Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

24 percent of LaSalle Veterans Home residents have now been killed by coronavirus, 89 percent infected

Posted in:

Illinois

* From the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs…

December 1, 2020

To residents, families or responsible parties, and staff of the Illinois Veterans Home at LaSalle:

We continue to be committed to communicating with you in a responsible and transparent manner about COVID-19 (coronavirus). Since our last COVID-19 update there has been one (1) additional case at our home. Also, after finding an error in my previous daily calculations, our overall numbers have been corrected. Since the beginning of the crisis we have had a total of 108 positive residents and 97 positive employees. To date, 35 residents and 76 staff have recovered from the virus. Unfortunately, we have lost an additional one (1) Veteran bringing the total number of Veterans with COVID-19 who have passed away to twenty-nine (29). We are following the latest medical guidance and are working with state, federal and local health officials to ensure the continued care for all of our residents and testing and protection of anyone potentially exposed.

As always, our top priority is the health and safety of our Veteran heroes and the devoted staff who care for them. Throughout this pandemic we have been following recommendations from state and local health officials to safeguard everyone at the facility and despite the outbreak we continue to do health screenings of staff and residents, maintain social distancing practices, wear face coverings, use gloves and gowns when indicated, and perform thorough cleaning and disinfection. We are grateful to our team for remaining highly vigilant for signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and for responding swiftly, appropriately, and professionally to any potential cases.

We understand this news can be distressing, which is why we encourage you to contact your loved ones for mutual support of one another. If your loved one has been affected by the virus, we want to offer you the opportunity to visit in person. Please understand this is a risk to your health and safety and though we will provide all the appropriate PPE, we cannot guarantee you will not contract the virus.

“Distressing.” How about terrifying?

Before the outbreak, the home had 121 residents and 230 employees.

* Pritzker’s campaign reaction after a common stomach bug outbreak happened in Quincy…

After fatally mismanaging the Quincy Veterans’ Home, @BruceRauner is letting persistent health issues jeopardize the wellbeing of our nation’s heroes. This is a shameful display of failed leadership. https://t.co/YIiGmT9LaE

— JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) March 30, 2018

Yeah, maybe we need the same sort of energy put into addressing a problem that has killed a quarter of the LaSalle home’s residents.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:33 am

Comments

=== maybe we need the same sort of energy put into addressing a problem that has killed a quarter of the LaSalle home’s residents. ===

Yep. Period.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:38 am
Disgusting and no excuses accepted.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:42 am
This is horrifying.

“If your loved one has been affected by the virus, we want to offer you the opportunity to visit in person. Please understand this is a risk to your health and safety and though we will provide all the appropriate PPE, we cannot guarantee you will not contract the virus.”

This is absolutely the wrong thing to do during a pandemic. The issue is not whether the visitors will contract covid — although that’s a terrifying prospect. It’s whether they will bring it home and spread it to their family members, friends and neighbors. Until everybody is clear at LaSalle, there should be NO VISITORS. FULL STOP.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:42 am
I’m shocked at the total disregard to this issue starting from Governor Pritzker on down. His chief of staff tweeted this during the Eagles football game on Monday which was tone deaf given the happenings in the Veteran’s Home.

“There are certain members of my family that I feel like I need to check on because I’m worried the @Eagles might have killed them.”

Maybe she needs to check on the residents of the Veteran’s Home…

Comment by 4 percent Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:45 am
Soccermom, seriously. My uncle died and his mom had to say goodbye over the phone…like everyone else in this country who has lost a loved one to Covid. Why do they feel they should be the exception to the rule? Does it suck? Absolutely. But don’t contribute to further spread in the community.

Comment by Election Worker Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:49 am
My guess is, somehow, JB will blame the federal government or some faction of science deniers. Terribly unfortunate but not really surprising.

Comment by essentially working Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:50 am
Pritzker spends inordinate sums of time constantly using Rauner as a foil for his actions…yet on this gigantic issue? Nada. #PritzkerFailed

Comment by Anon y mouse Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:52 am
Rauner put his CMS director in charge of the Quincy response and spent a few nights at the home because he knew how serious of a political bomb the issue was. I have no clue why this administration has been negligent in this response after making Quincy a centerpiece of their campaign.

