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posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 1:49 am

Comments

Reading all day on omicron and efforts to “stop the spread” I can only come to the conclusion that we are looking at weeks or months of chaos. Get vaccinated. Wear a mask. Social distance. Limit exposure to crowds of people, especially indoors.
Enforce proof of vaccination and recent tests to clear people to engage in social settings. Not difficult. Impossible to execute.

Comment by FJS Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 2:19 am
Eight straight for the Bulls. Are they for real?

Comment by Garfield Ridge Res Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 4:28 am
As an educator and a parent of two young children, I’m feeling heavily conflicted with the return to in-person learning in K-12.

On one hand, having done remote, hybrid, and fully in-person teaching since the start of all this, I dread any possibility of returning to remote.. far more so for students than for myself.

On the other hand, Omicron’s transmissibility has effectively changed the rules for how schools should implement mitigation strategies.. yet with zero updated, research-informed guidance to inform districts of how to adjust. Parameters around social distancing, the quality of masks accepted/provided for wear in a school, quarantining for students/staff, and what defines “exposure” remain from pre-Omicron guidance.. unless I’m missing something glaring that was just announced. This is all in context of the percentage of pediatric vaccinations for eligible children remaining far below ideal, by any metric.

Further, substitute teacher shortages in schools across the state are a real issue. At least one (relatively well-resourced) north suburban district yesterday was forced into e-learning due to a sub shortage in facing an overwhelming number of staff illnesses, and this was even after attempting to have school and district administrators prepare to serve as subs for the day.

Bigger-picture: with the state record in Covid hospitalizations broken yesterday, somewhere within that is a likely continued significant rise in pediatric hospitalizations, consistent with that trend over the past few weeks. As educators return to school working under a legacy set of mitigation guidelines, I can’t help but fear the impact that this week alone will have on that.

Throughout the entire pandemic, I’ve felt confident in my ability to navigate the evolving landscape in keeping kids (and myself) safe. This is truly the first day I’ve woken up to get ready for work without that feeling.

Comment by Zoomer Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 4:33 am
Keep betting whoever plays Houston

Comment by Galway Bay Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 5:57 am
When will schools begin to require proof of covid vaccination like they do with other vaccinations?

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 6:45 am
With the price of nearly everything rising, I need my 3% cola this year more than ever. January 19 can’t come fast enough.

Comment by Bob Meter Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 6:59 am
Bob M- Amen to the COLA

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 7:13 am
I cannot wait to see the candidates who announce for Rush’s seat. I think some think that supporters will line up to help, but will be surprised to see how few do.The real question what Christian Mitchell will do, and if JB bankrolls his candidacy if he chooses to run.

Comment by moving forward Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 7:51 am
Also, Lynn Sweet did a very respectful write up of the Congressman’s career in today’s Sun Times. https://chicago.suntimes.com/metro-state/2022/1/3/22865665/bobby-rush-retire

Comment by moving forward Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 7:55 am
Not sure if the folks behind the JB TikTok work for his campaign, but it does seem a way of “humanizing” him

Also, JB is running ads in Chicago (at least on the WGN Morning news) .

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:00 am
=When will schools begin to require proof of covid vaccination like they do with other vaccinations?=

Probably won’t happen.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:16 am
=When will schools begin to require proof of covid vaccination like they do with other vaccinations?=

=Probably won’t happen.=

Agreed - seems more likely that long-term it’s more like the Flu Vaccine - obviously recommended annually, but outside of some jobs in healthcare, not required

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:23 am
Our school has already requested — but not required — proof of vaccination. We uploaded them into the student portal the day we got them.

Adults are required to have proof of vaccination to enter the building.

Comment by Suburban Mom Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:35 am
==legacy set of mitigation guidelines==
This. Return to the Office has been suspended but zero thought has been put into any other requirements.

Just got a meeting invite minutes ago that was a virtual meeting and now has been turned into an in-person meeting. With a dozen people. At a University. And despite that being a terrible idea, it is OK because it meetings current IDPH and CDC guidelines. I noped on out of that meeting invite and will call in thank you.

Comment by Sangamo Girl Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:37 am
=== seems more likely that long-term it’s more like the Flu Vaccine - obviously recommended annually, but outside of some jobs in healthcare, not required===

To begin back in January, probably won’t happen.

In the *fall*, I can see schools, universities, they have the vaccine in the battery.

All these court cases point to mandatory in a long term.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:37 am
=== Probably not going to happen ===

If we’re requiring proof of vaccinations in other indoor settings, why not schools? I mean, our hospitals are overflowing with covid cases. When a student presents coughing, sneezing etc, can that student be sent to the school nurse to be tested, and, if positive, sent home? Any updated guidance post Omicron?

