A Message from Mayor Rosenthal

Dear Deerfield,

I am angry and disappointed. Since last Friday, the number of COVID-19 cases in the Village has increased by more than 50, accounting for more than 15 percent of all cases since March in just one week. Due to this increased community spread, District 109 announced this afternoon that schools would again close and move to remote learning.

The actions of a few have impacted us all. Large parties and gatherings were held where residents did not wear face coverings or follow social distancing. Groups of maskless youth are seen in clusters gathering after school with no adult supervision. A few people made reckless choices, and now it’s our children and their families who lose.
Deerfield, we can do better than this.

This is more than just taking personal responsibility for your actions. This is about community responsibility. Actions have consequences for all of us. Do we want Deerfield to be known as the town where we don’t care enough about keeping schools open to follow even the most basic public health guidance? Are we a community that cares about one another?

The Lake County Health Department reports we are in a warning area right now with substantial community transmission. Let’s start acting like it.

Exactly seven months ago, on March 16, I issued the first declaration of emergency. And it has been a rough seven months for all of us. Let’s not let down our guard. Masks and social distancing work. Be smart. Be careful. Be thoughtful of others. #DoItForDeerfield 

Best,
Harriet