chicagosun-times--2020-10-13--$5K reward offered for information in West Englewood murder

Rev .
Michael Pfleger and anti-violence activist Andrew Holmes on Tuesday announced a $ 5,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to an arrest in the fatal shooting of Marqueese Hampton in West Englewood last month .
Pfleger and Holmes were joined by members of Hampton ’ s family and Chicago Police Department Cmdr .
Larry Snelling in the 5600 block of South Wood , where the 25-year-old Hampton was shot to death Sept. 30 .
Police have said Hampton and another man were shot while they were running away from two other men .
Hampton was struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital .
Police said the other man was shot in the leg but left the scene on his own and never sought treatment at a hospital .
No arrests have been made .
“ We are , once again , at an all-too-familiar reality , ” Pfleger said .
“ We ’ ve got to turn these cowards in , turn the shooters in .
I say it all the time .
We know who they are , the community knows who they are .
We ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Well , I ’ m afraid.
’ Well , guess what .
While that shooter ’ s still loose in the community , we should all be afraid.
” Hampton ’ s mother , Tiffany Hampton , remembered her son as a good person who “ had a good heart.
” “ He was humble , he didn ’ t bother nobody , and he didn ’ t deserve to die like this , ” she added .
“ I just want justice for my son.
” Marqueese Hampton is also survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

Rev. Michael Pfleger and anti-violence activist Andrew Holmes on Tuesday announced a $5,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to an arrest in the fatal shooting of Marqueese Hampton in West Englewood last month.
Pfleger and Holmes were joined by members of Hampton’s family and Chicago Police Department Cmdr. Larry Snelling in the 5600 block of South Wood, where the 25-year-old Hampton was shot to death Sept. 30.
Police have said Hampton and another man were shot while they were running away from two other men. Hampton was struck in the torso and leg and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. Police said the other man was shot in the leg but left the scene on his own and never sought treatment at a hospital.
No arrests have been made.
“We are, once again, at an all-too-familiar reality,” Pfleger said. “We’ve got to turn these cowards in, turn the shooters in. I say it all the time. We know who they are, the community knows who they are. We’ve got to come forward. People say, ‘Well, I’m afraid.’ Well, guess what. While that shooter’s still loose in the community, we should all be afraid.”
Hampton’s mother, Tiffany Hampton, remembered her son as a good person who “had a good heart.”
“He was humble, he didn’t bother nobody, and he didn’t deserve to die like this,” she added. “I just want justice for my son.”
Marqueese Hampton is also survived by his 5-year-old daughter, Tiffany Hampton said.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--New initiative seeks to transform health care on the South Side

Medical , community and religious leaders on the South Side are racing to build a new health care model to address chronic illness , poor access to treatment and a pandemic that is disproportionately hitting Black and Latino neighborhoods .
The coalition will seek millions of dollars in state money to fund what ’ s being called the South Side Health Transformation Project , an initiative led by University of Chicago , Advocate Trinity and St. Bernard hospitals to address the decades-old problem of an overwhelmed medical care system that ’ s been exasperated even more by COVID-19 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our community , it spotlighted a lot of things we ’ ve known all over the years , ” said Rashard Johnson , president of Advocate Trinity Hospital .
The three hospitals , working with community leaders , propose a system alongside area health clinics and social service organizations to build a preventative care network that would better utilize technology and create a group of community health workers to help guide patients , many of whom have chronic health conditions , toward the best treatment options .
The plan also calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shared database for patient records .
The South Side has long had a large proportion of residents suffering from diabetes , asthma , heart conditions and other health issues , the plan ’ s advocates say .
The initiative faces a critical timeline as one of the area ’ s go-to providers for charitable care , Mercy Hospital and Medical Center , is set to close in February .
In May , a proposed four-way merger between Mercy , Trinity , St. Bernard and South Shore Hospital was called off because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in state funding to set up a new health care system .
The merger proposed to improve health care options on the predominantly Black South Side .
Next month , proponents of the newly developed South Side project hope to land funding when the General Assembly reconvenes during the veto session .
Hospital executives say they ’ ll seek a portion of $ 150 million in state funding available to needy hospitals .
In addition , the three hospitals say they will kick in money and will seek private donations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issues didn ’ t go away — in fact were compounded by the COVID pandemic , ” said Charles Holland , chief executive of St. Bernard Hospital .
Lawmakers plan to distribute the $ 150 million to hospitals that have been hard-hit by the pandemic and “ the sooner the better , ” said House Majority Leader Greg Harris , a Chicago Democrat .
While there will be competition for the money , Harris said he ’ s aware of the challenges on the South Side .
“ COVID has been devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care providers and it has shown how many disproportionate impacts it has on communities , ” Harris said .
Joining the hospitals in the push are community leaders such as the Rev .
Julian DeShazier , senior pastor at University Church in Hyde Park .
“ We have to transform health care delivery , ” said DeShazier , who advises the University of Chicago on community health matters and advocated for the hospital ’ s trauma center that opened in 2018 .
“ It doesn ’ t mean we transform one of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the board.
” Those changes are based on recent community input , he said .
One of the major problems : South Siders often use the emergency room as their primary source of care because of a local health system that ’ s stretched thin , he said .
“ I ’ ve seen people even in my own family and , certainly in the congregation where I serve , not have the same access to the quality of care as those downtown , ” DeShazier said .
Social service organizations like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in the new South Side model , said chief executive Christa Hamilton .
Hamilton ’ s organization and others would help direct residents toward preventative care , aiming to cut down on emergency room visits , which tax the overall system , she said .
“ This is not something that any one organization can do alone or should do alone , ” said Brenda Battle , vice president of the Urban Health Initiative at the University of Chicago .
“ In order to effectively support the needs of our community is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

Medical, community and religious leaders on the South Side are racing to build a new health care model to address chronic illness, poor access to treatment and a pandemic that is disproportionately hitting Black and Latino neighborhoods.
The coalition will seek millions of dollars in state money to fund what’s being called the South Side Health Transformation Project, an initiative led by University of Chicago, Advocate Trinity and St. Bernard hospitals to address the decades-old problem of an overwhelmed medical care system that’s been exasperated even more by COVID-19.
“Looking at the impact COVID has ravaged on our community, it spotlighted a lot of things we’ve known all over the years,” said Rashard Johnson, president of Advocate Trinity Hospital.
The three hospitals, working with community leaders, propose a system alongside area health clinics and social service organizations to build a preventative care network that would better utilize technology and create a group of community health workers to help guide patients, many of whom have chronic health conditions, toward the best treatment options. The plan also calls for hiring primary and specialty doctors and creates a shared database for patient records. The South Side has long had a large proportion of residents suffering from diabetes, asthma, heart conditions and other health issues, the plan’s advocates say.
The initiative faces a critical timeline as one of the area’s go-to providers for charitable care, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, is set to close in February. In May, a proposed four-way merger between Mercy, Trinity, St. Bernard and South Shore Hospital was called off because the money-losing institutions failed to get $520 million in state funding to set up a new health care system. The merger proposed to improve health care options on the predominantly Black South Side.
Next month, proponents of the newly developed South Side project hope to land funding when the General Assembly reconvenes during the veto session. Hospital executives say they’ll seek a portion of $150 million in state funding available to needy hospitals. In addition, the three hospitals say they will kick in money and will seek private donations.
“Even though the consolidation discussions ended, the issues didn’t go away — in fact were compounded by the COVID pandemic,” said Charles Holland, chief executive of St. Bernard Hospital.
Lawmakers plan to distribute the $150 million to hospitals that have been hard-hit by the pandemic and “the sooner the better,” said House Majority Leader Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat.
While there will be competition for the money, Harris said he’s aware of the challenges on the South Side.
“COVID has been devastating for hospitals and a lot of health care providers and it has shown how many disproportionate impacts it has on communities,” Harris said.
The Center for Care and Discovery at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Photography by Michael Satalic
Joining the hospitals in the push are community leaders such as the Rev. Julian DeShazier, senior pastor at University Church in Hyde Park.
“We have to transform health care delivery,” said DeShazier, who advises the University of Chicago on community health matters and advocated for the hospital’s trauma center that opened in 2018. “It doesn’t mean we transform one of these systems. We have to make changes across the board.”
Those changes are based on recent community input, he said. One of the major problems: South Siders often use the emergency room as their primary source of care because of a local health system that’s stretched thin, he said.
“I’ve seen people even in my own family and, certainly in the congregation where I serve, not have the same access to the quality of care as those downtown,” DeShazier said.
Social service organizations like New Horizon in Bronzeville would also take part in the new South Side model, said chief executive Christa Hamilton.
Hamilton’s organization and others would help direct residents toward preventative care, aiming to cut down on emergency room visits, which tax the overall system, she said.
“This is not something that any one organization can do alone or should do alone,” said Brenda Battle, vice president of the Urban Health Initiative at the University of Chicago. “In order to effectively support the needs of our community is something that we needed to do together.”
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--No bail for man charged in fatal point-blank shooting at Melrose Park bar

