dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-01--Washington state officials announce second coronavirus death in U.S.

SEATTLE -- Health officials in Washington state said Sunday night that a second person had died from the coronavirus .
Researchers said the virus may have been circulating for weeks undetected in the greater Seattle area .
In a statement , Public Health -- Seattle & King County said a man in his 70s died Saturday .
On Friday , health officials said a man in his 50s died of coronavirus .
Both had underlying health conditions , and both were being treated at a hospital in Kirkland , Washington , east of Seattle .
State and local authorities stepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of new cases grew nationwide , with new infections announced in Illinois , California , Rhode Island , New York and Washington state .
Authorities in the Seattle area said two more people had been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus , both men in their 60s who were in critical condition , and two health care workers in California were also diagnosed .
A man in his 50s died in Washington on Saturday , and health officials said 50 more people in a nursing facility in Kirkland , Washington , are sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday night , the International Association of Fire Fighters said 25 members who responded to calls for help at the nursing facility are being quarantined .
The first U.S. case was a Washington state man who had visited China , where the virus first emerged , but several recent cases in the U.S. have had no known connection to travelers .
In California , two health care workers in the San Francisco Bay area who cared for an earlier coronavirus patient were diagnosed with the virus on Sunday , the Alameda and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The health care workers are both employed at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville , California , and had exposure to a patient treated there before being transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento , the statement said .
That patient was the first person in the U.S. discovered to have contracted the coronavirus with no known overseas travel .
Alameda County declared a state of emergency on Sunday following the news .
Elsewhere , authorities announced Sunday a third case in Illinois and Rhode Island and New York 's first cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on basic goods such as bottled water , canned foods and toilet paper .
The hospitalized patient in Rhode Island is a man in his 40s who had traveled to Italy in February .
New York confirmed Sunday that a woman in her late 30s contracted the virus while traveling in Iran .
The patient is not in serious condition .
She has respiratory symptoms and has been in a controlled situation since arriving in New York , according to a statement from the governor 's office .
As the fallout continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar sought to reassure the American public that the federal government is working to make sure state and local authorities are able to test for the virus .
Both said during a round of TV talk show appearances Sunday that thousands more testing kits had been distributed to state and local officials , with thousands more to come .
`` They should know we have the best public health system in the world looking out for them , '' Azar said , adding that additional cases will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is low .
As the cases ticked up , some Americans stocked up on basic supplies -- particularly in areas with diagnosed cases -- and began to take note of the impact on daily life .
Stores such as Costco sold out of toilet paper , bottled water and hand sanitizer outside Portland , Oregon , where a case was announced Friday .
Sports games and practices were canceled into the coming school week .
Some churches said they would not offer communion because of fears of viral spread .
As Americans prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research Center and the University of Washington on Sunday said they had evidence the virus may have been circulating in the state for up to six weeks undetected -- a finding that , if true , could mean hundreds of undiagnosed cases in the area .
They posted their research online , but it was not published in a scientific journal or reviewed by other scientists .
Trevor Bedford , an associate professor who announced the preliminary findings on the virus in Washington state , said on Twitter late Saturday that genetic similarities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 20 and a case announced Friday indicated the newer case may have descended from the earlier one .
The Jan. 20 case was the first known case in the U.S. '' I believe we 're facing an already substantial outbreak in Washington State that was not detected until now due to narrow case definition requiring direct travel to China , '' he said on Twitter .
Bedford did not immediately reply to an e-mail requesting an interview Sunday .
Scientists not affiliated with the research said the results did not necessarily surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people -- especially younger , healthier ones -- the symptoms are not much worse than a flu or bad cold .
`` We think that this has a pretty high rate of mild symptoms and can be asymptomatic .
The symptoms are pretty non-specific and testing criteria has been pretty strict , so those combinations of factors means that it easily could have been circulating for a bit without us knowing , '' said Justin Lessler , an associate professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the findings `` high quality work '' from scientists who 've done similar work with the flu virus for years .
`` They show their data and they show their work , '' Lauring said .
`` It 's more than a series of tweets '' because the researchers back up what they found with data that they 've shared online .
`` If there 's something wrong , someone will find it . ''
Dr. Carlos del Rio of Emory University School of Medicine said the findings are from respected researchers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the geographic proximity of the two cases .
`` This is a good time to reinforce the things we all should be doing to stop the spread of flu .
Wash your hands .
Do n't touch your face .
If you have a cold , stay home ...
It 's a good time to remind ourselves of that , '' he said .
Pence , named by the president to be the point-person overseeing the government 's response , said more than 15,000 virus testing kits had been released over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with a commercial provider to distribute 50,000 more , he said .
The vice president said testing was among the first issues raised by governors he 's spoken with so far .
Several states have begun their own testing , including Washington state , Oregon and Illinois .
`` We 're leaning into it , '' Pence said .
Azar said more than 3,600 people already have been tested for coronavirus and the capability exists to test 75,000 people .
He forecast a `` radical expansion of that '' in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after President Donald Trump approved new restrictions on international travel to prevent the spread within the U.S. of the new virus , which originated in China .
There are now more than 80,000 cases worldwide and about 3,000 deaths .
Two Americans are now known to have died of the virus , one in Washington state and one in China .
The new U.S. travel restrictions apply to Iran , although travel there by Americans already is severely limited , as well as heavily affected regions of Italy and South Korea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those countries will be screened when they arrive in the U.S .
The number of known coronavirus cases in the U.S. had reached 76 as of Sunday , counting people evacuated from a cruise ship and the city of Wuhan in China .
Trump said Saturday at a White House news conference that he was thinking about closing the southern border with Mexico as a precaution .
Azar said Sunday that Mexico has few coronavirus cases and that it would take a dramatic change in the circumstances there to prompt serious consideration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azar said , `` was trying to say everything 's on the table . ''
`` We will take whatever measures are appropriate and necessary to protect the American people , but we do n't forecast doing that any time soon , '' he said of closing the border .
Pence noted that an infectious disease expert is joining an existing White House coronavirus task force on Monday .
Last week , Pence announced the addition of Debbie Birx , a State Department ambassador-at-large and medical doctor who is the administration 's global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel .
Despite calls by Trump and Pence for political unity in the face of the viral threat , the issue has become mired in the partisan rancor in Washington , with both Republicans and Democrats accusing each other of mining the issue for political gain .
Trump , at a political rally last week , accused Democrats of `` politicizing '' the issue and said their criticism of his handling of the public health challenge was their new `` hoax . ''
At the White House on Saturday , Trump said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the virus .
`` Again , the hoax was used in respect to Democrats and what they were saying , '' he said Saturday .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , who emerged victorious Saturday night from South Carolina 's primary , criticized the administration over the availability of testing kits .
Biden also panned the administration 's decision to have political appointees Pence and Azar , neither of whom are scientists by training , appear on the Sunday shows , instead of an expert like Dr. Anthony Fauci , the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden claimed the administration does n't have testing kits .
Pence and Azar said thousands of kits had been distributed .
Azar said he did n't know what Biden was talking about when the former vice president said testing kits did n't exist .
Azar said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had developed a lab test for coronavirus with `` historic speed . ''
Pence was interviewed on CNN 's `` State of the Union '' and Azar commented on `` Fox News Sunday , '' CBS ' `` Face the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week . ''
Biden commented on CNN .

