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* Alexander County, which is in deep southern Illinois, has many, many problems. It’s lost 30 percent of its population since 2010. Its median income is less than $37,000. Almost a quarter of its residents, a third of whom are Black, live in poverty.
According to IDPH, less than 2.6 percent of Alexander County residents are fully vaccinated - 156 out of 6,060. That’s the worst in the entire state. And even though African-Americans make up a third of its population, just 20 percent are fully vaccinated while 64 percent of whites in the county are fully vaxed. At last check, the county is sitting on 180 unused vaccine doses.
* So NPR Illinois’ Hannah Meisel asked Gov. Pritzker yesterday why things are going so wrong down there. This is what he said…
So let me say, you know, there’s a wide range of capability among the 97 local public health departments. And we’ve tried to provide greater capability for those that may be less well staffed, for example, or have less resources. So you’ve seen us move the Illinois National Guard all across the state where we need to bring greater equity, or we need to add manpower, I have to say, woman power too. The Illinois, the Illinois National Guard, honestly, we’ve had such terrific, the men and women who have been at those sites, if any of you who have been to those sites, these are amazing people who are stepping in and doing life saving work. You usually think of them as going to war on our behalf or defending our nation outside our borders or handling a flood or some other challenge. But here, they’re you know, they’re literally saving people’s lives every day by vaccines. So we’ve sent them on in mobile missions across the state to areas, we have one coming up that attempts to address the areas that you were talking about in far southern Illinois, the southern seven region. And so that’s, you know, really what we’re doing is trying to measure capability and then add to the capability where it may not exist. Taking Adams County as a pretty good example, they’re very good at moving their vaccine into people’s arms. There are some other counties, even bigger counties, that have what they did with their vaccines is they handed them off to community partners. And then in some cases, those community partners put some of it on the shelves in inventory, thinking that they might have a need for them at a clinic that they might run two weeks hence. What we want is for everybody to get this vaccine into people’s arms right away. And at the Illinois Department of Public Health, it’s hard for us to track what the local public health department does with each of those doses, sending them to those local community partners. And so we rely on the LHDs to continually speak with their community partners to get that vaccine off the shelves and into people’s arms. And they’re doing a much better job today than they have ever before. And again, when you look at the top 10 biggest states in the country, we’re actually number two among those top 10 states at getting the vaccine from the delivery into people’s arms fastest.
Lots of words.
Also, you’d think that since the county has the worst vaccination rate in the state, Dr. Ezike would be more informed about what’s going on down there. But she didn’t appear to have any knowledge about what was happening when asked about the county in a Senate committee hearing earlier this week.
…Adding… Hannah…
Alexander County includes Cairo, a place where repeated failures in public housing have left many residents vulnerable, per @MollyParkerSI‘s incredible reporting (https://t.co/8NfX88qDn3). Maddening. https://t.co/JT0gvk8VT5
— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) March 18, 2021
*** UPDATE *** The governor’s office says that in addition to National Guard mobile teams…
The IDPH minority health office in partnership with the LHD this weekend will be on the ground in Alexander County providing additional access to vaccine for minority and hard to reach populations in Cairo, Mounds and Cobden.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 9:59 am
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People of Alexander County,
There are plenty of vaccination appointments up the road in Carbondale. Schedule one and go get it.
Thank you.
Illinois
Comment by Feldy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:05 am
They’re not in the right ZIP codes, I guess.
Comment by JB13 Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:10 am
That’s a pretty cold blooded comment. Typically people in deep poverty don’t have all the transportation options the rest of us enjoy. Time to roll a Guard unit down there by the weekend and start sticking people first come first served, no restrictions.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:11 am
== People of Alexander County,
There are plenty of vaccination appointments up the road in Carbondale. Schedule one and go get it. ==
Yes, assuming you can get off work to get up there or have transportation to get there go right ahead. That is of course assuming they are aware of those appointments being available. Funny how it seems one group of residents in the county may be having an easier time accomplishing that than another group, isn’t it?
Also, that is some Pat Quinn all-you-can-eat at Olive Garden quality word salad there Governor.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:13 am
Is there a “downstate director” in the office who can pick up the phone and figure out what the issue might be?
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:18 am
A rolling 7 day average of 19 shots per day? Needs to be better.
One positive thing is they haven’t had a positive COVID case in Alexander County since at least March 4.
Comment by Numbers Guy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:20 am
When all three of your deputy governors are from Chicago…
Comment by Almost the weekend Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:21 am
This is not a personal failure on the part of the unvaccinated but rather another example of our two-tiered inequitable health system. So much of this process is set up around the notion that you have a car, a job with a 9-5 regular schedule that rarely changes, a smartphone, access to the internet, the knowledge to use the internet effectively, and paid sick time.
