* Saturday…
They’ve since updated the story to report that the positivity rate was 12.27 percent. Same dif.
* And it’s not like Illinois is an impenetrable island, either…
* Arizona…
As of Saturday, 83% of current inpatient beds and 85% of ICU beds were in use for COVID-19 and other patients.
We all need to learn from each other. Come Friday, when Illinois enters Phase 4, our positivity rate will almost undoubtedly increase. So, people need to be careful and use some common sense. Texas is also experiencing an increase in its positivity rate, but its hospitals appear not to be in any danger of being overrun at the moment.
*** UPDATE *** Excerpt from a new Gov. Pritzker press release
Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan creates safety guidelines for the following permitted activities and businesses to resume, with capacity rules in place:
• Meetings and events: Venues and meeting spaces can resume with the lesser of up to 50 people OR 50% of overall room capacity. Multiple groups are permitted given facilities have space to appropriately social distance and can limit interaction between groups. This includes activities such as conferences and weddings.
• Indoor and Outdoor recreation: Revised guidelines to allow select indoor recreation facilities (e.g., bowling alleys, skating rinks), as well as clubhouses to reopen. Indoor recreation to operate at lesser of 50 customers OR 50% of facility capacity with outdoor recreation allowing group sizes of up to 50, and permitting multiple groups given facilities have space to appropriately social distance and can limit interaction between groups; concessions permitted with restrictions.
• Indoor Dining: Indoor dining can reopen with groups of 10 or less, with tables spaced 6-feet apart in seated areas and with standing areas at no more than 25% of capacity.
• Museums: Can reopen with no more than 25% occupancy, and with interactive exhibits and rides closed; guided tours should be limited to 50 people or fewer per group; museums should have a plan to limit congregation via advance ticket sales and timed ticketing; concessions permitted with restrictions.
• Zoos: Can reopen with no more than 25% occupancy, and with interactive exhibits, indoor exhibits, and rides closed; guided tours should be limited to 50 people or fewer per group; zoos should have a plan to limit congregation via advance ticket sales and timed ticketing; concessions permitted with restrictions.
• Cinema and Theatre: Indoor seated theaters, cinemas, and performing arts centers to allow admission of the lesser of up to 50 guests OR 50% of overall theater or performance space capacity (applies to each screening room); outdoor capacity limited to 20% of overall theater or performance space capacity; concessions permitted with restrictions.
• Outdoor seated spectator events: Outdoor spectator sports can resume with no more than 20% of seating capacity; concessions permitted with restrictions.
• Film production: Allow no more than 50% of sound stage or filming location capacity; crowd scenes should be limited to 50 people or fewer.
Industries with revised guidelines in Phase 4:
• Youth and Recreational Sports: Revised guidelines allow competitive gameplay and tournaments; youth and recreational sports venues can operate at 50% of facility capacity, 20% seating capacity for spectators, and group sizes up to 50 with multiple groups permitted during practice and competitive games given venues have space to appropriately social distance and can limit interaction between groups; concessions permitted with restrictions.
• Health and fitness centers: Revised guidelines allow gyms to open at 50% capacity and allow group fitness classes of up to 50 people with new safety guidelines for indoors, with multiple groups permitted given facilities have space to appropriately social distance and can limit interaction between groups.
• Day camps: Water-based activities permitted in accordance with IDPH guidelines; no more than 50% of facility capacity with group size of no more than 15 participants in a group, unless participants changing weekly.
Additionally, retail, service counters, offices, personal care (including salons, barber, nail salons), manufacturing and other industries allowed to reopen in Phase 3 will continue to operate at a reduced capacity.
To help businesses prepare to reopen and remain in compliance with new guidelines over the next two weeks, DCEO has released a new set of downloadable materials. Business toolkits are complete with signage, training checklists and other resources to help business owners and workers implement safety procedures and adhere to the latest capacity restrictions. Materials for businesses and operators pertaining to Phases 3 and 4 of the Restore Plan, can be found atIllinois.gov/businessguidelines.