A 23-year-old Glendale Heights man allegedly shot and killed someone at point-blank range during an argument outside a Melrose Park bar last weekend .
Adam Seger faces a count of first-degree murder in the Saturday killing of Alan Williams at an event to commemorate a friend who was recently shot to death , according to a bond proffer from Cook County prosecutors .
Seger and Robert Morris , 20 , were at J ’ s Sports Bar , 2101 N. Mannheim Rd.
, when they began arguing with Williams at 2 a.m. , and the argument spilled out into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Morris pushed Williams , 37 , in the chest and pointed a handgun at him , prosecutors said .
Seger then allegedly shot Williams once in the face .
The men fled the the scene in separate cars while one witness stayed to preform CPR on Williams until police and paramedics arrived , prosecutors said .
Williams , of Bensenville , was taken to Gottlieb Hospital , where he died .
Morris and Seger are each charged with first-degree murder .
Morris , of Willow Springs , also faces a misdemeanor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to court records .
A judge ordered Seger held without bail , while Morris was ordered held on $ 5 million bail .
Seger ’ s next court date is Oct. 30 .
Morris will appear Oct. 19 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 23-year-old Glendale Heights man allegedly shot and killed someone at point-blank range during an argument outside a Melrose Park bar last weekend.
Adam Seger faces a count of first-degree murder in the Saturday killing of Alan Williams at an event to commemorate a friend who was recently shot to death, according to a bond proffer from Cook County prosecutors.
Seger and Robert Morris, 20, were at J’s Sports Bar, 2101 N. Mannheim Rd., when they began arguing with Williams at 2 a.m., and the argument spilled out into the bar’s parking lot, prosecutors said.
Adam Seger Cook County sheriff’s office
Robert Morris Melrose Park police mugshot
Morris pushed Williams, 37, in the chest and pointed a handgun at him, prosecutors said. Seger then allegedly shot Williams once in the face.
The men fled the the scene in separate cars while one witness stayed to preform CPR on Williams until police and paramedics arrived, prosecutors said. Williams, of Bensenville, was taken to Gottlieb Hospital, where he died.
Morris and Seger are each charged with first-degree murder. Morris, of Willow Springs, also faces a misdemeanor charged for criminal damage to property, according to court records.
A judge ordered Seger held without bail, while Morris was ordered held on $5 million bail.
Seger’s next court date is Oct. 30. Morris will appear Oct. 19.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--Pritzker offers holiday precautions as Illinois sees most daily COVID-19 deaths since June: ‘This vi

Pritzker offers holiday precautions as Illinois sees most daily COVID-19 deaths since June: ‘This virus isn’t taking a holiday’  (LIVE UPDATES)

Pritzker offers holiday precautions as Illinois sees most daily COVID-19 deaths since June : ‘ This virus isn ’ t taking a holiday ’ Illinois suffered its highest daily coronavirus death toll in over three months on Wednesday , the average statewide testing positivity rate rose for a 10th consecutive day , and nearly 2,900 more cases of the deadly disease piled up .
With numbers heading in “ a concerning direction ” as the season turns , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned “ this virus isn ’ t taking a holiday .
It only wants to find new hosts.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had relative success in keeping this virus at bay , and we ’ re still doing better than many of our neighbors , but we can ’ t let up , ” the Democratic governor said at a weekly coronavirus briefing .
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
Fire coach Raphael Wicky said Sunday that he and his players need frequent reminders to be smart about the pandemic .
They got another one Wednesday .
The Fire ’ s match at Minnesota United was officially postponed just over an hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case for MNUFC .
Minnesota ’ s game last Sunday against FC Dallas was postponed due to two MNUFC players testing positive Saturday , raising some questions over whether Wednesday ’ s match with the Fire would be played .
But following Saturday ’ s tests , MNUFC didn ’ t have positives through Tuesday and indications pointed toward the scheduled kickoff .
On Wednesday , the Fire even proceeded to the Twin Cities for the match , adhering to new protocols for same-day travel .
The NFL has canceled next January ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During an owners meeting held virtually on Wednesday , the league opted to call off the all-star game , hoping to replace it with a variety of virtual activities .
The NFL needs flexibility in January in case it needs to move regular-season games to that month because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The league will work closely with the NFLPA and other partners , to create a variety of engaging activities to replace the Pro Bowl game this season , ” the NFL said in a statement .
United Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a modest recovery in air travel slowed down , pushing the carrier to a loss of $ 1.84 billion in the typically strong third quarter .
The airline said Wednesday that revenue plummeted 78 % from a year earlier .
The loss was worse than analysts had expected .
The results from United , and those issued a day earlier by Delta Air Lines , reinforced the damage that the pandemic is doing to a major industry .
Seven months into the worst of the coronavirus impact in the U.S. , air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago .
The decline in lucrative business travel is even deeper .
Bears offensive line coach Juan Castillo will quarantine away from the team through at least Sunday after he came into contact outside of Halas Hall with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus , coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday .
Castillo has not tested positive for the coronavirus , Nagy said .
Castillo self-reported the contact .
He was not present at practice Wednesday but will continue to coach the team with Zoom .
He will not fly with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday to play the Panthers on Sunday .
Assistant offensive line coach Donovan Raiola will take his place on Sunday and during practices this week .
Saturday , the Bears placed rookie Badara Traore , a practice-squad offensive lineman , on the NFL ’ s reserve/COVID-19 list .
Since his test — which was taken Friday — no other Bears players have tested positive .
3:30 p.m. First lady : Son Barron Trump was positive for COVID-19 , now negative WASHINGTON — Melania Trump says her 14-year-old son , Barron , had tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative .
The White House initially said he had tested negative , after both of his parents tested positive earlier this month .
The first lady said Wednesday that subsequent testing showed Barron had also come down with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
He has since tested negative , she said , as have both she and President Donald Trump .
After she and the president received their positive results Oct. 1 , Mrs. Trump wrote that “ naturally , my mind went immediately to our son.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but kept thinking about what would happen the next day and the day after that .
“ My fear came true when he was tested again and it came up positive , ” she said in a lengthy note released on social media .
Some of Chicago ’ s well-known drag performers are ready to strut their stuff on the city ’ s lakefront Friday night for a Halloween-themed spectacle .
CircuitMOM Productions ’ “ Drop Dead Drag Pageant ” — a tribute to the 1999 mockumentary film “ Drop Dead Gorgeous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 16 at the Lakeshore Drive-In , ( the Adler Planetarium ’ s parking lot , 1362 S. Linn White Dr. ) .
Showtimes are 6 and 8:30 p.m .
The pageant kicks off with the hostesses welcoming everyone back from a “ commercial break ” with a recap of the bathing suit competition that “ happened earlier ” with the contestants on the screens , according to pageant officials .
The actual show is the talent portion with nine choreographed production numbers , mock pageant awards , and the crowning of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended a few similar-type events just to gauge what the public response would be to them , and they looked , sounded , and felt like we wanted to try our own , ” said Matthew Harvat , CircuitMOM Productions president .
“ We felt that Lakeshore Drive-In at the Adler Planetarium has the ideal setup for what we do since we ’ re known for production .
The Panthers on Wednesday began taking league-mandated precautionary measures after being exposed to a player Sunday who ’ s since tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears , who are scheduled to fly to Charlotte , N.C. , on Saturday to face the Panthers on Sunday afternoon .
Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson , who played 12 snaps against the Panthers on Sunday , was placed on the NFL ’ s reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday .
The Panthers do not have anyone on their roster who has tested positive for the coronavirus , but are entering the NFL ’ s intensive protocol because of their contact with Davidson .
9:45 a.m. Half of U.S. states now on Chicago ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states on Chicago ’ s emergency travel order after a surge of coronavirus cases in the Hoosier state .
People coming to Chicago from states on the list are asked to quarantine for 14 days , though there are exceptions for necessary trips , such as for medical care or travel by essential workers .
Changes to the list of states affected by the travel advisory are announced on Tuesdays and take effect the following Friday .
Indiana officially goes on the list as of 12:01 a.m. Friday , along with Rhode Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes 25 states as well as Puerto Rico .
Read the full story from Manny Ramos here .
7:30 a.m. Chicago COVID researchers get $ 7.4 million in private funding A Skokie foundation pledged $ 7.4 million in funding to provide more widespread free COVID-19 testing , study risks among children , find ways to predict virus outbreaks and related research .
Eight programs , mostly led by researchers at some of Chicago ’ s leading teaching hospitals , are working in collaboration with state and local health departments with money provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to inform public health policy on testing , prevention and racial health disparities , said Sandra Laney , Walder Foundation ’ s senior director of science innovation .
“ We really landed on a portfolio of projects that were driven by health departments ’ needs , ” Laney said .
The one-year grants range from $ 300,000 to $ 1.25 million each .
The winners were selected from more than 20 applications , Laney said .
7:05 a.m. 10 to see at the 2020 Chicago International Film Festival The Chicago International Film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , makes a novel move online thanks to the novel coronavirus .
The 11-day showcase of world cinema offers 39 dramas , 19 documentaries and 56 shorts via the internet .
Seven features are world premieres .
Audiences can interact with filmmakers in livestream Q & A sessions .
“ We can reach new audiences , ” says artistic director Mimi Plauché .
“ The festival is more accessible to people who live anywhere in the U.S. ” Some titles , however , are limited to Chicago audiences ; other films are limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states .
The global pandemic forced international festivals to go virtual , so Plauché and her programming team scouted this year ’ s entries through the internet .
She says she is partial to “ the films you watch and you can ’ t stop thinking about them.
” Three are dramas in this year ’ s downsized lineup : “ Any Crybabies Around ?
, ” “ Dear Comrades !
” and “ Memory House.
” • Alabama coach NIck Saban tests positive for COVID-19 , but says he doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-day positivity rate — the metric by which health experts measure the virus ’ spread — increased Monday , this time to 4.3 % , the highest it ’ s been in a month .
On Oct. 3 , the state ’ positivity rate was 3.3 % .
• State health officials announced Monday another 2,742 people in Illinois had tested positive for COVID-19 , with 13 more dying of the virus .
6 p.m. Every word Donald Trump speaks is best ignored when sizing up the dangers of COVID-19 The stupidity just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital on Monday of last week , President Trump tweeted that COVID-19 is “ far less lethal ” than the flu for “ most populations.
” This is not true .
Two days later , he bragged that he probably would have bounced back from the virus even if he had not been treated with powerful drugs .
On Saturday , he claimed the virus is “ disappearing.
” It is not .
It is surging .
Read the full editorial by the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board .
It might be hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my columns , to consider possible ramifications before clicking on the “ Submit for Approval ” button .
Is everything spelled right ?
Are my facts all in a row , quacking happily ?
Will I be frog-walked sobbing away from my career and into early retirement ?
But when I rolled out “ Mr .
Covid Answer Man ” early this month , there was one response I never imagined : that readers actually would , as requested , send in questions .
Sincere questions , some of them .
So even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one topic to another , with this crisis reaching whatever nightmare crescendo we ’ re heading toward , I feel duty bound to address a few .
Dear Mr. COVID Answer Man : What is the polite way to say to your brother who you are very close to that his girlfriend is acting recklessly in regards to the virus and is putting his and anyone he sees lives at risk ?
Read the more questions and answers by columnist Neil Steinberg here .

Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the latest coronavirus numbers “concerning. The 49 deaths reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health were the most announced in a single day since the virus claimed 63 lives June 24.
And with 2,862 newly diagnosed cases of the virus, Illinois is averaging almost 2,500 additional cases per day over the last two weeks, higher even than the rate during the worst days of the pandemic in mid-May.
Here’s what happened in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago, the state and the nation.
News
9 p.m. Pritzker offers holiday precautions as Illinois sees most daily COVID-19 deaths since June: ‘This virus isn’t taking a holiday’
AP Photos
Illinois suffered its highest daily coronavirus death toll in over three months on Wednesday, the average statewide testing positivity rate rose for a 10th consecutive day, and nearly 2,900 more cases of the deadly disease piled up.
With numbers heading in “a concerning direction” as the season turns, Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned “this virus isn’t taking a holiday. It only wants to find new hosts.”
“To date, Illinois has had relative success in keeping this virus at bay, and we’re still doing better than many of our neighbors, but we can’t let up,” the Democratic governor said at a weekly coronavirus briefing.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
8:30 p.m. New initiative seeks to transform health care on the South Side
Medical, community and religious leaders on the South Side are racing to build a new health care model to address chronic illness, poor access to treatment and a pandemic that is disproportionately hitting Black and Latino neighborhoods.
The coalition will seek millions of dollars in state money to fund what’s being called the South Side Health Transformation Project, an initiative led by University of Chicago, Advocate Trinity and St. Bernard hospitals to address the decades-old problem of an overwhelmed medical care system that’s been exasperated even more by COVID-19.
“Looking at the impact COVID has ravaged on our community, it spotlighted a lot of things we’ve known all over the years,” said Rashard Johnson, president of Advocate Trinity Hospital.
The three hospitals, working with community leaders, propose a system alongside area health clinics and social service organizations to build a preventative care network that would better utilize technology and create a group of community health workers to help guide patients, many of whom have chronic health conditions, toward the best treatment options. The plan also calls for hiring primary and specialty doctors and creates a shared database for patient records. The South Side has long had a large proportion of residents suffering from diabetes, asthma, heart conditions and other health issues, the plan’s advocates say.
Read the full story by Brett Chase here.
7:30 p.m. Chicago Fire match postponed due to suspected Minnesota United COVID-19 case
Fire coach Raphael Wicky said Sunday that he and his players need frequent reminders to be smart about the pandemic.
They got another one Wednesday.
The Fire’s match at Minnesota United was officially postponed just over an hour before kickoff due to a suspected COVID-19 case for MNUFC. Minnesota’s game last Sunday against FC Dallas was postponed due to two MNUFC players testing positive Saturday, raising some questions over whether Wednesday’s match with the Fire would be played.
But following Saturday’s tests, MNUFC didn’t have positives through Tuesday and indications pointed toward the scheduled kickoff. On Wednesday, the Fire even proceeded to the Twin Cities for the match, adhering to new protocols for same-day travel.
Read the full story by Brian Sandalow.
6:20 p.m. NFL cancels Pro Bowl in Las Vegas due to COVID-19 pandemic
The NFL has canceled next January’s Pro Bowl scheduled for Las Vegas.
During an owners meeting held virtually on Wednesday, the league opted to call off the all-star game, hoping to replace it with a variety of virtual activities. The NFL needs flexibility in January in case it needs to move regular-season games to that month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The league will work closely with the NFLPA and other partners, to create a variety of engaging activities to replace the Pro Bowl game this season,” the NFL said in a statement.
Read the full story here.
5 p.m. United reports $1.8 billion in losses amid pandemic
United Airlines financial hole grew deeper over the summer as a modest recovery in air travel slowed down, pushing the carrier to a loss of $1.84 billion in the typically strong third quarter.
The airline said Wednesday that revenue plummeted 78% from a year earlier. The loss was worse than analysts had expected.
The results from United, and those issued a day earlier by Delta Air Lines, reinforced the damage that the pandemic is doing to a major industry. Seven months into the worst of the coronavirus impact in the U.S., air travel remains down 65% from a year ago. The decline in lucrative business travel is even deeper.
Read the full story here.
4:06 p.m. Bears OL coach Juan Castillo quarantining through Sunday
Bears offensive line coach Juan Castillo will quarantine away from the team through at least Sunday after he came into contact outside of Halas Hall with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday.
Castillo has not tested positive for the coronavirus, Nagy said. Castillo self-reported the contact. He was not present at practice Wednesday but will continue to coach the team with Zoom. He will not fly with the Bears to Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday to play the Panthers on Sunday.
Assistant offensive line coach Donovan Raiola will take his place on Sunday and during practices this week.
Saturday, the Bears placed rookie Badara Traore, a practice-squad offensive lineman, on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list. Since his test — which was taken Friday — no other Bears players have tested positive.
Read the full story here.
3:30 p.m. First lady: Son Barron Trump was positive for COVID-19, now negative
WASHINGTON — Melania Trump says her 14-year-old son, Barron, had tested positive for the coronavirus but has since tested negative.
The White House initially said he had tested negative, after both of his parents tested positive earlier this month.
The first lady said Wednesday that subsequent testing showed Barron had also come down with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
He has since tested negative, she said, as have both she and President Donald Trump.
After she and the president received their positive results Oct. 1, Mrs. Trump wrote that “naturally, my mind went immediately to our son.”
He tested negative and she was relieved, but kept thinking about what would happen the next day and the day after that.
“My fear came true when he was tested again and it came up positive,” she said in a lengthy note released on social media.
Read the full story here.
11:35 a.m. Star-studded ‘Drop Dead Drag Pageant’ set for Lakeshore Drive-In live show
Some of Chicago’s well-known drag performers are ready to strut their stuff on the city’s lakefront Friday night for a Halloween-themed spectacle.
CircuitMOM Productions’ “Drop Dead Drag Pageant” — a tribute to the 1999 mockumentary film “Drop Dead Gorgeous” — is scheduled to take place Oct. 16 at the Lakeshore Drive-In, (the Adler Planetarium’s parking lot, 1362 S. Linn White Dr.). Showtimes are 6 and 8:30 p.m.
The pageant kicks off with the hostesses welcoming everyone back from a “commercial break” with a recap of the bathing suit competition that “happened earlier” with the contestants on the screens, according to pageant officials. The actual show is the talent portion with nine choreographed production numbers, mock pageant awards, and the crowning of the new queen.
“We’ve attended a few similar-type events just to gauge what the public response would be to them, and they looked, sounded, and felt like we wanted to try our own,” said Matthew Harvat, CircuitMOM Productions president. “We felt that Lakeshore Drive-In at the Adler Planetarium has the ideal setup for what we do since we’re known for production.
Read the full story here.
10:28 a.m. Panthers implement NFL precautions after opponent tests positive
The Panthers on Wednesday began taking league-mandated precautionary measures after being exposed to a player Sunday who’s since tested positive for the coronavirus.
That’s notable for the Bears, who are scheduled to fly to Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday to face the Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson, who played 12 snaps against the Panthers on Sunday, was placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday. The Panthers do not have anyone on their roster who has tested positive for the coronavirus, but are entering the NFL’s intensive protocol because of their contact with Davidson.
Read the full story here.
9:45 a.m. Half of U.S. states now on Chicago’s travel advisory list
Indiana has joined the states on Chicago’s emergency travel order after a surge of coronavirus cases in the Hoosier state.
People coming to Chicago from states on the list are asked to quarantine for 14 days, though there are exceptions for necessary trips, such as for medical care or travel by essential workers.
Changes to the list of states affected by the travel advisory are announced on Tuesdays and take effect the following Friday.
Indiana officially goes on the list as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, along with Rhode Island and New Mexico. The list now includes 25 states as well as Puerto Rico.
Read the full story from Manny Ramos here.
7:30 a.m. Chicago COVID researchers get $7.4 million in private funding
A Skokie foundation pledged $7.4 million in funding to provide more widespread free COVID-19 testing, study risks among children, find ways to predict virus outbreaks and related research.
Eight programs, mostly led by researchers at some of Chicago’s leading teaching hospitals, are working in collaboration with state and local health departments with money provided by the 2-year-old Walder Foundation.
Findings are expected to inform public health policy on testing, prevention and racial health disparities, said Sandra Laney, Walder Foundation’s senior director of science innovation.
“We really landed on a portfolio of projects that were driven by health departments’ needs,” Laney said.
The one-year grants range from $300,000 to $1.25 million each. The winners were selected from more than 20 applications, Laney said.
Read the full story here.
7:05 a.m. 10 to see at the 2020 Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival, now in its 56th year, makes a novel move online thanks to the novel coronavirus. The 11-day showcase of world cinema offers 39 dramas, 19 documentaries and 56 shorts via the internet. Seven features are world premieres. Audiences can interact with filmmakers in livestream Q&A sessions.
“We can reach new audiences,” says artistic director Mimi Plauché. “The festival is more accessible to people who live anywhere in the U.S.” Some titles, however, are limited to Chicago audiences; other films are limited to Midwesterners living in Illinois and five other states.
The global pandemic forced international festivals to go virtual, so Plauché and her programming team scouted this year’s entries through the internet. She says she is partial to “the films you watch and you can’t stop thinking about them.” Three are dramas in this year’s downsized lineup: “Any Crybabies Around?,” “Dear Comrades!” and “Memory House.”
Read the full story here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
6 p.m. Every word Donald Trump speaks is best ignored when sizing up the dangers of COVID-19
The stupidity just keeps coming.
Hours after leaving the hospital on Monday of last week, President Trump tweeted that COVID-19 is “far less lethal” than the flu for “most populations.”
This is not true.
Two days later, he bragged that he probably would have bounced back from the virus even if he had not been treated with powerful drugs.
Doctors might disagree.
On Saturday, he claimed the virus is “disappearing.”
It is not. It is surging.
Read the full editorial by the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board.
7:10 a.m. Like illness, Mr. COVID Answer Man lingers
It might be hard to imagine, but I try to premeditate my columns, to consider possible ramifications before clicking on the “Submit for Approval” button. Is everything spelled right? Are my facts all in a row, quacking happily? Will I be frog-walked sobbing away from my career and into early retirement? But when I rolled out “Mr. Covid Answer Man” early this month, there was one response I never imagined: that readers actually would, as requested, send in questions. Sincere questions, some of them. So even though I like to flit nimbly from one topic to another, with this crisis reaching whatever nightmare crescendo we’re heading toward, I feel duty bound to address a few.
Dear Mr. COVID Answer Man: What is the polite way to say to your brother who you are very close to that his girlfriend is acting recklessly in regards to the virus and is putting his and anyone he sees lives at risk?
Read the more questions and answers by columnist Neil Steinberg here.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--Chicago crook’s case highlights Supreme Court nominee’s black-and-white approach

