In Sauk Valley, keep face coverings handy

Don’t throw away that face mask just yet.

In the Sauk Valley and elsewhere in Illinois, the governor’s decision to ease masking requirements may not be as far-reaching as one might think.

For instance, indoor mask mandates will continue at hospitals and other healthcare facilities, such as CGH Medical Center and KSB Hospital.

Federal healthcare regulatory agencies including OSHA and Medicare have not updated their guidance on masking so hospital employees, as well as patients and visitors, will still need to be masked while in KSB facilities, KSB spokesman Kevin Marx said.

“That may result in some confusion in the community, but from a public health perspective, the virus is still circulating,” Marx said. “So in addition to being subject to regulatory guidance, healthcare providers need to be proactive in continuing to prevent infection among patients and staff.”

The same holds true for public transportation, such as with school buses, the Lee-Ogle Transportation System or Whiteside County Public Transportation. Masks are still required according to guidance set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State agencies will also require masking for the time being.

For example, the Dixon YMCA is keeping its mask requirement in place, says Andrew McFarlane, chief operating officer, so as to comply with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services guidelines. “Basically, we’re staying put for our child care,” he said.

McFarlane said the children in the care program are mostly younger than age 5, making them ineligible to receive the Pfizer pediatric version of the COVID-19 vaccine. “We want to be proactive about protecting those youth,” he said.

The Y does have some masks available at its front desk for its membership’s use.

However, the mask requirement will change for many locales, including stores, office buildings, entertainment venues such as theaters, hotel meeting rooms, and indoor sports complexes.

At The Last Picture Show, an art gallery in Downtown Dixon, patrons have been asked to don masks throughout the pandemic.

“We try to follow all CDC guidelines and we’ll continue to do what is suggested,” said Philip Atilano, executive director.

Atilano said that once the governor lifts the mask mandate, it will then be a matter of personal choice.

The timetable for changing the mask requirements for schools hasn’t been set. Yet, because of a Sangamon County judge’s temporary restraining order stemming from lawsuit brought by parents against a host of school districts across the state, the status of mask mandates is less clear.

Dixon Public Schools decided on Sunday not to enforce the governor’s mask mandate of Sept. 3. Superintendent Margo Empen said on Wednesday the district was sticking to that course.

“The board and myself have consulted with our attorney,” Empen said. “Nothing has changed for the district. The decision from the Sangamon County judge remains in effect. We’ll continue to monitor the situation ... adjusting accordingly as needed.”

She said athletics events and activities will have the same standard applied to them. However, she and Jared Shaner, the athletics director, said that for away events the Dixon students, coaches and fans should honor the masking policies of the host school.

She also said the district would adhere to any masking requirements set by the Illinois High School Association for the events its governs.

Churches and places of worship were exempt from the September mask mandate, allowing individual congregations to set their own mitigations.