Today’s SJ-R story about the new House Rules included coverage on Democrats calling out Republicans over their similar 1990s rules. Hopefully depth and context may be returning to newspapers?
- Essential State Employee - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:05 am:
=Today’s SJ-R story about the new House Rules included coverage on Democrats calling out Republicans over their similar 1990s rules. Hopefully depth and context may be returning to newspapers?=
Maybe a new reporter has been hired (is that 4 on staff)?
Unless he’s decided to totally retire, unless I’ve missed it I’m surprised the Illinois Times hasn’t picked up Bernie to move his column there. Or perhaps his own blog (with a link or shared article on here). (Unless IT is also subject to any non-compete clauses).
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:32 am:
I got my first vaccine shot yesterday. Frankly I was a little worried about it.
With all the problems people seem to be having, I really appreciate the program at the Rush Medical Center on Harrison. My Doctor filled me in and I got an email about signing up on the hospital’s My Chart system. It was easy to pick a date and time. When I got to the hospital the Doctors, Nurses and Support Staff were incredibly well organized and actually friendly in spite of the pressure they have been under during this pandemic. I was in and out in about 20 minutes.
I have heard other friends comment on the care they have received in our state. We are lucky to have the caliber of professionalism and commitment to care of our Illinois health care workers.
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:43 am:
Does anyone know if State Representative Dan Didech has received his Covid 19 vaccine?
This is an interesting statistic. About half of all police officers in Kane County municipalities opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine, a board member said last week.
This is for JS Mill. I’d like your thoughts on Special Needs cluster students returning to class. Many, mainly autistic students, have not been keeping their masks on for long periods of the day. In addition, Down’s Syndrome students are at high righ of severe complications from covid-19 due to medican conditions ancillary to Downs, such as Asthma and heart problems. Why would their return be pushed to the beginning of the line? This seems like a mistake to me. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
That would be ancillary conditions…not sure what spell check was thinking there. Sorry.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:58 am:
“About half of all police officers in Kane County municipalities opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine”
I read that those who vaccinate would still have to wear masks and do other mitigation measures to protect the unvaccinated, as they can get a mild version of COVID and transmit it to those without protection, who could get a terrible illness. At some point would the vaccinated get tired of covering for the unvaccinated?
An important and not well understood part of the vaccination story. Much has been made of the first round of vaccines for medical personnel ending up in the arms of white people on the north side and not people of color on the south and west sides, despite the fact black and brown people are equally represented in medical jobs. CNN did a story on the high level of vax reluctance at Roseland Hospital among it predominantly black staff, but I haven’t seen any local reporting on this.
=I’d like your thoughts on Special Needs cluster students returning to class=
As a general rule of thumb it is advisable to prioritize special needs students return to in-person instruction. We started with a hybrid model but allowed our special needs students to attend every day on a voluntary basis.
The caveat to that was our medically fragile students including our students with Down’s Syndrome. Some parents opted to keep their students home. Consultation with the families medical caregivers is essential. We know students with Down’s Syndrome are at higher risk for a number of illnesses absent a pandemic. An illness like covid that attacks the the pulmonary system and is contracted through the respiratory system seems like it would create more significant risks for these students.
Prioritizing our special needs students is definitely the right thing to do, but we did not try to force the return of students, we provided options and offered some limited homebound services.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:27 am:
==Much has been made of the first round of vaccines for medical personnel ending up in the arms of white people on the north side==
This is one anecdote, but my wife works for one of the major hospital groups at a location on the north side and only about 50% of nurses at that location opted to get the vaccine. The hospital had the extra doses and had to get them out before they expired. Given the location, most of those would’ve gone to the people you describe.
==At some point would the vaccinated get tired of covering for the unvaccinated?==
Probably, right? I’ll wager the Venn diagram of people who refuse to wear masks and people who refuse to get vaccines has some pretty major overlap. I personally won’t feel any sympathy for those in the middle if they get it and a year from now, I sincerely doubt my vaccinated self will be wearing a mask to protect them.
=At some point would the vaccinated get tired of covering for the unvaccinated?=
Of course. Throughout the course of the pandemic our efforts have been hampered by people who act like petulant children encouraged by political leaders and opportunists. Why would we expect that to change?
