dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--13 killed in Canada shooting rampage, deadliest in 30 years

TORONTO -- A man wearing a police uniform went on a shooting rampage in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Sunday , killing 13 people , in the deadliest such attack in the country in 30 years .
Officials said the suspected shooter was also dead .
A police officer was among the dead .
Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small , rural town of Portapique , about 60 miles north of Halifax .
Overnight , police began advising residents of the town -- already on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their basements .
Several homes in the area were set on fire as well .
Police identified the man believed to be the shooter as Gabriel Wortman , 51 , who was thought to live part-time in Portapique .
Authorities said he disguised himself as a police officer in uniform at one point and made his car look like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police cruiser .
The gunman was arrested by the RCMP at a gas station in Enfield , just outside Halifax .
Police later announced that he had died .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts of violence in our province 's history , '' said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil .
RCMP spokesman Daniel Brien confirmed that 13 people had been killed as had the shooter .
He said he could not rule out that the death toll could still rise .
Already , that makes it one of the worst shootings in Canadian history .
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada .
The country overhauled its gun-control laws after the its worst mass shooting in 1989 , when gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This weekend 's shooting is the deadliest since then .
It is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon in Canada .
The country also requires training , a personal risk assessment , two references , spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon .
Police have not provided a motive for the attack , but RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said many of the victims did not know the shooter .
`` That fact that this individual had a uniform and a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it not being a random act , '' Leather said .
He added that police believe he acted alone .
Leather said they would investigate whether the attack had anything to do with the coronavirus pandemic but no link has been found thus far .
The dead officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson , a mother of two and a 23-year veteran of the force .
Another officer was also injured .
Leather said at point there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police .
There were half a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gas station where the suspect was shot .
Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps , and a large silver-colored SUV was being investigated .
Police said earlier Sunday the suspect was driving a car that looked like a police vehicle and was wearing a police uniform , but later said he was `` believed to be driving a small , silver Chevrolet SUV . ''
They said he is not an RCMP employee or officer .
Cpl .
Lisa Croteau , a spokeswoman with the provincial force , said police received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms '' at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and the investigation `` evolved into an active shooting investigation . ''
`` My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation , '' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said .
Christine Mills , a resident of the area , said it had been a frightening night for the small town , with armed officers patrolling the streets .
In the morning , helicopters flew overhead searching for the suspect .
`` It 's nerve-wracking because you do n't know if somebody has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat in your front door , '' she said .
Tom Taggart , a lawmaker who represents the Portapique area in the Municipality of Colchester , said the quiet community has been shaken .
`` This is just an absolutely wonderful , peaceful quiet community and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbelievable , '' Taggart said by phone from his home in nearby Bass River .
A man with the same name as the gunman is listed as a denturist -- a person who makes dentures -- in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Denturist Society of Nova Scotia website .
A suspect photo issued by the RCMP appears to be of the same person seen in video footage being interviewed about dentures by CTV Atlantic in 2014 .
Mills also said that the shooter was known locally as someone who divided his time between a residence in Halifax and a residence in Portapique .
Taggart said he did n't know the shooter well , but spoke to him a few times when he telephoned about municipal issues .
Taggart described knowing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Portapique Beach Road .

Gunman kills 16 in rampage, deadliest in Canadian history
Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers surround a suspect at a gas station in Enfield, Nova Scotia, Sunday April 19, 2020. Canadian police say multiple people are dead plus the suspect after a shooting rampage across the province of Nova Scotia. It was the deadliest shooting in Canada in 30 years. The Canadian Press via AP
TORONTO -- A gunman disguised as a police officer shot people in their homes and set fires in a rampage across the Canadian province of Nova Scotia that killed 16 people, the deadliest such attack in the country's history. Officials said Sunday the suspected shooter was also dead.
A police officer was among those killed. Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small, rural town of Portapique, about 60 miles north of Halifax -- what police called the first scene. Bodies were also found at other locations. Authorities believe the shooter may have targeted his first victims but then began attacking randomly.
Overnight, police began advising residents of the town -- already on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic -- to lock their doors and stay in their basements. Several homes in the area were set on fire as well.
Police identified the man believed to be the shooter as Gabriel Wortman, 51, who was thought to live part-time in Portapique. Authorities said he wore a police uniform at one point and made his car look like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police cruiser.
Police first announced that they had arrested the gunman at a gas station in Enfield, outside Halifax, but later said he had died. It was not clear how, and they did not explain further.
"This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history," said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.
RCMP spokesman Daniel Brien confirmed that 16 people had been killed in addition to the suspect. The dead officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and a 23-year veteran of the force. Another officer was also injured.
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada. The country overhauled its gun-control laws after gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique college in 1989. Before this weekend's rampage, that had been the country's worst.
It is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon in Canada. The country also requires training, a personal risk assessment, two references, spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon.
"As a country, in moments like these, we come together to support one another. Together we will mourn with the families of the victims, and help them get through this difficult time," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a written news release.
While they believe the attack did not begin as random, police did not say what the initial motive was. RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said many of the victims did not know the shooter.
"That fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act," Leather said. He added that police believe he acted alone.
Leather said they would investigate whether the attack had anything to do with the coronavirus pandemic but no link has been found thus far.
At one point, there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police, he said.
Late Sunday morning, there were half a dozen police vehicles at the scene of the gas station where the suspect died. Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps, and a large silver-colored SUV was being investigated.
Cpl. Lisa Croteau, a spokeswoman with the provincial force, said police received a call about "a person with firearms" late Saturday night, and the investigation "evolved into an active shooting investigation."
Christine Mills, a resident of the area, said it had been a frightening night for the small town, with armed officers patrolling the streets. In the morning, helicopters flew overhead searching for the suspect. "It's nerve-wracking because you don't know if somebody has lost their mind and is going to beat in your front door," she said.
Tom Taggart, a lawmaker who represents the Portapique area in the Municipality of Colchester, said the quiet community has been shaken.
"This is just an absolutely wonderful, peaceful quiet community and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbelievable," Taggart said by phone from his home in nearby Bass River.
Someone with the same name as the shooter is listed as a denturist -- a person who makes dentures -- in the city of Dartmouth, near Halifax, according to the Denturist Society of Nova Scotia website. A suspect photo issued by the RCMP appears to be of the same person seen in video footage being interviewed about dentures by CTV Atlantic in 2014.
Mills also said that the shooter was known locally as someone who divided his time between a residence in Halifax and a residence in Portapique.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--'The Last Dance': Jordan says winning 6th NBA title with Bulls was 'trying year'

CHARLOTTE , N.C -- Michael Jordan described his final NBA championship season with the Chicago Bulls as a `` trying year . ''
`` We were all trying to enjoy that year knowing it was coming to an end , '' Jordan told Good Morning America on Thursday .
Jordan appeared on the show via video conference from his home in Florida to promote the `` The Last Dance , '' a 10-part documentary series focused on the final year of the '90s Bulls dynasty that won six NBA titles in eight years .
`` The beginning of the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Jerry Krause told ( coach ) Phil Jackson that he could go 82-0 and he would never get a chance to come back , '' Jordan said .
`` Knowing that I had married myself to him , and if he was n't going to be the coach , then obviously I was n't going to play .
So Phil started off the season saying this was the last dance -- and we played it that way . ''
The series will debut at 8 p.m. Sunday on ESPN in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive Sundays through May 17 .
There will be two hourlong episodes each of those nights .
Jordan said Thursday that after Jackson told the team it was to be the final season together , the Bulls focused on completing the task of a second three-peat .
`` Mentally it tugged at you that this had to come to an end , but it also centered our focus to making sure we ended it right , '' Jordan said .
`` As sad as it sounded at the beginning of the year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year and finish it off the right way . ''
The documentary was originally scheduled to be released in June during the NBA Finals , but ESPN made the decision to accelerate its release due to the lack of live sports programming because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The series has been billed to include never-before-seen footage from that season , during which the team chased its sixth championship .
But the documentary covers more than just the final season .
The documentary shows Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Jordan arguing about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA season .
Jordan wanted to play through the injury after doctors told the team there was a 90 % chance he would recover .
Reinsdorf , however , did not want the star guard to play for fear it might ruin his career .
`` I said to Michael , you 're not thinking about the risk-reward ratio , '' Reinsdorf said in the clip aired by GMA .
`` If you had a terrible headache and I gave you a bottle of pills and nine of the pills would cure you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , would you take a pill ? ''
Jordan replied that `` it depends on how ( expletive ) bad the headache is . ''
Reinsdorf ultimately won out ; Jordan sat out 64 games that season before returning for the playoffs .
Jordan also talks about his time at the University of North Carolina where he would write his mother asking for money for postage stamps so he could send her letters and to pay his phone bill .
`` It 's a little different today , '' Jordan said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ college that was $ 60 or less , but I only had $ 20 in my account .
The thing that people will learn , and my kids will laugh about when they see it , is we used postage stamps back in those days .
Looking at the video you will see things that people have forgot , that life was this way .
`` We did n't have Instagram or Twitter , so you had to live life as it came .
...
Spending time with friends and family , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in presence -- and you wrote letters . ''
Jordan discussed his parents during the interview with Good Morning America , saying they were the biggest influence in his life .
He said he learned many valuable lessons from them , including the ability to learn from the negatives in life and turn them into positives .
He also praised his older brother , Larry .
`` I would n't be here if it was n't for my brother Larry , '' Jordan said .
`` Larry pushed me .
We used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that fight emerged someone like me .
He 's right next to me and supports me . ''
The series will also include extensive profiles of Jackson , and some of Jordan 's key teammates , including Scottie Pippen , Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr .

