dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--How safe is vaccine? Should pregnant women get it? Your questions answered.

As Advocate Aurora hospitals start to receive precious deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines , the system 's infectious disease expert and a nursing leader held a virtual town hall Wednesday to answer questions about the historic vaccination effort .
Dr. Robert Citronberg and Jane Dus , regional chief nursing officer , led the Q & A session .
Here is a sampling of their responses .
Q .
How safe and effective is the vaccine ?
A .
Clinical trials show the vaccine developed by Pfizer and the German company BioNTech appears 95 % effective .
Pfizer did not report any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over all the data that 's available , I think that the risks of getting COVID , getting sick from COVID and dying from COVID far outweigh the risks of the vaccine , '' Citronberg said .
Some expected side effects may include pain at the injection site , fever , fatigue , headache or chills .
Those are signs that the immune system is responding to the vaccine , as intended , and generating antibodies against the spike protein of the coronavirus , Citronberg said .
Q .
Why do the leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's vaccine is given in two doses , three weeks apart .
Federal regulators later this week will likely authorize a second vaccine -- this one developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health -- that also needs two doses , four weeks apart .
`` The first doses essentially primes the immune system to make the antibodies , and the second dose enhances that response , '' Citronberg said .
You also need to complete the two-dose regimen with the same vaccine .
`` I would take either one , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first in line for the vaccine ?
A .
The initial doses are reserved for health care workers , and residents and employees of long-term care facilities , per federal guidelines .
Advocate Aurora Health , one of the largest health systems in the Midwest , is prioritizing front-line staff .
Advocate Sherman Hospital , Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital , Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and Advocate Condell Medical Center are set to begin vaccinating employees today .
`` Our goal is that the vaccine should be easily available in pharmacies , doctors ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care centers , but right now we really need to focus on where the priority is , and that 's health care workers , '' Dus said .
Medical experts expect it will take months before the vaccine is widely available to the general public .
Q .
Should pregnant women get the vaccine ?
A .
Pregnant women were excluded from the vaccine trials , so there 's a lack of data available on the safety of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine during pregnancy .
Advocate is recommending that employees who are pregnant or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and benefits with their doctor .
`` You will not be prohibited from receiving the vaccine , but we want there to be a really good conversation with your doctor to determine if the vaccine is right for you , '' Citronberg said .
Q .
Should I still get the vaccine if I 've already had COVID-19 ?
A .
Yes , but wait at least three months until after your infection has resolved before you roll up your sleeves for the vaccine .
The reason mostly has to do with prioritization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to be `` very low '' within the first three months , Citronberg said .
`` It 's really important to understand that people who had either asymptomatic illness or a mild illness may not generate enough antibodies to provide immunity against future infections , '' he said , `` so we absolutely want people to get immunized if you 've had COVID before . ''
Q .
How long can I expect the vaccine to protect me from the virus ?
A .
That 's an open question .
A couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot after a few years or you might need annual immunization , just like the flu shot .
`` We 'll know that even probably as soon as next year and give advice , '' Citronberg said .
`` But right now , our primary motivation , all our energy is going to get that primary series in so we can end the pandemic . ''
Q .
Do I still need to wear a mask after I 've been vaccinated ?
A .
Yes .
You could potentially acquire the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could spread it to other people , even though you 've been immunized and may not fall ill , Citronberg said .
`` Until we have more information , we 're going to ask everyone to continue masking , continue social distancing , and that will probably continue until we 've achieved herd immunity in our population . ''

How safe is vaccine? Should pregnant women get it? Your questions answered.
Dr. Donald Hoscheit, DuPage Medical Group chief medical officer, helps bring in a delivery of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to an undisclosed location Wednesday. The DuPage County Health Department will transport vaccines from the site to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Courtesy of the DuPage Medical Group
As Advocate Aurora hospitals start to receive precious deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines, the system's infectious disease expert and a nursing leader held a virtual town hall Wednesday to answer questions about the historic vaccination effort.
Dr. Robert Citronberg and Jane Dus, regional chief nursing officer, led the Q&A session. Here is a sampling of their responses.
Q. How safe and effective is the vaccine?
A. Clinical trials show the vaccine developed by Pfizer and the German company BioNTech appears 95% effective. Pfizer did not report any serious safety concerns.
"After looking over all the data that's available, I think that the risks of getting COVID, getting sick from COVID and dying from COVID far outweigh the risks of the vaccine," Citronberg said.
Some expected side effects may include pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache or chills. Those are signs that the immune system is responding to the vaccine, as intended, and generating antibodies against the spike protein of the coronavirus, Citronberg said.
Q. Why do the leading vaccines require two doses?
A. Pfizer's vaccine is given in two doses, three weeks apart. Federal regulators later this week will likely authorize a second vaccine -- this one developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health -- that also needs two doses, four weeks apart.
"The first doses essentially primes the immune system to make the antibodies, and the second dose enhances that response," Citronberg said.
You also need to complete the two-dose regimen with the same vaccine. "I would take either one," Citronberg said.
Q. Who's first in line for the vaccine?
A. The initial doses are reserved for health care workers, and residents and employees of long-term care facilities, per federal guidelines.
Advocate Aurora Health, one of the largest health systems in the Midwest, is prioritizing front-line staff. Advocate Sherman Hospital, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and Advocate Condell Medical Center are set to begin vaccinating employees today.
"Our goal is that the vaccine should be easily available in pharmacies, doctors' offices, hospitals, federally qualified health care centers, but right now we really need to focus on where the priority is, and that's health care workers," Dus said.
Medical experts expect it will take months before the vaccine is widely available to the general public.
Q. Should pregnant women get the vaccine?
A. Pregnant women were excluded from the vaccine trials, so there's a lack of data available on the safety of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine during pregnancy.
Advocate is recommending that employees who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy discuss the potential risks and benefits with their doctor.
"You will not be prohibited from receiving the vaccine, but we want there to be a really good conversation with your doctor to determine if the vaccine is right for you," Citronberg said.
Q. Should I still get the vaccine if I've already had COVID-19?
A. Yes, but wait at least three months until after your infection has resolved before you roll up your sleeves for the vaccine. The reason mostly has to do with prioritization. The risk of reinfection with COVID seems to be "very low" within the first three months, Citronberg said.
"It's really important to understand that people who had either asymptomatic illness or a mild illness may not generate enough antibodies to provide immunity against future infections," he said, "so we absolutely want people to get immunized if you've had COVID before."
Q. How long can I expect the vaccine to protect me from the virus?
A. That's an open question. A couple scenarios: You might need a booster shot after a few years or you might need annual immunization, just like the flu shot.
"We'll know that even probably as soon as next year and give advice," Citronberg said. "But right now, our primary motivation, all our energy is going to get that primary series in so we can end the pandemic."
Q. Do I still need to wear a mask after I've been vaccinated?
A. Yes. You could potentially acquire the virus, it could live in your nose and you could spread it to other people, even though you've been immunized and may not fall ill, Citronberg said.
"Until we have more information, we're going to ask everyone to continue masking, continue social distancing, and that will probably continue until we've achieved herd immunity in our population."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Live Christmas tree sales booming as homeowners look for holiday cheer

Not many industries seem positioned to rank 2020 among their best years ever , but early indications are that it could be in contention for sellers of live Christmas trees .
`` These are some of the biggest days I 've ever had , and I 've been doing this for 30 years , '' said Doug Handel , owner of L & M Tree and Wreath Retail Sales .
`` I do n't know how there can be enough trees out there . ''
Based on a tree farm in Medford , Wisconsin , Handel 's company sells largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots in Chicago , Palatine , Naperville , Roselle , Villa Park and Evanston .
`` It 's definitely been good , '' Handel said of his 2020 season , which began with a bang the day after Thanksgiving .
`` Everyone went into the season maybe a little afraid of what might happen .
...
The whole stay-at-home thing is big right now .
This is something that makes people feel good about being there .
I called it the perfect storm . ''
He 's seen a number of signs that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real tree for the first time , notably the amount of tree stands he 's sold , and the questions about care and maintenance .
Some of Handel 's usual competitors did n't open at all this year for reasons he said he can only speculate on .
Others ran out of stock quickly .
The most frequent first question he gets from callers this year is , `` Do you have trees ? ''
He says that 's never happened before .
Doug Hundley , spokesman for the Colorado-based National Christmas Tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmers and retailers across the country having experiences similar to Handel 's .
`` We 've got an uptick , there 's no question about that , '' Hundley said .
The trend was somewhat anticipated by a consumer survey back in July , but another survey planned in late January should give the association a better idea of how much sales increase , he said .
In recent years , between 25 million and 30 million live trees have been bought in the U.S. each holiday season .
Hundley believes people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , since they 're spending more time there due to the pandemic .
Similar trends were seen earlier this year in the gardening and home restoration industries .
`` Those of us in the real tree business have never understood why people would want an artificial tree , '' Hundley said , with a laugh .
`` Hopefully it will go on for years to come .
There 's not a lot of silver linings with COVID , but if it teaches us something , that 's a good thing . ''
Greg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbus Council 11091 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Algonquin , also believes the uncommonly swift success of his organization 's annual Christmas tree sale fundraiser may be a sign of things to come .
Freund said the council debated whether to hold its sale this year because of safety concerns and uncertainty about whether customers would stay away .
But because of the downturn in other fundraisers like fish frys , members decided to press ahead .
Their compromise was ordering only 300 trees rather than the usual 400 .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas , this year they sold out in just two weeks .
Combined with an increased demand for the nativity sets the council makes and sells , this year 's fundraiser will bring in its usual $ 8,000 to $ 10,000 income , Freund said .
The money goes into a fund divided among about 100 local and national charities the Knights of Columbus support .
`` I think people are learning to appreciate a little bit more the holidays and what they mean , '' Freund said .
`` For a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time buying live trees . ''

