dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Hospitals set aside business as usual to combat coronavirus

It is far from business as usual at area hospitals as they prepare their staff , facilities and protective gear for the potential to treat patients who have contracted the new coronavirus .
Edward-Elmhurst Health , for example , is screening all visitors for fever before allowing admittance , limiting visitors to people 18 and older , closing cardiac rehabilitation centers , canceling all elective surgeries and , beginning Tuesday , closing fitness centers across the DuPage County-based system .
Leaders shared these preparations Monday at a roundtable with U.S. Reps. Sean Casten , Bill Foster and Lauren Underwood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an increase in testing to help take stock of and respond to the COVID-19 virus .
Some of these protective measures -- which also include discouraging patients with mild respiratory discomfort from visiting hospitals and doctor 's offices -- run against the usual grain of providing broad access to a wide spectrum of health care services .
But Mary Lou Mastro , Edward-Elmhurst Health System president and CEO , said all the changes are necessary to address what is expected to be an increase in cases of the virus , for which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What we want you to know is that we are ready , '' Mastro said .
`` We practice emergency preparedness and disaster planning all the time .
We have the infrastructure in place and we have been working very , very hard to serve our community and ensure safety . ''
The system 's two acute-care hospitals , Edward Hospital in Naperville and Elmhurst Hospital , are counting their negative pressure isolation rooms , -- which filter air to help prevent the spread of the virus -- taking stock of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breath and finding ways various units can be converted into treatment areas for cohorts of people who may be battling the virus .
The system has 82 negative pressure rooms total at both hospitals , and facilities crews are working to increase the number , Mastro said .
New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates negative pressure rooms do not need to be used in all coronavirus cases .
At the current rate of use , the system has an 11-week supply of masks and other protective gear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that estimate is based on the presence of only one confirmed coronavirus patient .
Each hospital has set up a tent outside to test patients deemed `` people under investigation '' by the Illinois Department of Public Health .
Testing in these tents has not yet started .
`` This is to manage a surge , in case we have a lot of people coming to our hospital , '' said Dr. Sanjeeb Khatua , the health system 's lead on COVID-19 virus response .
`` It also provides an area for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safer way , where we can manage our supplies in a better way . ''
And in case of a broader need for testing people other than those the Department of Public Health identifies , the health system also is examining the possibility of setting up a drive-by testing site .
If 1 % of the Naperville population were to contract the virus and need hospitalization during a three- to four-month span , Mastro said , that would result in 1,600 people needing intensive care at Edward Hospital alone .
`` That would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
That 's why doctors are calling for all people to heed the government calls for social distancing and frequent hand-washing .
These practices can help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus , which is transmitted via respiratory droplets that can travel up to six feet when an infected person coughs or sneezes and via contact with surfaces contaminated by these droplets .
The virus can be transmitted by carriers who do not themselves feel symptoms , and it more severely affects the elderly and people with weakened immune systems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can take up to three days for hospitals to receive results back from Department of Public Health labs , said Dr. Jonathon Pinsky , medical director of infectious disease at Edward Hospital .
The hospital protocol now is to test patients who show symptoms , such as a fever and a cough .
Pinsky said patients with suspected cases must be treated in isolation for days until it is known whether they are infected .
`` That puts a lot of burden on our system , '' Pinsky said .
Hospitals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin testing that could return quicker results .
But until that starts , Khatua said , he wants to emphasize civility .
`` Our front-line staff is doing the best we can .
This is fluid .
Things change hour to hour , '' Khatua said .
`` Please treat each other with respect .
Be thoughtful and if you see a health care provider , thank them and be nice . ''

Hospitals set aside business as usual to combat coronavirus
It is far from business as usual at area hospitals as they prepare their staff, facilities and protective gear for the potential to treat patients who have contracted the new coronavirus.
Edward-Elmhurst Health, for example, is screening all visitors for fever before allowing admittance, limiting visitors to people 18 and older, closing cardiac rehabilitation centers, canceling all elective surgeries and, beginning Tuesday, closing fitness centers across the DuPage County-based system.
Leaders shared these preparations Monday at a roundtable with U.S. Reps. Sean Casten, Bill Foster and Lauren Underwood, during which they called for more supplies and an increase in testing to help take stock of and respond to the COVID-19 virus.
Some of these protective measures -- which also include discouraging patients with mild respiratory discomfort from visiting hospitals and doctor's offices -- run against the usual grain of providing broad access to a wide spectrum of health care services.
But Mary Lou Mastro, Edward-Elmhurst Health System president and CEO, said all the changes are necessary to address what is expected to be an increase in cases of the virus, for which there is not yet a vaccine.
"What we want you to know is that we are ready," Mastro said. "We practice emergency preparedness and disaster planning all the time. We have the infrastructure in place and we have been working very, very hard to serve our community and ensure safety."
The system's two acute-care hospitals, Edward Hospital in Naperville and Elmhurst Hospital, are counting their negative pressure isolation rooms, -- which filter air to help prevent the spread of the virus -- taking stock of their ventilators to assist patients suffering shortness of breath and finding ways various units can be converted into treatment areas for cohorts of people who may be battling the virus.
The system has 82 negative pressure rooms total at both hospitals, and facilities crews are working to increase the number, Mastro said. New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates negative pressure rooms do not need to be used in all coronavirus cases.
At the current rate of use, the system has an 11-week supply of masks and other protective gear to help prevent staff exposure. But Mastro said that estimate is based on the presence of only one confirmed coronavirus patient.
Each hospital has set up a tent outside to test patients deemed "people under investigation" by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Testing in these tents has not yet started.
"This is to manage a surge, in case we have a lot of people coming to our hospital," said Dr. Sanjeeb Khatua, the health system's lead on COVID-19 virus response. "It also provides an area for us to test people ... in a safer way, where we can manage our supplies in a better way."
And in case of a broader need for testing people other than those the Department of Public Health identifies, the health system also is examining the possibility of setting up a drive-by testing site.
If 1% of the Naperville population were to contract the virus and need hospitalization during a three- to four-month span, Mastro said, that would result in 1,600 people needing intensive care at Edward Hospital alone.
"That would definitely overwhelm the system," she said.
That's why doctors are calling for all people to heed the government calls for social distancing and frequent hand-washing. These practices can help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which is transmitted via respiratory droplets that can travel up to six feet when an infected person coughs or sneezes and via contact with surfaces contaminated by these droplets.
The virus can be transmitted by carriers who do not themselves feel symptoms, and it more severely affects the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
One problem with current testing procedure is it can take up to three days for hospitals to receive results back from Department of Public Health labs, said Dr. Jonathon Pinsky, medical director of infectious disease at Edward Hospital.
The hospital protocol now is to test patients who show symptoms, such as a fever and a cough. Pinsky said patients with suspected cases must be treated in isolation for days until it is known whether they are infected.
"That puts a lot of burden on our system," Pinsky said.
Hospitals are working with private laboratories to try to begin testing that could return quicker results. But until that starts, Khatua said, he wants to emphasize civility.
"Our front-line staff is doing the best we can. This is fluid. Things change hour to hour," Khatua said. "Please treat each other with respect. Be thoughtful and if you see a health care provider, thank them and be nice."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Argonne scientists studying coronavirus proteins to seek treatment

They do n't have any of the live virus , but experts at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont are studying the proteins that make up the new coronavirus in an attempt to find drugs that could treat it .
Bob Fischetti , group leader and life science adviser at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source , told hospital officials and federal lawmakers Monday of the laboratory 's efforts to study coronavirus proteins under an X-ray microscope .
Fischetti said he and his colleagues and collaborators are working to identify potential drug molecules that could bind to atoms within the coronavirus proteins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case right now , we do n't have any good drugs against the SARS cov2 virus that causes COVID-19 , '' Fischetti said .
The new virus is molecularly similar to the virus that caused the SARS , or severe acute respiratory syndrome , outbreak in 2003 , Fischetti said .
At that time , Argonne and other labs made progress studying potential treatments .
`` We have a lot of background information , but unfortunately , once that epidemic rolled off , research slowed and the progress that had been made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually developing a drug for SARS , '' Fischetti said Monday during a roundtable at Edward Hospital in Naperville .
`` Had we continued that research , we may have something that could have been much more rapidly adapted and brought out to help deal with the SARS cov2 virus and COVID-19 infections that we 're seeing . ''
In the absence of such drugs , Fischetti and others using 16 of the X-ray beam lines at Argonne 's Photon Source are `` actively doubling down focusing '' on addressing COVID-19 through several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand how do these ( drugs ) bind , from the structural information that we gather , and how can one improve that , design a better drug -- something that will bind more effectively and can be then brought to market that will be safe , '' he said .
The molecular structure of the new coronavirus is a spherical object with protruding spikes .
The spikes , Fischetti said , are important to how the virus infects healthy cells .
Researchers are studying the spike proteins that make invasions into healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 total proteins in the virus molecule that are related to replication .
Finding a drug molecule that can inhibit the workings of the replication proteins can help stop the spread of the disease , Fischetti said .
So far , researchers at Argonne , using the power of supercomputers , have identified roughly 100 compounds -- from a pool of 250 million -- that could be repurposed or modified into potential drugs to treat COVID-19 .
`` There are a lot of similarities between the proteins in the previous SARS and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We 're focusing on the differences and trying to understand how that has played into the infectivity of this virus . ''