'The Last Dance': Jordan says winning 6th NBA title with Bulls was 'trying year'
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan reaches high above teammates Dennis Rodman, left, Scottie Pippen and Scott Burrell (24) for a rebound against the Utah Jazz in the second half of Game 4 in the 1998 NBA Finals in Chicago. ESPN's "The Last Dance," a 10-part documentary series focused on the final year of the '90s Bulls dynasty that won six NBA titles in eight years, begins Sunday, April 19. Associated Press File Photo, June 10, 1998
CHARLOTTE, N.C -- Michael Jordan described his final NBA championship season with the Chicago Bulls as a "trying year."
"We were all trying to enjoy that year knowing it was coming to an end," Jordan told Good Morning America on Thursday. Jordan appeared on the show via video conference from his home in Florida to promote the "The Last Dance," a 10-part documentary series focused on the final year of the '90s Bulls dynasty that won six NBA titles in eight years.
"The beginning of the season, it started when (general manager) Jerry Krause told (coach) Phil Jackson that he could go 82-0 and he would never get a chance to come back," Jordan said. "Knowing that I had married myself to him, and if he wasn't going to be the coach, then obviously I wasn't going to play. So Phil started off the season saying this was the last dance -- and we played it that way."
The series will debut at 8 p.m. Sunday on ESPN in the United States and on Netflix internationally over five consecutive Sundays through May 17. There will be two hourlong episodes each of those nights.
NBA Champions Ron Harper, left, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan and coach Phil Jackson are joined on stage by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, second from right, during a citywide rally in Chicago to celebrate the Chicago Bulls 6th NBA championship. Jordan described his final NBA championship season with the Chicago Bulls as a "trying year." - Associated Press File Photo, June 16, 1998
Jordan said Thursday that after Jackson told the team it was to be the final season together, the Bulls focused on completing the task of a second three-peat.
"Mentally it tugged at you that this had to come to an end, but it also centered our focus to making sure we ended it right," Jordan said. "As sad as it sounded at the beginning of the year, we tried to rejoice and enjoy the year and finish it off the right way."
The documentary was originally scheduled to be released in June during the NBA Finals, but ESPN made the decision to accelerate its release due to the lack of live sports programming because of the coronavirus pandemic. The series has been billed to include never-before-seen footage from that season, during which the team chased its sixth championship.
But the documentary covers more than just the final season.
The documentary shows Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Jordan arguing about a foot injury he suffered during his second NBA season.
Jordan wanted to play through the injury after doctors told the team there was a 90% chance he would recover.
Reinsdorf, however, did not want the star guard to play for fear it might ruin his career.
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan looks at the MVP award presented to him before the Bulls-Indiana Pacers playoff game in Chicago. ESPN's "The Last Dance," which starts airing Sunday, April 19, is a 10-part documentary series focused on the final year of the '90s Bulls dynasty. - Associated Press File Photo, May 19, 1998
"I said to Michael, you're not thinking about the risk-reward ratio," Reinsdorf said in the clip aired by GMA. "If you had a terrible headache and I gave you a bottle of pills and nine of the pills would cure you and one of the pills would kill you, would you take a pill?"
Jordan replied that "it depends on how (expletive) bad the headache is."
Reinsdorf ultimately won out; Jordan sat out 64 games that season before returning for the playoffs.
Jordan also talks about his time at the University of North Carolina where he would write his mother asking for money for postage stamps so he could send her letters and to pay his phone bill.
"It's a little different today," Jordan said. "I had a phone bill in college that was $60 or less, but I only had $20 in my account. The thing that people will learn, and my kids will laugh about when they see it, is we used postage stamps back in those days. Looking at the video you will see things that people have forgot, that life was this way.
"We didn't have Instagram or Twitter, so you had to live life as it came. ... Spending time with friends and family, it wasn't the phone. It was in presence -- and you wrote letters."
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan pauses as he announces his retirement, as his wife Juanita look on, at the United Center in Chicago in 1999. - Associated Press File Photo, Jan. 13, 1999
Jordan discussed his parents during the interview with Good Morning America, saying they were the biggest influence in his life. He said he learned many valuable lessons from them, including the ability to learn from the negatives in life and turn them into positives.
He also praised his older brother, Larry.
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my brother Larry," Jordan said. "Larry pushed me. We used to fight after every game. But through that fight emerged someone like me. He's right next to me and supports me."
The series will also include extensive profiles of Jackson, and some of Jordan's key teammates, including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--16-year-old critical after dirt bike accident

A 16-year-old is in critical condition at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge after a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ police said officers responded at 1:50 p.m. to the 300 block of North Lytle Drive @ @ @ @ @ a motorcycle `` dirt bike '' that left the roadway and struck a tree .
@ @ @ @ @ be suffering critical injuries and immediately taken by Palatine Fire Department paramedics to Northwest Community @ @ @ @ @ The teen was then lifted by helicopter to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge @ @ @ @ @ investigation by the Palatine Police Department .

16-year-old critical after dirt bike accident
A 16-year-old is in critical condition at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge after a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon, police said.
Palatine police said officers responded at 1:50 p.m. to the 300 block of North Lytle Drive after receiving a report of a motorcycle "dirt bike" that left the roadway and struck a tree.
The rider was found to be suffering critical injuries and immediately taken by Palatine Fire Department paramedics to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
The teen was then lifted by helicopter to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
The crash remains under investigation by the Palatine Police Department.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Camp One Step for kids with cancer finds way around stay-at-home order

Working with children diagnosed with cancer , Camp One Step knows about finding ways around adversity .
So when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its day campers to stay away , Camp One Step brought day camp to the kids .
Camp One Step , which serves about 800 kids annually , is using Zoom to host day camp online , with campers logging in from home to participate in activities .
`` Our whole thought was , we had to pivot , and what we had to do in that pivot is to say our kids love coming to camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us is that camp is everything to them , '' camp President Jeff Infusino said .
`` They find their second family .
They have that opportunity to forget about what they 're going through . ''
A cancer diagnosis , Infusino said , often means taking normalcy away from children .
`` We do n't want COVID to take it away from the kids again , '' he said .
`` Camp is not going to be there physically in this particular program , but we 're not going to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good time and see their group , see their pals and enjoy and smile . ''
Saturday morning saw a group of 22 campers ages 5-10 learning improv comedy from Jill Stuck of Storytown Improv in Chicago on Zoom .
The children , some of them wearing costumes , went through warmup exercises for facial expressions and pretended to throw items such as a Frisbee or a `` crazy cat '' through the screen to Stuck and their friends .
Stuck also mimed situations , then had the kids guess what was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were things the kids could do with their family and friends .
The virtual camps wo n't go away even when the pandemic does .
`` We feel if we are able to do this now , there are more kids that might not be able to get to camp or there may be kids in other states that we do n't serve at this particular point that need us at this particular time , '' Infusino said .
To donate to Camp One Step go to https : //camponestep.org/donateonline/

Camp One Step for kids with cancer finds way around stay-at-home order
Jeremy Taulbee of Dave DiNaso's Traveling World of Reptiles shows off an animal during a Zoom session Friday with day campers from Camp One Step. Courtesy of Camp One Step
Talia and Anthony Pisano take part Friday morning in a virtual day camp session for Camp One Step. Courtesy of Camp One Step
Working with children diagnosed with cancer, Camp One Step knows about finding ways around adversity.
So when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its day campers to stay away, Camp One Step brought day camp to the kids.
Camp One Step, which serves about 800 kids annually, is using Zoom to host day camp online, with campers logging in from home to participate in activities.
"Our whole thought was, we had to pivot, and what we had to do in that pivot is to say our kids love coming to camp, and some of the things they tell us is that camp is everything to them," camp President Jeff Infusino said. "They find their second family. They have that opportunity to forget about what they're going through."
A cancer diagnosis, Infusino said, often means taking normalcy away from children.
"We don't want COVID to take it away from the kids again," he said. "Camp is not going to be there physically in this particular program, but we're not going to let COVID not let those kids have a good time and see their group, see their pals and enjoy and smile."
Saturday morning saw a group of 22 campers ages 5-10 learning improv comedy from Jill Stuck of Storytown Improv in Chicago on Zoom. The children, some of them wearing costumes, went through warmup exercises for facial expressions and pretended to throw items such as a Frisbee or a "crazy cat" through the screen to Stuck and their friends.
Stuck also mimed situations, then had the kids guess what was going on. She reminded them the activities were things the kids could do with their family and friends.
The virtual camps won't go away even when the pandemic does.
"We feel if we are able to do this now, there are more kids that might not be able to get to camp or there may be kids in other states that we don't serve at this particular point that need us at this particular time," Infusino said.
To donate to Camp One Step go to https://camponestep.org/donateonline/


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--When 'remains to be seen' is something you don't want to see

