chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--‘Singing and praying’ is her prescription for long life

“ Her children arise up , and call her blessed ... ” –Proverbs 31:28 Inside her west suburban Berkeley home , “ Mother ” basks in the glow of her golden years and in the glory of the Lord , her smooth brown skin yet unblemished and her silken silver hair as radiant as her smile .
Her eyes , beneath the gold-rimmed spectacles , are clear and loving .
Her countenance , accentuated by gold hoop earrings , bears a certain elegance and peace .
Perhaps it is a peace that emanates from more than a century of witnessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the peace of having endured hard times , from Jim Crow Mississippi to the Promised Land .
The peace from having made the journey from the Deep South to Chicago in a car carrying 11 people , and ultimately raising 10 children to be good productive citizens .
Or maybe it is simply the peace — and also joy — that generations of her offspring have prospered and multiplied and now number more than she can count .
Whatever it is , this much is clear : Black don ’ t crack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived for more than a century is proof that there is something mighty sweet about a grand mother who has lived by her faith .
Her name is Alice Rice-Thompson .
Her loved ones simply call her “ Mother.
” The family ’ s matriarch , she turns 109 on March 17 .
And this weekend , the family will mark that milestone — with a dinner and cake and all the trimmings — in honor of Mother who has cared for , loved , nurtured and whispered prayers for them all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and praying ” is her prescription for long life , she told me this week .
But becoming a centenarian wasn ’ t something she dreamed of .
“ … But whatever the Lord set to be — 109 — that ’ s what I am .
And I ’ m proud of it , ” she said with a gentle chuckle .
“ I think it ’ s a wonderful thing , ” said grandson Carl Hayes , 59 .
“ I hope I can live that long and be as good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A native West Sider who migrated from Jackson , Mississippi , in 1953 after the death of her husband John Lee Thompson , Mother lived in West Garfield for decades then later in Oak Park .
As a Chicagoan , she became a devoted Bulls fan — win or lose .
Her son , M.C .
Thompson , now deceased , was a standout basketball player at DePaul University .
Rice-Thompson was born in Flora , Mississippi , on March 17 , 1911 .
Also among those born that year were Lucille Ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Negro baseball legend Josh Gibson .
William Howard Taft was president .
Born more than a decade before the invention of television , Rice-Thompson has lived through 19 U.S. presidents ; World Wars I and II , the Korean War and Vietnam War ; through Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement ; and through the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 , holding fast to her faith and a simple philosophy : “ Live and let live , ” she told me .
Other than arthritis , she is in good health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” her daughter Dorrethea Hayes-Graham , 76 , said .
“ She ’ s got a good mind .
We have conversations and we forget things in the past , and she ’ ll shoot ‘ em out .
She reminds us of all the names … ” “ We were raised to stick together , ” added her eldest daughter Rosie Jenkins , 89 .
“ Mother said , ‘ If you don ’ t have enough to eat , just go on and hold your head up , nobody knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For her 109th birthday celebration on Sunday , Mother has simple plans : “ To sit down and eat and look at my children and my friends , and at God , ” she said .
And to bask in the joy of family , life and the Good Lord .

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed...” –Proverbs 31:28
Inside her west suburban Berkeley home, “Mother” basks in the glow of her golden years and in the glory of the Lord, her smooth brown skin yet unblemished and her silken silver hair as radiant as her smile.
Her eyes, beneath the gold-rimmed spectacles, are clear and loving. Her countenance, accentuated by gold hoop earrings, bears a certain elegance and peace.
Perhaps it is a peace that emanates from more than a century of witnessing the faithfulness of God. Perhaps it is the peace of having endured hard times, from Jim Crow Mississippi to the Promised Land. The peace from having made the journey from the Deep South to Chicago in a car carrying 11 people, and ultimately raising 10 children to be good productive citizens.
Or maybe it is simply the peace — and also joy — that generations of her offspring have prospered and multiplied and now number more than she can count.
Whatever it is, this much is clear: Black don’t crack. And this dear mother who has lived for more than a century is proof that there is something mighty sweet about a grand mother who has lived by her faith.
Her name is Alice Rice-Thompson. Her loved ones simply call her “Mother.” The family’s matriarch, she turns 109 on March 17.
And this weekend, the family will mark that milestone — with a dinner and cake and all the trimmings — in honor of Mother who has cared for, loved, nurtured and whispered prayers for them all the days of their lives.
“Singing and praying” is her prescription for long life, she told me this week. But becoming a centenarian wasn’t something she dreamed of. “ … But whatever the Lord set to be — 109 — that’s what I am. And I’m proud of it,” she said with a gentle chuckle.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” said grandson Carl Hayes, 59. “I hope I can live that long and be as good as Mother. Everybody loves her.
“She’s meant everything to me.”
A native West Sider who migrated from Jackson, Mississippi, in 1953 after the death of her husband John Lee Thompson, Mother lived in West Garfield for decades then later in Oak Park. As a Chicagoan, she became a devoted Bulls fan — win or lose. Her son, M.C. Thompson, now deceased, was a standout basketball player at DePaul University.
Rice-Thompson was born in Flora, Mississippi, on March 17, 1911. Also among those born that year were Lucille Ball, Ronald Reagan, Mahalia Jackson, and Negro baseball legend Josh Gibson. William Howard Taft was president.
Born more than a decade before the invention of television, Rice-Thompson has lived through 19 U.S. presidents; World Wars I and II, the Korean War and Vietnam War; through Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement; and through the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, holding fast to her faith and a simple philosophy:
“Live and let live,” she told me.
Other than arthritis, she is in good health, happy, a “quiet soul,” her daughter Dorrethea Hayes-Graham, 76, said. “She’s got a good mind. We have conversations and we forget things in the past, and she’ll shoot ‘em out. She reminds us of all the names … ”
“We were raised to stick together,” added her eldest daughter Rosie Jenkins, 89. “Mother said, ‘If you don’t have enough to eat, just go on and hold your head up, nobody knows what’s in your stomach.”
For her 109th birthday celebration on Sunday, Mother has simple plans: “To sit down and eat and look at my children and my friends, and at God,” she said.
And to bask in the joy of family, life and the Good Lord.
Amen.
Email: Author@johnwfountain.com
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Get tested for coronavirus, Mr. President

On Friday afternoon , after an unconscionable delay of several weeks , you announced the creation of a public-private partnership to ramp up the availability of testing for the coronavirus , with a turnaround time of as brief as 24 hours to get test results back .
This is a marked improvement over the federal government ’ s frustrating failures of the last several weeks , if in fact those tests become available across the country quickly — in days .
It is too late to contain the virus in the United States , but a massive increase in testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and buying the nation time until a vaccine is developed .
You also announced the creation of a handy new website , Mr. President , to which Americans can go to see if they should be tested .
It includes questions to help people determine their level of likely exposure to the virus and whether they ’ re experiencing symptoms .
Do you know what that website would tell you , Mr. President ?
You have met with people who have COVID-19 , Mr. President .
We ’ ve got pictures to prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finally , about our nation responding to the crisis , you should lead by example .
It was a curious scene at the White House on Friday .
On the one hand , you announced an ambitious plan that ropes in the biggest commercial laboratories , including LabCorp and Quest , and several of the biggest retailers — Walgreens Walmart , CVS and Target — to dramatically increase testing for the coronavirus .
The United States still will lag behind South Korea , but we ’ re moving in the right direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all sense of urgency — as if you don ’ t believe a word you ’ re saying — by shrugging off any suggestion that you yourself should have been tested days ago .
Though there ’ s reason to fear you have been exposed to the virus .
Though you met over the weekend , at Mar-a-Lago , with two people who have been diagnosed as having the virus , including a Brazilian press aide .
You shrugged when a reporter asked about that .
You said you have had “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , the president of Brazil , Jair Bolsonaro , was hanging out with that press aide , too , and he took the test and it came back negative .
Your lack of understanding of how the coronavirus works was stunning .
Thankfully , government officials in several states haven ’ t been following your lead .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s decision Friday to close all public Illinois elementary and high schools is the right one , coming in the wake of Ohio , Maryland , Michigan , Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and San Francisco announcing widespread school closures this week .
It does not matter that you have experienced no symptoms , Mr. President .
That is the treacherous nature of the disease .
Some people who catch the virus walk around for a week or two feeling fine , unknowingly infecting others , before they experience symptoms .
That ’ s why the virus spreads so easily .
And it does not matter that Bolsonaro tested negative .
Take the test yourself .
Don ’ t rely on somebody else ’ s test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. President , when a reporter asked you a second or third time whether you would get tested , you finally said halfheartedly , as if feeling boxed in : “ Most likely.
” By then , though , your failure to appreciate the gravity of the matter was clear .
Can we tell something to you , Mr. President ?
A lot of Americans who have not been your admirers would like to get behind you now .
The stakes are just so high .
The best way to beat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together , even if that means lining up behind you .
But , man , you make it hard .

