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Illinois’ statewide mask mandate appears to be working when compared to the plight of other Midwestern states

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Illinois

* If you click here, you’ll see that Illinois slightly trails Minnesota when it comes to fully vaccinated rates, but leads every other state on this list in that category. The other major difference is that Illinois is the only state in the Midwest with a statewide mask mandate, although some states have local mask mandates.

This particular chart from the governor’s office covers deaths and hospitalizations during the past 90 days as of Sunday December 12th…

Click the pic for a larger view.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:25 am

Comments

The surprise for me is the level of difference. North Dakota and Ohio have twice as many deaths and admissions as Illinois.

Comment by City Guy Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:29 am
Wow, mask mandates work, I hope Mayor Lightfoot stops toying with the idea and implements one in Chicago.

Comment by The Opinions Bureau Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:34 am
Yet there are still plenty of folks referring to them condescendingly as ‘face diapers’. But this chart tells me that having a statewide mandate results in better compliance than leaving the decision to individual communities.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:35 am
Unfortunately I feel like mask compliance has dropped dramatically over the past few weeks in the Springfield businesses that I frequent.

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:36 am
===I feel like===

That’s not data.

And the point is that while a whole lot of people are undoubtedly ignoring the mandate, enough are doing their bit that it helps keep the numbers somewhat down.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:40 am
Now… don’t pile on me because I am very pro-mask, pro-vax, pro-social distancing. However, using the Skull and Cross Bones as a graphic isn’t appropriate. That symbol is used for poison control and SDS sheets and chemical labeling, and shouldn’t be used for reporting deaths due to a disease. Find another more appropriate and respectful icon.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:47 am
==I hope Mayor Lightfoot stops toying with the idea and implements one in Chicago.==

Last time I checked Chicago was part of Illinois so they would already be covered by the statewide mask mandate.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:52 am
Anecdotally, I’m still seeing strong mask compliance in Champaign-Urbana.

Given the mask mandate coupled with a sizable porting of the state’s population either being willing to get the vaccine or work for an employer who mandates it, we’re really doing quite well. Definitely gives me things to brag about with my peers in other states. Super proud to be an Illinoisan.

Comment by Leap Day William Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 10:53 am
Can someone ask the governor what is the off ramp? A fair question given Whitmer and Polis and even Murphy in NJ have all said it’s time for this to be over.

Comment by TirexOfIt Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:18 am
As the late New York Cardinal O’Connor once said, “the law is a teacher” - some will follow it (or follow it more often) even if many ignore. That said, I wish they’d do more getting the message out that high quality masks protect users regardless of what others are doing, and at least do some visible enforcement to empower businesses to make a “I don’t like it, I just don’t want to get shut down” pitch.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:19 am
–Can someone ask the governor what is the off ramp? A fair question given Whitmer and Polis and even Murphy in NJ have all said it’s time for this to be over.–

When the virus says it’s over.

Comment by King Louis XVI Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:22 am
“A fair question given Whitmer…”

Michigan’s admission rates are almost double those of Illinois so maybe we shouldn’t take cues from these other governors who seem to be doing a much worse job than ours?

Comment by SWIL_Voter Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:24 am
===what is the off ramp===

From the start of this, every single mitigation effort was intended to prevent our health care system from collapse. Unless and until our hospitals can care for all patients and no become overwhelmed with ICUs and ERs filled with COVID patients (many of whom are not vaccinated), the mitigations will continue.

This is about protecting society’s last line of defense and our critical health care infrastructure. We’re all tired of it, so tell your friends and family to get vaccinated and wear masks indoors.

It also would help if the Republican Party stopped its relentless assault on common sense.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:29 am
TirexOfIt,

I believe the offramp are the same metrics we failed to hit in our trough. (Something like declining cases for 7 days straight, hospital and ICU space above a certain threshold, etc.)