Reader Anola Stowick pointed out the ambiguous nature of that sentence , given that `` remains '' is both a verb and a noun .
`` Headlines like this are confusing , and I have to read them several times to get it right , she said .
`` Does it 'remain likely that this is the missing girl ' or are the 'remains ' likely to be the girl ? ''
I see her point .
The correct meaning is the latter .
When words evolve -- what remains ( verb ) of a person becomes one 's remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion , especially when they 're used in headlines .
Why ?
Because we tend to drop articles and simple verbs in headlines to make headlines fit on the page .
It 's a convention that every American newspaper I 've read embraces .
Given that , we need to be mindful of creating confusion .
Why do we use `` remains '' in the first place ?
Because `` corpse '' is just too awful to consider .
So , with all of these speed bumps in the way , how do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in doubt , write around it , I always say .
How about `` Body likely missing Tennessee girl 's '' ?
Judging by your response to my recent column about paraprosdokians , it 's clear that you 're interested in building your vocabulary related to figures of speech .
And jokes .
So when everyone at your dinner table rolls their eyes as you spit out puns faster than Grandma 's mashed rutabagas , you can tell them you 're merely tantalizing them with paronomasias .
`` Paronomasia '' ( like `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greek .
It basically means a play on words that sound alike .
Consider REO Speedwagon 's seminal 1978 album , `` You Can Tune a Piano , But You Ca n't Tuna Fish . ''
That 's a solid paronomasia and probably the cleverest thing on that album .
There 's also `` Atheism is a non-prophet institution . ''
Back in the day , my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Rudy would have epic paronomasia duels at the dinner table .
Man , do I miss those days .
`` A double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expression , one of whose implications is imprudently suggestive , '' wrote reader Robert Rugarian .
`` With that in mind , what is the first ( or second ) thing that comes to your mind from the following item in the virus update column in the Daily Herald ? ''
It read : `` Carrie Symonds , U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's pregnant fiancee , tweeted that she 'spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus . '
'' To be sure , Johnson is a polarizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now recovering at home from a nasty bout with COVID-19 .
But in no way should we draw from the sentence that he is defined by or gives definition to the virus .
Get better soon , Boris .
Your nation needs you .
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald .
Write him at jbaumann @ dailyherald.com .
Put Grammar Moses in the subject line .
You also can friend or follow Jim at facebook.com/baumannjim .

When 'remains to be seen' is something you don't want to see
The headline read: "Remains likely Tennessee missing girl."
Reader Anola Stowick pointed out the ambiguous nature of that sentence, given that "remains" is both a verb and a noun.
"Headlines like this are confusing, and I have to read them several times to get it right, she said. "Does it 'remain likely that this is the missing girl' or are the 'remains' likely to be the girl?"
I see her point. The correct meaning is the latter.
When words evolve -- what remains (verb) of a person becomes one's remains (noun) -- they can create confusion, especially when they're used in headlines.
Why? Because we tend to drop articles and simple verbs in headlines to make headlines fit on the page.
It's a convention that every American newspaper I've read embraces. Given that, we need to be mindful of creating confusion.
Why do we use "remains" in the first place? Because "corpse" is just too awful to consider.
So, with all of these speed bumps in the way, how do we smooth out that headline?
When in doubt, write around it, I always say.
How about "Body likely missing Tennessee girl's"?
Lowest form of humor?
Judging by your response to my recent column about paraprosdokians, it's clear that you're interested in building your vocabulary related to figures of speech. And jokes.
So when everyone at your dinner table rolls their eyes as you spit out puns faster than Grandma's mashed rutabagas, you can tell them you're merely tantalizing them with paronomasias.
"Paronomasia" (like "paraprosdokian") is derived from Ancient Greek. It basically means a play on words that sound alike.
Consider REO Speedwagon's seminal 1978 album, "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish."
That's a solid paronomasia and probably the cleverest thing on that album.
There's also "Atheism is a non-prophet institution."
Back in the day, my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Rudy would have epic paronomasia duels at the dinner table. Man, do I miss those days.
Poor Boris
"A double entendre is said to be an ambivalent expression, one of whose implications is imprudently suggestive," wrote reader Robert Rugarian. "With that in mind, what is the first (or second) thing that comes to your mind from the following item in the virus update column in the Daily Herald?"
It read: "Carrie Symonds, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pregnant fiancee, tweeted that she 'spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus.'"
To be sure, Johnson is a polarizing figure in Great Britain, and he is now recovering at home from a nasty bout with COVID-19. But in no way should we draw from the sentence that he is defined by or gives definition to the virus.
Get better soon, Boris. Your nation needs you.
Write carefully!
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald. Write him at jbaumann@dailyherald.com. Put Grammar Moses in the subject line. You also can friend or follow Jim at facebook.com/baumannjim.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Watchdog: Why March was the worst month to lose video gambling revenue

Susan Remein was expecting a big payout from the six video gambling machines inside Coach 's Corner sports bar in Elk Grove Village last month .
`` When you first start out with these , you 're in the hole because they 're taking up table space you would 've had to serve people , '' Remein said .
`` It took about three years for them to break even and I 'd say they 're now about 25 % of our revenue . ''
With St. Patrick 's Day revelers and NCAA March Madness basketball tournament watchers packed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest-earning month for almost every business in Illinois that has gambling terminals .
Not this March .
Not after the coronavirus outbreak closed restaurants and bars to dine-in customers and the Illinois Gaming Board shut down gambling of all kinds the day before St. Patrick 's Day .
Remein 's business alone received $ 3,300 less this March than it took in for the same month a year ago , a 33 % decline .
Statewide , revenues from video gambling were off a collective $ 70 million in March from the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same month last year .
Businesses and the machine operators split 67 % of a machine 's profits .
The state takes 28 % of the profits as a tax while local governments get the remaining 5 % , according to state law .
Counties and towns across the state that allow video gambling made a combined $ 7.9 million in March 2019 from the machines .
In the 16 days of operation last month , the machines only generated $ 4.4 million for local governments .
Lake County received nearly $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and February 2020 .
The county received $ 30,000 less this March than it did for the same month a year ago .
But it 's not the county 's coffers that will be affected by the lost revenue .
`` All the proceeds , except a small administration fee , go to a grant program distributed throughout Lake County primarily focusing on gambling addiction through nonprofits , '' said Gary Gibson , county administrator .
`` These months we 're losing are busier months , so they 're going to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually be able to distribute . ''
Lake County is in the top 20 among local governments receiving the most tax income from video gambling in the state , but it pales in comparison to place like Springfield and Rockford .
Each of those cities received more than $ 1.7 million from video gambling taxes between March 2019 and this February , according to the state gaming board 's records .
Elk Grove Village uses most of its funds -- roughly $ 450,000 annually -- to cover costs of the village 's festivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which are undecided for this year .
The village is on the hook for $ 480,000 to bands it booked for the summer concerts .
If the village cancels the program , it loses that money .
`` We have insurance that covers us in case of weather , but it does n't cover a pandemic , '' said Mayor Craig Johnson .
`` I 'm in insurance and I can count on zero fingers the number of pandemic insurance policies I 've sold . ''
The state , which made $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2019 , collected just $ 24.7 million last month .
It had been expecting March to be the biggest month ever for video gambling revenue .
That 's because last July , the state allowed businesses to add a sixth machine , a 5,000 machine increase statewide .
Also , the state started taking 3 % more of each machine 's profits .
With COVID-19 , the anticipated record-breaking revenue did not materialize .
`` You do n't have to be an epidemiologist to see the virus is going to hit our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being visited upon every state , '' Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said on Wednesday when he announced state finance officials expect the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus will result in a state budget shortfall of $ 2.7 billion this fiscal year and another $ 4.6 billion next year .
`` Every state budget is dependent on taxes on income , sales and other sources such as lotteries and gaming for a substantial portion of their state budget , '' Pritzker said .
`` In every state the coronavirus pandemic has substantially disrupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's video gambling revenue is earmarked for its Capital Projects Fund .
The governor 's office did not respond to requests for comment about the status of projects planned in anticipation of that revenue .
As bad as March video gambling figures were for the state , April is going to be much worse .
The machines will have been completely out of service for the entire month .
That means an expected loss to the state of close to $ 40 million .
Local governments can expect a combined loss of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand to lose roughly $ 50 million combined .
`` It 's an act of God , what are you going to do ? ''
pondered William Bowes , owner of Jake Moran 's in Mundelein .
`` You ca n't cry over spilled milk .
We do n't have carryout or delivery , so we 're just doing a lot of cleaning and waiting for the opening day . ''
Bowes made more than $ 100,000 from video gambling machines at Jake Moran 's in the 12 months before March 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's roughly 60 % of the business 's annual income .