Comment by Sangamo Girl Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:26 am
- roll a Guard unit down there by the weekend and start sticking people first come first served, no restrictions. -
Seconded.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:27 am
===One positive thing is they haven’t had a positive===
They barely test anyone.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:27 am
== People of Alexander County,
There are plenty of vaccination appointments up the road in Carbondale. Schedule one and go get it.
Thank you.
Illinois==
People of Chicago/Northern Illinois
,
Please learn more about the State. It’s an hour, at minimum, drive from Cairo to Carbondale. “up the road.” Yeah, sure, make people living in one of the poorest communities take off work for an entire morning and afternoon, plus gas money, to get what everyone up there can get nearby. Please.
Thank you.
People of Southern Illinois
Comment by fs Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:34 am
=eah, sure, make people living in one of the poorest communities take off work for an entire morning and afternoon, plus gas money, to get what everyone up there can get nearby.=
Not to mention some of those people probably might not have the transportation to get to Carbondale either.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:39 am
A one day pop up clinic could get a substantial number of residents. My township is doing that. With phone only registration. Get down there, set up in a school for a Sunday maybe. With some publicity you could get most of the eligible people in one or two days.
Comment by Banish Misfortune Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:40 am
I remember when CMS “bean counters” and leasing experts decided it was time to close the Cairo DHS office due to low walk in numbers.
It took then Secretary Saddler to lay down the law to the Springfield CMS crew the fact the office would not be closed and they needed to understand transportation issues in Alexander County before coming up with any more of grand plans to save money and close DHS field offices.
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:41 am
To this administration — If it ain’t in Chicago, it ain’t in Illinois…..
Comment by Joe Schmoe Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:45 am
Alexander County has one of the most racist histories in the State of Illinois, including losing court battles because the people who lived there wanted to insist on continuing racist efforts to prevent Blacks from being able to hold office.
It’s important to note that no one went to prison over what happened with the HUD housing program, and someone literally made millions of dollars off preying on poor people who are easily and often ignored by the white people who represent them in local, state, and federal offices.
Governor Pritzker’s answer to this not ideal and the fact that the county is on the back burner is not ideal — but lack of access to vaccines is just the tip of the iceberg. There is an overall lack of access to healthcare in Cairo in general. All of that being said I don’t think it’s out of line to suggest that whatever white people are handling vaccine distribution in Alexander County are either overtly racist or struggling with unconscious bias that prevents them from being able to serve people of color.
The Governor’s office and IDPH should address this immediately. Federalism has it’s perks, but relying on local control also gets you the local bigots and good ol’ boys. Label what has occurred in Alexander County a failure, embarrass those responsible, and take those duties away from them.
Governors own, but they can also create consequences.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:51 am
The population of Alexander County is 5,201. If we hold their feet to the fire on this, we should also expect the Gov and Dr. Ezike to discuss COVID issues down to the precinct level in Cook and the Collar Counties.
Comment by Jennifer Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:52 am
I’ve been talking about the vaccination levels for a few weeks in Alexander County. It’s also time to put a Guard unit down there with a mini-fridge and 5,000 jabs of J&J and get it done.
This should also be a reminder - that rural just doesn’t mean white.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:53 am
This is an absolute failing of the Pritzker administration. I know first hand that the National Guard has visited factories and administered shots. And to say these folks were essential would be a stretch.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:53 am
Christian Mitchell as Deputy Governor needs to fix this.
Comment by Nadigman Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:56 am
====According to IDPH, less than 2.6 percent of Alexander County residents are fully vaccinated - 156 out of 6,060. That’s the worst in the entire state. And even though African-Americans make up a third of its population, just 20 percent are fully vaccinated while 64 percent of whites in the county are fully vaxed. =====
I’m not pointing this out to make this seem any less severe of a problem than it is but something is not right with the numbers above. 64% of the whites can’t be vaxed if only 156 people in the county have been vaxed.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:57 am
Just say you’ll fix it dude. Assign staff. That’s what they are there for.