As a starting point, Director Chapa Lavia needs to go. It will happen eventually, so they need to stop putting it off.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:53 am
Election Worker — My uncle died from COVID and his immediate family held a graveside service yesterday. No funeral. Because public health matters more than any individual person’s heartfelt desire to say goodbye to the person they love most. That’s tragic, but it’s our reality today.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:54 am
What an awful and depressing situation. It really shows how easily Covid can get out of hand in congregant setting. Amazing that we haven’t had a situation like this in other places.

Comment by Southern Skeptic Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:54 am
I interviewed for a low level PR job with the Rauner folks after this scandal first started. They asked what response I would give and I said terminate the person in charge, apologize, and make changes. They said that was the wrong answer.

The right answer (to them) was focus on the people who did not die, and claim credit for saving them.

I didn’t get the job and probably dodged a bullet.

Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 10:58 am
This administration failed these veterans, JB needs to admit that, and do something about it. Being Governor requires running the State operationally, and while I believe the overall effort in fighting the virus has been good - this specific situation has been unacceptable. We have to be better than this.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:00 am
The Governor needs to take control of this situation ASAP. He has been too distanced from it. IDVA has clearly mismanaged this at the most basic levels (using the wrong hand sanitizer). And deaths and cases continue to be reported. When is enough enough where he steps in to change leadership or take it out of the IDVA’s hands? 108 residents have it - that means there are only 13 left that don’t! Take Action Now!

Comment by Citizen Kane Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:00 am
You are so right, Anon y mouse. JB and his team need to step up, accept responsibility for THEIR actions and inactions. Like a petulant child JB blames the Feds, any and all Republicans for the ills of the world. ENOUGH of the blame. Rauner is long gone. Let’s’see YOU accept responsibilities as GoV of IL.

Comment by Joliet gram Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:00 am
===Amazing that we haven’t had a situation like this in other places. ===

Because those folks were actually doing their freaking jobs.

Heads need to roll. We can wait for the report to decide about criminal liability. But you can bet the state is gonna get sued for a huge amount of money because of this. And remember, the state raised the damage caps to $2 million. Total damages could be in the nine figures there.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:00 am
Is Chapa LaVia still in charge?

Why?

This is on the Governor. That campaign tweet says more than I can.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:01 am
hard to believe staffing was to blame with almost twice as many employees as residents

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:04 am
===And remember, the state raised the damage caps to $2 million.=== Yes, and they raised it as a result of the IDVA’s last failure at the Quincy Home. Can you imagine the damages that will be paid out for this - especially when they couldn’t even get the most basic thing - hand sanitizer - right? More than double the veterans died here than in Quincy and the state is paying out $6.4 million to those 12 families…

Comment by Citizen Kane Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:05 am
===almost twice as many employees as residents===

Three full shifts plus weekends and they’re dealing with older and often physically frail people with lots of medical needs.

So, stow your snark, doofus.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:06 am
Federal investigation or at least an investigation done with federal oversight.

The state is incompetent. JB it’s time you hire experts within the state.

Comment by The Dude Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:07 am
Waiting for a Friday news dump to fire Chapa LaVia is politicizing these deaths as damaging to the governor and not addressing the malpractice of the leadership.

How much worse does it need to be before action?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:08 am
These IL Vets deserve so much more - they defended our freedoms and yet they are treated like trash. My guess is there are a bunch of really highly decorated vets among the dead. JB should be publicly shamed and then held accountable.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:09 am
First things first. Everyone needs to get on the same page and just admit this is real. No more conspiracy theories, no more lawsuits, no more conplaints about “freedom”, no more complaints about math, no more rallies. Shut things down. Let people do their jobs without all the distractions.

Comment by Publius Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:11 am
The part about using ineffective hand sanitizer against Covid-19 for as long as they did blows my mind. I can’t even rationalize how that was allowed to happen.