Washington state officials announce second coronavirus death in U.S.
An ambulance worker adjusts her protective mask as she wheels a stretcher into a nursing facility where more than 50 people are sick and being tested for the COVID-19 virus, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Kirkland, Wash. Associated Press
SEATTLE -- Health officials in Washington state said Sunday night that a second person had died from the coronavirus.
Researchers said the virus may have been circulating for weeks undetected in the greater Seattle area.
In a statement, Public Health--Seattle & King County said a man in his 70s died Saturday. On Friday, health officials said a man in his 50s died of coronavirus. Both had underlying health conditions, and both were being treated at a hospital in Kirkland, Washington, east of Seattle.
Washington state now has 12 confirmed cases.
State and local authorities stepped up testing for the illness as the number of new cases grew nationwide, with new infections announced in Illinois, California, Rhode Island, New York and Washington state.
Authorities in the Seattle area said two more people had been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, both men in their 60s who were in critical condition, and two health care workers in California were also diagnosed.
A man in his 50s died in Washington on Saturday, and health officials said 50 more people in a nursing facility in Kirkland, Washington, are sick and being tested for the virus. On Sunday night, the International Association of Fire Fighters said 25 members who responded to calls for help at the nursing facility are being quarantined.
The first U.S. case was a Washington state man who had visited China, where the virus first emerged, but several recent cases in the U.S. have had no known connection to travelers.
In California, two health care workers in the San Francisco Bay area who cared for an earlier coronavirus patient were diagnosed with the virus on Sunday, the Alameda and Solano counties said in a joint statement.
The health care workers are both employed at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, California, and had exposure to a patient treated there before being transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, the statement said. That patient was the first person in the U.S. discovered to have contracted the coronavirus with no known overseas travel.
Alameda County declared a state of emergency on Sunday following the news.
Elsewhere, authorities announced Sunday a third case in Illinois and Rhode Island and New York's first cases as worried Americans swarmed stores to stock up on basic goods such as bottled water, canned foods and toilet paper.
The hospitalized patient in Rhode Island is a man in his 40s who had traveled to Italy in February. New York confirmed Sunday that a woman in her late 30s contracted the virus while traveling in Iran. The patient is not in serious condition. She has respiratory symptoms and has been in a controlled situation since arriving in New York, according to a statement from the governor's office.
As the fallout continued, Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar sought to reassure the American public that the federal government is working to make sure state and local authorities are able to test for the virus. Both said during a round of TV talk show appearances Sunday that thousands more testing kits had been distributed to state and local officials, with thousands more to come.
"They should know we have the best public health system in the world looking out for them," Azar said, adding that additional cases will be reported and the overall risk to Americans is low.
As the cases ticked up, some Americans stocked up on basic supplies -- particularly in areas with diagnosed cases -- and began to take note of the impact on daily life. Stores such as Costco sold out of toilet paper, bottled water and hand sanitizer outside Portland, Oregon, where a case was announced Friday. Sports games and practices were canceled into the coming school week. Some churches said they would not offer communion because of fears of viral spread.
As Americans prepared, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington on Sunday said they had evidence the virus may have been circulating in the state for up to six weeks undetected -- a finding that, if true, could mean hundreds of undiagnosed cases in the area. They posted their research online, but it was not published in a scientific journal or reviewed by other scientists.
Trevor Bedford, an associate professor who announced the preliminary findings on the virus in Washington state, said on Twitter late Saturday that genetic similarities between the state's first case on Jan. 20 and a case announced Friday indicated the newer case may have descended from the earlier one. The Jan. 20 case was the first known case in the U.S.
"I believe we're facing an already substantial outbreak in Washington State that was not detected until now due to narrow case definition requiring direct travel to China," he said on Twitter.
Bedford did not immediately reply to an e-mail requesting an interview Sunday.
Scientists not affiliated with the research said the results did not necessarily surprise them and pointed out that for many people -- especially younger, healthier ones -- the symptoms are not much worse than a flu or bad cold.
"We think that this has a pretty high rate of mild symptoms and can be asymptomatic. The symptoms are pretty non-specific and testing criteria has been pretty strict, so those combinations of factors means that it easily could have been circulating for a bit without us knowing," said Justin Lessler, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr. Adam Lauring of University of Michigan called the findings "high quality work" from scientists who've done similar work with the flu virus for years.
"They show their data and they show their work," Lauring said. "It's more than a series of tweets" because the researchers back up what they found with data that they've shared online. "If there's something wrong, someone will find it."
Dr. Carlos del Rio of Emory University School of Medicine said the findings are from respected researchers in genomic sequencing and they make sense because of the geographic proximity of the two cases.
"This is a good time to reinforce the things we all should be doing to stop the spread of flu. Wash your hands. Don't touch your face. If you have a cold, stay home ... It's a good time to remind ourselves of that," he said.
Pence, named by the president to be the point-person overseeing the government's response, said more than 15,000 virus testing kits had been released over the weekend. And, the administration is working with a commercial provider to distribute 50,000 more, he said.
The vice president said testing was among the first issues raised by governors he's spoken with so far. Several states have begun their own testing, including Washington state, Oregon and Illinois.
"We're leaning into it," Pence said.
Azar said more than 3,600 people already have been tested for coronavirus and the capability exists to test 75,000 people. He forecast a "radical expansion of that" in the coming weeks.
Pence and Azar spoke a day after President Donald Trump approved new restrictions on international travel to prevent the spread within the U.S. of the new virus, which originated in China. There are now more than 80,000 cases worldwide and about 3,000 deaths.
Two Americans are now known to have died of the virus, one in Washington state and one in China.
The new U.S. travel restrictions apply to Iran, although travel there by Americans already is severely limited, as well as heavily affected regions of Italy and South Korea. Trump tweeted Sunday that any travelers from those countries will be screened when they arrive in the U.S.
The number of known coronavirus cases in the U.S. had reached 76 as of Sunday, counting people evacuated from a cruise ship and the city of Wuhan in China.
Trump said Saturday at a White House news conference that he was thinking about closing the southern border with Mexico as a precaution. Azar said Sunday that Mexico has few coronavirus cases and that it would take a dramatic change in the circumstances there to prompt serious consideration of a border shutdown.
The president, Azar said, "was trying to say everything's on the table."
"We will take whatever measures are appropriate and necessary to protect the American people, but we don't forecast doing that any time soon," he said of closing the border.
Pence noted that an infectious disease expert is joining an existing White House coronavirus task force on Monday. Last week, Pence announced the addition of Debbie Birx, a State Department ambassador-at-large and medical doctor who is the administration's global HIV/AIDS response coordinator, to the virus panel.
Despite calls by Trump and Pence for political unity in the face of the viral threat, the issue has become mired in the partisan rancor in Washington, with both Republicans and Democrats accusing each other of mining the issue for political gain.
Trump, at a political rally last week, accused Democrats of "politicizing" the issue and said their criticism of his handling of the public health challenge was their new "hoax."
At the White House on Saturday, Trump said he was not trying to minimize the threat from the virus.
"Again, the hoax was used in respect to Democrats and what they were saying," he said Saturday.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, who emerged victorious Saturday night from South Carolina's primary, criticized the administration over the availability of testing kits.
Biden also panned the administration's decision to have political appointees Pence and Azar, neither of whom are scientists by training, appear on the Sunday shows, instead of an expert like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institutes of Health infectious disease chief.
Biden claimed the administration doesn't have testing kits. Pence and Azar said thousands of kits had been distributed.
Azar said he didn't know what Biden was talking about when the former vice president said testing kits didn't exist. Azar said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had developed a lab test for coronavirus with "historic speed."
Pence was interviewed on CNN's "State of the Union" and Azar commented on "Fox News Sunday," CBS' "Face the Nation" and ABC's "This Week." Biden commented on CNN.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-01--Lake Zurich couple wants to lure dining, entertainment to vacant building on Main

For years , Lake Zurich couple Don and Cindy Malin walked by the darkened Bank of America building on Main Street and wished it was being put to use somehow .
`` We 'd think , 'Oh , it 's a shame no one is doing anything with that building , ' '' Cindy Malin said .
About 18 months ago , the Malins realized they could step up and do something with it .
Last week , Lake Zurich officials announced the Malins bought the building at 35 W. Main Street from the previous owners .
Cindy Malin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space to a variety of business owners including restaurants , cafes and bars as well as experience-based destinations such as a community theater , an art studio or an ax-throwing business .
`` Our goal is not to run a business ourselves but to provide the right type of venue to help make their business successful , '' Cindy Malin said .
She said friends and neighbors often bring up how they wish there was more to do in downtown Lake Zurich .
`` You can see it in the Starbucks or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said , citing the village 's downtown Sunset Pavillion as another recent sign of success .
Village Manager Roy Witherow said there were several redevelopment plans for the 9,000-square-foot building over the years -- including a youth-focused dentistry and a restaurant and brewpub -- but developers never got far .
Witherow said he is pleased the Malins are motivated to develop the site .
`` The village has been partnering with them to make this happen , '' Witherow said .
`` I think it could be a catalyst for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will likely divide the building between two to four tenants and embark on improving the green space on the lot .
But before any of that can happen , the Malins are going to have the roof repaired and address internal issues such as the electrical system .
`` It 's the boring stuff in the building we need to take care of before we can embark on the fun stuff , '' Cindy Malin said .
`` Our goal is a year from now to have really exciting businesses ready and @ @ @