During Phase 4, common public health standards remain in effect – including the use of face coverings and social distancing. Industry-specific guidelines may vary but are designed to help employers, workers and residents feel safe in transitioning to the next phase of reopening the state. All industries should continue to conduct regular cleanings, employee health screenings upon entry and mid-shift, and allow employees who can continue working from home to do so.
The state’s move to Phase 4 of the plan is expected to bring approximately 400,000 additional Illinoisans back to the workplace across all industries. While Phase 4 marks the return of 7 percent of the state’s workforce, it accounts for about $30 billion in annual GDP returned to operations and represents continuous progress towards fully reopening the state’s economy.
* Related…
* Racing returning to Arlington - The Illinois Racing Board clears the way for racing and betting, but no spectators, next month.
- Groundhog Day - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 9:55 am:
One thousand likes for face coverings. Japan has had fantastic results with minimal “lockdown” thanks to universal use of face coverings. My bike ride yesterday left me wondering if people are stupid or uncaring. I saw at least 200 people over 15 miles of riding, and saw face coverings on less than 10 people. The public refuses to do the easier thing to crush COVID. It makes me nuts.
JUST WEAR IT
- FormerParatrooper - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 9:56 am:
I am in Houston right now and have been here about a week. I have observed about a 50/50 mask observance here. The medical center complex is 100% compliant because if you want to go in you must hand sanitize and answer questions about travel and general questions about exposure to access the facilities.
Houston experiencing a hike in covid cases. I see mostly young people under 40 not observing masking. I have also seen parents not masked but they have thier children masked.
- efudd - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 9:57 am:
Politico is reporting, as of today, Florida has tested just 7% of their population.
Illinois, 11%.
Yet Florida has only 40,000 fewer positives.
But hey, no income tax.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:00 am:
I am grateful daily that we have a governor who listens to and is guided by health experts. Also grateful to have many fellow Illinoisans who are taking precautions and following the rules. We are not reopening too soon, and at this point our COVID-19 stats are much better now than some states, where there are less safety requirements. Florida just had a terrible few days of record new infections. New infection rates also really spiked in Texas lately.
- NotRich - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:04 am:
under Phase 4 will the Governor only be participating in protest marches with 50 people of less??
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:07 am:
=== will the Governor only be participating in protest marches with 50 people of less??===
(Sigh)
Here in Oswego, weeks ago, we had a protest to open the state.
No social distancing, no masks, lots of Trump flags… no one stopped them from protesting.
- efudd - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:11 am:
NotRich-
Arizona, Texas, Florida are open for business. Missouri, too.
Google Map provides directions.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:17 am:
Home is where the smart stay.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:18 am:
Anyone know if other State offices (other than Sec. of State, which reopened June 1) will be reopening, and their employees back to the office, upon entering Phase 4? Perhaps as early as next Monday or on July 1.
SOS is still basically the only people back to office work in the entire Capitol Complex. (There are a few Stratton or Capitol-based GA staff AFAIK who are back in the office that I’m aware of, but other than that it’s all SOS so far).
- Roman - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:25 am:
== Outdoor spectator sports can resume with no more than 20% of seating capacity ==
That would allow for about 8,000 fans at a Cubs or Sox game. I have a feeling both franchises will be working on opening sky boxes and premium seats if a season ever happens.
- Bobby McGee - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:28 am:
DHS has no plans to re-open its offices. Lots of discussion but no plans.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:30 am:
==That would allow for about 8,000 fans at a Cubs or Sox game.==
Sounds like a typical home game attendance figure for the Miami Marlins.
In fact, last Aug. 26, only 5297 fans showed up for their game against the Reds:
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/fl-sp-marlins-reds-separate-tues-20190827-2g22gczi5faspn6rhg2aooyiza-story.html
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:35 am:
I just read that 40 MLB players and staff tested positive for COVID. That and with the huge divide between owners and players, I’d be very surprised if we have any games this summer.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:36 am:
Only 413 fans showed up at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 22, 1966 for an albeit rainy Yankees-White Sox game (won by the Sox 4-1). This was the game that got Yankees announcer Red Barber fired when he commented on-air about all the empty seats in Yankee Stadium:
https://awfulannouncing.com/2016/red-barber-and-the-empty-yankee-stadium-september-22-1966.html#:~:text=September%2022%2C%201966%20was%20a,field%20conditions%20were%20hardly%20inviting.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:37 am:
==Anyone know if other State offices (other than Sec. of State, which reopened June 1) will be reopening, and their employees back to the office, upon entering Phase 4? ==
You should probably get used to people teleworking. It’s likely to become a permanent thing in some offices. Attendance in offices is going to look a lot different from here on out. I can’t imagine an office that will be full staff like it used to be for a long time, if ever (depending on the services they provide). Telework is likely here to stay in some form or another.
