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* Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, speaking yesterday…
I think it’s pretty clear if we had something that would decrease the rate of fatalities, if we could decrease the rate of people ending up in the hospital, you know, something that maybe can shorten the severity such that people don’t end up hospitalized, don’t end up in the ICU, anything like that would be a complete game changer in terms of people could say, well, maybe I could go out because it’s less likely that I’ll end up hospitalized, it’s less likely that I’ll end up in the ICU, it’s less likely that I’ll die. Maybe it’s something that would cause a situation where elderly people weren’t so disproportionately hit and so if you interacted with Grandma, you think that there’s a treatment should she get the virus, there’s a treatment that she wouldn’t die. So it’s pretty clear like if we have something that is effective, that we know can actually decrease either hospitalization rate or fatality, that would be a completely different story than what we have now.
The governor has talked about his “three Ts” for a while now: Testing, Tracing and Treatment.
Testing has finally gotten to a point where we are significantly above the national average. Tracing, which has been done so far by counties and community health agencies, will be ramped up statewide later this month. And that beginning will allow regions to check a box that’ll allow them to move to the next phase.
Treatment appears to be on the horizon. Until then, what’s the point of going back out into the world and running up the infection rate while not having any treatment available for people who will most definitely get sick?
* And that brings us to today’s Tribune editorial…
After nearly seven weeks of battling COVID-19 while enduring economic and emotional hardship, it’s reasonable for Illinoisans to ask whether the goals of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order are being met. Or, to put it in terms every anxious resident feels: When can the state reopen and life begin to resemble normal?
People are dying of the coronavirus, but many lives are being saved. That’s because everyday activities have been suspended or curtailed, and people are taking this pandemic seriously while practicing social distancing. The rate of infection has slowed enough to allow hospitals here to manage caseloads. That’s what success was supposed to look like. Illinois is, indeed, bending the curve on an escalating health pandemic we feared could overwhelm hospital resources. […]
Pritzker’s latest plan extends the benchmarks for victory from bending the infection curve to defeating the virus altogether. Schools would not reopen and restaurants and gyms would not be able to open with capacity limits (that’s Phase 4) until testing and contact tracing are in full use and there has been no overall increase in hospital admissions for 28 days.
His 28-day yardstick exceeds the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention benchmark that calls for opening up a state or region after seeing a downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period.
1) Does the editorial board read its own editorials? Those last two paragraphs are contradictory. It’s actually easier and very likely quicker to meet Pritzker’s 28-day goal of no increases in hospitalizations than it is to meet a 14-day goal of consistently declining cases. No region could meet that White House goal.
2) The Chicago Tribune is deemed an essential business. Editorial board members are free to go back to the office today. So, let me know when every member of that editorial board is meeting together in person, including any with health problems like diabetes. Maybe bring in groups of legislators (who are also deemed essential workers) to talk in person about their own plans to reopen. In other words, you first, Tribune.
3) The editorial takes no position on when the state should “return to normal.” Indiana’s governor put hard and fast dates into his reopening, but it’s getting bigtime pushback, even from churches…
Holcomb said churches would serve as “a test or control group” because he thought they would be the most responsible body to let fully reopen.
Most mainstream sects didn’t buy in, and one Gary Baptist preacher was insulted being called a “control group.”
Leaders from Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist and Methodist churches urged congregations to continue with online, not in-person services.
* And then there’s this reality…
During a private call on Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott admitted that “every scientific and medical report shows” state reopenings “ipso facto” lead to an increase in novel coronavirus cases, even as he publicly announced plans that same week to end an executive stay-at-home order in the state.
“How do we know reopening businesses won’t result in faster spread of more cases of COVID-19?” Abbott asked during a Friday afternoon phone call with members of the state legislature and Congress. “Listen, the fact of the matter is pretty much every scientific and medical report shows that whenever you have a reopening—whether you want to call it a reopening of businesses or of just a reopening of society—in the aftermath of something like this, it actually will lead to an increase and spread. It’s almost ipso facto.”
He’s right. So if the goal is, as the Tribune points out and even supports, to keep the curve below a level that doesn’t overwhelm the healthcare industry, how does a much more robust reopening accomplish that goal?
Pritzker didn’t move the goalposts, the Tribune did.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:27 am
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Rich you hit it on the head - does the Trib read its own editorials? What’s up with this about face? It’s frankly sad to read this on their pages, especially sad for the reporters on the front lines and in communities covering this horrible, wretched disease while their edit board sits cozy at home.
Comment by Shytown Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:32 am
The new Trib editorial page — even worse than the old Trib editorial page?
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:38 am
How do you square closing Mc Cormick Place which has zero trade shows happening anytime soon with the fact that we are concerned with the healthcare system being overwhelmed in the future?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:39 am
LP, are you really that inane? The strategy worked. If you abandon the strategy, it won’t work because… guess what? There’s no strategy.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:43 am
Whatever “normal” even was, it’s not coming back.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:45 am
A quick thought/observation…
If polling shows that the Tribune’s Editorial Board is swimming upstream to the thoughts of society, isn’t their own editorial in actuality an op-ed… to… everything they’re advocating?
