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COVID-19 roundup

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* Press release…

Today, the State of Illinois has received the first shipment of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the Illinois Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The state received approximately 43,000 doses in the first shipment and expects additional shipments in the coming weeks. The vast majority of doses in this shipment will be delivered from the SNS to Regional Hospital Coordination Centers around the state that will serve as pick up locations for local health departments to begin distribution to healthcare workers in their jurisdictions, with the remaining portion going directly to predetermined local health department(s).

Chicago received a direct shipment from the federal government today as well. Four additional local health departments around the state will also receive direct shipments from the federal government later this week: Cook County Department of Public Health, Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, Madison County Health Department, and St. Clair County Health Department. These direct shipments account for the state’s initial expected allocation of 100,000 doses.

“Today marks a momentous occasion – not just this year, but in American history. Eleven months after scientists the world over first got their hands on the genetic sequence of this virus – and we are seeing the beginning of the end of this pandemic,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I want to offer my gratitude not only to the researchers who fueled this moment, but also to all the truck drivers, pilots, logistics specialists, warehouse operations managers, and law enforcement officers who have spent the last few days and weeks deploying the largest national mission in a generation. May we all take a moment to feel hope today.”

Due to heightened security protocols for the distribution of the vaccine, the state has provided B-roll video

* B-roll…

* Peoria Public Radio…

The Tazewell County State’s Attorney [Stewart Umholtz] said Gov. JB Pritzker’s threat to take action against businesses violating his COVID-19 executive orders raises “serious concerns.” […]

Umholtz believes coercive actions aren’t necessarily helpful. He said he prefers a good neighbor policy over government intrusion.

However, Umholtz said his office has discussed Tazewell County’s potential liabilities for violating Pritzker’s directive with local leaders. He adds the county “may chose to limit its exposure” – when considering Restore Illinois enforcement. […]

Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders, and said he won’t enforce them.

* WBEZ…

COVID-19 deaths among Illinois nursing home residents are surging and near their highest level but, as the pandemic wears on, those cases are making up a smaller fraction of the state’s total coronavirus death count.

Over the past five weeks, nursing home residents have accounted for 42.8% of the total fatalities, according to a WBEZ analysis of state Department of Public Health data. That’s down from 66.4% during a five-week period ending June 19.

“I think that does suggest that nursing homes are doing something right,” said Ronald Hershow, who directs epidemiology and biostatistics in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Public Health. “They have improved their approach to this health issue over time.”

* Great idea in Indiana…

Carmel began testing wastewater for the virus that causes COVID-19 in May, hoping to build a reliable early warning system ahead of any spikes in cases.

Wastewater is one of the places where the COVID-19 virus exists, because traces of SARS-Cov2 have been found in human waste. Testing wastewater can be a strong indicator of how many people within a community have the virus that causes COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms or have been tested.

“It doesn’t tell us how many people have COVID,” said Mayor Jim Brainard. “What it does it tell us the amount of the virus that’s in our waste stream doubled or cut or went up by 10% or went down by 10%.”

* Interesting development…

A blood test has been developed that can predict whether Covid patients will need intensive care – or are even likely to survive – shortly after they develop symptoms.

If validated in real-life hospital settings, the test could enable doctors to direct life-saving treatment to the most needy patients sooner, boosting their chances of survival. It could also bolster doctors’ confidence in the face of difficult decisions, such as whether to offer palliative care or an ICU bed when hospitals are close to capacity.

* Chicago Tribune live blog headlines…

Pandemic necessitates new procedures, but calls are down in 2020 for south suburban paramedics

Health care workers begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine as largest vaccination campaign in US history now underway: ‘I feel hopeful today’

Zoom scavenger hunts, Champagne deliveries: With office parties canceled, Chicago companies get creative

Cook County to detail plans for vaccine distribution as doses to begin arriving in Illinois

Violent crime rate doubles on CTA rail system in 2020, even with stepped-up police efforts and far fewer riders

* Sun-Times live blog headlines…

Activists want Pritzker, Lightfoot to fix ‘big mistakes’ in vaccine distribution plans

COVID-19 vaccine shipments begin in historic U.S. effort

Tree sales soar ahead of coronavirus Christmas: ‘We didn’t really see it coming’

127 more Illinois coronavirus deaths Saturday as state prepares to receive first vaccine doses

COVID-19 vaccine shipments set to arrive in states on Monday

I volunteered for COVID-19 vaccine trials. We need public education to build trust in the vaccine.