- Just Curious - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:39 am:
Just curious, does anyone think that there will be additional phases with some more capacity, etc? The current plan says we can only move to phase 5 with a vaccine, treatment, or the virus just goes away. Just curious if we might have more openings in 28 days if the same matrixes are meant; before a vaccine, treatment, or the virus goes away.
- Mr. K. - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:40 am:
I hear some state offices might go 50% in office, 50% telwork.
What’s bizarre is that even with 50% in the office, we’ve been told that we’re still to use Zoom for meetings (or WebEx).
In other words, you’re in the office — but you can’t meet with anyone — and you need to wear a mask at all times.
My question is: if we can’t meet in person — why on earth would some lawyer request you be *in the office*? It makes no sense — and seems unnecessarily risky.
AFSCME needs a louder voice here. They need to make sure that if a state employee is able to work from home successfully — that employee should remain at home.
Bringing in folks … just because — is crazy. And risky.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:41 am:
Japan did everything worse than the U.S. (didn’t shut down until Mid-April, and then only for a few weeks) EXCEPT wearing masks, which is nearly universal there. The result has been 3% our total deaths (adjusting for population) and staying far more open. And that’s with higher population density and demographics that skew more to the elderly. So incredibly frustrating.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/06/world/asia/japan-coronavirus-masks.html
- Chicagonk - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:41 am:
Stopped at a Casey’s gas station in Sterling yesterday and half the people inside weren’t wearing masks. The clerk had a bandana that didn’t even cover her mouth. I walked out and went to the next gas station which was actually taking masks seriously.
- AD - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:41 am:
Agree with wearing a mask and all precautions when you’re out. What I don’t agree with is all the hysteria about the numbers increasing in some areas. Common sense dictates that the numbers and positivity percentage will go up when people begin having more exposure to other people. I’m not sure why that is considered a surprise. We just need to maintain the distancing, hand washing, etc. to keep the hospitals from putting to the no vacancy signs. That is the key. There will be more people that die unfortunately, but the overall benefit to society to getting out and about will be greater than everyone staying cooped up for the rest of time.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:45 am:
“Many countries have bent the curve, the US not yet.“
Thankfully our state has bent the curve at this point, but it’s very difficult when other states are going in the wrong direction.
Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis is a catastrophic failure of historic magnitude. He is having unsafe rallies to boost his unbelievably weak ego as new infections spike in certain states.
- yinn - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:46 am:
The divergent practices can be infuriating. Examples:
If I go to the vet’s to pick up pet meds, I park, phone the office, and stay in my car. The tech brings out the meds, places them on a bench near the door, and I wait until she is back inside before retrieving the bag.
Ditto contact-free curbside grocery pickup.
Then I watch a city council meeting where masks for mayor and city manager appear to be optional. I’ve even seen hand-shaking.
Last Thursday there was an outdoor town hall with Black Lives Matter supporters. The mayor got called up on stage, pulled his mask under his chin and talked directly to an organizer from, at most, two feet away. And BLM here generally has been SO CAREFUL with precautions.
We’ve also discovered another restaurant where none of the staff wear masks.
Bottom line, it’s like half the town never got the memo in the first place.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:53 am:
==I hear some state offices might go 50% in office, 50% telwork.==
SOS is 100% in office since June 1. No provisions for work-at-home (which some people had) since reopening.
And yet the Schaumburg driver’s facility had to close again (until July 2) as an employee tested positive for COVID-19:
https://abc7chicago.com/automotive/schaumburg-dmv-closed-due-to-covid-19-situation/6255842/
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:53 am:
Rich, I am seldom comforted by an appeal to common sense. So many of our local elected officials and municipalities have completed abdicated their responsibilities and aren’t even trying to encourage their local populations to wear masks in public or socially distance, and don’t even require their own employees to wear masks.
