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* Good morning. I hope you’re well.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 7:40 am

Comments

Why does it have to be so chilly outside? Why couldn’t we still have some nice days as we had this month!

Comment by Levois J Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 7:50 am
So an expanded Metra schedule started this week and as a result, there are ‘classic’ express trains in the morning. Ridership still isn’t close to what it was at my station.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 7:50 am
One Man,
Just curious, what percentage of the riders do you think have returned?

Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 8:26 am
Metra ridership data.

shorturl.at/tzF47

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 8:29 am
Downstate, if the parking lot at my station is a guide (the highest pre-COVID ridership suburban station) I would say perhaps 20%, that’s a guess.

The parking situation is about the same or a little more folks than you would see on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Suffice to say I am parking much closer than I ever was before COVID on a daily basis and no wait to get out of the lot.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 8:35 am
I hope we are not starting Spring 2021 again which was one of the coldest on record.

Seems here in central Illinois we are stuck between 45-50 with constant overcast. Last year we were covering plants Memorial Day weekend, not to protect them from a frost, but a hard freeze.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 8:35 am
I saw “The Outfit” yesterday. The Outfit being post-Capone gangsters in Chicago in the mid-1950s. It’s really a caper film, but that doesn’t become clear until the end. I really liked it.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 8:43 am
Hope you’re well too, Rich.

The FDA just authorized a second COVID booster shot for those over age 50. This is particularly for those who are most vulnerable, but can provide a head start for those who want to be in the best position if and when another surge comes.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 8:58 am
==The FDA just authorized a second COVID booster shot for those over age 50. ==

That’s about 5 years younger than me but that’s at least encouraging that the 2nd booster is at least partially a go. Hopefully they can bring the age limit down soon (to at least 40 or younger), or add the “immunocompromised” disclaimer (I have a weakened immune system).

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:10 am
==Seems here in central Illinois we are stuck between 45-50 with constant overcast. Last year we were covering plants Memorial Day weekend, not to protect them from a frost, but a hard freeze.==

Basically March came in like a lamb and may go out like a lion.

Also tomorrow areas south of 72 are in play for at least a Slight risk of Severe weather (including possible tornadoes and damaging winds), with the Marginal currently extending up to 80. Areas south of Carbondale in the “Enhanced” risk.

https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

A major severe and tornado outbreak threat expected tomorrow in particularly the Deep South.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:15 am
=The FDA just authorized a second COVID booster shot for those over age 50.=

Thanks for info.
Just called Walgreens and they’re waiting for CDC approval before they offer second boosters unless you’re immunocompromised.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:23 am
Anyone do prediction markets? Make money predicting who will win the gov’s race as well as other illinois markets.

https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/7659/Which-party-will-win-the-2022-Illinois-gubernatorial-election

Comment by low level Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:24 am
psyched that the FDA just authorized another shot. but wondering about what shot to get. If you got Moderna all the way, another Moderna? If Pfizer all the way another one of those? If a mix, which one now? or wait until new variant mix shot becomes available?

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:36 am
OneMan,
Thank you. In my rural area, we are seeing more homes being built by individuals that have migrated to working from home. In a similar way, some office parking lots are not even 20% full, as the work-from-home experiment becomes more of a reality.
In another vein, I was with a junior investment banker from NYC. He’s been working from a location in Colorado since Covid hit. He noted that the CEO of their firm just announced, “We pay Manhattan wages for people that work in Manhattan. You can work remotely, and live less expensively, but we won’t continue to pay you Manhattan salaries.”

Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:39 am
==If you got Moderna all the way, another Moderna? If Pfizer all the way another one of those?==

All three of my shots were Pfizer (the first two at fairgrounds, the booster at the Sangamon County Health Dept.). Hopefully the second booster is a Pfizer. And I’m especially hoping that booster is not a Johnson and Johnson vaccine, to me that seemed to be like the Walmart generic brand of COVID vaccines.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:43 am
Amazing:

Matching drugs to DNA is ‘new era of medicine’

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60903839

Last booster shot really slammed me.
Hope they implement this soon.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 9:57 am
I will have to admit to being somewhat Moderna curious this time. I have had 3 Pfizers, first from CPH, next from CCPH, the final from Walgreens in DuPage. State of IL has kept all of that straight in their DB. So good work on that. The site even has the lot # (which they neglected to write on my card) of my 2nd.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 10:15 am
Those with underlying conditions will be able to get a fifth dose.

Comment by Big Dipper Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 10:48 am
Reading Buckner’s HB5731 on unserialized (Ghost Guns). Looks like I will have to get a serial number put on my 1960’s Remington .22 rifle if it passes. They didn’t put serial numbers on them back then.

Comment by Anotheretiree Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 11:03 am
=Amilia== I’m with cermak_rd. After 3 Pfizers I think I’ll try Moderna. They said that is ok. Some even say its desirable to mix and match. J&J has been withdrawn I believe.

Comment by Anotheretiree Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 11:14 am
Thanks Anotherretiree Cermak_rd and NonAFSCME. I’m hearing to wait a bit because of the mix and the new variant. still pondering. feel lucky we can get another shot. Mask and vax (banned punctuation).

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 11:50 am
Why is 2nd St. between Edwards and Monroe on the east side of the Howlett and Capitol buildings closed right now? That’s one of the detours for College Street traffic due to the underground parking ramp construction north of the Stratton.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 12:11 pm
A Balrog was spotted there. You shall not pass.

Comment by Captain Obvious Tuesday, Mar 29, 22 @ 12:33 pm

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