Lake Zurich couple wants to lure dining, entertainment to vacant building on Main
For years, Lake Zurich couple Don and Cindy Malin walked by the darkened Bank of America building on Main Street and wished it was being put to use somehow.
"We'd think, 'Oh, it's a shame no one is doing anything with that building,'" Cindy Malin said.
About 18 months ago, the Malins realized they could step up and do something with it. Last week, Lake Zurich officials announced the Malins bought the building at 35 W. Main Street from the previous owners.
Cindy Malin said she and Don are open to renting space to a variety of business owners including restaurants, cafes and bars as well as experience-based destinations such as a community theater, an art studio or an ax-throwing business.
"Our goal is not to run a business ourselves but to provide the right type of venue to help make their business successful," Cindy Malin said.
She said friends and neighbors often bring up how they wish there was more to do in downtown Lake Zurich.
"You can see it in the Starbucks or the Panera, the tables are always filled," she said, citing the village's downtown Sunset Pavillion as another recent sign of success.
Village Manager Roy Witherow said there were several redevelopment plans for the 9,000-square-foot building over the years -- including a youth-focused dentistry and a restaurant and brewpub -- but developers never got far. Witherow said he is pleased the Malins are motivated to develop the site.
"The village has been partnering with them to make this happen," Witherow said. "I think it could be a catalyst for more development downtown."
Malin said they will likely divide the building between two to four tenants and embark on improving the green space on the lot. But before any of that can happen, the Malins are going to have the roof repaired and address internal issues such as the electrical system.
"It's the boring stuff in the building we need to take care of before we can embark on the fun stuff," Cindy Malin said. "Our goal is a year from now to have really exciting businesses ready and open."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--Pritzker: Suburban husband and wife with coronavirus in good condition

A husband and wife in their 70s recently diagnosed with the coronavirus are in good condition , with the man in isolation at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and the woman remaining at home in isolation , state officials said Monday .
The couple are the third and fourth people in Illinois with confirmed cases of coronavirus , but state health authorities say they are monitoring nearly 300 others with potential exposure to the illness .
If more cases develop in Illinois , the preference will be to keep patients at home when their condition allows it , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with others , said Dr. Ngozi Ezike , director of the Illinois Department of Public Health .
At a news conference Monday afternoon , Ezike and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker emphasized that the risk to the public remains low , but Illinois officials are taking the outbreak seriously .
`` We are working to minimize the spread in the best possible way , '' Ezike said .
As of Monday afternoon , the state health department was monitoring 286 people -- a number that changes every day -- for potential exposure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made public unless they are confirmed to be infected , Ezike said .
The best precautions people can take are to follow the same guidelines for avoiding the flu , but perhaps with renewed vigor and vigilance .
Pritzker said .
These include regularly washing hands , covering coughs and sneezes and not touching one 's face after touching public surfaces .
Pritzker said Illinois has a sophisticated health care system and there are no shortages of equipment needed to help fight the coronavirus , including gloves , masks and gowns for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in contact with Vice President Mike Pence about potential federal assistance , and would be speaking with the CEOs of Illinois ' largest insurance companies about keeping access to testing and care available to residents and being on alert against price gouging .
Dr. Daniel Reaven , medical director of the emergency department at Northwest Community Hospital , said tests confirmed Saturday that the man being treated there has the coronavirus , a diagnosis expected to be confirmed soon by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Reaven did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital officials , citing federal privacy laws , declined to discuss the man 's recent travels or discuss how he may have contracted the disease .
A Chicago couple were the first coronavirus patients in Illinois .
Both were treated at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and released back to their home , where they were monitored daily by health officials .
The woman had traveled to China where she was infected and later infected her husband .
Pritzker has requested that hospitals across the state implement additional testing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first state to provide COVID-19 testing and Pritzker announced two more IDPH labs in central and southern Illinois will be able to test specimens this week .
Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever cough , and difficulty breathing .
Public health officials are encouraging the public to not alter their daily routines and remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading , including staying home when sick and contacting a doctor if displaying symptoms .
More information is available at dph.illinois.gov and at cookcountypublichealth.org .
Pritzker also provided a hotline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 877 ) 527-9431 -- and another hotline for medical questions for IDPH at ( 800 ) 889-3931 .

Pritzker: Suburban husband and wife with coronavirus in good condition
A husband and wife in their 70s recently diagnosed with the coronavirus are in good condition, with the man in isolation at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and the woman remaining at home in isolation, state officials said Monday.
The couple are the third and fourth people in Illinois with confirmed cases of coronavirus, but state health authorities say they are monitoring nearly 300 others with potential exposure to the illness.
If more cases develop in Illinois, the preference will be to keep patients at home when their condition allows it, instead of hospitals where they could be in contact with others, said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
At a news conference Monday afternoon, Ezike and Gov. J.B. Pritzker emphasized that the risk to the public remains low, but Illinois officials are taking the outbreak seriously.
"We are working to minimize the spread in the best possible way," Ezike said.
As of Monday afternoon, the state health department was monitoring 286 people -- a number that changes every day -- for potential exposure. No details about those people will be made public unless they are confirmed to be infected, Ezike said.
The best precautions people can take are to follow the same guidelines for avoiding the flu, but perhaps with renewed vigor and vigilance. Pritzker said. These include regularly washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes and not touching one's face after touching public surfaces.
Pritzker said Illinois has a sophisticated health care system and there are no shortages of equipment needed to help fight the coronavirus, including gloves, masks and gowns for health care workers.
He said he's been in contact with Vice President Mike Pence about potential federal assistance, and would be speaking with the CEOs of Illinois' largest insurance companies about keeping access to testing and care available to residents and being on alert against price gouging.
Dr. Daniel Reaven, medical director of the emergency department at Northwest Community Hospital, said tests confirmed Saturday that the man being treated there has the coronavirus, a diagnosis expected to be confirmed soon by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Reaven did not discuss the patient's wife Monday and hospital officials, citing federal privacy laws, declined to discuss the man's recent travels or discuss how he may have contracted the disease.
A Chicago couple were the first coronavirus patients in Illinois. Both were treated at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and released back to their home, where they were monitored daily by health officials.
The woman had traveled to China, where she was infected, and later infected her husband.
Pritzker has requested that hospitals across the state implement additional testing to improve surveillance for COVID-19. Illinois was the first state to provide COVID-19 testing and Pritzker announced two more IDPH labs in central and southern Illinois will be able to test specimens this week.
Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Public health officials are encouraging the public to not alter their daily routines and remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading, including staying home when sick and contacting a doctor if displaying symptoms.
More information is available at dph.illinois.gov and at cookcountypublichealth.org.
Pritzker also provided a hotline number for insurance coverage questions -- (877) 527-9431 -- and another hotline for medical questions for IDPH at (800) 889-3931.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--What suburban hospitals are doing to prepare for coronavirus patients

With a married couple from Chicago having been successfully treated for coronavirus infection at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates , hospitals in the suburbs are sharing knowledge gained from near and far in preparing for the possibility of a more extensive outbreak .
A third patient in the Cook County suburbs was diagnosed preliminarily over the weekend as having the infection .
State and county officials were releasing no further information , pending confirmation of the diagnosis by the national Centers for Disease Control .
In preparation for a possible outbreak , the Illinois Department of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for available space should more people require care for coronavirus infection .
The department also is assessing the availability of personal protective equipment -- gloves , masks , gowns , goggles and the like -- for health care workers .
Health care providers and their individual hospitals , meanwhile , are preparing themselves by implementing infection prevention protocols , screening patients for symptoms and risk factors , and running drills on their response to a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 .
`` We assembled a team representing infection prevention , emergency preparedness , supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities are prepared with ample supplies and support to keep our patients and team members safe , '' said Dr. Gary Stuck , chief medical officer of the Downers Grove-based Advocate Aurora Health hospitals .
If a major outbreak occurs , infection control and isolation are the primary means of limiting the spread of the disease because effective vaccines and antiviral medications do n't yet exist , said Dr .
Guy Kochvar , an infectious diseases specialist with Arlington Heights-based Northwest Community Healthcare .
While the availability of protective equipment for staff members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients with symptoms of a respiratory infection also should be given masks as soon as they 're identified , Kochvar said .
`` This is particularly important during times that we experience high volumes of illness with respiratory viruses such as influenza , '' he said .
While many of the protocols in place are designed to prevent the spread of infection to other patients and staffers , Kochvar also explained how those being treated for coronavirus recover themselves .
While 80 % of infections appear to be mild and require only limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about two weeks , about 15 % of cases can be severe and another 5 % can be critical , requiring a more prolonged recovery time of three to six weeks , Kochvar said .
`` Those critically ill may present with respiratory failure , shock or multi-organ dysfunction , '' he said , `` and recovery may involve extended time on a ventilator and physical rehabilitation with physical and occupational therapy . ''
Northwest Community Healthcare , like other providers , is sharing updates from the CDC and state health department with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identify potentially infected patients , rapid triage techniques , infection prevention and control measures designed to minimize exposure to health care personnel , isolation procedures and testing procedures , Kochvar said .
It also is staging drills to prepare for the discovery of infected patients .
Those suspected of coronavirus infection will be placed in airborne isolation rooms at the hospital with controlled airflow to minimize the chance of exposure to others , Kochvar said .
Potential exposures would be investigated and managed by the health department and the CDC .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have received inquiries from other local health care providers , the CDC and state health department remain the recognized authorities on care and recommendations .
Officials from Amita and Advocate Aurora Health said their preparedness for coronavirus has been helped by the fact that many of the same infection prevention measures were already in effect for flu season .
Amita officials said the two coronavirus patients at St. Alexius -- who were treated there because it 's where the wife 's primary physician practices -- were kept in individual isolation rooms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The use of personal protective equipment was required of all staff members caring for those patients .
Under the oversight of the CDC and state health department , St. Alexius remained safe and operating at full capacity during the stay of the coronavirus patients , Amita officials said .
Standard precautions also include placing signs at key entry points outlining symptoms for coronavirus and flu , according to Amita officials .
Frontline screening has been put in place to identify anyone who may be at higher risk based on their travel history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC , they said .
A large outbreak in the U.S. would place `` significant stress '' on American health care facilities and personnel , Kochvar said .
`` We could potentially see cancellations of public gatherings ( and ) school and business closures , as currently seen in parts of Asia and Europe , '' he added .
According to recent estimates , 20 % of people infected with the virus develop severe or critical illnesses .
The overall mortality rate is believed to be about 2 % .
People who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either after traveling to an area experiencing an outbreak or after contact with a person confirmed to be infected , should call their primary doctor or a local health care facility , Kochvar said .
Notifying those staffs by phone before an in-person visit will allow the screening process to begin and prevent unnecessary exposure of others , he said .
Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health coronavirus hotline at ( 800 ) 889-3931 or email dph.sick @ illinois.gov .
The Cook County Department of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at cookcountypublichealth.org/communicable-diseases/novel-coronavirus .