Comment by Dutch Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:15 am
===Federal investigation ===

They’ve already been called in

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:16 am
New York Times has a good article today about decreasing isolation days from 10days to 5days. It is an interesting conclusion after a review of many studies. Some of the strongest days of virus shed are the 2 days before symptoms manifest. Hard to manage a confined facility with sneaky virus shedding like that.

This is likely a surface-cleaning problem, and fresh ventilation problems, that have not been vigorously addressed by management. Many of us have been running business operations during this disaster and have had to understand A L L of the disease vectors involved, not just the more hyped ones.

Good luck to those in charge of these souls, now. Crack the windows and get the 400ppm bleach spray on every single surface, knob, doorway, phone, etc, and let it air day.

My local public health dept does a great job with monitoring basic sanitation like this. It would be interesting to FOIA LaSalle County inspection reports of the facility and see if there is a pattern of lack of cleanliness.

Comment by weeds Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:25 am
JB called Rauner out for failed leadership. The only thing he can say now is “I failed”. It would be a good place to start. Then layout the plan to ensure our Veterans don’t experience anything like this again.

Comment by SSL Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:26 am
I am angry. Does anybody notice or care that this story is not being covered in the regular news media? I did it this morning, but I should not have to forward this blog post to friends and relatives who do not know about the situation at Illinois facilities which are specifically supposed to safely care for our veterans and provide a reasonable environment for their care givers to serve in.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:27 am
Where the hell has Chapa LaVia been? JB doesn’t seem to worried. A governor who really cares would have emptied the place out, set up a quarantine facility in the LaSalle area and at least get Dr. E to show some compassion for the veterans. These guys aren’t hanging around bars — the Pritzker administration should at least put as much effort into helping them as they are hurting others.

Comment by Joe Schmoe Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:31 am
Such a travesty. I’m at loss of words, aside from this. There needs to be some firings soon.

Comment by Glengarry Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:32 am
An abysmal failure at all levels by the Pritzker administration. Hopefully accountability will be distributed fairly, without consideration of the political stature of anyone involved in this tragedy. Personnel changes don’t need to wait for the feds.

Comment by Derek Smalls Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:33 am
This is one of the worst tragedies ever to happen in Illinois. My heart goes out to all family and friends of those who died. I can only imagine the horror of losing a loved ones this way. Their lives mattered.

Comment by Ann from Wicker Park Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:33 am
Another element of accountability: Does anyone know who the Deputy Governor overseeing IDVA is?

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:36 am
== What an awful and depressing situation. It really shows how easily Covid can get out of hand in congregant setting. Amazing that we haven’t had a situation like this in other places.==

It is horrible, depressing and a tragedy. Even worse… it has happened in other places and no one seems to be learning how to prevent it. It’s not the first veterans home or nursing home in the US or Illinois in particular to have lost this many residents. I wish people would learn so that it would be the last.
Remember The Villas Sherman Illinois, Thomson-hood Va in Kentucky, Another in Missouri, etc.

Comment by thoughts matter Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:38 am
It’s a fair assessment

Comment by Morty Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:39 am
==…JB will blame the federal government or some faction of science deniers…==

Some faction of science designers. Really.

Science deniers deserve to be taken seriously?

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:42 am
This is a clear failure of leadership. He needs to own it and correct it now. If time shows this to be his true management style throughout government, he may lose my support.

Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:42 am
=== Where the hell has Chapa LaVia been?===

Why is Chapa LaVia around now?

Every day, hour, minute Chapa LaVia is around now is an indication that accountability is being held off “for now”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:42 am
This is shameful. JB has been governor for nearly two. I’m outraged how our veterans are being treated by this administration. JB owns this tragedy and heads need to roll today

Comment by Lake County Guy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:46 am
=4 percent=
100% agree, Let hope the media can at least forget about those laminated press passes, and put this administration on notice.

Comment by 14th ward Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:55 am
How many days has Secretary Chapa LaVia spent at this veterans’ home, before and after this crisis? The only way to get a feel for a situation is to be on the ground. Serious question - how much time has she spent there? The answer will help to assess how serious these folks are. Agree with Cap Fax - heads need to roll.

Comment by west wing Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:57 am
Is Sen. Tammy Duckworth going to call for the firing of Chapa LaVia?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 11:59 am
Perspective?