Argonne scientists studying coronavirus proteins to seek treatment
They don't have any of the live virus, but experts at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont are studying the proteins that make up the new coronavirus in an attempt to find drugs that could treat it.
Bob Fischetti, group leader and life science adviser at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source, told hospital officials and federal lawmakers Monday of the laboratory's efforts to study coronavirus proteins under an X-ray microscope.
Fischetti said he and his colleagues and collaborators are working to identify potential drug molecules that could bind to atoms within the coronavirus proteins and render them ineffective.
"In this case right now, we don't have any good drugs against the SARS cov2 virus that causes COVID-19," Fischetti said.
The new virus is molecularly similar to the virus that caused the SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, outbreak in 2003, Fischetti said. At that time, Argonne and other labs made progress studying potential treatments.
"We have a lot of background information, but unfortunately, once that epidemic rolled off, research slowed and the progress that had been made was not continued to the point of actually developing a drug for SARS," Fischetti said Monday during a roundtable at Edward Hospital in Naperville. "Had we continued that research, we may have something that could have been much more rapidly adapted and brought out to help deal with the SARS cov2 virus and COVID-19 infections that we're seeing."
In the absence of such drugs, Fischetti and others using 16 of the X-ray beam lines at Argonne's Photon Source are "actively doubling down focusing" on addressing COVID-19 through several research collaborations.
"We want to understand how do these (drugs) bind, from the structural information that we gather, and how can one improve that, design a better drug -- something that will bind more effectively and can be then brought to market that will be safe," he said.
The molecular structure of the new coronavirus is a spherical object with protruding spikes. The spikes, Fischetti said, are important to how the virus infects healthy cells.
Researchers are studying the spike proteins that make invasions into healthy cells as well as others among the 28 total proteins in the virus molecule that are related to replication. Finding a drug molecule that can inhibit the workings of the replication proteins can help stop the spread of the disease, Fischetti said.
So far, researchers at Argonne, using the power of supercomputers, have identified roughly 100 compounds -- from a pool of 250 million -- that could be repurposed or modified into potential drugs to treat COVID-19.
"There are a lot of similarities between the proteins in the previous SARS and this current (virus)," Fischetti said. "We're focusing on the differences and trying to understand how that has played into the infectivity of this virus."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Illinois state parks and other facilities closed

Want to burn off some coronavirus anxiety by taking a walk in the woods ?
Forget heading to an Illinois state park .
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Monday closed all facilities -- including trails -- to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Citing an unprecedented health situation , IDNR announced it was closing all state parks , fish and wildlife areas , recreational areas and historic sites .
The agency also canceled upcoming scheduled events .
`` Social distancing and staying confined to one 's home are absolutely necessary to slowing the progression of COVID-19 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IDNR sees the closures of our state parks , fish and wildlife areas , recreational areas and historic sites as a necessary step in helping stem the spread of disease . ''
The IDNR decision shows how fast situations are changing .
On Friday afternoon , patrons of the Volo Bog State Natural Area and Moraine Hills State Park/McHenry Dam were told programs with 22 or fewer participants were set to proceed with precautions for social distancing .
Hiking in nature was described as a fun way to practice safe social distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing , the worse it ( spread of the virus ) will become , '' said Stacy Iwanicki , educational natural resources coordinator at Volo Bog/Moraine Hills .
All programs , meetings and volunteer trainings are on hold indefinitely .
When or if they will be rescheduled is unknown .
The number of visitors to IDNR facilities varies by season and location .
However , more than 39 million people visit Illinois state parks , recreational areas , fish and wildlife areas and historic sites annually , Torbert said .
The agency is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health and Gov .
JB Pritzker 's office to monitor and assess when the facilities can safely be reopened , she added .
Anyone affected by a cancellation or closure should call the administrative information line weekdays at ( 217 ) 782-6752 .
Visit https : //www2.illinois.gov for a complete list of IDNR sites .

Illinois state parks and other facilities closed
Visitors tour the Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside. All state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites, including Volo Bog and Moraine Hills in McHenry are closed to as a safety measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Daily Herald file photo, 2017
Want to burn off some coronavirus anxiety by taking a walk in the woods? Forget heading to an Illinois state park.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Monday closed all facilities -- including trails -- to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Citing an unprecedented health situation, IDNR announced it was closing all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites. The agency also canceled upcoming scheduled events.
"Social distancing and staying confined to one's home are absolutely necessary to slowing the progression of COVID-19," said IDNR spokesperson Rachel Torbert.
"IDNR sees the closures of our state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites as a necessary step in helping stem the spread of disease."
The IDNR decision shows how fast situations are changing. On Friday afternoon, patrons of the Volo Bog State Natural Area and Moraine Hills State Park/McHenry Dam were told programs with 22 or fewer participants were set to proceed with precautions for social distancing. Hiking in nature was described as a fun way to practice safe social distancing.
That changed Sunday, Torbert said.
"The longer we put off social distancing, the worse it (spread of the virus) will become," said Stacy Iwanicki, educational natural resources coordinator at Volo Bog/Moraine Hills.
All programs, meetings and volunteer trainings are on hold indefinitely. When or if they will be rescheduled is unknown.
The number of visitors to IDNR facilities varies by season and location. However, more than 39 million people visit Illinois state parks, recreational areas, fish and wildlife areas and historic sites annually, Torbert said.
The agency is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Gov. JB Pritzker's office to monitor and assess when the facilities can safely be reopened, she added.
Anyone affected by a cancellation or closure should call the administrative information line weekdays at (217) 782-6752. Visit https://www2.illinois.gov for a complete list of IDNR sites.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Remains of Grayslake sailor killed in Pearl Harbor attack identified

Seventy-eight years after his death , the remains of a sailor from Grayslake who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor have been identified , a Defense Department agency announced Monday .
DNA , dental records and other analysis were used to confirm the remains were those of Navy Fireman Third Class Herbert B. Jacobson , according to the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency .
The 21-year-old Jacobson was aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma when it and much of the U.S. Navy 's Pacific fleet were attacked by Japanese forces on Dec. 7 , 1941 .
The Oklahoma capsized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ship 's crew , 429 men died -- nearly 18 % of the 2,402 Americans killed in the attack .
The remains of the deceased Oklahoma sailors were recovered by the Navy over the next three years , compartment by compartment , and interred in cemeteries in Hawaii .
Many of the remains were commingled because so little was left of the bodies .
Jacobson 's remains were among the ones recovered -- but they were n't identified until now .
His nephew , Brad McDonald of North Carolina , called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's great that they found him , '' said McDonald , whose late mother , Norma , was Jacobson 's sister .
Jacobson , known as `` Bert '' to many friends in Grayslake and the Navy , trained at what is now the Great Lakes Naval Station before being assigned to duty in Michigan and then the Pacific Ocean theater .
Jacobson and McDonald 's father , Orville , met at Great Lakes and became friends .
That 's actually how McDonald 's parents met .
A buddy who served with Jacobson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship reunion that Jacobson likely was sleeping in his bunk when the attack occurred .
The work to identify Jacobson and the other lost Oklahoma crew members began in 1947 , when the U.S. Graves Registration Service disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from Pearl Harbor and transferred them to a laboratory at an Army base in Hawaii .
The staff was able to confirm the identities of 35 men from the Oklahoma at the time .
The other remains were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency exhumed the remains of those unidentified Oklahoma crew members for additional analysis .
McDonald and other relatives donated DNA samples for the investigation .
Jacobson 's remains were identified in late 2019 , according to the agency .
`` I 'm overwhelmed ... that they made such an effort , '' McDonald said .
Jacobson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia .
Jacobson 's name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific , along with other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II .
A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate his remains have been identified .