What suburban hospitals are doing to prepare for coronavirus patients
Hospitals across the suburbs and Illinois are preparing for the possibility of further cases of coronavirus infection with protocols and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Courtesy of CDC, via AP
With a married couple from Chicago having been successfully treated for coronavirus infection at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, hospitals in the suburbs are sharing knowledge gained from near and far in preparing for the possibility of a more extensive outbreak.
A third patient in the Cook County suburbs was diagnosed preliminarily over the weekend as having the infection. State and county officials were releasing no further information, pending confirmation of the diagnosis by the national Centers for Disease Control.
In preparation for a possible outbreak, the Illinois Department of Public Health is assessing hospitals throughout the state for available space should more people require care for coronavirus infection. The department also is assessing the availability of personal protective equipment -- gloves, masks, gowns, goggles and the like -- for health care workers.
Health care providers and their individual hospitals, meanwhile, are preparing themselves by implementing infection prevention protocols, screening patients for symptoms and risk factors, and running drills on their response to a positive diagnosis of COVID-19.
"We assembled a team representing infection prevention, emergency preparedness, supply chain and other departments to ensure our facilities are prepared with ample supplies and support to keep our patients and team members safe," said Dr. Gary Stuck, chief medical officer of the Downers Grove-based Advocate Aurora Health hospitals.
If a major outbreak occurs, infection control and isolation are the primary means of limiting the spread of the disease because effective vaccines and antiviral medications don't yet exist, said Dr. Guy Kochvar, an infectious diseases specialist with Arlington Heights-based Northwest Community Healthcare.
While the availability of protective equipment for staff members has been identified as a priority, patients with symptoms of a respiratory infection also should be given masks as soon as they're identified, Kochvar said.
"This is particularly important during times that we experience high volumes of illness with respiratory viruses such as influenza," he said.
While many of the protocols in place are designed to prevent the spread of infection to other patients and staffers, Kochvar also explained how those being treated for coronavirus recover themselves.
While 80% of infections appear to be mild and require only limited supportive care with a recovery time of about two weeks, about 15% of cases can be severe and another 5% can be critical, requiring a more prolonged recovery time of three to six weeks, Kochvar said.
"Those critically ill may present with respiratory failure, shock or multi-organ dysfunction," he said, "and recovery may involve extended time on a ventilator and physical rehabilitation with physical and occupational therapy."
Northwest Community Healthcare, like other providers, is sharing updates from the CDC and state health department with its staff. Those include screening guidelines to identify potentially infected patients, rapid triage techniques, infection prevention and control measures designed to minimize exposure to health care personnel, isolation procedures and testing procedures, Kochvar said.
It also is staging drills to prepare for the discovery of infected patients.
Those suspected of coronavirus infection will be placed in airborne isolation rooms at the hospital with controlled airflow to minimize the chance of exposure to others, Kochvar said. Potential exposures would be investigated and managed by the health department and the CDC.
Officials at Lisle-based Amita Health said that while they have received inquiries from other local health care providers, the CDC and state health department remain the recognized authorities on care and recommendations.
Officials from Amita and Advocate Aurora Health said their preparedness for coronavirus has been helped by the fact that many of the same infection prevention measures were already in effect for flu season.
Amita officials said the two coronavirus patients at St. Alexius -- who were treated there because it's where the wife's primary physician practices -- were kept in individual isolation rooms and had no contact with any other patients.
The use of personal protective equipment was required of all staff members caring for those patients.
Under the oversight of the CDC and state health department, St. Alexius remained safe and operating at full capacity during the stay of the coronavirus patients, Amita officials said.
Standard precautions also include placing signs at key entry points outlining symptoms for coronavirus and flu, according to Amita officials. Frontline screening has been put in place to identify anyone who may be at higher risk based on their travel history and contact, as directed by the CDC, they said.
A large outbreak in the U.S. would place "significant stress" on American health care facilities and personnel, Kochvar said.
"We could potentially see cancellations of public gatherings (and) school and business closures, as currently seen in parts of Asia and Europe," he added.
According to recent estimates, 20% of people infected with the virus develop severe or critical illnesses. The overall mortality rate is believed to be about 2%.
People who are concerned they may have the virus, either after traveling to an area experiencing an outbreak or after contact with a person confirmed to be infected, should call their primary doctor or a local health care facility, Kochvar said. Notifying those staffs by phone before an in-person visit will allow the screening process to begin and prevent unnecessary exposure of others, he said.
Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health coronavirus hotline at (800) 889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
The Cook County Department of Public Health also is providing information and updates at cookcountypublichealth.org/communicable-diseases/novel-coronavirus.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--Uncertainties face vacationers as coronavirus situation evolves

Do I cancel my Italy trip ?
Is it safe to go on a cruise ship ?
Can I get my money back on my flight to Beijing ?
As the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus widens , so do the questions and angst for travelers planning vacations .
`` Things are changing daily with updated news and it 's a very fluid situation , '' AAA spokeswoman Molly Hart said .
For vacationers with basic queries , the U.S. Department of State 's Travel.gov and U.S. Centers for Disease Control coronavirus websites are chock-full of information about where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should think twice about traveling .
For starters , `` do not travel '' to China and Iran is the State Department 's current edict during the coronavirus epidemic .
That 's easy to obey given major carriers like United , American and Delta have either halted or reduced service to China during the spring .
The government is also issuing travel advisories about countries including South Korea , Italy , Japan and Hong Kong .
At United , `` we 've suspended all of our flights to China and Hong Kong until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers who need to change their travel , '' spokeswoman Leslie Scott said .
`` South Korea was added to that waiver on Monday . ''
Many airlines are giving flyers the option to delay or change existing flight bookings to countries with coronavirus clusters , without penalties .
However , reimbursements for flights , hotels or packages could be dependent on when you pulled the trigger .
The insurance company Allianz Travel 's website notes that many travel insurance plans `` exclude losses caused directly or indirectly by an epidemic . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ became generally known on Jan. 22 , 2020 , and travel insurance typically wo n't cover losses caused by issues that were `` known or foreseeable '' at purchase time .
If your international trip is booked , Hart recommends signing up with the State Department 's Smart Traveler Enrollment System to receive advice on changing conditions in your destination country .
The State Department also is throwing cold water on cruise ship vacations to or within Asia in the wake of passengers contracting coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess and enduring quarantines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruises , noting that at some ports countries are implementing strict screening policies that could prevent Americans from disembarking or result in being quarantined locally .
Moving forward , Expedia 's Haytham Akremi , senior customer experience analyst , advises `` consider booking refundable travel vs. nonrefundable .
Typically travelers like to book nonrefundable because it sometimes comes with a cheaper price , but right now we believe that flexibility is key for travelers so it 's something to consider when searching for travel options . ''
If you 're dead-set on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus issues , authorities advise that older adults or people with existing serious health conditions are more at risk of falling ill , and suggest checking with a doctor first .
Hart also suggested that vacationers bring an extra supply of medication and check that your cellphone plan will work internationally in case of the unexpected .
`` The decision to travel is a personal one ; we advise travelers to make an informed decision , '' she said .

