chicagosun-times--2020-10-11--Corey Crawford’s whirlwind 2020, from coronavirus to the bubble, ends in New Jersey

After goalie Corey Crawford stopped 48 shots Aug. 16 to keep the Blackhawks alive against the Golden Knights , wing Drake Caggiula raved about his performance .
‘ ‘ He stood on his head , made a ton of big saves to give us a lot of momentum , ’ ’ Caggiula said .
‘ ‘ That ’ s why he ’ s won [ Stanley ] Cups before : He ’ s been there , he ’ s done it .
He put the team on his back today.
’ ’ Two months later , Caggiula no longer can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to the Hawks .
He wasn ’ t given 0a qualifying offer as a would-be restricted free agent and isn ’ t expected to return .
More hard to believe is that Crawford isn ’ t returning , either .
The 35-year-old veteran signed a two-year contract Friday with the Devils after general manager Stan Bowman told him Thursday the Hawks wouldn ’ t bring him back .
It began with an equally out-of-nowhere bout with the coronavirus in June and July .
Despite staying home for the vast majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a pregnant wife to take care of , Crawford somehow contracted COVID-19 .
‘ ‘ I was just hoping to recover as quickly as possible , hearing that [ for ] some people the symptoms could last for months , ’ ’ Crawford said July 26 .
‘ ‘ But it seemed to go by pretty quick with pretty much flulike symptoms.
’ ’ Crawford had tests to ensure the virus hadn ’ t affected his lungs or heart , then managed to return for the Hawks ’ final day of summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alberta , for the NHL playoff bubble .
Once there , Crawford — with barely a week of preparation after four months off — enjoyed one of the most admirable playoff runs in his decorated career .
He backstopped the Hawks to a qualifying-round upset of the Oilers , overcoming lingering rust and fatigue from the virus recovery to start all four games in a seven-day span .
His 43 saves in Game 4 on Aug. 7 set a career high for a playoff game that ended in regulation .
‘ ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to get ready , but I guess it was over with and I was starting to feel better at the right time , ’ ’ Crawford said that night .
‘ ‘ I was able to kind of hide back there until I started feeling comfortable .
Still don ’ t think I ’ m at the top of my game , but it was definitely better today.
’ ’ Crawford sparkled even more against the Knights , singlehandedly keeping the Hawks competitive .
With the Hawks facing a potential sweep in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saves broke his recently set record for a postseason game that ended in regulation .
He starred again in Game 5 , making 35 saves , but it wasn ’ t enough .
That night — Aug. 18 , 2020 — will go down as his final game in a Hawks sweater .
That sentence will be weird for any Hawks fan to read , but it ’ s even weirder for Crawford .
In his season-ending interview with the media Aug. 25 , Crawford seemed confident he would work out a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing time would be a higher priority than salary , but he spent most of the time talking about his goals for the future .
Momentum toward a reunion never materialized , however .
Crawford told reporters during his first news conference Saturday with the Devils that the Hawks made only one contract offer of around $ 3 million and that little back-and-forth negotiating took place after that .
He waited for a second offer that never came .
In the end , he said he was ‘ ‘ devastated ’ ’ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving on .
‘ ‘ It was pretty heartfelt , pretty emotional after that , talking to some of the players and obviously my family and stuff , ’ ’ he told reporters .
NOTE : In an interview Sunday with The Athletic , captain Jonathan Toews said the Hawks ’ recent move toward a rebuild never was communicated to him or the rest of the team ’ s veteran core .
‘ ‘ A lot of this comes as a shock because it ’ s a completely different direction than we expected @ @ @ @ @ @

After goalie Corey Crawford stopped 48 shots Aug. 16 to keep the Blackhawks alive against the Golden Knights, wing Drake Caggiula raved about his performance.
‘‘He stood on his head, made a ton of big saves to give us a lot of momentum,’’ Caggiula said. ‘‘That’s why he’s won [Stanley] Cups before: He’s been there, he’s done it. He put the team on his back today.’’
Two months later, Caggiula no longer can say ‘‘we’’ when it comes to the Hawks. He wasn’t given a qualifying offer as a would-be restricted free agent and isn’t expected to return.
More hard to believe is that Crawford isn’t returning, either. The 35-year-old veteran signed a two-year contract Friday with the Devils after general manager Stan Bowman told him Thursday the Hawks wouldn’t bring him back.
The out-of-nowhere move caps Crawford’s whirlwind 2020.
It began with an equally out-of-nowhere bout with the coronavirus in June and July. Despite staying home for the vast majority of the spring, with a 2-year-old son and a pregnant wife to take care of, Crawford somehow contracted COVID-19.
