Question of the day
Monday, Apr 26, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Zach Roth with the State Journal-Register…
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday that Illinois could enter the long-awaited bridge phase within five or six days, depending on whether current trends continue through the week. […]
“(The numbers) have been coming down gradually, which is terrific,” Pritzker said. “We have a period of time that we wait — I think it’s five or six more days of decline — which will allow us to move into the bridge phase and then onto Phase 5.”
Illinois has already vaccinated over 70% of people age 65 and older, along with more than half of the overall adult population. However, because hospitalizations were increasing as the state hit the vaccination benchmarks, the move into the bridge phase was delayed.
Metrics are here. Bridge mitigations are here.
* The Question: Will anything change for you if the state moves into the “Bridge” phase?
- Random Chicago Person - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:15 pm:
It depends, Chicago has their own mitigation plan, and there have been no announcements if their plan will mirror the state’s plan. If they update it to allow for more than 50 people per room then we might be able open to have slightly larger events where I work, but other than that, not much would change.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:19 pm:
Not much. No significant changes until this thing is beaten down further. When Illinois gets to 75-80% fully vaccinated, I will relax a bit more. When the country gets to 75-80%, even more…when the planet gets to 75-80%…even more.
I’m not sure easing up is the right course yet…the virus is out there and there are plenty of potential carriers. Every time we ease up, we see a surge. With plenty of open appointments at my (downstate) county vaccine clinic and less than 30% fully vaccinated, I remain very concerned.
Maybe we need to get out some ads talking about how the vaccine-resistant Republicans are locking in their minority position by insisting on infection over vaccination. (Perhaps “leaked” audio from a discussion between Dem leaders.)
- Cool Papa Bell - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:21 pm:
No. My precautions are my own.
Also, from what I can tell places are pretty much open and operating how they want too. Some places distance - others choose not too. It seems like we have been in the “Bridge” phase since the state reopened after the pause in March.
- Wensicia - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:27 pm:
No, not until it’s official that we’ve achieved herd immunity.
- Responsa - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:29 pm:
Possibly. Outdoor venues and event limits as percentage of capacity are raised considerably to attendees in Bridge. This may allow more events to profitably open or be scheduled. Our family would likely selectively participate in some of them. Ravinia for instance, and farmers’ markets immediately come to mind.
- AC - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:31 pm:
Not much will change for me, until we start to see the case rates that Israel currently is seeing. That took vaccinating about 55% of the total population.
- OneMan - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:32 pm:
There is a particular venue/bar in Chicago that when it opens (it isn’t right now) I am there. Hopefully, that will happen when we hit the bridge.
- DuPage Moderate - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:36 pm:
No. I have been living my life normally ever since my family got vaccinated and will continue to do so.
- Simple Simon - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:38 pm:
Not until the kids can get vaccinated. Hopefully soon.
- Responsa - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:41 pm:
Just as an aside, and for what it’s worth–four people from Illinois who are close personal friends were fully vaccinated while wintering or visiting in other states–two in Seattle and two in Phoenix. This made me realize that I doubt Illinois has a real good handle on how many of our residents may actually be vaccinated.
- harp5339 - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 3:58 pm:
I don’t think much will change for me until the mask mandate is lifted. Trying to do normal things in a “new normal” way is just kind of disturbing and I would rather stay home (I’m not a real social butterfly to begin with). For instance my son wanted to go bowling last weekend so we went with the masks and everything, and it was too weird for me.
- SSL - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:03 pm:
Unlike the onset of the pandemic I think coming out of it will be gradual for me. Maybe outdoor dining at responsible restaurants as the weather allows. I’m in no hurry to be in close quarters with large crowds.
- AD - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:08 pm:
We have a baby in our family. We’ll be social with people we know are vaccinated and possibly go out for outdoor dining, but limited in other things we can do with the vaccination rates tapering off.
- Perrid - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
I am an incredibly introverted person, I just don’t interact with others or leave the house much. BUT, I’m probably going to be going to restaurants, just because, for a while. I don’t remember the last time I sat down to eat somewhere by myself, but I kinda feel like I just need to be around people a bit more. A year of working from home is a bit more alone time than even I would like.
- Lefty Lefty - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:19 pm:
I went to a birthday party over the weekend - about 30 people with many of us outside and everyone that we spoke with having been vaccinated. (Not a young crowd.) It was both invigorating and nerve-wracking.
That’s about all I’m going to feel comfortable doing. Lots of outdoor fun to be had in the midwest. It’s very clear that significant spreading is from indoor group activities. No thank you.
- Jocko - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:23 pm:
I don’t see myself going south of I-80 anytime in the near future and, if they persist with the “But muh rights (exclamation point)” stuff, maybe ever…which is a shame.
- A Jack - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:27 pm:
I may have to find a different job if the current one forces me to be continuously at their office.
- JDuc - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:32 pm:
Nope. Things are actually “good” right now. Kids are back to school and playing sports full time. Been in the office the whole time anyway. Traveled by plane, next trip in a month. Already back in the gym for the last month. Actually ate indoors for the first time this weekend in 13 months ( That won’t be happening much though - was a test of sorts). If a movie worth seeing comes out I’d go to the theater ( as long as everyone is masked). So it’s all good to go in the new “normal” !
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 4:33 pm:
Thankfully I picked up a great new skill of cooking excellent meals.
What will be the issue making me change my behaviors going forward has been watching local health departments for the past year show themselves to be utterly useless for the past 12 months.
It’s not the virus that has changed my behaviors. It’s the way it has exposed the flaws in our county health system, and their refusal to make the needed changes to fix these departments.
I wouldn’t trust my local health department to sell prepackaged gummi worms now. I’m certainly not going to be relying on them to properly inspect and license restaurants.
- SOIL M - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 5:16 pm:
Probably wont change much. Possibly do some things in IL after that, which I am currently doing in either KY or MO, and have been for quite some time. Do have a trip in a couple months to the mountains of GA, but will take it no matter what is open here.
- Amalia - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 5:29 pm:
maybe outside. but, then again, I read a piece from a doctor that said the virus can travel 60 feet in the air. I’m vaccinated, but I don’t want to transmit to others who are not, and I don’t want to risk getting some variant than can get past my vaccinated state. find fun masks until then.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 6:03 pm:
Once I’m two weeks past my second shot, the next milestone that will matter to me is the reopening of the Hideout.
And that’ll probably be a while.
– MrJM
- Anon - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 6:28 pm:
I’m already lying to people who want me to do a road trip with them I don’t want to do.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 8:36 pm:
Show caution where there is no need for audacity or benefit from audacity.
I’ve adopted a wait and see posture.
- ChicagoBars - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 8:47 pm:
“No, not until it’s official that we’ve achieved herd immunity.”
Serious question - How’s that supposed to work? Can’t easily imagine CDC or IDPH or CPHD going “Nailed it. Good job herd. We’re all good as of Friday.”
- Odysseus - Monday, Apr 26, 21 @ 9:47 pm:
“Will anything change for you if the state moves into the “Bridge” phase?”
Nope. I live alone, and most of my job can be done remotely. Onsite 1-2 days a week like I am now.
Of the people I see most often, my brother and his fiancé and my nephew are not yet vaccinated. Mom Is. So until at least a few more shots get delivered, contact with family is limited.