Uncertainties face vacationers as coronavirus situation evolves
Do I cancel my Italy trip? Is it safe to go on a cruise ship? Can I get my money back on my flight to Beijing?
As the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus widens, so do the questions and angst for travelers planning vacations.
"Things are changing daily with updated news and it's a very fluid situation," AAA spokeswoman Molly Hart said.
For vacationers with basic queries, the U.S. Department of State's Travel.gov and U.S. Centers for Disease Control coronavirus websites are chock-full of information about where you can travel, can't travel and should think twice about traveling.
For starters, "do not travel" to China and Iran is the State Department's current edict during the coronavirus epidemic. That's easy to obey given major carriers like United, American and Delta have either halted or reduced service to China during the spring.
The government is also issuing travel advisories about countries including South Korea, Italy, Japan and Hong Kong.
At United, "we've suspended all of our flights to China and Hong Kong until April 24 and provided a waiver for customers who need to change their travel," spokeswoman Leslie Scott said. "South Korea was added to that waiver on Monday."
Many airlines are giving flyers the option to delay or change existing flight bookings to countries with coronavirus clusters, without penalties.
However, reimbursements for flights, hotels or packages could be dependent on when you pulled the trigger.
The insurance company Allianz Travel's website notes that many travel insurance plans "exclude losses caused directly or indirectly by an epidemic."
Also, Allianz advises that the coronavirus became generally known on Jan. 22, 2020, and travel insurance typically won't cover losses caused by issues that were "known or foreseeable" at purchase time.
If your international trip is booked, Hart recommends signing up with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment System to receive advice on changing conditions in your destination country.
The State Department also is throwing cold water on cruise ship vacations to or within Asia in the wake of passengers contracting coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess and enduring quarantines. The government is also tepid on international cruises, noting that at some ports countries are implementing strict screening policies that could prevent Americans from disembarking or result in being quarantined locally.
Moving forward, Expedia's Haytham Akremi, senior customer experience analyst, advises "consider booking refundable travel vs. nonrefundable. Typically travelers like to book nonrefundable because it sometimes comes with a cheaper price, but right now we believe that flexibility is key for travelers so it's something to consider when searching for travel options."
If you're dead-set on a dream trip to Italy or other countries with coronavirus issues, authorities advise that older adults or people with existing serious health conditions are more at risk of falling ill, and suggest checking with a doctor first.
Hart also suggested that vacationers bring an extra supply of medication and check that your cellphone plan will work internationally in case of the unexpected.
"The decision to travel is a personal one; we advise travelers to make an informed decision," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--Coronavirus: What O'Hare, Metra, CTA are doing amid COVID-19 fears

The idea of a coronavirus outbreak shutting down airports , trains and buses -- as occurred in Wuhan , China , in January -- seems improbable in the suburbs .
But as the worldwide count of patients spirals and federal authorities warn more U.S. cases are inevitable , how prepared is the region 's transportation network ?
In Illinois so far , two people diagnosed with the deadly disease in Chicago have recovered , and a third presumed case in Cook County was announced Saturday .
O'Hare International Airport is one of 11 U.S. airports screening flyers who 've been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia .
But after a man died of the virus near Seattle , President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday said the U.S. is asking Italy and South Korea to conduct health screenings of people coming to the U.S. and restricted admission to the U.S. from Iran .
At a separate area in O'Hare 's Terminal 5 , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health officers check passengers for symptoms of coronavirus such as fever and coughing .
`` Sick travelers who are reasonably believed to be infected with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be transferred to a hospital for further assessment , '' CDC spokesman Scott Pauley said earlier .
`` Right now , Chicago Department of Public Health staff are at O'Hare airport , as they are every day , connecting with returning travelers , distributing thermometers , collecting information as a complement to the CDC federal screening , '' public health Commissioner Allison Arwady said .
`` Right now , CDPH staff are monitoring hundreds of recently returned travelers and arranging testing if these travelers develop symptoms . ''
As to whether the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people arriving from South Korea , Japan and Italy , where the illness is widespread , officials would not say as yet .
A CDC spokesman told CNN that `` every day we re-evaluate what we 're doing . ''
Currently , the government is telling Americans not to travel to China and Iran , and has alerts regarding trips to South Korea and Italy .
The White House also expanded travel advisories Saturday , warning Americans not to go to certain areas of Italy and South Korea with significant coronavirus ( COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loom for transit agencies in containing a disease spread by coughing or sneezing on a system that transports nearly 2 million people in close quarters every weekday .
Metra , Pace and CTA officials said they will take the lead from state and federal health authorities if significant virus cases emerge in the Chicago area .
`` I should n't say we 're not worried , but we feel prepared because we have a very dedicated staff , '' Pace spokeswoman Maggie Daly Skogsbakken said .
Last week , `` Pace issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's recommendations to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases , including frequent hand washing and sanitizing .
Face masks are not recommended at this time , '' she said .
Toronto commuters were rattled in 2003 during the SARS epidemic when they learned a nurse with the disease had been riding a commuter train .
Going forward , among the contingencies facing local transit agencies might be stocking up on face masks , hand sanitizer and wipes .
`` We 'll take our direction from the Office of Emergency Management , '' Daly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buses nightly and those efforts could be stepped up as needed , she added .
`` The biggest priority is to keep everyone safe and keep transit running , '' Daly Skogsbakken said .
As for Metra , `` if there is an outbreak here , we would follow the directions of health authorities , '' Metra Communications Director Michael Gillis said .
A CTA spokesman said the agency is coordinating with the CDC and Chicago Department of Public Health but would not discuss details .
At O'Hare 's Terminal 5 , travelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a separate area and asked to complete a questionnaire about their visit and provide contact information .
CDC staffers use noncontact thermometers to take temperatures and if an individual has breathing difficulties , fever or a cough , he or she will be taken to a medical facility for evaluation and care if needed , the CDC said .
Terminal 5 also has a quarantine station .
People without symptoms who returned from Hubai Province , where Wuhan is located and the epicenter of the outbreak , will be under a quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay at Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago .
Healthy travelers from China who did n't visit Hubai Province will be asked to stay at home for 14 days , avoid contact with other people , and monitor their health according to the CDC 's website .
Spring is coming and so is road work .
IDOT advises Northwest Highway ( Route 14 ) drivers to expect delays as crews resurface pavement between Merrill and Miner streets in the Park Ridge/Des Plaines area .
Work wraps up in November .
Got your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should because in January Metra began checking tickets before passengers board some trains at downtown stations .
Most riders are complying and about 5 % ask for an explanation , a spokesman said .
The answer -- Metra is trying to recapture lost fare revenues .