‘‘I was just hoping to recover as quickly as possible, hearing that [for] some people the symptoms could last for months,’’ Crawford said July 26. ‘‘But it seemed to go by pretty quick with pretty much flulike symptoms.’’
Crawford had tests to ensure the virus hadn’t affected his lungs or heart, then managed to return for the Hawks’ final day of summer training camp and their flight to Edmonton, Alberta, for the NHL playoff bubble.
Once there, Crawford — with barely a week of preparation after four months off — enjoyed one of the most admirable playoff runs in his decorated career.
He backstopped the Hawks to a qualifying-round upset of the Oilers, overcoming lingering rust and fatigue from the virus recovery to start all four games in a seven-day span. His 43 saves in Game 4 on Aug. 7 set a career high for a playoff game that ended in regulation.
‘‘I would have liked to have more time to get ready, but I guess it was over with and I was starting to feel better at the right time,’’ Crawford said that night. ‘‘I was able to kind of hide back there until I started feeling comfortable. Still don’t think I’m at the top of my game, but it was definitely better today.’’
Crawford sparkled even more against the Knights, singlehandedly keeping the Hawks competitive.
With the Hawks facing a potential sweep in Game 4, Crawford’s 48 saves broke his recently set record for a postseason game that ended in regulation. He starred again in Game 5, making 35 saves, but it wasn’t enough.
That night — Aug. 18, 2020 — will go down as his final game in a Hawks sweater. That sentence will be weird for any Hawks fan to read, but it’s even weirder for Crawford.
In his season-ending interview with the media Aug. 25, Crawford seemed confident he would work out a new deal with the Hawks. He emphasized playing time would be a higher priority than salary, but he spent most of the time talking about his goals for the future.
Momentum toward a reunion never materialized, however.
Crawford told reporters during his first news conference Saturday with the Devils that the Hawks made only one contract offer of around $3 million and that little back-and-forth negotiating took place after that. He waited for a second offer that never came.
In the end, he said he was ‘‘devastated’’ to hear from Bowman that the Hawks were moving on.
‘‘It was pretty heartfelt, pretty emotional after that, talking to some of the players and obviously my family and stuff,’’ he told reporters.
NOTE: In an interview Sunday with The Athletic, captain Jonathan Toews said the Hawks’ recent move toward a rebuild never was communicated to him or the rest of the team’s veteran core.
‘‘A lot of this comes as a shock because it’s a completely different direction than we expected,’’ Toews said.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-11--Illinois’ positivity rate still rising; 9 deaths, 2,727 new coronavirus cases announced

Illinois ’ average positivity rate continued to rise Sunday as health officials announced another 2,727 people have tested positive for the coronavirus .
The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported nine more deaths attributed to COVID-19 , raising the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 8,984 .
Saturday marked the first time in a month the state ’ s seven-day positivity rate has hit 4 % .
That figure , used by health officials to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading , rose to 4.2 % Sunday — nearly a full percentage point more than last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s seven-day positivity rate was 3.3 % .
Illinois has reported some of its highest daily case totals of the entire seven-month pandemic over the last week , with Sunday marking the eighth day this month the state has recorded 2,000-plus cases .
However , that rise can be attributed to the state ’ s increase in testing capacity .
Over the last 30 days , Illinois has administered more than 1.675 million tests , including 64,047 tests processed in the last day .
In total , 319,150 of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state have come back positive .
The recovery rate for Illinois coronavirus patients is 96 % .
Most who contract it show mild or no symptoms .
The number of coronavirus patients in Illinois hospitals ticked slightly upward over the last week , though the state is still well within its hospital bed capacity .
As of Saturday night , 1,776 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19 , with 388 of those patients in intensive care units and 159 on ventilators , officials said .

Illinois’ average positivity rate continued to rise Sunday as health officials announced another 2,727 people have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported nine more deaths attributed to COVID-19, raising the state’s pandemic death toll to 8,984.
Saturday marked the first time in a month the state’s seven-day positivity rate has hit 4%. That figure, used by health officials to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading, rose to 4.2% Sunday — nearly a full percentage point more than last week. On Sunday, Oct. 4, the state’s seven-day positivity rate was 3.3%.
Illinois has reported some of its highest daily case totals of the entire seven-month pandemic over the last week, with Sunday marking the eighth day this month the state has recorded 2,000-plus cases. However, that rise can be attributed to the state’s increase in testing capacity. Over the last 30 days, Illinois has administered more than 1.675 million tests, including 64,047 tests processed in the last day.