Live Christmas tree sales booming as homeowners look for holiday cheer
Not many industries seem positioned to rank 2020 among their best years ever, but early indications are that it could be in contention for sellers of live Christmas trees.
"These are some of the biggest days I've ever had, and I've been doing this for 30 years," said Doug Handel, owner of L&M Tree and Wreath Retail Sales. "I don't know how there can be enough trees out there."
Based on a tree farm in Medford, Wisconsin, Handel's company sells largely in the Chicago area, with seasonal lots in Chicago, Palatine, Naperville, Roselle, Villa Park and Evanston.
"It's definitely been good," Handel said of his 2020 season, which began with a bang the day after Thanksgiving. "Everyone went into the season maybe a little afraid of what might happen. ... The whole stay-at-home thing is big right now. This is something that makes people feel good about being there. I called it the perfect storm."
He's seen a number of signs that many of his customers are buying a real tree for the first time, notably the amount of tree stands he's sold, and the questions about care and maintenance.
Some of Handel's usual competitors didn't open at all this year for reasons he said he can only speculate on. Others ran out of stock quickly.
The most frequent first question he gets from callers this year is, "Do you have trees?" He says that's never happened before.
Doug Hundley, spokesman for the Colorado-based National Christmas Tree Association, said he's heard from farmers and retailers across the country having experiences similar to Handel's.
"We've got an uptick, there's no question about that," Hundley said.
The trend was somewhat anticipated by a consumer survey back in July, but another survey planned in late January should give the association a better idea of how much sales increase, he said. In recent years, between 25 million and 30 million live trees have been bought in the U.S. each holiday season.
Hundley believes people are investing more in their surroundings at home, since they're spending more time there due to the pandemic. Similar trends were seen earlier this year in the gardening and home restoration industries.
"Those of us in the real tree business have never understood why people would want an artificial tree," Hundley said, with a laugh. "Hopefully it will go on for years to come. There's not a lot of silver linings with COVID, but if it teaches us something, that's a good thing."
Greg Freund, financial secretary of Knights of Columbus Council 11091 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Algonquin, also believes the uncommonly swift success of his organization's annual Christmas tree sale fundraiser may be a sign of things to come.
Freund said the council debated whether to hold its sale this year because of safety concerns and uncertainty about whether customers would stay away. But because of the downturn in other fundraisers like fish frys, members decided to press ahead.
Their compromise was ordering only 300 trees rather than the usual 400. While the supply usually lasts until just before Christmas, this year they sold out in just two weeks.
Combined with an increased demand for the nativity sets the council makes and sells, this year's fundraiser will bring in its usual $8,000 to $10,000 income, Freund said. The money goes into a fund divided among about 100 local and national charities the Knights of Columbus support.
"I think people are learning to appreciate a little bit more the holidays and what they mean," Freund said. "For a lot of people, it was their first time buying live trees."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-16--Parent objects to content in Barrington High School film class

The mother of a senior at Barrington High School complained to the school board about a movie students watched that portrays a sex toy .
School officials said they take the complaint seriously , but emphasized that students always have a choice about what to watch for the film class .
Heather Ewalt lodged her complaint in a voicemail that was played as part of public comment during the Barrington Area Unit District 220 board meeting held via Zoom on Tuesday night .
Ewalt 's comments focused on what she called `` reckless incompetence '' from Superintendent Brian Harris for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned the movie 's depiction of a sex toy as an example of Harris ' failed leadership , she told the Daily Herald .
The 2011 R-rated movie `` Pariah '' is a coming-of-age story of a Black lesbian teenager , a theme that Ewalt said she does n't have a problem with .
But she objected to some of the film 's scenes , including one in which the main character wears the sex toy .
`` I have an issue with the hyper-sexualization of our children , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't college .
I would n't even want to watch it in college , but I 'm conservative . ''
Ewalt 's son watched the movie at home because he 's learning remotely , and her three younger children could have caught glimpses of it , she said .
`` I hope they did n't , '' she said .
`` Pariah '' is part of the catalog of movies offered by the company Swank Motion Pictures Inc. , Barrington High School Principal Steve McWilliams said .
The film class , open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a list of movies that students can choose from .
The syllabus indicates which movies are rated R and which come with disclaimers regarding scenes that students and parents might find objectionable , he said .
`` It is n't something that we hide .
We are very forward , '' he said , adding four students chose to watch `` Pariah . ''
`` There are themes throughout literature , and certainly movies and such , that can be a little bit ... controversial , '' he said .
`` Certainly this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggles of a young lady that ... struggles with her sexuality , and it 's a tough theme .
In the right setting , those are important opportunities for students . ''
McWilliams said the school takes Ewalt 's complaint seriously .
`` We will look at it and made sure we made the appropriate decisions for this .
If things were violated in terms of school board policy , we will address it , '' he said .
The school also will re-examine its Swank catalog of movies to see if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A representative for Swank said , `` We do n't respond to reports like this .
I have no comment . ''
At the school board meeting , Harris acknowledged Ewalt 's `` disturbing comment '' about the movie and said the district would look into it .
He also announced a plan to reopen schools for hybrid learning Jan. 19 .
Ewalt said she appreciates the district 's quick response .
She does n't blame her son 's film teacher , she said , but blames district officials who approved the curriculum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .

Parent objects to content in Barrington High School film class
Adepero Oduye is shown in a scene from the R-rated movie "Pariah," which is included as an option for film class at Barrington High School. Focus Features
The mother of a senior at Barrington High School complained to the school board about a movie some students in a film class watched that portrays a sex toy.
School officials said they take the complaint seriously, but emphasized that students always have a choice about what to watch.
Heather Ewalt lodged her complaint in a voicemail that was played as part of public comment during the Barrington Area Unit District 220 board meeting held via Zoom on Tuesday night.
Ewalt's comments focused on what she called "reckless incompetence" from Superintendent Brian Harris for keeping students in distance learning. She mentioned the movie's depiction of a sex toy as an example of Harris' failed leadership, she told the Daily Herald.
The 2011 R-rated movie "Pariah" is a coming-of-age story of a Black lesbian teenager, a theme that Ewalt said she doesn't have a problem with. But she objected to some of the film's scenes, including one in which the main character wears the sex toy.
"I have an issue with the hyper-sexualization of our children," she said. "This is high school, it isn't college. I wouldn't even want to watch it in college, but I'm conservative."
Ewalt's son watched the movie at home because he's learning remotely, and her three younger children could have caught glimpses of it, she said. "I hope they didn't," she said.
"Pariah" is part of the catalog of K-12 movies offered by the company Swank Motion Pictures Inc., Barrington High School Principal Steve McWilliams said. The film class, open to seniors and occasionally juniors, features a list of movies that students can choose from. The syllabus indicates which movies are rated R and which come with disclaimers regarding scenes that students and parents might find objectionable, he said.
"It isn't something that we hide. We are very forward," he said, adding four students chose to watch "Pariah."
"There are themes throughout literature, and certainly movies and such, that can be a little bit ... controversial," he said. "Certainly this is a video that talks about the struggles of a young lady that ... struggles with her sexuality, and it's a tough theme. In the right setting, those are important opportunities for students."
McWilliams said the school takes Ewalt's complaint seriously.
"We will look at it and made sure we made the appropriate decisions for this. If things were violated in terms of school board policy, we will address it," he said.
The school also will re-examine its Swank catalog of movies to see if there are additional concerns, he said.
A representative for Swank said, "We don't respond to reports like this. I have no comment."
At the school board meeting, Harris acknowledged Ewalt's "disturbing comment" about the movie and said the district would look into it. He also announced a plan to reopen schools for hybrid learning Jan. 19.
Ewalt said she appreciates the district's quick response. She doesn't blame her son's film teacher, she said, but blames district officials who approved the curriculum, which ultimately means the superintendent, she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-16--Restaurateur planning firehouse-style eatery in downtown Antioch

Since he frequently is asked the same question , restaurateur Kris Schoenberger jokingly agrees the answer must be `` yes . ''
`` I get asked every day if I 'm crazy , '' said Schoenberger , a Salem , Wisconsin resident who is pursuing another dining venture less than two weeks after opening a new restaurant in Kenosha .
This time , the proprietor of BBQ 'd Productions wants to convert the former David 's Bistro space in downtown Antioch into a concept to be called Station 51 .
A big part of the plan is to remake the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the early 1900s but has been modified over time .
Exterior work is expected to represent about $ 204,000 of the $ 400,000 overall investment .
Antioch will contribute $ 100,000 to the facade work , which is by far the largest awarded since the village 's facade improvement program began in 2016 , said Community Development Director Michael Garrigan .
The previous largest was $ 25,000 .
Grant funds must be reimbursed on a pro rata basis if the business operates five years or less .
The building is comprised of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bistro restaurant in two of them for about 10 years before it closed a few months ago .
Schoenberger expanded a backyard barbecue catering business into a sit-down restaurant called BBQ 'd Productions on Route 45 in Third Lake in 2014 .
A second location opened on Route 12 in Lake Zurich in 2017 , and the Kenosha eatery debuted less than two weeks ago .
A fan of traditional downtowns with an old-time feel , Schoenberger has visited Antioch many times and was open to an opportunity there .
The owner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , and things fell in place .
He said village staff and officials have been instrumental in making the project possible .
`` It 's a very community-oriented town , '' Schoenberger said .
`` We have the belief that if we support the community , the community will support us .
That 's why we 're opening during a pandemic . ''
Work could begin next week with a planned April 1 opening .
Garrigan described it as a significant investment that will create jobs , attract visitors and help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a major anchor along the northern corridor '' of the downtown , Garrigan said .
Schoenberger said the 80- to 90-seat restaurant will be a `` new brand , new concept '' in which diners will select dishes from six different virtual food trucks to be cooked to order .
As proposed , the exterior work will create enlarged bays outfitted with overhead doors that can be opened in summer to emulate a `` firehouse look , '' according to grant documents .
`` You need something that people go , 'Wow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schoenberger said .
`` Curb appeal . ''
The firehouse features will be a nod to a building just north on Main Street , built in 1907 as the village hall and police and fire departments , with room for one fire truck .
Schoenberger said the name Station 51 is a reference to fire stations depicted in the TV shows `` Emergency '' and `` Chicago Fire , '' and to honor the 75th anniversary of his grandfather 's resort on Highway 51 in Wisconsin .