- Per an NBC Chicago News article
Pediatric hospitalizations are rising across several states in the U.S., but there are five states in particular that are making up a majority of the increases and Illinois is one of them, according to an NBC News analysis of Department of Health and Human Services data.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:47 am
=All these court cases point to mandatory in a long term.=

I agree the courts are going to allow mandatory - the question is with such low uptake compared to other vaccines and vocal resistance to this vaccine, are public schools going to want to go there - San Francisco had a very firm stance that they backed away from because ultimately most people aren’t comfortable excluding children from school for a parental decision, however misguided it may be - not to mention the lower uptake among minorities means those excluded from school would be disproportionately minorities/lower income

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:47 am
The details dribbling out about the Bradley police officer’s murder are horrifying.

Comment by ddp76 Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 8:49 am
=== I agree the courts are going to allow mandatory - the question is with such low uptake compared to other vaccines and vocal resistance to this vaccine===

Cite, please.

This is not a fact, and “popularity” is not a criteria to the required vaccine

Vaccinate your kids, or no school.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:14 am
===ultimately most people===

Speak for yourself, or cite this. An opinion to what others “think” isn’t helpful to the actual.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:15 am
We’ve got 2 positive test results at home and waiting for a 3rd to come back. Fortunately everyone is vaccinated and boosted so symptoms are mild to non-existent. But we’ll be down for a few days.

It’s worth noting that we have been very diligent in wearing masks, avoided getting together with family over the holidays, and avoided most indoor activities that weren’t essential. But the virus still found us.

I mention the above because it’s becoming the common scenario. With a kid now at home from school I fully expect that the schools will soon be overwhelmed with teacher and student outbreaks. Hopefully most cases will be as mild as ours. But I expect that what we all witnessed regarding staffing issues with the airlines over the last 7-10 days will become the norm across the country. And that’s not a good omen for the unvaccinated and health care workers.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:15 am
Illinois hospitals are filling up and that includes kids this time.
Omicron has the ability to spread like wildfire and evade vaccines.
We’re just days away from holiday superspreader events.
It’s possible that this variant is going to burn itself out in a few weeks, like it did in South Africa.
Wouldn’t it make sense to postpone in-school instruction for a few weeks?

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:15 am
Bulls are looking very good, but might need one more piece, another big, to be serious contenders.

Comment by Lew Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:18 am
TinyDancer,

For a variety of reasons that won’t likely happen unless forced due to staff shortages. What should happen (and probably is happening) is parents who don’t want their students in school will keep them home. I saw absenteeism was around 1/3 in NYC. Then the remaining students in the school should be able to space better. Schools should suspend any notion of truancy for now, teachers should provide lesson notes on request to parents, plans should be made for exams to be done while isolating and the state should just assume attendance for payment based on including those students isolating at home as present.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:39 am
=Cite, please.

This is not a fact, and “popularity” is not a criteria to the required vaccine

Vaccinate your kids, or no school.=

Sure: Per the CDC website today (you have to do a little math because they don’t directly display this number but happy to share the details), 54% of 12-17 and 15% of 5-11 are fully vaccinated. This will increase but if 85% of parents haven’t vaccinated there elementary age children, I think its a fair assumption that most of that 85% (as well as others) would not be comfortable with a vaccine requirement for public school.

Agreed popularity is not a requirement - but politicians understand there constituencies.

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:41 am
=== Wouldn’t it make sense to postpone in-school instruction for a few weeks? ===

Yesterday 24 staff and 96 out of 238 students were out sick at my wife’s northwest side special needs school.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:44 am
@Sangamo Girl - interesting that your Agency is allowing in-person meetings, while my Agency has announced that no in-person meetings are allowed in the month of January. The mixed messages we have all received since the start of this pandemic is what frustrates me the most. I would opt-out of that in-person meeting too.

Comment by TwinMama03 Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:51 am
===but if===

===I think its a fair assumption that most of that 85%===

Please just go back to Facebook with the “ifs” and assumptions. They don’t help. It’s a “want” you want, not what is happening.

Thanks

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:51 am
85% of kids are not fully vaccinated 5-11. Stats for the State of Illinois are slightly better but still around 80% I am not comfortable excluding those children from public school. Do you think Pritzker will be in an election year? Honest question.

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 9:57 am
=It’s a “want” you want, not what is happening.=

What I “want” is the majority of children to be able to attend in-person public school no matter what their parents decide about a COVID vaccine.

