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Again: It’s not all about residents, it’s also about the staff

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Illinois

* Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Thomas Verticchio at Monday’s Clay County hearing on Rep. Darren Bailey’s lawsuit…

Jasper County, 42 cases, less than 10,000 residents in the county. As a result, it suffers one of the highest per capita infection rates in Illinois. Its rates are doubling every three days.

Jefferson County is one of the few to exceed Jasper. Its rates double every two and a half days. Randolph County, one of the fastest doubling rates in the state.

Those doubling rates are scary high.

But, hey, you say, the problem is mainly confined to nursing homes and other congregate settings. But, as I keep saying, these facilities do not exist in a vacuum. Sometimes residents leave (perhaps transported to a hospital) and come back. Staff comes and goes, three shifts a day. They go home. They or their family members go shopping. The virus then gets into the community and most of our rural areas have few hospital resources to deal with the sickness and there’s a very real risk of being overrun.

* Springfield, thankfully, has plenty of hospital capacity, but the point about staff still stands. Here’s Bernie…

Forty new positive COVID-19 cases — including residents and staff — were reported Tuesday at The Villas East nursing home in Sherman, according to the Sangamon Department of Public Health.

The new totals were reported as tests have now been administered to most staff and residents, according to the county spokesman, Jeff Wilhite.

Wilhite said the newly reported cases included 20 residents and 20 staff members, bringing total positive cases at the facility to 46 residents, including five who died, and 35 staff members. […]

Among staff, there were two men and three women in their 20s, one man and three women in their 30s, five women in their 40s, one man and two women in their 50s, and one man and two women in their 60s.

…Adding… As pointed out by a commenter, the Randolph County issue is about a local food processing plant…

The Gilster Mary-Lee Corp. baking mix plant in Steeleville will shut down for two full weeks after Friday, as the manufacturer and the Randolph County Health Department try to stem the tide of coronavirus cases that continues to plague the company and the county. […]

The Randolph County Health Department announced Tuesday that another 29 positive cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the county’s total to 138 - 86 of them active. Randolph County is currently ranked fifth among Illinois counties in infection rate, behind only Cook County, Jasper County, Lake County and Will County.

According to Oathout, fully 75% of all Randolph County’s COVID-19 cases can be traced to Gilster Mary-Lee plants in Chester and Steeleville.

Workers go home and live their lives, and that means the virus gets spread further.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 9:43 am

Comments

==But, as I keep saying, these facilities do not exist in a vacuum.==

Thank you. That is a critical point that is being overlooked by too many who think things are isolated well enough to such populations (the confined, old, ill, etc.) that it’s ok to go back to “normal” for the rest.

Comment by Bingo Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 9:52 am
So irresponsible. Such an odd hill for the GOP to politically (and for some potentially literally) die on. Another step down the road to cementing that superminority status for all time, all so the few remaining GOP legislators can be the big fish in their rapidly shrinking small ponds.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 9:53 am
That’s what I can’t get over about this nonsense. Folks have been yelling, quite rightly, about the problems of hospital and provider closures in rural areas. But some of these same people *also* seem to want to make sure they have no protection from the virus.

If I knew I lived 30mi or more from the nearest hospital or urgent care, you better believe I’d be sheltering at home. Have to pry the door of the frame to get me out.

Comment by lakeside Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 9:54 am
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” - John Adams

Comment by We'll See Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 9:58 am
That doubling rate is high, but it might be because they started testing and dealing with an outbreak in a nursing home.

It’s also important to take into consideration the population density of the areas. You could fit the entire population of Jasper County into a neighborhood or two in Chicago.

All that being said, I still think people should stay at home and practice social distancing.

Comment by Phenomynous Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 9:59 am
Bailey’s argument was that Pritzker had arbitrarily imposed an EO that didn’t take into account regional differences. But the facts don’t support the argument particularly given the per capita numbers in Jasper and Jefferson county.

