chicagosun-times--2020-04-01--Chance the Rapper praises Lightfoot’s coronavirus response (LIVE UPDATES)

First the memes .
Then the PSA .
Now a “ kudos ” from a favorite local rapper .
Mayor Lightfoot ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Chicago got a seal of approval from Chance the Rapper , who tweeted his appreciation for the mayor ’ s work Wednesday .
Chance ’ s tweet falls in line with how other Americans feel about their own state and local governments .
A new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that more than half of Americans , including 56 % of Democrats and 65 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing the outbreak well .
State and local governments have much of the power to shape the response in their locales , determining what businesses remain open , how long schools will be shuttered and what penalties there are , if any , for those who violate stay-at-home or similar orders .
— Alison Martin and The Associated Press 5:32 p.m. CHA residents get rent reprieve until April 30 ; Lightfoot urges private landlords to do the same Chicago Housing Authority tenants will get a reprieve from paying rent through the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , urging private landlords to do the same during the statewide stay-at-home order .
The mayor issued her plea when asked two difficult questions : What about laid-off tenants who can ’ t afford to pay rent due Wednesday ?
And what more can be done to help landlords who need that money to pay property taxes , mortgages and utilities and don ’ t want their tenants to become homeless ?
“ My hope is that we will give each other grace .
I understand that landlords have mortgages and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this time where a lot of renters are really being pressed , I would absolutely urge , if it all possible , to forego this month ’ s payment , just to give people a little bit of peace of mind and a cushion in really , really tight financial circumstances , ” the mayor said .
NEW YORK — The work is exhausting and dangerous , the situation bleak .
But an army of health care workers heeded New York ’ s call for help reinforcing hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 82,000 people have volunteered for the state ’ s reserve force of medical workers — a group that includes recent retirees returning to work , health care professionals who can take a break from their regular jobs and people between gigs , according to health officials .
Few have made it into the field yet as hospitals and state regulators vet enlistees and decide how to deploy them .
But Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that ’ s about to change .
By Thursday , hospitals expect to hire about 1,500 volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief , particularly in New York City .
Health care workers who have hit the ground already , many brought in by staffing agencies , discovered a hospital system in danger of being overwhelmed .
The Associated Press has the full report .
In an effort to the slow the spread of coronavirus , the U.S. Department of State has temporarily halted its passport services with the exception of travelers who have a “ qualified life-or-death emergency.
” The reduced services went into effect March 20 after the department raised a global travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Citizens who qualify for a passport must have a family emergency that requires them to travel outside the country within 72 hours .
Qualified emergencies include serious illnesses or deaths of immediate family members such as a parent , child , spouse or sibling , aunt or uncle .
These travelers will be required to provide proof of the emergency which can be a death certificate or a signed letter from a hospital or medical professional .
They will also be asked to show proof of international travel such as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Metra SouthWest Service Line has tested positive for COVID-19 , the commuter rail service announced Wednesday .
The employee has been home since becoming sick March 25 , Metra said in a statement .
“ Other employees who had direct contact with that conductor have been self-isolating since that date , and all cars currently in use on the line have been cleaned and disinfected , ” Metra said .
Earlier this week , three other Metra field workers tested positive for the disease , Metra said .
Those workers don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and have been self-isolating since March 20 .
3:08 p.m. Orland Park college student marshals peers to shop for and deliver groceries to seniors Ten days ago , Orland Park native Michael Arundel — home from college because of the coronavirus — offered in a Facebook post to grocery shop for seniors in the area and deliver free of charge .
He only asked to be reimbursed for the groceries .
The calls started coming in .
His oldest and closest friends joined in the effort .
Then , dozens of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He tapped savings from his summer job as an emergency medical technician for a private ambulance firm to pay Facebook to spread the message .
2:40 p.m. 42 more die in Illinois from coronavirus as state patient tally approaches 7,000 Illinois health officials on Wednesday said another 42 people have died from coronavirus , a second straight record daily spike bringing the state ’ s death toll to 141 .
There are now 6,980 new confirmed cases of coronavirus , with 986 new cases reported .
Ten of those newly confirmed cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s office .
There are now 42 inmates with confirmed cases at the maximum security prison .
The Illinois National Guard is sending 30 service members to help with medical care at the Crest Hill prison , where one inmate has died from the coronavirus .
A majority of the new reported deaths — 34 of 42 — were in Cook County , officials said .
The death toll has risen for days , and Wednesday marks the highest number of lives lost in a day due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Somber Lightfoot announces first death of city worker to coronavirus A somber Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday that the first city employee has died from the coronavirus .
“ This is a sad day for all of us in city government .
It ’ s with a heavy heart that I ’ m here to announce that Chicago has lost one of our own city employees to COVID-19 , ” the mayor said .
“ While I can ’ t provide and will not any personal details , I can say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and co-workers .
I personally reached out to offer sincere condolences and support .
Our hearts go out to everyone who has been a part of this individual ’ s life.
” Lightfoot refused to identify the employee or the department where the victim worked .
She asked reporters to refrain from publishing any personal details they might “ receive or learn ” until “ all family members have been “ contacted and notified of the sad circumstance.
” “ This sobering moment should remind us that the numbers that we report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are people whose lives have been forever changed , ” she said .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced a new relief program to provide financial assistance to the city ’ s creative scene and cultural organizations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic .
The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund , which has raised about $ 4 million from the public and private sector , is a partnership between the city and the state , along with the local philanthropic community .
Through the relief fund , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production members and part-time cultural workers — can apply for one-time grants of $ 1,500 distributed by 3Arts , an organization that supports artists of color , disabled artists and women artists .
1:30 p.m. Census Day continues despite COVID-19 concerns : ‘ Stakes are too high ’ Cook County leaders looked forward to a series of events Wednesday to raise awareness of “ Census Day ” and the national head count .
But the coronavirus outbreak happened and those events were canceled because of the social distancing needed to minimize the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shifted our priorities and changed our lives , but I urge our residents not to forget to complete the 2020 census , ” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Wednesday .
“ Even in the midst of this crisis we have to remember the census is still taking place , and we have to remember the stakes are too high not to fill out your census form.
” For over a year the county , its partners and the U.S. Census Bureau ’ s regional office have relied on person-to-person interaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but COVID-19 hampered those efforts during the census ’ s most pivotal time .
The effectiveness of their month-long efforts of door knocking , community events and town halls will be tested in the coming days as the census is in full swing .
Preckwinkle said people can stay home and complete the census online , over the phone ( in numerous languages ) or by mail .
The Illinois National Guard is sending 30 service members to help with medical care at Stateville Correctional Center , where one inmate has died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more have tested positive .
The service members are medics from the Illinois Army National Guard ’ s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based in Urbana and will be setting up medical tents , triaging and providing medical care for inmates at the Crest Hill-based correctional center , according to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s office .
Read more from reporters Carlos Ballestros and Tina Sfondeles .
11:50 a.m. Durbin : Pritzker aiming to organize an airlift of COVID-19 supplies from China to Illinois Speaking from his backyard deck in Springfield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker is calling the CEOs of major airlines to organize an airlift to haul personal protection equipment from China to Illinois .
Durbin also said Pritzker told him about an Illinois company with COVID-19 supplies to sell — yet was “ playing hard to get ” while seeking a better price from another state for this equipment now referred to in shorthand simply as PPE .
For weeks now , Pritzker and New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo have been publicly outraged that states are competing against themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bidding for desperately needed masks , gowns , ventilators and other supplies as the coronavirus pandemic spreads .
10:15 a.m. Richard Roeper ’ s must-watch list for today ’ s trying times In these extraordinary , quarantined times , many of us are watching more streaming series , more original movies and more beloved favorite films than ever before .
With that in mind , the latest “ Best Movies… ” podcast featuring yours truly and radio host Roe Conn is all about feel-good films , from comedies and musicals to biopics to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and scary movies .
Richard Roeper & Roe Conn are rounding up and ranking the movies we need now — The Best Feel-Good Movies — in their Best Movies podcast .
This episode dives into comedies and musicals .
Listen to Episode 1 of “ The Best Feel-Good Movies ” here .
Major League Baseball has canceled a two-game series in London between the Cubs and the Cardinals because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The teams had been scheduled to play at Olympic Stadium on June 13-14 .
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MLB employees on Wednesday .
MLB said March 19 that it had scrapped series in Mexico City and San Juan , Puerto Rico .
8:32 a.m. A look inside a triage tent in Chicago While Michael Dolan sat in a makeshift room in a cold tent on the sidewalk waiting for a lung X-ray , he was surrounded by five women gasping for air , he said , all facing each other in other bays with no privacy .
At one point , one of the women collapsed off her chair and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the humanity of sitting there , as a sick person , and feeling guilty that I wasn ’ t as sick as they were and there should be somebody else in my chair , ” he said .
Dolan ’ s doctor told him he had an acute upper respiratory infection and was developing pneumonia .
A nurse gave him a Z-pak , which is used to treat basic cold or flu symptoms and hadn ’ t been prescribed by the doctor .
The doctor started apologizing for the lack of order and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get to this point — and also started crying .
Read the full story from Nader Issa and Tom Schuba .
7:10 a.m. U. of I. engineers share free prototype of low-cost , easy-to-build ventilator Engineers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created an easily-manufactured , disposable and portable emergency ventilator they hope can be quickly put into production to help hospitals deal with a surge of COVID-19 patients .
Engineers at the university ’ s Grainger College of Engineering in collaboration with Carle Health in Urbana worked to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 75 hours — about 125,000 breathing cycles — and works as well as a commercial model , the school announced .
Following successful testing , the components and design of the prototype — called the Illinois RapidVent — have been posted for anyone to download for free at the college ’ s website .
The university will not receive royalties from the design nor benefit financially from production of the ventilators , according to Rashid Bashir , the college ’ s dean and a professor of bioengineering .
If a company began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get into the hands of physicians in as little as 4-6 weeks because of the simplicity of the design , which could plug into a hospital ’ s oxygen supply or be connected to an oxygen tank , he said .
5:58 a.m. Company hustled to make face shields to fight coronavirus but can ’ t find buyers About a week after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order , Eric Zuckerman and his workers retooled a small plant on the Northwest Side to make face shields needed by health care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
Mission accomplished , or so he thought .
He said his company , Pac Team Group , can make about 750 shields a day .
But there ’ s a problem .
Zuckerman said Tuesday he can ’ t get through to any state or city agency to coordinate a sale .
And he said he ’ s got 1,000 shields in inventory ready to go .
So he listens to government officials on the news begging for protective equipment and he ’ s flummoxed .
“ We want to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , but we haven ’ t found the right people to take it , ” said Zuckerman , president of Pac Team .
“ All the agencies are so inundated right now .
Getting their attention is quite difficult.
” • Illinois announced 42 more deaths from coronavirus , with the state tallying reaching nearly 7,000 people .
• A somber Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced today that the first city employee has died from the coronavirus .
She did not identify the employee or the department where the victim worked .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circuit Court Clerk ’ s Office have tested positive for COVID-19 , raising the total cases in the office to 11 .
• A State Department official has died from the coronavirus , the government announced Tuesday .
• The Cook County sheriff ’ s office announced Tuesday that seven more detainees at the Cook County Jail have tested positive for the coronavirus , raising the total number of confirmed cases among detainees to 141 .
In the movies , this all goes very differently .
In Hollywood ’ s version of events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a secret bunker in the limestone cliffs of Missouri to house a million people in the expectation of an extinction-level-event .
Or the entire executive and legislative branches were relocated to an underground facility in Virginia where continuity of government could be preserved , and , I suppose , lawmakers weren ’ t still using the public gym during a pandemic .
Even in the all-too-real scripted version of coronavirus-the-movie , “ Contagion , ” the CDC has identified a stadium that can be turned into a triage facility — on Day 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were one of those movies .
3:05 p.m .
Hero worship , stars ’ COVID-19 tests , Tommy John surgery and our role in all of it When famous athletes , entertainers and moguls ponder heaven , some surely see a separate , velvet-roped area meant just for them .
That would be a logical extension of how they see life and how they expect to be treated wherever they go .
If they ’ re going to be touched , it ’ s going to be by an angel , not by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the better question is how we think those celebrities should be treated inside the pearly gates .
Going by society ’ s worship of them , the answer , sadly , is probably the same .
Perhaps Michael Jordan will deign to sign a few autographs up there , too .
Although I ’ m angered by star athletes ’ elective surgeries during the coronavirus outbreak and upset that famous people have access to COVID-19 tests when regular people don ’ t , we produced this , didn ’ t we ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our adoring gazes .
They expect things .
We expect things for them .
11:37 a.m. Shuttered soup kitchens make life even tougher for homeless : ‘ No sandwiches .
No dinners .
No nothing.
’ The coronavirus crisis has made a challenging way of life even more challenging for Chicago ’ s homeless residents .
Columnist Mark Brown spoke to some of the city ’ s homeless residents on Monday night at Catholic Charities .
They filled him in about some of the soup kitchens that have closed up or pared back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
“ No sandwiches .
No dinners .
No nothing , ” one homeless man said .
That has made the dependable evening meals at Catholic Charities ’ LaSalle Street site all the more valuable .
Different churches and organizations take turns serving up the food .
7:57 a.m. April Fools ’ Day is every day nowadays Wednesday is April 1 , April Fools ’ Day .
Were I on my game , this might be a prank column to underscore some ridiculous aspect of our locked-down social-distancing moment .
America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crunch of the iceberg .
Hats off to whoever pulls off the feat today .
I ’ m not that guy .
Frankly , reality impoverishes parody lately .
You don ’ t need me .
If you want a sick joke , turn on the television this afternoon , and you ’ ll find reality that beggars the imagination .
Compared to the daily presidential pratfall , I got nothin ’ .
Every day is April Fools ’ Day .
6:41 a.m .
Ignore the mixed messages and wear that mask In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell it straight — especially during a pandemic — and never hide behind a mask of misinformation .
Yet it appears the American people have been fed misleading advice from many sources , including the federal government , downplaying the protection face masks can provide against COVID-19 .
The best advice now , as best as we can suss out , is that you should consider wearing a mask , even of the homemade variety , whenever you must venture out into a public space , even if you believe you are healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marginal protection .
That ’ s not the official advice of the federal government — not yet — but the official advice has not been consistent or trustworthy .
We ’ re just telling you what we would do .
We would wear a mask .

