chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Bears’ 2020 schedule features 5 key elements in quest to return to playoffs

The Matt Nagy/Ryan Pace Bears have reached a pivotal moment , and this 2020 season will determine a lot about their future .
It should answer this straightforward question : Are they the 12-4 team from 2018 that was on the verge of contending for a title or are they the 8-8 mess we saw last season and in need of a rebuild ?
That sets up for a dramatic season .
The Bears ’ path became clearer with the release of the schedule Thursday .
The opponents have been known for months , but the sequence is hugely important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five crucial aspects of their 2020 schedule : The Bears have a legitimate quarterback battle going into the season for the first time in more than a decade , and there ’ s a prevailing thought that whoever wins the job — Nick Foles or Mitch Trubisky — might not hold it for long .
Pace and Nagy already have hinted that the competition will last well into the regular season .
But given the way their schedule sets up , that might not be necessary .
The Bears ’ first four games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Giants , at the Falcons and home against the Colts .
That ’ s a considerable cushion for whoever opens the season at quarterback .
Those four teams went 28-42-1 and finished 24th or worse in opponent passer rating last season .
That ’ s an enormous opportunity for Foles or Trubisky to cement himself as the man and earn significant leeway as the games get tougher .
The cupcakes end in Week 5 , when the Buccaneers come to town for a Thursday night game .
They haven ’ t had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re the talk of the league after landing Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski .
Will that be enough to make them a contender in the NFC ?
Hard to say , but it ’ s certainly sufficient to make them an imposing foe for the Bears .
The Bucs went 7-9 last season , but two of those defeats came in overtime and three others were by four points or fewer .
They weren ’ t a disaster .
Now Brady arrives , and the question is how much he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dipped to an 88.0 passer rating and only 24 touchdown passes last season but was an All-Pro in 2017 .
If he ’ s rejuvenated by changing teams and the reunion with Gronk , watch out .
Another quarterback who got away Remember how it felt to watch Patrick Mahomes bounce around Soldier Field , blow out the Bears and count to 10 after a touchdown to remind everyone that he went 10th when Pace drafted Trubisky second ?
The sequel comes in December .
That ’ s when Deshaun Watson and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game that looks like a strong candidate to be flexed to ‘ ‘ Sunday Night Football.
’ ’ Watson was hands-down the most impressive and accomplished quarterback in the 2017 draft , but the Bears barely seemed interested .
He slid to the Texans at No .
12 and has been incredible : two playoff appearances , 71 touchdown passes and a 101.0 passer rating .
Imagine that talent coming into Soldier Field with a point to prove .
Watson tweeted Friday that the Bears “ NEVER ONCE talked to me ” leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems like he hasn ’ t forgotten .
Under the stars in L.A. Bears-Rams is one of the NFL ’ s all-time classic matchups .
This will be the 94th time the Bears have played them in 101 seasons , and they ’ re in fascinatingly similar situations at the moment .
They ’ ve been mirroring each other the last three years : floundering in 2017 , resurgent in 2018 , then falling flat last season .
Both enter 2020 trying to snap back into Super Bowl contention , both have quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sure whether they ’ ve solved anything in the offseason .
When they play on ‘ ‘ Monday Night Football ’ ’ in Week 7 , both teams figure to be at a critical point in the season .
If the schedule remains on track and isn ’ t interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic , the Bears close with five of their last seven games against divisional opponents .
That ’ s not the case for the Packers , Vikings and Lions , who all have three NFC North games in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the second half .
It will be an incredibly tough final stretch , but it also gives the Bears a great chance to make up ground if needed .
And for a team that ’ s retooling its offense , it ’ s better to have that string of games late than early .
It ’ ll also be thrilling to watch .
With the playoffs on the line , the Bears finish with a Week 15 game at the Vikings and a season finale at home against the Packers .

The Matt Nagy/Ryan Pace Bears have reached a pivotal moment, and this 2020 season will determine a lot about their future.
It should answer this straightforward question: Are they the 12-4 team from 2018 that was on the verge of contending for a title or are they the 8-8 mess we saw last season and in need of a rebuild?
That sets up for a dramatic season. The Bears’ path became clearer with the release of the schedule Thursday. The opponents have been known for months, but the sequence is hugely important. Here’s a look at five crucial aspects of their 2020 schedule:
Long runway for new quarterback
The Bears have a legitimate quarterback battle going into the season for the first time in more than a decade, and there’s a prevailing thought that whoever wins the job — Nick Foles or Mitch Trubisky — might not hold it for long. Pace and Nagy already have hinted that the competition will last well into the regular season.
But given the way their schedule sets up, that might not be necessary. The Bears’ first four games are at the Lions, home against the Giants, at the Falcons and home against the Colts.
That’s a considerable cushion for whoever opens the season at quarterback. Those four teams went 28-42-1 and finished 24th or worse in opponent passer rating last season. That’s an enormous opportunity for Foles or Trubisky to cement himself as the man and earn significant leeway as the games get tougher.
Brady’s Bucs arrive to spoil party
The cupcakes end in Week 5, when the Buccaneers come to town for a Thursday night game. They haven’t had a winning season since 2016, but they’re the talk of the league after landing Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
Will that be enough to make them a contender in the NFC? Hard to say, but it’s certainly sufficient to make them an imposing foe for the Bears. The Bucs went 7-9 last season, but two of those defeats came in overtime and three others were by four points or fewer. They weren’t a disaster.
Now Brady arrives, and the question is how much he’ll have left at 43. He dipped to an 88.0 passer rating and only 24 touchdown passes last season but was an All-Pro in 2017. If he’s rejuvenated by changing teams and the reunion with Gronk, watch out.
Another quarterback who got away
Remember how it felt to watch Patrick Mahomes bounce around Soldier Field, blow out the Bears and count to 10 after a touchdown to remind everyone that he went 10th when Pace drafted Trubisky second? The sequel comes in December.
That’s when Deshaun Watson and the Texans show up for a Week 14 game that looks like a strong candidate to be flexed to ‘‘Sunday Night Football.’’
Watson was hands-down the most impressive and accomplished quarterback in the 2017 draft, but the Bears barely seemed interested. He slid to the Texans at No. 12 and has been incredible: two playoff appearances, 71 touchdown passes and a 101.0 passer rating.
Imagine that talent coming into Soldier Field with a point to prove. Watson tweeted Friday that the Bears “NEVER ONCE talked to me” leading up to the draft. So it seems like he hasn’t forgotten.
Under the stars in L.A.
Bears-Rams is one of the NFL’s all-time classic matchups. This will be the 94th time the Bears have played them in 101 seasons, and they’re in fascinatingly similar situations at the moment.
They’ve been mirroring each other the last three years: floundering in 2017, resurgent in 2018, then falling flat last season. Both enter 2020 trying to snap back into Super Bowl contention, both have quarterback problems and both can’t say for sure whether they’ve solved anything in the offseason.
When they play on ‘‘Monday Night Football’’ in Week 7, both teams figure to be at a critical point in the season.
NFC North gauntlet to finish
If the schedule remains on track and isn’t interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Bears close with five of their last seven games against divisional opponents. That’s not the case for the Packers, Vikings and Lions, who all have three NFC North games in the first half of the season and three in the second half.
It will be an incredibly tough final stretch, but it also gives the Bears a great chance to make up ground if needed. And for a team that’s retooling its offense, it’s better to have that string of games late than early.
It’ll also be thrilling to watch. With the playoffs on the line, the Bears finish with a Week 15 game at the Vikings and a season finale at home against the Packers.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Medical examiner confirms 82 more COVID-19 deaths in Cook County

The Cook County medical examiner Friday confirmed 82 more deaths related to the COVID-19 outbreak .
The newly confirmed deaths @ @ @ @ @ toll to 2,261 , according to the medical examiner ’ s office .
Cook County @ @ @ @ @ of the 3,241 COVID-19 deaths in Illinois .
Illinois health officials Friday reported 2,887 new @ @ @ @ @ bringing the number of cases in the state to 73,760 .

The Cook County medical examiner Friday confirmed 82 more deaths related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The newly confirmed deaths bring the county’s toll to 2,261, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Cook County makes up about 70% of the 3,241 COVID-19 deaths in Illinois.
Illinois health officials Friday reported 2,887 new cases of the virus, bringing the number of cases in the state to 73,760.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Burglar targets West Side garages

Burglar targets West Side garages

Police are warning residents about a series of garage burglaries since last month in Austin , Hermosa and Humboldt Park @ @ @ @ @ In each case , a man entered a garage through an unlocked side door or @ @ @ @ @ according to a community alert from Chicago police .
• About 3:20 p.m. April 14 @ @ @ @ @ North Mason Avenue ; • About noon April 15 in the 1200 block of North @ @ @ @ @ 10:30 a.m. April 19 in the 2900 block of North Kenneth Avenue ; • About @ @ @ @ @ the 4900 block of West Kamerling Avenue ; and • At 2:19 p.m. May 5 @ @ @ @ @ North Lowell Avenue .
The suspect is described as a 35 to 45-year-old man with @ @ @ @ @ to 6-foot-1 and weighing 190 to 220 pounds , police said .
Anyone with information @ @ @ @ @ Five detectives at 312-746-7394 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

Police are warning residents about a series of garage burglaries since last month in Austin, Hermosa and Humboldt Park on the West Side.
In each case, a man entered a garage through an unlocked side door or forced the door open, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The burglaries occurred:
About 3:20 p.m. April 14 in the 1800 block of North Mason Avenue;
About noon April 15 in the 1200 block of North Hamlin Avenue;
About 10:30 a.m. April 19 in the 2900 block of North Kenneth Avenue;
About 8 a.m. April 25 in the 4900 block of West Kamerling Avenue; and
At 2:19 p.m. May 5 in the 1900 block of North Lowell Avenue.
The suspect is described as a 35 to 45-year-old man with short brown hair standing 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-1 and weighing 190 to 220 pounds, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Chicago postal worker dies of COVID-19

Chicago postal worker dies of COVID-19

A Chicago U.S .
Postal Service letter carrier has died of COVID-19 .
Unique L. Clay , 31 , was @ @ @ @ @ May 5 , according to the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
She @ @ @ @ @ , a mother of three who had just given birth a week earlier , is @ @ @ @ @ in Chicago to die of the virus , according to a statement from the National @ @ @ @ @ She worked for the postal service for two years .
An autopsy found Clay died @ @ @ @ @ and ruled her death natural , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
More @ @ @ @ @ the city have tested positive for COVID-19 , the union said .
Union representatives and @ @ @ @ @ Post Office , 3319 N. Cicero Ave. , will hold a balloon release in Clay @ @ @ @ @ morning while wearing masks and practicing social distancing , according to the union .