Restaurateur planning firehouse-style eatery in downtown Antioch
A rendering shows a facade improvement for the proposed Station 51 restaurant being planned for the former David's Bistro space at 883 Main St., in downtown Antioch. Courtesy of village of Antioch
Renderings of facade improvement for the proposed Station 51 restaurant being planned for the former David's Bistro space at 883 Main St., in downtown Antioch: The current look is on the left and a proposed plan is on the right. Courtesy of village of Antioch
Since he frequently is asked the same question, restaurateur Kris Schoenberger jokingly agrees the answer must be "yes."
"I get asked every day if I'm crazy," said Schoenberger, a Salem, Wisconsin resident who is pursuing another dining venture less than two weeks after opening a new restaurant in Kenosha.
This time, the proprietor of BBQ'd Productions wants to convert the former David's Bistro space in downtown Antioch into a concept to be called Station 51.
A big part of the plan is to remake the exterior of the building, which dates to the early 1900s but has been modified over time. Exterior work is expected to represent about $204,000 of the $400,000 overall investment.
Antioch will contribute $100,000 to the facade work, which is by far the largest awarded since the village's facade improvement program began in 2016, said Community Development Director Michael Garrigan.
The previous largest was $25,000. Grant funds must be reimbursed on a pro rata basis if the business operates five years or less.
The building is comprised of three storefronts. It housed David's Bistro restaurant in two of them for about 10 years before it closed a few months ago.
Schoenberger expanded a backyard barbecue catering business into a sit-down restaurant called BBQ'd Productions on Route 45 in Third Lake in 2014. A second location opened on Route 12 in Lake Zurich in 2017, and the Kenosha eatery debuted less than two weeks ago.
A fan of traditional downtowns with an old-time feel, Schoenberger has visited Antioch many times and was open to an opportunity there. The owner of David's Bistro is a friend, he said, and things fell in place.
He said village staff and officials have been instrumental in making the project possible.
"It's a very community-oriented town," Schoenberger said. "We have the belief that if we support the community, the community will support us. That's why we're opening during a pandemic."
Work could begin next week with a planned April 1 opening.
Garrigan described it as a significant investment that will create jobs, attract visitors and help other businesses nearby.
"It will be a major anchor along the northern corridor" of the downtown, Garrigan said.
Schoenberger said the 80- to 90-seat restaurant will be a "new brand, new concept" in which diners will select dishes from six different virtual food trucks to be cooked to order.
As proposed, the exterior work will create enlarged bays outfitted with overhead doors that can be opened in summer to emulate a "firehouse look," according to grant documents.
"You need something that people go, 'Wow. What's that?' " Schoenberger said. "Curb appeal."
The firehouse features will be a nod to a building just north on Main Street, built in 1907 as the village hall and police and fire departments, with room for one fire truck.
Schoenberger said the name Station 51 is a reference to fire stations depicted in the TV shows "Emergency" and "Chicago Fire," and to honor the 75th anniversary of his grandfather's resort on Highway 51 in Wisconsin.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-16--Illinois struggles to recruit in-state kids. Could Jeff Monken's triple option fix that?

On the first day of the football signing period Wednesday , the Daily Herald has a chart of suburban players headed to schools like Arizona , Penn State , Wisconsin , Northwestern and Minnesota .
That would be the state 's flagship university , Illinois .
Even before Lovie Smith was fired as the Illini coach Sunday , Illinois had commitments from 13 players .
Not a single one from Illinois .
And that 's been the trend , not an outlier .
Why do the Illini have such a hard time recruiting Illinois ?
Ted Monken , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago whose family is as synonymous with high school football in Illinois as any , puts the blame both with Smith and larger issues .
`` Lovie did n't make any effort , '' Monken said .
`` None of the high school coaches I talked to had any contact with Lovie let alone the assistants .
They really do n't know the coaches .
And Lovie is a good coach , he went to the Super Bowl and the Bears have fallen off since he left .
I 'm not saying he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't think he understands the college game .
It 's all about recruiting .
`` When Lovie Smith got the job , how hard would it have been for him to bite the bullet , spend half of April and May and hit as many schools as he could and try to impress on every coach who at the time would love to meet Lovie Smith , he was the big name , he 's walking into the school , he 's coming to say hello to my players ?
Just spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to lay the groundwork .
And after that you do n't have to go to every school , send your assistants out , and you go see the good players like every coach does .
He made zero effort . ''
Because of that and other reasons , Smith is out at Illinois after going 17-39 in five seasons .
Monken 's brother Todd , the offensive coordinator at Georgia , and his cousin Jeff , the head coach at Army , are two names that show up often as potential Lovie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school football in the state .
Ted and Todd 's father Bob coached at Lake Park and started the Illinois Football Coaches Association All-State program 26 years ago that Ted does a lot of the work for today .
Jeff 's father Mike coached at Joliet East , and Bob and Mike Monken had three brothers who also coached high school football .
When you add in the next generation that Ted is part of , there 's 12 Monkens who have coached at least one year of high school football in Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state who could help with recruiting , you would think it would be a Monken .
Ted Monken said Todd , who also has NFL experience as offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay and Cleveland , is happy where he is .
Todd 's name has surfaced with past Illini searches , but Ted said Todd 's agent never got a call from Illinois .
So do n't expect this year 's opening to be a fit .
`` It 's hard to leave Georgia and all the success they are having , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not a financial decision because he 's doing well at Georgia .
He would probably make more money at Illinois but it 's not like he 's going to the soup kitchen .
You want to move from Athens , Georgia to Champaign ?
He would rather stay there or bounce back to the NFL than try to restart at Illinois and maybe be fired in four or five years . ''
Jeff is the more likely candidate .
He 's 48-38 in 7 seasons at Army where he runs the triple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson at Georgia Tech .
Ted thinks the triple option , and Jeff 's recruiting , would work in Champaign .
`` He definitely would ( improve recruiting ) , '' Ted said .
`` The kids in Illinois would fit the triple option .
There would be enough big guys , enough road graders , he could scholarship the hell out of these linemen in Illinois .
I 'm not sure you can recruit Illinois to be an air raid team .
He would do a heck of a job because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 'm not saying these things just because I want Jeff to get the job .
Any of those guys who run the triple , it makes a ton of sense to go that direction .
Look what Georgia Tech did .
They went from being a nonfactor to being competitive and scared the heck out of everybody every week . ''
Whoever the next football coach is at Illinois , and speculation continues to range from the Monkens to dream candidates like Cincinnati 's Luke Fickell to more realistic targets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coach is going to have a heck of a time improving instate recruiting .
Other Midwestern states do n't have the same problem keeping top players home .
`` Wisconsin rarely scholarships a kid instate because every kid would grow up dying to be a Badger , and kids were tickled to death to be a preferred walk-on , '' Monken said .
`` That 's a fortunate situation that Illinois just does n't have .
Kids in Illinois do n't grow up wanting to be Illini .
They are more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans .
`` Illinois has been the definition of insanity , '' Monken continued .
`` Continue to do the same thing over and expect a different result .
Right now they ca n't beat anybody on a recruit .
Who is Illinois going to beat on a recruit ?
If you are a player and have a choice to go to Iowa or Illinois , you will probably go to Iowa .
You have a chance to win some games and be competitive . ''
Illini athletic director Josh Whitman said instate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next coach .
Monken hopes so , and thinks a change in the offensive identity can help .
`` So who does Illinois beat like this ?
I 'm going to try to beat you at what you are doing with lesser players , '' Monken said .
`` You have to be the reincarnation of Knute Rockne , Vince Lombardi and whoever else all rolled into one .
I think it would make a ton of sense for Illinois to go with the triple option .
When you have good players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare for especially when you see it one time a year .
I think Illinois would be brilliant to bring him in ( Jeff Monken ) or someone like him but I 'm afraid they are going to go with another retread , a good coach that will go to Illinois to die . ''