=== On November, 1, the first case of a resident testing positive occurred.

On November 3, after mass testing, 22 residents and seven staff tested positive.

On November 8, it was 59 residents and 64 staff testing positive. […]

On November 12, IDPH personnel were finally called to the site.===

… all during the Veterans Day holiday, where we honor our veterans.

This tweet…

===@JBPritzker - Today and everyday, let’s take a moment to recognize and honor our veterans for their service to our country. To all the veterans and to those currently serving: We are forever grateful to you and your families for your service, sacrifice, and bravery.

9:12 AM · Nov 11, 2020===

Factor in the timeline above.

Where is Chapa LaVia… why is Chapa LaVia still in her position?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:05 pm
It appears the current IDPH guidelines only require N-95 masks to be worn by staff when caring for a patient with COVID.

IDPH also cited the home in its investigation for staff wearing PPE gowns in the administrative area.

In fact, the CDC guidelines say staff should wear masks at all times, and that gowns should never be worn in the common area, but disposed of as you leave the patients’ room.

It appears to be the case that staff were not always following the rules, but also that the rules were not adequate.

Folks should look at where the state rules deviate from the CDC guidelines and update them accordingly.

Comment by Ferris Wheeler Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:07 pm
“Does anybody notice or care that this story is not being covered in the regular news media?”

Respectively, I would google or youtube LaSalle Veterans home. National pieces are occurring too - Daily Mail, fox news, military times, politico, washington post, etc.

This is gaining traction. It matters what comes next. Was there a systemic breakdown/negligence by the state in regulating this home and/or other homes? If so, this will be the top story locally and get more play nationally. With Covid, 10% of all nursing home residents have died this year. If no negligence I don’t think it goes much farther given the plethora of news these days. Sad times. This will come up on the campaign trail given the Rauner Quincy Veterans home issues whether either Govs. are to blame that will be up to the voters.

Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:10 pm
I expect Dave McKinney and Tony Arnold should be getting some responses (or denials) to FOIA requests soon. I hope they weren’t too busy with all the ComEd developments to get those out a few weeks back, so that we can all discus the emails or lack thereof over our Christmas dinner Zooms.

Comment by Wonk Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:10 pm
If this happened at a hospital in Cook County, it would be headline news everywhere and the hospital would be closed…until further notice.

Why can we close bars and restaurants but not a Veterans Home where the residents have volunteered to serve the rest of us??

Yes we will be sued

Comment by northshore cynic Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:11 pm
===Is Sen. Tammy Duckworth going to call for the firing of Chapa LaVia?===

That would give the Governor cover to fire a female, Hispanic, veteran that was a well liked former legislator.

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:12 pm
- Nagidam -

You’re catching my drift.

It’s time, well past time, that the Governor decides that making changes and showing a different direction is next.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:15 pm
“It is sad when anyone dies of COVID, but it is especially worrisome when the state of Illinois is responsible for the care of our veterans in the homes,” said Kifowit, who has announced a bid to unseat Democrat Michael Madigan as Illinois House speaker”

She was right and that was on Nov 10th

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:15 pm
=== well liked former legislator.===

Maybe “half” of the legislators, but… it is a point.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:16 pm
“That would give the Governor cover to fire a female, Hispanic, veteran that was a well liked former legislator.”

If this is the only reason she hasn’t been fired by now, this serves as a strong example why politicians shouldn’t be appointed to important agency leadership roles in the first place.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:19 pm
What about the 11% who were not infected? Are they too early to test, just lucky, or naturally resistant?

The explosion of infection is frightening. I think people can spread the virus before they test positive. By the time the first person tested positive, they may have lost control.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:19 pm
NIU Grad, I think this one falls to Deputy Governor Flores, who I understand to have all the health and human services agencies. I would put IDVA in that bucket.

Comment by Wonk Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:20 pm
===I think this one falls to…===

… a former legislator who’s appointment, after making remarks on the floor derailed a few things for her, was a political choice and should be a person when deaths are happening should be able, easily, to go to a political patron and make a case of a disaster.