A Chicago US Postal Service letter carrier has died of COVID-19.
Unique L. Clay, 31, was pronounced dead at 8:47 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. She lived in Englewood.
Clay, a mother of three who had just given birth a week earlier, is the first active letter carrier in Chicago to die of the virus, according to a statement from the National Association of Letter Carriers. She worked for the postal service for two years.
Members of Unique Clay’s family cry during a memorial service Saturday at Kilbourn Park. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
An autopsy found Clay died of a novel coronavirus infection and ruled her death natural, the medical examiner’s office said.
While Clay’s death is the USPS’s first in Chicago, more than 30 letter carriers in the city have tested positive for COVID-19, the union said.
A USPS spokesman declined to comment on Clay’s death but said 1,606 postal employees have contracted the virus among a nationwide workforce of more than 630,000, “with some deaths.”
Union representatives and employees held a balloon release at Kilbourn Park, 3400 N. Kilbourn Ave., in Clay’s honor Saturday morning while wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
Postal workers from around the city gather at Kilbourn Park for a memorial for Unique Clay. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Local union chapter president Mack Julion said the USPS initially struggled — like many businesses — to collect the necessary personal protective equipment for its employees, but that it has been “pretty good” recently about providing all the necessary PPE.
He emphasized the danger of the challenges mail carriers face during the pandemic.
“We’re out there, we’re essential, there’s much interaction with our customers or the public,” Julion said. “We may be not be first responders or health care workers, but we need this equipment in order to do our job as well and for our members to be safe.”
Saturday was supposed to be the union’s annual food drive, an event that letter carriers “look forward to every year,” Julion said. Instead, that postponed drive was replaced by the somber memorial.
“How ironic that, during this crisis in Chicago, we would be talking about our first death from the COVID virus today,” Julion said.
Contributing:Ben Pope


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Armed robber targets pedestrians in Ravenswood: police

Police are warning residents about a series of armed robberies this month in Ravenswood on the North Side .
In @ @ @ @ @ approached victims on the street at night and took their property at gunpoint , according @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police .
• About 9:30 p.m. May 5 in the 4500 block of North @ @ @ @ @ 9:59 p.m. May 5 in the 2000 block of West Eastwood Avenue ; and • @ @ @ @ @ in the 4500 block of North Leavitt Avenue .
The suspect was described as a @ @ @ @ @ years old , standing 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-4 and weighing 157 to 210 pounds , police @ @ @ @ @ is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263 .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

Police are warning residents about a series of armed robberies this month in Ravenswood on the North Side.
In each case, a man approached victims on the street at night and took their property at gunpoint, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The hold-ups occurred:
About 9:30 p.m. May 5 in the 4500 block of North Campbell Avenue;
At 9:59 p.m. May 5 in the 2000 block of West Eastwood Avenue; and
About 7 p.m. May 6 in the 4500 block of North Leavitt Avenue.
The suspect was described as a man between 25 and 30 years old, standing 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-4 and weighing 157 to 210 pounds, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy dies from coronavirus at 75

LAS VEGAS — Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy , the duo whose extraordinary magic tricks astonished millions until Horn was critically injured in 2003 by one of the act ’ s famed white tigers , has died .
He was 75 .
Horn died of complications from the coronavirus on Friday in a Las Vegas hospital , according to a statement released by publicist Dave Kirvin .
“ Today , the world has lost one of the greats of magic , but I have lost my best friend , ” Siegfried Fischbacher said in the statement .
“ From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roy and I , together , would change the world .
There could be no Siegfried without Roy , and no Roy without Siegfried.
” He was injured in October 2003 when a tiger named Montecore attacked him on stage at the Mirage hotel-casino in Las Vegas .
He had severe neck injuries , lost a lot of blood and later suffered a stroke .
He underwent lengthy rehabilitation , but the attack ended the long-running Las Vegas Strip production .
The darker-haired of the flashy duo , Horn was credited with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his pet cheetah — to the magic act .
“ Roy was a fighter his whole life including during these final days , ” Fischbacher said .
“ I give my heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors , nurses and staff at Mountain View Hospital who worked heroically against this insidious virus that ultimately took Roy ’ s life.
” The two became an institution in Las Vegas , where their magic and artistry consistently attracted sellout crowds .
The pair performed six shows a week , 44 weeks per year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2009 for what was billed as their one and only comeback performance , to raise funds for the new Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas .
The brief performance , which included Montecore , became the basis of an episode of the ABC television show “ 20/20.
” Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher , both natives of Germany , had first teamed up in 1957 and made their Las Vegas debut a decade later .
Siegfried & Roy began performing at the Mirage in 1990 .
When they signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2001 , it was estimated they had performed 5,000 shows at the casino for 10 million fans since 1990 and had grossed more than $ 1 billion .
That comes on top of thousands of shows at other venues in earlier years .
“ Throughout the history of Las Vegas , no artists have meant more to the development of Las Vegas ’ global reputation as the entertainment capital of the world than Siegfried and Roy , ” Terry Lanni , chairman of MGM Mirage , the casino ’ s parent company , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained international recognition for helping to save rare white tigers and white lions from extinction .
Their $ 10 million compound was home to dozens of rare animals over the years .
The white lions and white tigers were the result of a preservation program that began in the 1980s .
“ The good news is that the white tigers and white lions are going into the 21st century , ” Horn said in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press .
“ The bad news is that if we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wild , they will disappear.
” Siegfried & Roy ’ s show , incorporating animal antics and magic tricks , included about 20 white tigers and lions , the number varying depending on the night .
The show also had other exotic animals , including an elephant .
“ Their show is so fast-paced the viewer has time only to gasp before the next dazzlement , ” an Associated Press reviewer wrote in 1989 when they brought their act to New York .
“ A white car drives on stage — as Liberace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white tiger and three cubs .
Roy rides an elephant , which disappears , then reappears .
At the end , a 650-pound white tiger climbs atop a globe .
With Roy on his back , they ’ re pulled into the air.
” “ It ’ s a Las Vegas show and it ’ s nonstop entertainment .
New Yorkers aren ’ t too sophisticated for this.
” A later spectacular developed for the Mirage opened with a flashy “ Star Wars ” scenario and Horn and Fischbacher arriving in their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horn sitting atop a 30-foot ( 9.1-meter ) pyramid that was “ destroyed ” by an explosion and fire , leaving him levitated high above the stage .
It was halfway during a performance Oct. 3 , 2003 , when Horn was alone on stage with the tiger that it suddenly lunged at him .
Horn , who had turned 59 that day , had never been injured during a show before , “ not a scratch , not by an animal , ” Bernie Yuman , the pair ’ s longtime manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he thought Montecore , a 7-year-old male , got distracted by something in the audience and Horn was trying to calm him .
Horn himself said later that he fainted and the tiger was trying to help him by dragging him offstage , though animal experts disputed that possibility .
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture explored a variety of theories but was unable to reach a conclusion on what caused the tiger to attack .
In its final report , the USDA also said the show ’ s producers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was no barrier separating the exotic animals from the crowd .
In October 2006 , three years after the attack , Horn and Fischbacher attended their induction into the Las Vegas Walk of Stars .
Horn ’ s speech was sluggish at times and he walked a bit slow , but he called the event “ a deeply emotional experience.
” Born in Nordenham , Germany , Horn met Fischbacher on a cruise ship in 1957 .
Fischbacher performed the magic tricks , while Horn became his assistant , eventually suggesting using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honed their animal-magic show in small clubs in Germany and Switzerland in the mid-1960s .
Their break came in a Monte Carlo casino when an agent in the audience invited them to Las Vegas .
The pair made their debut at the Tropicana hotel-casino in the late 1960s .
The illusionists became popular in the 1970s , receiving their first star billing in 1978 as headliners of the Stardust ’ s “ Lido de Paris.
” Their show “ Beyond Belief ” opened in 1981 at the Frontier and played to thousands over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became U.S. citizens in 1988 , an elated Horn said , “ Being an American means all the things we believe in.
” Horn once hand-fed a white lion cub born prematurely , starting with an eyedropper .
But when a cub was donated to a zoo , Horn said he was heartbroken .
“ When you love something , the hardest thing is to let it go , ” he said .
“ But this is what Siegfried and Roy do .
We live our dreams , and we fulfill our destiny.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an expected public memorial .

