* I’ll cover the governor’s press conferences over the weekend, but I’m going to try and limit other coverage because… whew. Nobody told me there’d be days like these…
* Press release. Sorry about formatting. On deadline trying to finish my newspaper column…
Following the advice of leading public health experts around the globe, Governor JB Pritzker announced today has signed a statewide stay at home order, aiming to keep new cases of COVID-19 from rapidly increasing and ensure the state’s health care system remains fully operational to treat patients in need of urgent care.
The order takes effect 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020. In addition to the stay at home provisions, it also orders all local government units across the state to halt all evictions and bans gatherings of more than 10 people.
“We are doing all that we can to maintain as much normalcy as possible while taking the steps we must to protect our residents,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I fully recognize that in some cases I am choosing between saving people’s lives and saving their livelihoods. But ultimately, you can’t have a livelihood without a life. This will not last forever, but it’s what we must do to support the people on the front lines of this fight, and the people most vulnerable to its consequences.”
“This action underscores the seriousness of the situation and reinforces what many people all across Illinois are already doing to protect themselves, their neighbors and the community at large,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Please, take this seriously, stay inside, limit your travel and be responsible for not just your own health, but everyone else’s, too.”
“During these unprecedented times, it is important we do what we can to prevent the spread of this virus. Simply staying home and following these best practices will help ensure our families, our neighborhoods and our communities remain safe,” said Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). “It is also important that we not panic. Essential businesses and services will remain open and available. We will get through this if we all work together.”
“I commend Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot’s leadership, and join them in urging people to adhere to this ‘stay at home’ order to help flatten the curve and ultimately save lives,” said House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago). “We should all rest assured that we will continue to have regular access to groceries, medication, gas and other essential services. We will get through this together by following the advice of experts and giving doctors, nurses and first responders a chance to fight this disease. I want to extend my full gratitude to the frontline medical personnel working hard to save lives. By adhering to this order and following best medical advice, we can stand with them in this fight.”
“This is a critical time for our state and our nation, and we must take any and all steps, including the governor’s action today, to reduce the number of those affected by this virus so that we can return to our normal way of life as quickly as possible,” said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R- Western Springs)
“Every action we’ve taken so far is based on the latest science and data from health officials as we combat the dynamic spread of COVID-19, and this is no exception,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “This decision was not an easy one, but Governor Pritzker’s order for Illinois residents to stay at home is the right thing to do to ensure we are protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents. We strongly encourage our residents to follow the guidelines and ensure the safety of their neighbors as we work to confront this crisis together.”
THE SCIENCE
Over the last several months, the Governor has consulted with medical experts, epidemiologists, mathematicians and modelers to understand the progression of COVID-19 and the measures needed to keep Illinoisans safe.
The administration has looked closely at the trajectory of coronavirus in countries like Italy and China. It is clear that left unchecked, cases in Illinois will rise rapidly and mirror the consequences experienced by other countries. Hospital systems would be overwhelmed, protective equipment would become scarce, and there would not be enough health care workers, hospital beds, or ventilators for the influx of sick patients.
In consulting with these experts, it is clear the most effective strategy available to Illinois is mitigation. That means limiting the increase in cases to ensure our healthcare system has capacity to treat those who become ill. The most aggressive form of this strategy is a stay at home order, which the administration is now implementing.
STAY AT HOME ORDER
All first responders, emergency management personnel, law enforcement personnel, health care workers and others working to support Essential Businesses and Essential Government Functions like grocery stores and pharmacies are exempt from this stay at home order.