Remains of Grayslake sailor killed in Pearl Harbor attack identified
Navy Fireman Third Class Herbert B. Jacobson, 21, of Grayslake was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Courtesy of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Seventy-eight years after his death, the remains of a sailor from Grayslake who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor have been identified, a Defense Department agency announced Monday.
DNA, dental records and other analysis were used to confirm the remains were those of Navy Fireman Third Class Herbert B. Jacobson, according to the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
The 21-year-old Jacobson was aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma when it and much of the U.S. Navy's Pacific fleet were attacked by Japanese forces on Dec. 7, 1941.
The Oklahoma capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits. Of the 2,402 Americans killed in the attack, 429 were on the Oklahoma.
The remains of the deceased Oklahoma sailors entombed in the ship were recovered by the Navy over the next three years, compartment by compartment, and interred in cemeteries in Hawaii. Many of the remains were commingled because so little was left of the bodies.
Jacobson's remains were among the ones recovered -- but they weren't identified until now.
His nephew, Brad McDonald of North Carolina, called the announcement "wonderful."
"It's great that they found him," said McDonald, whose late mother, Norma, was Jacobson's sister.
Jacobson, known as "Bert" to many friends in Grayslake and the Navy, trained at what is now the Great Lakes Naval Station before being assigned to duty in Michigan and then the Pacific Ocean theater.
Jacobson and McDonald's father, Orville, met at Great Lakes and became friends. McDonald's parents actually met during a trip from the Navy base to Grayslake.
"If it wasn't for Bert, I wouldn't be here," McDonald said.
The work to identify Jacobson and the other lost Oklahoma crew members began in 1947, when the U.S. Graves Registration Service disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from Pearl Harbor and transferred them to an Army laboratory in Hawaii.
The staff was able to confirm the identities of 35 men from the Oklahoma at the time. The other remains were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu and classified as nonrecoverable.
They included Jacobson's remains.
In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency exhumed the remains of those unidentified Oklahoma crew members for additional analysis.
McDonald and other relatives donated DNA samples for the investigation.
Jacobson's remains were identified in late 2019, according to the agency.
"I'm overwhelmed ... that they made such an effort," McDonald said.
Jacobson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Jacobson's name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, along with other military personnel listed as missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate his remains have been identified.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Dentists, eye doctors postpone appointments due to COVID-19

Dentists in Illinois have been recommended to do only emergency procedures until March 31 , while ophthalmologists and optometrists are delaying some appointments and taking precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Illinois State Dental Society on Monday issued the recommendation to postpone elective dental treatment and procedures starting Tuesday , saying dentists and staff members are one of the highest-risk groups for contracting the virus .
Meanwhile , the American Academy of Ophthalmology , the Illinois Optometric Association and the Illinois Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons had n't issued specific guidelines as of Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
But some physicians said they are postponing some elective procedures .
At High Point Dentistry in Elgin , Palatine and Schaumburg , dental cleanings , implants , veneers , sealants , crowns and braces are being postponed , said regional manager Fel Aguinaga .
`` We are only seeing patients in the office that are in pain , have swelling , trouble closing ( their mouths ) , abscess and/or draining , '' she said .
People should call if they have questions and can also videochat with dentists at High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People can end up in the hospital for dental infections .
The last thing you want is people with tooth abscesses to end up in the emergency rooms , which are already overworked , '' Aguinaga said .
High Point Dentistry already had been asking patients who had traveled recently or were not feeling well to reschedule appointments , and had waived cancellation fees , Aguinaga said .
Dr. Jon Gieser , president of Wheaton Eye Clinic , said the clinic is delaying routine office visits , as well as elective eye surgeries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retina surgeries are taking place , he said .
`` We do n't want to do anything that might put patients at risk and we do n't want to overburden the health care system any more than it already is , '' Gieser said .
Telemedicine is difficult to do with ophthalmology , Gieser said .
Patients of Wheaton Eye Clinic -- with locations in Wheaton , Naperville , St. Charles , Hinsdale and Plainfield -- can call to determine if they are having an emergency , he said .
The clinic already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their cars to reduce people in waiting rooms and asking patients with symptoms of illness such as fever and cough not to come to the office , Gieser said .
Optician Harsh Parekh of Lens and Specs in Schaumburg said the office is scheduling optometry appointments 45 minutes apart to reduce contact among people .
There have been no cancellations , but walk-ins have virtually stopped , he said .
The office is taking precautions by disinfecting surfaces , equipment and eye frames , and providing hand sanitizer for patients , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parekh said -- to limit physical contact , he 's using the traditional Indian `` namaste '' greeting , which requires no touching .

Dentists, eye doctors postpone appointments due to COVID-19
Fel Aguinaga, regional manager of High Point Dentistry in Elgin, Palatine and Schaumburg, said the dental practice will delay nonemergency procedures until March 31, but will continue serving patients. Courtesy of High Point Dentistry
Dentists in Illinois have been recommended to do only emergency procedures until March 31, while ophthalmologists and optometrists are delaying some appointments and taking precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Illinois State Dental Society on Monday issued the recommendation to postpone elective dental treatment and procedures starting Tuesday, saying dentists and staff members are one of the highest-risk groups for contracting the virus.
Meanwhile, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Illinois Optometric Association and the Illinois Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons hadn't issued specific guidelines as of Monday, other than to follow CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19. But some physicians said they are postponing some elective procedures.
At High Point Dentistry in Elgin, Palatine and Schaumburg, dental cleanings, implants, veneers, sealants, crowns and braces are being postponed, said regional manager Fel Aguinaga. "We are only seeing patients in the office that are in pain, have swelling, trouble closing (their mouths), abscess and/or draining," she said.
People should call if they have questions and can also videochat with dentists at High Point Dentistry, she said.
"People can end up in the hospital for dental infections. The last thing you want is people with tooth abscesses to end up in the emergency rooms, which are already overworked," Aguinaga said.
High Point Dentistry already had been asking patients who had traveled recently or were not feeling well to reschedule appointments, and had waived cancellation fees, Aguinaga said.
Dr. Jon Gieser, president of Wheaton Eye Clinic, said the clinic is delaying routine office visits, as well as elective eye surgeries, primarily for cataracts. However, retina surgeries are taking place, he said.
"We don't want to do anything that might put patients at risk and we don't want to overburden the health care system any more than it already is," Gieser said.
Telemedicine is difficult to do with ophthalmology, Gieser said. Patients of Wheaton Eye Clinic -- with locations in Wheaton, Naperville, St. Charles, Hinsdale and Plainfield -- can call to determine if they are having an emergency, he said.
The clinic already had been asking visitors to wait in their cars to reduce people in waiting rooms and asking patients with symptoms of illness such as fever and cough not to come to the office, Gieser said.
Optician Harsh Parekh of Lens and Specs in Schaumburg said the office is scheduling optometry appointments 45 minutes apart to reduce contact among people. There have been no cancellations, but walk-ins have virtually stopped, he said.
The office is taking precautions by disinfecting surfaces, equipment and eye frames, and providing hand sanitizer for patients, he said.
One more thing has changed, Parekh said -- to limit physical contact, he's using the traditional Indian "namaste" greeting, which requires no touching.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Access to our coverage of coronavirus outbreak

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Access to our coverage of coronavirus outbreak
As a public service, the Daily Herald is temporarily removing the paywall from most stories related to the coronavirus outbreak to ensure that we keep the community informed during the health crisis.
We rely on the support of our subscribers to underwrite the cost of our journalism. If you do not already subscribe, we hope you will consider voluntarily doing so. You can click here to sign up.
You also can sign up for our coronavirus newsletter and we'll email a roundup of latest news on the outbreak.
If you have suggestions for our COVID-19 coverage or specific questions you'd like us to address, email coronavirus@dailyherald.com.
Thank you. Stay well.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Coronavirus vaccine test opens as U.S. volunteer gets 1st shot

