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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
The libertarian-leaning Illinois Policy Institute has tried reaching out more to Democratic legislators since Gov. Bruce Rauner lost his reelection bid. Rauner at one point was so close to the group that he fired several of his longtime staffers and replaced some of them with IPI staff, which did not work out well, to say the least.
The organization’s political wing has contributed money to more than a few legislative Democrats’ campaign funds in recent months, and they were able to introduce some bipartisan legislation last year and this year — although the spring session is now mostly a bust because, as I write this, the General Assembly has no set plans to return amid the pandemic.
An IPI staffer even posed for a picture with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and posted it on Twitter last year. “Looking forward to working with his administration,” the caption read. It’s been on a serious mission to change its image.
If you go to its website, you’ll see the IPI has devoted an entire section to empathetic interviews with small business owners about how they’re faring during the pandemic. They’re well-written, including one featuring the owner of a Chicago restaurant.
“In general, everyone is standing, waiting in the wings until we’re allowed to open back up regularly, which obviously no one knows when that’s going to be yet,” the owner was quoted as saying.
The organization claimed this week in a private Facebook group it runs that it wants the state to begin planning to reopen the economy and “give people visibility on what that might look like.”
But then it tipped its hand in the comment section.
“As an owner of 2 small businesses, one essential (radon mitigation), one a restaurant … nothing I can say will express the absolute disdain I have for this man or his policies,” a commenter complained about Pritzker.
A Policy Institute staffer replied to her comment asking if she would be open to speaking to a member of the IPI team. “We’ve been doing our best to give our community a voice on our site and pressure JB to reopen the state’s economy.”
Another commenter predicted that Pritzker “and his boss lori lightfoot will kill Illinois.” An IPI staffer replied with the same request to speak with her about her story. “We’ve been featuring small business owners on our site to try to pressure the governor to reopen the state’s economy.”
The IPI’s privately admitted agenda did not go over well with the governor’s press secretary, as you might imagine. She let it fly.
“COVID-19 has left a trail of devastation across the globe. There is no country, no city, no community that is immune,” wrote Jordan Abudayyeh. “Every day, we grieve with the families who have lost loved ones in this battle. And we yearn for the time when life can return to normal.”
“We usually ignore the Illinois Policy Institute’s institutionalized and reflexive partisanship, but in this time of crisis, we cannot afford to let this dangerous ideology go unanswered. We all want the economy to reopen — no one more than the Governor,” Abudayyeh continued. “But to suggest that should happen before the science says it is safe is not only foolish, it’s dangerous.
“In Illinois, more than 500 people have succumbed to the virus and more than 16,000 people have been sickened. Those numbers climb every single day and because of that fact, an overwhelming majority of Illinoisans are working together to flatten the curve. The IPI has lobbied for some atrocious policies in the past, but this time their efforts could mean the difference between life and death for many Illinoisans. They need to stop lying to people about what’s at stake in this crisis and own up to the public responsibility we all have to be committed to a truthful and honest conversation about our collective public health.”
Yikes.
A spokesperson for the IPI said they want the governor to establish “a process and timeline to safely and effectively open the economy, so we are not only protecting lives but also safeguarding livelihoods.”
But a timeline simply isn’t possible right now because literally nobody can say with certainty when this will all end.
The spokesperson went on to say that the governor’s refusal to discuss this is causing uncertainty, which is “making residents wary.”
Wary of what, he didn’t say.
“We will continue to tell their story,” he said. And continuing the pressure, no doubt.
I’m thinking there will be no more photo-ops with the governor.
* Meanwhile…
Morgan Stanley: “While we understand the desire for optimism, we also caution that the US outbreak is far from over. Recovering from this acute period in the outbreak is just the beginning and not the end. We believe the path to re-opening the economy is going to be long.” pic.twitter.com/dnrcTS89SV
— Robin Wigglesworth (@RobinWigg) April 12, 2020
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:32 am
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“But then it tipped its hand in the comment section.“
Don’t they know the harm that would be done to businesses if we open too soon and this pandemic grows exponentially again? Or is business really not their agenda, rather just anti-tax, anti-union policies?