Sure, I sound snarky and I get the whole “op-ed” play I’m dinging, but if one were to write the “op-ed” to this, it would be not only in favor of societal thoughts “today”, but also in-line with the science reported by, even by, the political reporters too?
That’s pretty *messed up* for a newspaper editorial board to be this out of touch with society AND science… during a once in a century global pandemic.
Ok, it wasn’t a short thought, maybe I need an editor too.
Stay safe, all. That’s my message to the Trib Editorial Board… you first… indeed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:48 am
- does the Trib read its own editorials? -
It was bad enough that they didn’t read their own paper, now it’s just pathetic.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:49 am
Chicago’s on its way to becoming a one daily newspaper town. Who would’ve thought that paper would be the Sun-Times?
The news side of the Trib is capable of great work.
The editorial voice is ideological, often nonsensical, and totally out of touch with the sensibilities of the region.
It’s also really alienating. I’m not paying money to have my intelligence or values insulted by lazy extremists like Katrina and Kass.
The Trib was already in a death spiral before Alden showed up. The economic crisis will only hasten the degradation of the news product as reporters have been let go (the ed board can hardly get worse), which will lead to a loss of more subscribers.
The Sun-Times deep pocket backers will keep it going. Best case, maybe they buy the Trib off the bankruptcy scrap heap and merge the two.
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:51 am
The Trib oped folks are trying to, albeit delicately, pivot and get inline with the new Trump approach. As is the ILGOP.
Trump, obsessed with reelection and polls and his general self obsession is setting the pace for the right, Tribune included.
It is divisive and dangerous.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:52 am
I have commented a few times on the years long right ward political drift of the Tribune, which IMO has accelerated during the Trump Presidency.
Now with the takeover of the Alden Hedge Fund and the remaining decent journalists either being laid off or leaving a sinking ship, those that remain at the Trib seem to be following Upton Sinclair’s famous quote:
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
Comment by Big Jer Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:54 am
The entire Chicago Tribune editorial board should be ashamed of themselves. They are reckless, sloppy with the facts, and have no regard to the damage they cause. Shame on you Chicago Tribune.
Comment by Frumpy white guy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:56 am
Originally, the Governor said that we were trying to flatten the curve. About two weeks ago, he changed to say that we wanted to eliminate the virus (my word, not his, although that was the sentiment that I gathered). I was completely with the Governor until that point in time. That, to me, independent of the Governor’s plan, the Trib, or anyone else’s plan, constitutes “changing the goalposts.”
Comment by ajjacksson Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:57 am
–”LP, are you really that inane?”–
Some questions answer themselves.
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 11:58 am
“The news side of the Trib is capable of great work.”
Yeah. The AP does great work.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:01 pm
The Tribune has become so knee jerk right wing that it’s starting to fall for the naked politicization of the pandemic by Foxnews and the right wing echo chamber. It’s depressing and extremely dangerous.
Comment by slow down Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:01 pm
Just a report from the Chicago suburbs - expressway traffic was down to 25% of normal, but noticeably increased on April 27, and has been increasing almost every day since then. My estimate is that traffic is now at 75% of “normal”. Many people are deciding to return to workplaces, regardless of the directives from JB.
Comment by Unstable Genius Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:04 pm
=== About two weeks ago, he changed to say that we wanted to eliminate the virus (my word, not his, although that was the sentiment that I gathered)===
Can you point directly to language specific to your conclusion?
I’d like to see your thinking to, as you are saying, your own conclusion.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:04 pm
Cheryl44 11:45– Yes, this. So many people keep talking about a “return to normal” when all the evidence shows that this is simply impossible given what we know (and don’t know) about this virus. We need to get over the “return to normal” rhetoric and start thinking more honestly about what our changed world needs to look like.
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:06 pm
Every single public policy approach to re-opening is going to include some increase in infections and deaths from the corona virus. Once you accept that fact, you can move beyond juvenile approaches to re-opening.
Additionally, if a person looks at a map of the United State they will notice other states surround Illinois. Those states have vastly different timelines for reopening. People will travel and enjoy bars, restaurants, sporting events, and other events in those states, then come back to Illinois.
Therefore being on a 28 day timeline when no one else around is following a similar timeline will render this Governor’s approach not only oddly out of step, but futile in practice.
Lastly, it’s ok to be critical of the Governor and this approach to re-opening. It’s not a sin, and it’s perfectly understandable why people are feeling this way, and starting to wonder, “what’s he thinking?”
Comment by Ray Gun Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:06 pm
I smell the writing of Kristin McQueary.
Comment by Southsider Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:09 pm
Even If we just accept that flattening the curve was the only goal (not my position, but ok), then surely you at least acknowledge that opening too early would lead to an unflattening of the curve, right? Like, in any case, now is too early
Comment by Bob Loblaw Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:13 pm
As a wise man once said: Everyone has their own priorities.