In total, 319,150 of the more than 6.3 million tests processed by the state have come back positive.
The recovery rate for Illinois coronavirus patients is 96%. Most who contract it show mild or no symptoms.
The number of coronavirus patients in Illinois hospitals ticked slightly upward over the last week, though the state is still well within its hospital bed capacity. As of Saturday night, 1,776 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19, with 388 of those patients in intensive care units and 159 on ventilators, officials said.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-11--In ‘45 Plays,’ Neo-Futurists just say no to mainstream views of the first ladies

The job description of “ first lady ” has morphed between Martha and Melania , but in exploring the roles of the women who have held the title , several constants surface in the Neo-Futurists ’ “ 45 Plays for America ’ s First Ladies.
” First , they rarely have much agency over their lives .
Second , they are usually eclipsed by their husbands .
But those are broad-brush strokes , and there is a good deal of intricacy in “ First Ladies , ” a companion piece to 2004 ’ s “ 43 Plays for 43 Presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plays for 44 Presidents.
” With “ First Ladies , ” the Neos explore the histories of the titular ladies ( who have included nieces , granddaughters and daughters as well as wives ) in a marvelously creative compendium of 45 playlets .
Ranging in length from about 30 seconds to four minutes , the mini-plays are directed by Denise Yvette Serna and include a panoply of genres .
In the script by Andy Bayiates , Bilal Dardai , Genevra Gallo-Bayiates , Sharon Greene and Chloe Johnston , you ’ ll find writhing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bangers , card tricks and break-the-fourth-wall confrontations .
There is at least year ’ s worth of tabloid fodder embedded in the script .
Were the Buchanans the first gender-queer First Family ?
Was Sarah Polk the brains behind that “ Manifest Destiny ” marketing campaign ?
Did the Civil War actually give Lucy Hayes a bad case of the “ Blue and Gray blues ” ?
The circumstantial evidence is , if nothing else , fascinating .
Serna and the six-person cast rehearsed together , but apart : Andie Patterson in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hilary Asare and Robin Virginie in New York City and Vic Wynter and Ida Cuttler in Chicago .
Portions of the opening-night stream were live from Chicago .
Through Nov. 2 , audiences can see a fully recorded version of the show .
Electronically isn ’ t the ideal way to see the Neos ( or any staged performance ) , but the Neos ’ energy feels like it ’ s radiating from the screen .
“ First Ladies ” is as immediate as anything can be from a social distance .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By filming , the Neos can shape the direction of the audience , be it on Rachel Jackson ’ s wide-eyed , extreme-close-up admission that “ I married a monster ” or a shot of Mamie Eisenhower ’ s Pepto-Bismol-hued White House decor .
Anyone familiar with the Neos ’ three-decade-old aesthetic knows to expect the opposite of a hagiographic pageant .
From the start — when wobbly widow Martha Washington frets about whether to free her slaves — this is history as rebuke to mainstream textbooks .
As Sarah Polk puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve been leaving people out.
” As they unspool tales of how first ladies responded to slavery , the slaughter of Native Americans , women ’ s rights , civil rights and immigration , the Neos reveal a past that often seems to foreshadow the present .
While examining the likes of Jane Pierce ( whose arguments with Franklin have a decidedly “ Who ’ s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ” vibe ) and Edith Wilson ( who delivers a waltz that ’ s almost part ventriloquist act ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realities these women faced : The countless dead children .
The harsh privations of the frontier and life in the early years of the country .
The inability to do much but follow in a man ’ s wake .
The last is poignantly illustrated when we hear about the writings left behind by Laura Adams , “ Adventures of a Nobody.
” But the script repeatedly zooms out for perspective .
The first 16 first ladies owned roughly 1,000 slaves among them , we ’ re told .
Of that thousand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Throughout , “ First Ladies ” tackles erasure on multiple levels , deftly depicting the often hair-raising lives of the first ladies , and then evoking the much harsher realities of the countless people who were erased by the first ladies themselves .
Once they hit presidents within the collective current memory , things really start popping .
Nancy Reagan ’ s response — or lack thereof — to the AIDS crisis come under a brutal microscope ; Roslyn Carter has million perfect and creative ways to say “ why , bless your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the South knows is usually code for another sentiment entirely .
When they get to Hillary Clinton , the screen goes full-on horror movie , every Neo bathed in ghoulish light and hissing like restless spirits .
Poisoned cookies and the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt play into the theme that ends in a note even Poe , or , say , anyone living through a pandemic might appreciate : “ She peered into the chasm and screamed.