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:41 am
=== A Policy Institute staffer replied to her comment asking if she would be open to speaking to a member of the IPI team. “We’ve been doing our best to give our community a voice on our site and pressure JB to reopen the state’s economy.”===
The IPI would rather hurt people, with illness or worse, so they can grift more money from the foolish.
The Illinois Policy Institute’s lone goal is to grift off wealthy folks as they turn a buck, so they the IPI and then be terribly ridiculous and wholly dishonest to any realities, political or otherwise.
Even when Bruce and Diana Rauner wanted to ruin Illinois for their own agenda, Bruce and Diana Rauner could only stomach the IPI folks for weeks, not months.
IPI is a disingenuous phony. Nothing about them has sympathy or empathy, but they have an agenda to keep them warm, as cold as they are to others.
Great read, Rich.
It’s terribly important to know who cares about the well-being of people, and who has a need to make money… at the cost of people’s lives.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:42 am
“They need to stop lying to people”
Yes. Yes they do.
Of course they won’t ever stop doing this as long as they exist. Lets finally realize this and treat them from here on out like the scorpion from the “Scorpion and the Frog” fable.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:42 am
Isn’t reopening the economy the mainstream narrative right now? Fauci, Biden and even Pritzker now all talking about it.
Comment by Tawk Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:45 am
Sorry to bypass the entire story in favor of the chart, but, it looks like we could have a solid 3 months of baseball with an 81 game schedule and playoffs if the virus plays out as predicted. I know my priorities are out of whack, but I miss the game.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:45 am
=== Fauci, Biden and even Pritzker now all talking about it.===
What are they saying? Cite please. Thanks.
Saying “they are talking about” means all kinds of things.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:46 am
===means all kinds of things===
Yes, it does, but count on people like that to twist every conceivable thing to their advantage.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:48 am
according to a doctor who worked on the pandemic for the Bush administration (and handed things off to the Obama administration which he says took things seriously) we are only in phase two of 4 phases with this pandemic. containment did not work, so now we are in mitigation and we will only get a treatment after 3-6 months when we started more containment. intensive contact tracing, isolation, and testing are necessary and another wave will return. once we get a vaccine (18 months) we contain again.that does not sound like back to business as usual right now. we have to function within the public health practices to contain the virus. Also this pushes us to phase 5, another pandemic. We have to learn now, with something that is not as deadly as what could come in the future.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:49 am
Some light Googling wouldn’t hurt y’know.
Fauci says ‘rolling reentry’ of US economy possible in May
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/local-news/fauci-says-rolling-reentry-of-us-economy-possible-in-may/
Joe Biden: My Plan to Safely Reopen America
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/opinion/joe-biden-coronavirus-reopen-america.html?fbclid=IwAR1rYNjO2QReyc352UpsAQc10AGzDZhIUbMWLIH1d075_Oi2VtYSWZjyFfA
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Sunday he’s talking to industry leaders and business associations about how to go about easing up on restrictions once Illinois is on a downward slope on the coronavirus curve.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2020/04/13/cautiously-optimistic-on-covid-19-daleys-dial-in-for-easter-demolition-prompts-call-for-probe-488882
Comment by Tawk Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:50 am
Tawk, talking about it or even starting to plan isn’t the same thing as reopening now or soon. But you will do what you will do of course.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:52 am
IPI - Infants Pretending Illicitly
These morons have no clout with mainstream R’s (formerly the Republican Party), let alone Democrats and the Administration.
Pretenders and wannabe’s posing as part of the process. Dangerously poor judgement while screaming at clouds.
Comment by Say What? Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:52 am
I am certain I have not studied enough economics to ever consider myself anything of an expert, but I have some real questions about a right wing organization that touts the kind of economic policies that rely on the market and decries any government regulation or intervention that isn’t just giving taxpayer dollars to private businesses, but I am really confused by this:
===a process and timeline to safely and effectively open the economy===
What on earth is that supposed to mean? I would assume the state just needs to establish a date where various business are able to operate as normal and the market would resume functioning and move towards equilibrium as per usual.
They’re a lobbying organization that is spinning a specific message and it’s not clear what they’re asking for — if they just want their supporters businesses to open up, or the customers of their billionaire backers to be able to open up, they should probably make that more clear.
