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* Reuters…
One person in the United States died about every minute from COVID-19 on Wednesday as the national death toll surpassed 150,000, the highest in the world
The United States recorded 1,461 new deaths on Wednesday, the highest one-day increase since 1,484 on May 27, according to a Reuters tally.
U.S. coronavirus deaths are rising at their fastest rate in two months and have increased by 10,000 in the past 11 days.
* This is a sound idea…
Dr. Anthony Fauci suggested Wednesday that Americans should consider wearing goggles or a face shield in order to prevent spreading or catching COVID-19.
“If you have goggles or an eye shield, you should use it,” the nation’s top infectious disease expert told ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton during an Instagram Live conversation on ABC News.
When asked if we’re going to get to a point where eye protection is recommended, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases responded, “It might, if you really want perfect protection of the mucosal surfaces.”
“You have mucosa in the nose, mucosa in the mouth, but you also have mucosa in the eye,” he continued. “Theoretically, you should protect all the mucosal surfaces. So if you have goggles or an eye shield you should use it.”
* Good to see the governor out and about…
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker visited the Peoria County Health Department Thursday to address concerns regarding COVID-19. The county is among four that state health officials last week said had reached a “warning level” for their coronavirus metrics, with two or more COVID-19 risk indicators.
Pritzker said things are “moving backwards” and there needs to be “real change” in Peoria County. If the region has four more days of people getting sicker and more needing hospital admissions, bars will be ordered to close again and that there would be more restrictions on restaurant services, the Governor said.
At all times, it is important that the Illinois General Assembly be able to conduct its legislative duties safely, effectively and in open view of the public. This remains true during emergencies such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure a fully functioning legislature now and in the future, the Civic Federation urges the General Assembly to authorize virtual legislative sessions and committee meetings during the rare occasions when face-to-face gatherings are too dangerous. All remote sessions and meetings should be accessible to the public through widely available technology.
* Bernie…
Sangamon County Wednesday reported its highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases – 49 – part of a trend of rising numbers the director of the county’s health department called alarming.
“People are not listening or taking advantage of the guidance to wear masks and socially distance,” said Gail O’Neill, the department director. “That appears to be the problem, especially in so many young people.”
Bars, restaurants and families were key to the spread of the infection, O’Neill said.
Of the 49 newly identified infected people, 31 were younger than 40. The new cases include a 5-month-old, a 6-year-old, five female and one male teens, eight women and eight men in their 20s, seven women in their 30s, two women and two men in their 40s, two women and three men in their 50s, three women and two men in their 60s, a woman and man in their 70s and a woman and man in their 80s.
* The Southern…
Egyptian Health Department is sounding the alarm about an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in southeastern Illinois.
“We have had quite the spike in cases in our local communities that we serve,” said Angie Hampton, CEO of the health department that covers Saline, Gallatin and White counties. “The numbers are real,” she added, “and they are concerning to us.”
On July 1, Saline County had reported a total of nine cases since the start of the pandemic. By Wednesday, it had reported 87 cases.
During that same time period, Gallatin County has seen its total case count rise from 2 to 42; and White County’s cases have increased from 5 to 54.
* Meanwhile…
Just returned from a trip to the Shawnee in Southern Illinois. The natural beauty was great. The Confederate flags in rural front yards were unnerving. My husband got called a sissy for wearing a mask while paying inside a crowded restaurant (we had eaten outside). pic.twitter.com/ZBaw9tNp4d
— Mary Wisniewski (@marywizchicago) July 30, 2020
* Tribune live blog headlines…
Coronavirus relief package talks at a standstill as $600 per-week jobless aid lapses, GDP drops
Will Chicago teachers strike —again — if CPS schools reopen this fall? Union officials remain mum so far.
What’s different at Halas Hall this year? Bears Infection Control Officer Andre Tucker details the changes made because of COVID-19.
Uptick in COVID-19 cases makes it difficult to bring back jobs. ‘Some people may be put out of the job market for a long time.’
A dozen students at Bradley University test positive for COVID-19, including some at orientation, after social gathering
Park District workers call for more communication and safety protocols when parks are closed because of COVID-19
* Sun-Times live blog…
Herman Cain dies after weeks-long battle with COVID-19
Will mask mandates be the end of lipstick?
Private jet usage soaring for Chicago charter companies amid pandemic
Pritzker warns public, pols on COVID-19 precautions: ‘If things don’t change, a reversal is where we’re headed’
Fallout from Trump canceling Jacksonville convention events: GOP mega-donor perks vanish
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 12:29 pm
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Channel 20 reported yesterday that 2 Revenue employees tested positive in Springfield, presumably at the Willard Ice Building. Although the employees are quarantining at their homes, apparently Revenue did not follow State Board of Elections’ lead and close two weeks again: “Department officials said after learning of the positive cases, employees were notified and work areas were thoroughly sanitized.”
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/2-covid-19-cases-at-department-of-revenue-office-in-springfield
Revenue offices reopened to the public on June 22 (three weeks after Secretary of State’s reopening).
Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 12:39 pm
An employee at Revenue had been coughing for over a week and was reported by other employees to the supervisor. They were told there was nothing that could be done. Employees now have to be tested but were told to only stay off for two work days and report back on Monday. All State employees in counties with high case numbers need to go back to working remotely until case numbers go the other way. The State needs a cohesive plan to deal with cases in agencies and stop relying on non-medical lower level managers to figure things out.
Comment by bungalowlover Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 12:54 pm
My apologies for those in southern IL who have been exhibiting and did exhibit poor behavior. I’ve gotten hardened off to it I suppose. I am surprised she didn’t also mention the anti Prizger signs that seem to line every roadway…most of them rude to post what they actually say.
Some of us are trying really hard to educate our communities, but it feels like we are a voice in the wilderness.
Comment by DownSouth Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 12:59 pm
I have seen some of the Pritzger signs in Western Illinois but they only fill my fingers. We bought some shields last week. Have to venture to Iowa for medical reasons.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:14 pm
70% of the cases under 40 in Sangamon county were women. This needs more research to see why it is so high.
Comment by pool boy Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:20 pm
I’ve adjusted by shopping in stores that require a mask. Quite a few people are making a flawed political statement in my small town. I’m not a huge fan of the governor but he’s been given a tough task to navigate. He’s doing what needs to be done. Apologies to travelers that feel intimidated by the locals. I get strange looks at times too, and I’ve lived here a long time.
Comment by Rural Survivor Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:25 pm
Testing in very rural areas has been basically non-existent. In Small towns a spike in a nursing home really pushes percentages.
I Really cannot reiterate how many times I have heard or seen…if they can protest with the Governor, I can….Guv lost a lot of rural folks with the protests. I’m not debating who is right, just saying that is what happened and why I believe there is a resurgence.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:30 pm
Wisconsin just put in mask mandate
Comment by Stu Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 1:39 pm
My college age daughter was tested on Tuesday at the state site in Collinsville in preparation to return to school out of state. Received a phone call today she was negative. She was told it would be 4-7 days for result. Impressed with the two day turn around.
Comment by Retired and still in Illinois Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:08 pm
The thought of Willard Ice getting a deep clean is laughable. I worked in that building for two years and still have issues from it. Is the mold still inches thick in the basement of the file room? Will the spiders allow you to do a thorough clean?
That building is a cesspool.
Comment by Lurker Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:34 pm
Here in Champaign County we’re still waiting on test results fifteen days later.
Called and were told they’re ’still in the lab.’
Perhaps we are the carriers of some awesome new strain that needs more observation or something.
Comment by Stuff Happens Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:40 pm
Interesting article from a law journal in May regarding the intersection of COVID-19 and asbestos exposure. Something many state employees–especially in the Stratton and other older state buildings–also have to worry about at work:
https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/2020/05/20/when-asbestos-exposure-and-covid-19-intersect/
Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 2:54 pm
I’m in favor of a mask mandate because many people are still operating under the false premise that masks are self-protection. Thus, to them, wearing one makes you a “sissy”; or a Democrat which are one in the same in their feeble little minds.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:09 pm
====My husband got called a sissy
Glad to see the middle school behavior in adults.
Also, if you aren’t seated, you should be wearing the mask–the restaurant needs a visit from IDPH.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:27 pm
Revenue now has 6 cases, 4 in one department, and 2 in another, and they are still not sending people home. What is wrong with them?
Comment by Dog Lover Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:28 pm
====the Patriot
===Guv lost a lot of rural folks with the protests.
Not sure what rural folks “changed” with the protests. Live in southern Illinois and the Governor was never found to become lost to the voters.
People in southern Illinois, except Carbondale, believe this covid is all a hoax and will disappear after the elections. Masks are not the norm.
Comment by Saluki1964 Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 3:33 pm
A person with asthma sat next to one of the Covid cases at Revenue and now has to worry about contracting the virus. It would appear that the State agencies are not making any accommodations for individuals with chronic conditions or in the high risk groups (age, etc.) and are just mandating that everyone return to work in the offices. Agencies obviously are not following State IDPH advice on how to control the virus. How can they expect the rest of the general public to follow the rules if they can’t or won’t?
Comment by bungalowlover Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:42 pm
LaSalle News-Tribune reports that now the Mendota Secretary of State drivers’ facility is now closed until Aug. 12 after an employee tested positive for COVID-19:
https://www.newstrib.com/2020/07/30/mendota-driver-services-facility-closed-after-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/aip91pg/
This marks the third SOS building that has had an employee test positive since all SOS employees and offices returned to work June 1. The earlier ones were Schaumburg drivers’ facility (in June) and Chicago’s business services office (announced Sunday).
https://www.newstrib.com/2020/07/30/mendota-driver-services-facility-closed-after-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/aip91pg/
Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 9:46 pm
free coupons online
Comment by Myron Rabenold Monday, Aug 10, 20 @ 10:14 pm