The death count in Illinois officially surpassed 100 people today as the state’s tally of case numbers reached almost 7,000.
Here’s what happened in Chicago and around the state as residents, government officials and public health officers continued to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
News
8:55 p.m. Here’s where CPS families can still get free food during spring break, beyond
Edith Quinones, the lunchroom manager, packs a bag of three days of free breakfast and lunch meals for students at William P. Nixon Elementary School, 2121 N. Keeler Ave., Thursday morning. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file photo
Chicago families will be able to pick up free food for their kids as long as city schools are closed due to the coronavirus — but the number of schools where meals are available will soon be cut in half.
Chicago Public Schools said Wednesday it would consolidate its food distribution effort, which has already provided 2.8 million meals, to focus on the schools that have seen the most demand.
Starting Monday, the first day of CPS’ spring break, lunchroom workers will hand out food at 136 schools from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Thursday. Staff will be given the day off for Good Friday.
Reporter Nader Issa has more. Read his full report and check out the full list of grab-and-go-meal sites.
7:53 p.m. Census Day jump-start goes on despite COVID-19 concerns: ‘Stakes are too high’
A convoy of cars paraded around Little Village on Wednesday, blasting music and shouts from a bullhorn urging residents to complete their census forms on the nationally recognized “Census Day.”
Under normal circumstances, these organizers would be knocking on doors to raise awareness about the 2020 Census, but these aren’t normal times.
“We still need to promote the census, but obviously with COVID-19 we have to now adapt to what’s happening,” said Katiria Diaz, census coordinator for the nonprofit Enlace Chicago, one of the parade organizers. “We can’t be door-knocking or interacting one-on-one with people, but we still want to be out in the streets getting the message out.”
The caravan through Little Village was organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Enlace Chicago and Taller de Jose – each group with roots in community. More than a dozen cars were decorated with posters and window paint encouraging residents to visit 2020census.gov to complete their census forms.
Reporter Manny Ramos has the full story.
7:05 p.m. Musician Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne dies of coronavirus complications
Musician Adam Schlesinger, a co-founder of the group Fountains of Wayne and an Emmy winner for his contributions to TV’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” has died as a result of coronavirus complications, Variety reported Thursday.
He was 52.
Fountains of Wayne member Adam Schlesinger, who’s best known for 2003 pop-rock hit “Stacy’s Mom,” has been hospitalized with coronavirus.
Schlesinger, 52, had entered a New York hospital last week. His family revealed the COVID-19 diagnosis on Tuesday.
Reporter Darel Jevens has the full story.
6:16 p.m. CPS to receive $205M in federal coronavirus relief funding, state estimates
Chicago Public Schools is set to receive $205 million in federal emergency coronavirus relief, accounting for more than 40% of the total funding Illinois will get for education, according to preliminary estimates from state officials.
The funds will come from the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed last week by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, which includes $13.5 billion that was set aside for K-12 education.
As part of the education package, Illinois will receive an estimated $565.5 million, 90% of which officials are required to distribute among the state’s 860 public school districts.
Allocations to each state are based on how much they currently get through federal Title I funding, which prioritizes giving money to states with more low-income students. States then distribute those funds to districts in the same way.
Nader Issa has the full report.
5:32 p.m. CHA residents get rent reprieve until April 30; Lightfoot urges private landlords to do the same
Chicago Housing Authority tenants will get a reprieve from paying rent through the end of the month, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday, urging private landlords to do the same during the statewide stay-at-home order.
The mayor issued her plea when asked two difficult questions: What about laid-off tenants who can’t afford to pay rent due Wednesday? And what more can be done to help landlords who need that money to pay property taxes, mortgages and utilities and don’t want their tenants to become homeless?
“My hope is that we will give each other grace. I understand that landlords have mortgages and they have other bills to pay. But in this time where a lot of renters are really being pressed, I would absolutely urge, if it all possible, to forego this month’s payment, just to give people a little bit of peace of mind and a cushion in really, really tight financial circumstances,” the mayor said.
Read the full story from Fran Spielman
5:02 p.m. Call for virus volunteers yields army of health care workers
NEW YORK — The work is exhausting and dangerous, the situation bleak. But an army of health care workers heeded New York’s call for help reinforcing hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic.
So far, at least 82,000 people have volunteered for the state’s reserve force of medical workers — a group that includes recent retirees returning to work, health care professionals who can take a break from their regular jobs and people between gigs, according to health officials.
Few have made it into the field yet as hospitals and state regulators vet enlistees and decide how to deploy them. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that’s about to change. By Thursday, hospitals expect to hire about 1,500 volunteers to rescue a medical workforce that needs relief, particularly in New York City.
Health care workers who have hit the ground already, many brought in by staffing agencies, discovered a hospital system in danger of being overwhelmed.
The Associated Press has the full report.
4:50 p.m. Chance the Rapper praises Lightfoot’s coronavirus response
Chance the Rapper performs at “Chance the Rapper’s Parade to the Polls” at Grant Park’s Petrillo Music Shell in 2016. Santiago Covarrubias/Sun-Times
First the memes. Then the PSA. Now a “kudos” from a favorite local rapper.
Mayor Lightfoot’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Chicago got a seal of approval from Chance the Rapper, who tweeted his appreciation for the mayor’s work Wednesday.
Chance’s tweet falls in line with how other Americans feel about their own state and local governments.
A new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that more than half of Americans, including 56% of Democrats and 65% of Republicans, say their states are managing the outbreak well.
State and local governments have much of the power to shape the response in their locales, determining what businesses remain open, how long schools will be shuttered and what penalties there are, if any, for those who violate stay-at-home or similar orders.
— Alison Martin and The Associated Press
4:20 p.m. State Department halts passport services for travelers unless it’s a family emergency
In an effort to the slow the spread of coronavirus, the U.S. Department of State has temporarily halted its passport services with the exception of travelers who have a “qualified life-or-death emergency.”
The reduced services went into effect March 20 after the department raised a global travel advisory warning Americans not to leave the country.
Citizens who qualify for a passport must have a family emergency that requires them to travel outside the country within 72 hours. Qualified emergencies include serious illnesses or deaths of immediate family members such as a parent, child, spouse or sibling, aunt or uncle.
These travelers will be required to provide proof of the emergency which can be a death certificate or a signed letter from a hospital or medical professional. They will also be asked to show proof of international travel such as an airline ticket.
Read the full story here.
3:59 p.m. Metra conductor tests positive for the coronavirus
A conductor who works on the Metra SouthWest Service Line has tested positive for COVID-19, the commuter rail service announced Wednesday.
The employee has been home since becoming sick March 25, Metra said in a statement.
“Other employees who had direct contact with that conductor have been self-isolating since that date, and all cars currently in use on the line have been cleaned and disinfected,” Metra said.
Earlier this week, three other Metra field workers tested positive for the disease, Metra said. Those workers don’t have contact with the public, and have been self-isolating since March 20.
Reporter David Struett has the full story
3:08 p.m. Orland Park college student marshals peers to shop for and deliver groceries to seniors
Ten days ago, Orland Park native Michael Arundel — home from college because of the coronavirus — offered in a Facebook post to grocery shop for seniors in the area and deliver free of charge.
He only asked to be reimbursed for the groceries.
The calls started coming in. His oldest and closest friends joined in the effort.
Then, dozens of other college kids reached out to help.
He tapped savings from his summer job as an emergency medical technician for a private ambulance firm to pay Facebook to spread the message.
Read Mitch Dudek’s story here.
2:40 p.m. 42 more die in Illinois from coronavirus as state patient tally approaches 7,000
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at the Thompson Center in Chicago during the daily update on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Monday, March 30, 2020. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Illinois health officials on Wednesday said another 42 people have died from coronavirus, a second straight record daily spike bringing the state’s death toll to 141.
There are now 6,980 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 986 new cases reported. Ten of those newly confirmed cases are inmates at Stateville Correctional Center, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office. There are now 42 inmates with confirmed cases at the maximum security prison.
The Illinois National Guard is sending 30 service members to help with medical care at the Crest Hill prison, where one inmate has died from the coronavirus.
A majority of the new reported deaths — 34 of 42 — were in Cook County, officials said. The death toll has risen for days, and Wednesday marks the highest number of lives lost in a day due to the spreading virus.
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles.
2:30 p.m. Somber Lightfoot announces first death of city worker to coronavirus
A somber Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday that the first city employee has died from the coronavirus.
“This is a sad day for all of us in city government. It’s with a heavy heart that I’m here to announce that Chicago has lost one of our own city employees to COVID-19,” the mayor said.
“While I can’t provide and will not any personal details, I can say that the employees was longstanding, beloved by family and co-workers. I personally reached out to offer sincere condolences and support. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been a part of this individual’s life.”
Lightfoot refused to identify the employee or the department where the victim worked. She asked reporters to refrain from publishing any personal details they might “receive or learn” until “all family members have been “contacted and notified of the sad circumstance.”
“This sobering moment should remind us that the numbers that we report every day are not mere statistics. They are people whose lives have been forever changed,” she said.
Read the full story from reporter Fran Spielman.
2:10 p.m. Mayor Lightfoot and Gov. Pritzker announce ‘Arts for Illinois’ relief initiative
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced a new relief program to provide financial assistance to the city’s creative scene and cultural organizations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund, which has raised about $4 million from the public and private sector, is a partnership between the city and the state, along with the local philanthropic community.
Through the relief fund, the city’s creatives — stage and production members and part-time cultural workers — can apply for one-time grants of $1,500 distributed by 3Arts, an organization that supports artists of color, disabled artists and women artists.
Evan F. Moore has the story.
1:30 p.m. Census Day continues despite COVID-19 concerns: ‘Stakes are too high’
Cook County leaders looked forward to a series of events Wednesday to raise awareness of “Census Day” and the national head count.
But the coronavirus outbreak happened and those events were canceled because of the social distancing needed to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
“The coronavirus pandemic has shifted our priorities and changed our lives, but I urge our residents not to forget to complete the 2020 census,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Wednesday.
“Even in the midst of this crisis we have to remember the census is still taking place, and we have to remember the stakes are too high not to fill out your census form.”
For over a year the county, its partners and the U.S. Census Bureau’s regional office have relied on person-to-person interaction to help people learn about the census, but COVID-19 hampered those efforts during the census’s most pivotal time. The effectiveness of their month-long efforts of door knocking, community events and town halls will be tested in the coming days as the census is in full swing.
Preckwinkle said people can stay home and complete the census online, over the phone (in numerous languages) or by mail.
Read more from reporter Manny Ramos.
12:32 p.m. Illinois National Guard medics headed to Stateville as inmate coronavirus cases rise
The Illinois National Guard is sending 30 service members to help with medical care at Stateville Correctional Center, where one inmate has died from the coronavirus and at least 32 more have tested positive.
The service members are medics from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based in Urbana and will be setting up medical tents, triaging and providing medical care for inmates at the Crest Hill-based correctional center, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office.
Read more from reporters Carlos Ballestros and Tina Sfondeles.
11:50 a.m. Durbin: Pritzker aiming to organize an airlift of COVID-19 supplies from China to Illinois
Speaking from his backyard deck in Springfield, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Wednesday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is calling the CEOs of major airlines to organize an airlift to haul personal protection equipment from China to Illinois.
Durbin also said Pritzker told him about an Illinois company with COVID-19 supplies to sell — yet was “playing hard to get” while seeking a better price from another state for this equipment now referred to in shorthand simply as PPE.
For weeks now, Pritzker and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been publicly outraged that states are competing against themselves — and the federal government — in bidding for desperately needed masks, gowns, ventilators and other supplies as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.
Read the full report from Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet.
10:15 a.m. Richard Roeper’s must-watch list for today’s trying times
In these extraordinary, quarantined times, many of us are watching more streaming series, more original movies and more beloved favorite films than ever before. With that in mind, the latest “Best Movies…” podcast featuring yours truly and radio host Roe Conn is all about feel-good films, from comedies and musicals to biopics to sports films — even some heavy dramas and scary movies.
Richard Roeper & Roe Conn are rounding up and ranking the movies we need now — The Best Feel-Good Movies — in their Best Movies podcast. This episode dives into comedies and musicals.
Listen to Episode 1 of “The Best Feel-Good Movies” here.
9:40 a.m. MLB cancels Cubs-Cardinals series in London
Major League Baseball has canceled a two-game series in London between the Cubs and the Cardinals because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The teams had been scheduled to play at Olympic Stadium on June 13-14.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement in a memorandum sent to MLB employees on Wednesday. MLB said March 19 that it had scrapped series in Mexico City and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Read more here.
8:32 a.m. A look inside a triage tent in Chicago
While Michael Dolan sat in a makeshift room in a cold tent on the sidewalk waiting for a lung X-ray, he was surrounded by five women gasping for air, he said, all facing each other in other bays with no privacy. At one point, one of the women collapsed off her chair and was carted away.
“I marveled at the humanity of sitting there, as a sick person, and feeling guilty that I wasn’t as sick as they were and there should be somebody else in my chair,” he said.
Dolan’s doctor told him he had an acute upper respiratory infection and was developing pneumonia. A nurse gave him a Z-pak, which is used to treat basic cold or flu symptoms and hadn’t been prescribed by the doctor.
The doctor started apologizing for the lack of order and the unavailability of tests that caused Dolan to get to this point — and also started crying.
Read the full story from Nader Issa and Tom Schuba.
7:10 a.m. U. of I. engineers share free prototype of low-cost, easy-to-build ventilator
Provided
Engineers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created an easily-manufactured, disposable and portable emergency ventilator they hope can be quickly put into production to help hospitals deal with a surge of COVID-19 patients.
Engineers at the university’s Grainger College of Engineering in collaboration with Carle Health in Urbana worked to create a prototype that has run for more than 75 hours — about 125,000 breathing cycles — and works as well as a commercial model, the school announced.
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Following successful testing, the components and design of the prototype — called the Illinois RapidVent — have been posted for anyone to download for free at the college’s website. The university will not receive royalties from the design nor benefit financially from production of the ventilators, according to Rashid Bashir, the college’s dean and a professor of bioengineering.
If a company began producing the ventilators now, they could get into the hands of physicians in as little as 4-6 weeks because of the simplicity of the design, which could plug into a hospital’s oxygen supply or be connected to an oxygen tank, he said.
Read the full story from reporter Matthew Hendrickson.
5:58 a.m. Company hustled to make face shields to fight coronavirus but can’t find buyers
About a week after Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order, Eric Zuckerman and his workers retooled a small plant on the Northwest Side to make face shields needed by health care workers and others with prolonged exposure to the public.
Mission accomplished, or so he thought. He said his company, Pac Team Group, can make about 750 shields a day. But there’s a problem. Zuckerman said Tuesday he can’t get through to any state or city agency to coordinate a sale. And he said he’s got 1,000 shields in inventory ready to go.
So he listens to government officials on the news begging for protective equipment and he’s flummoxed.
“We want to get this equipment out to people who need it, but we haven’t found the right people to take it,” said Zuckerman, president of Pac Team. “All the agencies are so inundated right now. Getting their attention is quite difficult.”
Reporter David Roeder has the full story.
New cases
Analysis and Commentary
3:28 p.m. America’s lack of pandemic preparedness is unforgivable
In the movies, this all goes very differently. In Hollywood’s version of events, the federal government had been building a secret bunker in the limestone cliffs of Missouri to house a million people in the expectation of an extinction-level-event.
Or the entire executive and legislative branches were relocated to an underground facility in Virginia where continuity of government could be preserved, and, I suppose, lawmakers weren’t still using the public gym during a pandemic.
Even in the all-too-real scripted version of coronavirus-the-movie, “Contagion,” the CDC has identified a stadium that can be turned into a triage facility — on Day 12 of the outbreak.
If only this were one of those movies.
Read S.E. Cupp’s full column here
3:05 p.m. Hero worship, stars’ COVID-19 tests, Tommy John surgery and our role in all of it
When famous athletes, entertainers and moguls ponder heaven, some surely see a separate, velvet-roped area meant just for them. That would be a logical extension of how they see life and how they expect to be treated wherever they go. If they’re going to be touched, it’s going to be by an angel, not by the likes of you and me.
But the better question is how we think those celebrities should be treated inside the pearly gates. Going by society’s worship of them, the answer, sadly, is probably the same. Perhaps Michael Jordan will deign to sign a few autographs up there, too.
Although I’m angered by star athletes’ elective surgeries during the coronavirus outbreak and upset that famous people have access to COVID-19 tests when regular people don’t, we produced this, didn’t we? We’ve elevated these people with our adoring gazes. They expect things. We expect things for them.
Read Rick Morrissey’s full column here.
11:37 a.m. Shuttered soup kitchens make life even tougher for homeless: ‘No sandwiches. No dinners. No nothing.’
The coronavirus crisis has made a challenging way of life even more challenging for Chicago’s homeless residents.
Columnist Mark Brown spoke to some of the city’s homeless residents on Monday night at Catholic Charities.
They filled him in about some of the soup kitchens that have closed up or pared back in the last few weeks because of the coronavirus.
“No sandwiches. No dinners. No nothing,” one homeless man said.
That has made the dependable evening meals at Catholic Charities’ LaSalle Street site all the more valuable. Different churches and organizations take turns serving up the food.
Read Mark Brown’s column here.
7:57 a.m. April Fools’ Day is every day nowadays
Wednesday is April 1, April Fools’ Day. Were I on my game, this might be a prank column to underscore some ridiculous aspect of our locked-down social-distancing moment. America at full stop, waiting for the crunch of the iceberg.
Hats off to whoever pulls off the feat today. I’m not that guy.
Frankly, reality impoverishes parody lately. You don’t need me. If you want a sick joke, turn on the television this afternoon, and you’ll find reality that beggars the imagination. Compared to the daily presidential pratfall, I got nothin’. Every day is April Fools’ Day.
Read Neil Steinberg’s column here.
6:41 a.m. Ignore the mixed messages and wear that mask
In a democracy, government officials must always tell it straight — especially during a pandemic — and never hide behind a mask of misinformation.
Yet it appears the American people have been fed misleading advice from many sources, including the federal government, downplaying the protection face masks can provide against COVID-19.
The best advice now, as best as we can suss out, is that you should consider wearing a mask, even of the homemade variety, whenever you must venture out into a public space, even if you believe you are healthy. It may provide at least some marginal protection.
That’s not the official advice of the federal government — not yet — but the official advice has not been consistent or trustworthy. We’re just telling you what we would do. We would wear a mask.
Read the full editorial here.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-01--CPS to receive $205M in federal coronavirus relief funding, state estimates