Good for you, Mr. President. You got the test.
Kicking and screaming, so to speak, and late. But you got the coronavirus test.
You got it after days of delay, after saying you might, after the White House doctor said you wouldn’t, and after the messaging value — that this pandemic is real and every American should act responsibly — was utterly lost.
Finally, the test came back negative. You don’t have coronavirus. But you’ve given us and the rest of the world another reason to doubt your leadership.
This sad but telling little drama — will President Trump get tested? — began Friday when you and your coronavirus team gathered in the White House Rose Garden to announce the creation of a public-private partnership to ramp up the availability of testing for the virus.
This was a marked improvement over weeks of foot-dragging by your administration, if in fact those tests become available across the country quickly — in days. It is too late to contain the virus in the United States, but a massive increase in testing could slow the spread, saving lives and buying the nation time until a vaccine is developed.
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You also announced the creation of a handy new website, Mr. President, to which Americans can go to see if they should be tested. It includes questions to help people determine their level of likely exposure to the virus — in your case, very high.
Just last weekend, Mr. President, you met at Mar-a-Lago with people who have since been diagnosed as having the virus, COVID-19, including a Brazilian press aide. And you knew this on Friday.
Mixed message
It was a curious scene in the Rose Garden on Friday. On the one hand, you announced an ambitious plan that ropes in the biggest commercial laboratories, including LabCorp and Quest, and several of the biggest retailers — Walgreens Walmart, CVS and Target — to dramatically increase testing for the coronavirus. The United States still will lag behind South Korea, but we’re moving in the right direction. Finally.
But then you undercut all sense of urgency — as if you didn’t believe a word you were saying — by shrugging off a reporter’s suggestion that, by the rules, you yourself should have been tested days earlier.
You said you had “no symptoms whatsoever.” And heck, you added, the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, who also had been in close contact with that press aide, took the test and it came back negative, just like yours eventually would.
Despite those negative results, your inability to grasp how the coronavirus works remains stunning. Thankfully, government officials in several states have been acting more responsibly. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision Friday to close all public Illinois elementary and high schools is the right one, coming in the wake of Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Diego and San Francisco announcing widespread school closures.
Late in the press conference, Mr. President, when again asked if you would get tested, you finally said halfheartedly, “Most likely.” But by then, your failure to appreciate the gravity of the matter was clear.
About that testing website
This became even more apparent after the press conference, when the website The Verge published a story questioning exactly who is building the testing website you touted.
Contrary to what you told the American public, Google isn’t building that site. “Instead, a much smaller trial website made by another division of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is going up,” The Verge reported. “In all, the difference between the reality of what is being built and what was promised during the press conference is very large.”
But wait, there’s more!
Just before midnight on Friday, you put all this talk of tests to rest. The White House physician released a statement saying you would not be tested — nor would you self-quarantine.
And still more!
On Saturday morning, you announced that you had, in fact, taken the test — on Friday night. Why the reversal?
“People were asking, did I take the test,” he said.
You were again sending a message that you didn’t see the point.
Can we tell something to you, Mr. President?
• We’re grateful you don’t have coronavirus. This would have made a bad situation even worse.
• A lot of Americans who have not been your admirers would like to get behind you now. The stakes are just so high.
The best way to beat the coronavirus is for our nation to come together, even if that means lining up behind you. But, man, you make it hard.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Despite coronavirus scare, Legislature must move on key bills

The Senate Democrats caucused by phone last week .
Among other things , members heard updates about what is happening in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Senate President Don Harmon told members that he , the other legislative leaders and the governor are working on a list of must-pass bills .
One of the bills that is causing some worry is a change to the hospital assessment law , which is about to expire at the end of the fiscal year .
Failure to pass a new law could result in a $ 3.5 billion hit to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty darned important .
But the legislation needs to be passed well before the end of the fiscal year because the federal government requires 90 days to study and approve the proposal .
House Majority Leader Greg Harris ( D-Chicago ) confirmed to me that the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services , which handles Medicaid , must submit its proposal to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ) “ by April 1.
” Others have said the General Assembly has until April 2 to get this done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks right now that legislators will have to return to Springfield during an international pandemic when everything from sports teams to schools to churches are shutting down and the general public is panic-buying food and supplies and panic-selling stocks .
It ’ s like a bad zombie apocalypse movie Nobody said the job would be easy , I suppose , but I doubt if anyone saw this coming .
In the meantime , the complicated , highly technical negotiations over the program ’ s rewrite continue with twice-weekly meetings .
The Illinois Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27th and those involved in the talks hope to have the powerful group ’ s tentative approval by then .
That doesn ’ t leave much of a window of opportunity before April 1 or 2 , but such is life .
The governor ’ s office was quick to tamp down fears that the state ’ s budget might take a $ 3.5 billion hit while other state revenues are very likely to tumble along with the markets and the economy .
“ We ’ re working to prioritize what needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it , ” said the governor ’ s press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh , adding that the government would do everything it possibly could to obtain federal approval of the state ’ s proposal .
Those efforts could include asking the federal government for additional time , with the hope that the escalating COVID-19 crisis will put the feds in a more forgiving mood .
Then again , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has lately taken to lobbing sharp criticisms at the Trump administration ’ s response to the outbreak and at President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Jay Inslee a “ snake ” after Inslee criticized the administration ’ s handling of the situation on the ground in his hard-hit state .
You get a good look at someone ’ s character in times like these , so we ’ ll see how well everyone cooperates at the state and local levels when it comes to those “ must-pass ” bills and if anyone tries to play any games .
They need to pass a budget , perhaps a lump-sum or six-month ( or both ) budget to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these uncharted waters .
Beyond that , there ’ s some cleanup work to do on some of the myriad laws the legislature passed in an end-of-session rush last May .
They also may want to look at some legislation designed to help people , business and local governments get through this emergency .
A Chicago casino might fit into that latter category since the city ’ s precariously ill-funded pension funds are undoubtedly taking a shellacking these days and the casino was designed to help two of the funds .
Not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost .
The state backstops McPier ’ s bonds , and McCormick Place has lost over a half a dozen conventions in the past several days with more cancellations guaranteed , so that probably needs to be looked at .
I could go on , but you get the idea .
Decades of misfeasance and malfeasance have left the state with zero cushion to handle the coming blows .
The same goes for the city and for far too many other municipal entities throughout the Prairie State .
” Together , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side , ” the governor pledged during a recent news conference .
Let ’ s hope so , because that path is looking extremely perilous right now .
At bare minimum , everyone at the top needs to pull together and stay together .

The Senate Democrats caucused by phone last week. Among other things, members heard updates about what is happening in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Senate President Don Harmon told members that he, the other legislative leaders and the governor are working on a list of must-pass bills.
One of the bills that is causing some worry is a change to the hospital assessment law, which is about to expire at the end of the fiscal year. Failure to pass a new law could result in a $3.5 billion hit to the state budget, so it’s pretty darned important.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
But the legislation needs to be passed well before the end of the fiscal year because the federal government requires 90 days to study and approve the proposal.
House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) confirmed to me that the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services, which handles Medicaid, must submit its proposal to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) “by April 1.”
Others have said the General Assembly has until April 2 to get this done, but the real issue is it looks right now that legislators will have to return to Springfield during an international pandemic when everything from sports teams to schools to churches are shutting down and the general public is panic-buying food and supplies and panic-selling stocks. It’s like a bad zombie apocalypse movie
Nobody said the job would be easy, I suppose, but I doubt if anyone saw this coming.
In the meantime, the complicated, highly technical negotiations over the program’s rewrite continue with twice-weekly meetings. The Illinois Hospital Association’s board meets on March 27th and those involved in the talks hope to have the powerful group’s tentative approval by then. That doesn’t leave much of a window of opportunity before April 1 or 2, but such is life.
The governor’s office was quick to tamp down fears that the state’s budget might take a $3.5 billion hit while other state revenues are very likely to tumble along with the markets and the economy. “We’re working to prioritize what needs to be done and how quickly we can do it,” said the governor’s press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh, adding that the government would do everything it possibly could to obtain federal approval of the state’s proposal.
Those efforts could include asking the federal government for additional time, with the hope that the escalating COVID-19 crisis will put the feds in a more forgiving mood.
Then again, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has lately taken to lobbing sharp criticisms at the Trump administration’s response to the outbreak and at President Donald Trump himself. Trump recently called Washington Gov. Jay Inslee a “snake” after Inslee criticized the administration’s handling of the situation on the ground in his hard-hit state.
You get a good look at someone’s character in times like these, so we’ll see how well everyone cooperates at the state and local levels when it comes to those “must-pass” bills and if anyone tries to play any games.
They need to pass a budget, perhaps a lump-sum or six-month (or both) budget to allow the state government to operate in these uncharted waters. Beyond that, there’s some cleanup work to do on some of the myriad laws the legislature passed in an end-of-session rush last May. They also may want to look at some legislation designed to help people, business and local governments get through this emergency. A Chicago casino might fit into that latter category since the city’s precariously ill-funded pension funds are undoubtedly taking a shellacking these days and the casino was designed to help two of the funds. Not to mention the state revenues that could be lost. The state backstops McPier’s bonds, and McCormick Place has lost over a half a dozen conventions in the past several days with more cancellations guaranteed, so that probably needs to be looked at. I could go on, but you get the idea.
Decades of misfeasance and malfeasance have left the state with zero cushion to handle the coming blows. The same goes for the city and for far too many other municipal entities throughout the Prairie State.
”Together, we’ll find a way to the other side,” the governor pledged during a recent news conference. Let’s hope so, because that path is looking extremely perilous right now. At bare minimum, everyone at the top needs to pull together and stay together.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--I’m afraid of COVID-19. There, I said it.