Why is it that ever right wing organization suddenly starts advocating for a planned economy the moment there’s a down turn, but taxes are evil and oppressive things that should never be paid when we’re presented with the bill for that intervention?
This group is ridiculous and struggling for relevance so they can continue to justify their salaries to their backers.
I don’t even agree with them politically and I’d be able to deliver a better product than what they’re delivering for the budget they’re operating on. What. A. Joke. Some of these rich folks are just lucky witless whales.
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:54 am
==Isn’t reopening the economy the mainstream narrative right now?==
Yes.
Comment by Southwest Sider Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:54 am
I grew up with the adage to “save for a rainy day’. Now, it will be “save for the next pandemic”…….
Comment by Sayitaintso Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:54 am
Do the bright lights at IPI really think that an effective way to pressure JB is to highlight the gripes of MAGA hat wearing commenters on a Facebook page?
Comment by TominChicago Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:55 am
=== Some light Googling wouldn’t hurt y’know.===
Says the guy who wants the cite.
Let’s look at your thoughts;
Fauci?
The lede…
=== The United States’ top infectious disease expert said Sunday that the economy in parts of the country could have a “rolling reentry” as early as next month, provided health authorities can quickly identify and isolate people who will inevitably be infected with the coronavirus.===
“provided health authorities can quickly identify and isolate people who will inevitably be infected with the coronavirus.“
Hmm. That’s a big ask. It’s not like we are testing all needing testing *now*.
You skipped that.
Biden?
Two points;
=== “The plan has to start with responding effectively to the immediate medical crisis and ultimately lead to the widespread availability and administration of a vaccine. But we can’t stay home and just wait for the vaccine to arrive,” Biden wrote. “As others have noted, we need to build a bridge from here to there.”===
… and
=== “President Trump needs to use his full powers under the Defense Production Act to fight the disease with every tool at our disposal. He needs to get the federal response organized and stop making excuses. For more Americans to go back to their jobs, the president needs to do better at his job,” Biden wrote.===
That doesn’t sound very eminent.
The governor?
=== The biggest factor in returning the state to some normalcy and giving the economy a boost is to require widespread antibody testing to determine who has already had the virus and therefore is immune and can’t spread it further.
Why it matters: Scientists have said — and Pritzker has repeated — that antibody testing will help explain the extent of the coronavirus outbreak, which is essential in knowing how and when the economy can be revved up.===
Oh, they’re talking… talking about how fighting the virus first, and testing first, and containment first… leads to changes.
Prolly why you forgot the cites?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:58 am
It has been disheartening to see how many in corporate America view citizens as expendable, easily replaceable cogs in their machines. They don’t care anymore for small business owners than they do for workers. They only use small business as a cover to feign concern.
Whenever I see that Cadillac commercial telling me that they have my back, I know it’s not me they’re talking to.
I’m hoping when the devastation of this virus is behind us, the one thing the majority of Americans can take away from this is that people are more important than profits.
Comment by Lake County Mom Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:58 am
===an effective way to pressure JB is to highlight===
They were doing that in private. In public, they try to be more “reasonable.”
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:02 am
==nothing I can say will express the absolute disdain I have for this man or his policies,==
What exactly would this small business owner have liked the Governor to do. These people don’t care about people dying. They care about one thing and one thing only - money. As I’ve said a million times, the real character of people comes out in these situations and I’ve seen horrible character from far too many people during this time.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:04 am
Planning for how to open the economy should be done now. I don’t see crowds at sporting events or music festivals until there is a vaccine. Working from home will be the new normal.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:05 am
Rich. Very interesting read over the weekend on the study performed by the german scientists.
The question circulating around the Blue Dog zoom circuit over the weekend is this,” what will be the allowable amount of future deaths before consensus on an opening up of America? 1? 1000? 10,000?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:08 am
Nothing can be even close to normal until we have a widespread testing program with near-immediate results. Right now, that’s not happening, and there is little prospect of it being able to happen in very short term (say two months). Without that, we are blind. We do not know the real mortality rate, because we aren’t testing enough. We don’t know the real transmission rate because ditto. We don’t know the real recovery rate, the potential size of the immune community (if, indeed, there is immunity at all) or anything else that would provide the necessary data to a “safe and effective” reopening of the economy. And the testing fiasco is almost completely the federal government’s fault, starting with missteps by the CDC, but including the President’s disinterest in taking this seriously until it was too late, and including his current seeming lack of understanding of what widespread testing means and how to get it accomplished.