This disease isn’t confined to nursing home patients any more than it’s confined to wet markets or meat processing plants. Once it is present in a community it spreads in that community. The only way to control that is testing and tracing and absent that keeping people home until those protocols are in place. The science in Jasper and Jefferson county is no different than it is in Wuhan or communities with a Tyson plant.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:00 am
Exactly right, it’s also about people who bring the virus out of contained settings and into into their homes and the public at large. This is what the selfish nitwits don’t care about. But then again, they don’t care if they get the virus, let alone anyone else. Not much “pro-life” there.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:01 am
Uh, Lakeside, not if you had a $17/hr job to go to. That is a hill worth dying on. /s

Comment by The Way I See It Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:01 am
To the post,

The callous and thoughtless see numbers and easily defining ways to make less losses of people.

What those thoughtless and callous folks forget? Those working daily… at nursing homes… in prisons… at hospitals… these folks are the ones who spend their days with possible infection, and then head home, possibly asymptomatic, and spreading, unwittingly to friends, loved ones, even strangers.

The reason doctors and nurses are asking people to stay home and not spread the virus is they themselves are in the middle of some of the most hotly infected, and they worry… after shifts… to other patients… they worry what they are spreading. Their own infection? There’s a worry, but that’s part of practicing medicine, and what is hurting… doing harm by being an asymptomatic carrier… home.

It’s also the janitors, the people cooking meals, the administrative staff at nursing homes, the ones needing to be at the facilities. One reason people are in nursing homes is they may need help with… life, all facets.

There needs to be a realization that downplaying the overall in nursing homes isn’t an isolated hot spot. Stop that. It’s not. It’s going in communities, families… all of society too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:01 am
The Casey’s gas station down the road from Villas East had a worker test positive. It wouldn’t be surprising if a staff member went there and infected them.

Comment by Marcos Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:07 am
Great reminder (apparently we need them, often) about the meaning of “community spread.”

Other examples, in addition to nursing homes, are rural state prisons and local jails - again, employees enter/depart/return to their families and communities.

Has anyone reported specifically on how the Quincy Veterans Home is faring? I caught the following today - about a similar facility in Massachusetts.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/28/coronavirus-massachusetts-veterans-outbreak-holyoke-soldiers-home

Comment by dbk Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:09 am
As Marcos pointed out, the Casey’s in Sherman just blocks away from the Villas is now shut down due to an employee testing positive.

The anti stay at home gang can scream all they want, but how many business owners are willing to risk them becoming part of a legal action when a customer traces their infection back to that business?

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:25 am
Not seeing much discussion about SEIU Healthcare sending strike notices to 40 nursing homes. I pray the frontline staff get what they need. Administrators and other non-medical nursing home staff in some facilities are already being trained for CNA work due to climbing rates of absenteeism. Absenteeism is exacerbated by the fact that many CNAs and nurses work full-time in one facility and part-time in another.

Comment by yinn Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:30 am
“when a customer traces their infection back to business?”

They’ll scream for government intervention, i.e. the courts, to absolve them of responsibility.
It’s the GOP hypocrisy two-step.

Comment by efudd Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:31 am
Randolph, and consequently given employee demographics, also to a degree Perry and Jackson counties are facing some serious issues thanks to the Gilster Mary Lee Corp.

I would anticipate that several disturbing issues in addition to just the number of infections tied to this manufacturer come to light before this is all said and done.

I am a resident of the Monroe/Randolph/Perry region and am frankly horrified by the behavior of some of the southern tier legislators, municipalities, sherriffs etc.
I am figuratively beat up daily for refusing to fall into the “we’re exempt” mindset that is permeating southern Illinois.

http://www.randolphcountyheraldtribune.com/news/20200428/gilster-to-close-steeleville-plant-for-two-weeks-in-wake-of-alarming-number-of-covid-cases

Comment by DownSouth Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:37 am
If I understand correctly the tort reform McConnell is proposing for the next covid relief bill is intended to absolve business operators of all liability if employees/patrons are taken ill and able to trace the outbreak to their place of business.