A Chicago criminal ’ s case has provided a window into Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ’ s literal reading of the law .
During Tuesday ’ s confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee , Barrett was asked about Hector Uriarte .
In 2013 , Uriarte was sentenced to 50 years in prison for his role in a home invasion , kidnapping and robbery crew that included a former Chicago cop .
Uriarte appealed and in May , a federal judge slashed his prison term to 20 years under the First Step Act , a criminal justice reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenged Uriarte ’ s reduced sentence and last month , the federal appeals court in Chicago upheld it by a vote of 9-3 .
Barrett , who ’ s on the appeals court here , wrote the dissenting opinion .
She ’ s considered an “ originalist ” or “ textualist ” because she focuses on the letter of the law as opposed to the intent of Congress .
“ We had a dispute over what the plain text of the statute required , ” she told Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a very , very difficult case.
” Grassley and Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Illinois , pushed for the First Step Act to promote rehabilitation and reduce prison costs .
Grassley wanted to know why Barrett didn ’ t go along with the majority in the Uriarte opinion .
“ I thought that the majority had permitted the policy goals of the act to supersede the text , ” Barrett said .
The First Step Act doesn ’ t apply to inmates who were convicted of a gun offense and sentenced before 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question for the appeals court was whether the First Step Act applied to Uriarte ’ s original sentence in 2013 — or to this year ’ s reduced sentence .
The majority of the court voted that Uriarte was technically “ un-sentenced ” when the gun part of his 2013 conviction was tossed out in 2017 .
He wasn ’ t “ sentenced ” until this year , so he was eligible under the First Step Act .
But Barrett , writing for herself and two other dissenting judges , disagreed , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original sentence was imposed in 2013 .
That means Uriarte wasn ’ t eligible for relief under the 2018 law , she wrote .
“ Uriarte indisputably had been sentenced before the First Step Act took effect , ” she wrote in a literal reading of the text of the statute .
Her dissent even defined the meaning of the word “ a.
” “ Here , Congress picked a line : the applicability of the First Step Act turns on whether a sentence had been imposed on the defendant before the date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uriarte , 41 , is now seeking “ compassionate release ” under the First Step Act because he says he ’ s at risk of getting COVID-19 in prison .
Prosecutors have opposed his request .
Glenn Lewellen , a 64-year-old former cop , was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the crew .
In May , Lewellen got a compassionate release under the First Step Act because he said he was at risk of contracting the coronavirus , too .
Prosecutors opposed his release , saying he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the crew , but Judge Joan Gotschall said he “ rehabilitated himself , personally and spiritually .
”

A Chicago criminal’s case has provided a window into Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s literal reading of the law.
During Tuesday’s confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barrett was asked about Hector Uriarte. In 2013, Uriarte was sentenced to 50 years in prison for his role in a home invasion, kidnapping and robbery crew that included a former Chicago cop.
Uriarte appealed and in May, a federal judge slashed his prison term to 20 years under the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform law passed in 2018. Prosecutors then challenged Uriarte’s reduced sentence and last month, the federal appeals court in Chicago upheld it by a vote of 9-3.
Barrett, who’s on the appeals court here, wrote the dissenting opinion. She’s considered an “originalist” or “textualist” because she focuses on the letter of the law as opposed to the intent of Congress.
“We had a dispute over what the plain text of the statute required,” she told Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on Tuesday, adding, “It was a very, very difficult case.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, questions Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Tuesday. Getty Images
Grassley and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, pushed for the First Step Act to promote rehabilitation and reduce prison costs. Grassley wanted to know why Barrett didn’t go along with the majority in the Uriarte opinion.
“I thought that the majority had permitted the policy goals of the act to supersede the text,” Barrett said.
The First Step Act doesn’t apply to inmates who were convicted of a gun offense and sentenced before 2018 when the law was enacted. The question for the appeals court was whether the First Step Act applied to Uriarte’s original sentence in 2013 — or to this year’s reduced sentence.
The majority of the court voted that Uriarte was technically “un-sentenced” when the gun part of his 2013 conviction was tossed out in 2017. He wasn’t “sentenced” until this year, so he was eligible under the First Step Act.
But Barrett, writing for herself and two other dissenting judges, disagreed, saying the clock started when Uriarte’s original sentence was imposed in 2013. That means Uriarte wasn’t eligible for relief under the 2018 law, she wrote.
“Uriarte indisputably had been sentenced before the First Step Act took effect,” she wrote in a literal reading of the text of the statute. Her dissent even defined the meaning of the word “a.”
“Here, Congress picked a line: the applicability of the First Step Act turns on whether a sentence had been imposed on the defendant before the date of enactment,” Barrett wrote.
Uriarte, 41, is now seeking “compassionate release” under the First Step Act because he says he’s at risk of getting COVID-19 in prison. Prosecutors have opposed his request.
Glenn Lewellen, a 64-year-old former cop, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the crew. In May, Lewellen got a compassionate release under the First Step Act because he said he was at risk of contracting the coronavirus, too. Prosecutors opposed his release, saying he was the “CEO and guardian angel” of the crew, but Judge Joan Gotschall said he “rehabilitated himself, personally and spiritually.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--Trio used explosive device in attempted Lake View ATM burglary: FBI

Authorities are looking for three men suspected of using an explosive device to try and break into an ATM in @ @ @ @ @ .
On June 14 , one of the suspects allegedly planted an improvised explosive device @ @ @ @ @ at a Fifth-Third Bank branch at 3179 N. Clark St. , the FBI said in @ @ @ @ @ ATM burned and the concrete floor damaged after someone “ ignited an explosive device ” @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
A bomb squad responded to the bank and deemed the area @ @ @ @ @ suspects surveilled the area before and after the attempted burglary , the FBI said .
@ @ @ @ @ together .
The suspect who planted the device appears to have a birthmark or tattoo @ @ @ @ @ a large tattoo on his neck , possibly a star , the FBI said .
@ @ @ @ @ for information leading to their arrest , the FBI said .
Anyone with information is @ @ @ @ @ Chicago field office at 312-421-6700 .