The governor’s action today formalizes his calls this week for Illinoisans to stay home as much as possible, aside from meeting their basic needs. In that regard, the stay at home order permits a range of activities that will allow Illinoisans to get their necessities while maintaining social distance from others, which include but are not limited to:
Essential Activities:
For health and safety: seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication or visiting a health care professional
For necessary supplies and services: obtaining groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
For outdoor activity: walking, hiking, running or biking – including going to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas, except for playgrounds
For certain types of work: Providing essential products and services at Essential Businesses or Operations or otherwise carrying out activities specifically permitted in the order, including Minimum Basic Operations
To take care of others: Caring for or transporting a family member, friend or pet in another household
Essential Government Functions:
All services provided by state and local governments needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public
This Executive Order does not apply to the United States government
Essential Businesses and Operations:
Healthcare and Public Health Operations: Working at or obtaining services from hospitals; clinics; dental offices; pharmacies; public health entities; healthcare manufacturers and suppliers; blood banks; medical cannabis facilities; reproductive health care providers; eye care centers; home healthcare services providers; mental health and substance use providers; ancillary healthcare services — including veterinary care and excluding fitness and exercise gyms, spas, salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, and similar facilities
Human Services Operations: any provider funded by DHS, DCFS or Medicaid; long-term care facilities; home-based and residential settings for adults, seniors, children, and/or people with disabilities or mental illness; transitional facilities; field offices for food, cash assistance, medical coverage, child care, vocational services or rehabilitation services; developmental centers; adoption agencies; businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services and other necessities of life for needy individuals — excluding day care centers, day care homes, group day care homes and day care centers licensed as specified in Section 12(s) of the order
Essential Infrastructure:
Working in food production, distribution and sale; construction; building management and maintenance; airport operations; operation and maintenance of utilities, including water, sewer, and gas; electrical; distribution centers; oil and biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid waste and recycling collection and removal; and internet, video, and telecommunications systems
Stores that sell groceries and medicine
Food, beverage and cannabis production and agriculture
Organizations that provide charitable and social services
Media
Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation
Financial institutions
Hardware and supply stores
Critical trades, includingplumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers that maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses and Operations
Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery and pick-up services
Educational institutions, for purposes of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions
Laundry services
Restaurants for consumption off-premises
Supplies to work from home
Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations
Transportation, for purposes of Essential Travel
Home-based care and services
Residential facilities and shelters
Professional services
Day care centers for employees exempted by this Executive Order
Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries
Critical labor union functions
Hotels and motels, to the extent used for lodging and delivery or carry-out food services
Funeral services
All non-essential business and operations must cease, aside from Minimum Basic Operations. Business can continue with employees working from home. Minimum Basic Operations includes the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of inventory, preserve plant and equipment condition, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits and facilitate employees working remotely.
The order also closes licensed child care centers and all childcare homes serving more than six children. The Pritzker administration is working to expand the availability of child care for essential workers, while protecting the health of the children and child care teachers and home providers. A new Emergency Child Care Center license is being created with more flexibility but much smaller group sizes to ensure social distancing for children in care.
Only essential travel is permitted at this time and must be done in accordance with social distancing requirements. That includes travel related to:
Performing Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses and Operations or Minimum Basic Operations
Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable persons
Receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services from an educational institution
Returning to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction
Following the direction of law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement
Returning to a place of residence outside the State for non-residents
In addition to halting evictions statewide, the Governor is directing additional resources to organizations across the state to serve those experiencing homelessness.
For those whose residence is or becomes an unsafe place, please call the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-863-6338.
Finally, the Governor encourages Illinoisans to come together during this time of crisis and reminds the public that this is not a virus tied to a specific ethnic group or race. Suggesting otherwise – or engaging in acts of racism against a specific community – runs counter to our values.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE SICK
Every Illinoisan plays a role in ensuring our health care system remains fully operational to treat patients in need of urgent care.
If you are experiencing symptoms of any illness, including COVID-19, the first thing you should do is:
Call a health care provider, like your primary care physician or a health clinic. But please, do not walk directly into an emergency room or a doctor’s office.
A health care provider will ask about your symptoms and potential exposures. If they think you need medical care, they will help arrange medical treatment without putting others at risk of exposure.
If you meet certain criteria, you may be tested for COVID-19, but as testing expands, those with severe illness and those at higher risk of complications are being prioritized.
People whose symptoms are mild — which will be most people — will be able to isolate at home during their illness, and they should follow the directives of their health care providers.
* Gov. JB Pritzker started today by expressing condolences for the latest Illinois death. He then talked about all the experts he has consulted on the pandemic…
Well, they’ve come back to me with one inescapable conclusion. To avoid the loss of potentially 10s of thousands of lives, we must enact an immediate stay at home order for the state of Illinois. So that is the action that I’m announcing today.
We have looked closely at the trajectory of this virus in countries like Italy and China left unchecked cases in Illinois will rise rapidly. Hospitalization systems will be overwhelmed protective equipment will become scarce, and we will not have enough healthcare workers or hospital beds or ventilators for the overwhelming influx of sick patients. The only strategy available to us to limit the increase in cases and ensure our healthcare system has capacity to treat those who become ill, is to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus in the most robust manner possible.
I don’t come to this decision easily. I fully recognize that in some cases, I am choosing between saving people’s lives and saving people’s livelihoods. But ultimately you can’t have a livelihood. If you don’t have your life.
Of all the obligations that weigh on me as governor. This is the greatest. If there are actions that I can take that will save lives in the midst of this pandemic. No matter how difficult, I have an obligation to take these actions.