There , I said it .
I ’ m very afraid .
Of course , I ’ m talking about COVID-19 .
That was even before the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak that started in late 2019 a pandemic on Wednesday .
And before President Donald Trump on Friday finally declared COVID-19 a national emergency .
I ’ m afraid not only for me but because I ’ m in the sandwich generation .
I ’ m worried for a 93-year-old mother who , quite healthy and independent , is frequently out in the community , primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m anxious over a 28-year-old special needs son who is medically complex , with an impacted immune system , already challenged with chronic pneumonia and in and out of the medical center in our community frequently for treatment .
Is it OK to say I ’ m afraid ?
I ’ m afraid .
“ There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries , and 4,291 people have lost their lives , ” WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in making the international declaration .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow , COVID-19 is now confirmed in nearly every state — more than 1,700 cases , 41 deaths — the numbers fluid and unreliable .
“ I ’ m sure they ’ re missing cases , ” said Dr. Robert Murphy , executive director of the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , because studies show people can spread the disease without displaying symptoms .
As America races to slow this pandemic ’ s grip , I watch with apprehension the numbers close to home .
Illinois hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
J.B. Pritzker mandated that events of more than 1,000 people be canceled or postponed and that organizers consider the same for gatherings of over 250 people .
I was to take Mom on our usual spring break , my Marriott Vacation Club timeshare in Florida , March 21-28 .
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declaring the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions most at risk of serious consequences from COVID-19 — and urging people to reduce the potential of exposure — that ’ s the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take her .
I called Southwest Airlines and Marriott .
Southwest indicates our $ 1,200 in tickets will be banked as “ travel funds ” toward the purchase of future travel .
No problem there .
But Marriott said : You ’ re out of luck .
Marriott International Inc. will waive cancellation fees for stays through March 31 for travel to or from Italy and specific countries in Asia .
But there ’ ll be no accommodation for domestic travel .
I ’ ll lose my financial investment in the week at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I find that unacceptable , Marriott .
My mom is 93 .
And I ’ m afraid .
So my son got sick last week , potentially his usual pneumonia .
But was it ?
I called his pulmonologist .
She couldn ’ t see him for five days .
If things get worse , her nurse said , take him to the emergency room .
“ Yeah , um , I ’ m not taking him to any E.R.
, ” I responded .
“ Not with this coronavirus .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , where COVID-19 began , shows those at higher risk of getting very sick , most of the fatalities , included people with heart and lung conditions .
Check and check .
I ’ m not taking him to any E.R .
And when , five days later , I took him to see her , anxiety arose just walking into the hospital .
It is , after all , where sick people go .
And pulmonogists are on the front lines of this disease that causes pneumonia-like symptoms .
Is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I ’ m very afraid .
So I worry about my special needs son .
And I worry about Mom .
And I worry about losing my week at the resort because Marriott won ’ t make domestic accommodations during this global health emergency .
But most of all I worry about this fear .
You see , both my job and leadership positions with two journalism organizations put me in frequent contact with the public and other journalists .
So I worry about potentially being exposed to anything and then visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to a son who can ill fight it .
But I grow a little less anxious with social distancing — the coronavirus-inspired watch word of the day .
It ’ s meant cancellation of many events I ’ d normally be obligated to attend .
And as of this coming week , our newsroom moves to a coronavirus-triggered , company-wide , work-from-home policy .
The less I leave home , the less I worry .
But what about Mom ?
We ’ ve decided she ’ ll self-isolate , especially since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But what if her caregiver has been exposed ?
What if one of her seven children gets exposed and visits ?
I ’ m afraid .
There , I said it .
I ’ m very afraid .
I ’ m talking about COVID-19 .

I’m afraid.
There, I said it. I’m very afraid. Of course, I’m talking about COVID-19.
That was even before the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak that started in late 2019 a pandemic on Wednesday.
And before President Donald Trump on Friday finally declared COVID-19 a national emergency.
I’m afraid not only for me but because I’m in the sandwich generation.
I’m worried for a 93-year-old mother who, quite healthy and independent, is frequently out in the community, primarily attending mass, as a devout Catholic.
I’m anxious over a 28-year-old special needs son who is medically complex, with an impacted immune system, already challenged with chronic pneumonia and in and out of the medical center in our community frequently for treatment.
Is it OK to say I’m afraid? I’m afraid.
“There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives,” WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in making the international declaration.
In the United States, where testing has been slow, COVID-19 is now confirmed in nearly every state — more than 1,700 cases, 41 deaths — the numbers fluid and unreliable.
“I’m sure they’re missing cases,” said Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, because studies show people can spread the disease without displaying symptoms.
As America races to slow this pandemic’s grip, I watch with apprehension the numbers close to home. Illinois hit 64 confirmed cases Saturday. Earlier, Gov. J.B. Pritzker mandated that events of more than 1,000 people be canceled or postponed and that organizers consider the same for gatherings of over 250 people.
I was to take Mom on our usual spring break, my Marriott Vacation Club timeshare in Florida, March 21-28.
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declaring the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions most at risk of serious consequences from COVID-19 — and urging people to reduce the potential of exposure — that’s the end of that.
No way can I take her. I called Southwest Airlines and Marriott.
Southwest indicates our $1,200 in tickets will be banked as “travel funds” toward the purchase of future travel. No problem there.
But Marriott said: You’re out of luck. Marriott International Inc. will waive cancellation fees for stays through March 31 for travel to or from Italy and specific countries in Asia. But there’ll be no accommodation for domestic travel. I’ll lose my financial investment in the week at the resort, the hotel giant says.
I find that unacceptable, Marriott. My mom is 93. And I’m afraid.
So my son got sick last week, potentially his usual pneumonia. But was it?
I called his pulmonologist. She couldn’t see him for five days.
If things get worse, her nurse said, take him to the emergency room.
Silence.
“Are you there?” the nurse asked.
“Yeah, um, I’m not taking him to any ER,” I responded. “Not with this coronavirus. We’ll wait.”
Information out of China, where COVID-19 began, shows those at higher risk of getting very sick, most of the fatalities, included people with heart and lung conditions. Check and check. I’m not taking him to any ER.
And when, five days later, I took him to see her, anxiety arose just walking into the hospital. It is, after all, where sick people go.
And pulmonogists are on the front lines of this disease that causes pneumonia-like symptoms.
Is it OK to say I’m afraid? I’m very afraid.
So I worry about my special needs son. And I worry about Mom.
And I worry about losing my week at the resort because Marriott won’t make domestic accommodations during this global health emergency.
But most of all I worry about this fear.
You see, both my job and leadership positions with two journalism organizations put me in frequent contact with the public and other journalists.
So I worry about potentially being exposed to anything and then visiting Mom.
I worry about bringing something home to a son who can ill fight it.
But I grow a little less anxious with social distancing — the coronavirus-inspired watch word of the day.
It’s meant cancellation of many events I’d normally be obligated to attend. And as of this coming week, our newsroom moves to a coronavirus-triggered, company-wide, work-from-home policy.
The less I leave home, the less I worry.
But what about Mom? We’ve decided she’ll self-isolate, especially since the Archdiocese of Chicago on Friday suspended Mass. But what if her caregiver has been exposed? What if one of her seven children gets exposed and visits?
I’m afraid. There, I said it. I’m very afraid. I’m talking about COVID-19.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Woman reported missing from Park Forest located

Early voting sites to remain open in Chicago on Election Day — providing ‘ fallback plans to fallback plans ’ @ @ @ @ @ scramble comes as the list of Election Day polling sites in the city and suburban @ @ @ @ @ to 175 — including those that have already been moved and those still needing a @ @ @

Pvt. Travis King entered the North while on a civilian tour of a Korean border village July 18, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Illinois closes all schools due to coronavirus by governor’s order

Illinois ’ more than two million public and private school students will be staying home after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker took the extraordinary step of ordering the closure of the state ’ s schools in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
The decision , making Illinois the eighth state to do so , comes after days of steadfast resistance from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to close Chicago Public Schools , the nation ’ s third largest public school district , serving more than 350,000 students .
Unlike previous press conferences this week , Lightfoot was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago .
The schools will be closed starting Tuesday and continuing until March 30 , Pritzker said .
“ We will close all public schools , ” Pritzker said .
“ To be clear , I understand the gravity of this action , and what it means for every community in our state , ” Pritzker said .
“ This is the right thing to do , to protect our students and their teachers , school workers and parents.
” Pritzker said the decision will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the wider community .
“ It will have a massive effect on bending this curve , and that means lives saved , ” Pritzker said .
“ This is a critical part of our larger social distancing efforts .
… We have teachers , parents and the larger population to consider.
” The moves follows other states and cities — including Ohio , Maryland , Michigan , Los Angeles , Philadelphia , Seattle , San Diego and San Francisco — that announced widespread school closures this week .
Locally , the Archdiocese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Catholic schools in Cook and Lake counties would close indefinitely .
Winnetka , Oak Park , Evanston and many other districts also announced closures .
Leading up to Friday ’ s announcement , Lightfoot and other officials expressed concerns over providing meals and other support services to CPS families , the vast majority of whom are low income .
Others raised questions over how services could be provided to the district ’ s 50,000 special ed students .
Pritzker said the state will help determine how best to distribute meals to families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union had called for the closure earlier Friday .
Parents at Harrison Park in Pilsen were stunned by the news the the governor had canceled all schools in the state through the end of the month .
” We were just watching the news last night and [ Mayor Lightfoot ] said they were all going to remain open , ” said Quintella Dennis , a mother with kids in first , third and sixth grades at CPS .
“ It ’ s definitely going to impact us .
It ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is enrolled in a nursing program at Governor State University , said she was waiting to hear what the impact would be on her studies .
But even if classes were held online , she said , she would now have three children at home to take care of .
Both Dennis and her husband have relatives with health issues and they would not want to put them at risk by asking them to watch their children , they said .
The decision is a double-whammy to Maria Morales , of Gage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seventh grade at a CPS school and another in pre-kindergarten classes .
She was laid off from her job working with a cleaning crew at McCormick Place last week .
Still , she supported closing schools , though , as whe worries about older family members , as well as her children getting sick .
And if she fell ill herself , that would be a huge problem .
” Who would take care of them ?
” she wondered .
Ashton Jones , a father of a kindergartener in Brighton Park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this to happen — but they probably haven ’ t prepared enough .
” We ’ ve been trying to get ready , but this is something we didn ’ t want to happen , ” he said .
“ I guess we ’ ll just have to home-school .
”

