Gail Borden Library's Pandemic Team Lead Martha Martinez to Testify at House's Select Subcommittee

House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

Select Subcommittee To Hold Chicago Field Hearing On Combating Vaccine Hesitancy

Nov 4, 2021

Press Release

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot to Testify Regarding Challenges Faced by Cities

Washington, D.C. (November 4, 2021) — On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. C.T./2:00 p.m. E.T., the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi presiding, will hold an in-person field hearing in Chicago on the urgent need to build vaccine confidence and increase vaccinations in the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and across the country.

Coronavirus vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. While more than 192 million people nationwide, including 7.6 million in Illinois and 1.6 million in Chicago, have been fully vaccinated, vaccine hesitancy remains a persistent challenge in the fight to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. Far too many Americans remain unvaccinated, resulting in far too many preventable hospitalizations and deaths.

Using federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan and other legislation, the Biden Administration and state and local officials across the country—including Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot—have worked hard to get millions of Americans vaccinated in record time. Dedicated efforts to increase vaccine confidence and encourage vaccine uptake will be necessary to build on the progress made to date, including working with trusted community leaders to overcome hesitancy, particularly in underrepresented communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

During the hearing, government officials, community leaders, experts, and vaccine advocates will discuss ways to increase vaccine confidence and uptake. Media must RSVP to attend.

WHAT:

Field Hearing on "Building Vaccine Confidence: Our Shot at Curbing the Pandemic in Chicago and Beyond."

WHEN:

Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. C.T./2:00 p.m. E.T.

WHO:

Panel 1

• Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor, City of Chicago
• Ngozi Ezike, M.D., Director, Illinois Department of Public Health

Panel 2

• Helene D. Gayle, M.D., President and CEO, The Chicago Community Trust
• Omar Khan, M.D., Co-Chair, Muslim Community Center's Health & Awareness Committee
• Martha Martinez, Manager, Pandemic Health Navigator Program (Gail Borden Public Library District)
• Don Abram, Program Manager, Interfaith Youth Core
• Ben O'Donnell, Coronavirus Survivor

RSVP:

Media must follow coronavirus protocols required by Malcolm X College and the Committee on Oversight and Reform and RSVP to attend.

WATCH:

Livestream will be available on YouTube and the Select Subcommittee website.

Pictured above - Seated L to R - Team Members Charles Sirridge, Susan Tuominen

Standing L to R - Supervisor Martha Martinez, Regional Coordinator Illinois Public Health Association Perry Maier, Team members Luz Purcell, Anamaria Mora

For more about the Elgin Area Pandemic Team, please visit https://gailborden.info/covidhelp.