Illinois struggles to recruit in-state kids. Could Jeff Monken's triple option fix that?
Former St. Charles East and West Chicago football coach Ted Monken has some candid thoughts on the search for Lovie Smith's replacement at Illinois. Daily Herald File Photo
Could the triple option offense work at Illinois? Jeff Monken coaches it at Army and is on the list of potential candidates to replace Lovie Smith as the Illini's new head coach. ASSOCIATED PRESS
On the first day of the football signing period Wednesday, the Daily Herald has a chart of suburban players headed to schools like Arizona, Penn State, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Minnesota.
One school noticeably absent?
That would be the state's flagship university, Illinois.
Even before Lovie Smith was fired as the Illini coach Sunday, Illinois had commitments from 14 players, only 3 from Illinois.
And that's been the trend, not an outlier.
Why do the Illini have such a hard time recruiting Illinois?
Ted Monken, a former coach at St. Charles East and West Chicago whose family is as synonymous with high school football in Illinois as any, puts the blame both with Smith and larger issues.
"Lovie didn't make any effort," Monken said. "None of the high school coaches I talked to had any contact with Lovie let alone the assistants. They really don't know the coaches. And Lovie is a good coach, he went to the Super Bowl and the Bears have fallen off since he left. I'm not saying he's a bad football coach. I don't think he understands the college game. It's all about recruiting.
"When Lovie Smith got the job, how hard would it have been for him to bite the bullet, spend half of April and May and hit as many schools as he could and try to impress on every coach who at the time would love to meet Lovie Smith, he was the big name, he's walking into the school, he's coming to say hello to my players? Just spend a month and a half of your time to lay the groundwork. And after that you don't have to go to every school, send your assistants out, and you go see the good players like every coach does. He made zero effort."
Because of that and other reasons, Smith is out at Illinois after going 17-39 in five seasons.
Monken's brother Todd, the offensive coordinator at Georgia, and his cousin Jeff, the head coach at Army, are two names that show up often as potential Lovie replacements.
The Monken family knows high school football in the state. Ted and Todd's father Bob coached at Lake Park and started the Illinois Football Coaches Association All-State program 26 years ago that Ted does a lot of the work for today. Jeff's father Mike coached at Joliet East, and Bob and Mike Monken had three brothers who also coached high school football.
When you add in the next generation that Ted is part of, there's 12 Monkens who have coached at least one year of high school football in Illinois.
If anyone would have contacts around the state who could help with recruiting, you would think it would be a Monken.
Ted Monken said Todd, who also has NFL experience as offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay and Cleveland, is happy where he is. Todd's name has surfaced with past Illini searches, but Ted said Todd's agent never got a call from Illinois.
So don't expect this year's opening to be a fit.
"It's hard to leave Georgia and all the success they are having," Ted Monken said. "It's not a financial decision because he's doing well at Georgia. He would probably make more money at Illinois but it's not like he's going to the soup kitchen. You want to move from Athens, Georgia to Champaign? He would rather stay there or bounce back to the NFL than try to restart at Illinois and maybe be fired in four or five years."
Jeff is the more likely candidate. He's 48-38 in 7 seasons at Army where he runs the triple option, which he learned under Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech.
Ted thinks the triple option, and Jeff's recruiting, would work in Champaign.
"He definitely would (improve recruiting)," Ted said. "The kids in Illinois would fit the triple option. There would be enough big guys, enough road graders, he could scholarship the hell out of these linemen in Illinois. I'm not sure you can recruit Illinois to be an air raid team. He would do a heck of a job because he gets it, he knows the coaches.
"I'm not saying these things just because I want Jeff to get the job. Any of those guys who run the triple, it makes a ton of sense to go that direction. Look what Georgia Tech did. They went from being a nonfactor to being competitive and scared the heck out of everybody every week."
Whoever the next football coach is at Illinois, and speculation continues to range from the Monkens to dream candidates like Cincinnati's Luke Fickell to more realistic targets like Buffalo's Lance Leipold, the new coach is going to have a heck of a time improving instate recruiting.
Other Midwestern states don't have the same problem keeping top players home.
"Wisconsin rarely scholarships a kid instate because every kid would grow up dying to be a Badger, and kids were tickled to death to be a preferred walk-on," Monken said. "That's a fortunate situation that Illinois just doesn't have. Kids in Illinois don't grow up wanting to be Illini. They are more likely to be Ohio State or Notre Dame fans.
"Illinois has been the definition of insanity," Monken continued. "Continue to do the same thing over and expect a different result. Right now they can't beat anybody on a recruit. Who is Illinois going to beat on a recruit? If you are a player and have a choice to go to Iowa or Illinois, you will probably go to Iowa. You have a chance to win some games and be competitive."
Illini athletic director Josh Whitman said instate recruiting will be a priority in selecting the next coach.
Monken hopes so, and thinks a change in the offensive identity can help.
"So who does Illinois beat like this? I'm going to try to beat you at what you are doing with lesser players," Monken said. "You have to be the reincarnation of Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi and whoever else all rolled into one. I think it would make a ton of sense for Illinois to go with the triple option. When you have good players it's a bear to stop and prepare for especially when you see it one time a year. I think Illinois would be brilliant to bring him in (Jeff Monken) or someone like him but I'm afraid they are going to go with another retread, a good coach that will go to Illinois to die."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-16--Lake Zurich trustee pleads not guilty to domestic battery charges

Lake Zurich village Trustee Jim Beaudoin pleaded not guilty to two domestic violence charges before a Lake County judge Wednesday morning .
The charges stem from an altercation at Beaudoin 's home early Saturday morning , details of which were presented at the hearing conducted over Zoom .
Assistant State 's Attorney Kristian Nordby said Beaudoin and his girlfriend were arguing and Beaudoin flipped her on her back and briefly choked her .
The woman struck Beaudoin in the face to get him off her .
Nordby said the police officer who arrested Beaudoin observed the woman had redness on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense attorney , Douglas Zeit , said it was probably true there was some redness on the woman but that it happened when Beaudoin pushed her away after she had struck him in the face with a glass .
Zeit said Beaudoin was bleeding from the face as a result of the blow and he pushed her because he did n't want anyone else to get hurt by the broken glass .
Zeit also requested the terms of Beaudoin 's bail be changed so he could return to the house he shares with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virtual hearing and also requested Beaudoin be allowed to return home .
`` This was an isolated incident , '' she said .
`` I do n't even know what happened .
It never should have happened .
Jim is a good person .
I would really appreciate it if you would let him come home . ''
Beaudoin 's girlfriend said she had COVID-19 a couple of weeks ago and has been having some neurological problems , including blackouts and loss of memory , in the time since .
Judge Reginald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday morning after Nordby had a chance to speak with the woman .
Beaudoin , 47 , is charged with one count of domestic battery causing bodily harm and one count of domestic battery involving physical contact .
Both are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail , if he 's convicted .
He paid 10 % of his $ 10,000 bail and was released from jail while the case is pending .
He appeared at the virtual court hearing from his attorney 's office .
Beaudoin 's term as village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring .
He has not yet filed candidacy paperwork to seek another term in the April 6 election .
This is not Beaudoin 's first run-in with the law while serving on the village board .
He was arrested in March 21 , 2019 , after crashing his Audi A4 into a `` No Outlet '' sign and a tree near the intersection of Prairie Lane and Cedar Street .
He was charged with DUI but later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor reckless driving .
Under the plea agreement , a conviction would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he met all the conditions of his supervision sentence .
Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton said Wednesday that Beaudoin has not offered to resign from the board .

Lake Zurich trustee pleads not guilty to domestic battery charges
Lake Zurich village Trustee Jim Beaudoin pleaded not guilty to two domestic violence charges before a Lake County judge Wednesday morning.
The charges stem from an altercation at Beaudoin's home early Saturday morning, details of which were presented at the hearing conducted over Zoom.
Assistant State's Attorney Kristian Nordby said Beaudoin and his girlfriend were arguing and Beaudoin flipped her on her back and briefly choked her. The woman struck Beaudoin in the face to get him off her.
Nordby said the police officer who arrested Beaudoin observed the woman had redness on her neck and back.
Beaudoin's defense attorney, Douglas Zeit, said it was probably true there was some redness on the woman but that it happened when Beaudoin pushed her away after she had struck him in the face with a glass.
Zeit said Beaudoin was bleeding from the face as a result of the blow and he pushed her because he didn't want anyone else to get hurt by the broken glass.
Zeit also requested the terms of Beaudoin's bail be changed so he could return to the house he shares with his girlfriend.
His girlfriend appeared at the virtual hearing and also requested Beaudoin be allowed to return home.
"This was an isolated incident," she said. "I don't even know what happened. It never should have happened. Jim is a good person. I would really appreciate it if you would let him come home."
Beaudoin's girlfriend said she had COVID-19 a couple of weeks ago and has been having some neurological problems, including blackouts and loss of memory, in the time since.
Judge Reginald C. Mathews ordered the hearing to resume Friday morning after Nordby had a chance to speak with the woman.
Beaudoin, 47, is charged with one count of domestic battery causing bodily harm and one count of domestic battery involving physical contact. Both are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail, if he's convicted.
He paid 10% of his $10,000 bail and was released from jail while the case is pending. He appeared at the virtual court hearing from his attorney's office.
Beaudoin's term as village trustee is set to expire in the spring. He has not yet filed candidacy paperwork to seek another term in the April 6 election.
This is not Beaudoin's first run-in with the law while serving on the village board.
He was arrested in March 21, 2019, after crashing his Audi A4 into a "No Outlet" sign and a tree near the intersection of Prairie Lane and Cedar Street. He was charged with DUI but later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor reckless driving. Under the plea agreement, a conviction would not stand on Beaudoin's record if he met all the conditions of his supervision sentence.
Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton said Wednesday that Beaudoin has not offered to resign from the board.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-16--Believe Project: $100 to help woman with breast cancer

Today 's recipient of a $ 100 bill through the Believe Project is Leticia Felman of Mount Prospect .
Felman @ @ @ @ @ with stage 4 breast cancer .
Here is an excerpt of her story : '' @ @ @ @ @ of three beautiful children all under the ages of 14 .
She is n't able @ @ @ @ @ medical condition .
She is doing the best she can raising her daughters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ friends and family , but the Believe Project would substantially help pay off her outstanding @ @ @ @ @ The Believe Project is awarding $ 100 each day in December to a different person @ @ @ @ @ how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else .
Submit @ @ @ @ @ 150 words or fewer at events.dailyherald.com/believe/ .