I understand we’re hitting milestones, but COVID-19 is at the gates and we can’t even get local mayors to wear masks in public, much less their staff or local law enforcement, fire departments, etc.
Looking at new case totals in the US rise while the death total decreases, knowing that within two or three weeks something like 3% to 6% of those testing positive will be dead, and there’s more than thirty thousand.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:54 am:
=== There will be more people that die unfortunately, but the overall benefit to society to getting out and about will be greater than everyone staying cooped up for the rest of time.===
Covidiot thinking?
“Look, I’m cooped up, I can’t stand it. If people are gonna die so I can feel better, I’m cool with that”
Yeah.
That can be a family member or friend of mine that dies so you “can’t feel” cooped up.
This is why America is failing in this pandemic… “death of others is better than my own inconvenience.
Like doctors and nurses have been saying too;
Every single person that does eventually go to the hospital, *their* own risks increase with every new patient.
But…
=== There will be more people that die unfortunately, but the overall benefit to society to getting out and about will be greater than everyone staying cooped up for the rest of time.===
… whew.
- Art Graduate - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 10:55 am:
I was in Oak Park yesterday for take out and they have a few designated areas for outdoor distanced seating. We sat and eat and I watched people walk by the whole time we were there. About half had masks and of those that did, a good number had them just hanging around their necks. We went on a trail in a forest preserve in the far suburbs after and on the trail about one out of every eight people we passed actually had a mask and only one couple wax wearing theirs. It’s like people don’t care.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:00 am:
Chicagonk, I am from a small town. I am now the only person I ever see wearing a mask in Casey’s, other than one employee. The rest of the customers and employees are done. Same at the local grocery store. Go into a bigger town and masks are still pretty universally worn. But towns less than 2,000 have given up the fight 100%.
- SaulGoodman - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:06 am:
What’s clear to me is that no one really understands what Phase 3 OR Phase 4 actually mean. Gatherings of 10 or 50 do NOT mean no social distancing, no precautions. It means that we can be around more people as long as we ARE still social distancing/wearing masks.
- Groundhog Day - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:09 am:
But, AD, there is great data that if EVERYONE wore face coverings all the time, except when at home, we would not be continuing the spread. But people will not do that. Maddening.
- Montrose - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:16 am:
“I was in Oak Park yesterday for take out and they have a few designated areas for outdoor distanced seating. We sat and eat and I watched people walk by the whole time we were there. About half had masks and of those that did, a good number had them just hanging around their necks. We went on a trail in a forest preserve in the far suburbs after and on the trail about one out of every eight people we passed actually had a mask and only one couple wax wearing theirs. It’s like people don’t care.”
A few people have made comments like this - people failing to where masks outside when moving through space (like walking in the forest preserve) is a sign that people don’t care/are being a covidiot. As I understood the guidance, when you are outdoors and able to maintain social distancing, you don’t need a mask. If two folks pass each other outside and keep moving, the risk of infection is really low.
I am all for people being safe - wear a mask when you can’t maintain a safe distance, where it in businesses, etc. I fully support the the governor’s guidance and adhere to it, but I don’t interpret wearing a mask at all times outside as part of the guidance.
- Mr. K. - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:18 am:
—
And yet the Schaumburg driver’s facility had to close again (until July 2) as an employee tested positive for COVID-19:
—
Yep — and the issue with many state offices (or at least mine) is that (a) we’re in the building with a bunch of non-state folks, scattered across multiple floors, (b) the HVAC system is Chicago ancient, and (c) there’s no consensus (yet) about how to clean common areas like bathrooms.
My issue — and one that’s shared, I believe by many folks in the building — is that while you might trust your own managers and management (maybe, for the most part) — you don’t (or we can’t, at least) trust the *building* to do the right thing.
