* April 23, 2020…

Illinois residents will soon be required to cover their faces when in public spaces like grocery stores, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday.

The mandate is part of an amended statewide stay-at-home order, which begins May 1 and continues through the end of the month.

That widely covered order was, of course, extended with the next EO, and then the next, etc.

* August 7, 2020…

Gov. JB Pritzker has created new enforcement rules for mask wearing.

Pritzker said the statewide emergency order allows warnings and then fines of up to $2,500 against businesses and other organizations that do not ensure that people wear masks on the premises.

That much-noted rule was approved by JCAR, so it’s still on the books today.

* From yesterday’s news media Q&A with the governor…

Q: Are you considering a statewide mask mandate?… Is that a consideration?

*facepalm* *heavysigh* *screamatmycomputer*

For months as I’ve watched these media briefings I’ve been quietly repeating to myself a lesson I was taught growing up: “There’s no such thing as a stupid question.” But I think I’ve finally reached my limit on that.

Combine this with the ridiculously out of control COVID-19 problem in the town where I live, and I feel like I need to take some time off over Thanksgiving and socially distance on some beach somewhere before I wind up at the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes…

Whew. OK. I think I’m better now. Sorry you had to witness this. And I really do like that reporter. He usually does good work and probably just had an off day. We all make mistakes. And Springfield’s mayor does seem to finally be getting the message. We’ll see.

I’m still gonna do the socially distant beach-bum thing, though. And I have just the spot.