Therefore, starting tomorrow evening Saturday, March 21 at 5pm, until the end of April 7, all our residents will be subject to a stay at home order, there is a great deal of misunderstanding about what a stay at home order means. So I want to clarify it for everybody.
Here’s what will stay the same.
You’ll still be able to leave your house to go to the grocery store to get food, you’ll still be able to visit a pharmacy go to a medical office or hospital or to gas up your car at a gas station, you’ll still be able to go running and hiking and walk your dog. Many, many people will still go to work for the vast majority of you already taking precautions, your lives will not change very much.
There is absolutely no need to rush out to a grocery store or gas station on Sunday and Monday and Tuesday and every day thereafter, those will be available to you.
Agriculture and the press, veterinarians and plumbers, laundromats and banks, roadsm bridges and transit. The fundamental building blocks that keep our society safe and steady will not be closing down.
You can still pick up dinner from your local restaurant, pick up your prescriptions and just spend time with your family. We are doing all that we can to maintain as much normalcy as possible while taking the steps that we must to protect you.
That brings me to what will change all non essential businesses must stop operating. If you can work from home and aren’t already doing so, now is the time when you must. The heroes of this moment are healthcare workers, first responders, law enforcement officers and the individuals and organizations like the Illinois AFL CIO and other workers who keep our grocery stores and pharmacies running cannot stay home. We need you.
This executive order is fundamentally about the rest of us. And what we can do to support the people on the front lines of this fight, and the people most vulnerable to its consequences. We know this will be hard. And we’re looking at every tool that we have to help you through this crisis. For our essential workers we’re going to make sure you have safe daycare, to take care of your children, while you do the critical work to save us and to keep us safe.
* Evictions…
To those that we are asking to stay home, we’re ordering municipalities across the state to halt all evictions. We need our local leaders to help ensure our families do not lose their homes. I’m also directing additional resources to organizations across the state to serve those experiencing homelessness, for our students, your school district will continue to provide you with meals, and we will back them up in this.
* Schools…
I wish I could stand up here and tell you when your schools will safely reopen. But that is not an answer that I have at this time we’re postponing our tentative reopening date statewide until April 8 and we’ll continue to update you with new information as we have it.
* Enforcement…
To be honest, we don’t have the resources, the capacity or the desire to police every individual’s behavior enforcement comes in many forms and our first and best option is to rely on Illinoisans to be good members of their communities and good citizens, working together to keep each other safe.
I’ve instructed law enforcement to monitor for violations and take action when necessary, but that is not an option that anyone prefers.
* The future…
The easy thing to say today is that soon, everything will go back to the way it was. But I want to be honest with you about that too. We don’t know yet all the steps, we’re going to have to take to get this virus under control.
* Mayor Lori Lightfoot…
So many Chicagoans have already heeded our calls to stay home and are practicing social distancing. And for those residents, today’s announcement won’t drastically change the day to day changes you’ve already taken. But while many have listened, some have not. It’s clear that the time is now for us to be very definitive in telling people that you must stay home and the governor explained what this order is and what it requires from each of us.
And I want to say to be clear, this is not a lockdown or martial law.
As the governor said and I want to reiterate, Chicago’s grocery stores pharmacies and clinics will remain open. And there’s absolutely no need to change your normal purchasing patterns. What I mean is, do not take this direction as a reason to run to the stores, buy everything inside and hoard vital supplies. Please, the grocery stores will remain open and stocked, so be mindful of your neighbors, and do not hoard supplies. Hospitals, will continue to treat patients, the city’s essential services will not cease. The CTA will run, airports will be open and your garbage will be collected.
* Lightfoot to close parks and libraries…
I also want to announce it in light of this order, we will be closing fully Chicago parks and libraries for the duration of this order. Some of these facilities may be repurposed to help support some other essential services by third parties, but effective tomorrow at 5pm, all city parks and libraries will be closed.
* Press release…
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered a statewide Shelter-in-Place amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:
“Governor Pritzker’s shelter-in-place order is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19. This pandemic will continue to disrupt our daily lives, but it is more important than ever for all Illinoisans to follow official health and safety guidance, practice social distancing, and do everything in their power to avoid infecting themselves and others in their community. Our actions today will save lives tomorrow.”
* Today’s updated graph…
* On to questions for the governor. He explained the consequences for violating the order…
We’re calling on people to use their best judgment to follow the guidance that we’re giving them. We’re, of course, authorizing that the members of law enforcement, if they see somebody who’s maybe violating this order, they would go talk to them and ask them not to. And then if the people who are violating the rule refuse to comply, a police officer could get a cease and desist order they’d have to go get one at a court to do that. And then finally in a, you know, in the last resort really, you know. There is the kind of reckless conduct misdemeanor that someone could be charged with, but look we anticipate that people will follow this order.