* NBC Chicago live blog headlines…

Chicago-Area Hospitals Prepare for First Shipments of Coronavirus Vaccine

Here’s What We Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine So Far

Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Application Deadline Looms

Positivity Rates Fall Across State Healthcare Regions, Increase Only in Chicago

Illinois Reports 7,216 New Coronavirus Cases, 115 Additional Deaths Sunday

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 1:38 pm

Comments

==* Great idea in Indiana…==

The Tribune covered efforts to do this in Chicago last month. Argonne is involved and so is UIC’s public health school as well as a few other schools.

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 1:45 pm
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-covid-sewage-monitoring-20201117-rgi5wgme75h5lb2qxdi6rnr6lq-story.html

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 1:48 pm
-=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=-

I question the lawfulness of the sheriff. However neither myself or the sheriff are state courts. Until either of these items are addressed specifically in the courts, they stand as lawful.

I wonder if the sheriff has the same qualms regarding executive orders when the Illinois river floods.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 1:58 pm
From the Peoria Public Radio story- “Umholtz believes coercive actions aren’t necessarily helpful. He said he prefers a good neighbor policy over government intrusion.” Then… “Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders, and said he won’t enforce them.”

Yep, that’s the kind of “good neighbor” sheriff I’d want if I had an emergency- law enforcement that picks and chooses what to respond to in the community in their role to “protect and serve”. Must be a nice view from the mountaintop.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:02 pm
==Umholtz believes coercive actions aren’t necessarily helpful. He said he prefers a good neighbor policy over government intrusion.==

What’s a State’s Attorneys Office for?

Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:05 pm
Spent 4 months in the Peoria area this year and can confirm the minute you drove east over the river into Tazewell or Woodford Counties, most COVID precautions went completely out the window unless in a large chain store/restaurant.

Comment by 4 eyes Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:08 pm
=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=

The same sheriff’s dept that returned weapons to the family of mentally ill Waffle House shooter..

Lots of “good neighbor” decisions coming out of that office.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:09 pm
Today is an historic day: Americans getting the first COVID vaccines and America ridding itself of an authoritarian regime, as electors vote.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:15 pm
=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=

Always a slippery slope regardless of the subject matter. Cause for pause when the subject matter is enforcement of immigration laws, gun laws, COVID mandates, etc….

A strategy that makes those not enforcing it euphoric when lack of enforcement helps their cause and outraged when it doesn’t, regardless of subject matter.

Comment by Just Do It Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:15 pm
Because of his misfeasance, I question the lawfulness of Jeff Lower being Tazewell Co Sheriff. Therefore, I do not accept his authority to give me a ticket next time I drive through Tazewell County.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:19 pm
I see JB didn’t bother to thank the Trump Administration—sigh

Comment by Petey L. Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:20 pm
-=enforcement of immigration laws=-

County sheriffs don’t enforce federal issues. It’s never been in question.

-=gun laws=-

Yes, lets talk about how this sheriff handles those laws. That should be a fun can of worms to open for him.

-=COVID mandates=-

As much of an enforceable act as a restaurant not refrigerating their meat overnight. There’s no actual law for that, after all.

I will say one thing this sheriff is good at - convincing people that not doing his job is somehow the fault of ‘the state’. Right up there with the dog ate my homework. I’m glad it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the cognitive ability of county sheriffs is ranked right next to grade school children.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:20 pm
=== A blood test has been developed that can predict whether Covid patients will need intensive care ===

We see a lot of possible things to hang our hat on to assuage our concerns about COVID. Reading stories that some studies have found that O blood type is less susceptible to severe COVID illness gives some hope for my family. However, we will get vaccinated, continue to wear our masks and keep socially distant until the all clear is sounded by CDC.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:24 pm
=== I see JB didn’t bother to thank the Trump Administration—sigh===

Why would Governor Pritzker thank the Trump Administration, they held super spreader events well beyond the election and the companies that created the vaccines got no monetary support in the creation.

Thanking the military, UPS, FedEx… that makes sense.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:25 pm
4 eyes -

Have a friend who is a Peoria native, spent most of his life in Peoria. He asserts that when you drive east across the Illinois River from Peoria County to Tazewell County, you’re actually headed South across the Mason-Dixon line. The brother of Sheriff Buford Pusser ran a roadhouse in Tazewell County.