Otherwise… why appoint Chapa LaVia at all.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:24 pm
Show of hands…who here still believes the government on any level should be in charge of your healthcare?

Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:26 pm
What ever happened to the grand jury investigation in Adams County about the Quincy Veterans Home?

Comment by Infrequent Commentor Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:29 pm
Wonk - If you’re right, this is not the first agency crisis under her watch that was ignored until too late.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:30 pm
Nagidam

If Pritzker is playing identity politics instead of doing the right thing, then this is ridiculous. As it’s been said before Sullivan was let go because of an accusation, 29 people died from incompetent bureaucracy.

Comment by Almost the weekend Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:34 pm
Maybe it’s time for a broke State of Illinois to get out of the business of housing veterans and leave all veteran issues up to the Feds. The federal government is responsible for deciding when we go to war after all and should accept all of the consequences of that action including the care of veterans.

Comment by striketoo Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:35 pm
Would be rich for Duckworth to call for the firing of anyone from Vet Affairs given the lawsuit filed against her when she ran it.
I want to state that regardless of anything this is awful. These families are in my prayers. Just tragic and preventable.

Comment by Eire17 Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:35 pm
NIU Grad - Just my best guess, since it doesn’t fit with the portfolios of Hynes, Ruiz, or Mitchell. Then again, there’s always the chance that they didn’t put IDVA in anyone’s bucket. That would be a serious oversight when they were so aware of and outspoken on the risks to these fragile populations in aging facilities.

Comment by Wonk Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:36 pm
===given the lawsuit filed against her when she ran it===

Perhaps the least credible plaintiffs I’ve ever seen.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:37 pm
WBEZ already reported on this. Cases in long term care facilities all across the state began to rise at the same time:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wbez.org/amp/stories/covid-19-hits-nursing-homes-in-illinois-again/f408e26a-3350-4ae2-ae56-a782b95b01d2

The increase in cases in long term care facilities has been attributed to a rise in community-wide transmission.

Comment by Ferris Wheeler Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:39 pm
OW,

===Maybe “half” of the legislators, but… it is a point.===

Yes, but less than “half” reading your comment will get it…ha.

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:41 pm
Rich, who owns the LaSalle Veteran’s Home?

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:46 pm
- Nagidam -

And it wasn’t all that long ago. Be well.

The briefing today will be something that will show how the administration going forward wants to address this tragedy and if holding off accountable folks, what exactly will make the administration make a change if this tragedy isn’t enough now.

Will the Governor publicly support Chapa LaVia?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:47 pm
The on-site manager in charge of this Veteran’s Home should be fired.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:48 pm
Illinois government and administration continue their record of incompetence. JB is asleep at the wheel on IDVA, and the IDVA Director should have been fired long ago. It’s not a matter of government vs. private health care (the private sector has had its share of blunders and greed); it’s a matter of just how badly Illinois continues to be run overall, and the front-line workers cannot be blamed for management’s repeat failures.

Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:48 pm
Yes, governors own. However, I would put this one on the site administrator for failing to enforce measures to protect the residents. I would put it on the covidiot staff for attending a Halloween party and carrying the disease into the veterans home.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:49 pm
Ferris, if that’s all the reporting they’re doing on this, I want my pledge drive donation back.

Comment by Wonk Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:50 pm
@Almost the Weekend

===If Pritzker is playing identity politics instead of doing the right thing, then this is ridiculous. As it’s been said before Sullivan was let go because of an accusation, 29 people died from incompetent bureaucracy.===

My comment certainly was an inference to identity politics and also what would be a perfect out for the Governor. But yes, Sen. Sullivan was let go for something that while very serious, was beyond his control. What is happening here is a true test of an administration. A test in my opinion the governor is failing miserably.

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:51 pm
“Maybe it’s time for a broke State of Illinois to get out of the business of housing veterans and leave all veteran issues up to the Feds.”

What makes you think the Feds can do a better job?

Comment by M Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 12:52 pm
“What makes you think the Feds can do a better job?“
They can print money and the state cannot. Why is it the state’s responsibility to care for veterans? Is there anything we can back away from?