Mayor Lightfoot said “We’re going to educate people into compliance.”
* Rumors about martial law, etc…
There have been a lot of rumors circulating around that are completely inaccurate, rumors that there’s martial law that’s going to be imposed, that we’ve called out the Guard or the military somehow to impose their will upon the state of Illinois.
Those are all false and I want people to take a deep breath, people who have heard these rumors. Remember, in addition to people who just like to forward rumors around on Twitter or on Facebook, there is also, I hate to tell you, an effort by the Chinese government and the Russian government to feed into that paranoia, that people have about what’s going on the COVID-19 challenge.
* Childcare…
We are working very hard to provide childcare, especially for essential workers. We want to make sure that we’re standing up. Remember, we don’t want to put too many children or childcare workers in the same room together in the same facility. So we’re actually working to provide the right size, small sizes of perhaps a half a dozen children.
* What about the 225 juveniles held in detention…
Department of Juvenile Justice in the state, we do not have very many kids who are in those facilities in general, it’s a little over 200 as was suggested. And then we are making sure to maintain social distancing in those facilities, and you know where we can we’re certainly going to look at the possibility of those kids being allowed to return home, but most importantly we want them to have shelter we want them to be safe and healthy. We’re going to work very hard to make that make sure that that happens
* State prisoners…
Wwe know that there’s a risk as there is anywhere where you might put a lot of people together that there would be an infection. And so we’re working very hard to make sure there are areas for segregating people who may get the flu or get a cold or some other condition that you know if COVID 19 was something that might infect them there wouldn’t be a comorbidity as they call it. And so we’re working hard in our prisons to make sure that happens. And as I mentioned at the point in an earlier, press conference, we’re also looking at the possibility of people with nonviolent offenses, who have served much of their time that the possibility of alleviating some of the burden in the Department of Corrections by allowing them to be paroled with a lot of conditions associated with that.
* You’ve said this order is until April 7th, but how do you know it might go longer than that…
I think you’ve seen that we’ve had to work quickly act, with haste, based upon the information that we’re given guidance by the CDC, what the experts are telling us. So I’m not going to tell you, as I said earlier, I’m not going to tell you that I know that the end of April 7 is ultimately the end date.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 163 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including the death of a Cook County woman in her 70s. Three additional counties are now reporting cases; Adams, Christian, and McLean counties.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 585 cases in 25 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in ages 3 to 99. Cases by county can be found on the IDPH website, as well as a list of local health departments who will have the most up-to-date information.
As the number of COVID-19 cases being reported continues to rise significantly each day, the State of Illinois is working to increase testing capacity by working with Illinois hospitals to implement testing within their facilities.
Additionally, the State is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens to set up drive-thru testing sites in the hardest hit areas of the state.
These facilities will focus on senior citizens, first responders, and health care workers.
Hospital capacity is another area we are focusing on by identifying resources and ways to increase our bed capacity in Illinois to treat those who contract the novel coronavirus. The State has been working with other jurisdictions and businesses to re-open recently closed hospitals. We are currently doing assessments at four hospitals in Illinois to determine the current condition of the facility, medical resources available, staffing levels, and what else is needed to open these facilities in order to provide medical care for individuals with COVID-19.
We are finalizing these plans now and hope to announce more in the coming days.
Goldman Sachs economists on Friday forecast an unprecedented 24% decline in second quarter gross domestic product, following a 6% decline in the first quarter, based on the economy’s sudden and historic shutdown as the country responds to the coronavirus pandemic.
The economists then expect a bounce back of 12% in the third quarter and 10% in the fourth quarter, but unemployment will surge to 9%. They also expect GDP to contract by 3.8% for the full year on an annual average basis, and 3.1% on a fourth quarter over fourth quarter basis.
Just five days ago, Goldman economists had expected the economy to trough with a decline of 5% in the second quarter after a flat first quarter. They had expected a resurgence in the second half and full year growth of 0.4%.
Using Goldman Sachs’ original forecast and finding a middle ground between it and two forecasts from Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan, the Economic Policy Institute projected 206,648 lost jobs in Illinois alone.
Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan predicted a 14 percent GDP decline. The middle point used by the EPI was somewhere around 10 percent. Goldman Sachs is now at 24 percent. The new middle point between those two is now a 19 percent contraction. So, maybe double that originally projected 206.6K Illinois job loss?
The latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has Illinois employment at 6.19 million with a 3.5 percent unemployment rate.