I don’t post on Facebook - I generally have found this site more interesting/reasoned, and less likely to be full of attacks … although that does not seem to be the vibe today

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:05 am
=== 85% of kids are not fully vaccinated 5-11===

Friend, I’m discussing for the fall, 2022.

===I am not comfortable excluding those children from public school.===

That’s why teachers are pushing back, they ain’t comfortable with unvaxxed families.

Vaccines are popular. Pritzker will likely bet on, with the court rulings in hand, vaccinations, as he has been pushing already.

I fed you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:06 am
===What I “want” is the majority of children to be able to attend in-person public school no matter what their parents decide about a COVID vaccine.===

Yeah, no… that’s unhelpful.

That’s why the mandates for workplace, as an example are important… otherwise… “why have any vaccine for school” ridiculousness finds its way into public health.

Nope. This is Facebook type, anti-vax, “normalizing” non-vaccine choices.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:08 am
==Vaccines are popular. Pritzker will likely bet on, with the court rulings in hand, vaccinations, as he has been pushing already.==

And hopefully in the next few weeks (preferably days) we will see the Governor’s announcement requiring all state employees in all agencies to be vaccinated ASAP. And to eventually get the booster 6 months from their last vaccine.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:10 am
=== What I “want” is the majority of children to be able to attend in-person public school no matter what their parents decide about a COVID vaccine. ===

What I “want” is for them to do it safely. If their parents decide not to get them vaccinated, their choice should not be allowed to affect the students whose parents did get their children vaccinated, and their choice should not be allowed to affect the vaccinated staff who teach them.

This is the time to announce the refusal to continue to molly-coddle the unvaccinated. Set a date certain for proof of vaccination for students and staff. Only medical exceptions allowed. If you don’t want to contribute to the common good, then society needs to begin to move on without you and your antisocial “choices”.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:16 am
=That’s why the mandates for workplace, as an example are important… otherwise… “why have any vaccine for school” ridiculousness finds its way into public health.=

The lack of nuance Public Health has been willing to operate under is a big part of the misinformation issue we have right now. We should be comfortable that someone can attempt to argue “why have any vaccine for school” - the case for a measles vaccine requirement is very easy to make and is backed up by historical data. Historically, there has been a number of years between vaccine availability and a school mandate (measles is an example but there are many). This helps to “normalize” getting the vaccine and provide comfort to parents. I fear that accelerating this process will just serve to further polarize.

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:21 am
- GoBulls -

=== What I “want” is the majority of children to be able to attend in-person public school no matter what their parents decide about a COVID vaccine.===

Friend, you lost me “there”. That… is your ball game. I’ve moved on.

Be well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:24 am
=What I “want” is the majority of children to be able to attend in-person public school no matter what their parents decide about a COVID vaccine=

If a voter finds themselves “conflicted” over reasonable public health measures and policy, they probably weren’t voting for Pritzker anyway. And coveting their vote is probably a net sum game.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:25 am
=== Historically, there has been a number of years between vaccine availability and a school mandate ===

800,000 people in the US can’t disagree with that, or agree for that matter…since they’re dead. They died over a short period of two years.

=== I fear that accelerating this process will just serve to further polarize ===

Can’t get more polarized than dead vs living, but let’s make sure parents have time to feel comfortable. Gimme a break.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:34 am
Unvaccinated children will not be excluded from education. Their parents are still on the hook for it. They just have to go to private or be home schooled. I suspect that many people would vax their children if it were required for public school attendance.

Anti-social choices should have societal repercussions.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 10:43 am
==…will just serve to further polarize.==

According to IDPH data, 68% of Illinoisans are fully vaxxed and 76.5% have had at least one dose. I don’t think it’s as polarizing as you think it is. The “anti-vax” vocal minority is one of the loudest we’ve seen in a long time.

Comment by Panther Pride Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:04 am
My natural gas bill yesterday was $136. A year ago today I used slightly more therms same period exactly and the bill was $77. Prices going up and and probably we let these slip by without thinking.

Comment by clec dcn Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:10 am
My natural gas bill has gone from 90 to 117 over a period of two years. You need to change companies.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:17 am
=According to IDPH data, 68% of Illinoisans are fully vaxxed and 76.5% have had at least one dose. I don’t think it’s as polarizing as you think it is. The “anti-vax” vocal minority is one of the loudest we’ve seen in a long time.=

Vaccines requirements for nursing home residents or staff = not-polarizing

Vaccine requirements for kindergartners = polarizing

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:37 am
=== Vaccine requirements for kindergartners = polarizing===

It’s only polarizing to anti-vaxxers.