” “ First Ladies ” veers toward self-indulgence once the first lady scenes are over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that plays rather like a Zoom therapy session .
That ’ s a quibble .
It ’ s well worth that ticket price .

The job description of “first lady” has morphed between Martha and Melania, but in exploring the roles of the women who have held the title, several constants surface in the Neo-Futurists’ “45 Plays for America’s First Ladies.” First, they rarely have much agency over their lives. Second, they are usually eclipsed by their husbands. But those are broad-brush strokes, and there is a good deal of intricacy in “First Ladies,” a companion piece to 2004’s “43 Plays for 43 Presidents” and 2012’s “44 Plays for 44 Presidents.”
’45 Plays for America’s First Ladies’
Untitled When: Through Nov. 2 Where: Livestream from the Neo-Futurists Tickets: $15 Run time: One hours and 45 minutes, with no intermission Info: Neofuturists.org
With “First Ladies,” the Neos explore the histories of the titular ladies (who have included nieces, granddaughters and daughters as well as wives) in a marvelously creative compendium of 45 playlets. Ranging in length from about 30 seconds to four minutes, the mini-plays are directed by Denise Yvette Serna and include a panoply of genres. In the script by Andy Bayiates, Bilal Dardai, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sharon Greene and Chloe Johnston, you’ll find writhing numbers, raps, Haikus, emo-punk bangers, card tricks and break-the-fourth-wall confrontations. There is at least a year’s worth of tabloid fodder embedded in the script. Were the Buchanans the first gender-queer First Family? Was Sarah Polk the brains behind that “Manifest Destiny” marketing campaign? Did the Civil War actually give Lucy Hayes a bad case of the “Blue and Gray blues”? The circumstantial evidence is, if nothing else, fascinating.
Serna and the six-person cast rehearsed together, but apart: Andie Patterson in San Francisco, Brenda Arellano in Oakland, Hilary Asare and Robin Virginie in New York City and Vic Wynter and Ida Cuttler in Chicago. Portions of the opening-night stream were live from Chicago. Through Nov. 2, audiences can see a fully recorded version of the show.
Electronically isn’t the ideal way to see the Neos (or any staged performance), but the Neos’ energy feels like it’s radiating from the screen. “First Ladies” is as immediate as anything can be from a social distance. Moreover, the filming styles enrich the experience. By filming, the Neos can shape the direction of the audience, be it on Rachel Jackson’s wide-eyed, extreme-close-up admission that “I married a monster” or a shot of Mamie Eisenhower’s Pepto-Bismol-hued White House decor.
Ida Cuttler appears in a scene about Barbara Bush in “45 Plays for America’s First Ladies.” Courtesy the Neo-Futurists
Anyone familiar with the Neos’ three-decade-old aesthetic knows to expect the opposite of a hagiographic pageant. From the start — when wobbly widow Martha Washington frets about whether to free her slaves — this is history as rebuke to mainstream textbooks. As Sarah Polk puts it, “From the beginning, we’ve been leaving people out.” As they unspool tales of how first ladies responded to slavery, the slaughter of Native Americans, women’s rights, civil rights and immigration, the Neos reveal a past that often seems to foreshadow the present.
While examining the likes of Jane Pierce (whose arguments with Franklin have a decidedly “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” vibe) and Edith Wilson (who delivers a waltz that’s almost part ventriloquist act), the script takes pains to address the grim realities these women faced: The countless dead children. The harsh privations of the frontier and life in the early years of the country. The inability to do much but follow in a man’s wake. The last is poignantly illustrated when we hear about the writings left behind by Louisa Adams, “Adventures of a Nobody.” But the script repeatedly zooms out for perspective. The first 16 first ladies owned roughly 1,000 slaves among them, we’re told. Of that thousand, we know the name of two.
Throughout, “First Ladies” tackles erasure on multiple levels, deftly depicting the often hair-raising lives of the first ladies, and then evoking the much harsher realities of the countless people who were erased by the first ladies themselves.
Brenda Arellano plays Eleanor Roosevelt in “45 Plays for America’s First Ladies.” Courtesy of Neo-Futurists
Once they hit presidents within the collective current memory, things really start popping. Nancy Reagan’s response — or lack thereof — to the AIDS crisis comes under a brutal microscope; Rosalynn Carter has million perfect and creative ways to say “why, bless your little heart,” which every child of the South knows is usually code for another sentiment entirely. When they get to Hillary Clinton, the screen goes full-on horror movie, every Neo bathed in ghoulish light and hissing like restless spirits. Poisoned cookies and the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt play into the theme that ends in a note even Poe, or, say, anyone living through a pandemic might appreciate: “She peered into the chasm and screamed.”