LAS VEGAS — Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy, the duo whose extraordinary magic tricks astonished millions until Horn was critically injured in 2003 by one of the act’s famed white tigers, has died. He was 75.
Horn died of complications from the coronavirus on Friday in a Las Vegas hospital, according to a statement released by publicist Dave Kirvin.
“Today, the world has lost one of the greats of magic, but I have lost my best friend,” Siegfried Fischbacher said in the statement. “From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried.”
He was injured in October 2003 when a tiger named Montecore attacked him on stage at the Mirage hotel-casino in Las Vegas. He had severe neck injuries, lost a lot of blood and later suffered a stroke. He underwent lengthy rehabilitation, but the attack ended the long-running Las Vegas Strip production.
Magicians Roy Horn (left) and Siegfried Fischbacher pose in New York with their rare white tigers, Neva (left) and Vegas, in 1987. AP Photos
The darker-haired of the flashy duo, Horn was credited with the idea of introducing an exotic animal — his pet cheetah — to the magic act.
“Roy was a fighter his whole life including during these final days,” Fischbacher said. “I give my heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors, nurses and staff at Mountain View Hospital who worked heroically against this insidious virus that ultimately took Roy’s life.”
The two became an institution in Las Vegas, where their magic and artistry consistently attracted sellout crowds. The pair performed six shows a week, 44 weeks per year.
They returned to the stage in February 2009 for what was billed as their one and only comeback performance, to raise funds for the new Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. The brief performance, which included Montecore, became the basis of an episode of the ABC television show “20/20.”
Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher, both natives of Germany, had first teamed up in 1957 and made their Las Vegas debut a decade later. Siegfried & Roy began performing at the Mirage in 1990.
When they signed a lifetime contract with the Mirage in 2001, it was estimated they had performed 5,000 shows at the casino for 10 million fans since 1990 and had grossed more than $1 billion. That comes on top of thousands of shows at other venues in earlier years.
“Throughout the history of Las Vegas, no artists have meant more to the development of Las Vegas’ global reputation as the entertainment capital of the world than Siegfried and Roy,” Terry Lanni, chairman of MGM Mirage, the casino’s parent company, said after the attack.
The pair gained international recognition for helping to save rare white tigers and white lions from extinction. Their $10 million compound was home to dozens of rare animals over the years. The white lions and white tigers were the result of a preservation program that began in the 1980s.
“The good news is that the white tigers and white lions are going into the 21st century,” Horn said in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press. “The bad news is that if we don’t do something about the tigers in the wild, they will disappear.”
Siegfried & Roy’s show, incorporating animal antics and magic tricks, included about 20 white tigers and lions, the number varying depending on the night. The show also had other exotic animals, including an elephant.
“Their show is so fast-paced the viewer has time only to gasp before the next dazzlement,” an Associated Press reviewer wrote in 1989 when they brought their act to New York.
“A white car drives on stage — as Liberace used to do — bringing a mother white tiger and three cubs. Roy rides an elephant, which disappears, then reappears. At the end, a 650-pound white tiger climbs atop a globe. With Roy on his back, they’re pulled into the air.”
“It’s a Las Vegas show and it’s nonstop entertainment. New Yorkers aren’t too sophisticated for this.”
A later spectacular developed for the Mirage opened with a flashy “Star Wars” scenario and Horn and Fischbacher arriving in their own mini space capsules. Another segment had Horn sitting atop a 30-foot (9.1-meter) pyramid that was “destroyed” by an explosion and fire, leaving him levitated high above the stage.
It was halfway during a performance Oct. 3, 2003, when Horn was alone on stage with the tiger that it suddenly lunged at him.
Horn, who had turned 59 that day, had never been injured during a show before, “not a scratch, not by an animal,” Bernie Yuman, the pair’s longtime manager, said at the time.
He said he thought Montecore, a 7-year-old male, got distracted by something in the audience and Horn was trying to calm him. Horn himself said later that he fainted and the tiger was trying to help him by dragging him offstage, though animal experts disputed that possibility.
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture explored a variety of theories but was unable to reach a conclusion on what caused the tiger to attack. In its final report, the USDA also said the show’s producers had failed to protect the audience because there was no barrier separating the exotic animals from the crowd.
In October 2006, three years after the attack, Horn and Fischbacher attended their induction into the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. Horn’s speech was sluggish at times and he walked a bit slow, but he called the event “a deeply emotional experience.”
Born in Nordenham, Germany, Horn met Fischbacher on a cruise ship in 1957. Fischbacher performed the magic tricks, while Horn became his assistant, eventually suggesting using the cheetah in the act.
They honed their animal-magic show in small clubs in Germany and Switzerland in the mid-1960s. Their break came in a Monte Carlo casino when an agent in the audience invited them to Las Vegas. The pair made their debut at the Tropicana hotel-casino in the late 1960s.
The illusionists became popular in the 1970s, receiving their first star billing in 1978 as headliners of the Stardust’s “Lido de Paris.” Their show “Beyond Belief” opened in 1981 at the Frontier and played to thousands over seven years.
When Horn and Fischbacher became U.S. citizens in 1988, an elated Horn said, “Being an American means all the things we believe in.”
Horn once hand-fed a white lion cub born prematurely, starting with an eyedropper. But when a cub was donated to a zoo, Horn said he was heartbroken.
“When you love something, the hardest thing is to let it go,” he said. “But this is what Siegfried and Roy do. We live our dreams, and we fulfill our destiny.”
Funeral service will be private, with an expected public memorial.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Man killed in Harvey shooting

Man killed in Harvey shooting

A man was shot to death Thursday in south suburban Harvey .
Calvin Edwards , 40 , was shot about @ @ @ @ @ and Ashland Avenue , according to the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
@ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he died hours later .
An autopsy Saturday @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wound to the abdomen , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
His @ @ @ @ @ .
Edwards lived in Fernwood on Chicago ’ s South Side , the medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ Harvey police did not immediately respond to a request for details .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s homicides .

A man was shot to death Thursday in south suburban Harvey.
Calvin Edwards, 40, was shot about 6:35 p.m. near 155th Street and Ashland Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died hours later.
An autopsy Saturday showed Edwards died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, the medical examiner’s office said. His death was ruled a homicide.
Edwards lived in Fernwood on Chicago’s South Side, the medical examiner’s office said.
Harvey police did not immediately respond to a request for details.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--James Jordan’s murder: Looking back on the killing of Michael Jordan’s father

This story was originally published August 15 , 1993 after James Jordan ’ s body was found , but before the killer was found .
The mystery remained on Saturday .
But the trail warmed a bit as North Carolina authorities arrested four men and were searching for others in the theft and vandalism of Jordan ’ s red $ 45,000 Lexus SC400 .
Funeral services for the murdered father of the world ’ s most famous basketball player are scheduled for today in Wallace , N.C. “ The Jordans have always been a very tight-knit family , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The death of our dad is shocking.
” As authorities try to piece together what happened and where , several pieces of the puzzle came together .
Police believe the murder may not be directly connected to the car theft and vandalizing , but Cumberland County ( N.C. ) Sheriff ’ s Department Capt .
Art Binder said car thieves may have “ crossed paths ” with the killer or killers .
Binder also said Jordan was a “ random victim , ” killed in a “ spur of the moment ” crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theft and escalated to murder .
Authorities are discounting a report that Jordan talked to his wife , Deloris , on July 26 , pinning the likely date of death closer to July 22 , the last time he was seen alive .
Also put on the back burner were theories that Jordan ’ s death was linked to financial difficulties .
Police were pursuing the case in two states Saturday : A team led by FBI agents visited the site near McColl , S.C. , where Jordan ’ s body was found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspects near the site where Jordan ’ s car was found on a dirt road outside Fayetteville , N.C. Charged with breaking and entering a stolen vehicle were Kenneth Connell Farrior , 20 , a pipe layer , and his brother , Gary Rodel Farrior , 16 , a high school sophomore and part-time janitor .
Terrellius Marnicus Teasley , , 22 , a school custodian was charged with breaking and entering , larceny and possession of stolen goods - cassettes , four tires and rims valued at $ 1,625 .
Jovan Carter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possession of a stolen vehicle .
Binder said it was not clear if Carter stole the vehicle .
Carter allegedly drove the car to the site where it was found .
Another person believed to be involved with stealing the car is being sought .
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times , Kenneth Farrior said he told police he helped steal items from the car with his brother and other youths .
The car was on a dirt road less than a half mile from his home .
Farrior said the auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than police , who found it on Aug. 5 , first indicated .
On Aug. 11 , police announced that the stripped and vandalized car belonged to James Jordan , triggering the search for Jordan that led to Friday ’ s identification of the body found in a South Carolina creek Aug. 3 , shot once in the chest with a .38-caliber pistol .
Joyce Farrior , mother of the brothers charged with car-stripping , said that she repeatedly contacted police about unusual activity in late July on the dirt road in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until Aug. 5 for an officer to respond to the call .
Police said they had no record of such calls .
Farrior said she became suspicious when she saw unidentified white men drive at high speeds down the rural road where the residents are nearly all black .
The mother of suspect Jovan Carter , Dorothy , told reporters that “ a bunch of guys ” came up to the door of her home sometime last month and her son drove off with them .
She said the auto they were driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lexus .
Reporters on Saturday discovered that police had not sealed off the site where the car was discovered .
At the site , they found items believed taken from Jordan ’ s car , including a Lexus owner ’ s manual .
The Charlotte Observer reported Saturday that Jordan ’ s company , JVL , faced financial problems .
JVL ’ s checking account was overdrawn by $ 1,082 as of July 18 , the paper said , and an apparel company said it was owed about $ 7,000 .
But South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his agency met with FBI agents on Saturday and that there there was “ no connection at this point ” between JVL and the murder .