Believe Project: $100 to help woman with breast cancer
Today's recipient of a $100 bill through the Believe Project is Leticia Felman of Mount Prospect.
Felman wants to help a woman with stage 4 breast cancer. Here is an excerpt of her story:
"She is a single mom of three beautiful children all under the ages of 14. She isn't able to work because of her medical condition. She is doing the best she can raising her daughters.
"She is receiving help from friends and family, but the Believe Project would substantially help pay off her outstanding medical bills."
• The Believe Project is awarding $100 each day in December to a different person with a great idea for how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else. Submit your idea for consideration in 150 words or fewer at events.dailyherald.com/believe/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Feder: WGN Radio names Steve Alexander to succeed Orion Samuelson

When the legendary Orion Samuelson retires at the end of the month after 60 years at WGN 720-AM , he @ @ @ @ @ beat to Steve Alexander , who 's been a news-and-business anchor and reporter at the @ @ @ @ @ since 2007 , Robert Feder writes .
`` Steve grew up on a farm and @ @ @ @ @ what is important to our audience of farmers , food producers and consumers , '' @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am delighted that he is available to continue the WGN tradition of @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com @

Feder: WGN Radio names Steve Alexander to succeed Orion Samuelson
When the legendary Orion Samuelson retires at the end of the month after 60 years at WGN 720-AM, he'll turn over the agribusiness beat to Steve Alexander, who's been a news-and-business anchor and reporter at the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station since 2007, Robert Feder writes.
"Steve grew up on a farm and has the knowledge to know what is important to our audience of farmers, food producers and consumers," Samuelson said of his successor. "I am delighted that he is available to continue the WGN tradition of serving this most important audience."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-16--Antigen testing, vaccine start to help fight big hospital numbers in Kane County

The new use of rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 and deployment of Pfizer 's vaccine are bolstering the outlook of Kane County public health professionals .
But they warned against the public letting down its guard as the number of patients in hospital beds is far beyond anything experienced in recent months .
The county received the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test shortly before Thanksgiving .
It has administered 425 of those tests at six sites , mostly at homeless shelters , long-term care facilities and industrial businesses .
So far , 20 have come back positive .
The county health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any businesses or organizations interested in using rapid antigen tests , but a Clinical Laboratory Implement Act waiver is needed , as well as a standing order from a medical provider .
`` We ca n't just give them to anyone , '' said Kathy Fosser , interim executive director of the health department .
The newest weapon in the pandemic fight is deployment of Pfizer 's vaccine .
Health officials expect Moderna 's version will receive emergency use authorization by this weekend , allowing it to also roll out in Kane County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet on how many doses will be locally available .
For that reason , medical personnel and long-term care centers will be the focus for the initial doses .
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses .
Staff members and residents at the county jail , because of the relatively tight living quarters , will also get access to the vaccine before the general public .
Once vaccine manufacturing increases , the health department said local pharmacies and primary care doctors should have access to the shots .
While the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing providers to charge a fee to cover administration costs .
Health officials said most health insurance plans should cover that cost .
It 's unclear yet if any professions will require getting the vaccine as a condition of ongoing employment .
Michael Isaacson , the county 's assistant director for community health , said he has `` not heard directly of a lot of strong movement to require it in the near term .
Could that change over time ?
It certainly could . ''
That said , Isaacson encouraged as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soon as they can .
He pointed to a `` dramatic increase '' positive COVID-19 tests since the summer .
The positivity rate in Kane County has stayed above 12 % for two months , beyond the 8 % goal set in the summer .
Likewise , the availability of ICU and medical-surgical beds has bounced just above and below the target of at least 20 % capacity for the last month .
`` We have not seen the overwhelming spike , although we still have way too much COVID activity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our hospitals are quite busy .
We are still seeing way too many people who are seriously ill , and the number of deaths in a week that we 're seeing in Kane County is still 10 times what we were seeing in the summer . ''

Antigen testing, vaccine start to help fight big hospital numbers in Kane County
The new use of rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 and deployment of Pfizer's vaccine are bolstering the outlook of Kane County public health professionals.
But they warned against the public letting down its guard as the number of patients in hospital beds is far beyond anything experienced in recent months.
The county received the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test shortly before Thanksgiving. It has administered 425 of those tests at six sites, mostly at homeless shelters, long-term care facilities and industrial businesses. So far, 20 have come back positive.
The county health department does have a tool kit for any businesses or organizations interested in using rapid antigen tests, but a Clinical Laboratory Implement Act waiver is needed, as well as a standing order from a medical provider.
"We can't just give them to anyone," said Kathy Fosser, interim executive director of the health department.
The newest weapon in the pandemic fight is deployment of Pfizer's vaccine. Health officials expect Moderna's version will receive emergency use authorization by this weekend, allowing it to also roll out in Kane County next week. There are no estimates yet on how many doses will be locally available.
For that reason, medical personnel and long-term care centers will be the focus for the initial doses. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses.
Staff members and residents at the county jail, because of the relatively tight living quarters, will also get access to the vaccine before the general public.
Once vaccine manufacturing increases, the health department said local pharmacies and primary care doctors should have access to the shots.
While the vaccine is free, the federal government is allowing providers to charge a fee to cover administration costs. Health officials said most health insurance plans should cover that cost.
It's unclear yet if any professions will require getting the vaccine as a condition of ongoing employment. Michael Isaacson, the county's assistant director for community health, said he has "not heard directly of a lot of strong movement to require it in the near term. Could that change over time? It certainly could."
That said, Isaacson encouraged as many people as possible to get the vaccine as soon as they can. He pointed to a "dramatic increase" positive COVID-19 tests since the summer.
The positivity rate in Kane County has stayed above 12% for two months, beyond the 8% goal set in the summer. Likewise, the availability of ICU and medical-surgical beds has bounced just above and below the target of at least 20% capacity for the last month.
"We have not seen the overwhelming spike, although we still have way too much COVID activity in the community," Isaacson said. "Our hospitals are quite busy. We are still seeing way too many people who are seriously ill, and the number of deaths in a week that we're seeing in Kane County is still 10 times what we were seeing in the summer."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Suburban medical workers line up to receive COVID-19 vaccines

Before dawn , an ordinary , gray minivan pulled up to an Edward Hospital loading deck .
For 10 long months , medical workers had waited for the sight of that van and the precious cargo inside : boxes filled with vaccine doses and new hope for the beginning of the end of the pandemic that has killed 14,835 people in Illinois .
Initial batches of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine began arriving with police escorts to hospitals across the suburbs early Thursday .
Within hours , health care workers who have cared for COVID-19 patients daily since March lined up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in Naperville administered the first dose to Aminderjit Dhanoa , a 37-year-old respiratory therapist and a COVID-19 survivor himself .
In a show of confidence for the vaccine , Elmhurst Hospital President and CEO Pamela Dunley got her shot without a wince .
But seeing the vial brought tears to her eyes .
Ready for relief for a hospital system that , just a month ago , was treating 175 virus patients during the worst of the fall surge .
`` It 's been an emotional nine months , '' said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 've shed a lot of tears in the last year . ''
The vaccine deliveries also reached Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights , NorthShore University HealthSystem and Advocate Aurora Health hospitals four days after the state 's shipment arrived to a Strategic National Stockpile site this week .
That set off a logistically complex distribution effort , as the state sent vaccines to 10 `` hub '' hospitals across Illinois to store .
In most cases , county health departments are distributing those doses to other health care providers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the entire county -- all 13,650 doses -- in ultracold freezers .
The county health department on Thursday started delivering the vaccine from the medical group facility to area hospitals .
Pfizer 's two-dose vaccine has to be stored at minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit .
Once hospital officials `` break the cold chain , '' the vaccines must be used within about five days .
`` No one wants to waste a dose , so this gives us the ability to make sure that we can have a process in place , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical officer of DuPage Medical Group .
He estimated about half the county 's doses went out Thursday morning .
`` And I think the next half will go out over the next two , three days . ''
Health care systems have a tiered system to stagger vaccinations in order to avoid staffing constraints should employees experience any side effects .
In addition to hospital workers , local fire department paramedics from Arlington Heights , Schaumburg , Palatine , Prospect Heights and Itasca were getting vaccinated Thursday at Northwest Community Hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 doses -- will be given throughout this week .
The goal is to vaccinate 150 people an hour .
As more vaccines are delivered in the coming weeks , Northwest Community Hospital intends to make the vaccine available to every employee who wants it .
Medical workers are voluntarily signing up for the inoculations with the hope of sending a message to counter public apprehension about the vaccine .
Laura Aagesen , a Northwest Community emergency room nurse , wanted to be sure to be among the first in line .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects because I 've seen the side effects of COVID , and I feel ( they ) far outweigh the minimal risk involved with the shot , '' Aagesen said .
`` My son had COVID , and he 's still having side effects from COVID . ''
As part of the registration process , the newly vaccinated are issued a standardized card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the date of their dose .
Those cards were delivered with the packages of vaccines .
Immunization records also are shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then those are reported to the CDC .
`` They have a very close tracking mechanism about what patient got what dose at what time , '' Hoscheit , a DuPage Medical gastroenterologist .
The 975 initial doses allotted to the DuPage physician group will cover just less than a third of its workforce .
It 's the first step toward some semblance of normalcy , but experts warn the pandemic is far from over .
`` It 's really important we do n't let our guards down , first of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care system , second of all , the people that are receiving the vaccine stay well enough to get their second dose of vaccine , '' Hoscheit said .
Dr. Robert Citronberg , an infectious disease specialist for Advocate Aurora Health , got his vaccine in memory of those who have died from COVID-19 and in salute of the health care workers who have worked tirelessly on the front lines .
`` I feel great , but I 'm still going to wear my mask , '' he said in a video .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing until we have this pandemic under control , and you should do the same thing . ''
• Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek and Scott C. Morgan contributed to this report