Comment by striketoo Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 1:00 pm
Ms. Chaps LaVia has a degree in Science. Unfortunately, it’s political science not medical science.
When care is the issue at the VA home, the administrator should have medical training to insure the veterans have the best care. Political appointees often lack expertise in strategizing to prevent negative outcomes for vulnerable veterans at this facility.
Time to resign.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 1:03 pm
===Heads need to roll.===

Rich is absolutely right about this.

OW’s picked a specific head — and if it’s not the director that they fire, they need to fire a whole lot of people very quickly before they fire the director.

That being said — if the outbreak isn’t the result of staff negligence another source needs to be publicly identified or some folks need to be fired before the end of the week.

I’m willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, but something has to exist to create that doubt.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 1:16 pm
===What makes you think the Feds can do a better job?===

How could they do any worse that this?

Comment by AD Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 1:32 pm
==Show of hands…who here still believes the government on any level should be in charge of your healthcare?==

If you really believe what you’re saying, I have a few private nursing homes I’d like to show you right now.

==the administrator should have medical training==

Yes, that can definitely help, along with having a crack nursing staff and admissions people who aren’t incentivized by bonus programs based strictly on numbers.

Comment by yinn Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 1:49 pm
“How could they do any worse that this?”

When I think of all the bad things the current federal government has done, it could be far worse than it is now. However, changes need to be made from the head of LaSalle’s Veteran Home down to the workers. I’m willing to bet there are not enough workers to take care of the patients.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 1:53 pm
== On November 12, IDPH personnel were finally called to the site.==W

OW, what date was the governor notified about LaSalle Veteran’s Home?

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:02 pm
Who is the IPC coordinator for LaSalle Veteran’s Home is the first question.

It’s not the site administrator or the director or the governor’s chief-of-staff who is primarily responsible for stopping COVID, it is the IPC coordinator.

Why haven’t we heard from her or him?

Comment by Ferris Wheeler Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:02 pm
- Mama -

Ask the governor

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:04 pm
The letter states “As always, our top priority is the health and safety of our Veteran heroes and the devoted staff who care for them. Throughout this pandemic we have been following recommendations from state and local health officials….”
But they still can’t figure out which hand sanitizer to use…….

Comment by ChiSox Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:23 pm
Its Rauners fault. Oh wait…

Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:56 pm
Don’t expect anyone from the Pritzker administration much less the Governor to actually move into the Veterans home for a few days like Governor Rauner did in Quincy to see how it operates anytime soon.

Cue many more press conferences deflecting blame

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/governor-bruce-rauner-moves-into-quincy-veterans-home-amid-controversy/166029/

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:25 pm
===Don’t expect anyone from the Pritzker administration much less the Governor to actually move into the Veterans home for a few days like Governor Rauner===

Hey, dummy, Legionnaire’s is not a contagious virus.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:27 pm
Governor Pritzker has decided, for now, to support Chapa LaVia.

Wonder how bad it’s going to have to get, I mean, 24 percent of LaSalle Veterans Home residents have now been killed by coronavirus, 89 percent infected and Chapa LaVia stays…

“@BauerJournalism - Pritzker: “I have spoken with her, and the most important thing that we’ve directed Director Chapa LaVia to do, which she already does,” is to take care of veterans in their care.”

3:09 PM • 12/2/20

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:32 pm
As Rich said previously, John Sullivan got booted from Ag for an email but Chapa LaVia is still standing after dozens of deaths…

Comment by 4 percent Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:07 pm
=== John Sullivan got booted from Ag for an email but Chapa LaVia is still standing after dozens of deaths…===

The governor has decided to back Chapa LaVia.

Wonder how much worse it needs to be, we have an email threshold for one… and another threshold for another I guess.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:10 pm
Lessons to be learned: Never hire people because they are in the right political party, Always get ahead of the story (regardless of when you find yourself in the story choose to get ahead at that time), Take immediate action to stop the problem, Initiate a short term investigation to determine what happened and correct (2 weeks tops). Simple accountability steps that government leaders in IL never seem to learn or simple refuse to take.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:12 pm
If only there was a way to get the full story from everyone involved and in open transparency share everything known.

Comment by Honorandgrace Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:51 pm