Chicago Public Schools is set to receive $ 205 million in federal emergency coronavirus relief , accounting for more than 40 % of the total funding Illinois will get for education , according to preliminary estimates from state officials .
The funds will come from the $ 2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act passed last week by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump , which includes $ 13.5 billion that was set aside for K-12 education .
As part of the education package , Illinois will receive an estimated $ 565.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are required to distribute among the state ’ s 860 public school districts .
Allocations to each state are based on how much they currently get through federal Title I funding , which prioritizes giving money to states with more low-income students .
States then distribute those funds to districts in the same way .
CPS , with 355,000 students , is the state ’ s largest district and nation ’ s third-largest .
It has 271,000 students from low-income families , which alone is seven times more than any other Illinois district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emily Bolton said in an emailed statement that the district is figuring out how it ’ ll spend the money and will release information when that ’ s determined .
“ We are grateful for our federal and state leaders who have advocated for critical relief for CPS and districts across the state , ” Bolton said .
Rockford Public Schools , the state ’ s third-largest district with 28,700 students , will receive the next highest amount , $ 11.6 million .
Springfield School District 186 will get $ 7.9 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois second-largest serving 38,400 students , will receive $ 7.8 million State Supt .
of Education Carmen Ayala wrote in a letter to district leaders that “ we strongly encourage [ districts ] to explore using the additional funding to strengthen your infrastructure for remote learning.
” The state in recent days released comprehensive remote learning guidance as officials prepare for lengthy school closures , and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday extended the schools shutdown through the end of April .
The Illinois State Board of Education is guiding districts to specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of low-income families , children with disabilities , English learners and students experiencing homelessness .
Specific uses of the funds could include meal programs , electronic devices for students and teachers who need them , mental health services , summer learning and sanitizing school buildings .
It still wasn ’ t clear when districts would receive the funds .
The state plans to apply for the money as soon as the U.S. Dept .
of Education releases an application , which should happen in the next month .
Chicago ’ s Board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spend up to $ 75 million on its coronavirus response .