Comment by jdcolombo Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:09 am
== what will be the allowable amount of future deaths ==
What in the heck is wrong with you? You’ve really gone off the deep end as of late.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:11 am
=== what will be the allowable amount of future deaths before consensus on an opening up of America? 1? 1000? 10,000?===
Narrator: the United States, sadly, passed 22,000 deaths.
You’re ill-informed Zoomers are lacking.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:12 am
Dem. Seriously. Everyone has a number. Is yours zero?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:12 am
Fortunately for the good of the state, JB is far more intelligent than the typical IPI zealot and he and his top advisors aren’t going to fall for the IPI’s Three Stooges brand of “deep thinking”.
On a related note, I do wonder when the people and politicians of the greater Chicago area are going to grow tired of the many downstaters who are acting like petulant teenagers and who may one day be rudely reminded that parent Chicago is still supporting their children in the downstate rural areas…
Comment by former southerner Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:13 am
Ow. Future.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:13 am
=== Everyone has a number.===
… says the man who just finished Chemo.
Go back to bed. Start today over.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:14 am
I don’t know Blue but yourcallousness is really unbelievable as of late. You aren’t concerned about deaths. And that is just sad.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:15 am
Every credible scenario that addresses reopening the economy focuses on one critical task - testing. We can’t reopen the economy until we can do testing on a massive scale, period. The reason that stay at home orders exist is that testing is sorely lacking. Once you can perform routine testing we will be able to determine individuals who are disease carriers. Absent that what we’re experiencing right now will continue to be the current state. Simply stating that you want to “reopen the economy” without testing is meaningless. And if it does happen without testing we will have lost any progress made in fighting this over the last month.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:17 am
Noone wants to die. But is this the dirty little secret everyone avoids. Richs’ article this weekend begs the question that maybe covid19 is like HIV. Vaccines may not work. I hope that proves to be wrong. But we all know that we are going to open up the economy soon and the virus will still be around. Inherently when the curve flattens. That will still produce deaths.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:20 am
The IPI had an opportunity to make inroads with those less than far-right leaning, including the current administration, and decided to sabotage them?
Just a reminder to those who think they have a friend with this organization.
A back-stabber, by definition, has no loyalty.
Comment by efudd Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:21 am
All of the hand-wringing here isn’t a big surprise, but you have to at least consider the possibility of more people dying from a bad economy than the virus. Suicide, domestic violence, drugs and booze will all be on the rise. There will come a time when the at-risk population will have to protect themselves while others return to work. We are working to flatten the curve, not eliminate it.
Comment by Junior Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:23 am
=== Noone wants to die. But is this the dirty little secret everyone avoids.===
Friend, you just finished Chemo.
Your lacking here to grasp your own story as callous as you are… please… go back to bed, start your day over.
This is me showing so much restraint.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:23 am
=But we all know that we are going to open up the economy soon and the virus will still be around.=
So it sounds like you’re resolved to simply reopening the economy with no widespread testing. You want to pick a number? That’s Russian roulette. Do you think that businesses will widely reopen with the message to their employees and customers that a lot of you will die?
Testing is the bridge that gets you from where we are today to a (possible) vaccine. It’s well past time for the federal government and your leader to step up and address the problem and not opine on how many people should be allowed to die.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:25 am
=== that maybe covid19 is like HIV===
Not in transmission.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:26 am
“consensus on an opening up of America?“
That’s a key idea: consensus. Experts need to direct us in this crisis and not the gut feelings of a know-little president, “deep state” haters and economic death cults.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:28 am
Blue Dog Dem-
Of course, if they did open the economy too early, because “everyone has a number”, and it did cause a second wave of this pandemic, you definitely would not be here to criticize said decision.
Would you.
Comment by efudd Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:28 am
===We are working to flatten the curve===
That’s merely the first step. Second step is to bend it downward.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:37 am
The IPI…concern and outrage because some people are moving out of Illinois, and not so much if they are “checking out.”
Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:41 am
Blue Dog Dem, listen to OW. It’s for your own good.
Comment by Glengarry Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:50 am
Junior is correct. The object of this entire “shelter-in-place” order was to flatten the curve, not overwhelm the health system, and mitigate the rapid spread of this disease. It was not originally intended to stop the spread completely. We could be practical, wash hands and social distance, keep vulnerable people isolated, and still reopen businesses…especially in the more rural areas of the state. What makes sense for the more densely populated areas of the state doesn’t necessarily make sense for the entire state.
Comment by RuralKing Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:52 am
Fun reading all the comments of those who can make pronouncements with such authority. What we know about COVID19 is still dwarfed by what we don’t know. We are, thankfully, learning more each day. But if, as the most recent information suggests, vaccines may not work against it and that transmission is primarily airborne, humanity (not just IL) will have to learn to live with it. Fortunately it appears that the death rate is low for most populations. So we will need to understand why some minority groups are over-represented. We will need to determine how to best protect seniors and determine the best interventions methods when someone is infected. We will have to determine what is the proper level of ICU beds and equipment. Because we will have to re-open society and business. That’s not a maybe, that’s a when. Because if we don’t people will die and the probable outcomes are even worse.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:54 am
While IPI is playing nice openly, don’t forget their web of sub organizations is not. Proft and his little media empire have been hammering away at the need to reopen now.
Wirepoints has been saying it never should have closed and has accused the governor of hiding tye true numbers in order to prolong the shut-down for…reasons.
IPI and their minions have no trouble speaking out both sides of their mouths.
Comment by Morty Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:57 am
===…especially in the more rural areas of the state.===
… where medial help is already lacking before the pandemic, and will out outsiders be barred from these rural areas?
Let’s be very clear;
Wyoming was last… but all 50 states are now “federal disaster areas”. Every state.
That tells me there are no “safe areas”… because abundant testing and isolation of the positive… has that been contained?
=== What makes sense for the more densely populated areas of the state doesn’t necessarily make sense for the entire state.===
Because viruses understand county boundaries?
I’m not being flippant, I’m reading what experts say to the needs, not what those flippant say are their wants.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:58 am
@ Blue Dog
1. You want to compare this to HIV? Are you forgetting that if I am asymptomatic Covid-19 and cough or sneeze on you, you may become very symptomatic, at best, and possibly die, at worst.
Rich keeps a family-friendly blog, so I won’t say what needs to happen for you to get HIV.
But if you’re over the age of 16, I think you know.
Right now, all signs point to Corona and Covid-19 as having significantly less strenuous methods of infection than HIV.
2. We know what medical steps need to be taken to tamp down active HIV in a person. Care to tell us how we tamp down a mild case of Covid-19, much less predict who is going to have a cytokine storm, and how do you stop that storm?
3. A doctor can give an HIV patient Truvada for PReP, and assuming patient follows all instructions, patient’s viral load will drop to almost zero.
What medical protocol or medicine does the same for Covid-19?
Comment by Lynn S. Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:59 am
We’ve been told what we need to reopen things. Get the spread under control. Be ready with mass testing and adequate contact tracing to control hotspots as they arise. And continue to be smart with social distancing even after we start to reopen. We aren’t ready with testing capacity yet. The sooner we can get thre the faster we can start to get things reopened.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:59 am
Does anyone else think the Morgan Stanley graphic is wildly optimistic for their summer & fall 2020 forecast? Their estimates that new cases will sharply plummet between late April and not pick up until November/December are very hard to believe, especially in contrast to their projections regarding 500k & 1M people tested daily. Doesn’t add up to me.
Comment by Chambanalyst Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:03 am
===Fun reading all the comments of those who can make pronouncements with such authority.===
I cited Dr. Fauci, when Dr. Fauci’s own words were twisted to fit a narrative.
=== So we will need to understand why some minority groups are over-represented. We will need to determine how to best protect seniors and determine the best interventions methods when someone is infected. We will have to determine what is the proper level of ICU beds and equipment. Because we will have to re-open society and business. That’s not a maybe, that’s a when.===
On the fly?