[Comments are now closed because we have a fresh thread. Click here.]
*** UPDATE *** The Tribune’s decision to publish the story without waiting to see what the order would do has created a lot of unnecessary panic.
If you click here, you’ll see the Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce issued yesterday by the Department of Homeland Security.
I asked the governor’s press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh if the stay at home order would be based on that list of businesses, industries, etc. Her reply…
We may have identified more, but our definition encompasses everyone listed in CISA.
* I’ve been hearing this all morning from reputable sources, but figured I’d wait to see if the governor actually announced it at 3. It’s sounded to me like he and his staff are calling around preparing people for an announcement. Dan Petrella, Gregory Pratt, Stacy St. Clair and Jamie Munks at the Tribune…
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to issue a “shelter-in-place” order for the entire state starting Saturday, essentially commanding residents to stay in their homes as the officials take drastic measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, sources told the Tribune.
Pritzker is expected to announce the directive at a 3 p.m. Friday news conference along with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Details are still being worked out, sources said.
Residents can still go to the grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside and make pharmacy runs. All local roads, including the interstate highways and tollways, will remain open to traffic, as well.
I work from home and because the restaurants and bars were closed, my life won’t change much at all. But that’s just me. Others will be impacted. But I encourage all of you to take a deep breath, not assume the worst and wait to read the full order before you jump to any conclusions.
Most of these state and local orders so far have contained a ton of exemptions (click here for a good explainer about San Francisco’s order). Again, try to stay calm.
Also, the Tribune headline used the word “lockdown.” That’s not what’s happening here, I’m told.
A source familiar with the plan tells WBEZ that Pritzker’s order will detail essential and nonessential work and workers. The order will call for the closure of salons, retail stores and recreational places, such as bowling alleys.
But essential employees — such as manufacturing workers — will still be allowed to report to work, so the supply chain can keep running. Other essential workers include grocery store workers, first responders, news reporters and food delivery workers.
Grocery stores, banks, doctors’ offices, gasoline stations and at-home food delivery services will remain open.
Piatt County Board Chairman Ray Spencer was issued a warrant for his arrest Monday after being indicted by a Piatt County grand jury on four charges: two counts of official misconduct and two counts of forgery, all Class 3 felonies.
While the number of counties affected by COVID-19 increases across the state, Piatt County board chairman Ray Spencer has blocked his county’s ability to purchase additional health and cleaning supplies, according to a legal complaint filed against the county board.
Piatt County State’s Attorney Dana Rhoades filed the complaint on Thursday, requesting that the court vacate directives from Spencer to the county’s Emergency Management Agency director, Mike Holmes, that, among other things, have blocked the purchase of gear mandated by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and barred the agency from communicating with news media.
Following budget talks that spanned weeks and drew protests from taxpayers late last year, Piatt County board members approved a budget that underfunded the county’s EMA department, allotting a full-time department only part-time funding.
On March 14, according to the complaint, Spencer directed Holmes that “whatever COVID-19 supplies were needed, the Director must stay within his part-time 2020 operational budget.” […]
Additionally, plans to implement a county-wide, emergency mass notification system were halted due to a lack of funding, despite repeated requests to the board to fund a system that exists in counties that border Piatt.
Because that notification system wasn’t implemented within the county, the EMA “must rely upon the news media outlets and social media outlets to inform the public of emergency information and situations,” per the complaint, which noted Spencer has barred the EMA from doing exactly that.
California’s 40 million residents should stay home indefinitely and venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday, warning that the coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the state’s medical system.
The move, the most sweeping by any state so far, was an exclamation point at the end of a week of increasingly aggressive moves meant to keep the virus in check by forcing people to stay away from each other as often as possible.
“I can assure you home isolation is not my preferred choice, I know it’s not yours, but it’s a necessary one,” Newsom said at an evening news conference streamed on social media.
He assured residents that they “can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog.” Restaurant meals can still be delivered to homes.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered nonessential businesses to keep 100% of their workforce at home and put in place stringent new restrictions on New Yorkers starting Sunday as the state grapples with the worst coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.
“When I talk about the most drastic action we can take, this is the most drastic action we can take,” Cuomo said at a press conference in Albany on Friday. Cases across the state surged by 2,950 overnight to 7,102, he said. “This is not life as usual. Accept it. Realize it and deal with it.” […]
When in public, individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet, he said. Businesses that provide essential services, like grocery stores, pharmacies and banks, must implement rules that ensure employees and customers maintain at least six feet of space between each other, according to a slide presented at the press conference. Individuals should also limit use of public transit only if it’s absolutely necessary. Individuals will also need to limit outdoor activities, avoiding ones where they come into close contact with other people. […]
Mayor de Blasio said Thursday there’s been “an explosion of cases here in New York City,” including an inmate at Rikers Island. Cases in NYC jumped by 1,939 overnight to 4,408, Cuomo said Friday. The number of cases is surging as the state ramps up its testing capability and detects previously unknown infections. “This number is, nonetheless, very, very painful,” de Blasio said Thursday when the case count was significantly lower.
