When does Phase IV apply and when does it not?

In the news today is an announcement that the City of Chicago is re-tightening restrictions on some businesses because of an increase in COVID-19 cases here. Effective Friday, at 12:01 a.m., these new restrictions will be put in place:

• Bars, taverns, breweries and other establishments that serve alcohol for on-site consumption without a Retail Food license will no longer be able to serve customers indoors.
• Restaurants that serve alcohol will be allowed to continue to operate as long as they abide by ongoing COVID-19 guidance and existing regulations.
• Establishments without food may still provide outdoor service as they did under phase three.
• Maximum party size and table occupancy at restaurants, bars, taverns and breweries will be reduced to six people.
• Indoor fitness class size will be reduced to a maximum of 10 people.
• Personal services requiring the removal of face coverings will no longer be permitted (shaves, facials, etc.).
• Residential property managers will be asked to limit guest entry to five per unit to avoid indoor gatherings and parties.

While the City's Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady, expressed regret that this step back must be taken, she said it was the right thing to do. Why? According to the City's press release, we are back "a high-incidence state under Centers for Disease Control guidelines after topping 200 cases per day on a 7-day rolling average. As of Sunday, July 19, that number was 233. That increase has been driven in part by rising cases among young people 18-29 years old as the city has seen more social activity and interactions in bars, restaurants, parks and the lakefront."

There was quite a bit of social activity and interaction in Grant Park on Friday, July 17.

The above two images are taken from video footage released by the Chicago Police Department concerning this incident. To watch the entire six-minute video, click here.

These two images are taken from footage taken by WGN-TV:

The good news, I suppose, is that many of those shown in the above photograph are wearing masks.

Still, this seems quite a lot of social activity and interaction, without a bar or restaurant in sight.

Despite the crackdown on bars and restaurants, the City of Chicago says that we are in Phase IV of its reopening plan. Whereas in Phase III of the City plan, social gatherings were to be limited to 10 or fewer persons, no numeric restriction is specified on the linked page for Phase IV.

But a numeric restriction is specified by the City in Order No. 2020-9 issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. Attachment A specifically provides:

PROHIBITED GATHERINGS

Any Gathering of more than 50 people, any two or more of whom are within six feet of each other, convening for more than ten minutes, is a Prohibited Gathering. To the extent possible, individuals in gatherings of 50 or fewer are still encouraged to maintain six feet of social distancing with individuals who are not members of the same household.

But there are a few exceptions to this definition, and the potentially relevant one for our purposes is paragraph (c). The following is not a Prohibited Gathering:

A grouping of people: (1) located outdoors; (2) for a meeting at which participants will be sitting, standing, or otherwise remaining stationary for ten minutes or more; (3) the total of all people at the meeting is limited to 100; and (4) each person or household is separated from each other person or household by a minimum of six feet.

Clearly there were more than 100 people at Grant Park last Friday. There have been numerous protests since of one kind or another -- watch the news any night -- which would likewise appear to fall within the City's definition of Prohibited Gatherings.

Reimposing restrictions on bars and restaurants is all well and good, but if we are ever to emerge from this Never Ending Year of Pandemic, won't these Prohibited Gatherings also have to stop?

Or does Phase IV not apply to gatherings deemed righteous?

Is the COVID-19 virus really that woke?

Please note that I am expressing no opinions whatsoever. I am merely asking questions.