Illinois’ more than 2.2 million public and private school students will be staying home after Gov. J.B. Pritzker took the extraordinary step Friday of ordering the closure of the state’s schools in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision, making Illinois the eighth state to do so, comes after days of steadfast resistance from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to close the Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s third largest public school district, serving more than 350,000 students.
Schools are set to close Tuesday through March 30, a move Pritzker said was a “critical part” of the effort to mitigate the damage done by the rapidly spreading coronavirus, known as COVID-19. State health officials announced 14 new confirmed cases Friday, 13 of which are in Chicago or Cook County. There are now 46 cases in Illinois.
“To be clear, I understand the gravity of this action, and what it means for every community in our state,” Pritzker said. “It will have a massive effect on bending this curve, and that means lives saved.
“I know a lot of people are wondering, ‘Why schools,’ when we know that children seem to be less susceptible to COVID-19 than other populations,” the governor said. “But we have teachers, parents and the larger population to consider.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives an update on the coronavirus in Illinois, Friday, March 13, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times
Lightfoot said at her own news conference later in the evening that, despite not appearing with Pritzker at the announcement, she has been “working hand-in-glove with the governor and his team throughout this process.
“The governor has the best interests of the entire state to consider,” the mayor said. “And while our circumstances are different than other parts of the state, the governor is of course aware of these challenges and has been working tirelessly to be a great support for the city of Chicago, and I am confident that will continue.”
Lightfoot, who just hours earlier had said CPS wouldn’t close, said her concerns center around families who rely on schools for more than education — low-income and homeless ones in particular.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks to reporters after the governor announced closures of public and private schools statewide due to COVID-19, Friday, March 13, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
To help ease the burden, schools chief Janice Jackson said CPS will provide all students and families three days’ worth of food at any given time over the next two weeks, starting Tuesday. School buildings will operate as food distribution centers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and delivery will be available by calling (773) 553-5437.
Lightfoot said she has urged the business community to accommodate workers who need to stay home with their children. City workers, the mayor said, would be given additional time off and allowed to work from home when possible.
“No parent should be forced to pick between staying home with a child or earning a paycheck,” the mayor said. “This is an incredibly difficult and stressful time for everyone and I recognize the additional burden our CPS students and families are forced to endure.”
On a conference call with aldermen after the governor’s announcement Friday afternoon, Lightfoot said there is a “high likelihood this will be more than two weeks.” Under Pritzker’s order, students would return to school March 31. But the following week, CPS is set to start its spring vacation. Lightfoot and Jackson said they’re taking a wait-and-see approach on that break or whether any missed days will be made up.
The decision showed just how quickly the response to the virus is evolving in the state. On Thursday, Pritzker and Lightfoot said schools would stay open, with the governor also warning the decision would be evaluated on a day-by-day basis. By Friday afternoon, the decision to close them was made after talks with school superintendents and Lightfoot.
“I started to think about the kids who will go to school and who may, in fact, end up going home and bringing it home to their parents or grandparents,” Pritzker said. “And I really came to the conclusion that we’re telling adults essentially, don’t gather in large groups, but we’re telling kids that you can bump up against each other in a hallway even if you might not have an assembly.
“I will not have us look back after we are through the immediate challenges and say that we didn’t take action soon enough,” Pritzker said.
As for whether schools might be closed for longer than two weeks, the governor said, “as we approach the end of this two-week period we’ll make a decision.”
Pritzker said schools will be open Monday so that teachers can use the weekend to develop plans for the next two weeks and share them with students on Monday. Jackson and Lightfoot said families should send their kids to school Monday to hear from their teachers.
The move follows other states and cities — including Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Diego and San Francisco — that announced widespread school closures this week.
The Chicago Teachers Union had called for the closure earlier Friday.
Chicago libraries and parks are staying open, with the Park District setting up age-appropriate programming at 18 locations for families in need. As far as learning goes, Jackson said principals have been given guidance for online enrichment activities, but normal instruction will not continue. Developing a comprehensive “e-learning” plan for all 640 schools was not possible, Jackson said.
City health commissioner Allison Arwady also urged parents to choose wisely between any limited daycare options they may have. “Parents, keep this in mind, grandma’s house is probably not the best place to send your children,” since the elderly are more at risk for COVID-19.
CPS students walk home from school Friday in Pilsen. Matthew Hendrickson/Sun-Times
Chicago parents shocked by closure
Parents interviewed Friday afternoon were stunned by the news the governor had canceled all schools in the state through the end of the month. Unlike during breaks or the Chicago teachers strike last fall, they won’t be able to take their kids to many of the city’s cultural assets, as the Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry and Adler Planetarium all announced they will be closing — along with the Lincoln Park Zoo.
“It’s definitely going to impact us. It’s going to be rough,” Quintella Dennis — a mother with kids in first, third and sixth grades at CPS — said while at Harrison Park in Pilsen Friday.
Dennis, who is enrolled in a nursing program at Governor State University, said she was waiting to hear what the impact would be on her studies. But even if classes were held online, she said, she would now have three children at home to take care of.
Both Dennis and her husband have relatives with health issues and they would not want to put them at risk by asking them to watch their children, they said.
The decision comes at a difficult time for Maria Morales, of Gage Park, who has a daughter in seventh grade at a CPS school and another in pre-kindergarten classes. She was laid off from her job working with a cleaning crew at McCormick Place last week.
Still, she supported closing schools, though, as she worries about older family members, as well as her children getting sick. And if she fell ill herself, that would be a huge problem.
“Who would take care of them?” she wondered.
Ashton Jones, a father of a kindergartener in Brighton Park, said the family had suspected this could happen — but they probably haven’t prepared enough.
“We’ve been trying to get ready, but this is something we didn’t want to happen,” he said. “I guess we’ll just have to home-school.”
Contributing: Fran Spielman, Lauren FitzPatrick


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--In ‘Contagion’ and beyond, movies show us virus attacks both authentic and outlandish