“First Ladies” veers toward self-indulgence once the first lady scenes are over and the action moves into an epilogue that plays rather like a Zoom therapy session. That’s a quibble. It’s well worth that ticket price.
Catey Sullivan is a Chicago freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-11--Bears to proceed practicing for Panthers game after no additional COVID positives

The Bears didn ’ t put any players on the reserve/COVID list Sunday , indicating all players tested negative after practice squad offensive lineman Badara Traore went on the list Saturday .
If the team has no additional positive tests Monday morning , coach Matt Nagy will hold a light practice Monday and continue preparation for the game at the Panthers on Sunday .
They will practice Wednesday , Thursday and Friday as well , then travel to Charlotte , N.C. on Saturday .
Traore , 23 , got an opportunity as an undrafted tackle out of LSU and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As far as day-to-day activities and practices , a practice squad player does everything the roster players do .
It works in the Bears ’ favor , at least that players have been off since playing the Buccaneers on Thursday .
Traore was the first Bear put on the reserve/COVID list since defensive tackle John Jenkins was activated from it Aug. 3 .
They had a scare when nine players tested positive in the preseason , but those were determined to be false positives .
Nagy has been obsessive about doing everything possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears ’ season , including changing practice and travel plans .
The NFL has postponed a dozen games because of coronavirus concerns , but has changed teams ’ bye weeks to stay on track to finish every team ’ s full , 16-game schedule by Jan. 3 as planned .
By keeping as many games as possible within the original 17-week regular-season calendar , the league has flexibility to deal with any late-season postponements by using a potential Week 18 for make-up games .
Several games were rescheduled Sunday because of ongoing concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The NFL nixed their game Monday against the Broncos , which had already been pushed back a day , and will have the teams play in Week 6 instead .
That decision came down Sunday at 8 a.m. , less than 36 hours before the scheduled kickoff , and had a ripple effect on seven other games .
None of those changes affected the Bears ’ schedule .

The Bears didn’t put any players on the reserve/COVID list Sunday, indicating all players tested negative after practice-squad offensive lineman Badara Traore went on the list Saturday.
If the team has no new positive tests Monday, coach Matt Nagy will hold a walk-through and continue preparation for the game Sunday at the Panthers. The Bears will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as well, then travel Saturday to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Traore, 23, got an opportunity as an undrafted tackle out of LSU and has been with the team since July.
As far as day-to-day activities and practices, a practice-squad player does everything the players on the roster do. It works in the Bears’ favor, at least, that players have been off since playing the Buccaneers on Thursday.
Traore was the first Bears player put on the reserve/COVID list since defensive tackle John Jenkins was activated from it Aug. 3. They had a scare when nine players tested positive in the preseason, but those were determined to be false positives.
Nagy has been obsessive about doing everything possible to prevent an outbreak from derailing the Bears’ season, including changing practice and travel plans.
The NFL has postponed a dozen games because of coronavirus concerns but has changed teams’ bye weeks to stay on track to finish every team’s 16-game schedule by Jan. 3, as planned.
By keeping as many games as possible within the original 17-week regular-season calendar, the league has flexibility to deal with any late-season postponements by using a potential Week 18 for makeup games.
Several games were rescheduled Sunday because of ongoing concerns about a potential outbreak within the Patriots. The NFL nixed their game Monday against the Broncos, which already had been pushed back a day, and will have the teams play in Week 6 instead.
That decision came down at 8 a.m. Sunday, less than 36 hours before the scheduled kickoff, and had a ripple effect on seven other games. None of those changes affected the Bears.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-11--Rafael Nadal wins French Open to tie Roger Federer with 20 major titles

PARIS — All the years of work , all the many wins , led to this moment , with Rafael Nadal preparing to serve against Novak Djokovic , one point from a 13th French Open championship , one point from a 20th Grand Slam trophy to tie Roger Federer ’ s record for men .
Nadal swept his right foot along the baseline , clearing away the red dust as he has so many times before .
He rapped his shoes ’ soles with his racket — right , then left , then right again .
He discarded one tennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pocket of his blue shorts .
And then , finally ready to proceed , Nadal delivered an ace at 106 mph to cap a flawless performance and a surprisingly lopsided 6-0 , 6-2 , 7-5 victory over the No .
1-ranked Djokovic .
Nadal dropped to his knees , smiling broadly , and pumped his arms .