In our case, there’s always one disgruntled dude cleaning the bathrooms. Pounding on doors, trying to figure if anyone is *in* the bathroom before bursting in — savagely wiping and swabbing and refilling — making a heckuva of a ruckus of metal and porcelain — all of which takes 90 seconds tops … until the dude jams his mop in the dirty bucket, flies out the door — goes up to the next floor. Repeat.
And now, what? we’re gonna trust this guy — this single guy — to keep things clean on a regular basis? Like that’s safe?
Or trust the ancient Chicago HVAC from the 1960s not to suck in the air from floor X and blow it all over floor Y? And then — what … we expect to be told that there’s two people on floor Z who have covid … but, hey, because we’re on floor A — there’s no concern?
It’s bizarre — totally bizarre. Sure. Phase 4. Have at it.
- Teddy Salad - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:21 am:
Has the Governor sent a notice to all State employees that a mask must be worn when in State buildings? I have not seen such a notice, but I have witnessed a lot of State employees in State facilities mask-less.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:29 am:
I respectfully disagree with a comment above that the goal is maintaining hospital capacity - that was the goal of the shelter-in-place order, but the goal should be getting r0 to under 1.0 and return to the semi-normalcy other countries have. I’m not as hung up about outdoor mask wearing given what we’re learning about transmission, but indoor should be mandatory *and* vigorously enforced. These cretins who can’t even do that - you’d think it was WWII and they were being rationed supplies and told to start a victory garden.
- Sonny - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:34 am:
That bent curve is largely NYC and now Chicago. The rest of the country is blowing it. If this ping pongs around because too many people needed muh freedoms when we could have stomped it out in six weeks that’s real shame and it should be laid at the feet of ‘rugged individualists’ and the feds.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:35 am:
Humans are prone to doing everything wrong…proudly.
- Pylorus - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:43 am:
Ducky LaMoore is 100% on point from what I’ve seen. It’s frustrating and I’m not sure that even a localized epidemic will change their attitudes. My son works with mostly people from those very small towns and when Illinois entered phase II he came home and told us that no one had to wear masks at all any more “It’s done.” he said. Scary…
- Jill - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:47 am:
Ok, if I recall the cdc you DO Not need a mask outdoors unless you cant “social distance ” meaning less than 6 foot. If I’m walking down street without a bask and dont get under 6 foot theres no reason to demonize them. The cdc also has said contact just briefly isnt a concern. Theres a time element.
- Jibba - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:52 am:
We might be able to survive phase 4 without dramatic increases in cases if everyone masks and socially distances at all times. Fat chance, since at least half or more of people I see fail to do that now. We’ll be following Texas shortly. New York is only entering their version of phase 3 now, so we might be early. Time for phase 3.5 instead?
- JS Mill - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:53 am:
Like others that have posted here I live in a rural community, ours is about 13,000 so one of the larger in this part of west central Illinois. When I go out, unless the business requires it people are not wearing masks. I have been in several Casey’s where I am the only one in a mask. It is baffling because if the virus hits here with any intensity many people will die. It is mind boggling that people refuse to wear a mask. It is such a nominal sacrifice (not even a sacrifice) and others have referenced how it impacted Japan.
I saw a Joe Rogan podcast where he was called out for saying people who wear a mask are wimps. I like his show but this attitude is killing people.
=What I don’t agree with is all the hysteria about the numbers increasing in some areas=
I have not seen any “hysteria”, I have seen reporting but nothing like hysteria. I suspect that some folks think any mention of something they don’t like is hysteria.
- Graybeard - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:54 am:
Very happy to see “all employees who can work from home should continue doing so”. I hope this includes all State employees at the JRTC, etc.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 11:59 am:
=== contact just briefly isnt a concern===
Yep. Viral load is what you have to watch out for.
- Annonin' - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 12:04 pm:
Are we turnin’ on the video poker and openin’ the OTBs and casino or are Bluhm & CD doin ok on-line and want to starve others.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 12:23 pm:
==Has the Governor sent a notice to all State employees that a mask must be worn when in State buildings==
SOS has, with the only exception of being in your office with no one around. And you have temps taken upon coming in for the day. Plus social distancing measures including some staff being moved to different desk areas.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 12:24 pm:
I used to enjoy Joe Rogan.