Authorities are looking for three men suspected of using an explosive device to try and break into an ATM in Lake View over the summer.
On June 14, one of the suspects allegedly planted an improvised explosive device next to a drive-thru ATM at a Fifth-Third Bank branch at 3179 N. Clark St., the FBI said in statement.
Investigators found the ATM burned and the concrete floor damaged after someone “ignited an explosive device” nearby, Chicago police said at the time. A bomb squad responded to the bank and deemed the area safe.
The other two suspects surveilled the area before and after the attempted burglary, the FBI said. The trio left the area together.
The suspect who planted the device appears to have a birthmark or tattoo on his right temple and a large tattoo on his neck, possibly a star, the FBI said.
A reward is being offered for information leading to their arrest, the FBI said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI Chicago field office at 312-421-6700.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--Chicago Fire match postponed due to suspected Minnesota United COVID-19 case

Fire coach Raphael Wicky said Sunday that he and his players need frequent reminders to be smart about the pandemic .
They got another one Wednesday .
The Fire ’ s match at Minnesota United was postponed just over an hour before kickoff because of a suspected COVID-19 case for MNUFC .
Minnesota ’ s game last Sunday against FC Dallas also was postponed when two MNUFC players tested positive Saturday , raising early questions about whether Wednesday ’ s match would be played .
But after Saturday ’ s tests , MNUFC had no positives through Tuesday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as scheduled .
On Wednesday , the Fire traveled to the Twin Cities , adhering to new protocols for same-day travel .
“ If you ’ re not careful , it can go through the club very , very quickly , ” Minnesota coach Adrian Heath told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Tuesday .
“ Obviously there was a concern because you look at what has gone on in Colorado , and then you are waiting for every test to come back and listening to how everybody is .
I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , touch wood , we look as though we might have come out the other side.
” In a brief statement , MLS said the “ match was postponed to allow for further testing and evaluation.
” A new date and time for the match has not been announced .
The postponement is the latest interruption to the season .
The Colorado Rapids haven ’ t played since Sept. 23 and it ’ s unclear when they ’ ll play next .
Earlier this summer , Nashville SC and FC Dallas had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament because of outbreaks , forcing the Fire to switch groups just before the event began .
The Fire announced a positive test of their own in August but did not see their next scheduled match postponed .
“ All of us need the reminder , ” Wicky said Sunday .
“ We ’ re trying to do that .
So far , we were very disciplined and we ’ re lucky , but it ’ s something we have to get used to .
It ’ s not , OK , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , for three more weeks .
Right now , it ’ s the normal life and we have to be disciplined and take this virus [ seriously ] .
” Fire defender Boris Sekulic said the topic is discussed with the coaches and trainers .
It ’ s not hard to decipher the message .
“ We need all players , ” Sekulic said .
“ We were lucky that we didn ’ t have some big problems in our team , and I hope that it will stay like this until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next match is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Soldier Field against Sporting Kansas City .

Fire coach Raphael Wicky said Sunday that he and his players need frequent reminders to be smart about the pandemic.
They got another one Wednesday.
The Fire’s match at Minnesota United was postponed just over an hour before kickoff because of a suspected COVID-19 case for MNUFC. Minnesota’s game last Sunday against FC Dallas also was postponed when two MNUFC players tested positive Saturday, raising early questions about whether Wednesday’s match would be played.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
But after Saturday’s tests, MNUFC had no positives through Tuesday, and indications pointed toward the match being played as scheduled. On Wednesday, the Fire traveled to the Twin Cities, adhering to new protocols for same-day travel.
“If you’re not careful, it can go through the club very, very quickly,” Minnesota coach Adrian Heath told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Tuesday. “Obviously there was a concern because you look at what has gone on in Colorado, and then you are waiting for every test to come back and listening to how everybody is. I think the most important thing is that as I say, touch wood, we look as though we might have come out the other side.”
In a brief statement, MLS said the “match was postponed to allow for further testing and evaluation.” A new date and time for the match has not been announced.
The postponement is the latest interruption to the season. The Colorado Rapids haven’t played since Sept. 23 and it’s unclear when they’ll play next. Earlier this summer, Nashville SC and FC Dallas had to withdraw from the MLS is Back tournament because of outbreaks, forcing the Fire to switch groups just as the event began.
The Fire announced a positive test of their own in August but did not see their next scheduled match postponed.
“All of us need the reminder,” Wicky said Sunday. “We’re trying to do that. So far, we were very disciplined and we’re lucky, but it’s something we have to get used to. It’s not, OK, we have to do it for two more weeks, for three more weeks. Right now, it’s the normal life and we have to be disciplined and take this virus [seriously].”
Fire defender Boris Sekulic said the topic is discussed with the coaches and trainers. It’s not hard to decipher the message.
“We need all players,” Sekulic said. “We were lucky that we didn’t have some big problems in our team, and I hope that it will stay like this until the end.”
The Fire’s next match is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Soldier Field against Sporting Kansas City.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--Bears’ Eddie Jackson: Just try to throw the ball my way

Friday morning , safety Eddie Jackson took to Twitter to point out how many times the ball was thrown his way in the Bears ’ 20-19 win against the Buccaneers : zero .
He said Wednesday that he knows it ’ s a sign of respect .
“ But I like playing football , ” he said .
“ I like being challenged , so I want to be targeted , you know ?
It ’ s more opportunity to make plays .
“ If you don ’ t get no targets , you don ’ t really have any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So that ’ s something that I , you know , just kinda have that confidence to be like , ‘ OK , you want to talk like that ?
Go on and target me then.
’ I ’ m up for the challenge.
” He was the last time the Bears played the Panthers .
In 2017 , he returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown and an interception 76 yards for a score .
He became the first player in NFL history with multiple defensive touchdowns of 75 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it all the time , in terms of not getting too frustrated when you ’ re not getting the targets and the action that you want to come your way , ” safeties coach Sean Desai said Tuesday .
“ Then , mastering all the other stuff that you can do and impact the game on .
I think it ’ s shown over the first few weeks of the season where he has impacted it .
”

On Friday morning, safety Eddie Jackson took to Twitter to point out how many times the ball was thrown his way in the Bears’ 20-19 victory against the Buccaneers: zero.
He said Wednesday that he knows it’s a sign of respect.
“But I like playing football,” he said. “I like being challenged, so I want to be targeted, you know? It’s more opportunity to make plays.
“If you don’t get targets, you don’t really have any opportunities to make plays on the ball. So that’s something that I just kinda have that confidence to be like, ‘OK, you want to talk like that? Go on and target me then.’ I’m up for the challenge.”
He was the last time the Bears played the Panthers. In 2017, he returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown and an interception 76 yards for a score. He became the first player in NFL history with multiple defensive touchdowns of 75 yards or more.
“We talk about it all the time, in terms of not getting too frustrated when you’re not getting the targets and the action that you want to come your way,” safeties coach Sean Desai said. “Then, mastering all the other stuff that you can do and impact the game on. I think it’s shown over the first few weeks of the season where he has impacted it.”
Te’o tryout
The Bears put Manti Te’o, the former Notre Dame linebacker who infamously mourned the cancer death of a girlfriend who never existed, on their tryout list.
In 2013, Te’o claimed that he had been the victim of a “catfishing” hoax.
He was picked by the Chargers in the second round of the 2013 draft and played four years for them before spending three seasons with the Saints. He totaled four starts the last two seasons.
The Bears also brought in safety/linebacker Deone Bucannon, a 2014 first-round pick of the Cardinals, and linebacker Justin Phillips for tryouts.
Injury report
The Bears gave wide receiver Ted Ginn, inside linebacker Danny Trevathan, tight end Jimmy Graham and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks veteran days off Wednesday.
Safety Deon Bush did not practice because of the hamstring injury he suffered against the Colts. Safety Sherrick McManis returned to the field but was limited because of a hamstring injury, and defensive tackle Brent Urban was limited with a knee problem.
This and that
The Bears promoted second-year offensive lineman Sam Mustipher, a Notre Dame alum, to take James Daniels’ roster spot. Daniels, the starting left guard, was put on injured reserve after he tore a pectoral muscle Thursday night against the Bucs. He’s expected to be out for the season.
† Nose tackle John Jenkins, whom the Bears put on injured reserve Sept. 24 with a thumb injury, practiced Wednesday. The Bears have three weeks to activate him for games.
† The Bears protected kicker Kai Forbath from practice-squad poaching, as they did with third-string quarterback Tyler Bray on Tuesday.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--Every word Donald Trump speaks is best ignored when sizing up the dangers of COVID-19

The stupidity just keeps coming .
Hours after leaving the hospital on Monday of last week , President Trump tweeted that COVID-19 is “ far less lethal ” than the flu for “ most populations.
” This is not true .
Two days later , he bragged that he probably would have bounced back from the virus even if he had not been treated with powerful drugs .
On Saturday , he claimed the virus is “ disappearing.
” It is not .
It is surging .
On Monday of this week , he held a rally in Florida at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask .
It was your basic super-spreader .
And now , according to reports on Wednesday , Trump is keen on the idea of just letting the virus spread naturally among younger people so as to achieve “ herd immunity ” through infections rather than a vaccine .
The World Health Organization calls that approach “ unethical.
” Millions more people might die .
It is astounding that 10 months into the pandemic , the president of the United States continues to downplay the danger of COVID-19 — at least in public — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even as the virus has killed more than 1 million people worldwide , including more than 215,000 people in the United States .
No matter that aides in the White House , discouraged from wearing masks , are falling ill left and right .
No matter that Trump himself recovered from COVID-19 only after receiving an extraordinary level of medical care that most Americans can only dream of .
No matter that he was damn lucky .
Donald Trump just lies , over and over again , when it comes to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can disagree about the best response to the pandemic — whether or not , for example , to close schools , prohibit indoor restaurant dining or large outdoor gatherings .
There ’ s much to be said for the argument that “ the cure can ’ t be worse than the disease.
” But there is no disputing — we can ’ t say this strongly enough — the very real and continuing dangers of the disease .
So far already this year , more Americans have died from the coronavirus than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past five years combined , according to the Centers for Disease Control .
The number of flu deaths in the United States varies greatly from year to year , but generally fluctuates between from 12,000 to 61,000 .
The death rate of COVID-19 is substantially higher than that of most strains of the flu , possibly 10 or even 20 times higher .
Johns Hopkins University currently estimates the death rate for the coronavirus to be 2.8 % , while the death rate for the flu is only about 0.1 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is as yet no vaccine for the coronavirus .
Younger Americans are much less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 , but among those who do reach the point of hospitalization , their risks are substantial .
A new Harvard study of 3,222 young adults — ages 18 to 24 — who were hospitalized for COVID-19 found that a sizable number of them — 21 % — required intensive care .
Ten percent required mechanical ventilation and 2.7 % died .
Those percentages doubled for young adults who suffered from hypertension or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that COVID-19 “ does not spare young people ” and is “ a life-threatening disease in people of all ages , ” wrote an editor of JAMA Internal Medicine , which published the study in September .
The Washington Post first reported Wednesday that officials in the White House favor a plan to let the coronavirus spread freely among healthy young people — no masks or social distancing — to hasten the arrival of herd immunity .
At that point , enough people would be immune to the virus to prevent its spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that approach is that while younger people face less danger from the disease , nobody has a plan for how to segregate them from the rest of us — their parents , grandparents , gray-haired neighbors , older store clerks and the like .
In states where bars catering to young people were allowed to reopen early , such as Florida , death rates from the virus spiked weeks later .
Sweden , which took a similarly casual approach , has seen significantly more deaths than neighboring countries , while its economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example of the lethal price demanded of the herd immunity approach might be the 50 million people worldwide who perished during the 1918 influenza pandemic .
The coronavirus is surging again in Europe , as summer lockdowns have been eased , and health experts fear it will spread faster now within families as cold weather forces us indoors .
“ Put your guard back up , not only in the public places but in your private places , including your home , ” Deborah Birx , coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last Friday .
“ That community spread is now occurring in small gatherings , day after day , in households and families.
” That ’ s a not a welcome message as we head into the holiday season .
But , unlike the blatherings of Birx ’ s boss , Donald Trump , it ’ s the honest truth .