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:53 am:
JS, great thoughts on special needs students. As parents of special needs child, Down’s Syndrome, my wife and I have been torn on what to do.
Our daughter’s day program was shut down in early March, her social skills and quality of life have really been impacted by the lack of having a day program. Thankfully, our local Park District has picked up the slack and is providing a limited program for after school special needs care and care for young adults.
This is why I have zero tolerance for football coaches and parents crying about not having football. Everyone has and continues to be impacted by COVID, not just football programs.
==About half of all police officers in Kane County municipalities opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine==
To go from the greatest generation storming Normandy Beach and going out of their way to get the Polio vaccine to this. To see how far we’ve fallen.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 10:44 am:
The reluctance is also why Phase 1A and 1B moved faster than first thought. If you actually only have to jab about half of the people in a group then you can move much faster.
It’s also a massive problem for viral changes and escapes of mutated strains. I am really wondering what parts of this state will now look like next October and November.
==Prioritizing our special needs students is definitely the right thing to do,==
Good for you and your district. This crew should’ve been in instruction the entire time. They need it.
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:21 pm:
Although I’m high-risk, I’m willing to wait for my shot(s), since I do not work, am not at-risk as badly as first responders and essential workers around people all day, and limit my public exposure time and places. I knew The Greatest Generation, and am willing to make a far smaller sacrifice that others can go forward. This whiny, me-first, safe-space, anti-science #feelingsbeforereality America is nauseating anymore. We had a real emergency, and failed miserably overall because so-many alleged “fellow citizens” simply couldn’t handle reality and science. If you are first responder or essential, please take the shot(s) when you can. At least some of us are willing to wait, but not forever.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:00 am:
Today’s SJ-R story about the new House Rules included coverage on Democrats calling out Republicans over their similar 1990s rules. Hopefully depth and context may be returning to newspapers?
- Essential State Employee - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:05 am:
=Today’s SJ-R story about the new House Rules included coverage on Democrats calling out Republicans over their similar 1990s rules. Hopefully depth and context may be returning to newspapers?=
Maybe a new reporter has been hired (is that 4 on staff)?
Unless he’s decided to totally retire, unless I’ve missed it I’m surprised the Illinois Times hasn’t picked up Bernie to move his column there. Or perhaps his own blog (with a link or shared article on here). (Unless IT is also subject to any non-compete clauses).
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:32 am:
I got my first vaccine shot yesterday. Frankly I was a little worried about it.
With all the problems people seem to be having, I really appreciate the program at the Rush Medical Center on Harrison. My Doctor filled me in and I got an email about signing up on the hospital’s My Chart system. It was easy to pick a date and time. When I got to the hospital the Doctors, Nurses and Support Staff were incredibly well organized and actually friendly in spite of the pressure they have been under during this pandemic. I was in and out in about 20 minutes.
I have heard other friends comment on the care they have received in our state. We are lucky to have the caliber of professionalism and commitment to care of our Illinois health care workers.
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:43 am:
Does anyone know if State Representative Dan Didech has received his Covid 19 vaccine?
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:47 am:
This is an interesting statistic. About half of all police officers in Kane County municipalities opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine, a board member said last week.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:56 am:
This is for JS Mill. I’d like your thoughts on Special Needs cluster students returning to class. Many, mainly autistic students, have not been keeping their masks on for long periods of the day. In addition, Down’s Syndrome students are at high righ of severe complications from covid-19 due to medican conditions ancillary to Downs, such as Asthma and heart problems. Why would their return be pushed to the beginning of the line? This seems like a mistake to me. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:57 am:
That would be ancillary conditions…not sure what spell check was thinking there. Sorry.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 8:58 am:
“About half of all police officers in Kane County municipalities opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine”
I read that those who vaccinate would still have to wear masks and do other mitigation measures to protect the unvaccinated, as they can get a mild version of COVID and transmit it to those without protection, who could get a terrible illness. At some point would the vaccinated get tired of covering for the unvaccinated?
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:16 am:
“Will the Bears trade for Carson Wentz?”
If Ryan Pace is who I think he is, yes.