Why March was the worst month to lose video gambling revenue
Susan Remein was expecting a big payout from the six video gambling machines inside Coach's Corner sports bar in Elk Grove Village last month.
"When you first start out with these, you're in the hole because they're taking up table space you would've had to serve people," Remein said. "It took about three years for them to break even and I'd say they're now about 25% of our revenue."
With St. Patrick's Day revelers and NCAA March Madness basketball tournament watchers packed into the bar, March is always the highest-earning month for almost every business in Illinois that has gambling terminals.
Not this March. Not after the coronavirus outbreak closed restaurants and bars to dine-in customers and the Illinois Gaming Board shut down gambling of all kinds the day before St. Patrick's Day.
Remein's business alone received $3,300 less this March than it took in for the same month a year ago, a 33% decline. Statewide, revenues from video gambling were off a collective $70 million in March from the previous year, a 44% reduction from the same month last year.
Businesses and the machine operators split 67% of a machine's profits. The state takes 28% of the profits as a tax while local governments get the remaining 5%, according to state law.
Counties and towns across the state that allow video gambling made a combined $7.9 million in March 2019 from the machines. In the 16 days of operation last month, the machines only generated $4.4 million for local governments.
Lake County received nearly $750,000 from video gambling between March 2019 and February 2020. The county received $30,000 less this March than it did for the same month a year ago. But it's not the county's coffers that will be affected by the lost revenue.
"All the proceeds, except a small administration fee, go to a grant program distributed throughout Lake County primarily focusing on gambling addiction through nonprofits," said Gary Gibson, county administrator. "These months we're losing are busier months, so they're going to have a bigger effect on the allocation we will eventually be able to distribute."
Lake County is in the top 20 among local governments receiving the most tax income from video gambling in the state, but it pales in comparison to place like Springfield and Rockford. Each of those cities received more than $1.7 million from video gambling taxes between March 2019 and this February, according to the state gaming board's records.
Elk Grove Village uses most of its funds -- roughly $450,000 annually -- to cover costs of the village's festivals and summer concert series, the fate of which are undecided for this year. The village is on the hook for $480,000 to bands it booked for the summer concerts. If the village cancels the program, it loses that money.
"We have insurance that covers us in case of weather, but it doesn't cover a pandemic," said Mayor Craig Johnson. "I'm in insurance and I can count on zero fingers the number of pandemic insurance policies I've sold."
The state, which made $39.7 million from video gambling taxes in March 2019, collected just $24.7 million last month.
It had been expecting March to be the biggest month ever for video gambling revenue. That's because last July, the state allowed businesses to add a sixth machine, a 5,000 machine increase statewide. Also, the state started taking 3% more of each machine's profits.
With COVID-19, the anticipated record-breaking revenue did not materialize.
"You don't have to be an epidemiologist to see the virus is going to hit our budget hard, a reality that is being visited upon every state," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Wednesday when he announced state finance officials expect the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus will result in a state budget shortfall of $2.7 billion this fiscal year and another $4.6 billion next year.
"Every state budget is dependent on taxes on income, sales and other sources such as lotteries and gaming for a substantial portion of their state budget," Pritzker said. "In every state the coronavirus pandemic has substantially disrupted those revenue sources."
The state's video gambling revenue is earmarked for its Capital Projects Fund. The governor's office did not respond to requests for comment about the status of projects planned in anticipation of that revenue.
As bad as March video gambling figures were for the state, April is going to be much worse. The machines will have been completely out of service for the entire month. That means an expected loss to the state of close to $40 million. Local governments can expect a combined loss of more than $7.5 million and the businesses stand to lose roughly $50 million combined.
"It's an act of God, what are you going to do?" pondered William Bowes, owner of Jake Moran's in Mundelein. "You can't cry over spilled milk. We don't have carryout or delivery, so we're just doing a lot of cleaning and waiting for the opening day."
Bowes made more than $100,000 from video gambling machines at Jake Moran's in the 12 months before March 2020, according to state records. He said that's roughly 60% of the business's annual income.
Got a tip?
Contact Jake at jgriffin@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4602.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Hub Arkush: Edge rusher group has boom-or-bust potential

Eighth in a series of our updated post-NFL Combine draft prospect rankings , with comments on players who appear likely to be fits for the Bears .
The three kids at the top -- Chase Young , Yetur Gross-Matos and K'Lavon Chaisson are blue chip pass rushers -- and Young is the best prospect in this Draft .
He will probably only wait one or two picks if a quarterback or two to come off the board .
The rest of this group is loaded with boom-or-bust type picks likely to yield a handful of future double-digit sack artists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these prospects elected not to run at the combine hoping to fare better at pro days , many of which were canceled , so it makes them a little tougher to grade .
Pass rushers have become like cornerbacks , you can never have too many .
But with what the Bears have invested in Khalil Mack and now Robert Quinn , it 's unlikely they 'll be shopping here until day three .
Jonathan Greenard : I got to spend about 20 minutes with Greenard at the combine and came away super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how badly he wants it .
He transferred from Louisville to Florida for his senior year after the Bobby Petrino mess and made a huge impact against SEC competition .
He is a four-down linebacker still developing as a pass rusher off the edge after a serious wrist injury cost him the 2018 season .
Reminds me a bit of a bigger Lance Briggs built for the 3-4 but could play in a 4-3 as well .
Will probably go middle to late third round .
Evan Weaver : If you can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a terror off the edge likely to become a professional pass rusher in the NFL .
He struggles at times vs. the run , so he projects as a rotational guy who 'll fit nice in sub packages .
He should come off the board early on day three , so the Bears would have to move up to get him .
Oluwole Betiku Jr. : Born in Nigeria , Betiku came to the states as a sophomore in high school and went to USC as one of the top prospects in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 season to hip surgery , he transferred to Illinois , where Lovie Smith turned him into one of the top edge guys in the Big Ten .
His Combine snub was a surprise , but he 'll be a later day three pick with the tools to make a club and maybe eventually make a difference chasing quarterbacks .
Alex Highsmith : This is a traits guy who was n't chased by anybody coming out of high school and had to walk on at Charlotte , but by his junior year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rusher and notched 31½ sacks over his last two seasons .
Clearly a project , he fits the Ryan Pace day-three , small-school gamble tendencies we 've seen work before .

Hub Arkush: Edge rusher group has boom-or-bust potential
Eighth in a series of our updated post-NFL Combine draft prospect rankings, with comments on players who appear likely to be fits for the Bears.
By Hub Arkush
harkush@shawmedia.com
The three kids at the top -- Chase Young, Yetur Gross-Matos and K'Lavon Chaisson are blue chip pass rushers -- and Young is the best prospect in this Draft. He will probably only wait one or two picks if a quarterback or two to come off the board.
The rest of this group is loaded with boom-or-bust type picks likely to yield a handful of future double-digit sack artists.
The majority of the upper half of these prospects elected not to run at the combine hoping to fare better at pro days, many of which were canceled, so it makes them a little tougher to grade.
Pass rushers have become like cornerbacks, you can never have too many. But with what the Bears have invested in Khalil Mack and now Robert Quinn, it's unlikely they'll be shopping here until day three.
Jonathan Greenard: I got to spend about 20 minutes with Greenard at the combine and came away super impressed with how he carries himself and how badly he wants it. He transferred from Louisville to Florida for his senior year after the Bobby Petrino mess and made a huge impact against SEC competition. He is a four-down linebacker still developing as a pass rusher off the edge after a serious wrist injury cost him the 2018 season. Reminds me a bit of a bigger Lance Briggs built for the 3-4 but could play in a 4-3 as well. Will probably go middle to late third round.
Curtis Weaver: If you can get past the Shea McClellin comparisons, Weaver is a terror off the edge likely to become a professional pass rusher in the NFL. He struggles at times vs. the run, so he projects as a rotational guy who'll fit nice in sub packages. He should come off the board early on day three, so the Bears would have to move up to get him.
Oluwole Betiku Jr.: Born in Nigeria, Betiku came to the states as a sophomore in high school and went to USC as one of the top prospects in the country. But after losing his 2018 season to hip surgery, he transferred to Illinois, where Lovie Smith turned him into one of the top edge guys in the Big Ten. His Combine snub was a surprise, but he'll be a later day three pick with the tools to make a club and maybe eventually make a difference chasing quarterbacks.
Alex Highsmith: This is a traits guy who wasn't chased by anybody coming out of high school and had to walk on at Charlotte, but by his junior year, he became a force as a pass rusher and notched 31½ sacks over his last two seasons. Clearly a project, he fits the Ryan Pace day-three, small-school gamble tendencies we've seen work before.
• Twitter: @Hub _Arkush


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Can Arcidiacono bring more to Bulls than taking charges?