Neither Djokovic , on this day , nor Federer , over the course of time , ever truly stood a chance of resisting the relentless Nadal .
“ He keeps going .
No holding him back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s amazing .
I mean , I admire all his achievements , especially the one here , ” said Djokovic , who had won his last five Grand Slam finals .
“ There ’ s not much you can say , ” Djokovic said .
“ All the superlatives that you can use , he deserves them.
” It ’ s the fourth time the No .
2-ranked Nadal won his favorite tournament without ceding a set and made his career mark at the French Open 100-2 .
No , that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain has won his favorite event four straight times , following previous streaks of four from 2005-08 , then five from 2010-14 .
Those go alongside four triumphs at the U.S. Open , two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open .
Nadal made clear that while he never has been consumed with the idea of catching Federer , he can appreciate the accomplishment ’ s significance .
“ I would love to finish my career being the player with more Grand Slams .
No doubt about that , no ?
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ OK , I have to do ( it ) my way .
...
I ’ m not going to be thinking all the time , ‘ Novak ( has ) this one , Roger is winning the other one.
’ You can ’ t be always unhappy because your neighbors have a bigger house than you or a bigger boat or have a better phone , ” Nadal said .
“ In terms of these records , of course I care .
I am a big fan of the history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a lot , that , ” he continued .
“ For me , ( it ) means a lot to share this number with Roger , no ?
” Federer , 39 , sat out the U.S. Open and French Open after two knee operations .
He posted a congratulatory message on Instagram on Sunday .
“ As my greatest rival over many years , I believe we have pushed each other to become better players , ” Federer wrote , and ended with : “ I hope 20 is just another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us .
Well done , Rafa .
You deserve it.
” Djokovic ’ s loss , meanwhile , left him at 17 majors ; had he won , the standings would have read 20-19-18 .
No other man has more than 14 .
This was the 56th installment of Nadal vs. Djokovic , the most between men in the professional era .
Djokovic is ahead 29-27 now , including his 6-3 , 6-2 , 6-3 win at the 2019 Australian Open final .
“ In Australia , he killed me .
... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The key statistic Sunday : Nadal limited himself to 14 unforced errors , impressive against anyone , but especially someone the caliber of Djokovic , who accumulated 52 .
“ He ’ s phenomenal , ” Djokovic said .
“ He played a perfect match , especially in the first two sets.
” The first set was a 45-minute master class conducted by Nadal , who came out incredibly crisply and cleanly , steering his high-rpm forehands precisely where he wanted them and using his defense-to-offense abilities to slide and stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I played at my highest level when I needed to play at my highest level , ” Nadal said .
Appearing resigned , Djokovic was less volatile than he often is when he struggles — such as the post-point whack of a ball that inadvertently hit a line judge at the U.S. Open last month , earning a disqualification , his only other loss in 39 matches this season .
Instead , Djokovic puffed his cheeks or rolled his eyes , exasperated with himself , perhaps , but also unable to figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other side of the net .
After one exchange , he put up his palms , as if to ask , “ What can I do here ?
” It was only the fourth 6-0 set lost by Djokovic in 341 career Grand Slam matches .
As he sat in his sideline seat digesting that shutout , four Djokovic supporters in blue jerseys and white baseball hats stood and sang in the stands , their chorus drowning out the light pitter-patter of drizzle hitting the retractable roof .
The much-anticipated matchup between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first indoor French Open men ’ s final , contested under Court Philippe Chatrier ’ s new cover .
From its stand in the VIP section , the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy glistened under the artificial lights .
This also was the first French Open contested with players walking on court wearing masks on account of the coronavirus pandemic , also the reason the tournament shifted from May-June to September-October and crowds were limited to 1,000 per day .
On Sunday , those lucky enough to attend mainly were concentrated in not-very-socially-distanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so rows .
“ Of course , ( it ’ s ) an important day for me , ” Nada said afterward , “ but I ’ m not stupid , no ?
Is still a very sad situation worldwide.
” The seasonal change led to colder , wetter weather than usual , which affects the way the clay affects shots , making them bounce lower and slower .
Some , including Nadal , wondered aloud whether that would hinder him , as could the tournament ’ s change to a slightly heavier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ this year will probably be too difficult.
” So much for that .
He dealt with Djokovic ’ s predilection for drop shots much better than previous foes of the 33-year-old Serb , using anticipation and speed to dim that strategy ’ s success .
Nadal took five of Djokovic ’ s first six service games and broke seven times in all .
Nadal faced only five break points himself , saving four .
More than two hours in , when Djokovic employed a backhand winner to get his lone break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set , he let out a couple of roars and waved his arms to ask for more noise from fans .