Chicago Public Schools is set to receive $205 million in federal emergency coronavirus relief, accounting for more than 40% of the total funding Illinois will get for education, according to preliminary estimates from state officials.
The funds will come from the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed last week by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, which includes $13.5 billion for K-12 education.
As part of the education package, Illinois will receive an estimated $569.5 million, 90% of which officials are required to distribute among the state’s 860 public school districts.
Allocations to each state are based on how much they currently get through federal Title I funding, which prioritizes giving money to states with more low-income students. States then distribute those funds to districts in the same way.
CPS, with 355,000 students, is the state’s largest district and nation’s third-largest. It has 271,000 students from low-income families, which alone is seven times more than any other Illinois district’s total enrollment.
Rockford Public Schools, the state’s third-largest district with 28,700 students, will receive the next highest amount, $11.6 million. Springfield School District 186 will get $7.9 million, and School District U-46 in Elgin, Illinois’ second-largest serving 38,400 students, will receive $7.8 million.
Spokeswoman Emily Bolton said CPS is figuring out how it’ll spend the money and will release that information when it’s determined.
“We are grateful for our federal and state leaders who have advocated for critical relief for CPS and districts across the state,” Bolton said.
Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey said the money needs to be used to help students who need it most — those who don’t have access to computers or internet, kids who are suffering from homelessness, English learners and special education students.
“Every penny of that support must go to addressing the obvious and vast inequities that plague remote learning for our students and school workers,” Sharkey said.
State Supt. of Education Carmen Ayala wrote in a letter to district leaders that “we strongly encourage [districts] to explore using the additional funding to strengthen your infrastructure for remote learning.” The state in recent days released comprehensive remote learning guidance as officials prepare for lengthy school closures, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday extended the schools shutdown through the end of April.
The Illinois State Board of Education is guiding districts to specifically use the money to address the needs of low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners and homeless students. Specific uses of the funds could include meal programs, electronic devices for students and teachers who need them, mental health services, summer learning and sanitizing school buildings.
It still wasn’t clear when districts would receive the funds. The state plans to apply for the money as soon as the U.S. Dept. of Education releases an application, which should happen in the next month.
Chicago’s Board of Education has already given CPS administrators approval to spend up to $75 million on its coronavirus response.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-01--More evidence indicates healthy people can spread virus