One popular question with the Bulls this season was why Ryan Arcidiacono was such a mainstay of the rotation .
He played in 58 of 65 games , started four times and averaged 16 minutes per game .
The answer is relatively simple .
Arcidiacono is steady .
He 's a player you can rely on .
He 's a decent defender , can get hot from long range sometimes , knows how to run the offense and led the league in charges taken per minute played .
Now , is he a good NBA player in any of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges as well as anyone , but everything else , not especially .
Arcidiacono averaged 4.5 points and 1.7 assists .
He knows he 's a complementary player who should take a back seat when on the court .
He never tries to do too much .
Better 3-point shooting could put the third-year guard in a higher echelon .
He shot a career-best 39.1 percent from long range this season , so he 's on the right track .
It 's easy to look at Indiana 's T.J. McConnell as an ideal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his NBA career in Philadelphia with the 76ers while Arcidiacono starred at Villanova .
McConnell had the advantage of getting major playing time with some of those bad Sixers teams and remained a valuable contributor when he moved to the Pacers this season .
The 6-foot-3 Arcidiacono is taller than McConnell but is a couple steps slower .
McConnell can get to the rim and finish , which Arcidiacono does n't try very often .
It 's also worth noting that Arcidiacono is the only Windy City Bulls alumnus on the current Bulls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing players in the G-League helps explain why the rebuild has been sputtering .
The Bulls would love to have two original Windy City Bulls , Spencer Dinwiddie and Alfonzo McKinnie , on the roster , but they were signed by other teams .
During Windy City 's second season , Antonio Blakeney and Arcidiacono were the two-way players .
Blakeney won G-League rookie of the year honors , both players made the Bulls roster the following season and Arcidiacono stuck , while Blakeney did n't .
Another former Windy City Bull , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Golden State just before the season was suspended .
So the Hoffman Estates affiliate has done a better job of stocking other NBA teams than the Bulls , but there 's hope that is starting to turn around .
This season , DePaul product Max Strus played well until suffering a torn ACL in December , and guard Adam Mokoka showed potential as a 3-and-D type of player later in the season .
Arcidiacono signed a three-year deal last summer , so he 's under contract for 2020-21 at $ 3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team option .
He may never be a front-line NBA player , but Arcidiacono is n't a bad guy to have at the end of the bench .
And coaches always seem to have a soft spot for a guy who will take charges and dive on the floor .
GM search continues : ESPN reported the Bulls interviewed Michael Finley for their general manager position .
Finley , a two-time all-star , has spent the past seven years in the Dallas Mavericks front office .
The Proviso East High School graduate retired @ @ @ @ @ @

Can Arcidiacono bring more to Bulls than taking charges?
Chicago Bulls' Ryan Arcidiacono (51) looks to pass during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in New York. Associated Press
Seventh in a series
One popular question with the Bulls this season was why Ryan Arcidiacono was such a mainstay of the rotation.
He played in 58 of 65 games, started four times and averaged 16 minutes per game.
The answer is relatively simple. Arcidiacono is steady. He's a player you can rely on. He's a decent defender, can get hot from long range sometimes, knows how to run the offense and led the league in charges taken per minute played.
Now, is he a good NBA player in any of those categories? Well, obviously he takes charges as well as anyone, but everything else, not especially.
Arcidiacono averaged 4.5 points and 1.7 assists. He knows he's a complementary player who should take a back seat when on the court. He never tries to do too much.
Better 3-point shooting could put the third-year guard in a higher echelon. He shot a career-best 39.1 percent from long range this season, so he's on the right track.
It's easy to look at Indiana's T.J. McConnell as an ideal comp for Arcidiacono. McConnell was starting his NBA career in Philadelphia with the 76ers while Arcidiacono starred at Villanova.
McConnell had the advantage of getting major playing time with some of those bad Sixers teams and remained a valuable contributor when he moved to the Pacers this season. The 6-foot-3 Arcidiacono is taller than McConnell but is a couple steps slower. McConnell can get to the rim and finish, which Arcidiacono doesn't try very often.
It's also worth noting that Arcidiacono is the only Windy City Bulls alumnus on the current Bulls roster. The lack of success with developing players in the G-League helps explain why the rebuild has been sputtering.
The Bulls would love to have two original Windy City Bulls, Spencer Dinwiddie and Alfonzo McKinnie, on the roster, but they were signed by other teams. During Windy City's second season, Antonio Blakeney and Arcidiacono were the two-way players. Blakeney won G-League rookie of the year honors, both players made the Bulls roster the following season and Arcidiacono stuck, while Blakeney didn't.
Another former Windy City Bull, guard Mychal Mulder, landed a job with Golden State just before the season was suspended. So the Hoffman Estates affiliate has done a better job of stocking other NBA teams than the Bulls, but there's hope that is starting to turn around. This season, DePaul product Max Strus played well until suffering a torn ACL in December, and guard Adam Mokoka showed potential as a 3-and-D type of player later in the season.
Arcidiacono signed a three-year deal last summer, so he's under contract for 2020-21 at $3 million, while the following season is a team option.
He may never be a front-line NBA player, but Arcidiacono isn't a bad guy to have at the end of the bench. And coaches always seem to have a soft spot for a guy who will take charges and dive on the floor.
GM search continues: ESPN reported the Bulls interviewed Michael Finley for their general manager position. Finley, a two-time all-star, has spent the past seven years in the Dallas Mavericks front office. The Proviso East High School graduate retired as a player in 2010.
• Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--2 longtime Naperville park employees retiring

Two longtime Naperville Park District staff members are retiring this month -- Chuck Papanos , Riverwalk and North Parks operations @ @ @ @ @ Chief Carl Schnibben .
Papanos came to the district in 2001 as a park specialist @ @ @ @ @ promoted to Riverwalk and the North Parks operations manager , overseeing a variety of parks @ @ @ @ @ Riverwalk , Rotary Hill , the Paddleboat Quarry , the Millennium Carillon , Centennial Beach @ @ @ @ @ Central Park , Country Lakes Park , Seager Park and others .
Schnibben began his @ @ @ @ @ park police officer following a 37-year career in local law enforcement .
He was promoted @ @ @ @ @ and became acting chief in August 2007 .
He has served as chief of park @ @ @ @ @

2 longtime Naperville park employees retiring
Two longtime Naperville Park District staff members are retiring this month -- Chuck Papanos, Riverwalk and North Parks operations manager, and park police Chief Carl Schnibben.
Papanos came to the district in 2001 as a park specialist and within two years was promoted to Riverwalk and the North Parks operations manager, overseeing a variety of parks and facilities, including the Riverwalk, Rotary Hill, the Paddleboat Quarry, the Millennium Carillon, Centennial Beach, Nike Sports Complex, Central Park, Country Lakes Park, Seager Park and others.
Schnibben began his tenure in 2006 as a park police officer following a 37-year career in local law enforcement. He was promoted to sergeant five months later and became acting chief in August 2007. He has served as chief of park police since February 2008.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Rozner: Is there still time for NHL postseason?

Drew Doughty was only voicing what everyone has been thinking for weeks .
`` Honestly , I do n't see how this season is going to return , '' the veteran Kings defenseman said on a conference call last week .
`` I really do n't . ''
Since math is a specialty here , let 's take a quick look .
It 's already past the middle of April and for every month they 've been off the ice , the players need at least a week of serious on-ice work in order to look like hockey players again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rink for a month and best case would probably be another month before they can find any ice time .
That puts us at June 1 with two weeks of on-ice training or exhibition games .
`` We 're all sitting at home hoping to return to the season , or hoping to watch the playoffs , '' said the 30-year-old Doughty .
`` But we 're just sitting here waiting , working out , being ready to return at any point .
`` I think the NHL would have to make some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it seems like it 's pretty tough to resume the season or the playoffs . ''
A baseball player can throw and hit anywhere .
Basketball players can toss up jumpers all day long at home .
A pro golfer can get out on the course in some states , and almost all of them have home gyms , nets and simulators .
But hockey players need to skate , period .
The bike is a poor substitute .
A treadmill accomplishes little .
They need to skate and 99 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rink for a very long time .
For some of them , it 's longer than they are away from the ice in the offseason .
`` Everything keeps getting delayed , '' Doughty said .
`` I do n't see how or when we 're going to be able to make a decision to return .
And when that ( happens ) , you have to figure out all the logistics .
So it seems very , very hard to be able to do , but us players are going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hockey players will do anything you tell them to do .
They want to play .
But the not knowing what 's next is taking a toll .
`` I do n't know what I 'm working out for , '' Doughty said , meaning a return to play or a summer of preparation .
`` They 've been telling us we can come back at any time .
We only got about four days without training .
I like to take at least three or four weeks off .
I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Players need time off to heal and train in the summer .
If the playoffs do n't end until August , it could be dangerous and a health risk from a hockey standpoint .
`` We had to play that World Cup ( in September 2016 ) .
It was tough to go into games like that after one or two exhibition games coming right out of the summer , '' Doughty said .
`` I never recovered from that World Cup for the rest of the season .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As much as I could mentally be in game mode , your body 's not ready for it if you do n't get a full offseason of training .
If you only get one week of training camp with a couple of exhibition games , you 're going to ruin your body . ''
Doughty then admitted what many are thinking .
`` I know they want to give out the Stanley Cup this year , but in all seriousness it 's not going to be like winning a real Stanley Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Doughty said .
`` There are teams that ( missed ) the playoffs ( that wo n't get a chance ) , and I 'm assuming the ( NHL would ) have to come up with a different format . ''
Everything that Doughty says has merit , but the NHL does n't want to lose a billion dollars in revenue and hockey fans wo n't care what it looks like or what the format is if they get to see the playoffs .
Playoff hockey is still playoff hockey .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Rozner: Is there still time for NHL postseason?
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty can't see an NHL return, but hockey fans will throw a parade if they get to see the playoffs. AP File Photo
The Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals, sits empty March 12, 2020, in Washington. Associated Press
Drew Doughty was only voicing what everyone has been thinking for weeks.
"Honestly, I don't see how this season is going to return," the veteran Kings defenseman said on a conference call last week. "I really don't."
Since math is a specialty here, let's take a quick look.
It's already past the middle of April and for every month they've been off the ice, the players need at least a week of serious on-ice work in order to look like hockey players again.
They've been away from the rink for a month and best case would probably be another month before they can find any ice time.
That puts us at June 1 with two weeks of on-ice training or exhibition games.
"We're all sitting at home hoping to return to the season, or hoping to watch the playoffs," said the 30-year-old Doughty. "But we're just sitting here waiting, working out, being ready to return at any point.
"I think the NHL would have to make some kind of decision on that soon, and it seems like it's pretty tough to resume the season or the playoffs."
A baseball player can throw and hit anywhere. Basketball players can toss up jumpers all day long at home. A pro golfer can get out on the course in some states, and almost all of them have home gyms, nets and simulators.
But hockey players need to skate, period. The bike is a poor substitute. A treadmill accomplishes little. They need to skate and 99 percent of them haven't been allowed near a rink for a very long time.
For some of them, it's longer than they are away from the ice in the offseason.
"Everything keeps getting delayed," Doughty said. "I don't see how or when we're going to be able to make a decision to return. And when that (happens), you have to figure out all the logistics. So it seems very, very hard to be able to do, but us players are going to be ready for whatever."
Sure, hockey players will do anything you tell them to do. They want to play. But the not knowing what's next is taking a toll.
"I don't know what I'm working out for," Doughty said, meaning a return to play or a summer of preparation. "They've been telling us we can come back at any time. We only got about four days without training. I like to take at least three or four weeks off. I don't really know what's going on here."
Players need time off to heal and train in the summer. If the playoffs don't end until August, it could be dangerous and a health risk from a hockey standpoint.
"We had to play that World Cup (in September 2016). It was tough to go into games like that after one or two exhibition games coming right out of the summer," Doughty said. "I never recovered from that World Cup for the rest of the season. I was in absolute pain that whole season.
"As much as I could mentally be in game mode, your body's not ready for it if you don't get a full offseason of training. If you only get one week of training camp with a couple of exhibition games, you're going to ruin your body."
Doughty then admitted what many are thinking.
"I know they want to give out the Stanley Cup this year, but in all seriousness it's not going to be like winning a real Stanley Cup because the season wasn't finished," Doughty said. "There are teams that (missed) the playoffs (that won't get a chance), and I'm assuming the (NHL would) have to come up with a different format."
Everything that Doughty says has merit, but the NHL doesn't want to lose a billion dollars in revenue and hockey fans won't care what it looks like or what the format is if they get to see the playoffs.
Playoff hockey is still playoff hockey. We'll take whatever we can get.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Clubhouse Chatter: Where is the best stadium food?

