The week of Governor’s Day and Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair is always packed with political events. And this year was no exception. It’s impossible to attend them all, so one has to pick and choose and go with the flow.
After Governor’s Day at the fairgrounds ended on Wednesday, Aug. 17, I worked for a bit in my air-conditioned pickup truck and then headed downtown to House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s event at a popular tavern. The ceiling fans were on full blast, it wasn’t wall-to-wall people, so I stayed for a bit and then decided I should head home to let my dog Oscar out before returning to the fairgrounds to meet friends. And since Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy’s event was on my route home, I figured I’d stop by to see who was there.
Tracy has a huge, gorgeous home on a big plot of land by Lake Springfield, but it was so hot that day that his event was held indoors.
Those weren’t my first indoor State Fair events. Senate President Harmon’s caucus held a party downtown Tuesday that was both indoors and outdoors, but the party inside wasn’t crowded by the time I got there, doors were open for ventilation and at least some folks were wearing masks. I spent most of the time outside, but popped in for a few minutes to briefly chat with a couple of people for a story I was working on. I attended another event later that night inside and ended up having dinner with several (vaccinated and very pleasant) people on the premises.
Wednesday’s Republican event on the lake was mostly confined to a large room packed with people, including some (like GOP gubernatorial candidates Darren Bailey and Gary Rabine) who have publicly said they aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19. There were no ceiling fans, the doors were closed and the air conditioner was having real trouble keeping up. It was hot and close. And nobody, of course, was wearing masks.
I didn’t stay longer than 15 or 20 minutes. I talked to a few people about potential stories, said hello to others like Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie, then left. I called a close friend on my way home to say that I’d probably just made a mistake. I’m fully, vaccinated, but if I was going to get one of those “breakthrough” cases, that was going to be the place.
On Friday of that week, Leader McConchie, who is also fully vaccinated, announced that he had a mild breakthrough case. I received a text message later that evening from someone else who was at the lake party at the same time as me to tell me he had been exposed to the virus. He suggested that I get tested.
I never developed symptoms beyond a mild sore throat that I often get at the state fair because of dust, pollen and various, um, activities. I took a rapid test on Saturday and it came up negative. Those tests can have high false negatives, so I got a PCR test at Walgreen’s Sunday and was told the results could take as long as 3 to 5 business days. On Tuesday, tired of waiting, I took one of those University of Illinois saliva tests.
That may sound like overkill, and at times I thought I was paranoid, especially since I’m vaxed and probably won’t get very sick even if I do catch the virus. But I wanted to make extra sure that I was not at all contagious ahead of this week’s special legislative session to deal with redistricting and possibly a major bill on energy policy. If I couldn’t go, I needed to know as soon as possible so I could make other plans.
To be clear, I don’t blame Don Tracy or anyone else for being exposed. Not even one iota. I chose to walk into every one of those indoor events. That’s on me.
The State Fair is such an integral part of our state’s political culture that I think many of us desperately wanted to latch on to some sort of normalcy last week after a year and a half of nothingness. But this clearly ain’t over — though Illinois is doing much better than the southern states — and many of us should’ve known better.
My story has a happy ending, by the way. Three tests, three negative results. Bring on the special session. But lesson learned.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 9:19 am:
This virus doesn’t do nuance, it sure doesn’t give mulligans.
Batten down the hatches, people. The anti-vaxers have gifted us another round.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 9:25 am:
The virus unfortunately does not care if we are bored, or miss dancing with our BFFs or beers with the guys.
For all of the complaints about how tough parenting has been, we should not forget how hard it is to be single, alone in your home every day.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:05 am:
Glad you’re okay, Rich. That crowded, hot, maskless room is a perfect environment for COVID to spread. Vaccination is judgment slip-up insurance, so when that happens we can be as protected as possible from the worst sickness.
“various, um, activities”
Was on I-55 in Springfield recently and happened to notice a dispensary on the side of the highway with a very inviting sign.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:09 am:
===happened to notice a dispensary===
Now why would you assume I meant that? lol
- lake county democrat - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:09 am:
You may not blame him for being exposed, but there’s a very good chance somebody at that event may have exposed someone who didn’t have a choice (e.g., they caught COVID, thus becoming contagious, and then went to a store where masks were not required or a mandate was not enforced - remember that unless one is wearing a N95/KN95/KF94/respirator-type mask, there’s only limited protection for the wearer, but robust protection if everyone is masked). I think the distinction between the event itself and the overall behavior is limited.
- Carlos Danger - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:20 am:
[This person has been banned for sock puppetry.]
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:24 am:
And a pleasant morning to you too Carlos.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:26 am:
Carlos, I don’t think Miller is submitting it to JAMA for publication.
- Norseman - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:38 am:
Caveat emptor versus caveat venditor. I would blame Tracy. He’s going with the flow of the GOP and its rejection of pandemic mitigation efforts.
- thunderspirit - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:40 am:
I will admit I’m not as cautious as I was before my household was inoculated.
That said, some of the people with whom I work have children under 12 who can’t get the vaccine, so when the CDC changed guidance for fully vaccinated people I resumed wearing a mask at work in an effort to try and protect those folks.
- Lurker - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:54 am:
I too have had a sore throat since attending the fair. But since that is the only symptom and I always get that symptom, no need for a covid test.
Glad you were negative.
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:58 am:
Blame Tracy for holding the event the way he did? Yes Blame him for Rich being exposed? No Personal accountability cannot be ignored.
- Back to the Future - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 10:59 am:
Read the story on Sunday and it really got me thinking how careful we need to be.
I was out at a fair a few weeks ago and only saw 3 folks with masks on. It was outside, but I still wore a mask. I know a mask can help prevent me from passing along the virus if I have it.
Even though I got the shots, the article has me thinking I should get tested again. Thanks for the insight.
- Amalia - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 11:32 am:
Happy you are ok. this column is very instructive about a proactive approach to health in these times. Vaccinated but checking. I’m sure that you taught plenty of people exactly how to be responsible. thank you.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 11:51 am:
This is really some great context and it’s all very raw to the honesty of it all;
=== To be clear, I don’t blame Don Tracy or anyone else for being exposed. Not even one iota. I chose to walk into every one of those indoor events. That’s on me.
The State Fair is such an integral part of our state’s political culture that I think many of us desperately wanted to latch on to some sort of normalcy last week after a year and a half of nothingness. But this clearly ain’t over — though Illinois is doing much better than the southern states — and many of us should’ve known better.===
Myself, I’ve had to go places I’d rather not, while also going to places I love to go. In both instances, the same level of risk, the same possibility of infection, the same factors are at play. It’s tough. It’s tough mentally, at least for me, not that I’m worried to be infected, but what could I do to others if I don’t approach these days no different than the “beginning”… now with a vaccine in me, but all the same… vulnerable.
That snippet of Rich, yeah, I can relate to that. All of it.
Stay safe, all. It’s not over.
- Wensicia - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 1:16 pm:
It’s rather scary when surrounded by many people who may not be vaccinated and don’t wear masks properly. I work in a poorly ventalated high school with over 1500 students and our hallways are very crowded, up to 35 students per classroom.
I’m almost six months away from my second vaccination and I’m hoping to get a booster soon.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 3:59 pm:
It’s not a sin to want to return to our normal activities…Glad to hear you’re negative for infection.
It ain’t over ’till it’s over…trite but still true.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Aug 30, 21 @ 4:03 pm:
I use natural mint lozenges for dust, pollen… and hazy days.