The priorities of the Tribune editorial board, as usual, are crystal clear: to criticize the Democratic governor every bit as much as they propped up his Republican predecessor.
Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:14 pm
OW, I’ll try to find it.
Comment by ajjacksson Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:18 pm
=About two weeks ago, he changed to say that we wanted to eliminate the virus (my word, not his, although that was the sentiment that I gathered). I was completely with the Governor until that point in time. That, to me, independent of the Governor’s plan, the Trib, or anyone else’s plan, constitutes “changing the goalposts.”=
So he did not say eliminate.
You just “gathered” that?
And you think the governor “changed the goal posts”?
Lol.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:19 pm
It was a response to a press question. Something like, “Now that the goal of flattening the curve has been accomplished, isn’t it time…” And his response was that the goal was to eliminate the virus.
But, certainly fair to ask me to cite it.
Comment by ajjacksson Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:19 pm
“Originally, the Governor said that we were trying to flatten the curve. About two weeks ago, he changed to say that we wanted to eliminate the virus”
Originally, the building contractor said that we were trying to construct a foundation and basement. About two weeks ago, he changed to say that we wanted to build walls and a ceiling.
The governor’s course of action isn’t nearly as puzzling as you seem to believe.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:20 pm
Possible QOTD: new slogan for the Tribune:
“The Dumb One.”
“The Dark One.”
“TRONC — the sequel.”
“Going back to our roots.”
“Working to make Colonel McCormick proud of us again.”
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:25 pm
- ajjacksson -
I’m just tying to gather where thoughts to conclusions are meeting. Thank you for your understanding.
The goal posts are being moved, but it’s those critiquing, and when you read the logic to their own false conclusions to what they want it to be what the governor has said instead to the words themselves, it’s important, at least for me, so I can understand where confusion, even if it’s mine, is at.
I’m get you aren’t saying you are doing that, I need the touchstone to grasp these conclusions.
The Tribune wants a conclusion by first moving goal posts than trying to backfill that move with a map leading to their misinterpretations.
Stay well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:27 pm
The editorial board of a paper that has been sending out photojournalists without PPE and now wants to furlough them for 3 months while giving their executives and investors huge sums of cash is now worried about economic hardships.
Comment by MrX Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:37 pm
= I smell the writing of Kristin McQueary.= If it is, not surprising. Read her past work and you find so much that is not accurate and down right vicious.
Comment by Frumpy white guy Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:41 pm
the Archdiocese of Chicago has initiated Renew My Church, which is a process by which it will be determined which chinches remain viable and open, and which ones should be closed, and parishes consolidated. this period of time provides the perfect opportunity to expedite this process. collections art most churches are way down, and people are adjusting to life without going to church. why not close those obviously failing churches, and prepare those properties to go on the market. the catholic church has too many assets, and not enough cash. time to flip that.
Comment by 32nd warder Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:45 pm
=Originally, the Governor said that we were trying to flatten the curve. About two weeks ago, he changed to say that we wanted to eliminate the virus=
Such a memorable quote and change in position would certainly be easy to cite by you or the Tribune. No one ever said that this would be over once we flatten the curve. That was the immediate priority. We now need to move towards managing the virus spread. Remember the three Ts? Lots of quotes on that. Eliminating the virus is the last step with no clear timeline as it’s dictated by a vaccine which may not be available for some time.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 12:48 pm
== You first, Tribune ==
They can’t. It’s impossible to go first when backseat driving.
Comment by Roman Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 1:06 pm
only one thing to do, subscribe to the Sun Times. get an on line subscription. get sunday delivered to your home…although when sports get back in action, you will want the saturday edition, it’s like a sports magazine with news inside. flatten the curve of irresponsible news. support the alternative.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 1:07 pm
“Originally, the building contractor said that we were trying to construct a foundation and basement. About two weeks ago, he changed to say that we wanted to build walls and a ceiling.“
At the time the contractor wasn’t selling walls and a ceiling. He’s going to have to make his case for that because many people were expecting foundation and basement, and planned accordingly.
Comment by Phenomynous Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 1:14 pm
I hope this is your weekly column. This message needs to be amplified. Thank you for saying it.
Comment by White Knight Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 1:26 pm
Don’t hurt your back carrying all that water for Pritzker
Comment by Lord of the Fries Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 2:02 pm
===People will travel and enjoy bars, restaurants, sporting events, and other events in those states, then come back to Illinois.===
Will that many people though? People aren’t even showing up at emergency rooms for heart attacks, even though there is no law stopping them from doing so.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 2:09 pm
What color is the sky in the world of someone who believes that the Tribune still has any influence at all?
The last time a Tribune was seen in most households was at the bottom of a bird cage . . . . .
Comment by Hey There Thursday, May 7, 20 @ 4:19 pm
“The goalpost has ended”
Comment by Walt Zingmatilda Friday, May 8, 20 @ 8:56 am