 have been hospitalized with ‘breakthrough’ infections, and 169 have died.
The competition kicked off on Thursday, with Miley Cyrus headlining and a shock visitor look from Billy Idol.
Friday noticed Tyler, The Creator take prime billing, whereas Saturday belonged to Put up Malone, Journey, Megan Thee Stallion and Limp Bizkit.
Sunday will shut with Foo Fighters.
Prepare dinner County was added on Thursday to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) listing of areas experiencing ‘substantial’ COVID-19 transmission, bringing with it advisories for masks indoors.
The competition introduced late Friday that masks will likely be required in any indoor areas on the grounds starting Saturday.
‘We encourage all followers attending the competition to deliver a masks as they attend the ultimate two days of the competition,’ in response to an announcement from competition producer C3 Presents.
Well being officers stated they did count on there to be a rise in COVID circumstances.
‘Whenever you’re having this many of us who’re coming via virtually actually there will likely be some circumstances,’ stated Dr Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Division of Public Well being.
She instructed CNBC: ‘However I am assured that the mix of what we find out about limiting danger in out of doors settings, pairing that with vaccination and or testing and ideally principally vaccination, which is what we count on, in addition to all the opposite mitigation elements.’
Megan Thee Stallion performs in live performance throughout day three of the thirtieth anniversary of Lollapalooza
The live performance in Grant Park is among the largest because the pandemic started, with 100,000 folks day-after-day
Some felt the occasion was a foul concept, declaring that latest music festivals, together with the Verknipt competition in Utrecht, Netherlands, and Rolling Loud in Miami, have been linked to outbreaks amongst their attendees and surrounding communities.
Dr Emily Landon, the chief medical director of an infection prevention and management on the College of Chicago Medication, stated final Monday in an interview with NBC-5 Chicago that she thought the competition ought to have been cancelled.
‘I believe persevering with to have Lolla at that stage of capability was a foul concept even earlier than there was a pandemic, and I am shocked that we have agreed to return to that very same stage of capability, ‘ she stated.
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