NEW YORK — Scientists offered more evidence Wednesday that the coronavirus is spread by seemingly healthy people who show no clear symptoms , and the federal government issued new guidance warning that anyone exposed to the disease can be considered a carrier .
A study by researchers in Singapore became the latest to estimate that somewhere around 10 % of new infections may be sparked by people who carry the virus but have not yet suffered its flu-like symptoms .
In response to that study and others , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed how it defined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency ’ s new guidance targeted people who have no symptoms but were exposed to others with known or suspected infections .
It essentially says that anyone may be a carrier , whether that person has symptoms or not .
The findings complicate efforts to gain control of the pandemic and reinforce the importance of social distancing and other measures designed to stop the spread , experts said .
“ You have to really be proactive about reducing contacts between people who seem perfectly healthy , ” said Lauren Ancel Meyers , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has studied coronavirus transmission in different countries .
The newest research was published online by the CDC .
It focused on 243 cases of coronavirus reported in Singapore from mid-January through mid-March , including 157 infections among people who had not traveled recently .
Scientists found that so-called pre-symptomatic people triggered infections in seven different clusters of disease , accounting for about 6 % of the locally acquired cases .
One of those infections was particularly striking .
A 52-year-old woman ’ s infection was linked to her sitting in a seat at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the day by two tourists who showed no symptoms but later fell ill , investigators said after they reviewed closed-circuit camera recordings of church services .
An earlier study that focused on China , where the virus was first identified , suggested that more than 10 % of transmissions were from people who were infected but did not yet feel sick .
The seemingly healthy people who can transmit the virus are believed to fall into three categories : pre-symptomatic , who do not have symptoms when they spread but develop illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who never develop symptoms ; and post-symptomatic , who get sick and recover but remain contagious .
The Singapore and China studies focused on pre-symptomatic infections .
It remains unclear how many new infections are caused by each type of potential spreader , said Meyers , who was not involved in the Singapore study but was part of the earlier one focused on China .
CDC officials say they have been researching asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections , but the studies are not complete .
In an interview Tuesday with a radio station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redfield cited an estimate that 25 % of infected people may be asymptomatic .
It was not clear what that estimate was based on , or if it included people who were pre-symptomatic or post-symptomatic .
The AP requested more information from the CDC , but the agency did not provide those details .
Redfield ’ s comment was in response to a question about whether the agency is going to recommend that people who seem healthy wear masks or face coverings when they go out .
He said the agency is reviewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singapore , China and other places in making that decision .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom this week said he planned to announce new state guidelines on wearing masks .
Wearing scarves or bandanas over noses and mouths is “ not necessarily going to protect you , but if you are carrying the disease , it may reduce the amount you transmit , ” said Carl Bergstrom , a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases .
In the initial months of the pandemic , health officials based their response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread came from people who were sneezing or coughing droplets that contained the virus .
Another kind of coronavirus caused the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome , or SARS , which was first identified in Asia in 2003 and caused a frightening but relatively short-lived international outbreak that never spread as widely as the new virus .
Although some asymptomatic infections were discovered , none were found to have spread the disease .
Because symptomatic people were the spreaders , health officials could focus on them to see an outbreak happening and could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread .
“ It was much , much easier ” to contain , Bergstrom said .
With the new coronavirus , “ we clearly have asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission , ” he added .

NEW YORK — Scientists offered more evidence Wednesday that the coronavirus is spread by seemingly healthy people who show no clear symptoms, and the federal government issued new guidance warning that anyone exposed to the disease can be considered a carrier.
A study by researchers in Singapore became the latest to estimate that somewhere around 10% of new infections may be sparked by people who carry the virus but have not yet suffered its flu-like symptoms.
In response to that study and others, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed how it defined the risk of infection for Americans. The agency’s new guidance targeted people who have no symptoms but were exposed to others with known or suspected infections. It essentially says that anyone may be a carrier, whether that person has symptoms or not.
The findings complicate efforts to gain control of the pandemic and reinforce the importance of social distancing and other measures designed to stop the spread, experts said.
“You have to really be proactive about reducing contacts between people who seem perfectly healthy,” said Lauren Ancel Meyers, a University of Texas at Austin researcher who has studied coronavirus transmission in different countries.
The newest research was published online by the CDC. It focused on 243 cases of coronavirus reported in Singapore from mid-January through mid-March, including 157 infections among people who had not traveled recently. Scientists found that so-called pre-symptomatic people triggered infections in seven different clusters of disease, accounting for about 6% of the locally acquired cases.
One of those infections was particularly striking. A 52-year-old woman’s infection was linked to her sitting in a seat at a church that had been occupied earlier in the day by two tourists who showed no symptoms but later fell ill, investigators said after they reviewed closed-circuit camera recordings of church services.
An earlier study that focused on China, where the virus was first identified, suggested that more than 10% of transmissions were from people who were infected but did not yet feel sick.
The seemingly healthy people who can transmit the virus are believed to fall into three categories: pre-symptomatic, who do not have symptoms when they spread but develop illness a couple of days later; asymptomatic, who never develop symptoms; and post-symptomatic, who get sick and recover but remain contagious. The Singapore and China studies focused on pre-symptomatic infections.
It remains unclear how many new infections are caused by each type of potential spreader, said Meyers, who was not involved in the Singapore study but was part of the earlier one focused on China.
CDC officials say they have been researching asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections, but the studies are not complete.
In an interview Tuesday with a radio station in Atlanta, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield cited an estimate that 25% of infected people may be asymptomatic. It was not clear what that estimate was based on, or if it included people who were pre-symptomatic or post-symptomatic. The AP requested more information from the CDC, but the agency did not provide those details.
Redfield’s comment was in response to a question about whether the agency is going to recommend that people who seem healthy wear masks or face coverings when they go out. He said the agency is reviewing its guidance, looking at research in Singapore, China and other places in making that decision.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week said he planned to announce new state guidelines on wearing masks.
Wearing scarves or bandanas over noses and mouths is “not necessarily going to protect you, but if you are carrying the disease, it may reduce the amount you transmit,” said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases.
In the initial months of the pandemic, health officials based their response on the belief that most of the spread came from people who were sneezing or coughing droplets that contained the virus.
Another kind of coronavirus caused the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which was first identified in Asia in 2003 and caused a frightening but relatively short-lived international outbreak that never spread as widely as the new virus.
Although some asymptomatic infections were discovered, none were found to have spread the disease. Because symptomatic people were the spreaders, health officials could focus on them to see an outbreak happening and could better isolate infected people and stop the spread.
“It was much, much easier” to contain, Bergstrom said. With the new coronavirus, “we clearly have asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission,” he added.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-01--‘Lazy Susan’: Sean Hayes plays a sad woman who’s good for some smiles

Folklore has it that Thomas Jefferson invented the rotating tabletop tray and named it “ Lazy Susan ” as it was to be used to serve his daughter Susan at the dinner table .
I bring this up only because I ’ ve wanted to tell that story about Thomas Jefferson , and the digital release of the charming offbeat comedy “ Lazy Susan ” seemed like the best opportunity .
This movie is not about serving trays , it ’ s about one Susan O ’ Connell ( played by Sean Hayes ) , a deeply unambitious , middle-aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold on to a job , is constantly hitting up her mother for cash and is sure she ’ ll never find love .
Oh , and she ’ s been bitter rivals with a Kmart assistant manager named Velvet ( Allison Janney ) ever since high school .
“ They just made me Employee of the Month last week so I ’ m getting a lot of calls , ” Susan lies to Velvet after being fired by a florist .
“ And I got a FIFTY-DOLLAR gift certificate.
” None of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a gauge of the true mediocrity of Susan ’ s life when even her boastful fibs sound kinda sad .
“ Lazy Susan ” is set in Wisconsin but we ’ re basically in Campville , USA , where the big box stores are regarded as high-end retail , everyone dresses like they ’ re extras in a 1985 music video and shag carpeting isn ’ t ironic .
There ’ s always the danger of material like this veering into the mean-spirited and the condescending , but director Nick Peet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hayes have a real fondness for these characters — even the ones who are big dumb jerks and behave terribly .
“ Long story short , ” says one character , only to be answered with “ Short story long !
” Goofy , but funny .
With tunes such as “ Georgy Girl ” by the Seekers and “ Head Over Heels ” by the Go-Go ’ s popping up on the soundtrack , Susan spends her days creating elaborate collages from ads and pictures in magazines ; making half-hearted attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best friend Wendy ( Carrie Aizley ) and dropping in on her mother ( Margo Martindale ) — with those visits inevitably leading to Susan asking for money and Mom sighing and telling Susan to get her purse , it ’ s in the kitchen .
Ah , but Susan is suddenly walking on sunshine when she enters into a torrid romance with the owner of an indoor trampoline park ( Jim Rash ) , who thinks her collages are amazing and buys her jewelry and treats her like a queen .
Alas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Susan .
Let ’ s just say she winds up on the local news , and not in a good way .
Sean Hayes is a droll delight as Susan , who uses cynicism and snappy put-downs as a defense mechanism but has a real heart .
Allison Janney and Margo Martindale turn in their usual stellar work , and we even get a drop-in cameo by Matthew Broderick as the superintendent at the building where Susan lives .
If she can manage to make good on her overdue rent payments , @ @ @

Folklore has it that Thomas Jefferson invented the rotating tabletop tray and named it “Lazy Susan” as it was to be used to serve his daughter Susan at the dinner table.
Yeah, probably not.
I bring this up only because I’ve wanted to tell that story about Thomas Jefferson, and the digital release of the charming offbeat comedy “Lazy Susan” seemed like the best opportunity. This movie is not about serving trays, it’s about one Susan O’Connell (played by Sean Hayes), a deeply unambitious, middle-aged, cisgender woman who can’t hold on to a job, is constantly hitting up her mother for cash and is sure she’ll never find love.
‘Lazy Susan’
Untitled Shout! Studios presents a film directed by Nick Peet and written by Carrie Aizley, Sean Hayes and Darlene Hunt. No MPAA rating. Running time: 90 minutes. Available Friday on demand.
Oh, and she’s been bitter rivals with a Kmart assistant manager named Velvet (Allison Janney) ever since high school.
“They just made me Employee of the Month last week so I’m getting a lot of calls,” Susan lies to Velvet after being fired by a florist. “And I got a FIFTY-DOLLAR gift certificate.”
None of that’s true, but it’s a gauge of the true mediocrity of Susan’s life when even her boastful fibs sound kinda sad.
“Lazy Susan” is set in Wisconsin but we’re basically in Campville, USA, where the big box stores are regarded as high-end retail, everyone dresses like they’re extras in a 1985 music video and shag carpeting isn’t ironic. There’s always the danger of material like this veering into the mean-spirited and the condescending, but director Nick Peet and writers Carrie Aizley, Darlene Hunt and Hayes have a real fondness for these characters — even the ones who are big dumb jerks and behave terribly.
“Long story short,” says one character, only to be answered with “Short story long!” Goofy, but funny.
With tunes such as “Georgy Girl” by the Seekers and “Head Over Heels” by the Go-Go’s popping up on the soundtrack, Susan spends her days creating elaborate collages from ads and pictures in magazines; making half-hearted attempts to find work; hanging with her best friend Wendy (Carrie Aizley) and dropping in on her mother (Margo Martindale) — with those visits inevitably leading to Susan asking for money and Mom sighing and telling Susan to get her purse, it’s in the kitchen.
Ah, but Susan is suddenly walking on sunshine when she enters into a torrid romance with the owner of an indoor trampoline park (Jim Rash), who thinks her collages are amazing and buys her jewelry and treats her like a queen. Alas, bumps in the road lie ahead for Susan. Let’s just say she winds up on the local news, and not in a good way.
Sean Hayes is a droll delight as Susan, who uses cynicism and snappy put-downs as a defense mechanism but has a real heart. Allison Janney and Margo Martindale turn in their usual stellar work, and we even get a drop-in cameo by Matthew Broderick as the superintendent at the building where Susan lives.
If she can manage to make good on her overdue rent payments, that is.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-01--Teen charged with manslaughter in friend’s fatal shooting