Suburban medical workers line up to receive COVID-19 vaccines
Sharon Bode gets the COVID-19 shot at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. courtesy of Advocate Health Care
COVID-19 vaccines are stored at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. courtesy of Advocate Health Care
Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin received an allotment of 960 doses of the vaccine. courtesy of Advocate Health Care
Dr. Vineet Dandekar receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin Thursday. Photo courtesy of Advocate Health Care
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comNurses Nikki Carini-Wardecki and Amy Rowe, left, prepare the vaccine given to respiratory therapist Aminderjit Dhanoa, 37, at Edward Hospital in Naperville Thursday afternoon.
Yarithza Saucedo receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. courtesy of Advocate Health Care
Smitha Thomas rolls up her sleeve for the COVID-19 vaccine at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Advocate Health Care
Before dawn, an ordinary, gray minivan pulled up to an Edward Hospital loading deck.
For 10 long months, medical workers had waited for the sight of that van and the precious cargo inside: boxes filled with vaccine doses and new hope for the beginning of the end of the pandemic that has killed 14,835 people in Illinois.
Initial batches of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine began arriving with police escorts to hospitals across the suburbs early Thursday. Within hours, health care workers who have cared for COVID-19 patients daily since March lined up for vaccines developed in record time.
Edward Hospital in Naperville administered the first dose to Aminderjit Dhanoa, a 37-year-old respiratory therapist and a COVID-19 survivor himself.
In a show of confidence for the vaccine, Elmhurst Hospital President and CEO Pamela Dunley got her shot without a wince. But seeing the vial brought tears to her eyes.
"I'm ready," she said.
Ready for relief for a hospital system that, just a month ago, was treating 175 virus patients during the worst of the fall surge.
"It's been an emotional nine months," said Dr. Sanjeeb Khatua, chief physician executive. "I've shed a lot of tears in the last year."
The vaccine deliveries also reached Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, NorthShore University HealthSystem and Advocate Aurora Health hospitals four days after the state's shipment arrived to a Strategic National Stockpile site this week.
That set off a logistically complex distribution effort, as the state sent vaccines to 10 "hub" hospitals across Illinois to store. In most cases, county health departments are distributing those doses to other health care providers.
DuPage Medical Group is storing the vaccines for the entire county -- all 13,650 doses -- in ultracold freezers. The county health department on Thursday started delivering the vaccine from the medical group facility to area hospitals.
Pfizer's two-dose vaccine has to be stored at minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit. Once hospital officials "break the cold chain," the vaccines must be used within about five days.
"No one wants to waste a dose, so this gives us the ability to make sure that we can have a process in place," said Dr. Donald Hoscheit, the chief medical officer of DuPage Medical Group.
He estimated about half the county's doses went out Thursday morning. "And I think the next half will go out over the next two, three days," he said.
Tracking doses
Health care systems have a tiered system that staggers vaccinations to avoid staffing constraints should employees experience any side effects.
In addition to hospital workers, local fire department paramedics from Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Palatine, Prospect Heights and Itasca were getting vaccinated Thursday at Northwest Community Hospital.
The initial supply of vaccines -- about 2,000 doses -- at the Arlington Heights hospital will be given throughout this week. The goal is to vaccinate 150 people an hour.
As more vaccines are delivered in the coming weeks, Northwest Community Hospital intends to make the vaccine available to every employee who wants it.
Medical workers are signing up for the inoculations with the hope of sending a message to counter public apprehension about the vaccine.
Laura Aagesen, a Northwest Community emergency room nurse, wanted to be sure to be among the first in line.
"I had no concerns about the side effects because I've seen the side effects of COVID, and I feel (they) far outweigh the minimal risk involved with the shot," Aagesen said. "My son had COVID, and he's still having side effects from COVID."
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Nurse Nikki Carini-Wardecki checks on paperwork for respiratory therapist Aminderjit Dhanoa, 37, after he got the first COVID-19 vaccination at Edward Hospital in Naperville Thursday afternoon.
As part of the registration process, the newly vaccinated are issued a standardized card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the date of their dose. Those cards were delivered with the packages of vaccines.
Immunization records also are shared with the state's I-CARE system, and then those are reported to the CDC.
"They have a very close tracking mechanism about what patient got what dose at what time," said Hoscheit, a DuPage Medical gastroenterologist.
A way forward
The 975 initial doses allotted to the DuPage physician group will cover just less than a third of its workforce.
It's the first step toward some semblance of normalcy, but experts warn the pandemic is far from over.
"It's really important we don't let our guards down, first of all so we don't overwhelm the health care system (and) second of all, the people that are receiving the vaccine stay well enough to get their second dose of vaccine," Hoscheit said.
Dr. Robert Citronberg, an infectious disease specialist for Advocate Aurora Health, got his vaccine in memory of those who have died from COVID-19 and in salute of the health care workers who have worked tirelessly on the front lines.
"I feel great, but I'm still going to wear my mask," he said in a video. "I'm still going to practice social distancing until we have this pandemic under control, and you should do the same thing."
• Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek and Scott C. Morgan contributed to this report


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Illinois COVID deaths, cases rise slightly; 43,000 vaccine doses delivered

Deaths and COVID-19 infections rose slightly Thursday with 8,828 new cases and 181 more deaths from the respiratory disease , as the state finalized distribution of its first 86,000 vaccine doses .
A total of 43,000 Pfizer Inc. doses were delivered to the majority of counties in Illinois , with 22,925 doses going to hospitals in DuPage , Kane and Will counties Thursday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said at a briefing .
Another 43,000 doses were sent directly from the federal government to health departments in suburban Cook , Lake , Madison and St. Clair counties .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been inoculated , `` with many more scheduled for today and throughout the weekend , '' Pritzker said .
The latest COVID-19 caseload surpassed the average of 7,907 over the last seven days .
Deaths were also higher than the seven-day average of 140 people , according to Illinois Department of Public Health data .
Meanwhile , logistics and manufacturing issues may have caused the federal government 's Operation Warp Speed to reduce vaccine shipments to Illinois and other states next week , U.S. lawmakers said .
Pritzker announced Wednesday that federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's share of vaccines would be halved next week .
Sen. Dick Durbin said he received a briefing from Operation Warp Speed leaders Thursday `` following inconsistent reports '' about expected vaccine amounts .
`` I will continue working with Illinois officials to hold Operation Warp Speed accountable and ensure our state can smoothly and equitably implement this public health campaign , '' Durbin stated .
`` As the federal government moves forward in making decisions on purchasing doses , distribution strategy , and timelines , it is imperative that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain public confidence in the process . ''
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , a Schaumburg Democrat who sits on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform , said lawmakers intended to review the discrepancies and formulate a plan to ensure Illinois `` gets the doses we need to get past this pandemic . ''
Meanwhile , Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield , a member of the House Ways and Means Committee , said a request is out to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to explain how vaccine distribution will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to prepare for vaccine rollout `` whether it is standing up robust supply chains for PPE , taking up offers from Pfizer to buy more doses this summer , or building sufficient vaccine distribution capacities now , '' Schneider said .
Pritzker also reaffirmed he does n't intend to relax strict restrictions that have shut down restaurants except for carryout , closed theaters and casinos , and reduced capacity at shops , among other measures .
Overall , daily infections in December , which average 8,975 , are less than November 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers are less , '' IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said .
But `` we 're still talking about 8,000 cases .
If you have 8,000 cases , there 's going to be a day -- a few weeks from now -- when corresponding to that you 're going to have over 100 deaths . ''
Illinois hospitals were treating 4,751 patients with the virus as of Wednesday night , fewer than the seven-day average of 4,960 people .
The positivity rate for COVID-19 cases measured 8.4 % , based on a seven-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ago .
That number is calculated by dividing the number of new COVID-19 cases diagnosed by the total tests processed .
State labs processed 92,015 tests in the last 24 hours .
Since the pandemic began , 14,835 people have died of COVID-19 and the state has recorded 879,428 cases .