Illinois expects to have 3,400 new cases of COVID-19 a week from now if the virus continues to spread at its current pace, WBEZ has learned.
If 20% of cases are severe, about 650 more infected people would need to be hospitalized, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
If the state’s projections hold, Illinois would see an eight-fold increase in the number of people who test positive for the new coronavirus in the next week. As of Thursday, there were 422 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois. Four people have died, and public health officials have repeatedly warned that residents should expect those numbers to increase.
In an email, a state public health department spokesperson told WBEZ the estimated figures are based on the trajectory of cases this week continuing.
To further prevent the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation issued on March 9, 2020, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced the closure of all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas, and historic sites as well as the cancellation of upcoming scheduled events.
Subscribers know where I stand on this and I’ll leave it at that.
* From the National Recreation and Park Association…
Concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak continue to grip our nation. As organizations that support the power of parks and open spaces as essential resources for health and wellness, we understand that people may have questions and concerns about visiting their local parks, trails or open spaces at this time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has flagged mental health as a top concern associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. We recognize that social distancing may take a toll on our mental health, especially during high-stress and anxiety-producing global public health emergencies. We also know that parks provide a connection to the outdoors and green space as well as opportunities for physical activity which studies demonstrate reduces stress and improves mental health.
We believe that many parks, trails and open spaces can continue to be used in a safe manner that allows people to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits these spaces provide. In all instances, we recommend people follow local, state and national ordinances and guidelines regarding the use of these spaces and recognize that these vary from community to community.
In places where there are no restrictions on the use of local parks, trails and open spaces, we encourage all users to follow these recommendations:
* Refrain from using parks or trails if they are exhibiting symptoms.
* Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails.
* Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains.
* While on trails, warn other users of their presence and as they pass, and step aside to let others pass.
* Follow CDC guidance on the recommended size of social gatherings including outdoor picnicking, pick-up sports and other group hangouts, and maintain proper physical distance at all times.
* Observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or depart that space.
* Consult their local and state ordinances and guidelines for the most up to date recommendations on park and trail use.
We encourage local jurisdictions to keep parks, trails and open spaces accessible as long as it is safe to do so.
Our local parks, trails and open spaces have always served as places where people can find respite and seek peace and restoration. During this time of uncertainty, these places are needed now more than ever. Our nation’s park and recreation professionals are working hard to maintain these spaces and keep them safe, accessible and benefiting our communities during these challenging times. Let us all do our part to use them in a way that respects each other and public health guidance.
* The Question: Should the governor re-open state parks, trails, fish and wildlife and recreation areas? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
Illinois health officials tell WGN Investigates that as of Wednesday morning: 825 of the state’s 1,764 intensive care unit beds are available but only 374 of the 1,467 ventilators in Illinois are currently unused.
State health officials are concerned about a shortage. They have told people who think they may have the virus but who have no other underlying condition or complication that they should simply stay home and recover. […]
Illinois has 1,467 ventilators statewide. There’s also a national emergency supply but experts fear it’s not adequate.
“We have a specific number of ventilators in the stockpile,” Vice President Mike Pence said. “It’s in excess of 10,000 and you just heard the announcement from the Department of Defense that they’ll be adding several more thousand to that.”
* As we discussed yesterday, the Illinois Hospital Association has issued an urgent plea for PPE donations…
As you may be aware, Illinois hospitals and health systems are facing a critical shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as they care for increasing numbers of patients with COVID-19. Yesterday, the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois nearly doubled to 288. We anticipate that the number of cases will increase dramatically in the coming days and weeks, exhausting all the PPE at hospitals, including gowns, gloves, eye shields and, especially, medical masks (specifically, standard surgical masks and N95s, which have NIOSH or FDA approval, including expired N95s).
PPE is critical to protecting our frontline healthcare workforce from infection when testing and treating patients for COVID-19, keeping our dedicated physicians, nurses, technicians and others in our hospitals where they are needed most.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s new guidelines for optimizing a limited supply of face masks have been criticized by some health care providers.