Here’s some of that fun reading;
=== === The United States’ top infectious disease expert said Sunday that the economy in parts of the country could have a “rolling reentry” as early as next month, provided health authorities can quickly identify and isolate people who will inevitably be infected with the coronavirus.===
Dr. Fauci doesn’t know?
That’s fun, as you’d say.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:03 am
==new cases will sharply plummet between late April and not pick up until November/December==
I thought that it was determined that this is likely not a seasonal disease.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:06 am
Is it just me, or are others also noticing that Republicans seem to actively not give a flip about domestic violence, mental health needs, or the effects of poverty on children and families in our population in normal times are now concern-trolling that “the cure (social distancing) is worse than the disease (Covid-19)”?
Isn’t it possible that even folks who have severe mental health issues like depression or substance abuse are aware that this viral pandemic is different than the ordinary callousness some practice towards their fellow humans?
Comment by Lynn S. Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:08 am
many people are talking about a vaccine like it is some sort of done deal. I sincerely hope one is developed. However, this is a Coronavirus and there hasn’t been a vaccine developed for any of the other Coronaviruses like those that cause the common cold. With that being said I think our best hope is finding effective treatments like have been developed for HIV.
Comment by Captain Who Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:12 am
=But to suggest that should happen before the science says it is safe is not only foolish, it’s dangerous.=
I am getting so tired of people who want to know “when”. Honestly, at every press briefing of JB’s, someone asks “when will the curve flatten”, “when will businesses re-open”, “will the schools open in the fall”. When science tells us, that’s when. Write it down and stop asking foolish questions.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:13 am
CNN: Northeast governors will discuss a “geographically coordinated” plan of reopening.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will be joined by other governors an announce a “geographically coordinated” plan of reopening this afternoon.
Comment by Birdseed Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:14 am
” institutionalized and reflexive partisanship”…great turn of a phrase.
And you wonder why they are doing this? To encourage a wave of resentment and motivate political action against JB and Democrats, since governors own. No other reason. No one should be fooled by the kinder, gentler IPI.
Comment by Jibba Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:15 am
==I’m not being flippant, I’m reading what experts say to the needs, not what those flippant say are their wants===
Which “experts”??? Have you read anything from the experts at Stanford University’s Medical School? There are “experts” that believe we are doing more harm than good with this lockdown. That a second wave of infections will result once we all come out of hiding.
My original point of flattening the curve and the slowing the infection rate so that the health systems can catch up is still valid. Let’s hope testing becomes more available as well, but we must get back to work or there won’t be anything to go back too.
Comment by RuralKing Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:16 am
=== Northeast governors will discuss a “geographically coordinated” plan of reopening.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will be joined by other governors an announce a “geographically coordinated” plan of reopening this afternoon.===
Gov. Cuomo, today, every day, and he’s a “must watch”…
Gov. Cuomo reiterated, even with his PowerPoint… the scientific facts will dictate any schedule to “reopen”, not politicians.
This, again, is a twisting of words for a want, ignoring the words actually said.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:17 am
What words did I twist? It was a CNN headline. They part of a big conspiracy to twist words?
Comment by Birdseed Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:21 am
=== Which “experts”?===
If you lack reading comprehension, maybe during isolation you can start with primer books and work your way up to 2, maybe 3 syllable words.
Dr. Fauci. Stated more than a few time.
This isn’t Facebook. Keep up.
=== That a second wave of infections will result once we all come out of hiding.===
It’s a pandemic, that happens. That’s why now is as important to stay in as it’s important NOT to open too early.
=== My original point of flattening the curve and the slowing the infection rate so that the health systems can catch up is still valid.===
We’re not there yet. Flattering the curve is not having the curve going downward. Your own flippant remarks seem to worry about the pandemic coming back while advocating a “best” way to bring it back.
Why?
=== but we must get back to work or there won’t be anything to go back to===
“The dead know only one thing, it is better to be alive”.
You think someone who passes is glad they sacrificed for a business?
Whew.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:23 am
So I went back and took a look at that Morgan Stanley graphic chart.
My mom is a retired nurse, and based on what I’ve learned about science and medical stuff in my lifetime, (around the half century mark), I find almost every prediction in it unbelievable.
It’s just way overly optimistic on the proposed milestones, at best.
