Metro East fast approaching danger zone
Monday, Jul 20, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I started warning my subscribers about the Metro East last Tuesday after I checked into why the southern region was posting higher positivity rate numbers than anywhere else. Here’s WGN…
A region of Illinois counties outside St. Louis hit health officials’ “warning” number of days with an increase in the percent of coroanvirus tests which come back positive Monday, approaching the state’s “failsafe” level where reopening measures could be rolled back.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the “Metro East” region in southwest Illinois has seen an increase in test positivity rates for seven over the past 10 days, hitting the “warning” level outlined in the updated “Restore Illinois” plan.
Moreover, the region’s rate was at 7.1 percent as of July 17 and is approaching 8 percent, the point at which Governor JB Pritzker previously said reopening measures would likely be rolled back as part of a “failsafe” if cases exceed that level for three days.
The region includes Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties.
The state’s numbers are lagging behind by three days. We need updated numbers, for crying out loud.
Also, the state has issued no alerts about this Metro East problem that I’ve seen. Those folks are gonna be blindsided if the state has to take action. The local governments need to step in now and get their hotspots under control. Maybe people like the Monroe County sheriff can finally order his deputies to start enforcing counter-measures while he recovers from COVID-19.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 4:31 pm:
I have family in that area, and I am concerned. It’s a bad set of factors down there with 1) a sizable population; 2) with a significant percentage of people who adhere to the Darren Bailey warped view of “freedom,” and 3) significant interaction with the even more lax state of Missouri across the river. Sad to say I expected this.
- 1st Ward - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 4:34 pm:
The quandary comes with the Sheriff having “mild symptoms” per the article. If he is back to work in two weeks and says it wasn’t bad it fuels the “its a hoax” “its the flu” etc. crowd down there.
People don’t pay attention until their local hospital is getting overrun or they know someone who got it and died.
- Bob Loblaw - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 4:40 pm:
Madison County passed their own reopening guidelines to stick a thumb in Pritzker’s eye and it’s been mask off here ever since. Not sure what the locals could do at this point, or that we’d want them to. What we need, and always have needed is enforcement
- DownSouth - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 4:41 pm:
Titally agree that the state’s numbers laggin behind by 3 days is not acceptable at this point.
I do want to send out some kudos though to St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency - they are doing a super job of communicating with the public, communicating the risks, and have resumed their daily video live briefings after having gone to weekly for a few weeks. “Team St.Clair” is doing things right.
As for some of the other counties in region 4 - well there is room for improvement.
- Pyrman - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 4:49 pm:
Except for western Madison and St Clair counties the percentage of folks wearing masks in Region 4 is probably below 20% .
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
I doubt the sherif is taking his marching orders from a governor who garnered 33% of the county vote. Just sayin.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:02 pm:
=== I doubt the sherif is taking his marching orders from a governor who garnered 33% of the county vote. Just sayin.===
That’s not how an oath to an office predicated to following laws works.
I’m done with this thought. I have nothing to add to it.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:07 pm:
that sheriff probably took his oath on the same Bible as Madigan.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:10 pm:
Early on, I heard someone say, “America will never take this seriously until everybody has had a loved one die from it.”
I think about that a lot.
– MrJM
- Nagidam - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:16 pm:
The folks that wanted 11 regions got their wish. I think it was the right thing to do. They now have to live with the consequences of their non-actions to keep the spread of this virus mitigated. The question I have is what real powers will the Governor use to enforce a phase reversal should a phase reversal be warranted somewhere like metro east? Like an earlier comment, Madison County has had their own “plan” for some time now.
- DownSouth - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:25 pm:
Give this a look for a little insight to how things are approached in Monroe County.
https://www.republictimes.net/covid-cases-spike-in-county/
- Nitemayor - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:43 pm:
Bars and most restaurants not practicing social distancing or masks. Missouri visitors drive to Grafton (Jersey County) return down the Great River Road and stop in Alton (Fast Eddie’s and others) no masks,then return home. The new cases are mostly under 30.
- the Patriot - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:49 pm:
The reality is that people down state do not trust the Governor and are not willing to lose everything when the statistical risk of death for healthy people under 60 is no worse than the flu.
The Governor has no legal authority at this point or he would be enforcing his orders. He has failed to convince the people he is right. But in light of the fact we closed the state for 90 days and are not really any better off than MO who remained open sort of justifies lack of faith in his excellency.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:56 pm:
=== The Governor has no legal authority at this point or he would be enforcing his orders.===
… and yet the governor won cases with worship, as an example…
You keep saying the wrong things.
Covidiot sheriffs, as an example, you know, the utterly foolish Trumpkins who won’t wear masks too, they brag and say they won’t enforce, breaking their oaths… you know that, lol
=== He has failed to convince the people he is right.===
… and yet his polling approval is over 50% and a majority. You know that too, but spreading fake news is “your jam”
=== But in light of the fact we closed the state for 90 days and are not really any better off than MO who remained open sort of justifies lack of faith in his excellency.===
… and yet state after state keep rolling back.
I get it. You’re a quitter, like the president. Just quit in saving lives. Not a real way to seem at all smart, but as “a patriot” ya gotta own those libs, LOL
You know, Trump tweeted patriots wear masks. Check that ole tweeter.
Ya gonna be pro-mask now that POTUS says, lol
- swILL - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 5:59 pm:
At a Metro East Schnucks this weekend: 100% were wearing a mask.
- Pundent - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 7:26 pm:
=that sheriff probably took his oath on the same Bible as Madigan.=
What a ridiculous equivalence. No thinking person rationalizes behavior that puts lives at risk because a politician from another party is or may be corrupt. Did you consider the possibility that Madigan and the Monroe County Sheriff may find themselves on the wrong side of history for completely different reasons. Of course you didn’t.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 7:44 pm:
Quad Cities are next.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 8:42 pm:
Just maybe this sheriff will find himself on the right side of history.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 9:09 pm:
Serious question open to opinions. After Metro East, & then Quad Cities, where will the next “Illinois spillover from neighboring state” be? My $ is on Chicagoland’s Indiana border. While numerically smaller, perhaps Quincy? Please post.
- Morty - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 10:12 pm:
‘Just maybe this sheriff will find himself on the right side of history‘
I wouldn’t hold my breathe
- JS Mill - Monday, Jul 20, 20 @ 10:23 pm:
=Just maybe this sheriff will find himself on the right side of history =
Umm…he is already on the wrong side so actually, as impossible as it may seem, only Madigan has a shot. Probably not though.
- Just Wondering - Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 6:15 am:
I grew up in Madison/St.Clair County and have been surprised the stand the Madison County Board has took during this pandemic. One of their very first meetings they had the one and only Thomas DeVore there to tell them they didn’t have to adhere to the Governor’s orders. Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons was at the meeting questioning DeVore and the Chairman wouldn’t let him answer more than a couple questions. I can’t say I’m surprised by the increase down there. They follow right in step with Bailey and DeVore. The Mayors need to get things under control now.