A poker player suspected of cheating in a private game has been gunned down in the wharf area of New Orleans .
The man , who arrived in the country just a day earlier , carries no identification .
When the coroner examines the body , he becomes alarmed at the presence of a bacteria in the blood .
“ Stay away from him !
” the coroner exclaims to co-workers .
A Navy doctor determines this man could have been carrying a deadly plague , and anyone who has come into contact with him could be spreading the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officials , the doctor says the virus “ can be spread by the common cold , on the breath , through sneezes .
… We have 48 hours .
Shortly after that , you ’ ll have the makings of an epidemic.
” This is the setup to a movie from 70 years ago : Elia Kazan ’ s “ Panic in the Streets , ” a tightly spun film noir starring Richard Widmark as Lt. Cmdr .
Clinton Reed , M.D.
, Paul Douglas as the police captain who thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Blackie the killer who doesn ’ t realize he could be carrying a deadly virus .
“ Panic in the Streets ” is a classic virus movie .
We start with a scene involving the carrier ( human or otherwise ) before we ’ re introduced to the antihero , who will soon become the leading voice of warning , even as others ( usually government or corporate officials ) downplay or cover up the outbreak .
Like every other segment of the world , the entertainment industry has been rocked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the James Bond movie “ No Time to Die ” and the sequel “ A Quiet Place , Part II ” to the cancellation of SXSW to the ongoing closure of theaters in China , meaning no showings there of the highly anticipated live-action version of “ Mulan.
” Wednesday night , Tom Hanks revealed he and Rita Wilson had tested positive for the new coronavirus while in Australia for pre-production on a film .
The one virus movie getting the most play — on streaming services and in the media — is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2011 ) , and that ’ s understandable , given it ’ s one of the best movies of its kind and the storyline has eerily prescient parallels to the real-world pandemic .
Of course , “ Contagion ” is just one of hundreds of films about viruses and pandemics .
Over the last many days , I ’ ve watched dozens of these films .
In alphabetical order , these are some of the most impactful , culturally relevant and/or popular .
( Spoilers ahead . )
Terry Gilliam ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Jetee ” stars Bruce Willis as Cole , who in the year 2035 is sent back in time to the 1990s to find the source of a virus that has wiped out most of the world ’ s population .
( The title comes from the “ Army of the 12 Monkeys , ” a radical group suspected of having released the virus . )
“ 12 Monkeys ” is a typically trippy Gilliam film , but at heart it ’ s a medical sci-fi mystery with warnings about humankind ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyle ’ s electric , post-apocalyptic British horror film re-introduced the concept of zombie-type creatures that move quickly as opposed to the usual lumbering walk — but it begins with newsreel-style footage of fires , rioting , mass panic in the streets , all of which came about as the result of a pandemic .
It all starts when a group of activists at the Cambridge Primate Research Centre frees apes that are being used for experiments .
A staffer tries to stop them , crying out : “ The chimps are infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television film was based on the seminal nonfiction book of the same name by Randy Shilts and covers the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
Matthew Modine stars as the real-life epidemiologist Don Francis , one of the first scientific experts to alert the world the AIDS was caused by an infectious agent .
In this Robert Wise adaptation of a 1969 novel by Michael Crichton ( “ Westworld , ” “ Jurassic Park ” ) , a satellite crashes to Earth near a small rural town — and when the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crystallizes into powder .
“ The Andromeda Strain ” makes great use of early generation special effects and split-screen montages as we see what the green-colored life form code-named “ Andromeda ” can do to the populace .
But whereas the real-world COVID-19 is most dangerous to older persons ( especially if they have pre-existing health problems ) , Andromeda has no effect on an older man and a baby — the older man because he was an alcoholic who had resorted to drinking Sterno and his blood was acidic , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alkaline buildup in its bloodstream .
A disturbingly effective if at times opaque story about a most unusual and terrifying strain of virus : one that makes you instantly go blind , with zero warning .
Mark Ruffalo is the doctor who examines the first patient who has suddenly gone blind .
Julianne Moore is Ruffalo ’ s wife , who is immune to the virus .
As “ Blindness ” takes on a “ Lord of the Rings ” element , with the quarantined blind turning to horrific violence to survive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claustrophobia , if that can be a thing , every time the screen goes white to illustrate the P.O.V .
of one of the victims .
Matt Damon delivers one of the best performances of his career as Mitch Emhoff , a Minneapolis family man whose wife ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) returns from a business trip to Hong Kong — and two days later has a seizure and dies .
Kate Winslet is equally brilliant as the epidemic intelligence officer who is among the first to recognize an outbreak is spreading through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sequence , a flashback showing exactly how Paltrow ’ s Beth became patient zero , is one of the most brilliantly executed pandemic scenes in film history .
In this British gem , a guy wakes up in his flat in a residential tower block in Southampton one morning and finds the windows and doors have been sealed shut , as everyone in the building is under enforced quarantine due to a pandemic .
“ Containment ” effectively conveys the unnerving isolation one feels in quarantine .
The shopping mall as a sanctuary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flesh-eating zombies storm the gates .
George Romero ’ s sequel to “ Night of the Living Dead ” is a truly frightening zombie pandemic movie and a sly commentary on consumerism .
Roger Ebert gave “ Dawn of the Dead ” four stars and ranked it among the best horror films of all time .
In this South Korean chiller , a deadly strain of the H5N1 virus has struck a district of some 500,000 people , causing mass panic and chaos .
M. Night Shyamalan ’ s eco-pandemic thriller was ripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have its share of loony , unintentionally chuckle-inducing moments — but , upon further viewing , there are some effectively delivered shocks ( mass suicides in the northeastern United States ) , not to mention that wacky but undeniably different reveal that the suicide virus could be the doings of plant life that has developed a way of fighting back against man .
Many a virus movie begins with someone doing something really stupid and selfish and potentially harmful — followed by a flash forward to present day , when the bleep hits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” from “ Parasite ” director Bong Joon Ho , an American military pathologist dumps 200 bottles of formaldehyde down a drain leading into the Han River in South Korea in the year 2000 .
A half-dozen years later , a giant creature emerges from the river .
He ’ s the host of a deadly virus , and he ’ s hungry .
This is the second entry in an unofficial trilogy of sci-fi films starring Charlton Heston as the voice of warning .
In “ The Planet of the Apes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ You finally really did it , you maniacs .
You blew it up !
” In “ Soylent Green ” ( 1973 ) , Heston laments , “ The ocean is dying , plankton is dying…Soylent Green is made out of people !
” In between , in “ The Omega Man , ” Heston tells us : “ I was a very peculiar doctor … trying to find treatments for diseases that hadn ’ t existed … now , I ’ m the only game in town.
” This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A former anchorman ( Anthony Zerbe ) becomes the leader of the cult-like community of victims who don ’ t want to be cured — they believe the plague is a necessary evil to wipe out the establishment and bring about the dawn of a new era .
Wolfgang Peterson shot this big-budget , star-studded virus epic in the mid-1990s style of a major action movie , with Donald Sutherland and Morgan Freeman as generals covering up the source of a virus that has re-emerged in Africa , and Dustin Hoffman leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at anyone who will listen that America is on the verge of a pandemic .
A young Patrick Dempsey stars as Jimbo , an idiot who smuggles a monkey out of Africa intending to sell it for a pretty penny to a pet shop owner .
By the time Jimbo arrives in Boston and kisses his poor girlfriend , he looks like death warmed over , and they ’ ll both be goners within days .
Seminal film starring Tom Hanks as Andew Beckett , a young lawyer with HIV who sues his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Denzel Washington as Joe Miller , the ambulance-chasing , homophobic attorney who takes the case .
In a telling moment illustrating how ignorant many were about AIDS , after meeting with Andrew , Joe visits his doctor to make sure he hasn ’ t caught the disease .
Fritz Lang wrote the screenplay for this German silent film , which is based on the Edgar Allan Poe story “ The Masque of the Red Death.
” It ’ s a tragic romance set in Florence in 1348 , just before the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miniseries based on a Stephen King novel stars Gary Sinise , Rob Lowe , Ossie Davis , Molly Ringwald and Ed Harris in another story of a top-secret experiment gone horribly wrong .
In this case , a weaponized version of influenza is accidentally released into the world , and within two weeks , more than 99 % of the population is dead .
Brad Pitt stars as Gerry Lane , an investigator traveling the world trying to find the host of a zombie pandemic .
Director Marc Forster ( “ Finding Neverland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ) delivers a successful , mainstream thriller ( with grosses of more than a half-billion dollars worldwide ) that also works as a character study about an everyman hero who rises to the occasion and never gives up on himself or humanity .
Here ’ s rooting for all the real-life versions of the virus-fighting characters played by the Brad Pitts and Dustin Hoffmans and Richard Widmarks and Cuba Gooding Jr.s and Kate Winslets of the movie world .

