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CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new effort has been spearheaded by Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL 5) to help the owners of fitness centers who have been struggling during the pandemic. Challenges for gym owners during the pandemic have been intense. Sean Armstead, who owns Phenomenal Fitness, said at worst business was down 60% when they could be open. Then there were the three months when all gyms and fitness centers were fully shut down. Gyms were also shut out of any substantial federal financial assistance, Armstead said. "I'm really disappointed at my bank, the way they haven't supported us with PPP, and we've been with them for more than two decades but there have been other people, clients have stepped up," he said.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a case report Wednesday involving a high "attack rate" at a Chicago gym, where infrequent mask wearing was reported. In August of last year, during one week of a high-intensity fitness class, 55 out of 81 attendees developed COVID. Some took classes on the same day or after receiving a positive test result. Twenty-two (40%) of people with COVID-19 attended on or after the day symptoms began, health officials said. Most attendees (76%) wore masks infrequently, including people with (84%) and without (60%) COVID-19, the CDC said. The report reinforces public health guidance that mask wearing and staying home when ill are critical for reducing the spread of the virus.