That’s it. It’s Facebook “logic”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:39 am
=It’s only polarizing to anti-vaxxers.=

I assume you would feel the same conviction about requiring boosters for 12-15 year olds? Any hesitancy means one is an anti-vaxxer?

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:55 am
Regarding pediatric Covid admissions, I do not believe Illinois does not distinguish between admissions with Covid from admissions from Covid. There is a difference. Dr Fauci recently said so. A child admitted for an appendectomy but tests positive after admittance and has no symptoms, is counted as a Covid admission. The New York governor has also called attention to this.

Comment by Captain Who Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 11:58 am
=== I assume you would feel the same conviction about requiring boosters for 12-15 year olds? Any hesitancy means one is an anti-vaxxer?===

“There’s a Facebook group for this.”

Again…

===What I “want” is the majority of children to be able to attend in-person public school no matter what their parents decide about a COVID vaccine===

That’s *your* argument. The rest is you wanting that want.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 12:03 pm
Does anyone else ever feel a profound disappointment that they’ll likely never be able to come up with a joke that rivals Tom Devore?

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 12:17 pm
=Vaccine requirements for kindergartners = polarizing=

My kid required any number of shots before entering kindergarten. I didn’t bat an eye in meeting the requirement. And from the very full classrooms my neighbors didn’t either. Are you suggesting that this vaccine is somehow “different”? If yes, how so?

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 12:22 pm
==My kid required any number of shots before entering kindergarten. I didn’t bat an eye in meeting the requirement.==

Same here as a kid. Plus I had to go through allergy shots for 8 years starting at age 6. Was scary the first couple times, getting the needles at such a young age, but quickly adapted and got used to it. Haven’t batted an eye since in getting shots and willing to get whatever ones it takes to be healthy. Even if I have to sneak in a 4th shot in a few months.

Ironically, I am squeamish about giving blood. Haven’t ever done it and don’t plan to do so as I don’t want needles in me for several minutes beyond a typical shot (unless I was to get numbed for surgery).

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 12:31 pm
= Are you suggesting that this vaccine is somehow “different”? If yes, how so?=

Only different in the amount of time it’s been offered to children. There is an FDA process and various requirements needed to move a vaccine from EUA to a school mandate. We are years away from that typical timeline being met.

Here’s former FDA commissioner and very strong, outspoken vaccine proponent Scott Gottlieb essentially saying the same thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5BObWoU4t4

Feels like their is misplaced blame/burden being placed on children for the terrible course of this virus and we all want this to be over - but the idea that “Anti-social choices should have societal repercussions.” when the repercussion is a child’s education is not IMO the right approach.

Comment by GoBulls Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 12:41 pm
=== Feels like their is misplaced blame/burden being placed on children for the…===

… anti-vaxx parents.

It’s not the virus’ fault. That’s a false idea.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 12:47 pm
=There is an FDA process and various requirements needed to move a vaccine from EUA to a school mandate.=

So teachers and the parents of vaccinated kids are going to show increasing patience because of a “process” argument? You seem to be simply rehashing the arguments that adults used that have been systematically dismissed. And again, we’re talking about requirements going into the fall roughly 9 months from now. Anti-vaxxers will continue to be in the minority and should accept the consequences that emanate from those views. Their “right” to a public education should not come at the expense of anyone else’s health.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 2:02 pm
When I was in junior high in Mattoon, there was a measles outbreak (I think mainly in Charleston). They made us get permission slips signed and then marched us into the gymnasium where they used a gun thingy to quickly vaccinate us all. The news was, no shot, no school unless you met a very narrow exclusion for religion or medical. Even the Christian Scientist kid got his shot (I later learned they did not as a body reject vaccines). Everybody in our class got the shot.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 2:23 pm
GoBulls,

Again, the repercussion is not a child not getting an education. The parents are still on the hook to provide an education. Whether they do that with private school or home schooling is up to them. Should they provide neither, the blame is on them and at that point in time CPS can be involved.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 2:24 pm
Tom DeVore is a joke…just not a funny one.

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 3:50 pm
I just wrapped up my school day, and.. after reading this thread since my morning post, I’m going to respect the norms of this blog and spare y’all the rawness of my emotion at the moment.

But NONE of this needed to get to this level.

Enough already. The time for empathy must return again. Period.

Comment by Zoomer Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 3:57 pm
Arne Duncan piece in the Tribune today. Ridiculous. He names one police officer who is good. You don’t have to name one, but you do have to be more realistic about what is going on out there. and you are not, Arne.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jan 4, 22 @ 5:16 pm