The stupidity just keeps coming.
Hours after leaving the hospital on Monday of last week, President Trump tweeted that COVID-19 is “far less lethal” than the flu for “most populations.”
This is not true.
Two days later, he bragged that he probably would have bounced back from the virus even if he had not been treated with powerful drugs.
Doctors might disagree.
On Saturday, he claimed the virus is “disappearing.”
It is not. It is surging.
Editorials bug Editorials
On Monday of this week, he held a rally in Florida at which nobody was asked to wear a mask.
It was your basic super-spreader.
And now, according to reports on Wednesday, Trump is keen on the idea of just letting the virus spread naturally among younger people so as to achieve “herd immunity” through infections rather than a vaccine.
The World Health Organization calls that approach “unethical.” Millions more people might die.
COVID-19 and a dishonest president
It is astounding that 10 months into the pandemic, the president of the United States continues to downplay the danger of COVID-19 — at least in public — dismissing it as a kind of flu, even as the virus has killed more than 1 million people worldwide, including more than 215,000 people in the United States.
No matter that aides in the White House, discouraged from wearing masks, are falling ill left and right.
No matter that Trump himself recovered from COVID-19 only after receiving an extraordinary level of medical care that most Americans can only dream of.
No matter that he was damn lucky.
Donald Trump just lies, over and over again, when it comes to COVID-19. He is best ignored.
Reasonable people can disagree about the best response to the pandemic — whether or not, for example, to close schools, prohibit indoor restaurant dining or large outdoor gatherings. There’s much to be said for the argument that “the cure can’t be worse than the disease.”
But there is no disputing — we can’t say this strongly enough — the very real and continuing dangers of the disease.
COVID-19 versus the flu
So far already this year, more Americans have died from the coronavirus than died from the flu in all of the past five years combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The number of flu deaths in the United States varies greatly from year to year, but generally fluctuates between from 12,000 to 61,000.
The death rate of COVID-19 is substantially higher than that of most strains of the flu, possibly 10 or even 20 times higher. Johns Hopkins University currently estimates the death rate for the coronavirus to be 2.8%, while the death rate for the flu is only about 0.1%.
And, unlike the flu, there is as yet no vaccine for the coronavirus.
COVID-19 and young people
Younger Americans are much less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, but among those who do reach the point of hospitalization, their risks are substantial.
A new Harvard study of 3,222 young adults — ages 18 to 24 — who were hospitalized for COVID-19 found that a sizable number of them — 21% — required intensive care. Ten percent required mechanical ventilation and 2.7% died. Those percentages doubled for young adults who suffered from hypertension or were morbidly obese.
The message is that COVID-19 “does not spare young people” and is “a life-threatening disease in people of all ages,” wrote an editor of JAMA Internal Medicine, which published the study in September.
COVID-19 and herd immunity
The Washington Post first reported Wednesday that officials in the White House favor a plan to let the coronavirus spread freely among healthy young people — no masks or social distancing — to hasten the arrival of herd immunity. At that point, enough people would be immune to the virus to prevent its spread at epidemic rates.
The fundamental flaw in that approach is that while younger people face less danger from the disease, nobody has a plan for how to segregate them from the rest of us — their parents, grandparents, gray-haired neighbors, older store clerks and the like.
In states where bars catering to young people were allowed to reopen early, such as Florida, death rates from the virus spiked weeks later. Sweden, which took a similarly casual approach, has seen significantly more deaths than neighboring countries, while its economy still has suffered.
But the best example of the lethal price demanded of the herd immunity approach might be the 50 million people worldwide who perished during the 1918 influenza pandemic.
COVID-19 and winter
The coronavirus is surging again in Europe, as summer lockdowns have been eased, and health experts fear it will spread faster now within families as cold weather forces us indoors.
“Put your guard back up, not only in the public places but in your private places, including your home,” Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said at a press briefing last Friday. “That community spread is now occurring in small gatherings, day after day, in households and families.”
That’s a not a welcome message as we head into the holiday season.
But, unlike the blatherings of Birx’s boss, Donald Trump, it’s the honest truth.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--Nothing simple about passing income tax amendment — even if reasons to do so are

Whenever I ’ ve spoken with Democratic political types over the last couple months , I ’ ve asked them what they ’ re picking up from voters about the prospects for the graduated income tax referendum .
The answer is usually the same : They ’ re worried that it ’ s not going to be approved .
None of them have predicted it will lose , mind you , and they ’ re not giving up , but they ’ re definitely not feeling confident about its passage .
They see what I see : Opponents of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sowing doubt and confusion while playing into the voting public ’ s natural mistrust of “ Springfield politicians.
” That ’ s a shame because the issue really isn ’ t that complicated , and you don ’ t need to trust anybody else to see what ’ s in your own self-interest .
Since Illinois approved an income tax in 1969 , the state has employed a flat tax system under which everyone is taxed at the same percentage rate , currently 4.95 % .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a system with progressively higher tax rates depending on your level of income , similar to what we already have with the federal income tax .
Making that change requires an amendment to the state constitution .
Separate from the constitutional amendment , Democrats have approved legislation laying out how they would initially implement such a graduated tax system .
Their plan , which won ’ t take effect unless the constitutional change is approved , would raise taxes on taxpayers with annual income exceeding $ 250,000 .
They say that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The other 97 % of taxpayers would either receive a tax cut or pay at the same rate they do now .
Individual rates would range from 4.75 % for persons making less than $ 10,000 to 7.99 % for someone making more than $ 750,000 .
It ’ s true this would result in a tax hike of about $ 3.4 billion , but 97 % of you won ’ t be paying it .
The main argument against changing the constitution is that a future Legislature could then alter the brackets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s true .
They could do that .
And I think you can safely assume those brackets won ’ t stay the same until the end of time , maybe not even until the end of the decade .
Of course , legislators can also raise income taxes now , and the main safeguard you will have is what it ’ s always been : their fear of voter backlash .
That doesn ’ t change .
What legislators can ’ t do now , under the existing constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher percentage rate , and that ’ s why wealthier people are fighting very hard to keep this change from being made .
I try to understand why people in the middle wouldn ’ t like a graduated tax , and the only thing I can see is that they are worried someone making less money is going to get a better deal than them .
It baffles me that anyone in this age of growing income inequality would continue to see themselves as having more in common with the wealthy than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one health catastrophe or job loss from gravitating to the bottom of the heap , yet light-years from catching up to the ultra-rich .
But that ’ s America 2020 , God help us .
Despite what opponents are saying , there ’ s nothing in this constitutional amendment that would tax retirement income .
There ’ s also nothing that would make it easier to tax retirement income .
That ’ s just a red herring thrown out there to confuse you .
Taxing retirement income is an idea occasionally advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then just as quickly shot down by the majority of legislators who know it would be very unpopular with older voters especially .
Maybe the best argument against a graduated income tax is that it doesn ’ t really solve Illinois ’ financial problems .
That ’ s true , too .
It doesn ’ t .
Our problems are bigger than that .
But this is a good step in the right direction .
If we ’ d had a more responsive tax system all along that did a better job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay , we might have had a better chance of avoiding the mess we ’ re in , not that it would have prevented those unfunded pensions .
Opponents of a graduated income tax have one built-in advantage .
It ’ s tough to pass a substantive constitutional amendment in Illinois , requiring approval either by 60 % of those voting on the question or more than 50 % of everyone casting a ballot in the election .
With all the millions of dollars being spent to persuade people to vote one way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t have any illusions I can influence the outcome .
But I wouldn ’ t want there to be any doubt that I ’ m a firm “ Yes .
”