Too little , too late .
Less than a half-hour later , it was over .
“ Rafa has proven everybody wrong , ” Djokovic said .
“ That ’ s why he ’ s a great champion .
”

PARIS — All the years of work, all the many wins, led to this moment, with Rafael Nadal preparing to serve against Novak Djokovic, one point from a 13th French Open championship, one point from a 20th Grand Slam trophy to tie Roger Federer’s record for men.
Nadal swept his right foot along the baseline, clearing away the red dust as he has so many times before. He rapped his shoes’ soles with his racket — right, then left, then right again. He discarded one tennis ball behind him, another in the pocket of his blue shorts.
And then, finally ready to proceed, Nadal delivered an ace at 106 mph to cap a flawless performance and a surprisingly lopsided 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 victory over the No. 1-ranked Djokovic. Nadal dropped to his knees, smiling broadly, and pumped his arms.
Neither Djokovic, on this day, nor Federer, over the course of time, ever truly stood a chance of resisting the relentless Nadal.
“He keeps going. No holding him back, it seems like. It’s amazing. I mean, I admire all his achievements, especially the one here,” said Djokovic, who had won his last five Grand Slam finals.
“There’s not much you can say,” Djokovic said. “All the superlatives that you can use, he deserves them.”
It’s the fourth time the No. 2-ranked Nadal won his favorite tournament without ceding a set and made his career mark at the French Open 100-2.
No, that is not a typo.
The 34-year-old left-hander from Spain has won his favorite event four straight times, following previous streaks of four from 2005-08, then five from 2010-14. Those go alongside four triumphs at the U.S. Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open.
Nadal made clear that while he never has been consumed with the idea of catching Federer, he can appreciate the accomplishment’s significance.
“I would love to finish my career being the player with more Grand Slams. No doubt about that, no? But on the other hand, I say, ’OK, I have to do (it) my way. ... I’m not going to be thinking all the time, ‘Novak (has) this one, Roger is winning the other one.’ You can’t be always unhappy because your neighbors have a bigger house than you or a bigger boat or have a better phone,” Nadal said.
“In terms of these records, of course I care. I am a big fan of the history of sport, in general. I respect, a lot, that,” he continued. “For me, (it) means a lot to share this number with Roger, no?”
Federer, 39, sat out the U.S. Open and French Open after two knee operations. He posted a congratulatory message on Instagram on Sunday.
“As my greatest rival over many years, I believe we have pushed each other to become better players,” Federer wrote, and ended with: “I hope 20 is just another step on the continuing journey for both of us. Well done, Rafa. You deserve it.”
Djokovic’s loss, meanwhile, left him at 17 majors; had he won, the standings would have read 20-19-18.
No other man has more than 14.
This was the 56th installment of Nadal vs. Djokovic, the most between men in the professional era. Djokovic is ahead 29-27 now, including his 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win at the 2019 Australian Open final.
“In Australia, he killed me. ... Today was for me,” Nadal said.
The key statistic Sunday: Nadal limited himself to 14 unforced errors, impressive against anyone, but especially someone the caliber of Djokovic, who accumulated 52.
“He’s phenomenal,” Djokovic said. “He played a perfect match, especially in the first two sets.”
The first set was a 45-minute master class conducted by Nadal, who came out incredibly crisply and cleanly, steering his high-rpm forehands precisely where he wanted them and using his defense-to-offense abilities to slide and stretch and flick balls back with aggression.
“I played at my highest level when I needed to play at my highest level,” Nadal said.
Appearing resigned, Djokovic was less volatile than he often is when he struggles — such as the post-point whack of a ball that inadvertently hit a line judge at the U.S. Open last month, earning a disqualification, his only other loss in 39 matches this season.
Instead, Djokovic puffed his cheeks or rolled his eyes, exasperated with himself, perhaps, but also unable to figure out how to counter what came from the other side of the net. After one exchange, he put up his palms, as if to ask, “What can I do here?”
It was only the fourth 6-0 set lost by Djokovic in 341 career Grand Slam matches. As he sat in his sideline seat digesting that shutout, four Djokovic supporters in blue jerseys and white baseball hats stood and sang in the stands, their chorus drowning out the light pitter-patter of drizzle hitting the retractable roof.
The much-anticipated matchup between these two titans of their sport was the first indoor French Open men’s final, contested under Court Philippe Chatrier’s new cover. From its stand in the VIP section, the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy glistened under the artificial lights.