A 19-year-old man was charged with manslaughter for allegedly shooting his friend to death while he was playing with a pistol in the bedroom of a West Englewood apartment last fall .
Darvell Bohannon was arrested Tuesday in Harvey for the Oct. 20 shooting of 20-year-old Jawuan Maxey .
Bohannon was playing with a chrome-plated Ruger .380 pistol with Maxey and another friend , waving and pointing the gun at his pals until they told him stop , Assistant Cook County State ’ s Attorney James Murphy said Wednesday .
One of the boys went to the bathroom , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Murphy said .
Maxey ran out of the bedroom , clutching his neck as he ran out of the apartment building , trailed by Bohannon and his friend , Murphy said .
Maxey collapsed in an alley adjacent to the building , in the 6600 block of South Bishop Avenue , and the friend called to a man in the alley to call 911 .
The friend and Bohannon left before Chicago police arrived .
When officers arrived , they found Maxey lying in the alley a few hundred feet from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to University of Chicago Hospital where he was pronounced dead .
Officers followed a trail of blood to the apartment , and found the Ruger on the floor , next to Bohannon ’ s bed , and a cartridge casing on the mattress , Murphy said .
The friend who had been in the bedroom with Bohannon and Maxey walked to a nearby park and found Bohannon sitting on a bench .
Bohannon allegedly said he had made “ a mistake.
” Bohannon later admitted to police that “ he pointed the gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t really try to pull the trigger , but the gun went off , ” Murphy said .
Judge Mary C. Marubio ordered Bohannon , who has no prior criminal history , held in lieu of $ 10,000 bail .

A 19-year-old man was charged with manslaughter for allegedly shooting his friend to death while he was playing with a pistol in the bedroom of a West Englewood apartment last fall.
Darvell Bohannon was arrested Tuesday in Harvey for the Oct. 20 shooting of 20-year-old Jawuan Maxey.
Bohannon was playing with a chrome-plated Ruger .380 pistol with Maxey and another friend, waving and pointing the gun at his pals until they told him stop, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney James Murphy said Wednesday. One of the boys went to the bathroom, and heard a gunshot as he was stepping out, Murphy said.
Darvell Bohannon, 19, is charged with manslaughter for the fatal shooting of his friend, Jawuan Maxey, 20, Oct. 20 in West Englewood. Chicago police
Maxey ran out of the bedroom, clutching his neck as he ran out of the apartment building, trailed by Bohannon and his friend, Murphy said. Maxey collapsed in an alley adjacent to the building, in the 6600 block of South Bishop Avenue, and the friend called to a man in the alley to call 911. The friend and Bohannon left before Chicago police arrived.
When officers arrived, they found Maxey lying in the alley a few hundred feet from the apartment building. Maxey was taken to University of Chicago Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officers followed a trail of blood to the apartment, and found the Ruger on the floor, next to Bohannon’s bed, and a cartridge casing on the mattress, Murphy said.
The friend who had been in the bedroom with Bohannon and Maxey walked to a nearby park and found Bohannon sitting on a bench. Bohannon allegedly said he had made “a mistake.”
Bohannon later admitted to police that “he pointed the gun at [Maxey] and didn’t really try to pull the trigger, but the gun went off,” Murphy said.
Judge Mary C. Marubio ordered Bohannon, who has no prior criminal history, held in lieu of $10,000 bail.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-01--CHA residents get rent reprieve until April 30; Lightfoot urges private landlords to do the same

Chicago Housing Authority tenants will get a reprieve from paying rent through the end of the month , Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday , urging private landlords to do the same during the statewide stay-at-home order .
The mayor issued her plea when asked two difficult questions : What about laid-off tenants who can ’ t afford to pay rent due Wednesday ?
And what more can be done to help landlords who need that money to pay property taxes , mortgages and utilities and don ’ t want their tenants to become homeless ?
“ My hope is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand that landlords have mortgages and they have other bills to pay .
But in this time where a lot of renters are really being pressed , I would absolutely urge , if it all possible , to forego this month ’ s payment , just to give people a little bit of peace of mind and a cushion in really , really tight financial circumstances , ” the mayor said .
Just hours after the mayor ’ s comments , the Autonomous Tenants Union , a grassroots housing rights organization based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town hall .
Tenants from across the city were able to voice grievances against their landlords who came to collect rents this week .
Most attendees said they had been recently laid off or furloughed from their jobs and were quickly running out of money .
Others said their landlords either didn ’ t address the crisis with them at all or sent them a list of job openings so they could pay the full month ’ s rent .
“ My landlord sent me a job application for Jewel ’ s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ server who lives in Logan Square and hasn ’ t worked for the last two weeks .
It seemed , she said , that her landlord wasn ’ t really trying to get any mortgage relief .
Autumn Wehry , a theater artist , said she applied to several odd jobs in early March after her touring company canceled all upcoming shows , but that didn ’ t go anywhere .
“ There ’ s nothing on the horizon for me , ” she said .
Wehry lives with her boyfriend , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paycheck came the second week of March , “ and his company already said they don ’ t expect business to pick up until July , ” Wehry said .
“ We ’ re up against a wall .
I have $ 400 in my account and $ 1,600 we ’ re supposed to give our landlord today.
” That light at the end of a tunnel ?
‘ It ’ s a pinprick , ” mayor says During a wide-ranging news conference on the city ’ s response to the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks away ” from the peak of coronavirus cases and that the worst is yet to come .
“ I don ’ t want people to think there ’ s light at the end of the tunnel .
It ’ s a pinprick , ” she said .
But , at some point , the mayor said Chicago will get past the public health crisis and reclaim the everyday lives and freedoms we all took for granted .
And that will be “ cause for celebration , ” she said .
In all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of a giant parade “ after the danger has passed ” to celebrate Chicago ’ s “ essential workers , ” including health care , first responders and grocery store workers .
The mayor said she appreciated the question .
She noted that , even after “ we hit the peak and we start to come down , we ’ re still gon na be following ” public health guidance “ until we know we ’ re 100 percent out of the woods and we ’ re not gon na know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there will be cause for celebration .
And we ’ ve already started to think about what that looks like and how we can come back together physically as a city because I think it will be a great day for us , ” the mayor said .
“ What I ’ ve seen … over these last few weeks in the amount of selflessness and sacrifice — people standing up and saying , ` How can I help ?
’ It ’ s been remarkable .
And I want to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spirit as a city.
” Too soon to talk about Lollapalooza Countless McCormick Place conventions have been canceled .
The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo have been postponed for a year .
Wimbledon has been called off .
Major League Baseball is on hold .
In light of all that , the mayor was asked whether it ’ s time to call off this year ’ s Lollapalooza music festival in Grant Park .
Canceling would be costly to Chicago .
But won ’ t it be too dangerous to hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of young people to Grant Park ?
“ Lollapalooza is scheduled to start about four months from now .
If we think about where we were four months previous or four weeks previous or even four days previous , what we know is this virus is unpredictable .
It ’ s fluid .
The circumstances really are kind of changing day-to-day , ” she said .
“ It would be foolhardy for me to say anything about what happens in August when we need to be in the here-and-now doing everything we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to speculate on what may or may not happen [ in ] four months .
Lollapalooza is on schedule .
It ’ s our hope and our expectation that it will go forward .
But we will deal with the circumstances when we are much closer to that time.
” Lightfoot slams former rival for ‘ foolish ’ take on city budget The news conference turned sour when Lightfoot was asked about an op-ed written by former mayoral challenger Paul Vallas .
Vallas wrote in the Chicago Tribune that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis ” because of declining revenues and rising costs tied to the coronavirus and that Lightfoot ’ s “ claim that Chicago ’ s budget is in good shape strains credulity.
” “ Over the course of this crisis , you see a lot in people .
And unfortunately , some people are desperate to be relevant , ” the mayor said of Vallas , who endorsed her in the run-off against County Board President Toni Preckwinkle .
Vallas served as city revenue director , budget director and Chicago Public Schools CEO under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lightfoot said : “ Mr .
Vallas , from my estimation , probably hasn ’ t touched a city budget , doesn ’ t know the nuances , in probably two decades.
” She added , “ The suggestion that , somehow , our city budget is in tatters , as Mr. Vallas dramatically suggests — it ’ s just foolish .
”

