Dr. Ezike on masks and vaccines

Posted on September 1, 2021
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. (Twitter/BlueRoomStream)

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Some are frustrated with the indoor mask mandate in Illinois, but the state’s top public health doctor says “masks work.”

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says masks help prevent illness and help stop the spread of the virus. Ezike spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller.

“The mask just helps make everyone a little bit safer. As annoying as they have become and as tired as we are of it, they work,” said Ezike. “They work with the vaccines and give us double protection.”

Ezike says she wants more people to get vaccinated, but until that happens, wearing a mask helps reduce the spread of the virus.

As for booster shots, Ezike says the state will follow guidance from the CDC and FDA.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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