Illinois COVID deaths, cases rise slightly; 43,000 vaccine doses delivered
The COVID-19 vaccine arrives at Edward Hospital in Naperville on Thursday morning. Photo courtesy of Edward Hospital
Deaths and COVID-19 infections rose slightly Thursday with 8,828 new cases and 181 more deaths from the respiratory disease, as the state finalized distribution of its first 86,000 vaccine doses.
A total of 43,000 Pfizer Inc. doses were delivered to the majority of counties in Illinois, with 22,925 doses going to hospitals in DuPage, Kane and Will counties Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a briefing.
Another 43,000 doses were sent directly from the federal government to health departments in suburban Cook, Lake, Madison and St. Clair counties.
As of Thursday morning, 3,500 health care workers had been inoculated, "with many more scheduled for today and throughout the weekend," Pritzker said.
The latest COVID-19 caseload surpassed the average of 7,907 over the last seven days. Deaths were also higher than the seven-day average of 140 people, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data.
Vaccine shipments reduced?
Meanwhile, logistics and manufacturing issues may have caused the federal government's Operation Warp Speed to reduce vaccine shipments to Illinois and other states next week, U.S. lawmakers said.
Pritzker announced Wednesday that federal officials notified him without a reason that the state's share of vaccines would be halved next week.
Sen. Dick Durbin said he received a briefing from Operation Warp Speed leaders Thursday "following inconsistent reports" about expected vaccine amounts.
"I will continue working with Illinois officials to hold Operation Warp Speed accountable and ensure our state can smoothly and equitably implement this public health campaign," Durbin stated. "As the federal government moves forward in making decisions on purchasing doses, distribution strategy, and timelines, it is imperative that we be as transparent as possible in order to maintain public confidence in the process."
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Schaumburg Democrat who sits on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said lawmakers intended to review the discrepancies and formulate a plan to ensure Illinois "gets the doses we need to get past this pandemic."
Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said a request is out to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to explain how vaccine distribution will be expedited.
The White House has failed to prepare for vaccine rollout "whether it is standing up robust supply chains for PPE, taking up offers from Pfizer to buy more doses this summer, or building sufficient vaccine distribution capacities now," Schneider said.
Restrictions still in place
Pritzker also reaffirmed he doesn't intend to relax strict restrictions that have shut down restaurants except for carryout, closed theaters and casinos, and reduced capacity at shops, among other measures.
Overall, daily infections in December, which average 8,975, are less than November's tally of 10,278.
"Yes, the numbers are less," IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said. But "we're still talking about 8,000 cases. If you have 8,000 cases, there's going to be a day -- a few weeks from now -- when corresponding to that you're going to have over 100 deaths."
Illinois hospitals were treating 4,751 patients with the virus as of Wednesday night, fewer than the seven-day average of 4,960 people.
The positivity rate for COVID-19 cases measured 8.4%, based on a seven-day average, compared to 9.5% a week ago. That number is calculated by dividing the number of new COVID-19 cases diagnosed by the total tests processed.
State labs processed 92,015 tests in the last 24 hours.
Since the pandemic began, 14,835 people have died of COVID-19 and the state has recorded 879,428 cases.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Vernon Hills officials say it's time to stop flying flags at half-staff for COVID-19 victims

A state directive to fly the American flag at half-staff to honor those who 've died in Illinois from COVID-19 has run its course and flags again should be raised to full height , Vernon Hills officials say .
Village officials say the symbolic gesture of lowering the flag historically has been reserved to recognize military members and first responders who died in the line of duty , or the death of notable public servants .
Now that a coronavirus vaccine has been approved and is being administered , the directive to fly the U.S. and state flags at half-staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope for the future , '' village officials say .
In a letter to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , Mayor Roger Byrne said flags have been at half-staff for nine months and `` our residents are numb to the gesture , and most do not even know why the flags have been lowered .
`` During the same time period , there have been service members , as well as law enforcement and firefighters , killed in the line of duty during this never-ending period of mourning , '' Byrne wrote .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; a footnote to seeing the flag lowered , '' the letter states .
The idea to write Pritzker was suggested by village Trustee Jim Schultz .
The village board concurred and a draft was circulated for thoughts and input before being sent to Pritzker , according to Village Manager Mark Fleischhauer .
Schultz , an Army veteran , said the village years ago began a practice of honoring the fallen with a condolence letter and photo of the flag at half-staff .
And with the support of its public works team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We got a significant amount of feedback , '' including cards of thanks , Schultz said .
`` That got me in the mode of making sure the flags were correct , '' he added .
A month or so ago , he noticed flags on various municipal buildings in the area were at different heights and began looking into the matter .
`` We 're losing something here , '' said Schultz , a member of the AMVETS post in Wheeling and American Legion post in Vernon Hills .
`` Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same lines . ''
In April , Pritzker notified all entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act to fly American and state flags at half-staff to honor those who died from COVID-19 in Illinois .
But there was no termination date , Byrne wrote , and the idea was to continue the practice until the pandemic ended .
Schultz said he is `` exceedingly saddened '' by the deaths , disruption , and hardship caused by the virus but felt the flag matter should be given serious consideration .
`` There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so to speak , it 's just going to wind it 's way down .
No 'mission accomplished ' kind of thing , '' Schultz said .
`` Let 's utilize this ( flag act ) as it was initially intended , '' he added .
If the governor wants a visible symbol to honor COVID victims in Illinois , the letter suggests , state flags can be flown as half-staff with American flags returned to full height .
Pritzker 's press staff did not respond for comment .

Vernon Hills officials say it's time to stop flying flags at half-staff for COVID-19 victims
A state directive to fly the American flag at half-staff to honor those who've died in Illinois from COVID-19 has run its course and flags again should be raised to full height, Vernon Hills officials say.
Village officials say the symbolic gesture of lowering the flag historically has been reserved to recognize military members and first responders who died in the line of duty, or the death of notable public servants.
Now that a coronavirus vaccine has been approved and is being administered, the directive to fly the U.S. and state flags at half-staff should end "as a symbol of hope for the future," village officials say.
In a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Mayor Roger Byrne said flags have been at half-staff for nine months and "our residents are numb to the gesture, and most do not even know why the flags have been lowered.
"During the same time period, there have been service members, as well as law enforcement and firefighters, killed in the line of duty during this never-ending period of mourning," Byrne wrote.
"Recognition of their sacrifices has become diminished; a footnote to seeing the flag lowered," the letter states.
The idea to write Pritzker was suggested by village Trustee Jim Schultz. The village board concurred and a draft was circulated for thoughts and input before being sent to Pritzker, according to Village Manager Mark Fleischhauer.
Schultz, an Army veteran, said the village years ago began a practice of honoring the fallen with a condolence letter and photo of the flag at half-staff. And with the support of its public works team, the village established a flag protocol.
"We got a significant amount of feedback," including cards of thanks, Schultz said. "That got me in the mode of making sure the flags were correct," he added.
A month or so ago, he noticed flags on various municipal buildings in the area were at different heights and began looking into the matter.
"We're losing something here," said Schultz, a member of the AMVETS post in Wheeling and American Legion post in Vernon Hills. "Several of my brethren were thinking along the same lines."
In April, Pritzker notified all entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act to fly American and state flags at half-staff to honor those who died from COVID-19 in Illinois. But there was no termination date, Byrne wrote, and the idea was to continue the practice until the pandemic ended.
Schultz said he is "exceedingly saddened" by the deaths, disruption, and hardship caused by the virus but felt the flag matter should be given serious consideration.
"There's not going to be an end, so to speak, it's just going to wind it's way down. No 'mission accomplished' kind of thing," Schultz said.
"Let's utilize this (flag act) as it was initially intended," he added.
If the governor wants a visible symbol to honor COVID victims in Illinois, the letter suggests, state flags can be flown as half-staff with American flags returned to full height.
Pritzker's press staff did not respond for comment.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--FDA advisers pave way for second COVID-19 vaccine's U.S. rollout

