chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Tearful victim of Waukegan police shooting says she and her boyfriend had their hands raised

WAUKEGAN — With tears in her eyes , 20-year-old Tafara Williams sat up in her hospital bed Tuesday and told how a Waukegan police officer kept shooting at her and her boyfriend , even though , she said , both had their hands raised and were unarmed .
“ I kept screaming , ‘ I don ’ t have a gun !
’ But he kept shooting , ” Williams said .
It was the first time Williams has publicly described the events of Oct. 20 , when a Waukegan police officer wounded Williams and fatally shot her boyfriend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 7-month-old son , during what authorities have described as a traffic stop .
Three days after the incident , Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles announced he had fired the officer , saying the officer had committed “ multiple policy and procedure violations.
” At a news conference outside Waukegan ’ s city hall complex , attorneys for Williams and her family accused the fired officer of profiling Williams and her boyfriend .
But they also expressed hope — based on how the city has so far responded to the incident .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waukegan , right now the example of accountability and transparency in policing .
What Waukegan has done will give this family a sense of peace .
It will not restore what has happened , ” Chicago attorney Antonio Romanucci said .
Romanucci described the shooting incident as “ needless , senseless and should never have happened.
” Williams , linked to the news conference via a Zoom feed , said the incident unfolded while she and Stinnette were sitting in her parked car .
“ I had just put my babies to bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver ’ s seat of my car to smoke outside the house , ” she said .
A police officer pulled up , without turning on his lights or sirens , she said .
“ I rolled down my windows and turned on all the lights inside the car so the officer could see I had no weapons and I wasn ’ t doing anything illegal , ” she said .
Williams said the officer got out of his car and began harassing Stinnette .
“ He said to Marcellis , ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams said .
Williams said she asked the officer if she and her boyfriend were under arrest .
When he didn ’ t answer and stepped away from her car to use his cellphone , Williams drove slowly away , she said .
A short while later , she drove onto Martin Luther King Drive , still in Waukegan , and came upon another officer waiting for them .
“ There was a crash and I lost control .
The officer was shooting at us .
The car ended up slamming into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she and Stinnette both had their hands up .
“ I kept asking him , ‘ Why , why ?
’ he was shooting , ” Williams said , adding , “ More officers came and were pointing their guns at us .
My blood was gushing out of my body.
” She said officers laid Stinnette on the ground and covered him with a blanket , even as he continued to breathe .
“ They wanted us to bleed out on the ground , ” she said .
Williams described Stinnette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The briefing organized by her attorney , Benjamin Crump , comes exactly one week after the shooting .
Police have said the vehicle driven by Williams , with Stinnette in the passenger ’ s seat , fled a traffic stop conducted by a white officer .
They said that a short time later , another officer , who is Hispanic , approached the vehicle , he opened fire out of fear for his own safety when the vehicle moved in reverse toward him .
No weapon was found in the vehicle .
Romanucci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been able to look at police videos from the incident .
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham has said the city would release police video from the incident .
Romanucci and Crump said Tuesday they ’ d just come from a meeting with Cunningham .
“ He did not say when , ” Romanucci said .
“ All I can tell you is that it ’ s imminent .
We ’ re just waiting for confirmation.
” Crump declined to detail Williams specific injuries , but said they ’ re “ substantial.
” Addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister , Dhanellis Banks , said : “ He ’ s dead at the hands of the people [ who are ] supposed to protect us .
It ’ s not supposed to happen .
”

WAUKEGAN — With tears in her eyes, 20-year-old Tafara Williams sat up in her hospital bed Tuesday and told how a Waukegan police officer kept shooting at her and her boyfriend, even though, she said, both had their hands raised and were unarmed.
“I kept screaming, ‘I don’t have a gun!’ But he kept shooting,” Williams said.
It was the first time Williams has publicly described the events of Oct. 20, when a Waukegan police officer wounded Williams and fatally shot her boyfriend, Marcellis Stinnette, and the father of her 7-month-old son, during what authorities have described as a traffic stop.
Three days after the incident, Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles announced he had fired the officer, saying the officer had committed “multiple policy and procedure violations.”
At a news conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, attorneys for Williams and her family accused the fired officer of profiling Williams and her boyfriend. But they also expressed hope — based on how the city has so far responded to the incident.
“We want to make this city, Waukegan, right now the example of accountability and transparency in policing. What Waukegan has done will give this family a sense of peace. It will not restore what has happened,” Chicago attorney Antonio Romanucci said.
Romanucci described the shooting incident as “needless, senseless and should never have happened.”
Clifftina Johnson cries while watching her daughter, Tafara Williams, speak to reporters from her hospital bed via a video conference call during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. Three days after the incident, Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles announced that he had fired the officer, saying he’d committed “multiple policy and procedure violations.” | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 1 of 16 Clifftina Johnson (back, left), Tafara Williams’ mother, cries as her daughter, Sasha Williams, sings during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 2 of 16 Clifftina Johnson cries as she talks about her daughter, Tafara Williams, during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 3 of 16 Family and supporters of Tafara Williams listen as attorney Antonio Romanucci speaks during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. Three days after the incident, Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles announced that he had fired the officer, saying he’d committed “multiple policy and procedure violations.” | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 4 of 16 Tafara Williams’ parents, Trevor Williams and Clifftina Johnson, talk about their daughter during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Tafara Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 5 of 16 Clifftina Johnson cries as she talks about her daughter, Tafara Williams, during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 6 of 16 Family and supporters of Tafara Williams listen as attorney Antonio Romanucci speaks during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. Three days after the incident, Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles announced that he had fired the officer, saying he’d committed “multiple policy and procedure violations.” | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 7 of 16 Flanked by family members and attorneys, Latoya Johnson talks about her niece, Tafara Williams, during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 8 of 16 Family and supporters of Tafara Williams wear matching shirts and hold a prayer circle after a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 9 of 16 Flanked by family members and attorneys, Tafar Williams talks about his sister, Tafara Williams, during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Tafara Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 10 of 16 Clifftina Johnson (back, left), Tafara Williams’ mother, listens as attorney Antonio Romanucci speaks during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 11 of 16 Family members and supporters cry while watching Tafara Williams speak to reporters from her hospital bed via a video conference call during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 12 of 16 Clifftina Johnson cries while watching her daughter, Tafara Williams, speak to reporters from her hospital bed via a video conference call during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. Three days after the incident, Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles announced that he had fired the officer, saying he’d committed “multiple policy and procedure violations.” | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 13 of 16 Flanked by family members and attorneys, Clifftina Johnson, mother of Tafara Williams, cries during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 14 of 16 Clifftina Johnson (back, left), Tafara Williams’ mother, cries as her daughter, Sasha Williams, sings during a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 15 of 16 Family and supporters of Tafara Williams wear matching shirts and hold a prayer circle after a press conference outside Waukegan’s city hall complex, Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 2020. Williams, 20, was wounded and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, was killed when they were both shot by a Waukegan police officer on Oct. 20. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 16 of 16
Williams, linked to the news conference via a Zoom feed, said the incident unfolded while she and Stinnette were sitting in her parked car.
“I had just put my babies to bed, and was sitting outside in the driver’s seat of my car to smoke outside the house,” she said.
A police officer pulled up, without turning on his lights or sirens, she said.
“I rolled down my windows and turned on all the lights inside the car so the officer could see I had no weapons and I wasn’t doing anything illegal,” she said.
Williams said the officer got out of his car and began harassing Stinnette.
“He said to Marcellis, ‘I know you from jail,’” Williams said.
Marcellis Stinnette Provided
Williams said she asked the officer if she and her boyfriend were under arrest. When he didn’t answer and stepped away from her car to use his cellphone, Williams drove slowly away, she said.
A short while later, she drove onto Martin Luther King Drive, still in Waukegan, and came upon another officer waiting for them.
“There was a crash and I lost control. The officer was shooting at us. The car ended up slamming into a building,” Williams said.
Williams said she and Stinnette both had their hands up.
“I kept asking him, ‘Why, why?’ he was shooting,” Williams said, adding, “More officers came and were pointing their guns at us. My blood was gushing out of my body.”
She said officers laid Stinnette on the ground and covered him with a blanket, even as he continued to breathe.
“They wanted us to bleed out on the ground,” she said.
Williams described Stinnette as the love of her life.
The briefing organized by her attorney, Benjamin Crump, comes exactly one week after the shooting. Police have said the vehicle driven by Williams, with Stinnette in the passenger’s seat, fled a traffic stop conducted by a white officer. They said that a short time later, another officer, who is Hispanic, approached the vehicle, he opened fire out of fear for his own safety when the vehicle moved in reverse toward him. No weapon was found in the vehicle.
Romanucci said neither he nor Williams’ family has been able to look at police videos from the incident. Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham has said the city would release police video from the incident. Romanucci and Crump said Tuesday they’d just come from a meeting with Cunningham.
“He did not say when,” Romanucci said. “All I can tell you is that it’s imminent. We’re just waiting for confirmation.”
Crump declined to detail Williams specific injuries, but said they’re “substantial.”
Addressing reporters Tuesday evening, Stinnette’s sister, Dhanellis Banks, said: “He’s dead at the hands of the people [who are] supposed to protect us. It’s not supposed to happen.”
Contributing: The Associated Press