Comment by Sonny Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:59 am
Agree with Cool Papa Bell. Need to prioritize J&J down there with mobile units. Don’t wait for an invite from the local public health department. Just do it. Also, what’s happening with the new port??? Would be a good PR outing to do a mobile clinic and update the area on progress on that front at the same time. https://wsiltv.com/2020/11/01/port-project-to-get-underway-with-4-million-in-initial-funding/
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:00 am
In addition to addressing the administrative issues around the vaccine deployment themselves, the Governor needs some comms people who are willing/able to help him be better at extemporaneous responses. That was an embarrassingly lengthy and basically useless answer he gave to a simple, reasonable and important inquiry by Hannah.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:01 am
35% of the population in Alexander County lives in Cario. Go get it done.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:10 am
If I had a say, besides rolling the Guard deployment are ef en, I’d consider taking JB down there for a week of on the ground direct supervision. Hole up in the DuQuoin mansion as an H Q and do daily rounds down in the general area there, throw in some limited town halls maybe. Show a truly active interest and commitment. State government people step up and give their best when the Big Guy is on premises. At the very least, send Stratton. You gotta make this personal.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:10 am
As bad as this is (and it is), and as much as this needs to be fixed (and it does), for Alexander County this is nothing new. In 2009 the First National Bank of Cairo repossessed all 4 operable cruisers (vehicles). In 2012 to update the voter rolls the state fronted the county the $4 thousand for postage.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cop-cars-repossessed/
https://thesouthern.com/news/local/voter-purge-proceeding-in-alexander-county/article_526f28e2-c7e7-11e1-ad23-001a4bcf887a.html
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:12 am
==CMS “bean counters” and leasing experts decided it was time to close the Cairo DHS office due to low walk in numbers.==
This so smacks of Ed Bedore …
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:14 am
A quick search online shows many open appointments at the Alexander County at Mighty Rivers Church Vaccine clinic in Cairo. This particular clinic appears to been running since March 9th. IDPH even set up a call center in late February to make it easier for people who don’t have access to the internet or aren’t tech savvy. I’m sure there’s more that can and should be done, but at the very least vaccines seem to be available in Alexander County.
Comment by AC Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:16 am
An area long overlooked…
https://www.propublica.org/article/cairo-thebes-hud-long-neglected-these-residents-now-as-they-move-out-some-feel-let-down-again
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:19 am
Activate the special rural strike force to send mobile units to where people live with limited income and abilities to travel 60 miles to receive a shot … This would send a very positive message from the Governor about his concern for everyone in Illinois … He’s doing a good job at the COVID implementation, and this would take it to a higher level
Comment by west wing Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:23 am
@AC - This is also a totally marginalized area. This is where public messaging on the vaccine is important. The state (because no one else will) needs to make big time concerted efforts at getting people comfortable with taking the shot.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:24 am
Tee,
Thanks for adding some facts. This is a problem, but the problem does not seem to be lack of access.
Comment by Southern Skeptic Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:28 am
Blah, Blah, Blah. Just fix this governor.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:34 am
=The IDPH minority health office in partnership with the LHD this weekend will be on the ground in Alexander County providing additional access to vaccine for minority and hard to reach populations in Cairo, Mounds and Cobden.=
Why now? Why not a week ago, two weeks ago? Failure here by the IDPH and Gov’ and everyone else.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:39 am
what is the best source to understand how the vaccine comes, and to which entities, within the State of Illinois? The State gets vaccine, but so does the City of Chicago. Others? Some time back, Mayor Lightfoot said the City was not receiving the amount of vaccine that it should. Why? is the issue separate Departments of Health? Is this an issue ongoing as we surely will face other pandemics? Is this something that should be discussed with the matter of multiple units of government within our State?
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 11:42 am
Let me start by saying……this is exactly why a mediocre candidate will give Pritzker a run for his MONEY in the next election
Comment by SIU Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:10 pm
=The IDPH minority health office in partnership with the LHD this weekend will be on the ground in Alexander County providing additional access to vaccine for minority and hard to reach populations in Cairo, Mounds and Cobden.=
Good news - let’s hope they have the time and means to successfully get the word out.
Comment by Blonde Moment Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:29 pm
- OneMan - Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 10:13 am:
== lso, that is some Pat Quinn all-you-can-eat at Olive Garden quality word salad there Governor.
It made me think of Trump’s speaking style, full of random derailments and interjections without ever really giving any information.
Comment by SomeGuy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:48 pm
This is the sort of systemic racism I have been talking about.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:52 pm
Ugh…this is not good. Please fix this.
Comment by McGuppin Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 12:59 pm
This needs to get to, at the least, where out state is currently at; 28% of adults, one dose.
This must be addressed to the immediate and follow thru to completion.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 1:07 pm
For those who may not be aware - Alexander falls under Southern 7 HD. https://www.southern7.org/agency-info.html
Adding not at all surprised by this - Alexander county has been forgotten, left behind, and in general ignored for years. Ask folks down there how life is going with the whole flood issue and Len Small levee.
Comment by DownSouth Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 2:15 pm
Downsouth. Isn’t the new port district supposed to be helping Cairo out of this mess? Or was that just campaign noise?
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 2:48 pm
We had two no appointment needed clinics in Jackson County this week. We have an abundance of vaccines at two mass vaccine sites through our county health dept. Seems to me like IDPH could step in and borrow a van and take some of our unused vaccines in Jackson county and set up no appointment needed clinics in Alexander County for five days straight - church parking lots, grocery store lot, school lot. This is a no-brainer.
Comment by Saluki 1964 Thursday, Mar 18, 21 @ 5:02 pm