SEATTLE ( AP ) -- U.S. researchers gave the first shots in a first test of an experimental coronavirus vaccine Monday , leading off a worldwide hunt for protection even as the pandemic surges .
With careful jabs in the arms of four healthy volunteers , scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute in Seattle began an anxiously awaited first-stage study of a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed in record time after the new virus exploded out of China and fanned out across the globe .
`` We 're team coronavirus now , '' Kaiser Permanente study leader Dr. Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiment .
`` Everyone wants to do what they can in this emergency . ''
The Associated Press observed as the study 's first participant , an operations manager at a small tech company , received the injection in an exam room .
`` We all feel so helpless .
This is an amazing opportunity for me to do something , '' Jennifer Haller , 43 , of Seattle said before getting vaccinated .
Her two teenagers `` think it 's cool '' that she 's taking part in the study .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room with a big smile : `` I 'm feeling great . ''
Three others were next in line for a test that will ultimately give 45 volunteers two doses , a month apart .
Neal Browning , 46 , of Bothell , Washington , is a Microsoft network engineer who says his young daughters are proud he volunteered .
`` Every parent wants their children to look up to them , '' he said .
But he 's told them not to brag to their friends .
`` It 's other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dad out there . ''
Monday 's milestone marked just the beginning of a series of studies in people needed to prove whether the shots are safe and could work .
Even if the research goes well , a vaccine would not be available for widespread use for 12 to 18 months , said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
Still , finding a vaccine `` is an urgent public health priority , '' Fauci said in a statement Monday .
The new study `` is an important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' This vaccine candidate , code-named mRNA-1273 , was developed by the NIH and Massachusetts-based biotechnology company Moderna Inc .
There 's no chance participants could get infected because the shots do not contain the coronavirus itself .
It 's not the only potential vaccine in the pipeline .
Dozens of research groups around the world are racing to create a vaccine against COVID-19 .
Another candidate , made by Inovio Pharmaceuticals , is expected to begin its own safety study next month in the U.S. , China and South Korea .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization declared the new virus outbreak a pandemic because of its rapid global spread , which has infected more than 169,000 people and killed more than 6,500 .
COVID-19 has upended the world 's social and economic fabric since China first identified the virus in January , with broad regions shuttering schools and businesses , restricting travel , canceling entertainment and sporting events , and encouraging people to stay away from each other .
Starting what scientists call a first-in-humans study is a momentous occasion for scientists , but Jackson described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
They 've been working around-the-clock readying the research in a part of the U.S. struck early and hard by the virus .
Still , `` going from not even knowing that this virus was out there ... to have any vaccine '' in testing in about two months is unprecedented , Jackson told the AP .
Some of the study 's carefully chosen healthy volunteers , ages 18 to 55 , will get higher dosages than others to test how strong the inoculations should be .
Scientists will check for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test if the vaccine is revving up the immune system , looking for encouraging clues like the NIH earlier found in vaccinated mice .
`` We do n't know whether this vaccine will induce an immune response or whether it will be safe .
That 's why we 're doing a trial , '' Jackson stressed .
`` It 's not at the stage where it would be possible or prudent to give it to the general population . ''
Most of the vaccine research under way globally targets a protein aptly named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new coronavirus and lets it invade human cells .
Block that protein and people can not get infected .
Researchers at the NIH copied the section of the virus ' genetic code that contains the instructions for cells to create the spike protein .
Moderna encased that `` messenger RNA '' into a vaccine .
The idea : The body will become a mini-factory , producing some harmless spike protein .
When the immune system spots the foreign protein , it will make antibodies to attack -- and be primed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the real virus .
That 's a much faster way of producing a vaccine than the traditional approach of growing virus in the lab and preparing shots from either killed or weakened versions of it .
But because vaccines are given to millions of healthy people , it takes time to test them in large enough numbers to spot an uncommon side effect , cautioned Dr. Nelson Michael of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , which is developing a different vaccine candidate .
`` The science can go very quickly but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right ? ''
he told reporters last week .
The Seattle research institute is part of a government network that tests all kinds of vaccines and was chosen for the coronavirus vaccine study before COVID-19 began spreading widely in Washington state .
Kaiser Permanente screened dozens of people , looking for those who have no chronic health problems and are not currently sick .
Researchers are not checking whether would-be volunteers already had a mild case of COVID-19 before deciding if they are eligible .
If some did , scientists will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their pre-vaccination blood test and account for that , Jackson said .
Participants will be paid $ 100 for each clinic visit in the study .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute 's Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Coronavirus vaccine test opens as U.S. volunteer gets 1st shot
A pharmacist gives Jennifer Haller, left, the first shot Monday in the first-stage safety study clinical trial of a potential vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle. Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) -- U.S. researchers gave the first shots in a first test of an experimental coronavirus vaccine Monday, leading off a worldwide hunt for protection even as the pandemic surges.
With careful jabs in the arms of four healthy volunteers, scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute in Seattle began an anxiously awaited first-stage study of a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed in record time after the new virus exploded out of China and fanned out across the globe.
"We're team coronavirus now," Kaiser Permanente study leader Dr. Lisa Jackson said on the eve of the experiment. "Everyone wants to do what they can in this emergency."
The Associated Press observed as the study's first participant, an operations manager at a small tech company, received the injection in an exam room.
"We all feel so helpless. This is an amazing opportunity for me to do something," Jennifer Haller, 43, of Seattle said before getting vaccinated. Her two teenagers "think it's cool" that she's taking part in the study.
After the injection, she left the exam room with a big smile: "I'm feeling great."
Three others were next in line for a test that will ultimately give 45 volunteers two doses, a month apart.
Neal Browning, 46, of Bothell, Washington, is a Microsoft network engineer who says his young daughters are proud he volunteered.
"Every parent wants their children to look up to them," he said. But he's told them not to brag to their friends. "It's other people, too. It's not just Dad out there."
Monday's milestone marked just the beginning of a series of studies in people needed to prove whether the shots are safe and could work. Even if the research goes well, a vaccine would not be available for widespread use for 12 to 18 months, said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Still, finding a vaccine "is an urgent public health priority," Fauci said in a statement Monday. The new study "is an important first step toward achieving that goal."
This vaccine candidate, code-named mRNA-1273, was developed by the NIH and Massachusetts-based biotechnology company Moderna Inc. There's no chance participants could get infected because the shots do not contain the coronavirus itself.
It's not the only potential vaccine in the pipeline. Dozens of research groups around the world are racing to create a vaccine against COVID-19. Another candidate, made by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, is expected to begin its own safety study next month in the U.S., China and South Korea.
The Seattle experiment got underway days after the World Health Organization declared the new virus outbreak a pandemic because of its rapid global spread, which has infected more than 169,000 people and killed more than 6,500.
COVID-19 has upended the world's social and economic fabric since China first identified the virus in January, with broad regions shuttering schools and businesses, restricting travel, canceling entertainment and sporting events, and encouraging people to stay away from each other.
Starting what scientists call a first-in-humans study is a momentous occasion for scientists, but Jackson described her team's mood as "subdued." They've been working around-the-clock readying the research in a part of the U.S. struck early and hard by the virus.
Still, "going from not even knowing that this virus was out there ... to have any vaccine" in testing in about two months is unprecedented, Jackson told the AP.
Some of the study's carefully chosen healthy volunteers, ages 18 to 55, will get higher dosages than others to test how strong the inoculations should be. Scientists will check for any side effects and draw blood samples to test if the vaccine is revving up the immune system, looking for encouraging clues like the NIH earlier found in vaccinated mice.
"We don't know whether this vaccine will induce an immune response or whether it will be safe. That's why we're doing a trial," Jackson stressed. "It's not at the stage where it would be possible or prudent to give it to the general population."
Most of the vaccine research under way globally targets a protein aptly named "spike" that studs the surface of the new coronavirus and lets it invade human cells. Block that protein and people cannot get infected.
Researchers at the NIH copied the section of the virus' genetic code that contains the instructions for cells to create the spike protein. Moderna encased that "messenger RNA" into a vaccine.
The idea: The body will become a mini-factory, producing some harmless spike protein. When the immune system spots the foreign protein, it will make antibodies to attack -- and be primed to react quickly if the person later encounters the real virus.
That's a much faster way of producing a vaccine than the traditional approach of growing virus in the lab and preparing shots from either killed or weakened versions of it.
But because vaccines are given to millions of healthy people, it takes time to test them in large enough numbers to spot an uncommon side effect, cautioned Dr. Nelson Michael of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, which is developing a different vaccine candidate.
"The science can go very quickly but, first, do no harm, right?" he told reporters last week.
The Seattle research institute is part of a government network that tests all kinds of vaccines and was chosen for the coronavirus vaccine study before COVID-19 began spreading widely in Washington state.
Kaiser Permanente screened dozens of people, looking for those who have no chronic health problems and are not currently sick. Researchers are not checking whether would-be volunteers already had a mild case of COVID-19 before deciding if they are eligible.
If some did, scientists will be able to tell by the number of antibodies in their pre-vaccination blood test and account for that, Jackson said. Participants will be paid $100 for each clinic visit in the study.
Neergaard reported from Washington, D.C.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Movie theaters limiting ticket sales to meet social distancing guidelines

Regal Cinemas announced on Twitter Monday that all theater locations will close for an indefinite period beginning Tuesday , March 17 , as a precaution to help stem the COVID-19 outbreak .
Regal has theaters in Crystal Lake , Lake Zurich , Lincolnshire , Round Lake Beach and Warrenville .
Other chains with local theaters remain open at this time .
Classic Cinemas Chief Executive Officer Chris Johnson announced online that theaters would cap ticket sales at 60 % capacity to allow patrons to spread out in accordance with social distancing guidelines .
Classic Cinemas operates theaters in Carpentersville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake , Naperville , Oak Park , St. Charles and Woodstock , among other locations .
Other precautions include frequent disinfecting of high-touch , hard surfaces and offering a new cup or bucket with each beverage or popcorn refill , in addition to other preventive measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
On Sunday , the CDC recommended public events or gatherings of more than 50 people be canceled .
AMC Theatres CEO and President Adam Aron said the theaters will cap attendance at 50 % capacity for every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 seats , no more than 250 tickets will be sold , according to the statement .
Movie screenings will be marked `` sold out '' once that capacity is met , Aron said .
AMC employees will clean each auditorium between every showtime .
Additionally , employees will clean high-touch surfaces -- including kiosks , countertops , restrooms , glass , handrails and doorknobs -- at least once per hour .
AMC theaters include Chicago 's Navy Pier IMAX , Lake in the Hills , Lombard , Mount Prospect , Naperville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Barrington , Vernon Hills and Woodridge .