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Send it back to the chef? Lightfoot wants Pritzker to rethink looming Chicago restaurant crackdown

Four months after reopening from the first devastating coronavirus shutdown , Chicago restaurateurs will be forced to close their dining rooms again beginning Friday as COVID-19 infections soar to spring-like highs statewide .
While Mayor Lori Lightfoot indicated she ’ d push Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to reconsider his latest restrictions on indoor dining , the Democratic governor said skyrocketing case counts and testing positivity rates mean businesses and residents have to buckle down now with a potentially troubling winter looming .
“ For a time late in the summer , Chicago seemed to have this more under control than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no longer the case , ” Pritzker said while announcing the restaurant rollback Tuesday .
“ We can ’ t ignore what is happening all around us , because without action , this could look worse than anything that we saw last spring.
” But Lightfoot , who announced last call for indoor bar service as the city ’ s coronavirus numbers shot up last week , criticized Pritzker ’ s new restrictions , saying she ’ s not sure they ’ re “ reaching the right people.
” “ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect , it ’ s really effectively shutting down a significant portion of our economy at a time when those same businesses are really hanging on by a thread , ” Lightfoot said on PBS NewsHour .
“ So we ’ re going to continue our engagement of the governor of his team , but it ’ s not looking good .
And if we can ’ t convince them that some other metrics , should apply , then the shutdown unfortunately is going to take effect .
“ The truth is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges is in people ’ s homes , in social-sector settings that are not public .
That ’ s harder to regulate , ” Lightfoot said .
Pritzker first shut down restaurant seating in March before outdoor seating resumed near the beginning of June and indoor service was allowed toward the end of that month .
The new closure couldn ’ t come at a worse time as cold temperatures arrive , according to Reinier Nayor , owner of Sazón Cubano at 5422 W. Fullerton Ave. in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so another shutdown means a lot of places may close for good .
I hope I ’ m not one of them , ” Nayor said .
That group could eventually include more than 7,500 restaurants statewide , according to Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia , who said he raised his estimate to almost a third of the industry that could be sunk in part due to the governor ’ s “ extreme ” measures .
“ Why the full shutdown ?
At least let us try 25 % capacity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to do this right — masking , social distancing and sanitizing .
Any business doing it right should be kept open , and any one that isn ’ t should be shut down .
We don ’ t understand why the restaurants are the only ones affected.
” The rules issued by Pritzker , who has cited studies suggesting bars and restaurants are “ super spreading ” sites , also mean other city gatherings will be limited to 25 people or 25 % of room capacity .
The Democratic governor noted Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admissions per day compared to a month ago , while its average seven-day testing positivity rate has almost doubled since the beginning of October .
That number is at 7.8 % , just shy of the 8 % threshold set by the governor ’ s office that has more often triggered such state “ mitigations ” in other regions .
But Chicago has weathered eight consecutive days of positivity increases and a full week of rising hospital admissions — the same metrics tripped a day earlier by the suburban Cook County region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By the end of the week , reopenings will have been scaled back in seven of the state ’ s 11 regions , and the remaining regions — all at 7 % positivity and rising — aren ’ t far behind .
“ We are well into this second wave , and I assure you that this is a virus affecting all of Illinois , ” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said .
Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city ’ s rate of increase is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases earlier this year , with new cases doubling every nine days .
That means in nine days , the city could be 1,600 new cases a day , actually topping the first surge .
“ This is going to be a difficult winter for everybody , ” Arwady said .
“ The more that we can be serious about COVID and think about how we can support each other and support small businesses through this winter is going to be crucial.
” Statewide , most key COVID-19 metrics have deteriorated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 4,000 more people tested positive for the virus , which claimed an additional 46 lives .
The death toll has risen to 9,568 since March .
The statewide average testing positivity rate is at 6.4 % , the highest it ’ s been since early June .
Hospitals are treating the most coronavirus patients they ’ ve seen since then , too , with 2,758 beds taken up as of Monday night .
The virus has killed an average of 42 Illinoisans per day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death rate this time last month .
About 73 Illinoisans were dying with COVID-19 per day over the first week of June , but experts say rising fatalities lag behind rising hospital admissions — and so they ’ re expected to mount in the weeks ahead .
“ The reality is we ’ re all trying very hard to get this right , all across the country , ” a frustrated Pritzker told a reporter questioning some of his decisions .
“ Can you not see that COVID is rising everywhere ?
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loopholes here and there , but instead find ways that we can promote safety and health.
” One encouraging sign is that Chicago has “ not yet seen a surge in deaths , ” Arwady said , though she does expect “ some increases.
” Still , she added , we have “ learned a lot about how to care for ” patients with COVID-19 .
The city on Tuesday also added Florida to its travel quarantine order , though Illinois is actually adding cases at a faster clip than that state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival in Chicago from 31 states and Puerto Rico .
Arwady said the scope of that map means “ traveling is a concern ” around the holidays .
She ’ s not going anywhere , she said , and she urged others to “ think seriously about whether this is the year for travel.
” Since March , about 7.4 million coronavirus tests have been administered in Illinois and at least 382,985 residents have carried the virus , or about 3 % of the population .

Four months after reopening from the first devastating coronavirus shutdown, Chicago restaurateurs will be forced to close their dining rooms again beginning Friday as COVID-19 infections soar to spring-like highs statewide.
While Mayor Lori Lightfoot indicated she’d push Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reconsider his latest restrictions on indoor dining, the Democratic governor said skyrocketing case counts and testing positivity rates mean businesses and residents have to buckle down now with a potentially troubling winter looming.
“For a time, late in the summer, Chicago seemed to have this more under control than other regions of Illinois, but that’s no longer the case,” Pritzker said while announcing the restaurant rollback Tuesday. “We can’t ignore what is happening all around us, because without action, this could look worse than anything that we saw last spring.”
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
But Lightfoot, who announced last call for indoor bar service as the city’s coronavirus numbers shot up last week, criticized Pritzker’s new restrictions, saying she’s not sure they’re “reaching the right people.”
“If the governor’s order goes into effect, it’s really effectively shutting down a significant portion of our economy at a time when those same businesses are really hanging on by a thread,” Lightfoot said on PBS NewsHour. “So we’re going to continue our engagement of the governor of his team, but it’s not looking good. And if we can’t convince them that some other metrics, should apply, then the shutdown unfortunately is going to take effect.
“The truth is that where we’re seeing the greatest challenges is in people’s homes, in social-sector settings that are not public. That’s harder to regulate,” Lightfoot said.
Pritzker first shut down restaurant seating in March before outdoor seating resumed near the beginning of June and indoor service was allowed toward the end of that month.
The new closure couldn’t come at a worse time as cold temperatures arrive, according to Reinier Nayor, owner of Sazón Cubano at 5422 W. Fullerton Ave. in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood.
“We aren’t getting help anymore, so another shutdown means a lot of places may close for good. I hope I’m not one of them,” Nayor said.
Reinier Nayor, owner of Sazón Cubano at 5422 W. Fullerton Ave., worries about what another ban of indoor dining will do to his restaurant. Manny Ramos/Sun-Times
That group could eventually include more than 7,500 restaurants statewide, according to Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia, who said he raised his estimate to almost a third of the industry that could be sunk in part due to the governor’s “extreme” measures.
“Why the full shutdown? At least let us try 25% capacity,” Toia said. “We know how to do this right — masking, social distancing and sanitizing. Any business doing it right should be kept open, and any one that isn’t should be shut down. We don’t understand why the restaurants are the only ones affected.”
The rules issued by Pritzker, who has cited studies suggesting bars and restaurants are “super spreading” sites, also mean other city gatherings will be limited to 25 people or 25% of room capacity.
The Democratic governor noted Chicago is averaging twice as many COVID-19 hospital admissions per day compared to a month ago, while its average seven-day testing positivity rate has almost doubled since the beginning of October.
That number is at 7.8%, just shy of the 8% threshold set by the governor’s office that has more often triggered such state “mitigations” in other regions. But Chicago has weathered eight consecutive days of positivity increases and a full week of rising hospital admissions — the same metrics tripped a day earlier by the suburban Cook County region, where indoor restrictions go into effect Wednesday.
Tom Hunter, 62, of Rogers Park, drinks coffee on the patio at Starbucks at 5300 N. Clark St. in Andersonville as it lightly rains Tuesday afternoon. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
By the end of the week, reopenings will have been scaled back in seven of the state’s 11 regions, and the remaining regions — all at 7% positivity and rising — aren’t far behind.
“We are well into this second wave, and I assure you that this is a virus affecting all of Illinois,” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.
Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city’s rate of increase is now the same as the first wave of coronavirus cases earlier this year, with new cases doubling every nine days. That means in nine days, the city could be 1,600 new cases a day, actually topping the first surge.
“This is going to be a difficult winter for everybody,” Arwady said. “The more that we can be serious about COVID and think about how we can support each other and support small businesses through this winter is going to be crucial.”
Statewide, most key COVID-19 metrics have deteriorated to the worst points seen in almost five months. The Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday announced 4,000 more people tested positive for the virus, which claimed an additional 46 lives. The death toll has risen to 9,568 since March.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
The statewide average testing positivity rate is at 6.4%, the highest it’s been since early June. Hospitals are treating the most coronavirus patients they’ve seen since then, too, with 2,758 beds taken up as of Monday night.
The virus has killed an average of 42 Illinoisans per day over the last week, double the death rate this time last month. About 73 Illinoisans were dying with COVID-19 per day over the first week of June, but experts say rising fatalities lag behind rising hospital admissions — and so they’re expected to mount in the weeks ahead.
“The reality is we’re all trying very hard to get this right, all across the country,” a frustrated Pritzker told a reporter questioning some of his decisions. “Can you not see that COVID is rising everywhere? Let’s not try and find the loopholes here and there, but instead find ways that we can promote safety and health.”
Customers eat indoors at A Taste of Heaven, 5401 N. Clark St. in Andersonville, as it lightly rains Tuesday afternoon. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
One encouraging sign is that Chicago has “not yet seen a surge in deaths,” Arwady said, though she does expect “some increases.” Still, she added, we have “learned a lot about how to care for” patients with COVID-19.
The city on Tuesday also added Florida to its travel quarantine order, though Illinois is actually adding cases at a faster clip than that state. Residents and travelers are now required to self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival in Chicago from 31 states and Puerto Rico.
Arwady said the scope of that map means “traveling is a concern” around the holidays. She’s not going anywhere, she said, and she urged others to “think seriously about whether this is the year for travel.”
Since March, about 7.4 million coronavirus tests have been administered in Illinois and at least 382,985 residents have carried the virus, or about 3% of the population.
Contributing: Manny Ramos