This story was originally published August 15, 1993 after James Jordan’s body was found, but before the killer was found.
Who killed James Jordan?
The mystery remained on Saturday. But the trail warmed a bit as North Carolina authorities arrested four men and were searching for others in the theft and vandalism of Jordan’s red $ 45,000 Lexus SC400.
Funeral services for the murdered father of the world’s most famous basketball player are scheduled for today in Wallace, N.C.
“The Jordans have always been a very tight-knit family,” said Michael Jordan in a statement. “The death of our dad is shocking.”
As authorities try to piece together what happened and where, several pieces of the puzzle came together. Police believe the murder may not be directly connected to the car theft and vandalizing, but Cumberland County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Department Capt. Art Binder said car thieves may have “crossed paths” with the killer or killers. Binder also said Jordan was a “random victim,” killed in a “spur of the moment” crime that may have started as a car theft and escalated to murder. Authorities are discounting a report that Jordan talked to his wife, Deloris, on July 26, pinning the likely date of death closer to July 22, the last time he was seen alive. Also put on the back burner were theories that Jordan’s death was linked to financial difficulties.
Police were pursuing the case in two states Saturday: A team led by FBI agents visited the site near McColl, S.C., where Jordan’s body was found. And sheriff’s police arrested suspects near the site where Jordan’s car was found on a dirt road outside Fayetteville, N.C.
Charged with breaking and entering a stolen vehicle were Kenneth Connell Farrior, 20, a pipe layer, and his brother, Gary Rodel Farrior, 16, a high school sophomore and part-time janitor.
Terrellius Marnicus Teasley,, 22, a school custodian was charged with breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods - cassettes, four tires and rims valued at $ 1,625.
Jovan Carter, 18, was charged with felony possession of a stolen vehicle. Binder said it was not clear if Carter stole the vehicle. Carter allegedly drove the car to the site where it was found. Another person believed to be involved with stealing the car is being sought.
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Kenneth Farrior said he told police he helped steal items from the car with his brother and other youths.
The car was on a dirt road less than a half mile from his home. Farrior said the auto was there since July 26 - earlier than police, who found it on Aug. 5, first indicated.
On Aug. 11, police announced that the stripped and vandalized car belonged to James Jordan, triggering the search for Jordan that led to Friday’s identification of the body found in a South Carolina creek Aug. 3, shot once in the chest with a .38-caliber pistol.
Joyce Farrior, mother of the brothers charged with car-stripping, said that she repeatedly contacted police about unusual activity in late July on the dirt road in front of her trailer. But it took until Aug. 5 for an officer to respond to the call. Police said they had no record of such calls.
Farrior said she became suspicious when she saw unidentified white men drive at high speeds down the rural road where the residents are nearly all black.
The mother of suspect Jovan Carter, Dorothy, told reporters that “a bunch of guys” came up to the door of her home sometime last month and her son drove off with them. She said the auto they were driving was “the car” - the Lexus.
Reporters on Saturday discovered that police had not sealed off the site where the car was discovered. At the site, they found items believed taken from Jordan’s car, including a Lexus owner’s manual.
The Charlotte Observer reported Saturday that Jordan’s company, JVL, faced financial problems.
JVL’s checking account was overdrawn by $ 1,082 as of July 18, the paper said, and an apparel company said it was owed about $ 7,000.
But South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokesman Hugh Munn said his agency met with FBI agents on Saturday and that there there was “no connection at this point” between JVL and the murder.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Obama slams Trump’s COVID-19 response   (LIVE UPDATES)