AMC, Classic Cinemas, CMX join Regal in closing Chicago-area movie theaters
Classic Cinemas at the Charlestowne Mall in St. Charles and others in the movie theater chain will limit ticket sales to 60% capacity to meet social distancing guidelines, CEO Chris Johnson has announced. Daily Herald File Photo, 2014
Regal Cinemas will close all locations, including this one in Lincolnshire, beginning Tuesday for an indefinite period of time. Daily Herald file photo, 2015
Several theater chains with locations in the suburbs announced Monday they will be closing indefinitely amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
AMC Theatres is the latest to close its theaters. The statement at the top of its website says: "All AMC Theatres are temporarily closed in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines. They will re-open when those guidelines allow."
AMC theaters include Chicago's Navy Pier IMAX, Lake in the Hills, Lombard, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Oak Brook, Rosemont, Schaumburg, South Barrington, Vernon Hills and Woodridge.
The independent GlenArt theater in Glen Ellyn announced it will be closing until March 30, but expects that period to be extended.
Regal Cinemas announced on Twitter that all theater locations will close beginning Tuesday, March 17.
Regal has theaters in Crystal Lake, Lake Zurich, Lincolnshire, Round Lake Beach and Warrenville.
Classic Cinemas Chief Executive Officer Chris Johnson announced late Monday that all locations would close after Monday's 7:50 p.m. showtimes.
Classic Cinemas operates theaters in Carpentersville, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Fox Lake, Naperville, Oak Park, St. Charles and Woodstock, among other locations.
CMX Cinemas announced Monday that their locations in Arlington Heights, Wheeling and Skokie are closed until further notice.
On Sunday, the CDC recommended public events or gatherings of more than 50 people be canceled.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Video gambling operations also on hold throughout state

The Illinois Gaming Board on Monday ordered the temporary suspension of all video gambling operations at establishments throughout the state @ @ @ @ @ .
The ban is effective at 9 p.m. Monday , and runs through March 30 @ @ @ @ @ suspension of some 35,000 video terminals statewide is concurrent with the mandatory two-week closure of @ @ @ @ @ Sunday by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker in response to COVID-19 .
The touch-screen gambling machines @ @ @ @ @ , restaurants , truck stops , veterans meeting halls and fraternal organizations throughout Illinois .
@ @ @ @ @ comes after its directive Friday to close all 10 casinos in the state for that @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
`` The public health of patrons , video gaming industry employees , Gaming @ @ @ @ @ others is of paramount importance , '' the board said in its latest announcement .

Video gambling operations also on hold throughout state
The Illinois Gaming Board on Monday ordered the temporary suspension of all video gambling operations at establishments throughout the state for the next two weeks.
The ban is effective at 9 p.m. Monday, and runs through March 30, officials said.
The suspension of some 35,000 video terminals statewide is concurrent with the mandatory two-week closure of bars and restaurants, announced Sunday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in response to COVID-19. The touch-screen gambling machines are in some 7,300 bars, restaurants, truck stops, veterans meeting halls and fraternal organizations throughout Illinois.
The gaming board's announcement comes after its directive Friday to close all 10 casinos in the state for that same time period, starting Monday.
"The public health of patrons, video gaming industry employees, Gaming Board staff, and all others is of paramount importance," the board said in its latest announcement.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--How coronavirus is complicating 2020 census push

The Gail Borden Library in Elgin had invited visitors to drive up to the entrance , receive prepackaged pizza , pie and a reminder to fill out their census forms from bilingual staffers wearing gloves .
Even with those precautions , organizers decided to postpone Saturday 's drive-through .
In the age of the coronavirus , census campaigns face significant challenges promoting participation in the once-in-a-decade population count as large gatherings are canceled and people may not want to open their doors to field workers .
`` The Census Bureau is clearly going to have to heighten and expand its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on local and community-based partners to get the word out , and that 's becoming harder as communities start to limit public interaction , '' says Terri Ann Lowenthal , the former staff director of the House census oversight subcommittee .
At the federal level , congressional lawmakers have pressed the U.S. Census Bureau for plans to protect and retain hundreds of thousands of census workers who will go door-to-door to households that have n't filled out the survey through the mail , phone or a new online option .
With so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners trying to reach immigrant families , seniors , people who are homeless and other historically undercounted populations now have to adjust to the unknowns of the virus ' path .
`` Any disruption to the census plan , which is supposed to unfold like clockwork and is the product of a decade of work , certainly could have disproportionate effects on population groups and communities that already are harder to count accurately , '' Lowenthal said .
As a result of population declines , Illinois is almost certain to lose one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ census results .
`` We are trying to ensure that we do n't lose two , '' said Kathleen Yang-Clayton , a lead researcher for the University of Illinois at Chicago 's 2020 Census Program .
Political representation is only part of the equation .
Each person missed in the census could cost Illinois $ 1,400 to $ 1,800 in federal dollars for schools , roads and social services .
The data also will determine funding for hospitals and clinics , a system of public health providers on the front lines of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out doing their jobs , the least we can do is fill out our census forms and support them , '' Yang-Clayton said .
The state is spending $ 29 million on census efforts , building a network of 21 regional intermediaries that have distributed grants to more than 350 sub-organizations working to increase response rates .
Those groups include schools , libraries and social service agencies trying to avoid a repeat of 10 years ago , when the Census Bureau estimates 59,800 people in Illinois were not counted .
UIC is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using maps , door knocking and phone banking as organizers confront lack of internet access in hard-to-count areas , government mistrust and lingering fears in immigrant communities after a White House push to ask about citizenship status on the 2020 census .
The Supreme Court in June blocked the question .
`` That is what is important about this model of outreach , going through your trusted partners , through your trusted organizations , through your local leaders to reinforce the message about the confidentiality of the census , '' Illinois Coalition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
One of the coalition 's partners is Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in Round Lake Park .
Organizers were regrouping over the weekend to prepare for the possibility of a prolonged outbreak .
`` Now we 're going to have to get creative in how we 're going to reach the community , '' said Sandra Diaz , Mano a Mano 's democracy in action program coordinator .
Instead of giving presentations in Lake and McHenry counties , the census team could post digital versions and host livestream videos so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place of face-to-face technical assistance , Mano a Mano 's census ambassadors can still contact their own social network to offer help .
`` If we do n't get counted , then people who are making policies , they wo n't know where our population is or how much need there is to create policies that help immigrants , '' Diaz said .
In the state 's second-largest city , Aurora 's complete count committee has sponsored or attended 64 census outreach events from last year through Thursday .
But a monthlong moratorium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 events in limbo through April 9 .
Past that , the committee has another dozen or so planned .
Youth Day also has been canceled , a resource fair that would have given the committee an audience of about 500 attendees .
`` We were gearing up to get into full speed so to speak , and now we 're putting the brakes on things , '' said Dan Barreiro , Aurora 's chief community services officer .
Still , officials are continuing to raise awareness through a water bill stuffer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an `` all hands on deck '' approach to partner with churches , businesses , schools and community colleges , Barreiro said .
`` We really believe that so much of the work that we 've done up to this point will still garner very significant benefits for the city , '' said College of DuPage President Brian Caputo , the committee 's chairman .
The Census Bureau is delaying an effort to count students in off-campus housing .
That operation in areas around colleges and universities has been pushed back from April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of households that have n't completed the questionnaire is scheduled to start May 13 .
A bureau statement Saturday said it could adjust the July deadline for completing the census if necessary .
`` The bureau has some time to take precautions and take other steps to hire sufficient numbers of census takers , '' said Lowenthal , the census expert .
`` That could include increasing pay rates , which it 's already done in many areas , but it could do so again if it needs to . ''
The bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarters '' -- college-run student housing , prisons , nursing homes , group homes -- to choose a way to count their residents that requires less in-person contact with census workers .
With college campuses shutting down for the semester to limit coronavirus risks , how will the Census Bureau get an accurate tally ?
Students moving to remote learning at home should still be counted where they attend college .
`` For every campus , for every facility that 's in our group quarters operations , we are going to be reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and working with them one-on-one to ensure that we count them completely and accurately , '' bureau spokesman Michael Cook said .
The bureau has reached its goal of recruiting 2.67 million applicants for temporary jobs , Cook said .
A projected 500,000 workers are needed for follow-up operations .
`` Currently , we do n't see any signs of any drop-off in our ability to conduct the work based on the amount of people that we have recruited and the amount of people that we plan to hire for the nonresponse follow-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingency budget of $ 2 billion could allow the bureau to hire additional workers , manage operations from different offices and mail more reminders or questionnaires , Cook said .
The bureau also pledges to adapt should it need to delay or discontinue visits to households in outbreak areas .