Coronavirus: What O'Hare, Metra, CTA are doing amid COVID-19 fears
Courtesy of Centers for Disease ControlA traveler is checked for illness at O'Hare International Airport's quarantine station.
Associated PressWorkers disinfect subway trains against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, in the early morning of Feb. 25. Iran's government said Tuesday that more than a dozen people had died nationwide from the new coronavirus, rejecting claims of a much higher death toll of 50 by a lawmaker from the city of Qom that has been at the epicenter of the virus in the country.
The idea of a coronavirus outbreak shutting down airports, trains and buses -- as occurred in Wuhan, China, in January -- seems improbable in the suburbs.
But as the worldwide count of patients spirals and federal authorities warn more U.S. cases are inevitable, how prepared is the region's transportation network?
In Illinois so far, two people diagnosed with the deadly disease in Chicago have recovered, and a third presumed case in Cook County was announced Saturday.
O'Hare International Airport is one of 11 U.S. airports screening flyers who've been in China for the virus that causes pneumonia.
But after a man died of the virus near Seattle, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday said the U.S. is asking Italy and South Korea to conduct health screenings of people coming to the U.S. and restricted admission to the U.S. from Iran.
At a separate area in O'Hare's Terminal 5, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health officers check passengers for symptoms of coronavirus such as fever and coughing.
"Sick travelers who are reasonably believed to be infected with or exposed to the new coronavirus will be transferred to a hospital for further assessment," CDC spokesman Scott Pauley said earlier.
"Right now, Chicago Department of Public Health staff are at O'Hare airport, as they are every day, connecting with returning travelers, distributing thermometers, collecting information as a complement to the CDC federal screening," public health Commissioner Allison Arwady said. "Right now, CDPH staff are monitoring hundreds of recently returned travelers and arranging testing if these travelers develop symptoms."
As to whether the government will expand screenings at U.S. airports of people arriving from South Korea, Japan and Italy, where the illness is widespread, officials would not say as yet. A CDC spokesman told CNN that "every day we re-evaluate what we're doing."
Currently, the government is telling Americans not to travel to China and Iran, and has alerts regarding trips to South Korea and Italy.
The White House also expanded travel advisories Saturday, warning Americans not to go to certain areas of Italy and South Korea with significant coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks.
Meanwhile, myriad logistics loom for transit agencies in containing a disease spread by coughing or sneezing on a system that transports nearly 2 million people in close quarters every weekday.
Metra, Pace and CTA officials said they will take the lead from state and federal health authorities if significant virus cases emerge in the Chicago area.
"I shouldn't say we're not worried, but we feel prepared because we have a very dedicated staff," Pace spokeswoman Maggie Daly Skogsbakken said.
Last week, "Pace issued a memo to all employees with the CDC's recommendations to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including frequent hand washing and sanitizing. Face masks are not recommended at this time," she said.
Toronto commuters were rattled in 2003 during the SARS epidemic when they learned a nurse with the disease had been riding a commuter train.
Going forward, among the contingencies facing local transit agencies might be stocking up on face masks, hand sanitizer and wipes. "We'll take our direction from the Office of Emergency Management," Daly Skogsbakken said.
Pace cleans and sanitizes buses nightly and those efforts could be stepped up as needed, she added.
"The biggest priority is to keep everyone safe and keep transit running," Daly Skogsbakken said.
As for Metra, "if there is an outbreak here, we would follow the directions of health authorities," Metra Communications Director Michael Gillis said.
A CTA spokesman said the agency is coordinating with the CDC and Chicago Department of Public Health but would not discuss details.
At O'Hare's Terminal 5, travelers who have been in China are directed to a separate area and asked to complete a questionnaire about their visit and provide contact information.
CDC staffers use noncontact thermometers to take temperatures and if an individual has breathing difficulties, fever or a cough, he or she will be taken to a medical facility for evaluation and care if needed, the CDC said. Terminal 5 also has a quarantine station.
People without symptoms who returned from Hubai Province, where Wuhan is located and the epicenter of the outbreak, will be under a quarantine order, which could mean a 14-day stay at Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago. Healthy travelers from China who didn't visit Hubai Province will be asked to stay at home for 14 days, avoid contact with other people, and monitor their health according to the CDC's website.
Gridlock alert
Spring is coming and so is road work. IDOT advises Northwest Highway (Route 14) drivers to expect delays as crews resurface pavement between Merrill and Miner streets in the Park Ridge/Des Plaines area. Work wraps up in November.
Tickets, please
Got your pass or Ventra card ready? You should because in January Metra began checking tickets before passengers board some trains at downtown stations. Most riders are complying and about 5% ask for an explanation, a spokesman said. The answer -- Metra is trying to recapture lost fare revenues.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--Rozner: Cubs and Comcast playing a dangerous game of chicken with Marquee network

Since Rob Manfred became commissioner five years ago , we have heard over and over and over again that baseball must attract younger viewers and get more kids to the games .
Who better than a 61-year-old labor lawyer to truly understand the solution , right ?
Manfred believes the answer is three-batter minimums and signaling the intentional walk without those time-consuming pitches outside the strike zone .
Take a moment and laugh , being careful -- please -- not to spit out your beverage .
There is certainly some truth in what Manfred says about creating interest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ methods might be .
The very simple answer is affordable tickets , inexpensive TV broadcasts and available playing fields .
The pitch clock will not save the sport , Mr. Commissioner .
A child ca n't get interested in a game that ca n't be watched with mom or dad , with siblings and friends .
That -- along with actually playing the game -- is how children develop a lasting love for a beautiful game .
So Manfred 's goal ought to be ensuring that games can be seen , that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On whatever device you choose , a fan willing to pay ought to be able to see every contest played in any city , and see that game from anywhere in the world .
Seriously , it 's 2020 and there are still areas that are shut out , for various reasons that are too deep in the weeds to waste your time with it here .
Suffice it to say , if you want people watching the games , you should probably allow them to watch the games .
But while Manfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who simply are not given the opportunity to witness the action .
It has been a nightmare for Dodgers fans and threatens to be for Cubs fans who do not yet have access to the Marquee Sports Network .
Now , if betting you would probably place a wager on Cubs games being available on Comcast -- and DISH , for that matter -- before the regular season begins in a little more than three weeks .
Bloomberg estimates this high-stakes game of chicken could cost the network $ 100 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't make a deal with Comcast and its 1.5 million subscribers in the Chicago area .
The truth is both sides have much to lose if the games are unavailable to a cable operator that seems to own half the world at this point .
In any case , this is likely to happen and , naturally , the cost will be passed along to you .
Thing is , most of us have had it with huge cable or satellite bills and we are unplugging more and more every day .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the apps , and streaming services providing so much entertainment for reasonable prices , you can cut your costs by $ 100 or even $ 200 a month , while picking and choosing your services , including channels and sporting choices .
That 's because , frankly , we 're sick of paying for hundreds of channels that we do n't need , being locked into contracts and paying the monthly cost of a Maserati to huge corporations that have the extraordinary ability to keep you on the phone for an hour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're going to tell them to stick their boxes in a cable van .
Good luck finding anyone under the age of 30 who even has cable TV service .
They do not care about your 300 channels or your marvelous packages .
They will not pay for what they 're not using , and they do n't want to subsidize those who must have the Outdoor Channel and eight shopping networks .
Which brings us back to the Marquee Sports Network .
Some fans would be willing to pay anything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among us would merely move on to something else if told they could not see the games .
Tread very carefully -- very carefully -- as you threaten to keep something from people who will forget you quickly and find other ways to spend their entertainment dollars .
This applies to both sides of an expensive argument .
The problem with sports teams and networks and cable companies and satellite providers is they all take us for granted , that they can remove from our pockets whatever they wish and we will simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it will only gather steam , as customers figure out the beauty of unplugging , saying so long to those who steal from us -- and then hang up on us .
As for the viewer baseball is trying to attract , holding them hostage from watching the games is hardly the way to get them interested in going to games .
If they ca n't see it , they wo n't care .
And they will move on swiftly .
Anyway , that 's all the time we have for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back to `` The Crown '' on Netflix .
It 's brilliant .
And , go figure , it 's available .

Rozner: Cubs and Comcast playing a dangerous game of chicken with Marquee network
If you don't have the Marquee Sports Network, you likely missed watching Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish during a spring training game last weekend in Mesa, Ariz. Associated Press
Since Rob Manfred became commissioner five years ago, we have heard over and over and over again that baseball must attract younger viewers and get more kids to the games.
Who better than a 61-year-old labor lawyer to truly understand the solution, right?
Manfred believes the answer is three-batter minimums and signaling the intentional walk without those time-consuming pitches outside the strike zone.
Take a moment and laugh, being careful -- please -- not to spit out your beverage.
There is certainly some truth in what Manfred says about creating interest in the demographic, regardless of how wrong his methods might be.
The very simple answer is affordable tickets, inexpensive TV broadcasts and available playing fields.
The pitch clock will not save the sport, Mr. Commissioner.
A child can't get interested in a game that can't be watched with mom or dad, with siblings and friends. That -- along with actually playing the game -- is how children develop a lasting love for a beautiful game.
So Manfred's goal ought to be ensuring that games can be seen, that there is never again a blacked-out event.
Ever.
On whatever device you choose, a fan willing to pay ought to be able to see every contest played in any city, and see that game from anywhere in the world.
Seriously, it's 2020 and there are still areas that are shut out, for various reasons that are too deep in the weeds to waste your time with it here.
Suffice it to say, if you want people watching the games, you should probably allow them to watch the games.
Crazy, right?
But while Manfred fiddles, this burns in the minds of those who simply are not given the opportunity to witness the action.
It has been a nightmare for Dodgers fans and threatens to be for Cubs fans who do not yet have access to the Marquee Sports Network.
Now, if betting you would probably place a wager on Cubs games being available on Comcast -- and DISH, for that matter -- before the regular season begins in a little more than three weeks.
Seems like a wise gamble.
Bloomberg estimates this high-stakes game of chicken could cost the network $100 million a year in revenue if it doesn't make a deal with Comcast and its 1.5 million subscribers in the Chicago area.
The truth is both sides have much to lose if the games are unavailable to a cable operator that seems to own half the world at this point.
In any case, this is likely to happen and, naturally, the cost will be passed along to you.
Thing is, most of us have had it with huge cable or satellite bills and we are unplugging more and more every day.
With smart TVs making it simple to add the apps, and streaming services providing so much entertainment for reasonable prices, you can cut your costs by $100 or even $200 a month, while picking and choosing your services, including channels and sporting choices.
That's because, frankly, we're sick of paying for hundreds of channels that we don't need, being locked into contracts and paying the monthly cost of a Maserati to huge corporations that have the extraordinary ability to keep you on the phone for an hour, and then disconnect at precisely the moment you're going to tell them to stick their boxes in a cable van.
Good luck finding anyone under the age of 30 who even has cable TV service.
They do not care about your 300 channels or your marvelous packages. They will not pay for what they're not using, and they don't want to subsidize those who must have the Outdoor Channel and eight shopping networks.
Which brings us back to the Marquee Sports Network.
Some fans would be willing to pay anything to get the channel, but many walking among us would merely move on to something else if told they could not see the games.
Tread very carefully -- very carefully -- as you threaten to keep something from people who will forget you quickly and find other ways to spend their entertainment dollars.
This applies to both sides of an expensive argument.
The problem with sports teams and networks and cable companies and satellite providers is they all take us for granted, that they can remove from our pockets whatever they wish and we will simply take it.
The revolution has begun and it will only gather steam, as customers figure out the beauty of unplugging, saying so long to those who steal from us -- and then hang up on us.
As for the viewer baseball is trying to attract, holding them hostage from watching the games is hardly the way to get them interested in going to games.
If they can't see it, they won't care. And they will move on swiftly.
Anyway, that's all the time we have for now, ladies and gentlemen. Gotta get back to "The Crown" on Netflix.
It's brilliant. And, go figure, it's available.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--Chris Matthews retires from MSNBC, says his comments about woman 'were never OK'