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama harshly criticized President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as an “ absolute chaotic disaster ” during a conversation with ex-members of his administration , according to a recording obtained by Yahoo News .
Obama also reacted to the Justice Department dropping its criminal case against Trump ’ s first national security adviser , Michael Flynn , saying he worried that the “ basic understanding of rule of law is at risk.
” More than 78,400 people with COVID-19 have died in the United States and more than 1.3 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest estimates from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University .
Obama ’ s comments came during a Friday call with 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association , people who served in his administration .
Obama urged his supporters to back his former vice president , Joe Biden , who is trying to unseat Trump in the Nov. 3 election .
4:45 p.m .
FACT CHECK : How credible is President Trump on coronavirus death tolls ?
WASHINGTON — Truth can be a casualty when President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
He ’ s claimed that the United States is on par with Germany in keeping down COVID-19 deaths , which is not the case in mortality reports .
He ’ s brushed off projections that deaths in his country will double from earlier forecasts , misrepresenting how the numbers were calculated .
These distortions emerged over the past week alongside his relentless bragging about the U.S. testing system , which failed in the crucial early weeks and remains globally subpar .
Pushing to get the country back to normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe from the coronavirus , ignoring the several thousand kids known to have been sickened by it , some gravely .
Read the full fact check story by the Associated Press here .
2:35 p.m. Illinois records another 111 new deaths , 2,325 new cases of coronavirus Another 111 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois , state health officials announced Saturday , bringing the state ’ s total pandemic death toll to 3,342 .
The state also reported 2,325 new cases , bringing the total to 76,085 — although most of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one recorded case in 98 of the state ’ s 102 counties .
But Saturday marked the fifth straight day with at least 100 deaths reported , the longest such streak during what Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s administration has said is the peak of the pandemic .
Illinois received 16,617 new test results on Friday , down about 4,000 from Thursday ’ s daily record-breaking total .
The 13.99 % positivity rate on those new test results is nonetheless comparable to the rate of 13.96 % from a day earlier .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slowly reopen regions of the state economy in phases , Pritzker has said a region must see a positivity rate under 20 % for 14 consecutive days before reopening can begin to be considered in that area , something the northeast region of the state — including Cook County and neighboring counties — is nowhere close to reaching .
Read the full report from Ben Pope here .
Volunteers spent Saturday morning and afternoon handing out face masks and sharing prayers at a drive-thru station set up outside Midwest Bible Church on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided by former mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson were distributed at the non-denominational house of worship at 3441 N. Cicero Ave. As drivers pulled up , volunteers walked up to vehicles and offered short prayers .
Wilson has said he ’ s providing 5 million masks for Chicago residents in need during the coronavirus pandemic .
Many were distributed at several churches citywide Saturday , with a giveaway at House of Hope , 752 E. 114th St. , slated to last until 6 p.m. 1:54 p.m .
US approves new coronavirus antigen test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new type of coronavirus test that administration officials have promoted as a key to opening up the country .
The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday announced emergency authorization for antigen tests developed by Quidel Corp. of San Diego .
The test can rapidly detect fragments of virus proteins in samples collected from swabs swiped inside the nasal cavity , the FDA said in a statement .
The antigen test is the third type of test to be authorized by the FDA .
Currently , the only way to diagnose active COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasal swab for the genetic material of the virus .
While considered highly accurate , the tests can take hours and require expensive , specialized equipment mainly found at commercial labs , hospitals or universities .
A second type looks in the blood for antibodies , the proteins produced by the body days or weeks after fighting an infection .
Such tests are helpful for researchers to understand how far a disease has spread within a community , but they aren ’ t useful for diagnosing active infections .
Antigen tests can diagnose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traces of the virus rather than genetic code of the virus itself .
1:08 p.m. Remdesivir being shipped to six states , including Illinois WASHINGTON — The federal government is sending supplies of the first drug that appears to help speed the recovery of some COVID-19 patients to six states , where it will be distributed by health departments .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Saturday that it is delivering 140 cases of the drug remdesivir to Illinois , 110 cases to New Jersey , 40 cases to Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland and 10 cases to Iowa .
Each case contains 40 vials of the drug , the department said in a statement .
“ State and local health departments have the greatest insights into community-level needs in the COVID-19 response , ” the statement said .
Berywn native and “ Better Call Saul ” star Bob Odenkirk delivered an e-commencement speech Saturday for graduates at his alma mater , Southern Illinois University .
The Carbondale school canceled its face-to-face graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic , so the Emmy-winning alumnus and comedian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ inboxes instead .
“ This is my opportunity to lecture you on all the things I ’ ve learned in life , so this will be a short speech , ” Odenkirk said in his five-minute talk , reminiscing about his days hosting shows on the college radio station .
The video also included the conferral of degrees and a performance by the school marching band .
Grads will receive printed commencement programs along with their diplomas in the mail .
After surveying graduates about potential alternatives , the school plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August or December.
” Watch Odenkirk ’ s speech in the virtual ceremony here .
12:21 p.m .
Nursing homes account for 48 % of all Illinois COVID-19 deaths More than 50 Illinois nursing homes have eclipsed double-digit coronavirus deaths as several facilities reported spikes in their number of cases and deaths in the past week , according to data released Friday by state health officials .
In all , 3,910 new cases were reported this week along with 472 new deaths , according to a count by the Chicago Sun-Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11,437 and deaths to 1,553 .
Last week , the state saw one-week increases of 3,229 cases and 456 deaths .
Long-term care facilities now account for 48 % of Illinois ’ 3,241 COVID-19 deaths , records show .
As was the case last week , the numbers , reported weekly , have inconsistencies from week to week and , because of lags in reporting , appear to be lower than the real-time toll the virus is taking on those facilities .
Some homes , for example , reported fewer cases or deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have attributed in part to further investigation revealing non-COVID health issues .
This week , 18 more homes reached double-digit deaths , bringing that total to 51 facilities across the state .
Twenty-two have reported more than 100 total cases , with two homes over 200 .
Read the full report from Nader Issa here .
11:47 a.m. New coronavirus outbreaks in Germany , South Korea show the risks in easing up ROME — South Korea ’ s capital closed down more than 2,100 bars and other nightspots Saturday because of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrambled to contain fresh outbreaks at slaughterhouses , and Italian authorities worried that people were getting too friendly at cocktail hour during the country ’ s first weekend of eased restrictions .
The new outbreaks — and the fears of a second wave of contagion — underscored the dangers authorities face as they try to reopen their economies .
Around the world , the U.S. and other hard-hit countries are wrestling with how to ease curbs on business and public activity without causing the virus to come surging back .
10:37 a.m. ICYMI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay , alleges regulations violate First Amendment Chicago ’ s Admiral Theatre is suing the Small Business Administration , alleging the strip club ’ s First Amendment rights were violated when a ruling on its loan application has been stalled by regulations that discriminate against adult businesses .
The suit filed Friday in U.S. District Court names the SBA and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin as defendants .
The lawsuit claims the SBA is taking too long to rule on the North Side strip club ’ s Paycheck Protection Program application , which provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 500 workers .
The delay is due to SBA regulations which prohibit funding for businesses that “ present live performances of a prurient sexual nature , ” the lawsuit states .
However , the suit continues : “ All of the entertainment provided by the admiral is non-obscene ( and thus can not be deemed prurient ) , ” the suit states .
“ No entertainer performing at the Admiral has even been charged with , let alone convicted of , the crime of obscenity.
” Read the full story from Emmanuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful WNBA will salvage 2020 season , but at least one player thinks it ’ s not worth risk Sky forward Jantel Lavender said what a lot of people were thinking , as hard as it might be to accept : She doesn ’ t think it ’ s feasible for the WNBA to have a 2020 season .
“ For me , I just can ’ t see it happening , only because there ’ s no [ coronavirus ] vaccine , ” Lavender said .
“ To think about having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ location and we play in one place , I don ’ t know , it ’ s just unrealistic , and I think it would make more sense to wait it out and just see where we go from here.
” The season originally was scheduled to start May 15 , but it has been postponed indefinitely amid the pandemic as league officials continue to plan for different scenarios .
Although players such as Lavender are skeptical , Sky owner Michael Alter remains hopeful the season will go on in some capacity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , is that if the league does get a green light from public health officials , fans will not be in attendance , which would have a major affect on the revenue for a league already in financial distress .
Read the full story from Madeline Kenney here .
A Chicago U.S .
Postal Service letter carrier has died of COVID-19 .
Unique L. Clay , 31 , was pronounced dead at 8:47 a.m. May 5 , according to the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
She lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of three who had just given birth a week earlier , is the first active letter carrier in Chicago to die of the virus , according to a statement from the National Association of Letter Carriers .
She worked for the postal service for two years .
An autopsy found Clay died of a novel coronavirus infection and ruled her death natural , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
More than 30 letter carriers in the city have tested positive for COVID-19 , the union said .
Union representatives and employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3319 N. Cicero Ave. , will hold a balloon release in Clay ’ s honor on Saturday morning while wearing masks and practicing social distancing , according to the union .
7:15 a.m. Nonprofits distribute thousands of pounds of food , PPE in Bronzeville Representatives from community groups , advocacy organizations and churches gathered in Bronzeville Friday afternoon to collect their share of thousands of pounds of food and personal protective equipment intended to ease the burden for those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ There ’ s no question that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has caused is incredible , but at the same time we have to recognize that a lot of the pain that ’ s being caused is because of a lack of information , because of a lack of access to resources , ” said Todd Belcore , executive director of the nonprofit Social Change , one of the groups organizing the distribution .
“ We have to respond to that and we also have to respond to the fact that people are terrified , ” he added .
“ Not just terrified by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also terrified by the fact that they won ’ t have food to eat.
” Read the full story by Sam Charles here .
• Officials said Friday another 130 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois as the state reached a milestone of receiving more than 20,000 tests results in a single day .
In total , 3,241 people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois .
• The office of the Chief Judge of Cook County announced Friday an employee and a detainee at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were reported in Chicago Police Department .
• Two people are dead among 85 workers at CPS schools who have tested positive for COVID-19 , officials say .
7:15 a.m .
If you reopen for business early and somebody dies , don ’ t expect your insurance company to bail you out Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has repeatedly said he ’ s delegating enforcement of his stay-at-home order to local governments .
That stance has frustrated some folks who want him to get tougher with violators ( although he ’ d undoubtedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did crack down hard ) .
And the governor ’ s position seems to have emboldened some local officials to defy the governor ’ s executive order and open up their economies on their own .
But when local governments refuse to enforce the governor ’ s order , it appears that trial lawyers might step in and insurance companies might take a walk .
A growing number of Downstate sheriffs , state ’ s attorneys and other officials have declared they won ’ t be enforcing the governor ’ s stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attorney has said he won ’ t prosecute violators , as has the White County state ’ s attorney .
Johnson County ’ s sheriff is one of several who ’ ve said he also wouldn ’ t arrest anyone for violating the order .
East Peoria ’ s mayor has gone beyond even that , officially allowing the “ opening ” of several businesses in his city on May 1 that were ordered closed by the governor ’ s executive order , including hair salons , spas , gyms and indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity , and churches and theaters also will be allowed to reopen on that date .
But the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association has a message for those renegade municipalities and businesses preparing to throw open their doors : Watch out for lawsuits .
Read the full column from Rich Miller here .