How coronavirus is complicating 2020 census push
This March 23, 2018, file photo shows an envelope containing a 2018 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident as part of the nation's only test run of the 2020 Census. Legal wrangling has surrounded the U.S. census count for decades, culminating in this year's fight over adding a citizenship question.
This photo provided by the U.S. Census 2020, shows the homepage of the United States' Census 2020 website on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. The 2020 census is off and running for much of America now. The U.S. Census Bureau made a soft launch of the 2020 census website on Monday, March 9 making its form available online. On Thursday, March 12 the Census Bureau will begin mailing out notices far and wide. (U.S. Census via AP)
The Gail Borden Library in Elgin had invited visitors to drive up to the entrance, receive prepackaged pizza, pie and a reminder to fill out their census forms from bilingual staffers wearing gloves.
Even with those precautions, organizers decided to postpone Saturday's drive-through.
In the age of the coronavirus, census campaigns face significant challenges promoting participation in the once-in-a-decade population count as large gatherings are canceled and people may not want to open their doors to field workers.
"The Census Bureau is clearly going to have to heighten and expand its advertising and communication efforts and rely more on local and community-based partners to get the word out, and that's becoming harder as communities start to limit public interaction," says Terri Ann Lowenthal, the former staff director of the House census oversight subcommittee.
At the federal level, congressional lawmakers have pressed the U.S. Census Bureau for plans to protect and retain hundreds of thousands of census workers who will go door-to-door to households that haven't filled out the survey through the mail, phone or a new online option.
With so much already at stake in Illinois, census partners trying to reach immigrant families, seniors, people who are homeless and other historically undercounted populations now have to adjust to the unknowns of the virus' path.
"Any disruption to the census plan, which is supposed to unfold like clockwork and is the product of a decade of work, certainly could have disproportionate effects on population groups and communities that already are harder to count accurately," Lowenthal said.
Why census matters
As a result of population declines, Illinois is almost certain to lose one of its 18 U.S. House seats after final census results.
"We are trying to ensure that we don't lose two," said Kathleen Yang-Clayton, a lead researcher for the University of Illinois at Chicago's 2020 Census Program.
Political representation is only part of the equation. Each person missed in the census could cost Illinois $1,400 to $1,800 in federal dollars for schools, roads and social services.
The data also will determine funding for hospitals and clinics, a system of public health providers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.
"If they're out doing their jobs, the least we can do is fill out our census forms and support them," Yang-Clayton said.
'All hands on deck'
The state is spending $29 million on census efforts, building a network of 21 regional intermediaries that have distributed grants to more than 350 sub-organizations working to increase response rates. Those groups include schools, libraries and social service agencies trying to avoid a repeat of 10 years ago, when the Census Bureau estimates 59,800 people in Illinois were not counted.
UIC is working with regional intermediaries to deliver training on using maps, door knocking and phone banking as organizers confront lack of internet access in hard-to-count areas, government mistrust and lingering fears in immigrant communities after a White House push to ask about citizenship status on the 2020 census. The Supreme Court in June blocked the question.
"That is what is important about this model of outreach, going through your trusted partners, through your trusted organizations, through your local leaders to reinforce the message about the confidentiality of the census," Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights spokesman Brandon Lee said.
One of the coalition's partners is Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in Round Lake Park. Organizers were regrouping over the weekend to prepare for the possibility of a prolonged outbreak.
"Now we're going to have to get creative in how we're going to reach the community," said Sandra Diaz, Mano a Mano's democracy in action program coordinator.
Instead of giving presentations in Lake and McHenry counties, the census team could post digital versions and host livestream videos so people can still ask questions. In place of face-to-face technical assistance, Mano a Mano's census ambassadors can still contact their own social network to offer help.
"If we don't get counted, then people who are making policies, they won't know where our population is or how much need there is to create policies that help immigrants," Diaz said.
In the state's second-largest city, Aurora's complete count committee has sponsored or attended 64 census outreach events from last year through Thursday.
But a monthlong moratorium on community activities at city buildings leaves 26 events in limbo through April 9. Past that, the committee has another dozen or so planned.
Youth Day also has been canceled, a resource fair that would have given the committee an audience of about 500 attendees.
"We were gearing up to get into full speed so to speak, and now we're putting the brakes on things," said Dan Barreiro, Aurora's chief community services officer.
Still, officials are continuing to raise awareness through a water bill stuffer, a citywide newsletter, social media and an "all hands on deck" approach to partner with churches, businesses, schools and community colleges, Barreiro said.
"We really believe that so much of the work that we've done up to this point will still garner very significant benefits for the city," said College of DuPage President Brian Caputo, the committee's chairman.
Federal operations
The Census Bureau is delaying an effort to count students in off-campus housing. That operation in areas around colleges and universities has been pushed back from April 9 to April 23.
Most canvassing of households that haven't completed the questionnaire is scheduled to start May 13. A bureau statement Saturday said it could adjust the July deadline for completing the census if necessary.
"The bureau has some time to take precautions and take other steps to hire sufficient numbers of census takers," said Lowenthal, the census expert. "That could include increasing pay rates, which it's already done in many areas, but it could do so again if it needs to."
The bureau also is encouraging administrators of "group quarters" -- college-run student housing, prisons, nursing homes, group homes -- to choose a way to count their residents that requires less in-person contact with census workers.
With college campuses shutting down for the semester to limit coronavirus risks, how will the Census Bureau get an accurate tally? Students moving to remote learning at home should still be counted where they attend college.
"For every campus, for every facility that's in our group quarters operations, we are going to be reaching out to those areas that are affected and working with them one-on-one to ensure that we count them completely and accurately," bureau spokesman Michael Cook said.
The bureau has reached its goal of recruiting 2.67 million applicants for temporary jobs, Cook said. A projected 500,000 workers are needed for follow-up operations.
"Currently, we don't see any signs of any drop-off in our ability to conduct the work based on the amount of people that we have recruited and the amount of people that we plan to hire for the nonresponse follow-up activities," Cook said.
A contingency budget of $2 billion could allow the bureau to hire additional workers, manage operations from different offices and mail more reminders or questionnaires, Cook said.
The bureau also pledges to adapt should it need to delay or discontinue visits to households in outbreak areas.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Elgin cancels city council meeting due to COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic , the city of Elgin has canceled its city council committee of the whole @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The measure is a way to limit the number of people who congregate @ @ @ @ @ said .
Elgin Mayor David Kaptain signed a proclamation of emergency last week , which @ @ @ @ @ resources and personnel to expedite emergency planning measures .

Elgin closures, changes to procedures due to COVID-19
Elgin City Hall and the Elgin Police Department are closed to the public as of Monday.
"The City of Elgin continues enacting measures to keep employees safe," said Mayor David Kaptain in a news release. "Minimizing employee interactions with the public is just one more step to helping stop the spread of coronavirus while still maintaining essential City services."
Water bills may be paid online at cityofelgin.org/waterbill, by phone at 311 or with a check in the drop box outside City Hall.
Any questions regarding permits, plans or inspections should be directed to permits@cityofelgin.org.
Parking tickets and other citations can be paid online at cityofelgin.org/paybill.
All public meetings have been canceled through at least the end of March.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Bartlett police arrest man charged with harboring runaway

Bartlett police arrested a 32-year-old Kenosha , Wisconsin , man Friday on charges of harboring a runaway and resisting or @ @ @ @ @ Moses Siorta faces those two class A misdemeanor charges as well as another charge for @ @ @ @ @ act , police said Monday .
At about noon on March 13 , Bartlett officers @ @ @ @ @ the 600 block of White Oak Lane to assist the Kenosha County sheriff 's office @ @ @ @ @ last seen with Sirota , authorities said .
Bartlett police safely located the runaway hiding @ @ @ @ @ reported Sirota fled the scene on foot but was taken into custody without incident near @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Sirota was taken to the Cook County jail to await an @ @ @

Bartlett police arrest man charged with harboring runaway
Bartlett police arrested a 32-year-old Kenosha, Wisconsin, man Friday on charges of harboring a runaway and resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Moses Siorta faces those two class A misdemeanor charges as well as another charge for violating the uniform criminal extradition act, police said Monday.
At about noon on March 13, Bartlett officers responded to a home on the 600 block of White Oak Lane to assist the Kenosha County sheriff's office with locating a runaway juvenile last seen with Sirota, authorities said.
Bartlett police safely located the runaway hiding inside the home. Officers reported Sirota fled the scene on foot but was taken into custody without incident near Route 59 and Lake Street, police said.
Sirota was taken to the Cook County jail to await an extradition hearing.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--What you need to know to vote today (even given the coronavirus)