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--As Greenstone Church completes bell tower stabilization, congregation turns to preserving the buildi

As Greenstone Church completes bell tower stabilization, congregation turns to preserving the building

Rev .
Luther Mason once kept a piece of the green stone that holds together the Greenstone United Methodist Church with him during church service .
But one day , the stone — a type of limestone from Pennsylvania — fell apart .
“ I picked it up and it was fine , but as soon as I walked out the door it crumbled on me , ” Mason said .
The deterioration is why the church began a $ 157,000 construction project last week to stabilize its bell tower and replace its roof .
The bell tower stabilization was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slated to begin next week .
However , that is only the first phase in a campaign to completely restore the over 130-year-old building ’ s exterior and interior over the next seven years , said Mason , the church ’ s pastor .
The church hopes to raise money for the project .
For this first phase , the church received funding through various grants , organizations and even its small congregation , which Mason said is officially around 50 people .
Groups providing funding and technical assistance for the bell tower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trust for Historic Preservation , local historic preservation nonprofit Landmarks Illinois , the National Parks Conservation Association , the National Park Service , Historic Pullman Foundation and the Pullman Civic Organization .
Mason said the purpose of the construction was not only for safety reasons , but also because of water leakage from the roof and through the porous stones .
Pieces of stone had also begun to come loose on the bell tower and were close to falling off , Mason said .
The work on the bell tower included removing those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installing nets to catch any falling stones .
“ We ’ re doing work that ’ s 100 years of deferred maintenance , ” Mason said .
“ Probably 80-90 % of the church , the stone is worn.
” Tiffany Tolbert , senior field officer at the National Trust for Historic Prevention , said one of the reasons the organization provided funding for the initial Greenstone Church construction — a $ 145,000 grant — was because of its previous relationship with the Pullman Historic District .
In 2014 , the organization announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a national monument .
In February 2015 , it was officially designated as one .
“ This is a continuation of our work of supporting projects in Pullman , ” Tolbert said .
The church , built by George Pullman , was a cornerstone that once provided support for workers during the Pullman strike in 1894 , according to Mason .
The pastor at the time , Rev .
William H. Carwardine , preached against the Pullman Company , which cut workers ’ wages .
Tolbert said that since the church has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she hopes the funding the National Trust has provided will give the congregation additional time to work out a long-term strategy to rehabilitate the building .
“ It ’ s really a small part of the overall needs of the church , but we feel it will be beneficial in the long run to give them that time , ” Tolbert said .
Lisa DiChiera , director of advocacy at Landmarks Illinois , said the history of the church , it ’ s iconic look , and the community programs it offers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project .
“ We wanted to make sure that this building doesn ’ t get any further along in deterioration , ” DiChiera said .
And for a church like Greenstone , DiChiera said a complete restoration could require at least $ 1 million .
But Mason said no matter how much they raise for their restoration campaign , they will use it toward the building regardless .
“ If we raise $ 5,000 , we ’ re going to do $ 5,000 of work .
If we raise $ 50,000 , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work , ” Mason said .
“ We ’ re going to raise , repair , restore.
” He said without any sort of restoration , “ the city would probably eventually come down on us ” due to safety concerns , which could mean closure .
But for a church that has accepted people of all races and denominations for years , Mason said the restoration is for more than physical reasons .
“ In restoring this building , we ’ re also restoring community , we ’ re restoring relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of story about this church even if they weren ’ t a member , ” he said .
“ We ’ re rebuilding the relationships around us .
”

Rev. Luther Mason once kept a piece of the green stone that holds together the Greenstone United Methodist Church with him during church service.
But one day, the stone — a type of limestone from Pennsylvania — fell apart.
“I picked it up and it was fine, but as soon as I walked out the door it crumbled on me,” Mason said.
The deterioration is why the church began a $157,000 construction project last week to stabilize its bell tower and replace its roof. The bell tower stabilization was completed Tuesday, with the roof construction slated to begin next week.
However, that is only the first phase in a campaign to completely restore the over 130-year-old building’s exterior and interior over the next seven years, said Mason, the church’s pastor. The church hopes to raise money for the project.
For this first phase, the church received funding through various grants, organizations and even its small congregation, which Mason said is officially around 50 people.
Groups providing funding and technical assistance for the bell tower and roof construction included national nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation, local historic preservation nonprofit Landmarks Illinois, the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Park Service, Historic Pullman Foundation and the Pullman Civic Organization.
Rev. Luther Mason, pastor of Greenstone Church at 11211 S St. Lawrence St. in the Pullman community, said the church hopes to fundraise in order to completely restore the historic church. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Mason said the purpose of the construction was not only for safety reasons, but also because of water leakage from the roof and through the porous stones.
Pieces of stone had also begun to come loose on the bell tower and were close to falling off, Mason said. The work on the bell tower included removing those stones, applying epoxy to areas and installing nets to catch any falling stones.
“We’re doing work that’s 100 years of deferred maintenance,” Mason said. “Probably 80-90% of the church, the stone is worn.”
Tiffany Tolbert, senior field officer at the National Trust for Historic Prevention, said one of the reasons the organization provided funding for the initial Greenstone Church construction — a $145,000 grant — was because of its previous relationship with the Pullman Historic District.
In 2014, the organization announced a campaign to make the Pullman community as a national monument. In February 2015, it was officially designated as one.
“This is a continuation of our work of supporting projects in Pullman,” Tolbert said.
The church, built by George Pullman, was a cornerstone that once provided support for workers during the Pullman strike in 1894, according to Mason. The pastor at the time, Rev. William H. Carwardine, preached against the Pullman Company, which cut workers’ wages.
Tolbert said that since the church has been a landmark in the community, she hopes the funding the National Trust has provided will give the congregation additional time to work out a long-term strategy to rehabilitate the building.
“It’s really a small part of the overall needs of the church, but we feel it will be beneficial in the long run to give them that time,” Tolbert said.
Webbing placed on the tower helps to prevent further pieces of stone from falling below at Greenstone Church in Pullman. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Lisa DiChiera, director of advocacy at Landmarks Illinois, said the history of the church, it’s iconic look, and the community programs it offers is what led her organization to support the project.
“We wanted to make sure that this building doesn’t get any further along in deterioration,” DiChiera said.
And for a church like Greenstone, DiChiera said a complete restoration could require at least $1 million.
But Mason said no matter how much they raise for their restoration campaign, they will use it toward the building regardless.
“If we raise $5,000, we’re going to do $5,000 of work. If we raise $50,000, we’re going to do $50,000 of work,” Mason said. “We’re going to raise, repair, restore.”
He said without any sort of restoration, “the city would probably eventually come down on us” due to safety concerns, which could mean closure.
But for a church that has accepted people of all races and denominations for years, Mason said the restoration is for more than physical reasons.
“In restoring this building, we’re also restoring community, we’re restoring relationship. Almost everybody over here has some kind of story about this church even if they weren’t a member,” he said. “We’re rebuilding the relationships around us.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Newly discovered Australian coral reef is taller (1,640 feet) than the Willis Tower (1,450 feet)