In addition to suggesting that workers use expired face masks or wear the same mask to treat multiple patients, the CDC recommends using a bandana or scarf “as a last resort” in settings where supplies are not available. The guidelines note that “caution should be exercised when considering this option.”
It’s like we’re a Third World country or something.
* The governor talked yesterday about reopening some shuttered hospitals. Illinois has been going through a reduction in hospital beds the past several years, including this one…
To help provide additional medical services during the spread of COVID-19, State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is calling on Gov. Pritzker to reopen Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park. […]
Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park permanently closed last year shortly after the hospital was purchased by Pipeline Health. Weeks after the out-of-state corporation assumed ownership, Pipeline announced plans to close Westlake. Welch was an outspoken advocate in the fight to keep the health care facility open before it ultimately closed in August. Now, Welch is urging Gov. Pritzker to reopen the closed hospital in order to expand access to necessary health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Meanwhile, this is from Paul E. Pedersen, MD, the President of the Illinois State Medical Society…
The Illinois State Medical Society applauds Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order requiring health insurer coverage of telehealth services. We reached out to his office yesterday with the Illinois Health and Hospital Association seeking action to require that health insurers cover virtual patient encounters. We are facing unprecedented disruptions to healthcare delivery and his decisive action will save lives.
We echo Governor Pritzker’s call for physicians to sign up for the State of Illinois Rapid Electronic Notification System (SIREN) to receive urgent COVID-19 alerts. Health professionals can learn how to sign up for this Illinois Department of Public Health program by visiting www.isms.org/COVID-19
* AFT…
The nation’s second largest nurses’ union, the AFT, is calling on employers and the federal government to provide coronavirus tests for all U.S. healthcare workers, alongside access to universal testing for all Americans. And they are seeking emergency protection and supplies to slow the growth of the dangerous pandemic.
Hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak are yet to be tested, despite reports of waves of infections. Nurses lack the basic resources and supplies they need to help patients and do their job safely—including N95 respirators, patient care beds, and childcare for their children. Many have resorted to making their own masks as the CDC recommends wearing “bandanas” and “scarves” to ward off the threat. Healthcare workers are experiencing enormous stress and fear as they scramble to respond.
With nursing homes now on the front lines to contain the coronavirus pandemic, federal inspection records show Illinois’ facilities have been among the worst in the nation for an important measure of patient protection: following rules to contain infections.
An analysis by the Tribune raises new concerns about how well the homes can protect more than 80,000 residents under their care. While the industry has stressed its beefed-up response to screen for and contain any spread, advocates for residents worry about an industry that has sometimes struggled to properly care for residents — even before the emergence of a pandemic that particularly endangers older, more frail residents.
“This is an extraordinary circumstance,” said AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo. “And judging by the track record we’ve seen before, compliance needs to be ensured.”
The Tribune analysis studied federal inspection data on infection control for facilities certified by Medicare and Medicaid, representing the vast majority of nursing homes. The analysis found that 89% of Illinois homes — 642 of 723 — have been cited at least once since 2016 for violating infection control regulations. Only two states, Michigan and California, fared worse, and just barely.
President Trump recently announced that drive-thru testing would be available in parking lots at retail stores. Nearly one week later, drugstore chains like Walgreens are still working to finalize the details of such an endeavor.
At least two of Detroit’s three automakers are studying the feasibility of producing vital medical equipment, such as ventilators, as the nation tries to combat the coronavirus pandemic, echoing the industry’s conversion to building tanks, trucks and planes during World War II.
After announcing they both will temporarily suspend production amid coronavirus concerns, General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. confirmed Wednesday that they have been in contact with governments in the United States and United Kingdom about evaluating ways to produce the ventilators experts say doctors are expected to need to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients.
* This video was passed around all over the place yesterday (it was even posted in comments here this morning before I deleted it). But notice the date when it was first posted on Facebook: February 19th…
😳😲😥 look what the freight just brought in..
Posted by Alex Hampton on Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Many, many thanks to SEIU Local 1 Communications Director Izabela Miltko-Ivkovich for tracking that down. I got so tired of receiving it yesterday that I started scolding everyone who sent it to me. The only thing that was forwarded to me more than that has been that stupidly ubiquitous Blagojevich meme. Please, stop sending that to me. Many thanks.
* The online uproar got so intense that the Illinois National Guard had to take to Twitter…
The Illinois National Guard IS NOT moving Chicago to enforce a quarantine. The train moving military equipment is not moving National Guard vehicles. We have 60 troops activated for COVID-19. Most are medical. The military moves vehicles all the time. Relax, folks!
I am hearing on this group that ISP has shut down background checks.