So we have an offramp. We just need to hit the metrics.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:30 am
Demoralized,

I read The Opinions Bureau as being satire because of her wanting to pass an ordinance about beverages in children’s meals that the gov has just signed.

But what do I know, sometimes I think my sarcastometer is broken.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:32 am
Masks do indeed work. As did Mitigations.

I don’t care anymore about the consequences to businesses and restaurants (they can pound sand for all I care), but it would be beneficial for the state to return to last spring’s Phase 4 Bridge until Omicron and all the school outbreaks subside. At least for a month. Would also help with regular flus and colds too.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:45 am
I’m very interested by the Ohio numbers since my mom friends there say they have unfettered access to free rapid tests.

Comment by Rayne of Terror Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:45 am
===When the virus says it’s over. ===

Exactly. Politicians are not gods.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:50 am
NonAFSCME… spoken like a person who hasn’t missed a paycheck. Disgusting.

Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:56 am
==It also would help if the Republican Party stopped its relentless assault on common sense.==

In the war on Covid-19, it turns out there are a number of sympathizers/collaborators in our midst.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:56 am
===but it would be beneficial for the state to return to last spring’s Phase 4 Bridge===

Take a breath.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:57 am
===I don’t care anymore about the consequences to businesses and restaurants

Here’s the thing though–they will do better when the virus is under control. The best thing for them is everyone feeling safe to go out and socialize again.

The off-ramp should be 90%+ vaccination which is going to take more business mandates or the virus mutating into something less dangerous.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 11:59 am
“Politicians are not gods”

They aren’t? Someone forgot to tell a former politician now residing at a Florida golf course.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 12:00 pm
The “Statewide mask mandate” is non-existent in most downstate communities and has been for many, many months.

Simply ignored and not enforced. Coupled with low vaccination rates, it is a recipe for this to go on forever.

Pretty sure I will be receiving boosters for the rest of my life, much like the updated annual flu shot.

Comment by Say What Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 12:21 pm
Additional data from Missouri released in the last two weeks showed that in counties where masks were required, infection rates and serious illnesses were significantly lower than in counties were masks were not required. The evidence in favor of masks and vaccinations and booster is so compelling at this point.

Comment by H-W Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 12:23 pm
==It also would help if the Republican Party stopped its relentless assault on common sense.==

If the republican party isn’t talking nonsense, what else do they have to talk about? They haven’t proposed a legitimate solution to any problem since I was walking around in diapers. They are the party of no, and their only “solution” to anything is to give more money to those who already have it.

Comment by Travel Guy Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 12:30 pm
What the data suggests is that when you take prudent steps to limit the spread of a deadly virus you end up limiting the spread of that deadly virus. But to be fair we haven’t seen a study yet modeling the effects of thoughts and prayers or arbitrary proclamations declaring the virus to be over.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 12:47 pm
How can it be pro-business to do nothing to reduce a pandemic ripping through consumers—and even go so far as to legally block mandates? Because that’s what’s happening to those who don’t support restrictions like mask mandates, and vaccines.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 12:56 pm
I’m baffled by the anti-vax, anti-mask contingent seeking an “off ramp” or that its time to “get over” Covid when hospitals in many states are in crisis. My elderly parents are in Detroit and if they need a hospital bed today they may not get one because they are filled - and 90% of the Covid patients aren’t vaxxed.

Comment by WestBurbs Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 1:41 pm
The off ramp is the Pfizer treatment which is 95% effective to preventing hospitalizations if taken a few days after infection.

Why this treatment is not being fast tracked for warp speed distribution is hard to fathom

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 1:55 pm
===I’m baffled by the anti-vax, anti-mask contingent seeking an “off ramp”===

Many believe in fairy tales and want to be assured by them.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 1:56 pm
==we haven’t seen a study yet modeling the effects of thoughts and prayers or arbitrary proclamations declaring the virus to be over.==

We have seen the efficacy as it relates to school shootings. I believe thoughts and prayers are 0.0% effective in keeping students and teachers alive. I think it’s the same with COVID.