Scientists have discovered a “ massive ” detached coral reef in Australia ’ s Great Barrier Reef — the first of its kind in over 120 years .
And , at approximately 1,640 feet , it ’ s taller than the Willis Tower , Chicago ’ s tallest building at 1,450 feet .
The reef was found by a team conducting a year-long underwater mapping of the region ’ s seafloor , according to the Schmidt Ocean Institute .
The institute ’ s underwater robot , dubbed “ SuBastian , ” explored the reef in a dive that was livestreamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised and elated by what we have found , ” said Robin Beaman of James Cook University , the group ’ s leader .
“ To not only 3D-map the reef in detail but also visually see this discovery with SuBastian is incredible.
” The new reef is blade-like .
Rising from an almost one-mile-wide base , its peak sits about 130 feet below the ocean ’ s surface .
The discovery adds to seven other detached reefs in the area , including the reef at Raine Island , which is the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sea turtles .
Beaman ’ s team will continue its expedition of the ocean surrounding Australia until Nov. 17 .
The maps will become available on a national Australian seabed mapping program called AusSeabed .
“ This unexpected discovery affirms that we continue to find unknown structures and new species in our ocean , ” said Wendy Schmidt , co-founder of Schmidt Ocean Institute .
“ The state of our knowledge about what ’ s in the ocean has long been so limited .
Thanks to new technologies that work as our eyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocean , we have the capacity to explore like never before .
New oceanscapes are opening to us , revealing the ecosystems and diverse life forms that share the planet with us .
”

Scientists have discovered a “massive” detached coral reef in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef — the first of its kind in over 120 years.
And, at approximately 1,640 feet, it’s taller than the Willis Tower, Chicago’s tallest building at 1,450 feet.
The reef was found by a team conducting a year-long underwater mapping of the region’s seafloor, according to the Schmidt Ocean Institute.
The institute’s underwater robot, dubbed “SuBastian,” explored the reef in a dive that was livestreamed on its website.
“We are surprised and elated by what we have found,” said Robin Beaman of James Cook University, the group’s leader. “To not only 3D-map the reef in detail but also visually see this discovery with SuBastian is incredible.”
The new reef is blade-like. Rising from an almost one-mile-wide base, its peak sits about 130 feet below the ocean’s surface.
The discovery adds to seven other detached reefs in the area, including the reef at Raine Island, which is the world’s largest nesting area for green sea turtles.
Beaman’s team will continue its expedition of the ocean surrounding Australia until Nov. 17. The maps will become available on a national Australian seabed mapping program called AusSeabed.
“This unexpected discovery affirms that we continue to find unknown structures and new species in our ocean,” said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Ocean Institute. “The state of our knowledge about what’s in the ocean has long been so limited. Thanks to new technologies that work as our eyes, ears and hands in the deep ocean, we have the capacity to explore like never before. New oceanscapes are opening to us, revealing the ecosystems and diverse life forms that share the planet with us.”
Read more at USA Today.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Officials: School bus in Tennessee involved in crash; 2 killed

DECATUR , Tenn. — A school bus carrying children crashed Tuesday in Tennessee , killing two people and injuring others @ @ @ @ @ crash involved a utility service vehicle and happened on state Highway 58 in Meigs County @ @ @ @ @ Lt. Bill Miller of the Tennessee Highway Patrol .
Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn sent @ @ @ @ @ for those lives that were lost ” but did not give specifics .
Some people @ @ @ @ @ taken to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga for treatment , said spokeswoman Allyson Cole .
She @ @ @ @ @ people were being treated .
Amanda Pritchett , director of schools , told WTVC-TV that @ @ @ @ @ pick up any uninjured children .
It was not clear how many people were aboard @ @ @ @ @ details of what happened were immediately released .

DECATUR, Tenn. — A school bus carrying children crashed Tuesday in Tennessee, killing two people and injuring others, officials said.
The crash involved a utility service vehicle and happened on state Highway 58 in Meigs County in eastern Tennessee, said Lt. Bill Miller of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn sent a statement offering condolences “for those lives that were lost” but did not give specifics.
Some people involved in the crash were taken to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga for treatment, said spokeswoman Allyson Cole. She did not say how many people were being treated.
Amanda Pritchett, director of schools, told WTVC-TV that another bus was going to pick up any uninjured children.
It was not clear how many people were aboard the bus and no additional details of what happened were immediately released.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Guns in polling places make a mockery of the American ideal of free and open elections

As Election Day approaches , it is dismaying to hear people demand that they be allowed to show up at polling places with guns or as aggressive “ poll watchers.
” Voter intimidation — even the suggestion of intimidation — is not who we are .
Can we , as a nation , agree at least on that ?
As long ago as 1776 , the state of Delaware ’ s constitution said , “ To prevent any violence or force being used at .
.
.
elections , no person shall come armed to any of them.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to bring guns to public gatherings these days , slinging rifles over Hawaiian shirts and military camo .
A recent nationwide report documented 190 incidents in which guns were carried at protests this year through mid-August .
And now , election authorities worry guns and intimidating “ poll watchers ” will show up at polling places on Election Day .
• President Donald Trump has publicly called for a nationwide army of 50,000 “ volunteers ” to monitor voting and ballot-counting .
Coming from the guy who advised the fascist Proud Boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” that sounds to us like an invitation to intimidate .
• In Michigan , where 13 people stand accused of plotting to abduct Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and heavily armed protesters showed up at the state capitol in a show of intimidation , gun groups are suing to be allowed to carry guns openly into polling places .
For what ?
• In New Hampshire , the attorney general has announced that no one can prevent people from bringing guns to the polls , even those situated in schools .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Location & Event Data Project and MilitiaWatch listed Wisconsin , Michigan , Pennsylvania , Georgia and Oregon as having the highest risk of elections-related militia activity .
“ Militia groups and other armed non-state actors pose a serious threat to the safety and security of American voters , ” the report said .
• Reporters tracking social media say numerous posts include announcements from individuals saying they will bring guns to the polls .
“ People are a little bit worried , ” a national voting expert told us .
“ Polling places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely guns would have a subjective sense of intimidation , and because of that the likelihood that people would change their behavior increases.
” As the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence says , “ Armed intimidation at the polls is voter suppression , plain and simple.
” Not everyone gets it .
In Nevada , state Attorney General Aaron Ford said , “ The mere presence of a firearm at a public polling location , in and of itself , won ’ t rise to that level [ of intimidation ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite easily , can have that effect .
Ask any older African American from the Deep South who in the 1950s had to walk a gauntlet of armed white men to exercise his right to even register to vote .
More than half of voters nationwide are expected to cast their ballots before Nov. 3 .
But winning elections is all about margins .
You don ’ t have to scare everyone , just enough .
Voting should be a moment of civic pride .
It should be a coming together as Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guns in polling places make a mockery of that ideal .