Another 111 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois, state health officials announced Saturday, bringing the state’s total pandemic death toll to 3,342. Here’s what happened in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago and around the state.
News
WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama harshly criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as an “absolute chaotic disaster” during a conversation with ex-members of his administration, according to a recording obtained by Yahoo News.
Obama also reacted to the Justice Department dropping its criminal case against Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, saying he worried that the “basic understanding of rule of law is at risk.”
More than 78,400 people with COVID-19 have died in the United States and more than 1.3 million people have tested positive, according to the latest estimates from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Obama’s comments came during a Friday call with 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association, people who served in his administration. Obama urged his supporters to back his former vice president, Joe Biden, who is trying to unseat Trump in the Nov. 3 election.
Read the full story here.
4:45 p.m. FACT CHECK: How credible is President Trump on coronavirus death tolls?
WASHINGTON — Truth can be a casualty when President Donald Trump talks about deaths from the coronavirus in the United States.
He’s claimed that the United States is on par with Germany in keeping down COVID-19 deaths, which is not the case in mortality reports. He’s brushed off projections that deaths in his country will double from earlier forecasts, misrepresenting how the numbers were calculated.
These distortions emerged over the past week alongside his relentless bragging about the U.S. testing system, which failed in the crucial early weeks and remains globally subpar. Pushing to get the country back to normal, Trump also suggested that children are safe from the coronavirus, ignoring the several thousand kids known to have been sickened by it, some gravely.
2:35 p.m. Illinois records another 111 new deaths, 2,325 new cases of coronavirus
Another 111 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois, state health officials announced Saturday, bringing the state’s total pandemic death toll to 3,342.
The state also reported 2,325 new cases, bringing the total to 76,085 — although most of those have since recovered — with at least one recorded case in 98 of the state’s 102 counties.
But Saturday marked the fifth straight day with at least 100 deaths reported, the longest such streak during what Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration has said is the peak of the pandemic.
Illinois received 16,617 new test results on Friday, down about 4,000 from Thursday’s daily record-breaking total.
The 13.99% positivity rate on those new test results is nonetheless comparable to the rate of 13.96% from a day earlier.
Under his “Restore Illinois” plan to slowly reopen regions of the state economy in phases, Pritzker has said a region must see a positivity rate under 20% for 14 consecutive days before reopening can begin to be considered in that area, something the northeast region of the state — including Cook County and neighboring counties — is nowhere close to reaching.
Read the full report from Ben Pope here.
2:09 p.m. Volunteers hand out face masks at Northwest Side church
Volunteers spent Saturday morning and afternoon handing out face masks and sharing prayers at a drive-thru station set up outside Midwest Bible Church on the Northwest Side.
Some 5,000 masks provided by former mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson were distributed at the non-denominational house of worship at 3441 N. Cicero Ave. As drivers pulled up, volunteers walked up to vehicles and offered short prayers.
Wilson has said he’s providing 5 million masks for Chicago residents in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Many were distributed at several churches citywide Saturday, with a giveaway at House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St., slated to last until 6 p.m.
— Tyler LaRiviere
Volunteers with Midwest Bible Church stand in the center of Cicero with signs advertising free masks and prayers offered in the parking lot of Midwest Bible Church on Saturday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Volunteers pray in the parking lot of Midwest Bible Church on Saturday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
1:54 p.m. US approves new coronavirus antigen test with fast results
U.S. regulators have approved a new type of coronavirus test that administration officials have promoted as a key to opening up the country.
The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday announced emergency authorization for antigen tests developed by Quidel Corp. of San Diego. The test can rapidly detect fragments of virus proteins in samples collected from swabs swiped inside the nasal cavity, the FDA said in a statement.
The antigen test is the third type of test to be authorized by the FDA.
Currently, the only way to diagnose active COVID-19 is to test a patient’s nasal swab for the genetic material of the virus. While considered highly accurate, the tests can take hours and require expensive, specialized equipment mainly found at commercial labs, hospitals or universities.
A second type looks in the blood for antibodies, the proteins produced by the body days or weeks after fighting an infection. Such tests are helpful for researchers to understand how far a disease has spread within a community, but they aren’t useful for diagnosing active infections.
Antigen tests can diagnose active infections by detecting the earliest toxic traces of the virus rather than genetic code of the virus itself.
Read the full report here.
1:08 p.m. Remdesivir being shipped to six states, including Illinois
WASHINGTON — The federal government is sending supplies of the first drug that appears to help speed the recovery of some COVID-19 patients to six states, where it will be distributed by health departments.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Saturday that it is delivering 140 cases of the drug remdesivir to Illinois, 110 cases to New Jersey, 40 cases to Michigan, 30 cases each to Connecticut and Maryland and 10 cases to Iowa. Each case contains 40 vials of the drug, the department said in a statement.
“State and local health departments have the greatest insights into community-level needs in the COVID-19 response,” the statement said.
Read the full report here.
12:45 p.m. Watch Bob Odenkirk deliver SIU’s e-commencement speech
Bob Odenkirk shared words of wisdom while delivering a five-minute e-commencement speech Saturday at his alma mater, Southern Illinois University. Screenshot
Berywn native and “Better Call Saul” star Bob Odenkirk delivered an e-commencement speech Saturday for graduates at his alma mater, Southern Illinois University.
The Carbondale school canceled its face-to-face graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Emmy-winning alumnus and comedian popped up in more than 2,100 graduates’ inboxes instead.
“This is my opportunity to lecture you on all the things I’ve learned in life, so this will be a short speech,” Odenkirk said in his five-minute talk, reminiscing about his days hosting shows on the college radio station.
The video also included the conferral of degrees and a performance by the school marching band. Grads will receive printed commencement programs along with their diplomas in the mail.
After surveying graduates about potential alternatives, the school plans to hold “a traditional, in-person ceremony in August or December.”
Watch Odenkirk’s speech in the virtual ceremony here.
— Mitchell Armentrout
12:21 p.m. Nursing homes account for 48% of all Illinois COVID-19 deaths
More than 50 Illinois nursing homes have eclipsed double-digit coronavirus deaths as several facilities reported spikes in their number of cases and deaths in the past week, according to data released Friday by state health officials.
In all, 3,910 new cases were reported this week along with 472 new deaths, according to a count by the Chicago Sun-Times. That brings state nursing home cases to 11,437 and deaths to 1,553. Last week, the state saw one-week increases of 3,229 cases and 456 deaths.
Long-term care facilities now account for 48% of Illinois’ 3,241 COVID-19 deaths, records show.
As was the case last week, the numbers, reported weekly, have inconsistencies from week to week and, because of lags in reporting, appear to be lower than the real-time toll the virus is taking on those facilities. Some homes, for example, reported fewer cases or deaths this week than last, an issue officials have attributed in part to further investigation revealing non-COVID health issues.
This week, 18 more homes reached double-digit deaths, bringing that total to 51 facilities across the state. Twenty-two have reported more than 100 total cases, with two homes over 200.
Read the full report from Nader Issa here.
11:47 a.m. New coronavirus outbreaks in Germany, South Korea show the risks in easing up
ROME — South Korea’s capital closed down more than 2,100 bars and other nightspots Saturday because of a new cluster of coronavirus infections, Germany scrambled to contain fresh outbreaks at slaughterhouses, and Italian authorities worried that people were getting too friendly at cocktail hour during the country’s first weekend of eased restrictions.
The new outbreaks — and the fears of a second wave of contagion — underscored the dangers authorities face as they try to reopen their economies.
Around the world, the U.S. and other hard-hit countries are wrestling with how to ease curbs on business and public activity without causing the virus to come surging back.
Read the full report here.
10:37 a.m. ICYMI: Admiral Theatre sues over PPP loan delay, alleges regulations violate First Amendment
Chicago’s Admiral Theatre is suing the Small Business Administration, alleging the strip club’s First Amendment rights were violated when a ruling on its loan application has been stalled by regulations that discriminate against adult businesses.
The suit filed Friday in U.S. District Court names the SBA and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin as defendants.
The lawsuit claims the SBA is taking too long to rule on the North Side strip club’s Paycheck Protection Program application, which provides forgivable loans to businesses which have fewer than 500 workers.
The delay is due to SBA regulations which prohibit funding for businesses that “present live performances of a prurient sexual nature,” the lawsuit states.
However, the suit continues: “All of the entertainment provided by the admiral is non-obscene (and thus cannot be deemed prurient),” the suit states. “No entertainer performing at the Admiral has even been charged with, let alone convicted of, the crime of obscenity.”
Read the full story from Emmanuel Camarillo here.
8:45 a.m. Sky owner hopeful WNBA will salvage 2020 season, but at least one player thinks it’s not worth risk
Sky forward Jantel Lavender said what a lot of people were thinking, as hard as it might be to accept:
She doesn’t think it’s feasible for the WNBA to have a 2020 season.
“For me, I just can’t see it happening, only because there’s no [coronavirus] vaccine,” Lavender said. “To think about having a season where everybody’s in one location and we play in one place, I don’t know, it’s just unrealistic, and I think it would make more sense to wait it out and just see where we go from here.”
The season originally was scheduled to start May 15, but it has been postponed indefinitely amid the pandemic as league officials continue to plan for different scenarios.
Although players such as Lavender are skeptical, Sky owner Michael Alter remains hopeful the season will go on in some capacity. One thing he’s sure of, he said, is that if the league does get a green light from public health officials, fans will not be in attendance, which would have a major affect on the revenue for a league already in financial distress.
Read the full story from Madeline Kenney here.
7:45 a.m. Chicago postal worker dies of COVID-19
A Chicago U.S. Postal Service letter carrier has died of COVID-19.
Unique L. Clay, 31, was pronounced dead at 8:47 a.m. May 5, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. She lived in Englewood.
Clay, a mother of three who had just given birth a week earlier, is the first active letter carrier in Chicago to die of the virus, according to a statement from the National Association of Letter Carriers. She worked for the postal service for two years.
An autopsy found Clay died of a novel coronavirus infection and ruled her death natural, the medical examiner’s office said.
More than 30 letter carriers in the city have tested positive for COVID-19, the union said.
Union representatives and employees at the Irving Park Post Office, 3319 N. Cicero Ave., will hold a balloon release in Clay’s honor on Saturday morning while wearing masks and practicing social distancing, according to the union.
— Luke Wilusz
7:15 a.m. Nonprofits distribute thousands of pounds of food, PPE in Bronzeville
Representatives from community groups, advocacy organizations and churches gathered in Bronzeville Friday afternoon to collect their share of thousands of pounds of food and personal protective equipment intended to ease the burden for those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s no question that the amount of pain that this virus has caused is incredible, but at the same time we have to recognize that a lot of the pain that’s being caused is because of a lack of information, because of a lack of access to resources,” said Todd Belcore, executive director of the nonprofit Social Change, one of the groups organizing the distribution.
“We have to respond to that and we also have to respond to the fact that people are terrified,” he added. “Not just terrified by the prospect of getting the virus but also terrified by the fact that they won’t have food to eat.”
Read the full story by Sam Charles here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
7:15 a.m. If you reopen for business early and somebody dies, don’t expect your insurance company to bail you out
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has repeatedly said he’s delegating enforcement of his stay-at-home order to local governments.
That stance has frustrated some folks who want him to get tougher with violators (although he’d undoubtedly risk making martyrs out of them if he did crack down hard). And the governor’s position seems to have emboldened some local officials to defy the governor’s executive order and open up their economies on their own.
But when local governments refuse to enforce the governor’s order, it appears that trial lawyers might step in and insurance companies might take a walk.
A growing number of Downstate sheriffs, state’s attorneys and other officials have declared they won’t be enforcing the governor’s stay-at-home order. The Woodford County state’s attorney has said he won’t prosecute violators, as has the White County state’s attorney. Johnson County’s sheriff is one of several who’ve said he also wouldn’t arrest anyone for violating the order.
East Peoria’s mayor has gone beyond even that, officially allowing the “opening” of several businesses in his city on May 1 that were ordered closed by the governor’s executive order, including hair salons, spas, gyms and indoor recreational facilities. On May 15, bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity, and churches and theaters also will be allowed to reopen on that date.
But the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association has a message for those renegade municipalities and businesses preparing to throw open their doors: Watch out for lawsuits.
Read the full column from Rich Miller here.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Obama slams Trump’s COVID-19 response