Chicago Housing Authority tenants will get a reprieve from paying rent through the end of the month, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday, urging private landlords to do the same during the statewide stay-at-home order.
The mayor issued her plea when asked two difficult questions: What about laid-off tenants who can’t afford to pay rent due Wednesday? And what more can be done to help landlords who need that money to pay property taxes, mortgages and utilities and don’t want their tenants to become homeless?
“My hope is that we will give each other grace. I understand that landlords have mortgages and they have other bills to pay. But in this time where a lot of renters are really being pressed, I would absolutely urge, if it all possible, to forego this month’s payment, just to give people a little bit of peace of mind and a cushion in really, really tight financial circumstances,” the mayor said.
Tenants air grievances
Just hours after the mayor’s comments, the Autonomous Tenants Union, a grassroots housing rights organization based in Albany Park, held a virtual town hall.
Tenants from across the city were able to voice grievances against their landlords who came to collect rents this week.
Most attendees said they had been recently laid off or furloughed from their jobs and were quickly running out of money. Others said their landlords either didn’t address the crisis with them at all or sent them a list of job openings so they could pay the full month’s rent.
“My landlord sent me a job application for Jewel’s,” said Kaylie Engel, a restaurant server who lives in Logan Square and hasn’t worked for the last two weeks. It seemed, she said, that her landlord wasn’t really trying to get any mortgage relief.
Autumn Wehry, a theater artist, said she applied to several odd jobs in early March after her touring company canceled all upcoming shows, but that didn’t go anywhere.
“There’s nothing on the horizon for me,” she said. Wehry lives with her boyfriend, who works in event management.
His last paycheck came the second week of March, “and his company already said they don’t expect business to pick up until July,” Wehry said. “We’re up against a wall. I have $400 in my account and $1,600 we’re supposed to give our landlord today.”
That light at the end of a tunnel? ‘It’s a pinprick,” mayor says
During a wide-ranging news conference on the city’s response to the pandemic, the mayor acknowledged Chicago is still “weeks away” from the peak of coronavirus cases and that the worst is yet to come.
“I don’t want people to think there’s light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a pinprick,” she said.
But, at some point, the mayor said Chicago will get past the public health crisis and reclaim the everyday lives and freedoms we all took for granted. And that will be “cause for celebration,” she said.
In all seriousness, Lightfoot was even asked about the possibility of a giant parade “after the danger has passed” to celebrate Chicago’s “essential workers,” including health care, first responders and grocery store workers.
The mayor said she appreciated the question.
She noted that, even after “we hit the peak and we start to come down, we’re still gonna be following” public health guidance “until we know we’re 100 percent out of the woods and we’re not gonna know that for some time.”
“However, there will be cause for celebration. And we’ve already started to think about what that looks like and how we can come back together physically as a city because I think it will be a great day for us,” the mayor said.
“What I’ve seen … over these last few weeks in the amount of selflessness and sacrifice — people standing up and saying, `How can I help?’ It’s been remarkable. And I want to make sure that we celebrate and embrace that spirit as a city.”
Too soon to talk about Lollapalooza
Countless McCormick Place conventions have been canceled. The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo have been postponed for a year. Wimbledon has been called off. Major League Baseball is on hold.
In light of all that, the mayor was asked whether it’s time to call off this year’s Lollapalooza music festival in Grant Park.
Canceling would be costly to Chicago. But won’t it be too dangerous to hold a marquee event that draws hundreds of thousands of young people to Grant Park?
“Lollapalooza is scheduled to start about four months from now. If we think about where we were four months previous or four weeks previous or even four days previous, what we know is this virus is unpredictable. It’s fluid. The circumstances really are kind of changing day-to-day,” she said.
“It would be foolhardy for me to say anything about what happens in August when we need to be in the here-and-now doing everything we can to contain the virus. … I don’t want to speculate on what may or may not happen [in] four months. Lollapalooza is on schedule. It’s our hope and our expectation that it will go forward. But we will deal with the circumstances when we are much closer to that time.”
Lightfoot slams former rival for ‘foolish’ take on city budget
The news conference turned sour when Lightfoot was asked about an op-ed written by former mayoral challenger Paul Vallas.
Vallas wrote in the Chicago Tribune that Chicago is “facing a code-red fiscal crisis” because of declining revenues and rising costs tied to the coronavirus and that Lightfoot’s “claim that Chicago’s budget is in good shape strains credulity.”
“Over the course of this crisis, you see a lot in people. And unfortunately, some people are desperate to be relevant,” the mayor said of Vallas, who endorsed her in the run-off against County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Vallas served as city revenue director, budget director and Chicago Public Schools CEO under former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
But, Lightfoot said: “Mr. Vallas, from my estimation, probably hasn’t touched a city budget, doesn’t know the nuances, in probably two decades.”
She added, “The suggestion that, somehow, our city budget is in tatters, as Mr. Vallas dramatically suggests — it’s just foolish.”
Contributing: Carlos Ballesteros


chicagosun-times--2020-04-01--Virus outbreak creates new challenges for addiction recovery

SEATTLE — Charlie Campbell , nearly 13 years sober , is feeling tested today more than ever to stay that way .
His dad is recovering from COVID-19 in a suburban Seattle hospital .
His mom , who has dementia , lives in a facility that now bars visitors because of the virus .
A good friend recently killed himself .
Last week , Campbell , 61 , tried his first online Alcoholics Anonymous meeting .
His internet was shaky and he didn ’ t get to speak .
The meeting did not give him the peace and serenity he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-to-face kind of person , ” Campbell said .
Still , he hasn ’ t relapsed .
The coronavirus pandemic is challenging the millions who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and threatening America ’ s progress against the opioid crisis , said Dr. Caleb Alexander of Johns Hopkins ’ school of public health .
People in recovery rely on human contact , Alexander said , so the longer social distancing is needed “ the more strained people may feel.
” Therapists and doctors are finding ways to work with patients in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in treatment .
And many are finding new reservoirs of strength to stay in recovery .
In Olympia , Washington , a clinic for opioid addiction now meets patients outdoors and offers longer prescriptions of the treatment drug buprenorphine — four weeks , up from two — to reduce visits and the risk of infection , said medical director Dr. Lucinda Grande .
Elsewhere , federal health officials are allowing patients to take home methadone , another treatment drug .
And they issued emergency guidance to make it easier for addiction professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtaining the written consent required to share patient records .
With cities and states locked down , online support groups are forming , among them a global group started by a San Francisco-area tech worker that ’ s called One Corona Too Many .
In the New York City metro area , with more than 6,000 meetings weekly , organizers offer guidelines on best practices and tutorials on how to set up video conference calls .
Reagan Reed , who leads the Inter-Group Association of AA of New York , said there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how to change settings to private , others have gone over capacity , revealing phone numbers .
In suburban Boston , Catherine Collins , a 56-year-old recovering alcoholic , said it has been an adjustment to attend AA meetings via the online platform Zoom .
Collins , who has been sober since 1998 and works for Spectrum Health Systems , the state ’ s largest addiction treatment provider , said preserving some social interaction is critical for those in recovery .
“ People need to be talking about what ’ s happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not , they ’ re at risk of picking up a drink , ” she said .
“ It ’ s more important than ever now to have hope , and that ’ s what these meetings give.
” Job loss is a gut punch to some , just as they begin to rebuild their lives .
Courtney Keith , a waitress and the mother of a 13-year-old girl in Toledo , Ohio , said she spent the last four years paying off fines because of her past trouble when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost her job when the state banned sit-down dining .
” I was living paycheck to paycheck .
I have no savings , ” the 33-year-old said .
She ’ s applied for a job at a grocery and dug through her loose change stashes , scraping together a few hundred dollars .
She keeps in close touch with her recovery sponsor .
” I haven ’ t had any thoughts about using , but everybody is different .
What if this does lead to a mass relapse ?
” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving from his home in New Mexico to Washington state to check in on his parents again .
He got some good news last week : His dad ’ s latest COVID-19 test was negative .
He ’ ll said he ’ ll try online meetings again , but plans to mostly lean on phone calls with a longtime buddy and the emotional support of his wife .
“ In the short term , you ’ ve just got to walk the middle line and try to find the good in all this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know it ’ s not going to last forever .
”

SEATTLE — Charlie Campbell, nearly 13 years sober, is feeling tested today more than ever to stay that way.
His dad is recovering from COVID-19 in a suburban Seattle hospital. His mom, who has dementia, lives in a facility that now bars visitors because of the virus. A good friend recently killed himself.
Last week, Campbell, 61, tried his first online Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. His internet was shaky and he didn’t get to speak. The meeting did not give him the peace and serenity he craved.
“I’m a face-to-face kind of person,” Campbell said. Still, he hasn’t relapsed.
The coronavirus pandemic is challenging the millions who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and threatening America’s progress against the opioid crisis, said Dr. Caleb Alexander of Johns Hopkins’ school of public health.
People in recovery rely on human contact, Alexander said, so the longer social distancing is needed “the more strained people may feel.”
Therapists and doctors are finding ways to work with patients in person or by phone and trying to keep them in treatment. And many are finding new reservoirs of strength to stay in recovery.
In Olympia, Washington, a clinic for opioid addiction now meets patients outdoors and offers longer prescriptions of the treatment drug buprenorphine — four weeks, up from two — to reduce visits and the risk of infection, said medical director Dr. Lucinda Grande.
Elsewhere, federal health officials are allowing patients to take home methadone, another treatment drug. And they issued emergency guidance to make it easier for addiction professionals to offer help by phone, without obtaining the written consent required to share patient records.
With cities and states locked down, online support groups are forming, among them a global group started by a San Francisco-area tech worker that’s called One Corona Too Many. In the New York City metro area, with more than 6,000 meetings weekly, organizers offer guidelines on best practices and tutorials on how to set up video conference calls.
Reagan Reed, who leads the Inter-Group Association of AA of New York, said there have been snags. Some groups did not know how to change settings to private, others have gone over capacity, revealing phone numbers.
In suburban Boston, Catherine Collins, a 56-year-old recovering alcoholic, said it has been an adjustment to attend AA meetings via the online platform Zoom.
Collins, who has been sober since 1998 and works for Spectrum Health Systems, the state’s largest addiction treatment provider, said preserving some social interaction is critical for those in recovery.
“People need to be talking about what’s happening in the world because if they’re not, they’re at risk of picking up a drink,” she said. “It’s more important than ever now to have hope, and that’s what these meetings give.”
Job loss is a gut punch to some, just as they begin to rebuild their lives.
Courtney Keith, a waitress and the mother of a 13-year-old girl in Toledo, Ohio, said she spent the last four years paying off fines because of her past trouble when she was addicted to drugs and alcohol. She lost her job when the state banned sit-down dining.
”I was living paycheck to paycheck. I have no savings,” the 33-year-old said. She’s applied for a job at a grocery and dug through her loose change stashes, scraping together a few hundred dollars.
She keeps in close touch with her recovery sponsor.
”I haven’t had any thoughts about using, but everybody is different. What if this does lead to a mass relapse?” she said.
Campbell, a retired nurse, is driving from his home in New Mexico to Washington state to check in on his parents again. He got some good news last week: His dad’s latest COVID-19 test was negative.
He’ll said he’ll try online meetings again, but plans to mostly lean on phone calls with a longtime buddy and the emotional support of his wife.
“In the short term, you’ve just got to walk the middle line and try to find the good in all this,” Campbell said, “And know it’s not going to last forever.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-02--Dear Abby: Boyfriend never says no when his mother asks him to sleep over