As Election Day approaches, it is dismaying to hear people demand that they be allowed to show up at polling places with guns or as aggressive “poll watchers.”
Voter intimidation — even the suggestion of intimidation — is not who we are.
Can we, as a nation, agree at least on that?
As long ago as 1776, the state of Delaware’s constitution said, “To prevent any violence or force being used at . . . elections, no person shall come armed to any of them.”
Editorials bug Editorials
The sad fact is that Americans are more likely to bring guns to public gatherings these days, slinging rifles over Hawaiian shirts and military camo. A recent nationwide report documented 190 incidents in which guns were carried at protests this year through mid-August. And now, election authorities worry guns and intimidating “poll watchers” will show up at polling places on Election Day.
The signs are disturbing:
President Donald Trump has publicly called for a nationwide army of 50,000 “volunteers” to monitor voting and ballot-counting. Coming from the guy who advised the fascist Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by,” that sounds to us like an invitation to intimidate.
In Michigan, where 13 people stand accused of plotting to abduct Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and heavily armed protesters showed up at the state capitol in a show of intimidation, gun groups are suing to be allowed to carry guns openly into polling places. For what?
In New Hampshire, the attorney general has announced that no one can prevent people from bringing guns to the polls, even those situated in schools.
A recent report by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project and MilitiaWatch listed Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Oregon as having the highest risk of elections-related militia activity. “Militia groups and other armed non-state actors pose a serious threat to the safety and security of American voters,” the report said.
Reporters tracking social media say numerous posts include announcements from individuals saying they will bring guns to the polls.
“People are a little bit worried,” a national voting expert told us. “Polling places are semi-sacred spaces. It is highly likely guns would have a subjective sense of intimidation, and because of that the likelihood that people would change their behavior increases.”
Opinion Newsletter
As the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence says, “Armed intimidation at the polls is voter suppression, plain and simple.”
Not everyone gets it. In Nevada, state Attorney General Aaron Ford said, “The mere presence of a firearm at a public polling location, in and of itself, won’t rise to that level [of intimidation].”
Is he kidding? Guns, quite easily, can have that effect. Ask any older African American from the Deep South who in the 1950s had to walk a gauntlet of armed white men to exercise his right to even register to vote.
More than half of voters nationwide are expected to cast their ballots before Nov. 3. But winning elections is all about margins. You don’t have to scare everyone, just enough.
Voting should be a moment of civic pride. It should be a coming together as Americans, even as we may disagree. Guns in polling places make a mockery of that ideal.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Early childhood programs in communities hardest hit by COVID-19 to get $1.3 million boost

Early childhood programs in Chicago are receiving a federal funding boost to support families in zip codes disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic .
Chicago ’ s Department of Family and Support Services , which handles city-run preschool , is set to take in $ 1.3 million that will be distributed to community organizations that work with the department to provide various family services .
The federal dollars come from the Governor ’ s Emergency Education Relief fund , which was split among states and forwarded on to municipalities to support existing programs that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which received the city ’ s share of the funds , is expected to sign off on an agreement at its monthly meeting Wednesday that will send a portion of the money to DFSS .
DFSS will support some of its community-based partners that serve prenatal parents and children up to five years old in designated communities that have been hit hard by the pandemic .
The funds are earmarked to be used throughout this school year for expenses including mental health consultation ; professional development to improve social emotional learning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits ; personal protective equipment for children and staff ; salaries for teachers or other staff for time worked outside their normal hours due to COVID-19 ; purchasing technology for parent support and remote learning ; and home-learning materials .

Early childhood programs in Chicago are receiving a federal funding boost to support families in zip codes disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services, which handles city-run preschool, is set to take in $1.3 million that will be distributed to community organizations that work with the department to provide various family services.
The federal dollars come from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund, which was split among states and forwarded on to municipalities to support existing programs that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Chicago’s Board of Education, which received the city’s share of the funds, is expected to sign off on an agreement at its monthly meeting Wednesday that will send a portion of the money to DFSS.
DFSS will support some of its community-based partners that serve prenatal parents and children up to five years old in designated communities that have been hit hard by the pandemic.
The funds are earmarked to be used throughout this school year for expenses including mental health consultation; professional development to improve social emotional learning and trauma-informed care; support materials for home visits; personal protective equipment for children and staff; salaries for teachers or other staff for time worked outside their normal hours due to COVID-19; purchasing technology for parent support and remote learning; and home-learning materials.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--After shootings, some Chicago cops returned to the street too soon: OIG

After firing their guns , some Chicago police officers returned to work without completing the required training that ’ s designed to help them process trauma , the city ’ s watchdog said in a new report issued Tuesday .
“ The discharge of a CPD member ’ s firearm may have enormous consequences impacting members of the community , but also impacting the member themselves , ” Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety Deborah Witzburg said in a statement .
“ CPD members who have discharged their firearm should not be returned to duty unless , and until , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so .
The Department must have a robust process in place to manage that return — and it must comply with that process.
” CPD policy requires that officers who fire their gun — while on or off duty — must be assigned to administrative duty for 30 days and complete three counseling sessions and training courses .
Officers who fire their weapon on accident or to kill a threatening animal are exempt .
The Office of the Inspector General found that 52 CPD officers fired their guns between February 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to participate in a counseling session within three days of the shooting .
Another mandatory training session is designed to inform officers support services available to them .
That session , dubbed “ Critical Incident Overview Training , ” also includes time at the CPD ’ s firing range to re-acclimate officers with firing their weapon .
The third training session , administered by the CPD ’ s Education and Training Division , is tailored individually to each officer .
The OIG found that , of the 52 officers examined , nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without completing their Critical Incident Overview Training .
One of those nine was involved in another shooting less than two months later , according to the OIG .
Another officer did not complete the Traumatic Incident Stress Management training session and later committed suicide .
Neither officer was identified in the report .
The CPD ’ s first deputy superintendent is ultimately responsible for an officer returning to their normal duties after the officer is involved in a shooting .
The OIG said the the first deputy ’ s office “ has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fulfilling its responsibility to monitor and verify the satisfaction of all return-to-duty requirements.
” For its part , according to the OIG , the CPD “ agrees that the Post-Firearm Discharge protocols should be standardized and [ the CPD is ] working to determine the best way to do this.
” “ That said , it is important to not that the recommendations made by the OIG report appear to be based on the exception rather than the rule .
”

After firing their guns, some Chicago police officers returned to work without completing the required training that’s designed to help them process trauma, the city’s watchdog said in a new report issued Tuesday.
“The discharge of a CPD member’s firearm may have enormous consequences impacting members of the community, but also impacting the member themselves,” Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety Deborah Witzburg said in a statement.
“CPD members who have discharged their firearm should not be returned to duty unless, and until, it is safe and appropriate for them to do so. The Department must have a robust process in place to manage that return — and it must comply with that process.”
CPD policy requires that officers who fire their gun — while on or off duty — must be assigned to administrative duty for 30 days and complete three counseling sessions and training courses. Officers who fire their weapon on accident or to kill a threatening animal are exempt.
The Office of the Inspector General found that 52 CPD officers fired their guns between February 2017 and June 2018.
Those officers were required to participate in a counseling session within three days of the shooting. Another mandatory training session is designed to inform officers support services available to them. That session, dubbed “Critical Incident Overview Training,” also includes time at the CPD’s firing range to re-acclimate officers with firing their weapon. The third training session, administered by the CPD’s Education and Training Division, is tailored individually to each officer.
The OIG found that, of the 52 officers examined, nine of them returned to their normal duties without completing their Critical Incident Overview Training. One of those nine was involved in another shooting less than two months later, according to the OIG. Another officer did not complete the Traumatic Incident Stress Management training session and later committed suicide.
Neither officer was identified in the report.
The CPD’s first deputy superintendent is ultimately responsible for an officer returning to their normal duties after the officer is involved in a shooting. The OIG said the the first deputy’s office “has not yet developed or adhered to consistent procedures for fulfilling its responsibility to monitor and verify the satisfaction of all return-to-duty requirements.”
For its part, according to the OIG, the CPD “agrees that the Post-Firearm Discharge protocols should be standardized and [the CPD is] working to determine the best way to do this.”
“That said, it is important to not that the recommendations made by the OIG report appear to be based on the exception rather than the rule.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--The latest recruiting trend: A scholarship offer that isn’t really an offer