Tuesday is the last chance to cast a ballot in Illinois ' primary election , where voters will choose which candidates will represent their party in presidential , congressional , state legislative and judicial races in November .
A number of local ballot initiatives also will be decided by voters .
Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m .
Here 's what you need to know to vote .
Be sure to check dailyherald.com for election results after polls close .
Unlike general elections , the primary ballot is based on your political affiliation .
Voters can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot .
The independent ballot will have only any ballot initiatives up for a vote today in your area .
To learn what is on the ballot , you can check online .
Suburban Cook County ballots are available at cookcountyclerk.com , in DuPage County at dupageco.org , in Kane County at kanecountyclerk.org , in Lake County at lakecountyil.gov , in McHenry County at mchenrycountyil.gov and in Will County at thewillcountyclerk.org .
Election officials are wiping down voting machines frequently and making sure hand sanitizer is available .
Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or blue pens to fill out ballots .
Yes , in some cases , as voting officials move polls out of senior living locations .
For example , nearly 100 polling places in suburban Cook County have been moved .
Check with your county clerk before you go to vote .
Yes .
Any U.S. citizen who has lived at his or her current address for more than 30 days and is at least 18 can register on Election Day at his or her home precinct .
Use the county clerk 's website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must bring two forms of identification , which can include a passport , military ID , driver 's license , copy of mortgage or deed , Social Security card , Illinois Firearm Owners Identification card or a school , college or work ID .
Voters without proper identification can also cast provisional ballots , but that requires a voter to return within seven days and produce the proper ID requirements .
Depending on where college students have registered to vote , they can cast a ballot at their campus address or their home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that changing their address to vote on campus does n't jeopardize any scholarship residency requirements .
What about voters with disabilities ?
A voter who is physically unable to fill out or cast a ballot must swear an oath or show a state-issued `` Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card , '' according to the state 's election law .
The voter is then accompanied by two election judges of differing political parties who will assist in filling out the ballot .
The voter can also bring someone to fill out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employer , agent of the employer or representative of a union the voter belongs to .
The person filling out the voter 's ballot must also sign an oath that he or she did n't influence the disabled voter 's choice of candidates or party .
What can you bring into the booth to help ?
Newspapers are allowed in the booth .
Phones , maybe not everywhere .
Voters can print out a copy of the Daily Herald 's endorsements to bring with them as well .
While there is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can set their own rules .
Will it be busy ?
Who knows ?
Primary voting is notoriously light , and the coronavirus outbreak could keep even more voters away .
Plus , each year more voters choose to cast ballots early and vote by mail .
Cook officials said 25 % more ballots were cast during early voting this year than in the 2016 primary .
No one is allowed to campaign for a candidate or ballot initiative within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place .
On Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be reported to the Illinois attorney general 's office via a hotline at ( 866 ) 536-3496 or to the U.S. attorney 's office at ( 312 ) 469-6157 .

What you need to know to vote today (even given the coronavirus)
Among new recommendations this Election Day: Check that your polling place hasn't changed, use hand sanitizer and bring your own pen. daily herald file photo, 2015
Tuesday is the last chance to cast a ballot in Illinois' primary election, where voters will choose which candidates will represent their party in presidential, congressional, state legislative and judicial races in November.
A number of local ballot initiatives also will be decided by voters.
Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Here's what you need to know to vote. Be sure to check dailyherald.com for election results after polls close.
What's on the ballot?
Unlike general elections, the primary ballot is based on your political affiliation. Voters can choose a Republican, Democrat or independent ballot. The independent ballot will have only any ballot initiatives up for a vote today in your area. To learn what is on the ballot, you can check online. Suburban Cook County ballots are available at cookcountyclerk.com, in DuPage County at dupageco.org, in Kane County at kanecountyclerk.org, in Lake County at lakecountyil.gov, in McHenry County at mchenrycountyil.gov and in Will County at thewillcountyclerk.org.
What about coronavirus?
Election officials are wiping down voting machines frequently and making sure hand sanitizer is available. Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor urged voters to bring their own black or blue pens to fill out ballots.
Has my polling place changed?
Yes, in some cases, as voting officials move polls out of senior living locations. For example, nearly 100 polling places in suburban Cook County have been moved. Check with your county clerk before you go to vote.
Can I still register?
Yes. Any U.S. citizen who has lived at his or her current address for more than 30 days and is at least 18 can register on Election Day at his or her home precinct. Use the county clerk's website to find your precinct. New voters must bring two forms of identification, which can include a passport, military ID, driver's license, copy of mortgage or deed, Social Security card, Illinois Firearm Owners Identification card or a school, college or work ID. Voters without proper identification can also cast provisional ballots, but that requires a voter to return within seven days and produce the proper ID requirements.
Where do college students vote?
Depending on where college students have registered to vote, they can cast a ballot at their campus address or their home address. However, they should ensure that changing their address to vote on campus doesn't jeopardize any scholarship residency requirements.
What about voters with disabilities?
A voter who is physically unable to fill out or cast a ballot must swear an oath or show a state-issued "Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card," according to the state's election law. The voter is then accompanied by two election judges of differing political parties who will assist in filling out the ballot. The voter can also bring someone to fill out the ballot who is not the person's employer, agent of the employer or representative of a union the voter belongs to. The person filling out the voter's ballot must also sign an oath that he or she didn't influence the disabled voter's choice of candidates or party.
What can you bring into the booth to help?
Newspapers are allowed in the booth. Phones, maybe not everywhere. Voters can print out a copy of the Daily Herald's endorsements to bring with them as well.
While there is not a law outlawing phones, county election officials can set their own rules.
Will it be busy?
Who knows? Primary voting is notoriously light, and the coronavirus outbreak could keep even more voters away. Plus, each year more voters choose to cast ballots early and vote by mail. Cook officials said 25% more ballots were cast during early voting this year than in the 2016 primary.
What about electioneering?
No one is allowed to campaign for a candidate or ballot initiative within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place. On Election Day, any voting problems or improper behavior should be reported to the Illinois attorney general's office via a hotline at (866) 536-3496 or to the U.S. attorney's office at (312) 469-6157.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--In the COVID-19 world: Advice from a Buffalo Grove couple who have worked at home for years

As offices throughout Illinois shut down amid concerns over the coronavirus , many suburban employees are adjusting to a major change in their daily routines : working from home .
For some , it may be difficult to stay productive in a secluded environment .
Others might have trouble avoiding distractions all day , especially while working under the same roof as their spouse or children .
The trick is treating your home office the same as a normal workplace , while still enjoying the advantages of being in a comfortable setting , said Michael and Janet Shamberg , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That means it 's OK to wear sweatpants , but save the errands and household chores for after work hours .
For those new to the work-from-home lifestyle , finding a balance can be easier said than done , they said , especially amid the chaos and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic .
Michael , who works in sales , has been working from home for more than three years , while Janet has been handling her job in medical records remotely for about twice as long .
Here 's how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years : Q : How do you stay productive ?
Janet : You have to forget that you 're at home .
You have to remember that you 're doing a job , and everything else can wait until you 're done with work .
Michael : It 's a matter of discipline .
Some people can have it from the get-go , and some people have to kind of -- especially if it 's new for them -- force themselves into discipline .
Q : When you first started working from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael : My biggest concern was the whole discipline aspect .
I was used to being in an office .
Now at home , I never put a television in my office because I was trying to avoid distractions .
...
If I 'm downstairs , a lot of times I can not hear my phone ring and I do n't like missing a phone call , so in general that would also keep me in and around my office .
Janet : I supervise 17 people , and it 's a challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were all in the same room , you could say , `` Everyone walk over here and look at this . ''
Some people are visual learners , and ( it 's difficult ) when we 're not looking at the same thing at the same time .
Q : What are some perks of working from home ?
Janet : You have the luxury of setting up the work environment you work best in .
...
I work better with background noise , so I have the TV on all day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I 'll have music on all day .
That plays back to the idea of getting as comfortable as you can .
Janet : Another thing is you do n't have any travel time .
That 's huge because for people who are typically driving for an hour ... look how much time you 're gaining being home .
Michael : For some people , that could be an extra half-hour or 45 minutes of sleep .
Or they can take their time and make themselves breakfast .
Whatever it is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : How do you stay out of each other 's way when you both work from home ?
Janet : We have two totally separate offices , and if we 're on the phone and we can hear each other talking , we shut the door .
Michael : We 'll have some communication , but we pretty much keep to ourselves most of the day .
Q : What advice do you have for couples or roommates who might be in closer quarters ?
Michael : That comes down to simple respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to work ( and ) you need your space .
Even from the standpoint of , if you 're on the phone , making sure there 's not a lot of background noise .
Even if that means sequestering yourself to your bedroom if you have multiple people in an apartment or a house .
That 's probably the best way to do it , especially starting off , so you do n't have those distractions .
... At this point , you 're not used to the environment you 're in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people around you .
Janet : You also have to know what the expectations of your jobs are .
Q : What is your typical morning routine ?
Michael : I generally get up .
I 'll shower .
I 'll get my act together .
I will get dressed .
I will make coffee and go into my office and get into it .
Janet : Me , not so much .
...
I definitely take advantage of the fact that I 'm working from home and do not have to ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like Michael , I feel like he probably feels like he 's more productive because he 's in the gear for going to work .
I do n't find that ( necessary ) .
Q : How do you avoid daily distractions , such as social media or personal calls ?
Janet : You 'd be lying to say that you do .
Michael : I am on social media , I 'm checking news sites and sports scores throughout the day , and that 's just part of my routine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 minutes at a time .
... You do n't want to abuse it , but I believe you can certainly do it without interrupting your day .
Janet : Everybody knows I 'm typically working until 3 p.m. , so except for emergencies , people are very respectful of that fact .
You let people know , `` Do not contact me until after my hours . ''