A poker player suspected of cheating in a private game has been gunned down in the wharf area of New Orleans.
The man, who arrived in the country just a day earlier, carries no identification. When the coroner examines the body, he becomes alarmed at the presence of a bacteria in the blood.
“Stay away from him!” the coroner exclaims to co-workers.
A Navy doctor determines this man could have been carrying a deadly plague, and anyone who has come into contact with him could be spreading the virus. At a meeting with health and law enforcement officials, the doctor says the virus “can be spread by the common cold, on the breath, through sneezes. … We have 48 hours. Shortly after that, you’ll have the makings of an epidemic.”
This is the setup to a movie from 70 years ago: Elia Kazan’s “Panic in the Streets,” a tightly spun film noir starring Richard Widmark as Lt. Cmdr. Clinton Reed, M.D., Paul Douglas as the police captain who thinks Reed is overreacting, and Jack Palance as Blackie the killer who doesn’t realize he could be carrying a deadly virus.
“Panic in the Streets” is a classic virus movie. We start with a scene involving the carrier (human or otherwise) before we’re introduced to the antihero, who will soon become the leading voice of warning, even as others (usually government or corporate officials) downplay or cover up the outbreak.
Like every other segment of the world, the entertainment industry has been rocked by the coronavirus, from the postponement of the James Bond movie “No Time to Die” and the sequel “A Quiet Place, Part II” to the cancellation of SXSW to the ongoing closure of theaters in China, meaning no showings there of the highly anticipated live-action version of “Mulan.” Wednesday night, Tom Hanks revealed he and Rita Wilson had tested positive for the new coronavirus while in Australia for pre-production on a film.
Coronavirus newsletter sign up box Coronavirus Newsletter Everything you need to know about the novel coronavirus COVID-19, with a focus on its impact on Chicago and Illinois. Subscribe
The one virus movie getting the most play — on streaming services and in the media — is Steven Soderbergh’s “Contagion” (2011), and that’s understandable, given it’s one of the best movies of its kind and the storyline has eerily prescient parallels to the real-world pandemic.
Of course, “Contagion” is just one of hundreds of films about viruses and pandemics. Over the last many days, I’ve watched dozens of these films. In alphabetical order, these are some of the most impactful, culturally relevant and/or popular. (Spoilers ahead.)
‘12 Monkeys’ (1995)
Bruce Willis plays a time traveler in “12 Monkeys.” Universal Studios
Terry Gilliam’s remake of the 1962 French short “La Jetee” stars Bruce Willis as Cole, who in the year 2035 is sent back in time to the 1990s to find the source of a virus that has wiped out most of the world’s population. (The title comes from the “Army of the 12 Monkeys,” a radical group suspected of having released the virus.)
“12 Monkeys” is a typically trippy Gilliam film, but at heart it’s a medical sci-fi mystery with warnings about humankind’s ongoing destruction of the environment.
‘28 Days Later’ (2002)
Cillian Murphy in “28 Days Later.” Fox Searchlight
Danny Boyle’s electric, post-apocalyptic British horror film re-introduced the concept of zombie-type creatures that move quickly as opposed to the usual lumbering walk — but it begins with newsreel-style footage of fires, rioting, mass panic in the streets, all of which came about as the result of a pandemic.
It all starts when a group of activists at the Cambridge Primate Research Centre frees apes that are being used for experiments.
A staffer tries to stop them, crying out: “The chimps are infected!”
Infected with what?
“Rage.”
‘And the Band Played On” (1993)
Roger Spottiswoode’s 1993 television film was based on the seminal nonfiction book of the same name by Randy Shilts and covers the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Matthew Modine stars as the real-life epidemiologist Don Francis, one of the first scientific experts to alert the world the AIDS was caused by an infectious agent.
‘The Andromeda Strain’ (1971)
A scientist (James Olson) watches as a nurse (Paula Kelly) feeds an infant survivor in “The Andromeda Strain.” Universal Pictures
In this Robert Wise adaptation of a 1969 novel by Michael Crichton (“Westworld,” “Jurassic Park”), a satellite crashes to Earth near a small rural town — and when the local doctor opens the satellite, his blood crystallizes into powder.
“The Andromeda Strain” makes great use of early generation special effects and split-screen montages as we see what the green-colored life form code-named “Andromeda” can do to the populace.
But whereas the real-world COVID-19 is most dangerous to older persons (especially if they have pre-existing health problems), Andromeda has no effect on an older man and a baby — the older man because he was an alcoholic who had resorted to drinking Sterno and his blood was acidic, and the baby because its constant crying had created an alkaline buildup in its bloodstream.
‘Blindness’ (2008)
A disturbingly effective if at times opaque story about a most unusual and terrifying strain of virus: one that makes you instantly go blind, with zero warning.
Mark Ruffalo is the doctor who examines the first patient who has suddenly gone blind. Julianne Moore is Ruffalo’s wife, who is immune to the virus. As “Blindness” takes on a “Lord of the Flies” element, with the quarantined blind turning to horrific violence to survive, one feels a sense of visual claustrophobia, if that can be a thing, every time the screen goes white to illustrate the P.O.V. of one of the victims.
‘Contagion’ (2011)
Matt Damon delivers one of the best performances of his career as Mitch Emhoff, a Minneapolis family man whose wife (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns from a business trip to Hong Kong — and two days later has a seizure and dies. Kate Winslet is equally brilliant as the epidemic intelligence officer who is among the first to recognize an outbreak is spreading through the world at lightning speed.
The final sequence, a flashback showing exactly how Paltrow’s Beth became patient zero, is one of the most brilliantly executed pandemic scenes in film history.
‘Containment’ (2015)
In this British gem, a guy wakes up in his flat in a residential tower block in Southampton one morning and finds the windows and doors have been sealed shut, as everyone in the building is under enforced quarantine due to a pandemic. “Containment” effectively conveys the unnerving isolation one feels in quarantine.
‘Dawn of the Dead’ (1978)
The shopping mall as a sanctuary — and then bloody battlefield, as flesh-eating zombies storm the gates. George Romero’s sequel to “Night of the Living Dead” is a truly frightening zombie pandemic movie and a sly commentary on consumerism. Roger Ebert gave “Dawn of the Dead” four stars and ranked it among the best horror films of all time.
‘Flu’ (2013)
In this South Korean chiller, a deadly strain of the H5N1 virus has struck a district of some 500,000 people, causing mass panic and chaos.
‘The Happening” (2008)
Zooey DeSchanel and Mark Wahlberg in “The Happening.” Twentieth Century Fox
M. Night Shyamalan’s eco-pandemic thriller was ripped by most critics — and it does have its share of loony, unintentionally chuckle-inducing moments — but, upon further viewing, there are some effectively delivered shocks (mass suicides in the northeastern United States), not to mention that wacky but undeniably different reveal that the suicide virus could be the doings of plant life that has developed a way of fighting back against man.
‘The Host’ (2006)
Many a virus movie begins with someone doing something really stupid and selfish and potentially harmful — followed by a flash forward to present day, when the bleep hits the fan. In “The Host,” from “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho, an American military pathologist dumps 200 bottles of formaldehyde down a drain leading into the Han River in South Korea in the year 2000.
A half-dozen years later, a giant creature emerges from the river. He’s the host of a deadly virus, and he’s hungry.
‘The Omega Man’ (1971)
This is the second entry in an unofficial trilogy of sci-fi films starring Charlton Heston as the voice of warning.
In “The Planet of the Apes” (1968), Heston cries: “You finally really did it, you maniacs. You blew it up!”
In “Soylent Green” (1973), Heston laments, “The ocean is dying, plankton is dying…Soylent Green is made out of people!”
In between, in “The Omega Man,” Heston tells us: “I was a very peculiar doctor … trying to find treatments for diseases that hadn’t existed … now, I’m the only game in town.”
This is a film very much of its time. A former anchorman (Anthony Zerbe) becomes the leader of the cult-like community of victims who don’t want to be cured — they believe the plague is a necessary evil to wipe out the establishment and bring about the dawn of a new era.
‘Outbreak’ (1995)
Cuba Gooding Jr. (left) and Dustin Hoffman in “Outbreak.” Warner Bros.
Wolfgang Peterson shot this big-budget, star-studded virus epic in the mid-1990s style of a major action movie, with Donald Sutherland and Morgan Freeman as generals covering up the source of a virus that has re-emerged in Africa, and Dustin Hoffman leading the charge as the military doctor screaming at anyone who will listen that America is on the verge of a pandemic.
A young Patrick Dempsey stars as Jimbo, an idiot who smuggles a monkey out of Africa intending to sell it for a pretty penny to a pet shop owner. By the time Jimbo arrives in Boston and kisses his poor girlfriend, he looks like death warmed over, and they’ll both be goners within days.
‘Philadelphia’ (1993)
Seminal film starring Tom Hanks as Andew Beckett, a young lawyer with HIV who sues his employers after he’s dismissed, and Denzel Washington as Joe Miller, the ambulance-chasing, homophobic attorney who takes the case. In a telling moment illustrating how ignorant many were about AIDS, after meeting with Andrew, Joe visits his doctor to make sure he hasn’t caught the disease.
‘The Plague of Florence’ (1919)
Fritz Lang wrote the screenplay for this German silent film, which is based on the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Masque of the Red Death.” It’s a tragic romance set in Florence in 1348, just before the outbreak of the Black Death.
‘The Stand’ (1994)
Gary Sinise and Molly Ringwald in “The Stand.” ABC
This TV miniseries based on a Stephen King novel stars Gary Sinise, Rob Lowe, Ossie Davis, Molly Ringwald and Ed Harris in another story of a top-secret experiment gone horribly wrong. In this case, a weaponized version of influenza is accidentally released into the world, and within two weeks, more than 99% of the population is dead.
‘World War Z’ (2013)
Brad Pitt stars as Gerry Lane, an investigator traveling the world trying to find the host of a zombie pandemic. Director Marc Forster (“Finding Neverland,” “Monster’s Ball”) delivers a successful, mainstream thriller (with grosses of more than a half-billion dollars worldwide) that also works as a character study about an everyman hero who rises to the occasion and never gives up on himself or humanity.
Here’s rooting for all the real-life versions of the virus-fighting characters played by the Brad Pitts and Dustin Hoffmans and Richard Widmarks and Cuba Gooding Jr.s and Kate Winslets of the movie world.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-14--Dear Abby: Man would rather back out of cruise than wear a jacket to dinner as required