I’m left wondering if Morgan Stanley is angling for some type of government business or handout, and they created this graph for the orange monster who spends time at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC, and wields a veto pen.
That’s pretty much the only explanation that makes sense to me… but I’m just a girl, and shouldn’t fill my pretty little head with too many thoughts that aren’t about hair, clothes, make-up, social media, or boys. /s
Comment by Lynn S. Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:24 am
=== What words did I twist? It was a CNN headline. They part of a big conspiracy to twist words?===
If you’re only reading headlines, it explains your lack of knowledge.
Appreciate you clarifying your own lacking.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:25 am
“When the epidemiologists determine it is safe to reopen, we will reopen” should just be the response to IPI at this point. Or, to quote Rich, “Bite me” may also be an acceptable response.
Comment by Fixer Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:35 am
==However, this is a Coronavirus and there hasn’t been a vaccine developed for any of the other Coronaviruses like those that cause the common cold==
I’m concerned about this as well, but there is in fact one coronavirus vaccine, for the common canine coronavirus.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:47 am
I’m not even sure what reopening the country even means. Everything is allowed to open then? That’s fine, but it ain’t gonna restart the economy.
Let’s say the country “opens” on May 1 or even June 1. Who among us is going to rush out to dinner and a movie, or a concert, or any large gathering?
Personally, I’ll working from home, shopping from home (for pretty much essentials only) and not attending social events or large gatherings until there is a proven treatment or a vaccine. I’m fortunate to be able to do that, but the simple fact is I don’t want to die. And I think a lot of people in similar situations feel the same way and “opening the country” isn’t going to change our calculus one iota.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:52 am
=. Let’s hope testing becomes more available as well=
Hope? We’re up to 7K tests a day in this state. Do you have any idea how woefully inadequate that is? Opening up the economy will follow adequate testing. Absent that we will have spent all of this time at home for nothing and the damage to our economy will be prolonged and worse.
Flattening the curve was done to by us time to get testing in place, adequate PPE, and establish protocols for contact tracing. Are any of those issues being adequately addressed at this point? Do we even have a coordinated plan to do so? What purpose would it serve to shut the economy down for two months only to find ourselves exactly where we started this? And other what circumstances do you think employers will do this in mass? Businesses (not all) started shutting down long before the government told them it was the right thing to do. Are they going to be ordered to reopen? Will we demand that their employees go back to work regardless of the consequences.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:01 pm
“We’ve been doing our best to give our community a voice on our site. . .”
As someone banned from their site for posting something from the mainstream press in their visitor posts section I’m not so sure about their eagerness to “give their community a voice.”
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:07 pm
Lynn. Not comparing the ‘hows’. Only someone early thoughts that a vaccine may not work..as to treatments, Gileads release over the weekend was as predicted. Unreliable control points gave mixed reviews. I do know of a much more controlled test on the same treatment that is performing remarkably well, but will need a few more weeks. Even then it is doubtful to be 100%.
My point that I have made horribly, is that we know with 50% of the workforce being deemed essential, people are going to die. Albeit at a slower pace. Somebody, somewhere has already made the decision that people are going to continue to die. It seems that the 100k number, because someone threw that out there will be within reason.
Comment by BlueDog Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:23 pm
===…know with 50% of the workforce being deemed essential===
Cite that percentage please.
=== Somebody, somewhere===
Please. Stop. Just stop… why…
=== It seems that the 100k number, because someone threw that out there will be within reason.===
Then you should be fine with the stay at home order.
That also means you think *over* 100,000 deaths is fine by you.
I can go on on your ridiculousness. I’m stopping here.
Sometimes it’s best to just stop digging.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:29 pm
Agree with Blue Dog that he is doing a “Horrible “ job communicating his main point, but I appreciate how hard this topic is to cover.
If Blue Dog writes it - - Back will read it. Not saying I will agree with what is written, but I will read it. Can’t say the same thing for IPI.
Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:41 pm
Back. Thanks. I think. It’s interesting that some people think I am advocating any number is good. I am much more focused on the treatments out there. Then we can kick this bug in the rear end. I was distraught over this no-vaccine thing. I was fairly optimistic with Johnson&Johnsons proclamation a few weeks ago when they announced they thought they had one.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:47 pm
=== I think. It’s interesting that some people think I am advocating any number is good.===
For the love of…. Peter.