Whenever I’ve spoken with Democratic political types over the last couple months, I’ve asked them what they’re picking up from voters about the prospects for the graduated income tax referendum.
The answer is usually the same: They’re worried that it’s not going to be approved.
None of them have predicted it will lose, mind you, and they’re not giving up, but they’re definitely not feeling confident about its passage.
Opinion bug Opinion
They see what I see: Opponents of the constitutional amendment have done a masterful job of sowing doubt and confusion while playing into the voting public’s natural mistrust of “Springfield politicians.”
That’s a shame because the issue really isn’t that complicated, and you don’t need to trust anybody else to see what’s in your own self-interest.
Since Illinois approved an income tax in 1969, the state has employed a flat tax system under which everyone is taxed at the same percentage rate, currently 4.95%.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Democratic-controlled Legislature are proposing to switch to a system with progressively higher tax rates depending on your level of income, similar to what we already have with the federal income tax.
Making that change requires an amendment to the state constitution.
Separate from the constitutional amendment, Democrats have approved legislation laying out how they would initially implement such a graduated tax system.
Their plan, which won’t take effect unless the constitutional change is approved, would raise taxes on taxpayers with annual income exceeding $250,000. They say that’s about 3% of Illinois taxpayers.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs revenue and budget implementation legislation at the James R. Thompson Center in 2019. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file
The other 97% of taxpayers would either receive a tax cut or pay at the same rate they do now.
Individual rates would range from 4.75% for persons making less than $10,000 to 7.99% for someone making more than $750,000.
It’s true this would result in a tax hike of about $3.4 billion, but 97% of you won’t be paying it.
The main argument against changing the constitution is that a future Legislature could then alter the brackets to raise taxes on the middle class.
That’s true. They could do that. And I think you can safely assume those brackets won’t stay the same until the end of time, maybe not even until the end of the decade.
Of course, legislators can also raise income taxes now, and the main safeguard you will have is what it’s always been: their fear of voter backlash. That doesn’t change.
What legislators can’t do now, under the existing constitution, is to make wealthier people pay a higher percentage rate, and that’s why wealthier people are fighting very hard to keep this change from being made.
I try to understand why people in the middle wouldn’t like a graduated tax, and the only thing I can see is that they are worried someone making less money is going to get a better deal than them.
It baffles me that anyone in this age of growing income inequality would continue to see themselves as having more in common with the wealthy than the poor — when most of us are just one health catastrophe or job loss from gravitating to the bottom of the heap, yet light-years from catching up to the ultra-rich. But that’s America 2020, God help us.
Despite what opponents are saying, there’s nothing in this constitutional amendment that would tax retirement income. There’s also nothing that would make it easier to tax retirement income. That’s just a red herring thrown out there to confuse you.
Taxing retirement income is an idea occasionally advanced by some Democrats as well as Republicans and then just as quickly shot down by the majority of legislators who know it would be very unpopular with older voters especially.
Maybe the best argument against a graduated income tax is that it doesn’t really solve Illinois’ financial problems. That’s true, too. It doesn’t. Our problems are bigger than that.
But this is a good step in the right direction. If we’d had a more responsive tax system all along that did a better job of capturing wealth based on ability to pay, we might have had a better chance of avoiding the mess we’re in, not that it would have prevented those unfunded pensions.
Opponents of a graduated income tax have one built-in advantage. It’s tough to pass a substantive constitutional amendment in Illinois, requiring approval either by 60% of those voting on the question or more than 50% of everyone casting a ballot in the election.
With all the millions of dollars being spent to persuade people to vote one way or another on this important matter, I don’t have any illusions I can influence the outcome.
But I wouldn’t want there to be any doubt that I’m a firm “Yes.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-14--The Mix: Deeply Rooted Dance, Kurt Elling concerts and more things to do Oct. 15-21

“ Deeply 25 : Beyond Dance … The Celebration Begins ” launches Deeply Rooted Dance Theater ’ s 25th season with a fundraiser featuring in-person and virtual performances .
Among the pieces are Kevin Iega Jeff ’ s “ My Country Tis of Thee , ” featuring the music of Mahalia Jackson ; Joshua L. Ishmon ’ s “ When Men , ” with narration by Charlie Chaplin and music by Paolo Nutini , and Jeff ’ s “ Surrender , ” with music by Terence Trent D ’ Arby and Hans Zimmer .
Video highlights of the company ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At 7 p.m. Oct. 17 , Athenaeum Theatre , 2936 N. Southport .
Tickets : $ 25 , $ 150 ( virtual ) , $ 250- $ 1000 ( in person ) .
Visit deeplyrooteddancetheater.org .
The last live performance many theatergoers in Chicago attended before COVID-19 shut down the city was the then just-opened Broadway in Chicago presentation of Heidi Schreck ’ s wise and hopeful “ What the Constitution Means to Me.
” Now those who missed out can catch the Tony Award-nominated play when it comes to Amazon Prime on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schreck ’ s 15-year-old self in awe of the Constitution and then moves on to an examination of the document ’ s relation to her and the women in her family , specifically in regards to the 14th amendment and its equal protection clause .
Visit amazon.com .
South African photographer Jo Ractliffe began her career at the height of violent suppression of the anti-apartheid resistance .
But instead of following the social documentary path , she instead examined the national character and history of the country by chronicling its landscapes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ features photographs , videos , book art and multimedia installation .
From Oct. 17-April 26 at the Art Institute of Chicago , 111 S. Michigan .
Admission : $ 14- $ 25 ( advance tickets required ) .
Visit artic.edu .
Getting out the vote is the goal of two virtual music events featuring a phenomenal lineup of artists .
“ All Souls to the Polls ” ( 7 p.m. Oct. 17-18 ; free , 50to50concert.com ) includes a culturally diverse group of performers from all 50 states ranging from California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ranky Tanky to New York ’ s Klezmer Brass All Stars .
“ Voice Your Vote ” ( 5 p.m. Oct. 18 ; $ 15 ; citywinery.com/chicago ) , curated by singer Valerie June , benefits Fair Fight and Movement Voter Project and features , among others , Brittany Howard , Jon Batiste , Kandace Springs , Rhiannon Giddens with Resistance Revival Chorus and Toshi Reagon .
Corey Bradberry and Mack Gordon ’ s new adaptation of H.G .
Wells ’ “ The War of the Worlds , ” with a nod to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , debuts as an online audio drama titled “ A War of the Worlds.
” The playwrights follow the contours of Wells ’ story of a Martian invasion but move the action from 1890s England to present-day Illinois , placing the story in Chicago and other locations around the state .
Produced by Theatre in the Dark , a company dedicated to making theater exclusively through sound , the audio drama will be performed live online six nights a week from Oct. 15-Nov. 21 .
Tickets : pay-what-you-can .
Visit theatreinthedark.com .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Common Ground : Collective Stories.
” Among the works performed are Aaron Copland ’ s “ Fanfare for the Common Man ” and the world premiere of artist-in-residence Kathryn Bostic ’ s “ Portrait of a Peaceful Warrior , ” a work commissioned by the Sinfonietta .
Stream the performance at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 .
Tickets : $ 45 .
Visit chicagosinfonietta.org .
Grammy Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling performs live-streamed concerts from the Green Mill at 3 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 13 ( no show Nov. 6 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elling ’ s Blue Note debut , “ Close Your Eyes.
” On Saturdays , he hosts a series of performances by modern jazz artists : soulful jazz vocalist Lizz Wright ( Oct. 17 ) and innovative drummer Makaya McCraven ( Oct. 24 ) .
Tickets : $ 15 per show .
Visit greenmilljazz.com .
Collaboraction ’ s “ Peacebook 2020 ” kicks off Oct. 17 with two free online programs with Chicago artists/activists premiering short new works about peace in Chicago , followed by a month of additional free screenings and online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Ada Cheng , Darling Squire , Matthew LaChappelle , Luzzo , Vernon B. Gooden , Jasmin Cardenas , Mia Park , Teh ’ Ray Hale Jr. aka PHENOM , Sami Ismat and Willie Round .
Visit collaboraction.org .
First Folio Theatre streams “ Madmen & Prisoners : Two Tales By Poe , ” featuring “ The Tell-Tale Heart ” and “ The Pit and the Pendulum.
” Both are excerpts from the company ’ s 2018 production of “ The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe ” filmed in the haunted mansion on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brook .
The tales stream from Oct. 20-Nov. 1 .
Tickets : pay-what-you-can .
Visit firstfolio.org .