Veteran MSNBC host Chris Matthews said he 's retiring from his show `` Hardball , '' citing his inappropriate comments about women .
Matthews opened his program Monday with the announcement he was ending his run on the political hour that he started in 1997 .
He decided to retire after conversations with MSNBC , he said , his explanation coming in his familiar , staccato style .
`` This is the last 'Hardball ' on MSNBC , and obviously this is n't for lack of interest in politics , '' he said , referring to a need for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman 's appearance that some men , including me , might have incorrectly thought were OK were never OK , '' he said .
`` Not then , and certainly not today , and for making such comments in the past , I 'm sorry . ''
He remains proud of the work he 's done on the show , he said .
`` Hardball '' began on CNBC and moved two years later to MSNBC .
In a first-person story for GQ published Feb. 28 , freelance journalist Laura Bassett said Matthews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guest on his show .
`` In 2016 , right before I had to go on his show and talk about sexual-assault allegations against Donald Trump , Matthews looked over at me in the makeup chair next to him and said , 'Why have n't I fallen in love with you yet ? '
When I laughed nervously and said nothing , he followed up to the makeup artist .
'Keep putting makeup on her , I 'll fall in love with her , ' '' Bassett wrote .
`` Another time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and complimented the red dress I was wearing for the segment .
'You going out tonight ? '
he asked . ''
Bassett said she written about the encounter in a 2017 essay but did n't name Matthews because she was afraid of network retaliation , adding , `` I 'm not anymore . ''

MSNBC's Matthews retires from 'Hardball,' says his comments about women 'were never OK'
In this Dec. 5, 2013 file photo President Barack Obama talks with MSNBC's Chris Matthews during a break in the taping of an interview for the "Hardball with Chris Matthews" show at American University in Washington. Matthews announced his retirement on his political talk show "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on Monday, March 2, 2020. Associated Press
This Aug. 2, 2011 file photo shows MSNBC host Chris Matthews takes part in a panel discussion at the NBC Universal summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. Matthews announced his retirement on his political talk show "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on Monday, March 2, 2020. Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Longtime MSNBC host Chris Matthews abruptly retired from his "Hardball" show on Monday, apologizing for making inappropriate comments about women and saying "a younger generation is ready to take the reins."
His exit came after a weekend of discussions with his bosses, three days after GQ ran a column by a freelance journalist about her "own sexist run-in" with Matthews in the makeup room before appearing on his show in the past.
Matthews opened his program Monday with the announcement he was ending his run on the political talk show he started in 1997, talking in his familiar staccato style. After a commercial break, he was replaced in the anchor chair by a shaken Steve Kornacki.
"This is the last 'Hardball' on MSNBC, and obviously this isn't for lack of interest in politics," Matthews said.
He said that "compliments on a woman's appearance that some men, including me, might have incorrectly thought were OK were never OK. Not then, and certainly not today, and for making such comments in the past, I'm sorry."
It was a week after Matthews opened his show with another apology, for likening Bernie Sanders' win in the Nevada caucus to the Nazi takeover of France.
He said he remained proud of the work he's done on the show. "Hardball" began on CNBC and moved two years later to MSNBC.
In her first-person story, journalist Laura Bassett said Matthews behaved inappropriately toward her when she was guest on his show.
"In 2016, right before I had to go on his show and talk about sexual-assault allegations against Donald Trump, Matthews looked over at me in the makeup chair next to him and said, 'Why haven't I fallen in love with you yet?' When I laughed nervously and said nothing, he followed up to the makeup artist. 'Keep putting makeup on her, I'll fall in love with her,'" Bassett wrote. "Another time, he stood between me and the mirror and complimented the red dress I was wearing for the segment. 'You going out tonight?' he asked."
Bassett said she written about the encounter in a 2017 essay but didn't name Matthews because she was afraid of network retaliation, adding, "I'm not anymore."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--How to avoid getting infected with coronavirus

Diligent hand-washing and disinfecting surfaces are keys to avoiding infection with the coronavirus , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says .
There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
The virus is thought to spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes or through contact with infected surfaces or objects .
Prevention tips , at cdc.org , are based on avoiding exposure : • Avoid close contact with people who are sick .
• Stay home when you are sick .
• Cover your cough or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tissue in the trash .
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe .
• Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others .
The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone at home or in a health care facility .
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds , especially after going to the bathroom ; before eating ; and after blowing your nose , coughing , or sneezing .
If soap and water are not readily available , use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 % alcohol .
Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty .
Separately , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , director-general of the World Health Organization , said Saturday on Twitter , that people over 60 or those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a respiratory condition or diabetes , might consider avoiding crowded areas , or places where they might interact with people who are sick .

How to avoid getting infected with coronavirus
Diligent hand-washing and disinfecting surfaces are keys to avoiding infection with the coronavirus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. The virus is thought to spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes or through contact with infected surfaces or objects.
Prevention tips, at cdc.org, are based on avoiding exposure:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone at home or in a health care facility. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Separately, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said Saturday on Twitter, that people over 60 or those with an underlying condition like cardiovascular disease, a respiratory condition or diabetes, might consider avoiding crowded areas, or places where they might interact with people who are sick.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--Arlington Heights School District 25 employees stayed home voluntarily over exposure worries

Arlington Heights Elementary School District 25 officials say they are n't getting many calls from concerned parents since announcing that two employees and their children voluntarily opted to stay home from school after having contact with a person whose relative was exposed to coronavirus .
The employees and their children work at or attend Dryden , Ivy Hill , Greenbrier and Olive-Mary Stitt elementary schools .
They recently learned their babysitter 's relative , a hospital employee , was exposed to a patient diagnosed with the illness , Superintendent Lori Bein informed district families in an email Sunday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms currently , '' Bein wrote .
`` Our employees/students will stay home and self-monitor their symptoms , and they have been in contact with their physicians . ''
District spokesman Adam Harris said it was entirely the employees ' choice to quarantine themselves .
`` We did n't make them stay home , '' said Harris , adding that the decision to let district families know was prompted by a desire `` to make sure that we were as transparent as possible . ''
The district fielded a few phone calls Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just wanting reassurance and a plan , '' Harris said .
`` ( It ) is the reaction that we expected , '' he said .
`` Our plan moving forward is to share as much information as possible . ''
District officials are in contact with the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health .
`` When we do have more information and we have more guidance , that we will make sure to communicate with our families , '' Harris said .
This latest coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to person , such as between people in close contact ( within about 6 feet ) , through respiratory droplets from an infected person 's cough or sneeze , and from contact with infected surfaces or objects , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The CDC on Friday issued interim guidelines for schools in communities with or without a confirmed case of coronavirus .
It does not recommend self-quarantining unless people show symptoms .
People are believed to be most contagious when they are the sickest .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread before people show symptoms , which has occurred in some cases with this new coronavirus , the CDC reports .