Read what you wrote;
=== The question circulating around the Blue Dog zoom circuit over the weekend is this,” what will be the allowable amount of future deaths before consensus on an opening up of America? 1? 1000? 10,000?===
If none are good, why have an “allowable” number.
You know what you wrote;
=== Everyone has a number.===
That means you have a number.
For a man… who finished chemo… your lack of concern for others… it’s …
I’ve fed you.
I truly feel bad for you. Callous and Clueless.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:52 pm
==It seems that the 100k number, because someone threw that out there will be within reason==
I don’t think anyone has ever suggested that is a reasonable number. And, that number has been thrown out there in conjuction with keeping things locked down. So, if you want to say 100,000 is reasonable then you are also advocating for keeping things the way they are as far as the economy goes. You’re going to have to come up with a different “reasonable” number if you want to open everything back up because it’s been stated on more than one occassion that that number rises exponentially if you go back to “normal” operations.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 1:21 pm
===…what will be the allowable amount of future deaths before consensus on an opening up of America? 1? 1000? 10,000?….
=== Everyone has a number.===
I don’t think Blue Dog is trying to put a value on someone’s life. He is talking about how much we are willing to pay to avoid the risk of dying. In paying to avoid that risk it is necessary to have a value for human life. Everyone may not have a number but the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and the Transportation Department all have one. They put a value on each death. They use this value of human life to justify decisions to impose regulations on industry. When evaluating alternative solutions to a problem it is necessary to know the price of each of the input costs. The number isn’t the value of an individual life, it is the collective value of one life we are willing to pay to reduce a small risk of death. In this case we are asking about relaxing regulations on our economy. We have a $20 trillion economy. If we reopen our economy too soon and 100,000 people might die, the statistical value of a life is $200 million. If 10,000 people would die, the value is $2 billion. In neither case is the number the value of an individual’s life.
Comment by CapnCrunch Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Everybody wants a timeline. I want one too.
The governor cannot give one at this time. He is showing proper restraint at publishing a timeline. He is also showing proper restraint in not cancelling events too far ahead.
I’m not sure I agree with all his decisions, but I believe he is doing what he thinks is best for Illinois. I appreciate that.
Comment by ajjacksson Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 1:40 pm
IPI What a joke. They would side with the Corona virus if there was a buck in it for them.
Comment by Generic Drone Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 1:52 pm
Okay.
Rauner first.
Let Rauner — without PPE — go into a (a) Trader Joes and then (b) have a beer with a crowd of people, glad-handing and high-five and partying like it was 1999.
Let’s wait 14 days, see how that goes.
/snark
Comment by Mr. K. Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 3:05 pm
If you want a ‘number’ how about when deaths are within one standard deviation of average death rates in a given month? There are some details in computation, but that would tell me we are in control of the pandemic even if it hasn’t been stopped. Now, to keep it at that level we also need a robust testing system along with a strong contact tracing system. So we need to ramp up testing capacity beyond where it is now and develop a contact tracing work force quickly.
BTW, the notion that rural areas are less vulnerable misses that they also have a more vulnerable population in an aging population and more limited health care facilities.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 3:16 pm
Certainly, the IPI talks out of both sides of its - something. This is the feature, not the bug. They have the ability to know better, they choose to not.
They remind me of some of my friends who are Libertarians. I have told these friends that I would consider joining them if they would start a caucus named the Unselfish Libertarians. They usually stare at me blankly for a while and then we talk about baseball.
Comment by Proud Sucker Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 3:24 pm
IPI Desperately Seeking Relevancy
Comment by VerySmallRocks Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 5:36 pm
The IPI has no hope of “pressuring” Pritzker into lifting the stay at home order. None. Zero. Zilch.
And they know it. Absolutely.
But when the stay-at-home order is eventually lifted, they want to claim some responsibility and position themselves among independent business folks as their champions.
Grifters gonna grift.
Show me pictures of IPI staff riding a train or a bus this week.
Walk the walk, IPI.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 7:05 pm
IPI only cares about what their boss Charles Koch cares about, Koch’s money.
Nothing else matters.
Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 7:56 pm