That means does every school intend to take a commitment from a player the day the scholarship is offered to him ?
When some of the greats of the past were in high school — Glenbrook North ’ s Jon Scheyer , Simeon ’ s Derrick Rose , Young ’ s Jahlil Okafor and Stevenson ’ s Jalen Brunson to name a few — were extended scholarship offers , they didn ’ t have to worry about whether or not the offer was legit .
But what about today ?
Are all those offers being thrown around actually true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a question that ’ s been asked for years , it ’ s especially being asked a lot behind the scenes in today ’ s basketball recruiting world .
“ That ’ s a Covid offer ” is a term mentioned by a few college coaches to me over the past few months .
That ’ s the explanation to some of the scholarship offers as they see the recruiting landscape being altered over the past several months .
Simply put , every scholarship offer is different and many could be viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re not talking about the early scholarship offer , the one that slowly fades away over time .
It happens .
The player ’ s talent never reaches the potential and the college program is nowhere to be found months or years later .
Schools often race to be the first to offer , hoping that means something to the kid and family at the end of all the recruiting pitches and visits and a decision is ultimately made .
That scenario , however , doesn ’ t always play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The offer to a 14 or 15-year-old can go in so many directions over the next three or four years .
A player receives an offer as a freshman or sophomore , he plays it out , doesn ’ t progress as expected , plateaus or falls as a prospect , the phone calls from the staff quit coming and the offer is essentially gone .
A player is a then a junior or senior with old “ offers ’ he still lists but simply aren ’ t really there anymore .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or ones from the past , we will stay away from naming names as prime examples of this .
And we ’ re also not talking about an offer being made to one player and it being snapped up by some other recruit , whether it ’ s a month , six months or a year after the offer was extended , essentially filling up a college ’ s recruiting class .
That ’ s more of a snooze-you-lose situation .
What we ’ re talking about is a college coach offering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the spot or calling Wednesday morning and saying , “ I ’ m committing , coach !
” How many of those offers are actually committable ?
You would think they all should be , right ?
Not always .
If a particular player tried to commit , there are many situations where they would be brushed off , told to wait or flat out turned down .
Offers today aren ’ t what they used to be .
“ I told a family to take it , to take the offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot and see what happens , ” a mid-major head coach said when questioning the validity of a particular offer for a prospect and family the coach knew well .
There are still many that are as legit as an offer can be , but so many simply aren ’ t .
And it ’ s a shame , really .
But whether it ’ s players or their parents or their private trainers or their club program coaches , scholarship offers are coveted at all costs .
They crave offers .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it .
The kid is ecstatic over the offer and , on the surface , really should be .
It shows their hard work has paid off and , in today ’ s world of social-media satisfaction , brings a lot of attention .
Families think they ’ ve hit the lottery with four years of college at a cost of $ 100,000 , $ 150,000 or more taken off their plate .
Trainers feel legitimized that the money they ’ ve been paid from families was worth it while club programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve done for this kid ’ s exposure ” and use it as a platform in attracting younger players to their program .
I ’ ve still never quite understood why it is that almost all the high school coaches stay in the background , behind the scenes and don ’ t go on and on in public about what they ’ ve done for this player and that player .
There tends to be a little more grace and professionalism .
But that ’ s another story .
Unfortunately , all these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are still college head coaches and programs who take pride in offering scholarships to student-athletes .
They limit their offers but believe their offer is like gold .
But there are a whole lot who don ’ t feel this way about the 13 scholarships they have to offer student-athletes .
“ What ’ s going on right now in particular is partly due to the circumstances of the shutdown , but it ’ s still something that ’ s been going on in recent years and is a bit of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach who spoke off the record on the rise in scholarship offers .
“ The real problem is that it ’ s really difficult for a kid or family to differentiate between what is real and what ’ s not.
” Said another mid-major assistant coach of his head coach and the program he works for , “ We offer freaking everyone.
” Some of the offers have become the nature of the beast in recruiting .
Coaches are offering because it ’ s a sign of “ we are recruiting you ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today.
” They don ’ t want to lose ground to the schools that have already offered .
They can ’ t be left behind .
Sadly , the scholarship offer has now become more of getting your foot in the door rather than the tale end of a player ’ s recruitment .
That ’ s especially true for high-profile players targeted by high-major programs .
If a kid is offered early , before he ’ s actually a bonafide high-major prospect , a school can say at the end of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were there in the beginning with that offer before these other schools came in.
” “ Because some players are receiving so many of these offers , now , if we don ’ t offer , they may not allow you into the recruiting process , ” says another mid-major head coach .
“ The offer is now like a ticket to be able to recruit them .
“ Before it was a high-major would keep a kid warm by telling them we will watch you through the spring and summer .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throwing out offers just to keep them warm .
Kids think they have offers from that level when in reality that ’ s not always the case.
” In the past month I ’ ve had coaches admit they offered a scholarship based solely on watching a highlight tape and others who said they had not even seen the prospect play at all .
Think about that for a moment .
I ’ ve had stories told to me that a coach only offered a prospect as a “ courtesy ” or “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not have known that to be the case , but someone in that player ’ s circle did as the offer was used to simply “ drum up business ” for the kid , with no intention of ever committing to the particular school that offered .
“ Social media is a big part of it and having all these quote , unquote talent evaluators on Twitter tweeting made-up offers , ” said a high-major college assistant coach .
“ They don ’ t know any better , so they tweet or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has or what schools are recruiting him.
” Following the lead of a prospect ’ s tweet or a tweet sent out by one of the now endless list of basketball scouts/evaluators on social media regarding a player receiving a scholarship offer , I ’ ve called or texted a coaching staff and asked , “ Is this legit ?
” The sometimes answer is , “ No , we never offered that kid.
” Recently I reached out to a Division I coaching staff I know well , saying “ So you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] ?
” But what ’ s a college coach and program to do once it happens and it ’ s out there ?
Tell the kid and the family — a player they are actually recruiting but haven ’ t offered — that what you put out there isn ’ t real ?
If they were to do that then there is no chance of landing the kid when and if they decide to pull the trigger ( and extend a legitimate offer ) .
More offers are going out today before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
Disingenuous ?
Sure .
Part of today ’ s recruiting world ?
Yes .
“ We won ’ t offer unless we are all in , ” says a head coach and rising coaching star at the mid-major level .
“ And there are a lot of offers that are put out there just so you can stay in the race .
We don ’ t do it .
I think it leads to transfers and problems .
We have to do more homework .
We have to see a kid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the intangibles on film –– how they talk to teammates , their coach , the referee , their body language and so much more .
That ’ s championship DNA.
” A coaching staff of a rising program on the West Coast recently talked with me about their philosophy with recruiting and , specifically , offering prospects .
They remain “ old school ” in their pursuit , to the point where they won ’ t offer a player until they can get them on campus for a visit .
Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit ; they may need to alter that plan since the evaluation dead period has been extended to Jan. 1 .
That means no college coaches will have seen or watched a player live in over nine months .
“ We still want our offers to mean something , ” said the coach from that West Coast school ’ s staff .
“ When we offer , you know we are invested in you and want you .
And hopefully that does mean something.
” Some possible changes to the offer and commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Those include allowing a prospect to immediately sign with a program when an offer is made or have what would essentially be an expiration date on an offer , such as a month-long window from the time the offer was made .
There has even been the thought of enforcing the old written offer rather than just the verbal offer .
That would include a written offer from a school , something that would be a little more irrevocable .
Some say that would slow down the increase of de-commitments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact is the scholarship offer today , in many instances , simply isn ’ t the same as it was 15 or 25 years ago .
They are thrown out like candy .
And it ’ s important for players and their families to realize that and dig deep into how valid that scholarship offer is from the particular school and coaching staff .
“ With those programs that offer everyone , you have to ask , ‘ How bad do they really want me then ?
, ’ ” a mid-major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our program wants to stay away from that stigma .
”

