Mayor's Coronavirus Call For Help: 'Now Is The Time To Step Up'

CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot Tuesday put out a call to healthy, willing and able residents to join the fight against the spread of the new coronavirus: "Now is the time to step up."

The mayor's plea for volunteers and job applicants came after Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the statewide stay-at-home order and school closings until at least May.

"If you want to help we have a job for you," Lightfoot said. "This especially goes for individuals with medical training. Doctors. nurses, assistants, hospital administrators … everyone in the entire hospital ecosystem, we need you."

As of Monday, about 41 percent of hospital intensive care unit beds and 68 percent of ventilators were available, state officials said. While the state hospital system remains within its capacity, the anticipated surge in COVID-19 related hospitalizations could overwhelm hospitals, including medical supplies and staffing.

Chicago and state officials have teamed with local hotels, the YMCA and the Illinois National Guard to establish space to isolate people suffering from coronavirus symptoms, first responders concerned about possibly infecting their family and convert McCormick Place into a 3,000 bed hospital as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to spike.

Lightfoot urged people to register to volunteer for the Chicago Medical Reserve Corps, a network of professionals who assist during public health emergencies, at Illinoishelps.net.

"Our needs don't end with health care. We also need help with food distribution, child care, financial donations and much, much more,"Lightfoot said.

Information on how to help by donating cash, goods or your time can be found at Chicago.gov/covid-19.