What our Sports staff has to say while waiting for the games to resume .
White Sox games .
I always get a hot dog from a specific stand along the first-base side concourse near home plate .
They smother it in those tantalizing grilled onions you can smell cooking from Lot B .
Add a little mustard .
Simple perfection .
Pro sports-wise , the Blackhawks spoil the media .
Pricey-restaurant quality food with to-die-for desserts .
BMW Championship golf is also first-class in everything it does .
Prep sports-wise , Wheeling and Dundee-Crown boast generous and awesome hospitality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm a big crab fan and Baltimore is the place to be if you want fresh product .
At the dozens of White Sox at Orioles game I was fortunate enough to cover for the paper over the years , I often made my way to the concourse for a crabcake sandwich .
One thing that stands out in my memory was old County Stadium in Milwaukee .
They used to take the hot dogs and brats and drop them in this dipping sauce , which was sort of a cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unique and very good .
When I went to Miller Park for the first time , I asked if they still dipped the hot dogs and the concession worker had no idea what I was talking about .
So the tradition might have disappeared , but I 've never gone back to double-check .
You ca n't miss at Arlington 's Park 's food court .
It covers all territory from salads to sandwiches to pizza to burgers .
And a variety of popcorn and much more .
Then there 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cowboy Grille , the Terrace Cafe and , of course , the fancy dining in the Million Room .
I would n't know .
I sit in the press box and I do n't eat press box food .
As long as there 's coffee , I 'm good .

Clubhouse Chatter: Where is the best stadium food?
What our Sports staff has to say while waiting for the games to resume.
White Sox games. I always get a hot dog from a specific stand along the first-base side concourse near home plate. They smother it in those tantalizing grilled onions you can smell cooking from Lot B. Add a little mustard. Simple perfection.
-- Jerry Fitzpatrick
Pro sports-wise, the Blackhawks spoil the media. Pricey-restaurant quality food with to-die-for desserts. BMW Championship golf is also first-class in everything it does. Prep sports-wise, Wheeling and Dundee-Crown boast generous and awesome hospitality rooms for the media.
-- Joe Aguilar
Camden Yards. I'm a big crab fan and Baltimore is the place to be if you want fresh product. At the dozens of White Sox at Orioles game I was fortunate enough to cover for the paper over the years, I often made my way to the concourse for a crabcake sandwich.
-- Scot Gregor
One thing that stands out in my memory was old County Stadium in Milwaukee. They used to take the hot dogs and brats and drop them in this dipping sauce, which was sort of a cross between ketchup and barbecue sauce. It was unique and very good. When I went to Miller Park for the first time, I asked if they still dipped the hot dogs and the concession worker had no idea what I was talking about. So the tradition might have disappeared, but I've never gone back to double-check.
-- Mike McGraw
You can't miss at Arlington's Park's food court. It covers all territory from salads to sandwiches to pizza to burgers. And a variety of popcorn and much more. Then there's the tasty food at Mr. D's, the Cowboy Grille, the Terrace Cafe and, of course, the fancy dining in the Million Room.
-- John Leusch
I wouldn't know. I sit in the press box and I don't eat press box food. As long as there's coffee, I'm good.
-- Barry Rozner


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Death of Wheeling High School sophomore raises concerns about COVID-19 in teens

A student at Northwest Suburban High School District 214 has died , raising concerns about whether he succumbed to complications of COVID-19 .
Zach Leviton , a 16-year-old Wheeling High School sophomore , became ill last month , CBS-TV Channel 2 quoted his mother as saying .
He worsened , was put on a ventilator and died last week .
Zach had tested negative for COVID-19 , CBS quoted his mother as saying , but a doctor had told them the boy had experienced heart complications and might have been suffering from early stages of the virus .
The death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorials on YouTube and Instagram for the boy , whose services last week were private because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Cook County medical examiner 's office had not yet ruled on a cause of death Sunday .
Family friend Jacqueline Batalis said Sunday that Leviton was one of her son 's best friends and one of six boys who hung out together .
`` They were all best friends .
And he was with us all the time .
So It 's quite devastating , '' she said .
Northwest Suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schuler had informed parents and students in an email Saturday that one student had died , likely from complications of COVID-19 .
He and other school officials did not name the student or school involved and would not say Sunday whether they were referring to Zach .
In the same letter , Schuler said another student is in intensive care , raising concerns about the effects of the disease in an age group considered at low risk for serious infections .
`` Our understanding is that he had n't been feeling good for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was gone , '' Batalis said .
She said Zach 's many friends are still trying to process his passing .
`` It 's hard to grasp and understand why and how such a young boy is just gone , '' she said .
`` He had the most genuine loving heart .
Everybody that was around him liked him .
He was always smiling , always laughing .
Always made everybody around him laugh and smile .
Such a free spirit .
Just a really neat , really respectful young man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cases of COVID-19 among teens are uncommon .
The Cook County Medical Examiner reports no teenagers among COVID-19 victims since the outbreak began , though the Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported the death of `` one female teen '' in Cook County .
The agencies could not immediately explain the discrepancy .
Among those under age 20 , 144 people have tested positive and 11 have been hospitalized , the Cook County Department of Public Health reports .
Illinois Public Heath Director Ngozi O. Ezike said while those numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely than younger children to suffer severe cases of COVID-19 .
She could not say if other teens have died .
She added that a death is considered COVID-19-related for anyone who tests positive , though other causes could have led to death .
`` We know from the pediatric literature that pediatric deaths from COVID are low , '' she said Sunday during Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's daily briefing .
However , `` a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old are all considered pediatric patients but the 17-year-old has the physiology much closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an infant or baby .
Hospitals that I have worked with and pediatricians I have talked to , they have seen severe illness in older pediatric patients , as they look more like adults than babies . ''
Schuler said District 214 's student services staff is working with family and friends of the students to provide support .
In his emotional letter , he said the student died `` likely due to complications related to COVID-19 .
In addition , we currently have at least one additional student who is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
`` While we may be seeing a plateau in confirmed cases and deaths related to COVID-19 in Illinois , this is a dark week in District 214 that leaves me with an incredibly heavy heart . ''
He added , `` We will continue to move forward to see the sunrise again one day ; however , this week in our district is marked by pain and sadness .
My family 's thoughts and prayers are with these families and all members of our district 's school community during this global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Department of Public Health , there have been 327 deaths out of 7,983 confirmed cases in the county .
Among those under age 20 in suburban Cook County , there have been 23.3 positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people .
The rate jumps to 336 per 100,000 people in their 20s , and 393 per 100,000 people in their 30s .
Older people are much more likely to have a positive test for COVID-19 , with the rate jumping to 607 per 100,000 people in their 60s , the highest rate reported @