Obama slams Trump’s COVID-19 response

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama harshly criticized President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as an “ absolute chaotic disaster ” during a conversation with ex-members of his administration , according to a recording obtained by Yahoo News .
Obama also reacted to the Justice Department dropping its criminal case against Trump ’ s first national security adviser , Michael Flynn , saying he worried that the “ basic understanding of rule of law is at risk.
” More than 78,400 people with COVID-19 have died in the United States and more than 1.3 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest estimates from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University .
Obama ’ s comments came during a Friday call with 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association , people who served in his administration .
Obama urged his supporters to back his former vice president , Joe Biden , who is trying to unseat Trump in the Nov. 3 election .
“ What we ’ re fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish , being tribal , being divided , and seeing others as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impulse in American life .
And by the way , we ’ re seeing that internationally as well .
It ’ s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty , ” Obama said , according to Yahoo News .
“ It would have been bad even with the best of governments .
It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ — when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Trump has consistently defended and boasted of his response to the virus , saying that travel restrictions from China and Europe as well as social distancing guidelines have prevented far greater damage .
“ I think we saved millions of lives , ” he said earlier this week .
Trump has criticized the Obama administration in relation to his own administration ’ s response to the outbreak .
Yet Trump ’ s contention that his administration inherited “ a broken system and a broken test ” from Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus did not exist until late last year .
In fact , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention struggled to develop its own test in January and then discovered problems in its kits in February .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not mention Obama directly in her response to his remarks .
“ President Trump ’ s coronavirus response has been unprecedented and saved American lives , ” she said .
“ While Democrats were pursuing a sham witch hunt against President Trump , President Trump was shutting down travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While Democrats encouraged mass gatherings , President Trump was deploying PPE , ventilators , and testing across the country .
”

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama harshly criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as an “absolute chaotic disaster” during a conversation with ex-members of his administration, according to a recording obtained by Yahoo News.
Obama also reacted to the Justice Department dropping its criminal case against Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, saying he worried that the “basic understanding of rule of law is at risk.”
More than 78,400 people with COVID-19 have died in the United States and more than 1.3 million people have tested positive, according to the latest estimates from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Obama’s comments came during a Friday call with 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association, people who served in his administration. Obama urged his supporters to back his former vice president, Joe Biden, who is trying to unseat Trump in the Nov. 3 election.
“What we’re fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life. And by the way, we’re seeing that internationally as well. It’s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty,” Obama said, according to Yahoo News.
“It would have been bad even with the best of governments. It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government,” he said.
Trump has consistently defended and boasted of his response to the virus, saying that travel restrictions from China and Europe as well as social distancing guidelines have prevented far greater damage. “I think we saved millions of lives,” he said earlier this week.
Trump has criticized the Obama administration in relation to his own administration’s response to the outbreak. Yet Trump’s contention that his administration inherited “a broken system and a broken test” from Obama’s is false; the novel coronavirus did not exist until late last year. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention struggled to develop its own test in January and then discovered problems in its kits in February.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not mention Obama directly in her response to his remarks.
“President Trump’s coronavirus response has been unprecedented and saved American lives,” she said. “While Democrats were pursuing a sham witch hunt against President Trump, President Trump was shutting down travel from China.”
She added: “While Democrats encouraged mass gatherings, President Trump was deploying PPE, ventilators, and testing across the country.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--Chicago police union chooses new president in runoff election

Rank-and-file Chicago police officers have chosen John Catanzara as the new president of their union for the next three years , replacing incumbent Kevin Graham in a runoff election .
Two months after an election in which no candidate received at least 50 % support , Catanzara won 54.9 % of the vote in the runoff , notching 4,709 votes to Graham ’ s 3,872 , the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 announced Friday evening .
Thursday was the last day for officers to cast in-person ballots at the union ’ s West Loop headquarters , though most votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would like to Congratulate the new head of The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 7 , President John Catanzara , ” a union statement read .
Reached Saturday , Catanzara declined to comment but said he ’ d make a statement Sunday .
Graham assumed union leadership three years ago after beating former President Dean Angelo Sr. in another runoff .
Graham and Catanzara were two of five candidates running in the general election in March .
Graham ’ s time in FOP leadership has been hallmarked by his criticism of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consent decree , which were spurred by the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video and subsequent investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice .
The union has been without a contract for more than 2 ½ years .
In December , the FOP board voted to put its demand for an 18 % pay raise over three years in the hands of an independent arbitrator .
Earlier this week , Catanzara pledged to take an aggressive approach in negotiations with City Hall should he be elected .
Catanzara was stripped of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty for filing a police report against now-fired police Supt .
Eddie Johnson after Johnson marched arm-in-arm with the Rev .
Michael Pfleger on the Dan Ryan Expressway .
Three years ago , Catanzara was reprimanded for posting a picture of himself on social media dressed in his police uniform holding an American flag and a homemade sign that read , “ I stand for the anthem .
I love the American flag .
I support my President and the Second Amendment.
” Catanzara was also recommended for firing in 2012 after Independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working security at an Old Town restaurant while he was on medical leave from CPD with a back injury .
The board found him guilty but opted to suspend him for 20 days .

Rank-and-file Chicago police officers have chosen John Catanzara as the new president of their union for the next three years, replacing incumbent Kevin Graham in a runoff election.
Two months after an election in which no candidate received at least 50% support, Catanzara won 54.9% of the vote in the runoff, notching 4,709 votes to Graham’s 3,872, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 announced Friday evening.
Thursday was the last day for officers to cast in-person ballots at the union’s West Loop headquarters, though most votes were mailed in.
“Kevin Graham would like to Congratulate the new head of The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7, President John Catanzara,” a union statement read.
Related Cold war between Lightfoot and FOP about to turn into a deep freeze
Reached Saturday, Catanzara declined to comment but said he’d make a statement Sunday.
Graham assumed union leadership three years ago after beating former President Dean Angelo Sr. in another runoff. Graham and Catanzara were two of five candidates running in the general election in March.
Graham’s time in FOP leadership has been hallmarked by his criticism of the Chicago Police Department’s reform efforts and consent decree, which were spurred by the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video and subsequent investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The union has been without a contract for more than 2 ½ years. In December, the FOP board voted to put its demand for an 18% pay raise over three years in the hands of an independent arbitrator.
Earlier this week, Catanzara pledged to take an aggressive approach in negotiations with City Hall should he be elected.
Catanzara was stripped of his police powers and assigned to administrative duty for filing a police report against now-fired police Supt. Eddie Johnson after Johnson marched arm-in-arm with the Rev. Michael Pfleger on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Three years ago, Catanzara was reprimanded for posting a picture of himself on social media dressed in his police uniform holding an American flag and a homemade sign that read, “I stand for the anthem. I love the American flag. I support my President and the Second Amendment.”
Catanzara was also recommended for firing in 2012 after Independent Police Review Authority investigators determined he had been working security at an Old Town restaurant while he was on medical leave from CPD with a back injury.
The board found him guilty but opted to suspend him for 20 days.
Contributing: Nader Issa, Ben Pope


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--FACT CHECK: How credible is President Trump on coronavirus death tolls?

