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* Good morning!

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 8:50 am

Comments

Pretty surprising Sun Times story on Mayor Richard J. Daley this morning.

Comment by Downstate Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:04 am
Stay safe everyone. Have a bad feeling this week is going to be rough

Comment by Soxfan Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:05 am
Marijuana sales are booming in Illinois. Revenue is going into government coffers. Marijuana helped avert several hundred layoffs in Chicago. Looking forward to even more revenue as more dispensaries open.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:11 am
We buried my wife’s uncle Jim on Saturday. We had to pull the plug on him Tuesday evening after the Corona Virus destroyed his lungs, the only thing left would have been a double lung transplant but at 65 he wasn’t a candidate. Please take this seriously, Jim was a healthy 65 year old and now he’s gone forever.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:15 am
Reminder that it was announced late Friday that the drivers’ facilities are going to be closed Nov. 17-Dec. 7 as safety precaution due to the COVID-19 surge:

https://capitolfax.com/2020/11/13/sos-white-closing-driver-services-facilities-starting-november-17-through-december-7/

However, this doesn’t affect Capitol Complex and Dirksen Parkway Sec of State employees, unless something changes it’s still open and working as usual for all employees. I don’t know if the drivers’ facility employees will still have to report despite the temporary closure, however.

Comment by State Employee Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:17 am
Saw a tweet yesterday-ish from an Atlantic health reporter. Basically pointed out that hospitalizations lag infections by 12 days and that all of the stories we’re reading about hospitals being overwhelmed don’t take into account the 1.5 million new infections recorded in the last two weeks.

And, a recent poll found that 38% of Americans are attending a Thanksgiving Day gathering of 10 or more people.

We’re in for more than a rough week. More like a rough 2-3 months. If people are doing that for T-day, I gotta imagine Xmas will be worse

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:17 am
Love is a Zoom Thanksgiving. My kids are only 15 miles away but we will be celebrating on-line because we don’t share a household. Stay safe! https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

Comment by Sangamo Girl Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:25 am
Morning Rich, Oscar, and Cap Faxers! Sun out in South Burbs of Chicago, and wind is down to less than peel-your-roof-off levels. At least we’re closer to getting the elections certified, and moving on to next steps, whatever your party/beliefs. At this point, I believe I could use a stiff drink.

Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 9:42 am
My garbage cans are in my yard!

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 10:15 am
Despite reports to the contrary over the weekend, the DUI charges against LaRussa in Arizona are not being dropped, only being re-filed in another court.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2020/11/16/21569653/chicago-white-sox-tony-la-russa-dui-drunken-driving-charges

This article includes excerpts of LaRussa’s dialogue with the arresting officer at the time of the DUI.

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 10:20 am
Sweater Guy, as well as Giant Lincoln, are in the process of doing their own “affectionate farewell” from Springfield now.

https://www.sj-r.com/news/20201112/gettysburg-address-on-display-lincoln-sculpture-bidding-springfield-lsquoan-affectionate-farewellrsquo?rssfeed=true

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 11:12 am
Telling bars they can continue to allow patrons to gamble at the 5 or 6 machines is a good change from prior policy. Telling the bars they can’t sell a drink to those 5 or 6 individuals is ridiculous. The machines have to be monitored by staff to ensure minors don’t play the machines let them sell a couple beers. I hope somebody Public Health has some common sense.

Comment by Howard Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 11:13 am
Thanksgiving gatherings are something to be careful with. I also wonder what impact Drinksgiving will have. Drinksgiving is the night before Thanksgiving, a huge bar night. Defiant bars and restaurants could see an opportunity to make back lost money and allow large crowds. Or people could have house parties instead. It’s going to be rocky, at least into the new year.

Comment by Independent Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 11:17 am
Wonderful and gorgeous morning in southern IL - The annual influx of out of state deer hunters has begin - lots of out of state plates, unofficial “deer camps” set up in the campgrounds and at private residences. Yet sadly, the outfitters have had very difficult time in obtaining good guidance from IDPH, Local HD’s, and DCEO regarding guidelines, best practices, etc.
Some are choosing to just forge ahead as if no pandemic exists. Others are rushing to adjust previous COVID safety measures to some that are more stringent in order to insure staff and guest safety. And, let us not forget that waterfowl season is going great guns with groups ranging from 4-8 crammed into duck blinds and goose pits and all blowing away on their calls…
It’s a different world down here campers, and a bit of a scary one.

Comment by DownSouth Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 11:32 am
Just checked the IDPH regional metrics. Region 3s ICU bed availability is horrid. 21%. We will most likely be moving on to tier 2 mitigations very soon

Comment by thoughts matter Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 12:16 pm
St. Louis is reportedly out of ICU beds and turning people away.

Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 12:19 pm
== Telling bars they can continue to allow patrons to gamble at the 5 or 6 machines is a good change from prior policy. ==

This may help a lot of bars survive. Gambling is often most of the profit in a bar.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 12:53 pm
At my vacation home in Iowa (98% chance someone is infected if I am with 10 people). So curbside for the groceries, masking even at home when service people are present (we batch up home repair/cable service etc. tasks for when present). And otherwise no going off the house premises. And extra careful to avoid household accidents since health care around here has never been good and Iowa city is at capacity.

Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 1:30 pm
@ Disgruntled University Employee

I am truly sorry. This is my fear for next semester as I, a 60+ year old, state employee, go back into the classroom.

I am sorry for your loss.

Comment by H-W Monday, Nov 16, 20 @ 1:43 pm