DEAR ABBY : My husband and I have been married 30 years .
I recently retired , and we are planning a cruise to Europe and a two-month stay , returning on the same cruise line .
The cruise line is rather posh , and travelers are asked to “ dress appropriately ” — which means , essentially , men should wear a jacket to dinner ( no tie required ) .
My husband is balking at the idea he should have to wear a jacket on his vacation and now says he won ’ t go .
Abby , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars in deposits , so what do I do ?
I ’ d rather not spend 14 days at sea with a husband whining over wearing a jacket for 30 minutes a day and end up dining alone ( we reserved a table for two so we wouldn ’ t be stuck making small talk ) .
We are cruising because he will not fly .
— TEXAS WIFE DEAR TEXAS WIFE : You have already accommodated your husband by booking a cruise instead of flying .
Could his problem be that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s the case , buy him one that does .
However , if his objection is that he really doesn ’ t want to GO , why not take your husband up on his offer to stay home and ask one of your girlfriends to accompany you ?
Then all three of you might have a better time .
DEAR ABBY : I am 61 and dating a 63-year-old man , “ Charles.
” I live in my own apartment , pay my own bills , and I like and enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my apartment and ends up falling asleep for hours at a time .
It irritates me when he sleeps six , seven and even eight hours at my place .
I feel he has a place of his own , and he should be doing that there .
He has told me numerous times that he doesn ’ t feel safe at his apartment because of the neighborhood .
He says that is why he is spending time with me .
I like my alone time , which I don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t in a relationship for seven years .
I feel that Charles is needy .
Am I being unreasonable ?
I don ’ t think I am , and it always ends up in an argument .
— NOT HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS DEAR NOT HOTEL : Wake up and smell the coffee .
Charles told you he spends all that time with you because he doesn ’ t feel safe in his apartment , NOT because he loves your company so much he can not stay away .
What did he do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I sit , it appears he ’ s angling to move in .
It isn ’ t unreasonable to want your own space , particularly if you are the one paying for it , while he snores away the hours .
If the status quo isn ’ t what you want , it is up to you to change it .
DEAR ABBY : In class , I sit next to a girl who is constantly telling me that she likes the way I smell .
I don ’ t know if she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likes my cologne .
She is making me very self-conscious .
Should I confront her or tell my teacher ?
Or should I drop out and move to Alaska ?
I ’ m scared .
— READY TO MOVE IN THE SOUTH DEAR READY TO MOVE : Your classmate is trying to pay you a compliment .
Tell her the name of your cologne and where she can buy some , if you are wearing any .
As to moving out of state , that smells very unnecessary to me .
Dear Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 30 years. I recently retired, and we are planning a cruise to Europe and a two-month stay, returning on the same cruise line. The cruise line is rather posh, and travelers are asked to “dress appropriately” — which means, essentially, men should wear a jacket to dinner (no tie required).
My husband is balking at the idea he should have to wear a jacket on his vacation and now says he won’t go. Abby, we have already invested several hundreds of dollars in deposits, so what do I do? I’d rather not spend 14 days at sea with a husband whining over wearing a jacket for 30 minutes a day and end up dining alone (we reserved a table for two so we wouldn’t be stuck making small talk). We are cruising because he will not fly. — TEXAS WIFE
DEAR TEXAS WIFE: You have already accommodated your husband by booking a cruise instead of flying. Could his problem be that his jackets no longer fit him? If that’s the case, buy him one that does.
However, if his objection is that he really doesn’t want to GO, why not take your husband up on his offer to stay home and ask one of your girlfriends to accompany you? Then all three of you might have a better time.
DEAR ABBY: I am 61 and dating a 63-year-old man, “Charles.” I live in my own apartment, pay my own bills, and I like and enjoy life. Charles is constantly over at my apartment and ends up falling asleep for hours at a time. It irritates me when he sleeps six, seven and even eight hours at my place. I feel he has a place of his own, and he should be doing that there.
He has told me numerous times that he doesn’t feel safe at his apartment because of the neighborhood. He says that is why he is spending time with me. I like my alone time, which I don’t have often. Prior to him, I wasn’t in a relationship for seven years.
I feel that Charles is needy. Am I being unreasonable? I don’t think I am, and it always ends up in an argument. — NOT HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
DEAR NOT HOTEL: Wake up and smell the coffee. Charles told you he spends all that time with you because he doesn’t feel safe in his apartment, NOT because he loves your company so much he cannot stay away. What did he do before he met you?
From where I sit, it appears he’s angling to move in. It isn’t unreasonable to want your own space, particularly if you are the one paying for it, while he snores away the hours. If the status quo isn’t what you want, it is up to you to change it.
DEAR ABBY: In class, I sit next to a girl who is constantly telling me that she likes the way I smell. I don’t know if she’s flirting with me or actually likes my cologne. She is making me very self-conscious. Should I confront her or tell my teacher? Or should I drop out and move to Alaska? I’m scared. — READY TO MOVE IN THE SOUTH
DEAR READY TO MOVE: Your classmate is trying to pay you a compliment. Tell her the name of your cologne and where she can buy some, if you are wearing any. As to moving out of state, that smells very unnecessary to me.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-03-14--Bears free agency primer 2020: Ranking team needs

With little money and a glaring need at the most important position in sports , the Bears will wade into free agency , which general manager Ryan Pace two years ago called ‘ ‘ treacherous waters , ’ ’ next week .
Here ’ s a primer on what to expect : The NFL has a busy week ahead .
Here are the key deadlines looming : 10:59 p.m. Saturday — Deadline for players to vote on new collective-bargaining agreement .
A simple majority would ensure labor peace for the next 11 seasons .
10:59 a.m. Monday — Franchise tags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t issue one .
11 a.m. Monday — Start of legal tampering period , during which teams can negotiate with the agents of soon-to-be unrestricted free agents .
3 p.m. Wednesday — Start of the league season and of free agency .
Teams can make deals official .
Not counting the Danny Trevathan signing , the Bears have $ 24.5 million in salary-cap space for 2020 , according to Spotrac.com — well below the league average of $ 47.2 million .
The Bears ’ cap space will rise if the NFL Players Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will the space of every other team .
1 .
Quarterback : The Bears publicly claim they ’ re committed to Mitch Trubisky , but they would upgrade if they could .
Odds are they won ’ t be able to , however , and instead will bring in a backup with extensive starting experience to replace Chase Daniel and push Trubisky .
2 .
Tight end : General Ryan Pace said it ’ s no secret the team will look to add significant help at the position , be it in free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They hope Trey Burton will be healthy for the first time since December 2018 , but they certainly can ’ t count on it .
It ’ s the most important position in coach Matt Nagy ’ s offense , other than the quarterback .
3 .
Cornerback : The Bears created a hole when they made starter Prince Amukamara a cap casualty — and they don ’ t appear to have a ready-made replacement on their roster .
4 .
Offensive line : With three veterans and another starter two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Bears can ’ t overhaul the line .
Rather , they figure to target a free-agent guard to take over Kyle Long ’ s old spot .
If he can play tackle in case of injury , all the better .
5 .
Safety : After giving Eddie Jackson a monster extension in January , the Bears will hunt for an affordable starter to pair with him .
That probably won ’ t be Ha Ha Clinton-Dix , who will chase riches after putting together a solid prove-it year .
6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to make $ 13.2 million if he ’ s still on the roster Wednesday — a fortune for someone who , though he plays opposite Khalil Mack , doesn ’ t sack the quarterback .
The Bears have claimed they ’ re committed to him , but we ’ ll see whether their actions say otherwise .
7 .
Wide receiver : The Bears need to add speed after cutting Taylor Gabriel .
The draft has generational talent — and depth — at the position .
8 .
Inside linebacker : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Nick Kwiatkoski ’ s seemingly more expensive price tag and will pair him with up-and-comer Roquan Smith .
9 .
Running back : The team still sees David Montgomery as a workhorse , and do-everything Tarik Cohen has one year left on his rookie deal .
10 .
Specialist : Kicker Eddy Pineiro and punter Pat O ’ Donnell are under contract for 2020 , and returner/gunner Cordarrelle Patterson is coming off a Pro Bowl selection .
11 .
Defensive line : Akiem Hicks , Eddie Goldman and Bilal Nichols form one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league .

With little money and a glaring need at the most important position in sports, the Bears will wade into free agency, which general manager Ryan Pace two years ago called ‘‘treacherous waters,’’ next week.
Here’s a primer on what to expect:
Timeline
The NFL has a busy week ahead. Here are the key deadlines looming:
10:59 p.m. Saturday — Deadline for players to vote on new collective-bargaining agreement. A simple majority would ensure labor peace for the next 11 seasons.
10:59 a.m. Monday — Franchise tags are due. The Bears won’t issue one.
11 a.m. Monday — Start of legal tampering period, during which teams can negotiate with the agents of soon-to-be unrestricted free agents.
3 p.m. Wednesday — Start of the league season and of free agency. Teams can make deals official.
Cap space
Not counting the Danny Trevathan signing, the Bears have $24.5 million in salary-cap space for 2020, according to Spotrac.com — well below the league average of $47.2 million. The Bears’ cap space will rise if the NFL Players Association approves a new CBA, but so will the space of every other team.
Ranking the Bears’ needs
1. Quarterback: The Bears publicly claim they’re committed to Mitch Trubisky, but they would upgrade if they could. Odds are they won’t be able to, however, and instead will bring in a backup with extensive starting experience to replace Chase Daniel and push Trubisky.
2. Tight end: General Ryan Pace said it’s no secret the team will look to add significant help at the position, be it in free agency, a trade or the draft. They hope Trey Burton will be healthy for the first time since December 2018, but they certainly can’t count on it. It’s the most important position in coach Matt Nagy’s offense, other than the quarterback.
3. Cornerback: The Bears created a hole when they made starter Prince Amukamara a cap casualty — and they don’t appear to have a ready-made replacement on their roster.
4. Offensive line: With three veterans and another starter two years removed from being drafted in Round 2, the Bears can’t overhaul the line. Rather, they figure to target a free-agent guard to take over Kyle Long’s old spot. If he can play tackle in case of injury, all the better.
5. Safety: After giving Eddie Jackson a monster extension in January, the Bears will hunt for an affordable starter to pair with him. That probably won’t be Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who will chase riches after putting together a solid prove-it year.
6. Outside linebacker: Leonard Floyd is set to make $13.2 million if he’s still on the roster Wednesday — a fortune for someone who, though he plays opposite Khalil Mack, doesn’t sack the quarterback. The Bears have claimed they’re committed to him, but we’ll see whether their actions say otherwise.
7. Wide receiver: The Bears need to add speed after cutting Taylor Gabriel. The draft has generational talent — and depth — at the position.
8. Inside linebacker: The Bears chose Danny Trevathan’s experience over Nick Kwiatkoski’s seemingly more expensive price tag and will pair him with up-and-comer Roquan Smith.
9. Running back: The team still sees David Montgomery as a workhorse, and do-everything Tarik Cohen has one year left on his rookie deal.
10. Specialist: Kicker Eddy Pineiro and punter Pat O’Donnell are under contract for 2020, and returner/gunner Cordarrelle Patterson is coming off a Pro Bowl selection.
11. Defensive line: Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Bilal Nichols form one of the best starting lines in the league.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-14--Bears free agency primer 2020: Which players could leave