Comment by Travel Guy Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 1:58 pm
“Politicians are not gods.”

Some people remain confused between the two…religiously graven.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 1:59 pm
==Why this treatment is not being fast tracked for warp speed distribution is hard to fathom==

It has been. It’s on the verge of being given approval.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 3:08 pm
Illinois is also looking very good in terms on influenza. Scroll down for map

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 3:28 pm
==Here’s the thing though–they will do better when the virus is under control. The best thing for them is everyone feeling safe to go out and socialize again.==

After this whole COVID ordeal subsides (if it ever does), I will never again feel safe to go out and socialize like I did pre-pandemic. I will always try to steer clear of large crowds unless unavoidable. And limit what shopping I do (and time I go to restaurants, which is now rare).

Then again, I’ve always been very introverted even long before the pandemic so this limited social interaction during COVID is a dream come true for people like me.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 3:33 pm
NonAFSCME,

I do care about some of the businesses. The sausage stand whose owner was so peeved about the mayor not enforcing the mitigations that he ran against him (and lost) he gained a lifetime customer for that. The local nightclub that had musicians perform on pickup beds at pop up outdoor concerts and had a vigorous trade going all summer and fall with his outdoor patio.

I’ll agree I won’t eat in those places that didn’t take it seriously (I won’t even get takeout) and certainly I will be checking the list of lawsuits and plaintiffs through the years to see who tried to stop it so I can avoid their establishments. Or just eat fastfood since unbelievable McDonalds has been a better bet on safety than many moms and pops.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 3:34 pm
==Or just eat fastfood since unbelievable McDonalds has been a better bet on safety than many moms and pops.==

Agreed. Unless it’s more of a lack of help issue the McDonald’s in Chatham is back to no indoor dining, at least as of the Monday after Thanksgiving. (When I had to stop there to buy a gift card).

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 4:05 pm
Good Data, good mandate, but could that chart use some work to make it so at first reading the claim isn’t “Number 1 at Deaths per million”

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 4:07 pm
==Unless it’s more of a lack of help issue==

I suspect that’s the reason. I went out to eat the other day at 2:00 in the afternoon to a restaurant. Hardly any cars in the parking lot. 3/4 of the tables were empty. But the wait was 15 to 20 minutes. No servers. It’s just sad. Until these places figure out that they are going to have to pay people more money and offer some sort of benefits this will continue to be the case.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 4:21 pm
Demoralized,

My local sausage stand is looking for a cook and offering $18/hr. Hoping they get someone, they’ve had to scale back on hours lately, too.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 4:35 pm
====The off ramp is the Pfizer treatment which is 95% effective to preventing hospitalizations if taken a few days after infection.

This is likely to be approved any day, but why would someone take the Pfizer treatment and not the vaccine? I’m happy to get the treatment, but why all of a sudden is it going to solve the problem?

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 4:59 pm
==but why all of a sudden is it going to solve the problem==

It keeps people out of the hospital.

But, I agree. Get freaking vaccinated too and you won’t need the pills at all.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 5:03 pm
===and you won’t need the pills at all===

Will be nice to have for a backup just in case, tho.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 5:17 pm
===But, I agree. Get freaking vaccinated too and you won’t need the pills at all.

As Rich said, but also this is a huge deal for those who are immunocompromised and either cannot take a vaccine or it is relatively ineffective.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 5:21 pm
= but why all of a sudden is it going to solve the problem=

Won’t solve the problem but it should help. I’m guessing that a lot of folks who’s approach to Covid is “I won’t get it” might not be willing to go as far as saying, once they do have it, “it won’t kill me:”.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 5:26 pm
Pundent, I hope that is the case–my fear is they will wait until after 5 days–not to mention an initially limited supply.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 16, 21 @ 6:55 pm

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