See https://www.law360.com/articles/1267837/mcconnell-wants-broad-liability-shield-in-next-covid-19-bill

Comment by dbk Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:43 am
===absolve business operators of all liability===

Not sure how Congress could absolve them of state liability.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:44 am
Randolph Co. at Chester home to a prison and security mental hospital - how many cases there?

Comment by anonymouse Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:47 am
===absolve business operators of all liability===

If there’s no worry to the public if businesses are opened… why is there a need to absolve businesses for being open?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:56 am
===Not sure how Congress could absolve them of state liability===

My understanding is that the state bailout would require any state taking the bailout to first pass a state law absolving businesses of liability under state law.

Obviously, Congress couldn’t directly waive state laws.

Comment by Trying to Be Rational Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:56 am
===If there’s no worry to the public if businesses are opened… why is there a need to absolve businesses for being open?===

Because trial lawyers will always find a way to sue, bankrupting businesses through legal expenses even if there is no fault. Thus places settle because they can’t afford to fight, even if innocent.

Comment by Trying to Be Rational Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 10:58 am
=== Because trial lawyers will always…===

No.

Keep up please.

It’s “safe” to open. Business folks are saying it’s safe to open.

Why is there a need to exempt liability if it’s safe to be open?

See… it’s not those pesky trial lawyers… is it?

Of course it’s not.

“Again”…

If there’s no worry to the public if businesses are opened… why is there a need to absolve businesses for being open?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 11:02 am
===first pass a state law absolving businesses of liability===

Yeah. I’m sure that’ll fly right out of the US House.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 11:04 am
Yes, remember this when you hear some of the GOP calling for schools to be re-opened.

Comment by Grimlock Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 11:32 am
===Yeah. I’m sure that’ll fly right out of the US House.===

I didn’t say the liability waiver would happen. In fact, if it happens I’ll probably have to risk calling the ER for a heart attack. Republicans always fold.

Comment by Trying to Be Rational Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 11:36 am
===Pesky trial lawyers…===

If you don’t believe the U.S. is an excessively litigious society, you have your head in the sand.

Comment by Trying to Be Rational Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 11:40 am
=== If you don’t believe the U.S. is an excessively litigious society, you have your head in the sand.===

You keep ignoring. Why?

If there’s no worry to the public if businesses are opened… why is there a need to absolve businesses for being open?

Why do you keep ignoring that?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 11:41 am
==Randolph Co. at Chester home to a prison and security mental hospital - how many cases there?+

I am unsure on the number - if any at CMH, however per IDOC only 2 cases (both staff) at Menard and they are currently listed as recovered. Since IDOC does not reveal the staff members info including county of residence, it’s unknown to me if they are included in the Randolph case count.

Randolph County HD admin stated 75% of cases traced back to Gilster, so there’s that as a reference point as well.

Comment by DownSouth Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 11:45 am
It is interesting that the Illinois GOP thinks the state legislature is a coequal branch of government. They need to tell Mitch McConnell that since the U. S. Senate no longer pretends it is with Trump.

Comment by So Blue Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 1:12 pm
Trying to be Rational - if it’s safe to go back, nobody will get sick. So no lawsuits. Easy peasy.

Comment by Rasselas Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 1:19 pm
“many who think things are isolated well enough to such populations (the confined, old, ill, etc.) that it’s ok to go back to “normal” for the rest. ”

It is not correct, but that is what Fox and some other news outlets are selling their base these days.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 1:40 pm
=== if it’s safe to go back, nobody will get sick. So no lawsuits. Easy peasy.===

Yeah, sure. That’s sarcasm in case there was any doubt.

Comment by Trying to Be Rational Wednesday, Apr 29, 20 @ 2:40 pm