Death of Wheeling High School sophomore raises concerns about COVID-19 in teens
A student at Northwest Suburban High School District 214 has died, raising concerns about whether he succumbed to complications of COVID-19.
Zach Leviton, a 16-year-old Wheeling High School sophomore, became ill last month, CBS-TV Channel 2 quoted his mother as saying. He worsened, was put on a ventilator and died last week.
Zach had tested negative for COVID-19, CBS quoted his mother as saying, but a doctor had told them the boy had experienced heart complications and might have been suffering from early stages of the virus.
The death shook the community and his friends posted memorials on YouTube and Instagram for the boy, whose services last week were private because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Cook County medical examiner's office had not yet ruled on a cause of death Sunday.
Family friend Jacqueline Batalis said Sunday that Leviton was one of her son's best friends and one of six boys who hung out together.
"They were all best friends. And he was with us all the time. So It's quite devastating," she said.
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Superintendent David R. Schuler had informed parents and students in an email Saturday that one student had died, likely from complications of COVID-19.
He and other school officials did not name the student or school involved and would not say Sunday whether they were referring to Zach.
In the same letter, Schuler said another student is in intensive care, raising concerns about the effects of the disease in an age group considered at low risk for serious infections.
"Our understanding is that he hadn't been feeling good for a couple weeks. And then he was gone," Batalis said.
She said Zach's many friends are still trying to process his passing.
"It's hard to grasp and understand why and how such a young boy is just gone," she said.
Batalis remembered a boy who made others feel good.
"He had the most genuine loving heart. Everybody that was around him liked him. He was always smiling, always laughing. Always made everybody around him laugh and smile. Such a free spirit. Just a really neat, really respectful young man. Really good kid," she said.
Cases of COVID-19 among teens are uncommon. The Cook County Medical Examiner reports no teenagers among COVID-19 victims since the outbreak began, though the Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported the death of "one female teen" in Cook County. The agencies could not immediately explain the discrepancy.
Among those under age 20, 144 people have tested positive and 11 have been hospitalized, the Cook County Department of Public Health reports.
Illinois Public Heath Director Ngozi O. Ezike said while those numbers are relatively small, teens appear more likely than younger children to suffer severe cases of COVID-19. She could not say if other teens have died.
She added that a death is considered COVID-19-related for anyone who tests positive, though other causes could have led to death.
"We know from the pediatric literature that pediatric deaths from COVID are low," she said Sunday during Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily briefing.
However, "a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old are all considered pediatric patients but the 17-year-old has the physiology much closer to an adult than, say, an infant or baby. Hospitals that I have worked with and pediatricians I have talked to, they have seen severe illness in older pediatric patients, as they look more like adults than babies."
Schuler said District 214's student services staff is working with family and friends of the students to provide support.
In his emotional letter, he said the student died "likely due to complications related to COVID-19. In addition, we currently have at least one additional student who is in the (intensive care unit) due to COVID-19.
"While we may be seeing a plateau in confirmed cases and deaths related to COVID-19 in Illinois, this is a dark week in District 214 that leaves me with an incredibly heavy heart."
He added, "We will continue to move forward to see the sunrise again one day; however, this week in our district is marked by pain and sadness. My family's thoughts and prayers are with these families and all members of our district's school community during this global pandemic."
According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, there have been 327 deaths out of 7,983 confirmed cases in the county.
Among those under age 20 in suburban Cook County, there have been 23.3 positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.
The rate jumps to 336 per 100,000 people in their 20s, and 393 per 100,000 people in their 30s.
Older people are much more likely to have a positive test for COVID-19, with the rate jumping to 607 per 100,000 people in their 60s, the highest rate reported.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--'It was like a tsunami of patients': Suburban native on being a doctor in New York City

Dr. Michael Lamberta works in the emergency department of one of the busiest hospitals at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic -- Brooklyn 's Maimonides Medical Center .
It 's a long way from his hometown of Inverness and St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights , where he was a standout student .
But one constant connects his high school years in the suburbs with his work today on the front lines of COVID-19 : teammates .
Back in high school , Lamberta traveled with his soccer teammates to Europe the summer before their senior year .
The camaraderie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win the school 's first state championship in fall 2003 .
Now in his third year at Maimonides , Lamberta , 33 , credits his team -- the medical professionals working alongside him -- with `` humming the quiet poetry of hope amidst a raucous tragedy . ''
If that sounds something like poetry , it 's not surprising .
Lamberta has taken to journaling his experience in the ER during the pandemic .
He shared some of his observations earlier this month with family and friends , and updated them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were blindsided by ( the virus ) and not sure what hit us , '' Lamberta says of the first few weeks in March .
`` It was like a tsunami of patients .
We 're used to being a high-volume ER , but these are sicker patients . ''
ABC News reported this week that Maimonides is caring for about 600 coronavirus patients , 173 of them on ventilators and another 75 on standby .
Triage tents are set up outside the hospital to handle overflow patients , while more departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the ER .
Hospital officials say they are running low on disposable thermometers and nasal swabs , used for COVID-19 tests .
Lamberta said he and his teammates `` aggressively protect themselves '' at the start of every shift , donning personal protective equipment from head to toe .
On a typical day before the pandemic , the ER treated between 300 and 400 patients .
Today , it 's closer to 250 , Lamberta says , but nearly all of them are COVID-19 positive -- with more than 20 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually able to identify pretty quickly when to intubate and who needs airway support , but these patients look pretty healthy and are talking to you , '' Lamberta said .
`` They do n't look like patients that need to be intubated .
Sometimes , we do n't know , so it 's a feeling of a loss of control . ''
As a result , doctors rapidly changed their protocol , Lamberta says , and are getting a better handle on patients .
More recently , he said .
the ER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He 's not sure whether that means people are too afraid to seek treatment at a hospital or if it 's a sign the city is past the worst of the outbreak .
Either way , Lamberta said he 's aware of a difference in the way he 's treating his coronavirus patients .
`` You just get closer to patients because they do n't have visitors and there 's this loss of control when they come to the ER , '' Lamberta said .
`` We 're all working on being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different level . ''
Lamberta 's parents , Dr. Frank Lamberta -- a retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced at Northwest Community Hospital -- and Laurabeth , credit their son 's moral compass to his high school years and the Viatorians , who taught students to serve the marginalized .
`` He has a heart to serve , '' Laurabeth Lamberta says of her son , the third of her four children , `` and show God 's life . ''
Still , staying mentally strong through this crisis is something Lamberta thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling them `` selfless and supportive , '' and knows the hospital has made clinical psychologists available to staff .
Mostly , he chooses to be thankful .
`` If there is a silver lining in all of this , it would be an acute reminder of how everything and everyone are related in our world , '' Lamberta wrote .
`` We have a decision at every moment to be grateful , giving and compassionate . ''

'It was like a tsunami of patients': Suburban native on being a doctor in New York City
Dr. Michael Lamberta stands outside the emergency room at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he has been an attending physician the last three years. It's one of the busiest emergency departments in New York City. Courtesy of Michael Lamberta
Dr. Michael Lamberta, a St. Viator High School graduate from Inverness, has been battling the coronavirus outbreak as an emergency room physician at Brooklyn's Maimonides Medical Center. Courtesy of Michael Lamberta
Dr. Michael Lamberta, right, and Dr. Duncan Grossman, a second-year resident, take a closer look at a patient's chest CT scan at Brooklyn's Maimonides Medical Center, which is at the pandemic's U.S. epicenter. "We were blindsided by (the virus) and not sure what hit us," he says of the early days of the outbreak. Courtesy of Michael Lamberta
Dr. Michael Lamberta works in the emergency department of one of the busiest hospitals at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic -- Brooklyn's Maimonides Medical Center.
It's a long way from his hometown of Inverness and St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, where he was a standout student.
But one constant connects his high school years in the suburbs with his work today on the front lines of COVID-19: teammates.
Back in high school, Lamberta traveled with his soccer teammates to Europe the summer before their senior year. The camaraderie and tournament experience they gained led them to win the school's first state championship in fall 2003.
Now in his third year at Maimonides, Lamberta, 33, credits his team -- the medical professionals working alongside him -- with "humming the quiet poetry of hope amidst a raucous tragedy."
If that sounds something like poetry, it's not surprising. Lamberta has taken to journaling his experience in the ER during the pandemic. He shared some of his observations earlier this month with family and friends, and updated them in a phone interview this week.
"We were blindsided by (the virus) and not sure what hit us," Lamberta says of the first few weeks in March. "It was like a tsunami of patients. We're used to being a high-volume ER, but these are sicker patients."
ABC News reported this week that Maimonides is caring for about 600 coronavirus patients, 173 of them on ventilators and another 75 on standby.
Triage tents are set up outside the hospital to handle overflow patients, while more departments are being converted to COVID-19 units, including the ER.
Hospital officials say they are running low on disposable thermometers and nasal swabs, used for COVID-19 tests.
Former Inverness resident Dr. Michael Lamberta, center, said he and his colleagues at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn have helped one another pull through the long days and stress on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. - Courtesy of Michael Lamberta
Lamberta said he and his teammates "aggressively protect themselves" at the start of every shift, donning personal protective equipment from head to toe.
On a typical day before the pandemic, the ER treated between 300 and 400 patients. Today, it's closer to 250, Lamberta says, but nearly all of them are COVID-19 positive -- with more than 20% of them needing oxygen.
"We're usually able to identify pretty quickly when to intubate and who needs airway support, but these patients look pretty healthy and are talking to you," Lamberta said. "They don't look like patients that need to be intubated. Sometimes, we don't know, so it's a feeling of a loss of control."
As a result, doctors rapidly changed their protocol, Lamberta says, and are getting a better handle on patients. More recently, he said. the ER is seeing a significant reduction in patients. He's not sure whether that means people are too afraid to seek treatment at a hospital or if it's a sign the city is past the worst of the outbreak. Either way, Lamberta said he's aware of a difference in the way he's treating his coronavirus patients.
"You just get closer to patients because they don't have visitors and there's this loss of control when they come to the ER," Lamberta said. "We're all working on being more compassionate and committing to patients on a different level."
Lamberta's parents, Dr. Frank Lamberta -- a retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced at Northwest Community Hospital -- and Laurabeth, credit their son's moral compass to his high school years and the Viatorians, who taught students to serve the marginalized.
"He has a heart to serve," Laurabeth Lamberta says of her son, the third of her four children, "and show God's life."
Still, staying mentally strong through this crisis is something Lamberta thinks about. He relies on his teammates, calling them "selfless and supportive," and knows the hospital has made clinical psychologists available to staff.
Mostly, he chooses to be thankful.
"If there is a silver lining in all of this, it would be an acute reminder of how everything and everyone are related in our world," Lamberta wrote. "We have a decision at every moment to be grateful, giving and compassionate."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Amid coronavirus outbreak, Metra conductor keeps calm and rides on