- Chatham Resident - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 12:31 pm:
==AFSCME needs a louder voice here. They need to make sure that if a state employee is able to work from home successfully — that employee should remain at home.
Bringing in folks … just because — is crazy. And risky.==
In the case of the Schaumburg facility employee, since no one (Not a single person) is represented by AFSCME at SOS, it would have to be SEIU 73 that would have to make their voices louder on this matter.
And yet not a peep about the Schaumburg situation on either SEIU 73’s website or their Facebook page.
- Groundhog Day - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 12:45 pm:
It is certainly true that wearing masks while outside has been left optional. But my point is that the countries that have contained COVID without dire close downs have done it with masks all the time. One study demonstrated that even wearing masks in the home decreased transmission among people living together.
We can have almost regular lives, with masks, or head towards the next peak without them.
- Lurker - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 12:48 pm:
Regarding below, unfortunately they are being counter-productive because not all are treated fairly. So they want more at work so those at work are not harmed by lesser treatment. I’m glad management is fighting them on this one.
** AFSCME needs a louder voice here. They need to make sure that if a state employee is able to work from home successfully — that employee should remain at home.
- Teddy Salad - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 1:01 pm:
Chatham Resident- SOS is leading the way, but we have yet to see the Governor follow. He mandated it for everybody, but no enforcement in State Building is troubling.
- jabes - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
I find myself walking down the street in Chicago toward, behind or beside people who are not wearing masks. That means that I have to do quite a bit of slowing down, speeding up, stepping up a driveway or going into the street to stay 6 feet away from them, because they sure aren’t going out of their way to stay 6 feet away from me. Just wear the masks, folks, even if you’re outside (I see lots of folks running and biking in the middle of the street with no masks — that doesn’t bother me; it’s the people just going about their day without masks that I’m having to avoid).
- Hieronymus - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 2:45 pm:
“@- jabes - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
I find myself walking down the street in Chicago toward, behind or beside people who are not wearing masks. That means that I have to do quite a bit of slowing down, speeding up, stepping up a driveway or going into the street to stay 6 feet away from them, because they sure aren’t going out of their way to stay 6 feet away from me. Just wear the masks, folks, even if you’re outside (I see lots of folks running and biking in the middle of the street with no masks — that doesn’t bother me; it’s the people just going about their day without masks that I’m having to avoid).”.
Exactly (banned punctuation). For this exact reason my family try to avoid any public place where there will be other people potentially near us.
Just way too many that won’t wear their masks, indoors or out.
For us, it’s necessary medical appts., grocery, pharmacy and carryout only. Everything else is curbside pickup or home delivery.
For sanity’s sake, we take a drive or two per week for an hour or so.
- Flapdoodle - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
Each week I spend time in two west central Illinois towns, one about 11K and the other about 18K, plus slipping into Springfield for groceries. In the smaller town there’s actually more mask wearing, pretty close to 80% in retail establishments except gas/convenience stores where it’s below 50 per cent. Larger town seeing slow but steady decrease in mask wearing. Few people wearing them anywhere when outside. Also slowly decreasing in the grocery store, including some employees making only token efforts.
Frankly, we’re soft as marshmallows anymore — people more worried about their wallets or feeling cooped up than they are about other folks’ health. It’s not that hard, but apparently we can’t do it.
- PorkSteak - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 3:51 pm:
* Few people wearing them anywhere when outside. *
Because its ridiculous, especially in a smaller town with no foot traffic to speak of. As soon as I’m out the door, mine is off.
- MyTwoCents - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 6:50 pm:
The marketing should actually be pretty simple, if you want the economy to recover, wear a mask. But when the head of the Republican Party refuses to be a leader this is what happens. Can you only imagine if the leaders of both parties were united in taking on COVID, how much better off we would be?
- thoughts matter - Monday, Jun 22, 20 @ 9:42 pm:
I wear my mask when I am inside a public place and when I am around others in the parking lot Etc. I don’t wear it when I am at a good distance from others. At work, we wear them when we are not in our own cubicle. So others coming to my cubicle have theirs on.
It’s not pleasant to wear them so long during the day, but I do understand it.