Arlington Heights School District 25 employees stayed home voluntarily over exposure worries
Arlington Heights Elementary School District 25 officials say they aren't getting many calls from concerned parents since announcing that two employees and their children voluntarily opted to stay home from school after having contact with a person whose relative was exposed to coronavirus.
The employees and their children work at or attend Dryden, Ivy Hill, Greenbrier and Olive-Mary Stitt elementary schools. They recently learned their babysitter's relative, a hospital employee, was exposed to a patient diagnosed with the illness, Superintendent Lori Bein informed district families in an email Sunday night.
"None of these people have any symptoms currently," Bein wrote. "Our employees/students will stay home and self-monitor their symptoms, and they have been in contact with their physicians."
District spokesman Adam Harris said it was entirely the employees' choice to quarantine themselves.
"We didn't make them stay home," said Harris, adding that the decision to let district families know was prompted by a desire "to make sure that we were as transparent as possible."
The district fielded a few phone calls Monday about the matter with parents "mainly just wanting reassurance and a plan," Harris said.
"(It) is the reaction that we expected," he said. "Our plan moving forward is to share as much information as possible."
District officials are in contact with the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"When we do have more information and we have more guidance, that we will make sure to communicate with our families," Harris said.
This latest coronavirus is believed to spread mainly from person to person, such as between people in close contact (within about 6 feet), through respiratory droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze, and from contact with infected surfaces or objects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC on Friday issued interim guidelines for schools in communities with or without a confirmed case of coronavirus.
It does not recommend self-quarantining unless people show symptoms. People are believed to be most contagious when they are the sickest. However, it is possible for the virus to spread before people show symptoms, which has occurred in some cases with this new coronavirus, the CDC reports.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--Feeling sick? With coronavirus concern, flu, here's what to do

Area health departments are following guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they advise people about what to do if they believe they are ill with the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
CDC guidance says diagnosis of COVID-19 is based on fever and respiratory symptoms , as well as exposure to a person known to have the virus or a place where it is known to be spreading .
So if you have n't traveled to an area with ongoing spread or been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care provider and directed to call your doctor , said Don Bolger , spokesman for the DuPage County Health Department .
Without exposure to the coronavirus , patients may instead have a cold or the flu , both of which are more common .
So far this flu season , the CDC estimates there have been 32 million illnesses , 310,000 hospitalizations and 18,000 deaths from the flu .
Flu activity is `` widespread '' in Illinois and has been since Dec. 15 , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began spreading in late December in Wuhan , China , there have been 43 total cases in the U.S. , 17 hospitalizations and two deaths , the CDC reports .
Here are the steps to take if you are feeling sick and you suspect it could be COVID-19 , according to the CDC .
• Phone first : Call your doctor if you have a fever and respiratory symptoms , such as a cough or difficulty breathing .
Tell the office if your travel history or personal exposure leads you to believe you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor 's office will take precautions and refer you straight to a room upon arrival .
If your doctor believes you do have the new coronavirus , your doctor will work with your local health department and you will be taken to a hospital emergency department .
• Cover up : Wear a face mask when you go to the doctor unless it causes difficulty breathing .
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue .
Immediately throw the tissue away in a lined trash can .
• Clean up : Wash your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with soap and water or by using hand sanitizer with at least 60 % alcohol .
Wash your hands after blowing your nose , coughing , sneezing or going to the bathroom and before eating or preparing food .
Clean all `` high-touch '' surfaces daily , including tabletops , doorknobs , bathroom fixtures , toilets , phones , keyboards , tablets and bedside tables .
Use a cleaning wipe or spray and follow the instructions while wearing gloves and providing good ventilation .
• Stay away : Isolate yourself in your home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from other people and animals as much as possible and use your own bathroom , if available .
Stay home except to get medical care .
• Do n't share : Use your own dishes , cups , silverware , towels and bedding .
Wash with soap and water after use .
• Watch and wait : Monitor your symptoms for worsening , such as difficulty breathing .
If that occurs , call your doctor before seeking care and tell them that you could have the COVID-19 virus .
When your symptoms improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local and state health departments , will determine when you are able to leave home isolation .

Feeling sick? With coronavirus concern, flu, here's what to do
Area health departments are following guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they advise people about what to do if they believe they are ill with the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
CDC guidance says diagnosis of COVID-19 is based on fever and respiratory symptoms, as well as exposure to a person known to have the virus or a place where it is known to be spreading.
So if you haven't traveled to an area with ongoing spread or been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus, you will be referred back to your personal health care provider and directed to call your doctor, said Don Bolger, spokesman for the DuPage County Health Department.
Without exposure to the coronavirus, patients may instead have a cold or the flu, both of which are more common. So far this flu season, the CDC estimates there have been 32 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 18,000 deaths from the flu. Flu activity is "widespread" in Illinois and has been since Dec. 15, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Meanwhile, since the COVID-19 virus began spreading in late December in Wuhan, China, there have been 43 total cases in the U.S., 17 hospitalizations and two deaths, the CDC reports.
Here are the steps to take if you are feeling sick and you suspect it could be COVID-19, according to the CDC.
• Phone first: Call your doctor if you have a fever and respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or difficulty breathing.
Tell the office if your travel history or personal exposure leads you to believe you could have the COVID-19 virus. Your doctor's office will take precautions and refer you straight to a room upon arrival.
If your doctor believes you do have the new coronavirus, your doctor will work with your local health department and you will be taken to a hospital emergency department.
• Cover up: Wear a face mask when you go to the doctor unless it causes difficulty breathing. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Immediately throw the tissue away in a lined trash can.
• Clean up: Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or by using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or going to the bathroom and before eating or preparing food.
Clean all "high-touch" surfaces daily, including tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables. Use a cleaning wipe or spray and follow the instructions while wearing gloves and providing good ventilation.
• Stay away: Isolate yourself in your home. Stay in a separate room away from other people and animals as much as possible and use your own bathroom, if available. Stay home except to get medical care.
• Don't share: Use your own dishes, cups, silverware, towels and bedding. Wash with soap and water after use.
• Watch and wait: Monitor your symptoms for worsening, such as difficulty breathing. If that occurs, call your doctor before seeking care and tell them that you could have the COVID-19 virus. When your symptoms improve, your doctor, in consultation with local and state health departments, will determine when you are able to leave home isolation.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-02--2 charged with attempted murder, kidnapping of Aurora woman

Two Aurora women are held on $ 100,000 bail each after being accused of kidnapping a woman at knife point and beating her .
Esther J. Ortiz , 55 , and Angela J. Raices , 43 , both of the 900 block of Second Avenue , also each face a charge of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the Feb. 25 attack in which they are accused of battering the 48-year-old victim from Aurora with their fists and a dangerous weapon , according to Kane County court records .
Ortiz and Raices also are charged with aggravated kidnapping with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodily harm and two counts of aggravated battery , all felonies , court records show .
The most severe charges of aggravated kidnapping and attempted murder carry prison terms of six to 30 years with no chance of probation .
Aurora Police spokesman Paris Lewbel could not immediately be reached for comment on the arrests .
Liam Dixon , defense attorney for Raices , said prosecutors sought $ 1 million in bail against his client Saturday , but a judge decided on $ 100,000 , which means Raices needs to post $ 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail while the case is pending .
`` ( Raices ) has absolutely no criminal history , '' Dixon said .
Raices is next due in court Wednesday .
Ortiz ' lawyer could not be reached for comment .
According to court records , Ortiz was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to a 1985 arrest for possessing 15 grams of heroin .
Ortiz , who was free on bond on a felony case of possession of a controlled substance after a July 2019 arrest , is next due in @ @ @

2 charged with attempted murder, kidnapping of Aurora woman
Esther J. Ortiz is held on $100,000 bail on charges of aggravated kidnapping and attempted murder.
Angela J. Raices is held on $100,000 bail on charges of aggravated kidnapping and attempted murder.
Two Aurora women are held on $100,000 bail each after being accused of kidnapping a woman at knife point and beating her.
Esther J. Ortiz, 55, and Angela J. Raices, 43, both of the 900 block of Second Avenue, also each face a charge of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the Feb. 25 attack in which they are accused of battering the 48-year-old victim from Aurora with their fists and a dangerous weapon, according to Kane County court records.
Ortiz and Raices also are charged with aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon, aggravated kidnapping causing great bodily harm and two counts of aggravated battery, all felonies, court records show.
The most severe charges of aggravated kidnapping and attempted murder carry prison terms of six to 30 years with no chance of probation.
Aurora Police spokesman Paris Lewbel could not immediately be reached for comment on the arrests.
Liam Dixon, defense attorney for Raices, said prosecutors sought $1 million in bail against his client Saturday, but a judge decided on $100,000, which means Raices needs to post $10,000 to be released from the Kane County jail while the case is pending.
"(Raices) has absolutely no criminal history," Dixon said.
Raices is next due in court Wednesday.
Ortiz' lawyer could not be reached for comment.
According to court records, Ortiz was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to a 1985 arrest for possessing 15 grams of heroin.
Ortiz, who was free on bond on a felony case of possession of a controlled substance after a July 2019 arrest, is next due in court Thursday.