WASHINGTON — Truth can be a casualty when President Donald Trump talks about deaths from the coronavirus in the United States .
He ’ s claimed that the United States is on par with Germany in keeping down COVID-19 deaths , which is not the case in mortality reports .
He ’ s brushed off projections that deaths in his country will double from earlier forecasts , misrepresenting how the numbers were calculated .
These distortions emerged over the past week alongside his relentless bragging about the U.S. testing system , which failed in the crucial early weeks and remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country back to normal , Trump also suggested that children are safe from the coronavirus , ignoring the several thousand kids known to have been sickened by it , some gravely .
A look at his remarks and how they compare with the facts : TRUMP on pandemic deaths : “ Now , Germany — we ’ re very close to Germany .
We have a very good relationship with Germany .
Germany has done very good .
They have a very low mortality rate like we do .
We have a low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in meeting with Gov .
Greg Abbott , R-Texas .
THE FACTS : The U.S. is not in Germany ’ s league in this regard .
The U.S. is experiencing far more reported COVID-19 deaths as a proportion of its population than is Germany .
The U.S. has reported COVID-19 deaths at a rate of 234 per 1 million people .
For Germany , that rate is 90 deaths per million .
The U.S. surpasses many other countries in reported deaths per million , too , and it leads the world in deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track COVID-19 deaths somewhat differently , exact conclusions can ’ t be reached when comparing nations .
The mortality rate is a different measure from deaths per million .
It refers to what percentage of people who get the disease die from it .
The answer is as yet unknown , and there are several reasons for that .
First , the count changes every day as new infections and deaths are recorded .
More important , every country is testing differently .
Knowing the real denominator , the true number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determining what portion of them die .
Some countries , the U.S. among them , have had trouble making enough tests available .
A test shortage means the sickest get tested first .
Even with a good supply of tests , someone who ’ s otherwise healthy and has mild symptoms may not be tested and thus go uncounted .
TRUMP : “ And , frankly , if you took New York out of the equation , we would really have a low mortality rate.
” — remarks with Abbott .
THE FACTS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , can not be subtracted from it to make the numbers look better .
It ’ s true that New York has experienced far more COVID-19 deaths than has any other state .
TRUMP , asked about a White House-endorsed model now showing 134,000 deaths from the coronavirus by August , doubling its previous prediction : “ Those projections are with no mitigation .
We are doing mitigation.
” — remarks to reporters Tuesday .
THE FACTS : That ’ s incorrect .
The projections by the Institute for Health Metrics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing and other mitigation , which have begun to be loosened in several states at Trump ’ s urging .
The institute , based at the University of Washington , said its revised estimates released Monday reflect the recent reopening of many states and relaxing of social distancing restrictions .
Its initial estimates assumed longer stay at home orders lasting through May .
“ The revised projections reflect rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures expected in 31 states by May 11 , indicating that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus , ” the institute said .
“ Our model now assumes that mandates that are currently still in place and have not been scheduled to be relaxed will stay in place through at least August 4 , ” it added on its website .
Officials on the White House coronavirus task force have praised the institute ’ s work and cited its research in their briefings .
TRUMP : “ In any event , we have great testing capacity , and have performed 6.5 million tests , which is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined !
” — tweet Monday .
THE FACTS : This was not remotely true when he said it and it ’ s no closer to the truth now .
The U.S. has tested far fewer people than all other countries combined .
It also lags dozens of countries in testing its population proportionally .
Together , just three countries — Russia , Germany and Italy — had reported more tests than the U.S. when Trump tweeted .
That remains the case .
As of late Friday , the U.S. had reported conducting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began .
That compared with more than 18.7 million tests by the other countries in the top 10 of the testing count .
The U.S. was followed by Russia , Germany , Italy , Spain , Britain , India , France , Turkey and United Arab Emirates .
TRUMP : “ With young children and children , we ’ d like to see the schools open early next season and on time .
It ’ s incredible how the — it ’ s very unique how the children aren ’ t affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older people are — can be very badly hurt , injured , or die from this problem.
” — remarks with Native American leaders Tuesday in Phoenix .
TRUMP : “ You see how well children seem to do .
It ’ s incredible .
We realize how strong children are , right ?
” — remarks with nurses Wednesday .
TRUMP : “ It affects older people .
It infects — if you have any problem — heart , diabetes , even a little weak heart , a little diabetes , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it can take you out , and it can take you out very strongly .
But children do very well.
” — remarks May 3 on Fox News .
THE FACTS : His suggestion that children are in the clear is false .
To say they “ do very well ” with the disease is more accurate , based on what is known so far .
His implication that the risk is limited to the old and sick is incorrect .
It ’ s true kids get sick less often than do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they do get sick .
But his statements overlook severe COVID-19 illnesses and at least several deaths of children in the U.S. And they gloss over the fact that kids can spread disease without showing symptoms themselves .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the pandemic ’ s effect on different ages in the U.S. early on and reviewed preliminary research in China , where the coronavirus started .
It said social distancing is important for children , too , for their own safety and that of others .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not severe , serious COVID-19 illness resulting in hospitalization still occurs in this age group , ” the CDC study says .
At the beginning of April , the CDC analyzed nearly 150,000 laboratory-confirmed U.S. COVID-19 cases and found nearly 2,600 children with the disease .
Since then the number of confirmed cases overall in the U.S. has rocketed , making the April findings very preliminary .
The pediatric cases that were found at the time , though relatively few , spanned all ages of childhood .
The median age of children sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % , perhaps as many as 20 % , required hospitalization .
People 18 to 64 were by far the largest age group sickened by the virus — 76 % of the confirmed cases studied by the CDC .
COVID-19 was not and is not limited to the oldest people , even if they are the most vulnerable age group .
Associated Press writers Lauran Neergaard and Meghan Hoyer contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — Truth can be a casualty when President Donald Trump talks about deaths from the coronavirus in the United States.
He’s claimed that the United States is on par with Germany in keeping down COVID-19 deaths, which is not the case in mortality reports. He’s brushed off projections that deaths in his country will double from earlier forecasts, misrepresenting how the numbers were calculated.
These distortions emerged over the past week alongside his relentless bragging about the U.S. testing system, which failed in the crucial early weeks and remains globally subpar. Pushing to get the country back to normal, Trump also suggested that children are safe from the coronavirus, ignoring the several thousand kids known to have been sickened by it, some gravely.
A look at his remarks and how they compare with the facts:
DEATH COUNTS
TRUMP on pandemic deaths: “Now, Germany — we’re very close to Germany. We have a very good relationship with Germany. Germany has done very good. They have a very low mortality rate like we do. We have a low mortality rate also.” — remarks Thursday in meeting with Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas.
THE FACTS: The U.S. is not in Germany’s league in this regard.
The U.S. is experiencing far more reported COVID-19 deaths as a proportion of its population than is Germany. The U.S. has reported COVID-19 deaths at a rate of 234 per 1 million people. For Germany, that rate is 90 deaths per million. The U.S. surpasses many other countries in reported deaths per million, too, and it leads the world in deaths from the virus overall.
Because countries track COVID-19 deaths somewhat differently, exact conclusions can’t be reached when comparing nations.
The mortality rate is a different measure from deaths per million. It refers to what percentage of people who get the disease die from it.
The answer is as yet unknown, and there are several reasons for that.
First, the count changes every day as new infections and deaths are recorded. More important, every country is testing differently. Knowing the real denominator, the true number of people who become infected, is key to determining what portion of them die.
Some countries, the U.S. among them, have had trouble making enough tests available. A test shortage means the sickest get tested first. Even with a good supply of tests, someone who’s otherwise healthy and has mild symptoms may not be tested and thus go uncounted.
———
TRUMP: “And, frankly, if you took New York out of the equation, we would really have a low mortality rate.” — remarks with Abbott.
THE FACTS: New York, being part of the U.S., cannot be subtracted from it to make the numbers look better.
It’s true that New York has experienced far more COVID-19 deaths than has any other state.
———
TRUMP, asked about a White House-endorsed model now showing 134,000 deaths from the coronavirus by August, doubling its previous prediction: “Those projections are with no mitigation. We are doing mitigation.” — remarks to reporters Tuesday.
THE FACTS: That’s incorrect. The projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation do take into account social distancing and other mitigation, which have begun to be loosened in several states at Trump’s urging.
The institute, based at the University of Washington, said its revised estimates released Monday reflect the recent reopening of many states and relaxing of social distancing restrictions. Its initial estimates assumed longer stay at home orders lasting through May.
“The revised projections reflect rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures expected in 31 states by May 11, indicating that growing contacts among people will promote transmission of the coronavirus,” the institute said.
“Our model now assumes that mandates that are currently still in place and have not been scheduled to be relaxed will stay in place through at least August 4,” it added on its website. Officials on the White House coronavirus task force have praised the institute’s work and cited its research in their briefings.
———
TESTING
TRUMP: “In any event, we have great testing capacity, and have performed 6.5 million tests, which is more than every country in the world, combined!” — tweet Monday.
THE FACTS: This was not remotely true when he said it and it’s no closer to the truth now.
The U.S. has tested far fewer people than all other countries combined. It also lags dozens of countries in testing its population proportionally.
Together, just three countries — Russia, Germany and Italy — had reported more tests than the U.S. when Trump tweeted.
That remains the case. As of late Friday, the U.S. had reported conducting more than 8.3 million tests since the pandemic began. That compared with more than 18.7 million tests by the other countries in the top 10 of the testing count.
The U.S. was followed by Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Britain, India, France, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
———
CHILDREN & COVID-19
TRUMP: “With young children and children, we’d like to see the schools open early next season and on time. It’s incredible how the — it’s very unique how the children aren’t affected, but people that have problems and older people are — can be very badly hurt, injured, or die from this problem.” — remarks with Native American leaders Tuesday in Phoenix.
TRUMP: “You see how well children seem to do. It’s incredible. We realize how strong children are, right?” — remarks with nurses Wednesday.
TRUMP: “It affects older people. It infects — if you have any problem — heart, diabetes, even a little weak heart, a little diabetes, a little — this thing is vicious, and it can take you out, and it can take you out very strongly. But children do very well.” — remarks May 3 on Fox News.
THE FACTS: His suggestion that children are in the clear is false. To say they “do very well” with the disease is more accurate, based on what is known so far. His implication that the risk is limited to the old and sick is incorrect.
It’s true kids get sick less often than do adults and tend to be less ill when they do get sick. But his statements overlook severe COVID-19 illnesses and at least several deaths of children in the U.S. And they gloss over the fact that kids can spread disease without showing symptoms themselves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the pandemic’s effect on different ages in the U.S. early on and reviewed preliminary research in China, where the coronavirus started. It said social distancing is important for children, too, for their own safety and that of others.
“Whereas most COVID-19 cases in children are not severe, serious COVID-19 illness resulting in hospitalization still occurs in this age group,” the CDC study says.
At the beginning of April, the CDC analyzed nearly 150,000 laboratory-confirmed U.S. COVID-19 cases and found nearly 2,600 children with the disease. Since then the number of confirmed cases overall in the U.S. has rocketed, making the April findings very preliminary.
The pediatric cases that were found at the time, though relatively few, spanned all ages of childhood. The median age of children sick with COVID-19 was 11. More than 5%, perhaps as many as 20%, required hospitalization.
People 18 to 64 were by far the largest age group sickened by the virus — 76% of the confirmed cases studied by the CDC. COVID-19 was not and is not limited to the oldest people, even if they are the most vulnerable age group.
Associated Press writers Lauran Neergaard and Meghan Hoyer contributed to this report.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-09--7 Chicago cops injured in altercation at South Loop storage center

Seven Chicago police officers were injured Saturday while responding to a disturbance at a storage center in the South Loop @ @ @ @ @ officers were called to the storage center in the 1300 block of South Wabash Avenue @ @ @ @ @ who was causing a disturbance in the lobby , police said .
The male refused @ @ @ @ @ an altercation ensued between him and the responding officers .
Six officers were treated on @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
A seventh officer was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for injuries @ @ @ @ @ , and he was stabilized .
Police said the male was not injured .
He @ @ @ @ @ and charges are pending .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

Seven Chicago police officers were injured Saturday while responding to a disturbance at a storage center in the South Loop.
About 11:05 a.m., officers were called to the storage center in the 1300 block of South Wabash Avenue for reports of a male who was causing a disturbance in the lobby, police said. The male refused to leave the property and an altercation ensued between him and the responding officers.
Six officers were treated on the scene for minor injuries, police said. A seventh officer was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for injuries to his shoulder and knee, and he was stabilized.
Police said the male was not injured. He has been taken into custody and charges are pending.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.