Here are the 20 Bears available this offseason , either as unrestricted free agents , restricted free agents or exclusive-rights @ @ @ @ @ have the right of first refusal on restricted free agents , and exclusive-rights free agents @ @ @ @ @ other teams .
Included is each player ’ s 2019 salary-cap hit , according to @ @ @ @ @ unrestricted free agents unless noted :

Here are the 20 Bears available this offseason, either as unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents or exclusive-rights free agents. The Bears have the right of first refusal on restricted free agents, and exclusive-rights free agents can’t negotiate with other teams.
Included is each player’s 2019 salary-cap hit, according to Spotrac.com. All players are unrestricted free agents unless noted:
Offense
QB: Chase Daniel ($6M)
TE: ERFA J.P. Holtz ($465,888), Bradley Sowell ($597,058)
OL: RFA Rashaad Coward ($645,000), Ted Larsen ($735,000), Cornelius Lucas ($655,000), TJ Clemmings ($408,000)
Defense
DL: Nick Williams ($735,000), Brent Urban ($473,529)
ILB: Nick Kwiatkoski ($2.17M), Kevin Pierre-Louis ($645,000)
OLB: Aaron Lynch ($1.5M), RFA Isaiah Irving ($645,000)
CB: Sherrick McManis ($1.91M)
S: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix ($3.25M), RFA DeAndre Houston-Carson ($770,000), Deon Bush ($851,556)
Specialist
LS: Patrick Scales ($810,000)
Cut last month
CB Prince Amukamara ($9.5M), WR Taylor Gabriel ($6.5M)


chicagosun-times--2020-03-14--Bears free agency primer 2020: Five QBs most likely to join team

The Bears want to push Mitch Trubisky with a quarterback they acquire , either in free agency or the draft .
Here are the five most likely quarterbacks to land in Chicago : 1 .
Andy Dalton — He checks all the boxes , having started 133 games and having played under new Bears coordinator Bill Lazor .
But is he any good ?
And will the Bengals be able to trade him , or should the Bears hope they cut him with one year left on his deal ?
2 .
Case Keenum — He ’ s Dalton Lite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
New tight ends coach Clancy Barone was on the Vikings ’ staff when Keenum had his best season in 2017 , posting a 98.3 passer rating and going 11-3 .
3 .
Nick Foles — The former Super Bowl MVP has played the role of QB2 with aplomb throughout his career and is tight with Bears coach Matt Nagy and new quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo .
But he ’ s owed so much money in his failed starting gig — his cap hit is more than $ 22 million in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attach a draft pick to trade him to the Bears .
4 .
Marcus Mariota — He and Mitch Trubisky share an agency , and it probably doesn ’ t want two quarterbacks fighting for the same job .
But unless Mariota is promised a starting job elsewhere , the Bears can offer him a better chance than most teams .
His positive attitude is a plus , considering the emphasis the Bears put on the chemistry of the quarterbacks room .
5 .
Derek Carr — It would be hard for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the Raiders need to be motivated to trade him first .
Bears fans should root for them to land Brady .
The NFL never has seen so many high-profile free-agent quarterbacks .
Here are the situations around the league Bears fans must monitor : Patriots — Will they re-sign Tom Brady , or will the 42-year-old leave the only team he has known ?
Buccaneers — After Jameis Winston threw for a league-high 5,109 yards and 30 interceptions last season , the Bucs could seek out new Florida resident Philip Rivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a splash before moving into their new stadium — or they could draft Rivers ’ replacement with the No .
6 pick .
Titans — Ryan Tannehill led the league in passer rating last season and is eligible for the franchise tag .
Panthers — Cam Newton ’ s not healthy enough to trade just yet .
Will new coach Matt Rhule usher him out by signing a veteran ?
Raiders — They ’ re moving to Las Vegas this season , and coach Jon Gruden is notoriously picky about quarterbacks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Jacoby Brissett inherited the starting job after Andrew Luck ’ s shock retirement and was perfectly average .
Is Rivers a better fit ?
Best of the rest The top three free agents at the Bears ’ other top areas of need : Safety : Saints ’ Vonn Bell and 49ers ’ ( and NIU alum ) Jimmie Ward and ex-Dolphin Reshad Jones

The Bears want to push Mitch Trubisky with a quarterback they acquire, either in free agency or the draft. Here are the five most likely quarterbacks to land in Chicago:
1. Andy Dalton — He checks all the boxes, having started 133 games and having played under new Bears coordinator Bill Lazor. But is he any good? And will the Bengals be able to trade him, or should the Bears hope they cut him with one year left on his deal?
2. Case Keenum — He’s Dalton Lite, having started 62 games in his career. New tight ends coach Clancy Barone was on the Vikings’ staff when Keenum had his best season in 2017, posting a 98.3 passer rating and going 11-3.
3. Nick Foles — The former Super Bowl MVP has played the role of QB2 with aplomb throughout his career and is tight with Bears coach Matt Nagy and new quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. But he’s owed so much money in his failed starting gig — his cap hit is more than $22 million in 2020 — that the Jaguars would have to attach a draft pick to trade him to the Bears.
4. Marcus Mariota — He and Mitch Trubisky share an agency, and it probably doesn’t want two quarterbacks fighting for the same job. But unless Mariota is promised a starting job elsewhere, the Bears can offer him a better chance than most teams. His positive attitude is a plus, considering the emphasis the Bears put on the chemistry of the quarterbacks room.
5. Derek Carr — It would be hard for the Bears to do better than adding Carr, but the Raiders need to be motivated to trade him first. Bears fans should root for them to land Brady.
QB merry-go-round
The NFL never has seen so many high-profile free-agent quarterbacks. Here are the situations around the league Bears fans must monitor:
Patriots — Will they re-sign Tom Brady, or will the 42-year-old leave the only team he has known?
Buccaneers — After Jameis Winston threw for a league-high 5,109 yards and 30 interceptions last season, the Bucs could seek out new Florida resident Philip Rivers.
Chargers — They could look to make a splash before moving into their new stadium — or they could draft Rivers’ replacement with the No. 6 pick.
Titans — Ryan Tannehill led the league in passer rating last season and is eligible for the franchise tag.
Panthers — Cam Newton’s not healthy enough to trade just yet. Will new coach Matt Rhule usher him out by signing a veteran?
Raiders — They’re moving to Las Vegas this season, and coach Jon Gruden is notoriously picky about quarterbacks. Time to trade Derek Carr?
Colts — Jacoby Brissett inherited the starting job after Andrew Luck’s shock retirement and was perfectly average. Is Rivers a better fit?
Best of the rest
The top three free agents at the Bears’ other top areas of need:
Tight end: Falcons’ Austin Hooper, Colts’ Eric Ebron and ex-Packer Jimmy Graham
Cornerback: Cowboys’ Byron Jones, Broncos’ Chris Harris and Titans’ Logan Ryan
Guard: Redskins’ Brandon Scherff, Patriots’ Joe Thuney and Lions’ (and Marmion Academy’s) Graham Glasgow
Safety: Saints’ Vonn Bell and 49ers’ (and NIU alum) Jimmie Ward and ex-Dolphin Reshad Jones


chicagosun-times--2020-03-14--2 stabbed on CTA Red Line train in Uptown

A man and a teenage boy were stabbed Saturday on a CTA Red Line train in Uptown on the North Side .
The 39-year-old man and 15-year-old boy got into an argument with a male wearing a ski mask about 2:30 a.m. on a train in the 4600 block of North Broadway , according to Chicago police .
The person in the mask stabbed them as they tried to exit the train at the Argyle station , 1118 W. Argyle St. , police and Chicago Fire Department officials said .
The suspect ran away .
The man suffered a stab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teen was stabbed in the left arm , authorities said .
They were both taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital in good condition .
According to CTA service alerts , trains were initially halted at Argyle for police activity .
A short time later , service resumed with Howard-bound trains bypassing all stations between Lawrence and Jarvis .
Southbound trains are not stopping at Argyle , according to the CTA .
Shuttle buses are operating between Wilson and Howard .
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

A man and a teenage boy were stabbed Saturday on a CTA Red Line train in Uptown on the North Side.
The 39-year-old man and 15-year-old boy got into an argument with a male wearing a ski mask about 2:30 a.m. on a train in the 4600 block of North Broadway, according to Chicago police.
The person in the mask stabbed them as they tried to exit the train at the Argyle station, 1118 W. Argyle St., police and Chicago Fire Department officials said. The suspect ran away.
The man suffered a stab wound to the right arm while the teen was stabbed in the left arm, authorities said. They were both taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital in good condition.
Northbound Red Line trains bypassed all stations between Lawrence and Jarvis and southbound trains bypassed Argyle while authorities investigated, according to CTA service alerts. Normal service resumed by 6:17 a.m.
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate.
[Normal Service*] Normal service on the Red Line has resumed with trains making all regular stops. Service was temporarily disrupted due to a police investigation at Argyle. — cta (@cta) March 14, 2020
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.