The first 25
“Deeply 25: Beyond Dance … The Celebration Begins” launches Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s 25th season with a fundraiser featuring in-person and virtual performances. Among the pieces are Kevin Iega Jeff’s “My Country Tis of Thee,” featuring the music of Mahalia Jackson; Joshua L. Ishmon’s “When Men,” with narration by Charlie Chaplin and music by Paolo Nutini, and Jeff’s “Surrender,” with music by Terence Trent D’Arby and Hans Zimmer. Video highlights of the company’s history are presented between performances. At 7 p.m. Oct. 17, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $25, $150 (virtual), $250-$1000 (in person). Visit deeplyrooteddancetheater.org.
The Constitution considered
Heidi Schreck stars in ”What the Constitution Means to Me.” Amazon Prime Video
The last live performance many theatergoers in Chicago attended before COVID-19 shut down the city was the then just-opened Broadway in Chicago presentation of Heidi Schreck’s wise and hopeful “What the Constitution Means to Me.” Now those who missed out can catch the Tony Award-nominated play when it comes to Amazon Prime on Oct. 16. The play begins with Schreck’s 15-year-old self in awe of the Constitution and then moves on to an examination of the document’s relation to her and the women in her family, specifically in regards to the 14th amendment and its equal protection clause. Visit amazon.com.
Jo Ractliffe, “Crossroads,” 1986. © Jo Ractliffe. Courtesy of Stevenson, Cape Town and Johannesburg
On the road
South African photographer Jo Ractliffe began her career at the height of violent suppression of the anti-apartheid resistance. But instead of following the social documentary path, she instead examined the national character and history of the country by chronicling its landscapes. The exhibit “Jo Ractliffe: DRIVES” features photographs, videos, book art and multimedia installation. From Oct. 17-April 26 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan. Admission: $14-$25 (advance tickets required). Visit artic.edu.
Ranky Tanky will perform as part of “All Souls to the Polls” on Oct. 17-18. Peter Frank Edwards
Musicians & a message
Getting out the vote is the goal of two virtual music events featuring a phenomenal lineup of artists. “All Souls to the Polls” (7 p.m. Oct. 17-18; free, 50to50concert.com) includes a culturally diverse group of performers from all 50 states ranging from California’s Los Lobos to South Carolina’s Ranky Tanky to New York’s Klezmer Brass All Stars. “Voice Your Vote” (5 p.m. Oct. 18; $15; citywinery.com/chicago), curated by singer Valerie June, benefits Fair Fight and Movement Voter Project and features, among others, Brittany Howard, Jon Batiste, Kandace Springs, Rhiannon Giddens with Resistance Revival Chorus and Toshi Reagon.
“War of the Worlds” features Mack Gordon (clockwise from upper left), director Corey Bradberry, Elizabeth McCoy, Alex Morales and Ming Hudson. Provided
Alien visitors
Corey Bradberry and Mack Gordon’s new adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” with a nod to Orson Welles’ legendary 1938 radio play, debuts as an online audio drama titled “A War of the Worlds.” The playwrights follow the contours of Wells’ story of a Martian invasion but move the action from 1890s England to present-day Illinois, placing the story in Chicago and other locations around the state. Produced by Theatre in the Dark, a company dedicated to making theater exclusively through sound, the audio drama will be performed live online six nights a week from Oct. 15-Nov. 21. Tickets: pay-what-you-can. Visit theatreinthedark.com.
Musical stories
The Chicago Sinfonietta opens its 33rd season with “Common Ground: Collective Stories.” Among the works performed are Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and the world premiere of artist-in-residence Kathryn Bostic’s “Portrait of a Peaceful Warrior,” a work commissioned by the Sinfonietta. Stream the performance at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17. Tickets: $45. Visit chicagosinfonietta.org.
Kurt Elling performs during the International Jazz Day 2019 All-Star Global Concert at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images for Herbie Hancock
Live at Green Mill
Grammy Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling performs live-streamed concerts from the Green Mill at 3 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 13 (no show Nov. 6). The concerts commemorate the silver anniversary of Elling’s Blue Note debut, “Close Your Eyes.” On Saturdays, he hosts a series of performances by modern jazz artists: soulful jazz vocalist Lizz Wright (Oct. 17) and innovative drummer Makaya McCraven (Oct. 24). Tickets: $15 per show. Visit greenmilljazz.com.
Finding peace
Collaboraction’s “Peacebook 2020” kicks off Oct. 17 with two free online programs with Chicago artists/activists premiering short new works about peace in Chicago, followed by a month of additional free screenings and online conversations. The opening event features work by Ada Cheng, Darling Squire, Matthew LaChappelle, Luzzo, Vernon B. Gooden, Jasmin Cardenas, Mia Park, Teh’Ray Hale Jr. aka PHENOM, Sami Ismat and Willie Round. Visit collaboraction.org.
Haunted tales
First Folio Theatre streams “Madmen & Prisoners: Two Tales By Poe,” featuring “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Pit and the Pendulum.” Both are excerpts from the company’s 2018 production of “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe” filmed in the haunted mansion on the grounds of Peabody Estate in Oak Brook. The tales stream from Oct. 20-Nov. 1. Tickets: pay-what-you-can. Visit firstfolio.org.
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-15--Breast cancer awareness more important than ever during this pandemic

It was an ordinary day in February 2009 , when I went for my annual physical and my long-time physician told me he felt a lump in my right breast .
First the unrelenting fear , followed by surgery , chemotherapy , hair loss and the humbling realization that , yes , I had cancer .
But I had been spared the fate of the 40,170 women who died that same year from breast cancer .
We often refer to women like me as “ warriors.
” But I was never at ease with that metaphor .
I had nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because as my mother would say : “ It wasn ’ t my time , ” and I had medical insurance that allowed me to get the treatment I needed .
A decade earlier , I had lost a niece to this silent killer .
Asuntha was in the prime of her life , raising two young daughters , when the disease took her .
I didn ’ t think of her as losing a battle but as being struck down by a medical system that served some — but not all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Sandy Goldberg , a 20-year breast cancer survivor and founder of “ A Silver Lining Foundation , ” fully committed to providing screening and diagnostic testing to women ( and men ) in need .
For 18 years , “ A Silver Lining Foundation ” has provided these services to more than 28,000 women who had nowhere else to turn .
The need for these potentially life-saving services has grown dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic hit .
Initially , some of the hospitals that partner with Goldberg ’ s foundation advised her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution ” they would temporarily stop accepting women for screening mammograms .
But the majority of the partner hospitals were still doing diagnostic testing , including biopsies , to rule out breast cancer .
“ We really had to add a completely different category of individuals who are coming to us for help , ” Goldberg told me .
“ These are people , who prior to COVID-19 , had jobs and health insurance and woke up one morning and discovered they had neither , ” she said .
“ Many were already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biopsies .
Of course , we stepped in since our philosophy is we turn no one away .
No one .
So we started funding the diagnostic testing for these women and men , and in one month alone , we funded six biopsies for women in this category and three of them had breast cancer , ” Goldberg told me .
Even if you have a five-star rated health insurance plan , the time between diagnostic testing and being told you have breast cancer is torturous .
It is 10 times worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance .
“ What is unique about ‘ A Silver Lining Foundation ’ is the fact that when someone is diagnosed through our foundation , these women are not abandoned , ” Goldberg said .
“ Our partner hospitals and their navigators work vigorously to place individuals into funded programs where they will receive care for free , ” she said .
In August , there were about 400 women waiting for assistance , but thanks to three generous donors who provided matching grants that supported the organization ’ s virtual gala , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly 160 .
Still , the need is always there .
Every year , I go for my annual mammogram knowing that this could be the year that something shows up .
I ’ m not alone in facing this fear .
In August , the sisterhood lost Toya Thompson-Thomas , a caring and tireless advocate for breast cancer survivors .
Her death followed closely that of Cynthia Duncan , her best friend and my mentor .
It is still hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that these women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease roared back .
“ I ’ m 20 years plus , and that previous diagnosis never goes away .
The question is : How do you live your life ?
” Goldberg asked .
“ You can ’ t live your life in fear that it is going to come back .
You have to be vigilant in terms of testing and in terms of behavior , ” Goldberg said .
“ From the donations we received in memory of Toya Thompson-Thomas , 37 women will now receive access to a cost-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her legacy , ” she said .
To make a donation , go to www.asilverliningfoundation.org .

It was an ordinary day in February 2009, when I went for my annual physical and my long-time physician told me he felt a lump in my right breast.
My life changed forever.
First the unrelenting fear, followed by surgery, chemotherapy, hair loss and the humbling realization that, yes, I had cancer.
But I had been spared the fate of the 40,170 women who died that same year from breast cancer.
We often refer to women like me as “warriors.” But I was never at ease with that metaphor. I had nothing to do with it.
I survived because as my mother would say:
“It wasn’t my time,” and I had medical insurance that allowed me to get the treatment I needed.
A decade earlier, I had lost a niece to this silent killer.
Asuntha was in the prime of her life, raising two young daughters, when the disease took her.
I didn’t think of her as losing a battle but as being struck down by a medical system that served some — but not all.
It is that realization that has kept Dr. Sandy Goldberg, a 20-year breast cancer survivor and founder of A Silver Lining Foundation, fully committed to providing screening and diagnostic testing to women (and men) in need.
For 18 years, A Silver Lining Foundation has provided these services to more than 28,000 women who had nowhere else to turn.
The need for these potentially life-saving services has grown dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Initially, some of the hospitals that partner with Goldberg’s foundation advised her that “out of an abundance of caution” they would temporarily stop accepting women for screening mammograms.
But the majority of the partner hospitals were still doing diagnostic testing, including biopsies, to rule out breast cancer.
“We really had to add a completely different category of individuals who are coming to us for help,” Goldberg told me.
“These are people who, prior to COVID-19, had jobs and health insurance and woke up one morning and discovered they had neither,” she said.
“Many were already scheduled for testing and in particular, biopsies. Of course, we stepped in since our philosophy is we turn no one away. No one. So we started funding the diagnostic testing for these women and men, and in one month alone we funded six biopsies for women in this category, and three of them had breast cancer,” Goldberg told me.
Even if you have a five-star-rated health insurance plan, the time between diagnostic testing and being told you have breast cancer is torturous.
It is 10 times worse when you don’t have health insurance.
“What is unique about A Silver Lining Foundation is the fact that when someone is diagnosed through our foundation, these women are not abandoned,” Goldberg said.
“Our partner hospitals and their navigators work vigorously to place individuals into funded programs where they will receive care for free,” she said.
In August, there were about 400 women waiting for assistance, but thanks to three generous donors who provided matching grants that supported the organization’s virtual gala, that number has been whittled down to roughly 160.
Still, the need is always there.
Every year, I go for my annual mammogram knowing that this could be the year that something shows up.
I’m not alone in facing this fear.
In August, the sisterhood lost Toya Thompson-Thomas, a caring and tireless advocate for breast cancer survivors.
Her death followed closely that of Cynthia Duncan, her best friend and my mentor.
It is still hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that these women were cancer free for decades before the disease roared back.
“I’m 20 years plus, and that previous diagnosis never goes away. The question is: How do you live your life?” Goldberg asked.
“You can’t live your life in fear that it is going to come back. You have to be vigilant in terms of testing and in terms of behavior,” Goldberg said.
“From the donations we received in memory of Toya Thompson-Thomas, 37 women will now receive access to a cost-free screening mammogram.”
“That’s her legacy,” she said.
To make a donation, go to www.asilverliningfoundation.org.