* Illinois State Police…
The Firearms Services Bureau is still working diligently to process Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program submissions as quickly as possible. We have experienced a high volume of requests recently and are working to process these requests as efficiently as possible. Please remember not to calculate weekends and holidays when determining an approximate date for response. Temporary fluctuations in staffing made in response to COVID-19 may temporarily result in fluctuations in processing times, but FTIP submissions and processing have not stopped and continue in earnest. ISP also is rolling out telework capabilities as quickly as possible to increase efficiency in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you for your patience as we work to respond in as timely a manner as this emergency situation allows.
* This trailer was parked outside of Sycamore and some locals were freaking out…
Explanation…
* My all-time “favorite” however, is this, which was sent to a legislator who forwarded it on to me so I could mock it…
Some folks actually believe that black people, either by genetics or some favor of God, cannot catch the coronavirus. Or if black people do get it, they are more likely to fully recover from it than other racial or ethnic groups. […]
Here’s the truth, according to the World Health Organization: Anybody can contract the coronavirus. People over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing a severe case of illness, and the highest death rate is in people over 80. But anyone who suffers from chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes or asthma is likely to get very sick or die.
Black people rank at or near the top of just about every one of these conditions. That places them among the most vulnerable groups for which the virus could be fatal.
More than 64,000 Illinoisans filed unemployment benefit claims with the Illinois Department of Employment Security between Monday and Wednesday as the initial damage caused by the spread of the Coronavirus on the state’s economy emerged.
The municipal market was imploding in real time as it sold off by at least half a percentage point across the curve and Lipper reported more than $12 billion of outflows — simply more sellers than buyers amid a chaotic reaction to the COVID-19 virus.
The municipal market also completely decoupled from U.S. Treasuries in a major sell off that had the one-year muni yielding well over 2% on Thursday as the rest of the curve was up by more than 50 basis points across AAA benchmarks.
One-year munis currently yield more than 30-year U.S. Treasuries, which landed at 1.77%.
This sell off is fund outflow-driven and there were massive bid lists out on Thursday morning and the relative ratios of municipals to corporates and Treasuries are historic.
Lipper reported a whopping $12.214 billion of outflows from municipal bond funds. Out of that huge number, $5.3 billion of outflows were from high-yield bond funds. The $12 billion figure of outflows in one week equates to about 3% of annual municipal volume.
* Jason Grotto, Shruti Singh and Noah Buhayar at Bloomberg…
It’s a bitter irony: As state and local governments struggle to blunt the new coronavirus outbreak, the most effective weapons hammer their fiscal health.
Social distancing has already begun to crater their revenue, even as emergency expenses, pension costs and other long-term liabilities are poised to surge. The market has priced in the impact of the slump, leading to the worst muni-bond rout since 1984 and prompting desperate calls for federal support.
The U.S. government has begun sending billions to states to offset the cost of combating the virus, but additional pressures are likely to build in coming weeks and months as revenue declines, unemployment spikes and business activity slows. […]
Few states face a crisis as deep as Illinois, which has more than $7 billion in unpaid bills, about $137 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and only $1.2 million in reserves. Just over a week into the pandemic, initial jobless claims in Illinois jumped more than 10-fold compared with the same period last year. […]
“Illinois and Chicago were ill-positioned for a crisis before all this started,” said Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a Chicago-based independent, nonpartisan research organization. “The only way you can get out of this is a massive federal stimulus for state and local governments.”
Congress is considering authorizing the Federal Reserve to purchase municipal bonds as one of the ways to support local and state efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic.
A memo circulated Wednesday by House Financial Service Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., suggests that the next wave of federal legislation authorize the Fed to support state, territory, and local debt issuance in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Waters memo also suggests a blanket waiver for state or local governments to provide a local contribution as a requirement for receiving certain federal grants. […]
Americans for Financial Reform, a coalition of organized labor and liberal advocacy groups, has recommended that Congress mandate the Fed to purchase municipal debt to help state and local efforts to fight the epidemic and related economic fallout.
Marcus Stanley, policy director at Americans for Financial Reform, wrote in an op-ed for Bloomberg, pointing out that the Fed has used its authority in the past to help banks and even foreign governments.
The Federal Reserve capped off an unprecedented week of action Friday by extending a lifeline to cash-strapped state and local governments that are about to borrow large sums as they deal with skyrocketing costs from coronavirus safety measures. […]
The Fed will make loans available to financial institutions that can be secured by “high quality” state and local bonds. This will make owning these tax-exempt municipal bonds more attractive and should help ensure there is plenty of demand for these bonds as many states and cities begin to issue more debt in the coming weeks and months.