He stands 6 feet away from the engineer , dons a mask to interact with riders , and meticulously changes out of his work clothes , then showers , before hugging his kids .
Metra conductor Demetrios Vatistas admits boarding a train and mingling with passengers under the cloud of COVID-19 causes him some anxiety .
Yet along with nurses , grocery store clerks , police and other essential workers , Vatistas compartmentalizes his fears and does his job -- one of thousands who keep the state running .
Typically , he 's on his toes during the morning rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Station on the Milwaukee North Line .
Now , the railcars normally packed with commuters juggling coffee , briefcases and tablets are ghost trains .
`` I 've been doing this for 24 years , and I 've never seen anything like this , '' Vatistas said .
Metra ridership toppled by about 97 % since Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's stay-at-home order went live March 21 .
`` It 's very slow , and a little bit depressing to see what we 're going through as a country , '' Vatistas said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do have are very appreciative of the train service . ''
The Metra veteran remembers the unease following 9/11 and how the trains filled again .
But `` 9/11 was a different feeling , '' Vatistas said .
`` We were not going to let fear stop us going back to normal . ''
Now , being cautious is prudent as the respiratory disease has claimed 1,290 lives in Illinois with 30,357 reported cases as of Sunday .
As always , conductors and engineers hold a briefing every morning on everything from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the typical camaraderie , it 's `` get in , get your paperwork and get out .
We try to stay 6 feet apart but if you have to get closer , then you put the mask on , '' Vatistas said .
`` It is extremely weird .
We 're so used to working hand-in-hand , side-by-side .
This is our family away from home . ''
Responsibilities like throwing switches or checking the train 's air brakes have n't changed .
But dealing with passengers is another disconnect from normalcy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app to pay fares , so Vatistas can check their smartphone screens from a safe distance .
He 's equipped with gloves for passengers using paper tickets or paying in cash , but those are few and far between .
A new duty is politely herding commuters to empty cars to increase social distancing space .
Vatistas and the passengers are masked , but the eyes of the regulars offer affirmation for what overnight became a risky job .
`` When they see their regular conductor ... they 're reassured , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family involved in the restaurant business .
He loved interacting with customers and gets that same buzz while whizzing through the suburbs on a Metra train .
`` When I walk down the aisle , I get to see everyone on the same playing field ... nurses , construction workers , lawyers , businessmen .
We share the same experience . ''
After work , to reduce the chance he brings home the virus to his family in Lake Villa , Vatistas removes and sprays disinfectant on his uniform in the garage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has a shower and puts the clothes into the washer .
`` Anyone with children knows that if one of them gets something -- everyone does , '' he said .
Vatistas is n't seeing his extended family in person much these days , but every Sunday he meets his mother at a local cemetery .
They stand 8 to 10 feet apart and light a candle for his father .
`` This brings us closer together , '' Vatistas said .
Meanwhile , his new Metra family is growing .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing emerged , a passenger who is a nurse handed Vatistas several face masks .
`` That to me was an act of kindness ... it was n't even a commuter that I knew . ''
Rider disputes are nonexistent and now passengers tip him off if someone 's running from the parking lot to catch the train .
`` I see concern '' about COVID-19 , Vatistas said , `` but I also see compassion . ''
Do you know an essential transportation worker ?
Drop an email to mpyke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crews will be resurfacing Route 176 between Crescent Knoll Drive and Route 41 .
Work starts Monday and lasts until September .
One less thing to worry about Car wo n't start ?
Got a flat ?
AAA will come and fix it for free if you 're a health care worker or first responder throughout April .
Services include tows , fuel , and jump-starts .
Eligible essential workers can call ( 833 ) 222-3284 for free roadside assistance 24/7 .

Amid coronavirus outbreak, Metra conductor keeps calm and rides on
He stands 6 feet away from the engineer, dons a mask to interact with riders, and meticulously changes out of his work clothes, then showers, before hugging his kids.
Metra conductor Demetrios Vatistas admits boarding a train and mingling with passengers under the cloud of COVID-19 causes him some anxiety.
Yet along with nurses, grocery store clerks, police and other essential workers, Vatistas compartmentalizes his fears and does his job -- one of thousands who keep the state running.
Typically, he's on his toes during the morning rush between Fox Lake and Chicago's Union Station on the Milwaukee North Line.
Now, the railcars normally packed with commuters juggling coffee, briefcases and tablets are ghost trains.
"I've been doing this for 24 years, and I've never seen anything like this," Vatistas said.
Metra ridership toppled by about 97% since Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order went live March 21.
"It's very slow, and a little bit depressing to see what we're going through as a country," Vatistas said. "But the very few passengers we do have are very appreciative of the train service."
The Metra veteran remembers the unease following 9/11 and how the trains filled again.
But "9/11 was a different feeling," Vatistas said. "We were not going to let fear stop us going back to normal."
Now, being cautious is prudent as the respiratory disease has claimed 1,290 lives in Illinois with 30,357 reported cases as of Sunday.
As always, conductors and engineers hold a briefing every morning on everything from track construction to switches.
But instead of the typical camaraderie, it's "get in, get your paperwork and get out. We try to stay 6 feet apart but if you have to get closer, then you put the mask on," Vatistas said.
"It is extremely weird. We're so used to working hand-in-hand, side-by-side. This is our family away from home."
Responsibilities like throwing switches or checking the train's air brakes haven't changed. But dealing with passengers is another disconnect from normalcy.
Most riders are using the Ventra app to pay fares, so Vatistas can check their smartphone screens from a safe distance. He's equipped with gloves for passengers using paper tickets or paying in cash, but those are few and far between.
A new duty is politely herding commuters to empty cars to increase social distancing space.
Vatistas and the passengers are masked, but the eyes of the regulars offer affirmation for what overnight became a risky job.
"When they see their regular conductor ... they're reassured," he said.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Demetrios Vatistas, a Metra Milwaukee District North Line conductor, finds a new appreciation for riders amid the pandemic.
Vatistas comes from a Greek-American family involved in the restaurant business. He loved interacting with customers and gets that same buzz while whizzing through the suburbs on a Metra train.
"When I walk down the aisle, I get to see everyone on the same playing field ... nurses, construction workers, lawyers, businessmen. We share the same experience."
After work, to reduce the chance he brings home the virus to his family in Lake Villa, Vatistas removes and sprays disinfectant on his uniform in the garage, puts on clothes waiting in a hamper, has a shower and puts the clothes into the washer.
"Anyone with children knows that if one of them gets something -- everyone does," he said.
Vatistas isn't seeing his extended family in person much these days, but every Sunday he meets his mother at a local cemetery. They stand 8 to 10 feet apart and light a candle for his father.
"This brings us closer together," Vatistas said.
Meanwhile, his new Metra family is growing.
In early March, before state-issued mandates about social distancing emerged, a passenger who is a nurse handed Vatistas several face masks. "That to me was an act of kindness ... it wasn't even a commuter that I knew."
Rider disputes are nonexistent and now passengers tip him off if someone's running from the parking lot to catch the train.
"I see concern" about COVID-19, Vatistas said, "but I also see compassion."
Do you know an essential transportation worker? Drop an email to mpyke@dailyherald.com.
Gridlock alert
Sorry, Libertyville. IDOT crews will be resurfacing Route 176 between Crescent Knoll Drive and Route 41. Work starts Monday and lasts until September.
One less thing to worry about
Car won't start? Got a flat? AAA will come and fix it for free if you're a health care worker or first responder throughout April. Services include tows, fuel, and jump-starts. Eligible essential workers can call (833) 222-3284 for free roadside assistance 24/7.