Are all scholarship offers committable?
That means does every school intend to take a commitment from a player the day the scholarship is offered to him?
When some of the greats of the past were in high school — Glenbrook North’s Jon Scheyer, Simeon’s Derrick Rose, Young’s Jahlil Okafor and Stevenson’s Jalen Brunson to name a few — were extended scholarship offers, they didn’t have to worry about whether or not the offer was legit.
But what about today? Are all those offers being thrown around actually true, valid scholarship offers?
While it’s a question that’s been asked for years, it’s especially being asked a lot behind the scenes in today’s basketball recruiting world.
“That’s a Covid offer” is a term mentioned by a few college coaches to me over the past few months. That’s the explanation to some of the scholarship offers as they see the recruiting landscape being altered over the past several months.
Simply put, every scholarship offer is different and many could be viewed as being far from sincere and genuine.
We’re not talking about the early scholarship offer, the one that slowly fades away over time. It happens. The player’s talent never reaches the potential and the college program is nowhere to be found months or years later.
Schools often race to be the first to offer, hoping that means something to the kid and family at the end of all the recruiting pitches and visits and a decision is ultimately made.
That scenario, however, doesn’t always play out in favor of the prospect. The offer to a 14 or 15-year-old can go in so many directions over the next three or four years.
A player receives an offer as a freshman or sophomore, he plays it out, doesn’t progress as expected, plateaus or falls as a prospect, the phone calls from the staff quit coming and the offer is essentially gone. A player is a then a junior or senior with old “offers’ he still lists but simply aren’t really there anymore. And refraining from embarrassing any individual recent prospect or ones from the past, we will stay away from naming names as prime examples of this.
And we’re also not talking about an offer being made to one player and it being snapped up by some other recruit, whether it’s a month, six months or a year after the offer was extended, essentially filling up a college’s recruiting class. That’s more of a snooze-you-lose situation.
What we’re talking about is a college coach offering a scholarship on Tuesday and the prospect committing on the spot or calling Wednesday morning and saying, “I’m committing, coach!”
How many of those offers are actually committable? You would think they all should be, right?
Not always. If a particular player tried to commit, there are many situations where they would be brushed off, told to wait or flat out turned down. Offers today aren’t what they used to be.
“I told a family to take it, to take the offer from the high-major right there on the spot and see what happens,” a mid-major head coach said when questioning the validity of a particular offer for a prospect and family the coach knew well.
There are still many that are as legit as an offer can be, but so many simply aren’t. And it’s a shame, really.
But whether it’s players or their parents or their private trainers or their club program coaches, scholarship offers are coveted at all costs. They crave offers. They salivate over these things. And I get it.
The kid is ecstatic over the offer and, on the surface, really should be. It shows their hard work has paid off and, in today’s world of social-media satisfaction, brings a lot of attention.
Families think they’ve hit the lottery with four years of college at a cost of $100,000, $150,000 or more taken off their plate. Trainers feel legitimized that the money they’ve been paid from families was worth it while club programs can tout “Look what we’ve done for this kid’s exposure” and use it as a platform in attracting younger players to their program.
I’ve still never quite understood why it is that almost all the high school coaches stay in the background, behind the scenes and don’t go on and on in public about what they’ve done for this player and that player. There tends to be a little more grace and professionalism. But that’s another story.
Unfortunately, all these offers aren’t all legit.
There are still college head coaches and programs who take pride in offering scholarships to student-athletes. They limit their offers but believe their offer is like gold. But there are a whole lot who don’t feel this way about the 13 scholarships they have to offer student-athletes.
“What’s going on right now in particular is partly due to the circumstances of the shutdown, but it’s still something that’s been going on in recent years and is a bit of a joke,” said one mid-major head coach who spoke off the record on the rise in scholarship offers. “The real problem is that it’s really difficult for a kid or family to differentiate between what is real and what’s not.”
Said another mid-major assistant coach of his head coach and the program he works for, “We offer freaking everyone.”
Some of the offers have become the nature of the beast in recruiting. Coaches are offering because it’s a sign of “we are recruiting you” more than a “we want you today.” They don’t want to lose ground to the schools that have already offered. They can’t be left behind.
Sadly, the scholarship offer has now become more of getting your foot in the door rather than the tale end of a player’s recruitment. That’s especially true for high-profile players targeted by high-major programs. If a kid is offered early, before he’s actually a bonafide high-major prospect, a school can say at the end of a long-lasting recruitment, “Remember, we were there in the beginning with that offer before these other schools came in.”
“Because some players are receiving so many of these offers, now, if we don’t offer, they may not allow you into the recruiting process,” says another mid-major head coach. “The offer is now like a ticket to be able to recruit them.
“Before it was a high-major would keep a kid warm by telling them we will watch you through the spring and summer. But now a lot of these high-majors are throwing out offers just to keep them warm. Kids think they have offers from that level when in reality that’s not always the case.”
In the past month I’ve had coaches admit they offered a scholarship based solely on watching a highlight tape and others who said they had not even seen the prospect play at all. Think about that for a moment.
I’ve had stories told to me that a coach only offered a prospect as a “courtesy” or “favor.” The individual player may or may not have known that to be the case, but someone in that player’s circle did as the offer was used to simply “drum up business” for the kid, with no intention of ever committing to the particular school that offered.
“Social media is a big part of it and having all these quote, unquote talent evaluators on Twitter tweeting made-up offers,” said a high-major college assistant coach. “They don’t know any better, so they tweet or re-tweet the offers the kid says he has or what schools are recruiting him.”
Following the lead of a prospect’s tweet or a tweet sent out by one of the now endless list of basketball scouts/evaluators on social media regarding a player receiving a scholarship offer, I’ve called or texted a coaching staff and asked, “Is this legit?” The sometimes answer is, “No, we never offered that kid.”
Recently I reached out to a Division I coaching staff I know well, saying “So you offered [insert player’s name]?”
The response: “Who’s he?”
But what’s a college coach and program to do once it happens and it’s out there? Tell the kid and the family — a player they are actually recruiting but haven’t offered — that what you put out there isn’t real? If they were to do that then there is no chance of landing the kid when and if they decide to pull the trigger (and extend a legitimate offer).
More offers are going out today before sound evaluations have been made than ever before.
Disingenuous? Sure. Part of today’s recruiting world? Yes.
“We won’t offer unless we are all in,” says a head coach and rising coaching star at the mid-major level. “And there are a lot of offers that are put out there just so you can stay in the race. We don’t do it. I think it leads to transfers and problems. We have to do more homework. We have to see a kid play live. You can’t see the intangibles on film –– how they talk to teammates, their coach, the referee, their body language and so much more. That’s championship DNA.”
A coaching staff of a rising program on the West Coast recently talked with me about their philosophy with recruiting and, specifically, offering prospects. They remain “old school” in their pursuit, to the point where they won’t offer a player until they can get them on campus for a visit.
Well, that was the case before the pandemic hit; they may need to alter that plan since the evaluation dead period has been extended to Jan. 1. That means no college coaches will have seen or watched a player live in over nine months.
“We still want our offers to mean something,” said the coach from that West Coast school’s staff. “When we offer, you know we are invested in you and want you. And hopefully that does mean something.”
Some possible changes to the offer and commitment process have been bandied about in recent years. Those include allowing a prospect to immediately sign with a program when an offer is made or have what would essentially be an expiration date on an offer, such as a month-long window from the time the offer was made.
There has even been the thought of enforcing the old written offer rather than just the verbal offer. That would include a written offer from a school, something that would be a little more irrevocable. Some say that would slow down the increase of de-commitments of players and halt the non-committable scholarship.
The fact is the scholarship offer today, in many instances, simply isn’t the same as it was 15 or 25 years ago. They are thrown out like candy. And it’s important for players and their families to realize that and dig deep into how valid that scholarship offer is from the particular school and coaching staff.
“With those programs that offer everyone, you have to ask, ‘How bad do they really want me then?,’” a mid-major coach says families need to understand. “Our program wants to stay away from that stigma.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Is it the flu or COVID-19? How to tell the difference