- Roman - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:16 am:
== opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine ==
An important and not well understood part of the vaccination story. Much has been made of the first round of vaccines for medical personnel ending up in the arms of white people on the north side and not people of color on the south and west sides, despite the fact black and brown people are equally represented in medical jobs. CNN did a story on the high level of vax reluctance at Roseland Hospital among it predominantly black staff, but I haven’t seen any local reporting on this.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:17 am:
At some point would the vaccinated get tired of covering for the unvaccinated?
Too bad.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:19 am:
opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine,
Classic “Cheaters game”. Let others take the risk, and after a while if nothing bad seems to be happening, then you can do so.
If enough people get vaccinated, you can feel like you dont have to.
I really think by summer/early fall there will be a steady stream of people going to their doctor to get the vaccine, after they feel comfy it’s safe.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:21 am:
=I’d like your thoughts on Special Needs cluster students returning to class=
As a general rule of thumb it is advisable to prioritize special needs students return to in-person instruction. We started with a hybrid model but allowed our special needs students to attend every day on a voluntary basis.
The caveat to that was our medically fragile students including our students with Down’s Syndrome. Some parents opted to keep their students home. Consultation with the families medical caregivers is essential. We know students with Down’s Syndrome are at higher risk for a number of illnesses absent a pandemic. An illness like covid that attacks the the pulmonary system and is contracted through the respiratory system seems like it would create more significant risks for these students.
Prioritizing our special needs students is definitely the right thing to do, but we did not try to force the return of students, we provided options and offered some limited homebound services.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:27 am:
==Much has been made of the first round of vaccines for medical personnel ending up in the arms of white people on the north side==
This is one anecdote, but my wife works for one of the major hospital groups at a location on the north side and only about 50% of nurses at that location opted to get the vaccine. The hospital had the extra doses and had to get them out before they expired. Given the location, most of those would’ve gone to the people you describe.
==At some point would the vaccinated get tired of covering for the unvaccinated?==
Probably, right? I’ll wager the Venn diagram of people who refuse to wear masks and people who refuse to get vaccines has some pretty major overlap. I personally won’t feel any sympathy for those in the middle if they get it and a year from now, I sincerely doubt my vaccinated self will be wearing a mask to protect them.
- Pundent - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:37 am:
=At some point would the vaccinated get tired of covering for the unvaccinated?=
Of course. Throughout the course of the pandemic our efforts have been hampered by people who act like petulant children encouraged by political leaders and opportunists. Why would we expect that to change?
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:53 am:
JS, great thoughts on special needs students. As parents of special needs child, Down’s Syndrome, my wife and I have been torn on what to do.
Our daughter’s day program was shut down in early March, her social skills and quality of life have really been impacted by the lack of having a day program. Thankfully, our local Park District has picked up the slack and is providing a limited program for after school special needs care and care for young adults.
This is why I have zero tolerance for football coaches and parents crying about not having football. Everyone has and continues to be impacted by COVID, not just football programs.
- Jocko - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 9:59 am:
==About half of all police officers in Kane County municipalities opted not to take the coronavirus vaccine==
To go from the greatest generation storming Normandy Beach and going out of their way to get the Polio vaccine to this. To see how far we’ve fallen.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 10:44 am:
The reluctance is also why Phase 1A and 1B moved faster than first thought. If you actually only have to jab about half of the people in a group then you can move much faster.
It’s also a massive problem for viral changes and escapes of mutated strains. I am really wondering what parts of this state will now look like next October and November.
- A Guy - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:28 am:
==Prioritizing our special needs students is definitely the right thing to do,==
Good for you and your district. This crew should’ve been in instruction the entire time. They need it.
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:21 pm:
Although I’m high-risk, I’m willing to wait for my shot(s), since I do not work, am not at-risk as badly as first responders and essential workers around people all day, and limit my public exposure time and places. I knew The Greatest Generation, and am willing to make a far smaller sacrifice that others can go forward. This whiny, me-first, safe-space, anti-science #feelingsbeforereality America is nauseating anymore. We had a real emergency, and failed miserably overall because so-many alleged “fellow citizens” simply couldn’t handle reality and science. If you are first responder or essential, please take the shot(s) when you can. At least some of us are willing to wait, but not forever.