WASHINGTON -- A government advisory panel endorsed a second COVID-19 vaccine Thursday , paving the way for the shot to be added to the U.S. vaccination campaign .
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the recommendation for the vaccine from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health .
The FDA advisers , in a 20-0 vote , agreed the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for those 18 years old and up .
The FDA 's green light for emergency use is expected quickly .
Moderna would then begin shipping millions of doses , earmarked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to boost the largest vaccination effort in U.S. history .
The campaign kicked off earlier this week with the first vaccine OK 'd in the U.S. , developed by Pfizer and BioNTech .
Moderna 's shot showed similarly strong protection , providing 94 % protection against COVID-19 in the company 's ongoing study of 30,000 people .
After seven hours of debate over technical details of the company 's study and follow-up plans , nearly all panelists backed making the vaccine available to help fight the pandemic .
One panel member abstained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in great detail on this vaccine highly outweighs any of the issues we 've seen , '' said Dr. Hayley Gans of Stanford University Medical Center .
A second vaccine is urgently needed as coronavirus infections , hospitalizations and deaths climb to new highs ahead of the holidays .
The U.S. leads the world in virus totals , with more than 1.6 million confirmed cases and nearly 309,000 reported deaths .
Moderna 's vaccine uses the same groundbreaking technology as Pfizer-BioNTech 's shot .
Most traditional vaccines use dead or weakened virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snippets of COVID-19 's genetic code to train the immune system to detect and fight the virus .
Both require two doses , several weeks apart .
Thursday 's review came days after reports of apparent allergic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in two Alaska health workers .
One person had a severe reaction , including shortness of breath , the other had less serious side effects , including lightheadedness .
While the two vaccines use the same technology , they 're not identical , cautioned Moderna chief medical officer Dr. Tal Zaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lipids , or fats , used to coat the two vaccines are different .
`` I would not necessarily assume '' that any reactions would be the same , he said .
The FDA found no severe allergic reactions in Moderna 's data but flagged a slightly higher rate of less serious side effects -- rash , hives , itching -- among participants who got the vaccine , compared with those receiving a dummy shot .
There were also three cases of Bell 's palsy , which temporarily paralyzes facial muscles , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among those getting a dummy shot .
The FDA review said the role of the shot in the vaccine group `` can not be ruled out . ''
An unanswered question is whether the vaccine also prevents people from symptomless infection -- but Moderna found a hint that it may .
Study participants had their noses swabbed prior to the second dose of either vaccine or placebo .
At that one timepoint , swabs from 14 vaccine recipients and 38 placebo recipients showed evidence of asymptomatic infection , said Moderna 's Dr. Jacqueline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. officials plan to move out an initial shipment of nearly 6 million Moderna doses .
The vaccine needs to be stored at regular freezer temperatures , but not the ultra-cold required for Pfizer-BioNTech 's shot .
Hundreds of millions of additional shots will be needed to eventually vaccinate the general public , which is n't expected until the spring or summer .
The government 's Operation Warp Speed program has orders for 200 million doses of Moderna 's vaccine .
That 's on top of 100 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses of that vaccine .
Like the first vaccine , Moderna 's vaccine will remain experimental as the company continues a two-year study needed to answer key questions , including how long protection lasts .
One of the trickiest issues panelists debated was how to keep study volunteers who received a dummy shot from dropping out to get the real shot once its authorized .
Their participation is critical in order to have a comparison for long-term safety and effectiveness .
Moderna proposed immediately alerting all those volunteers of their status and offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 25 % of its participants are health workers and some are already leaving to get the first vaccine .
But an invited expert from Stanford University urged Moderna to adopt Pfizer 's approach .
Pfizer plans to gradually vaccinate people in its placebo group based on when they would have normally had access to the vaccine , as priority groups are established .
But most panelists acknowledged it will be hard to keep volunteers from leaving the Moderna study if they have to wait to get the vaccine .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , '' said Dr. Steven Pergam of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance .
The only COVID-19 death in the 30,000 volunteers was in a placebo recipient , a 54-year-old man whose only risk factor was diabetes .
Knowing there could be more severe coronavirus in placebo recipients as the pandemic continues `` weighs heavily on me , '' said Moderna 's Miller .

FDA advisers pave way for second COVID-19 vaccine's U.S. rollout
Associated PressFILE - In this Monday, July 27, 2020 file photo, a nurse prepares a shot as a study of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., gets underway in Binghamton, N.Y. On Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, a panel of independent experts is meeting to discuss a vaccine made by Moderna. The panel's review for the Food and Drug Administration is the next-to-last step before the agency decides whether the shots can be used on an emergency basis.
WASHINGTON -- A government advisory panel endorsed a second COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, paving the way for the shot to be added to the U.S. vaccination campaign.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the recommendation for the vaccine from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. The FDA advisers, in a 20-0 vote, agreed the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for those 18 years old and up.
The FDA's green light for emergency use is expected quickly. Moderna would then begin shipping millions of doses, earmarked for health workers and nursing home residents, to boost the largest vaccination effort in U.S. history.
The campaign kicked off earlier this week with the first vaccine OK'd in the U.S., developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Moderna's shot showed similarly strong protection, providing 94% protection against COVID-19 in the company's ongoing study of 30,000 people.
After seven hours of debate over technical details of the company's study and follow-up plans, nearly all panelists backed making the vaccine available to help fight the pandemic. One panel member abstained.
"The evidence that has been studied in great detail on this vaccine highly outweighs any of the issues we've seen," said Dr. Hayley Gans of Stanford University Medical Center.
A second vaccine is urgently needed as coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths climb to new highs ahead of the holidays. The U.S. leads the world in virus totals, with more than 1.6 million confirmed cases and nearly 309,000 reported deaths.
Moderna's vaccine uses the same groundbreaking technology as Pfizer-BioNTech's shot. Most traditional vaccines use dead or weakened virus, but both of the new vaccines use snippets of COVID-19's genetic code to train the immune system to detect and fight the virus. Both require two doses, several weeks apart.
Thursday's review came days after reports of apparent allergic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in two Alaska health workers. One person had a severe reaction, including shortness of breath, the other had less serious side effects, including lightheadedness.
While the two vaccines use the same technology, they're not identical, cautioned Moderna chief medical officer Dr. Tal Zaks. In particular, some of the lipids, or fats, used to coat the two vaccines are different.
"I would not necessarily assume" that any reactions would be the same, he said.
The FDA found no severe allergic reactions in Moderna's data but flagged a slightly higher rate of less serious side effects -- rash, hives, itching -- among participants who got the vaccine, compared with those receiving a dummy shot.
There were also three cases of Bell's palsy, which temporarily paralyzes facial muscles, among vaccine recipients, compared with just one among those getting a dummy shot. The FDA review said the role of the shot in the vaccine group "cannot be ruled out."
An unanswered question is whether the vaccine also prevents people from symptomless infection -- but Moderna found a hint that it may. Study participants had their noses swabbed prior to the second dose of either vaccine or placebo. At that one timepoint, swabs from 14 vaccine recipients and 38 placebo recipients showed evidence of asymptomatic infection, said Moderna's Dr. Jacqueline Miller.
After the FDA acts, U.S. officials plan to move out an initial shipment of nearly 6 million Moderna doses. The vaccine needs to be stored at regular freezer temperatures, but not the ultra-cold required for Pfizer-BioNTech's shot.
Hundreds of millions of additional shots will be needed to eventually vaccinate the general public, which isn't expected until the spring or summer. The government's Operation Warp Speed program has orders for 200 million doses of Moderna's vaccine. That's on top of 100 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Officials are negotiating to purchase more doses of that vaccine.
Like the first vaccine, Moderna's vaccine will remain experimental as the company continues a two-year study needed to answer key questions, including how long protection lasts.
One of the trickiest issues panelists debated was how to keep study volunteers who received a dummy shot from dropping out to get the real shot once its authorized. Their participation is critical in order to have a comparison for long-term safety and effectiveness.
Moderna proposed immediately alerting all those volunteers of their status and offering them the vaccine. The company said more than 25% of its participants are health workers and some are already leaving to get the first vaccine.
But an invited expert from Stanford University urged Moderna to adopt Pfizer's approach. Pfizer plans to gradually vaccinate people in its placebo group based on when they would have normally had access to the vaccine, as priority groups are established.
But most panelists acknowledged it will be hard to keep volunteers from leaving the Moderna study if they have to wait to get the vaccine.
"The reality may make that too difficult to do," said Dr. Steven Pergam of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
The only COVID-19 death in the 30,000 volunteers was in a placebo recipient, a 54-year-old man whose only risk factor was diabetes.
Knowing there could be more severe coronavirus in placebo recipients as the pandemic continues "weighs heavily on me," said Moderna's Miller.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Parent objects to content in Barrington High School film class

The mother of a senior at Barrington High School complained to the school board about a movie some students in a film class watched that portrays a sex toy .
School officials said they take the complaint seriously , but emphasized that students always have a choice about what to watch .
Heather Ewalt lodged her complaint in a voicemail that was played as part of public comment during the Barrington Area Unit District 220 board meeting held via Zoom on Tuesday night .
Ewalt 's comments focused on what she called `` reckless incompetence '' from Superintendent Brian Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She mentioned the movie 's depiction of a sex toy as an example of Harris ' failed leadership , she told the Daily Herald .
The 2011 R-rated movie `` Pariah '' is a coming-of-age story of a Black lesbian teenager , a theme that Ewalt said she does n't have a problem with .
But she objected to some of the film 's scenes , including one in which the main character wears the sex toy .
`` I have an issue with the hyper-sexualization of our children , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is n't college .
I would n't even want to watch it in college , but I 'm conservative . ''
Ewalt 's son watched the movie at home because he 's learning remotely , and her three younger children could have caught glimpses of it , she said .
`` I hope they did n't , '' she said .
`` Pariah '' is part of the catalog of K-12 movies offered by the company Swank Motion Pictures Inc. , Barrington High School Principal Steve McWilliams said .
The film class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , features a list of movies that students can choose from .
The syllabus indicates which movies are rated R and which come with disclaimers regarding scenes that students and parents might find objectionable , he said .
`` It is n't something that we hide .
We are very forward , '' he said , adding four students chose to watch `` Pariah . ''
`` There are themes throughout literature , and certainly movies and such , that can be a little bit ... controversial , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the struggles of a young lady that ... struggles with her sexuality , and it 's a tough theme .
In the right setting , those are important opportunities for students . ''
McWilliams said the school takes Ewalt 's complaint seriously .
`` We will look at it and made sure we made the appropriate decisions for this .
If things were violated in terms of school board policy , we will address it , '' he said .
The school also will re-examine its Swank catalog of movies to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A representative for Swank said , `` We do n't respond to reports like this .
I have no comment . ''
At the school board meeting , Harris acknowledged Ewalt 's `` disturbing comment '' about the movie and said the district would look into it .
He also announced a plan to reopen schools for hybrid learning Jan. 19 .
Ewalt said she appreciates the district 's quick response .
She does n't blame her son 's film teacher , she said , but blames district officials who approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superintendent , she said .