Due to overlapping symptoms between influenza and COVID-19 , physicians and health experts are urging everyone six months and older to get vaccinated for the flu this year .
One infection can make you more susceptible to others by weakening your immune system .
The flu vaccine reduces the severity and risk of serious complications , according to the Mayo Clinic .
But it will not protect you from COVID-19 .
Many of the steps recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – such as mask-wearing , hand-washing , and physical distancing – also help prevent the spread of seasonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention reported that positive test results for flu dropped from more than 20 % during the pandemic .
The flu and COVID-19 share several common symptoms .
Here ’ s how to tell the two viruses apart : How are they transmitted ?
According to World Health Organization , COVID-19 and influenza viruses can occur through direct , indirect or close contact with infected people through secretions such as saliva and respiratory droplets which are expelled when a person coughs , sneezes or talks .
Droplets from a sick person can transmit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The smallest particles can linger in the air , and another person can inhale them and become infected .
According to the CDC , the flu has killed an average of 37,000 Americans a year since 2010 .
Dr. Robert Redfield , the agency ’ s director , has said he ’ s especially worried about the impact that an early peak of the flu season would have on the coronavirus crisis .
The flu season typically gets going in late October , gathers steam over the next two months and crests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by researchers from the University of Southern California determined the order of COVID-19 symptom progression , potentially making it easier to recognize an infection .
The first symptom of the flu was most likely to be a cough while for COVID-19 it was fever .
COVID-19 can also be distinguished by the loss of taste and smell .
But symptoms vary from person to person .
In 40 % to 45 % of COVID-19 cases , there may not be any symptoms at all .
Fewer than 20 % of infected who show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sore throat or runny nose .
Patients experience muscle weakness , inflammation , arrhythmia , and in some cases , heart attacks .
How long does it take for symptoms to appear ?
When a person is exposed to COVID-19 , it can take up to two weeks before symptoms show up .
It takes even more time for additional people to become ill after being exposed to that person .
So several cycles of infection can occur before public health officials notice signals in data used to track the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 .
Both the 1918 flu pandemic and the 2009 H1N1 flu epidemic began with a mild wave of infections in the spring , followed by another surge of cases in the fall .
Studies show that dual waves of coronavirus and influenza threaten to overburden the health care system .
The highest rates of mortality from COVID-19 are usually in the areas where the pandemic has hit hardest , overwhelming hospital resources and staff .
The overall hospitalization rate in the U.S. for flu 2019 - 2020 flu season was about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the CDC .
For COVID-19 , it ’ s 175 per 100,000 .
The mortality rate for COVID-19 is thought to be substantially higher ( possibly more than 10 times ) than the rate for most strains of influenza .
“ From a health care capacity standpoint , we ’ re concerned about having both of these serious viruses circulating at the same time , ” said Lisa Maragakis , senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins .
” The hospitals and health system may become even more overwhelmed.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and COVID-19 at the same time .
An analysis by Public Health England found that people with the two viruses were more at risk of severe illness .
Overall , 43 % of people with co-infection died compared to 27 % of those who had COVID-19 alone .
Most cases of co-infection were in older people , and more than half of them died .
People with preexisting conditions are also more vulnerable .
For people with a mild case of COVID-19 , the recovery time can be between 1 to 2 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the 10 to 14-day mark , these individuals often need to go to the hospital .
In severe cases , the recovery time may take up to six weeks or more and there may be lasting damage to the heart kidneys , lungs and brain .
Nearly 3 % of those in the U.S. who contract COVID-19 die from the disease , the fatality rate is around 1 % worldwide .
According to the CDC , uncomplicated flu symptoms typically are resolved after 3-7 days for most people .
Although a cough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , especially in elderly people and those that have chronic lung disease .
Young children are also at risk of severe influenza .
However , the National Poll on Children ’ s Health reported that 1 in 3 parents don ’ t plan to get their children vaccinated for the flu this year .
An outbreak of flu or other preventable disease in children could make it harder for doctors and hospitals to care for all patients .
The study recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine showed that fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-thirds of children received the flu vaccine during the 2017–2018 season .
If you are worried about getting sick with COVID-19 while getting a flu shot , Maragakis recommends calling your provider and asking about safety measures they have in place .
“ In my experience , every clinic and health care system facility as well as the drugstores and other places that are administering the vaccine are doing a very good job to try to keep everyone safe while they get their vaccine , ” Maragakis said .
” It shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go and get their flu shots .
Make sure that you wear your mask and wash your hands and practice social distancing while you do it.
” Maragakis says that the U.S. is still in the first wave of COVID-19 .
However , different regions might be in different stages .
“ Some of the Northern and Midwestern states appear to be having some of the highest case counts and are probably in the height of their first wave , ” Maragakis said .
” But I think the most concerning thing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as in the Northeast , that had obtained very good control of the virus , that are beginning to see increases.
” Experts expect a second wave of COVID-19 with the cases increasing in the fall .
With the disease now widespread , it can be harder to detect and control transmission .
There are a couple of things you can do to stay prepared .
Make sure to maintain a two weeks ’ supply of food , medicines , and supplies in case you ’ ll have to quarantine .
Continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical distance , washing hands often , and wearing a mask .
In the end , it all comes down to abiding by public health measures .
The more people practice the measures , the lower is the viral transmission .

Due to overlapping symptoms between influenza and COVID-19, physicians and health experts are urging everyone six months and older to get vaccinated for the flu this year. One infection can make you more susceptible to others by weakening your immune system.
The flu vaccine reduces the severity and risk of serious complications, according to the Mayo Clinic. But it will not protect you from COVID-19.
Many of the steps recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – such as mask-wearing, hand-washing, and physical distancing – also help prevent the spread of seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that positive test results for flu dropped from more than 20% during the pandemic.
The flu and COVID-19 share several common symptoms. Here’s how to tell the two viruses apart:
How are they transmitted?
According to World Health Organization, COVID-19 and influenza viruses can occur through direct, indirect or close contact with infected people through secretions such as saliva and respiratory droplets which are expelled when a person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Droplets from a sick person can transmit the virus to other people nearby. The smallest particles can linger in the air, and another person can inhale them and become infected.
What symptoms do COVID-19, flu share?
According to the CDC, the flu has killed an average of 37,000 Americans a year since 2010. Dr. Robert Redfield, the agency’s director, has said he’s especially worried about the impact that an early peak of the flu season would have on the coronavirus crisis. The flu season typically gets going in late October, gathers steam over the next two months and crests in January and February.
How flu and coronavirus symptoms typically develop
A study led by researchers from the University of Southern California determined the order of COVID-19 symptom progression, potentially making it easier to recognize an infection. The first symptom of the flu was most likely to be a cough while for COVID-19 it was fever. COVID-19 can also be distinguished by the loss of taste and smell.
But symptoms vary from person to person. In 40% to 45% of COVID-19 cases, there may not be any symptoms at all. Fewer than 20% of infected who show up at a hospital report having had a sore throat or runny nose. Patients experience muscle weakness, inflammation, arrhythmia, and in some cases, heart attacks.
How long does it take for symptoms to appear?
When a person is exposed to COVID-19, it can take up to two weeks before symptoms show up. It takes even more time for additional people to become ill after being exposed to that person. So several cycles of infection can occur before public health officials notice signals in data used to track the pandemic.
Experts are concerned about a second wave of COVID-19. Both the 1918 flu pandemic and the 2009 H1N1 flu epidemic began with a mild wave of infections in the spring, followed by another surge of cases in the fall.
Studies show that dual waves of coronavirus and influenza threaten to overburden the health care system. The highest rates of mortality from COVID-19 are usually in the areas where the pandemic has hit hardest, overwhelming hospital resources and staff. The overall hospitalization rate in the U.S. for flu 2019 - 2020 flu season was about 69 hospitalizations per 100,000 people, according to the CDC. For COVID-19, it’s 175 per 100,000. The mortality rate for COVID-19 is thought to be substantially higher (possibly more than 10 times) than the rate for most strains of influenza.
“From a health care capacity standpoint, we’re concerned about having both of these serious viruses circulating at the same time,” said Lisa Maragakis, senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins. ”The hospitals and health system may become even more overwhelmed.”
It’s also possible to have flu and COVID-19 at the same time. An analysis by Public Health England found that people with the two viruses were more at risk of severe illness. Overall, 43% of people with co-infection died compared to 27% of those who had COVID-19 alone. Most cases of co-infection were in older people, and more than half of them died. People with preexisting conditions are also more vulnerable.
For people with a mild case of COVID-19, the recovery time can be between 1 to 2 weeks. Some cases become much worse at around the 10 to 14-day mark, these individuals often need to go to the hospital. In severe cases, the recovery time may take up to six weeks or more and there may be lasting damage to the heart kidneys, lungs and brain. Nearly 3% of those in the U.S. who contract COVID-19 die from the disease, the fatality rate is around 1% worldwide.
According to the CDC, uncomplicated flu symptoms typically are resolved after 3-7 days for most people. Although a cough and overall weakness can persist for two weeks, especially in elderly people and those that have chronic lung disease.
Young children are also at risk of severe influenza. However, the National Poll on Children’s Health reported that 1 in 3 parents don’t plan to get their children vaccinated for the flu this year. An outbreak of flu or other preventable disease in children could make it harder for doctors and hospitals to care for all patients.
The study recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine showed that fewer than half of U.S. adults and just two-thirds of children received the flu vaccine during the 2017–2018 season.
If you are worried about getting sick with COVID-19 while getting a flu shot, Maragakis recommends calling your provider and asking about safety measures they have in place.
“In my experience, every clinic and health care system facility as well as the drugstores and other places that are administering the vaccine are doing a very good job to try to keep everyone safe while they get their vaccine,” Maragakis said. ”It shouldn’t be a risk for people to go and get their flu shots. Make sure that you wear your mask and wash your hands and practice social distancing while you do it.”
Preparing for a second COVID wave
Maragakis says that the U.S. is still in the first wave of COVID-19. However, different regions might be in different stages.
“Some of the Northern and Midwestern states appear to be having some of the highest case counts and are probably in the height of their first wave,” Maragakis said. ”But I think the most concerning thing is that we’re seeing some regions such as in the Northeast, that had obtained very good control of the virus, that are beginning to see increases.”
Experts expect a second wave of COVID-19 with the cases increasing in the fall. With the disease now widespread, it can be harder to detect and control transmission. There are a couple of things you can do to stay prepared. Make sure to maintain a two weeks’ supply of food, medicines, and supplies in case you’ll have to quarantine. Continue practicing COVID-19 precautions, such as maintaining physical distance, washing hands often, and wearing a mask.
In the end, it all comes down to abiding by public health measures. The more people practice the measures, the lower is the viral transmission.
Read more at USA Today.