DEAR ABBY : My boyfriend is 31 and still goes to his mother ’ s house and spends the night , even though we live less than 15 minutes away .
He knows it upsets me , yet every time she asks him to spend the night , he goes .
He left our children home alone while I worked overnight because it was her birthday .
His relationship with his mother is a large part of why we aren ’ t married , and the fact that he continues to spend the night there is leading to huge fights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — FED UP IN OHIO DEAR FED UP : That your boyfriend would leave minor children alone and without supervision while he spends the night with his mother — birthday or not — is unusual .
It would have been more logical for him to have invited his mother to your house to celebrate the occasion .
That said , you can not control what your boyfriend does .
I suspect there ’ s a lot more wrong with your relationship than the fact that he hasn ’ t emotionally separated from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couples counseling to sort out not only his relationship with his mother , but also your relationship with each other .
If he won ’ t go , go alone to get clarity on how to proceed with your future .
DEAR ABBY : I have a good friend who has a frustratingly bad habit .
Every year , she makes a point of mentioning her upcoming birthday at least a couple of times a week , starting about four months before the day .
It is never mentioned the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone a birthday gift , I make the effort to find out when their special day is and act accordingly .
If I don ’ t wish to provide a gift , then no amount of nagging will guilt me into it .
I do not want to end the friendship because she is an otherwise nice person and a good friend , but I ’ m sick of the nagging .
Any suggestions on how to tactfully but effectively deal with this ?
— NAGGED IN FLORIDA DEAR NAGGED : The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by saying , “ You have already told me.
” When she does it for the third time say , “ You know , this is getting old .
It looks like you are soliciting a gift.
” Then tell her if she keeps it up , you WON ’ T buy her one .
I ’ ll bet it works !
DEAR ABBY : Sometimes when my boyfriend and I go out with another couple and I ’ m talking , he abruptly says , “ I never get a word in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else talk ?
” Abby , if I don ’ t talk , he just sits there like a lump on a log .
It ’ s embarrassing , and I have asked him not to say that in front of other people .
How should I respond when he makes cruel remarks in front of other people ?
— AWKWARD SILENCE IN NEW YORK DEAR AWKWARD : Is what your boyfriend says true ?
Or is it that he has trouble making social conversation ?
If that ’ s the case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to draw the “ lump ” into the conversation .
However , if it ’ s not true , then what he ’ s doing may be an effort to appear to be the dominant partner in your relationship .
When it happens again — and I ’ m betting it will — your response should be , “ Ouch .
That was hurtful and embarrassing .
If you have a complaint about my behavior , please be considerate and make it privately.
” Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
What teens need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Teen Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend is 31 and still goes to his mother’s house and spends the night, even though we live less than 15 minutes away. He knows it upsets me, yet every time she asks him to spend the night, he goes. He left our children home alone while I worked overnight because it was her birthday.
His relationship with his mother is a large part of why we aren’t married, and the fact that he continues to spend the night there is leading to huge fights. Is this normal or not? — FED UP IN OHIO
DEAR FED UP: That your boyfriend would leave minor children alone and without supervision while he spends the night with his mother — birthday or not — is unusual. It would have been more logical for him to have invited his mother to your house to celebrate the occasion.
That said, you cannot control what your boyfriend does. I suspect there’s a lot more wrong with your relationship than the fact that he hasn’t emotionally separated from his mother. You two could benefit from couples counseling to sort out not only his relationship with his mother, but also your relationship with each other. If he won’t go, go alone to get clarity on how to proceed with your future.
DEAR ABBY: I have a good friend who has a frustratingly bad habit. Every year, she makes a point of mentioning her upcoming birthday at least a couple of times a week, starting about four months before the day. It is never mentioned the rest of the year.
If I want to buy someone a birthday gift, I make the effort to find out when their special day is and act accordingly. If I don’t wish to provide a gift, then no amount of nagging will guilt me into it.
I do not want to end the friendship because she is an otherwise nice person and a good friend, but I’m sick of the nagging. Any suggestions on how to tactfully but effectively deal with this? — NAGGED IN FLORIDA
DEAR NAGGED: The next time your friend starts up, respond by saying, “You have already told me.” When she does it for the third time say, “You know, this is getting old. It looks like you are soliciting a gift.” Then tell her if she keeps it up, you WON’T buy her one. I’ll bet it works!
DEAR ABBY: Sometimes when my boyfriend and I go out with another couple and I’m talking, he abruptly says, “I never get a word in,” or, “Can anyone else talk?” Abby, if I don’t talk, he just sits there like a lump on a log. It’s embarrassing, and I have asked him not to say that in front of other people. How should I respond when he makes cruel remarks in front of other people? — AWKWARD SILENCE IN NEW YORK
DEAR AWKWARD: Is what your boyfriend says true? Or is it that he has trouble making social conversation? If that’s the case, perhaps you should make more of an effort to draw the “lump” into the conversation. However, if it’s not true, then what he’s doing may be an effort to appear to be the dominant partner in your relationship.
When it happens again — and I’m betting it will — your response should be, “Ouch. That was hurtful and embarrassing. If you have a complaint about my behavior, please be considerate and make it privately.”
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.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-04-02--Ali Wentworth, wife of GMA anchor George Stephanopoulos, tests positive for coronavirus

Ali Wentworth has tested positive for the coronavirus .
The comedian and wife of ABC news anchor George Stephanopoulos confirmed her COVID-19 diagnosis on Instagram Wednesday , revealing that she ’ s “ never been sicker.
” “ I have tested positive for the Corona Virus .
I ’ ve never been sicker .
High fever .
Horrific body aches .
Heavy chest .
I ’ m quarantined from my family.
” She accompanied her health update with a solemn picture of herself lying in bed while sick , describing her battle with coronavirus as “ pure misery.
” Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morning America ” that he would broadcast from home after Wentworth “ developed some symptoms ” consistent with COVID-19 , although he didn ’ t confirm whether she had the virus or not .
“ Ali has developed some symptoms so she ’ s upstairs resting right now , ” Stephanopoulos told his “ GMA ” co-hosts .
“ While she ’ s recovering as she goes through this , I ’ m going to be broadcasting from home and we ’ ll be working as long as we can.
” The couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Harper , 14 .
On her Instagram post , Wentworth urged everyone to “ stay home ” to limit the spread of the coronavirus , a similar message she shared last week while participating in the # istayhome challenge .
“ # istayhome for my parents , my in-laws , and all the health workers around the globe !
” Wentworth captioned an Instagram post after being nominated by Julia Roberts .
Wentworth is the latest celebrity to contract the coronavirus , joining Tom Hanks , Rita Wilson , Idris Elba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their diagnoses .

Ali Wentworth has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The comedian and wife of ABC news anchor George Stephanopoulos confirmed her COVID-19 diagnosis on Instagram Wednesday, revealing that she’s “never been sicker.”
“I have tested positive for the Corona Virus. I’ve never been sicker. High fever. Horrific body aches. Heavy chest. I’m quarantined from my family.”
She accompanied her health update with a solemn picture of herself lying in bed while sick, describing her battle with coronavirus as “pure misery.”
Earlier Wednesday, Stephanopoulos revealed on “Good Morning America” that he would broadcast from home after Wentworth “developed some symptoms” consistent with COVID-19, although he didn’t confirm whether she had the virus or not.
“Ali has developed some symptoms so she’s upstairs resting right now,” Stephanopoulos told his “GMA” co-hosts. “While she’s recovering as she goes through this, I’m going to be broadcasting from home and we’ll be working as long as we can.”
The couple share two daughters: Elliott, 17, and Harper, 14.
On her Instagram post, Wentworth urged everyone to “stay home” to limit the spread of the coronavirus, a similar message she shared last week while participating in the #istayhome challenge.
“#istayhome for my parents, my in-laws, and all the health workers around the globe!” Wentworth captioned an Instagram post after being nominated by Julia Roberts.
Wentworth is the latest celebrity to contract the coronavirus, joining Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Idris Elba and many more who have come forward with their diagnoses.
Her acting credits include “In Living Color,” “Seinfeld,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Office Space,” and “It’s Complicated.”
Read more at usatoday.com