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:26 pm
===That should be a fun can of worms to open for him===

Ouch.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:33 pm
Petey, you want Trump to get credit for something. I give him credit for exacerbating the number of COVID deaths and cases because of his disinformation campaign and politicization of mitigation efforts.

As far as the vaccine goes, I thank the scientists and public health experts who have been doing the research that enabled the vaccines to be developed more quickly. I also thank those who have been risking their lives during the pandemic to treat patients and keep providing us with food and vital services.

As for Trump’s ego, I would suggest we name the pandemic for him. He likes to associated with the biggest of everything. COVID-19 has been the biggest and most impactful disease in the US in over 100 years.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:36 pm
Pritzker thanks everyone but never Trump. Would it hurt him to publicly thank Trump at least once?

Comment by Not a DJT Apologist Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:40 pm
=== Would it hurt him to publicly thank Trump at least once?===

Trump is a lame duck President yet to concede an election he lost and is damaging democracy…

… you’re concerned a governor isn’t given an “atta boy”?

300,000 deaths tell me… the governor handled it fine

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:43 pm
How is a vaccine largely developed in Germany, by a multi-national company, first deployed in other counties, and being used around the globe, a win by the President?

This isn’t America landing a man on the moon by ourselves.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:46 pm
When Biden won , I didn’t go to the celebration by my townhouse. I saw JB walking there. It’s good to know that Biden celebrations can’t be super spreading events in Illinois. JB makes all his decisions based on science, just look at him.

Comment by Northside Moderate Dude Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:48 pm
“JB makes all his decisions based on science, just look at him.”

OUCH.

Comment by wildcat Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:52 pm
==As for Trump’s ego, I would suggest we name the pandemic for him.==

The Trump virus.
Remember the Trump Pandemic of 2020.
The worst recession since the Trump Pandemic of 2020.

Norseman for the win.

Comment by don the legend Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:00 pm
I’ll give Trump credit for project warp speed (and even include pfizer since the guaranteed purchase regardless of success may have played a role in the development), but only in the context of all the terrible COVID decisions he’s made (not least of which: siding with Team Jared and making the initial China travel ban porous as Swiss Cheese). One of the great Trump ironies is if he had followed his germophboic insticts and done what would have been criticized as overreaction (as was his porous China ban…), he might have gone down as a good president in a Churchillian sort of way (”did lots of domestic things wrong, but did the big thing right”)

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:01 pm
Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order?

Comment by Ferris Wheeler Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:02 pm
===Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order? ===

Because we’re not fascists?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:02 pm
=Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order?=

Uh… humanity?

And all of those other people in those areas that follow the rules and try to keep people healthy.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:03 pm
===Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order?===

My goodness gracious… I think you’re thinking that you being smart to humanity by deciding to act in an inhumane way to distribution.

Whew.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:09 pm
==Because we’re not fascists==
==Uh…humanity==

Thank you for both of these replies. Truly helping me get through today.

Comment by EssentialWorkingMom Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:13 pm
I thought this wasn’t Facebook?

Comment by Scott Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:20 pm
I’ve personally had to deal with Jeff Lower on a professional level.
I honestly can say he is a joke.

Doesn’t surprise me at all this is his take on JB. He should be made an example of.

Comment by The Dude Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:33 pm
I see the Trump trolls are out in force to get praise for their dear leader.

So folks, let’s send him a big thank you for the Trump Virus, the Trump Pandemic and the Trump Recession.

And while we’re at it, let’s also thank him for passing on acquiring an additional 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, downplaying the pandemic as if it were just the flu, undermining democracy, and fomenting revolt.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:40 pm
I thought this site was Illinois-centric only.

Comment by Blanche Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:50 pm
==Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders, and said he won’t enforce them.==

His job is to enforce the laws. Period. If he can’t do that then he should find another line of work. He’s violating his oath as a Sheriff.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:57 pm
Pfizer made it clear that they were not part of “Warp Speed” They took no federal funds. They did sell to the US. Moderna on the other hand was part of Warp Speed.

Comment by Banish Misfortune Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 4:14 pm
Speaking for me and only me. As a 75 yr old I think the vaccines should be given to the healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, necessary workers and anybody else younger than me. When those folks had a chance to be vaccinated then I’ll get in line.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 4:16 pm
Suburban mom

You should stop picking on Trump.

Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 4:44 pm