In the COVID-19 world: Advice from a Buffalo Grove couple who have worked at home for years
As offices throughout Illinois shut down amid concerns over the coronavirus, many suburban employees are adjusting to a major change in their daily routines: working from home.
For some, it may be difficult to stay productive in a secluded environment. Others might have trouble avoiding distractions all day, especially while working under the same roof as their spouse or children.
The trick is treating your home office the same as a normal workplace, while still enjoying the advantages of being in a comfortable setting, said Michael and Janet Shamberg, who work exclusively from their Buffalo Grove home. That means it's OK to wear sweatpants, but save the errands and household chores for after work hours.
For those new to the work-from-home lifestyle, finding a balance can be easier said than done, they said, especially amid the chaos and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
Michael, who works in sales, has been working from home for more than three years, while Janet has been handling her job in medical records remotely for about twice as long. Here's how the Shambergs have managed to do it for years:
Q: How do you stay productive?
Janet: You have to forget that you're at home. You have to remember that you're doing a job, and everything else can wait until you're done with work.
Michael: It's a matter of discipline. Some people can have it from the get-go, and some people have to kind of -- especially if it's new for them -- force themselves into discipline.
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Michael and Janet Shamberg have been working remotely for years out of adjacent rooms in their Buffalo Grove house. For Michael, having multiple monitors and a large work space is crucial for staying productive.
Q: When you first started working from home, what were your biggest challenges?
Michael: My biggest concern was the whole discipline aspect. I was used to being in an office. Now at home, I never put a television in my office because I was trying to avoid distractions. ... If I'm downstairs, a lot of times I cannot hear my phone ring and I don't like missing a phone call, so in general that would also keep me in and around my office.
Janet: I supervise 17 people, and it's a challenge because back in the day when we were all in the same room, you could say, "Everyone walk over here and look at this." Some people are visual learners, and (it's difficult) when we're not looking at the same thing at the same time.
Q: What are some perks of working from home?
Janet: You have the luxury of setting up the work environment you work best in. ... I work better with background noise, so I have the TV on all day. It is totally white noise.
Michael: I'll have music on all day. That plays back to the idea of getting as comfortable as you can.
Janet: Another thing is you don't have any travel time. That's huge because for people who are typically driving for an hour ... look how much time you're gaining being home.
Michael: For some people, that could be an extra half-hour or 45 minutes of sleep. Or they can take their time and make themselves breakfast. Whatever it is, you have that extra time.
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Janet Shamberg of Buffalo Grove prefers the white noise of a television to stay productive while she's working from home.
Q: How do you stay out of each other's way when you both work from home?
Janet: We have two totally separate offices, and if we're on the phone and we can hear each other talking, we shut the door.
Michael: We'll have some communication, but we pretty much keep to ourselves most of the day.
Q: What advice do you have for couples or roommates who might be in closer quarters?
Michael: That comes down to simple respect for each other and understanding that you have to work (and) you need your space. Even from the standpoint of, if you're on the phone, making sure there's not a lot of background noise. Even if that means sequestering yourself to your bedroom if you have multiple people in an apartment or a house. That's probably the best way to do it, especially starting off, so you don't have those distractions. ... At this point, you're not used to the environment you're in, let alone having all those nonworking people around you.
Janet: You also have to know what the expectations of your jobs are.
Q: What is your typical morning routine?
Michael: I generally get up. I'll shower. I'll get my act together. I will get dressed. I will make coffee and go into my office and get into it.
Janet: Me, not so much. ... I definitely take advantage of the fact that I'm working from home and do not have to (get ready). For some people, like Michael, I feel like he probably feels like he's more productive because he's in the gear for going to work. I don't find that (necessary).
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Michael Shamberg of Buffalo Grove has been working from home for more than three years. His office at home is in a separate room from his wife, Janet, who also works remotely.
Q: How do you avoid daily distractions, such as social media or personal calls?
Janet: You'd be lying to say that you do.
Michael: I am on social media, I'm checking news sites and sports scores throughout the day, and that's just part of my routine. But I'm not on it for 45 minutes at a time. ... You don't want to abuse it, but I believe you can certainly do it without interrupting your day.
Janet: Everybody knows I'm typically working until 3 p.m., so except for emergencies, people are very respectful of that fact. You let people know, "Do not contact me until after my hours."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Stay home, save Grandma: Congressmen say social distancing is crucial even for families

Scientist and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster referred Monday to a hashtag trending on social media that he said explains the purpose of social distancing in light of the coronavirus .
It 's called # dontkillgrandma .
Most COVID-19 illnesses caused by the coronavirus are mild for people who are relatively young and healthy .
But for those who are older or who have weakened immune systems , the virus can cause severe respiratory symptoms or death .
So the message Monday from Foster , as well as health executives and U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood who gathered at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : It 's not safe or responsible for young to middle-aged people who feel well to go about their usual activities without taking precautions .
`` The difficulty is that there are a large number of asymptomatic spreaders in this disease , '' Foster said .
`` Simply because you 're young , it 's not OK to disrespect the social distancing . ''
Social distancing calls for people to remain at home as much as possible -- work from home , refrain from using public transportation and , under new guidelines issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention , avoid gatherings of more than 50 .
And federal officials on Monday even said avoid gatherings of more than 10 .
It is the theory behind the school closures , restaurant closures and event cancellations now widespread across the state and the country .
And it 's what Mary Lou Mastro , president and CEO of Edward-Elmhurst Health , said Monday is the `` No .
1 thing '' people can do to help slow the spread of the virus .
When people who do n't know they are carrying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread it through chains of transmission that are impossible to trace .
These chains can spread until the virus hits people with chronic conditions that weaken their immune system -- such as diabetes or cancer -- or people whose age makes them more susceptible to disease .
`` That 's a real incentive for everyone to take the social distancing seriously , '' Foster said , `` especially having to do with the elderly . ''
Social distancing is n't easy or natural .
But it works , Foster and Casten said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the instance of new cases in China , the country where the virus originated in late December .
`` China does things that we simply do not contemplate , '' Casten said about the country 's relative shutdown of the Hubei province of roughly 60 million people .
`` That 's really intrusive , but it works . ''
Foster said China is `` aggressive '' about separating family members when someone gets sick .
`` That 's going to be a very tough thing for us to accept in the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even calls to stay away from crowds have proved difficult for many to accept , Foster said , with revelers still partying over the weekend for St. Patrick 's Day .
But staying home to practice social isolation is a moral duty , Mastro said , and a proven precaution .
`` For the vast majority of the population ... even if they did contract the coronavirus , they would be fine , '' Mastro said .
`` The purpose of everything that we 're doing is to protect the small percentage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Stay home, save Grandma: Congressmen say social distancing is crucial even for families
Scientist and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster referred Monday to a hashtag trending on social media that he said explains the purpose of social distancing in light of the coronavirus. It's called #dontkillgrandma.
Most COVID-19 illnesses caused by the coronavirus are mild for people who are relatively young and healthy. But for those who are older or who have weakened immune systems, the virus can cause severe respiratory symptoms or death.
So the message Monday from Foster, as well as health executives and U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood who gathered at a roundtable in Naperville, was this: It's not safe or responsible for young to middle-aged people who feel well to go about their usual activities without taking precautions.
"The difficulty is that there are a large number of asymptomatic spreaders in this disease," Foster said. "Simply because you're young, it's not OK to disrespect the social distancing."
Social distancing calls for people to remain at home as much as possible -- work from home, refrain from using public transportation and, under new guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avoid gatherings of more than 50. And federal officials on Monday even said avoid gatherings of more than 10.
It is the theory behind the school closures, restaurant closures and event cancellations now widespread across the state and the country. And it's what Mary Lou Mastro, president and CEO of Edward-Elmhurst Health, said Monday is the "No. 1 thing" people can do to help slow the spread of the virus.
When people who don't know they are carrying the coronavirus interact with others, they can spread it through chains of transmission that are impossible to trace. These chains can spread until the virus hits people with chronic conditions that weaken their immune system -- such as diabetes or cancer -- or people whose age makes them more susceptible to disease.
"That's a real incentive for everyone to take the social distancing seriously," Foster said, "especially having to do with the elderly."
Social distancing isn't easy or natural. But it works, Foster and Casten said, and has shown promising results in slowing the instance of new cases in China, the country where the virus originated in late December.
"China does things that we simply do not contemplate," Casten said about the country's relative shutdown of the Hubei province of roughly 60 million people. "That's really intrusive, but it works."
Foster said China is "aggressive" about separating family members when someone gets sick.
"That's going to be a very tough thing for us to accept in the U.S.," he said.
So far, even calls to stay away from crowds have proved difficult for many to accept, Foster said, with revelers still partying over the weekend for St. Patrick's Day.
But staying home to practice social isolation is a moral duty, Mastro said, and a proven precaution.
"For the vast majority of the population ... even if they did contract the coronavirus, they would be fine," Mastro said. "The purpose of everything that we're doing is to protect the small percentage of the population who would not be fine."