This also was the first French Open contested with players walking on court wearing masks on account of the coronavirus pandemic, also the reason the tournament shifted from May-June to September-October and crowds were limited to 1,000 per day. On Sunday, those lucky enough to attend mainly were concentrated in not-very-socially-distanced dense clumps in the first 20 or so rows.
“Of course, (it’s) an important day for me,” Nada said afterward, “but I’m not stupid, no? Is still a very sad situation worldwide.”
The seasonal change led to colder, wetter weather than usual, which affects the way the clay affects shots, making them bounce lower and slower. Some, including Nadal, wondered aloud whether that would hinder him, as could the tournament’s change to a slightly heavier ball.
He figured, he said, “this year will probably be too difficult.”
So much for that.
He dealt with Djokovic’s predilection for drop shots much better than previous foes of the 33-year-old Serb, using anticipation and speed to dim that strategy’s success.
“Didn’t work great today, let’s say,” Djokovic admitted.
Nadal took five of Djokovic’s first six service games and broke seven times in all.
Nadal faced only five break points himself, saving four.
More than two hours in, when Djokovic employed a backhand winner to get his lone break, making it 3-all in the third set, he let out a couple of roars and waved his arms to ask for more noise from fans.
Too little, too late. Less than a half-hour later, it was over.
“Rafa has proven everybody wrong,” Djokovic said. “That’s why he’s a great champion.”
AP Tennis Writer Fendrich reported from Washington; AP Sports Writer Leicester reported from Paris.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--Dear Abby: My sister, 28, spends too much time with my parents and me

DEAR ABBY : I am 25 and live with my parents .
My 28-year-old sister lives in a condo about 10 minutes away .
She just graduated from school and moved back here , which means she doesn ’ t have many friends in the city .
For the last five months , she has been coming over for dinner like clockwork every day and every weekend .
I ’ m still finding ways to be social during quarantine , but my sister doesn ’ t seem able to find other means to meet people .
Seeing this much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She demands attention , practically forces us to entertain her and gets upset when the dinner my parents are cooking doesn ’ t meet her specifications .
At her age , spending this much time with your parents seems , quite frankly , unhealthy .
I ’ m scared to bring it up because she ’ s hypersensitive .
How do I avoid another several months of lockdown with a person who doesn ’ t even live with me ?
— OVERWHELMED IN OREGON DEAR OVERWHELMED : This isn ’ t a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but is something to discuss privately with your parents .
Whether to draw the line and encourage your sister to become less dependent is something they might want to consider .
When her company becomes more than you can handle , excuse yourself , go to your room and avail yourself of your other ways to be social by firing up your computer and visiting with friends .
It would also be a kindness for you to suggest ways she , too , can network with people in her field or who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Every day when my husband comes home , he takes off his shoes to relax .
He works hard outdoors more than 10 hours daily .
His feet smell horrible — unbearable to be around .
We have tried insoles , baking soda , foot sprays and even health checks , which helped but didn ’ t get rid of the problem .
He gets offended when I ask him to change his socks and wash his feet .
To him I ’ m out of line to continually point it out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit in the same room with him .
Help !
— STINKING TIRED IN THE SOUTH DEAR STINKING TIRED : There is a name for your husband ’ s very common medical condition : It ’ s bromodosis , and it is fixable .
It ’ s the result of sweat and the growth of bacteria and possibly fungus .
Your husband should discuss this again with his doctor .
Directions for treating his condition are also available online , but they are longer than my column can accommodate .
Doing a search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start .
He should also carry an extra pair of shoes and socks and change them in the course of the workday .
Let ’ s hope that from now on your husband will put his best foot forward .
DEAR ABBY : I want to donate to organizations that do good work .
My question is , where can I find out which charities put all of the donations toward their cause rather than to staff and fundraising ?
I read years ago that a well-known charity paid an exorbitant salary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was already wealthy .
— GIVING IN NEW JERSEY DEAR GIVING : The website charitynavigator.org is the largest evaluator of charities in the United States and provides reliable data on more than 1.8 million charities and nonprofits .
Many people use it to gauge how their contributions will be spent before they donate , and sometimes that information is a real eye-opener .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , CA 90069 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I am 25 and live with my parents. My 28-year-old sister lives in a condo about 10 minutes away. She just graduated from school and moved back here, which means she doesn’t have many friends in the city.
For the last five months, she has been coming over for dinner like clockwork every day and every weekend. I’m still finding ways to be social during quarantine, but my sister doesn’t seem able to find other means to meet people. Seeing this much of her is, well, too much.
She demands attention, practically forces us to entertain her and gets upset when the dinner my parents are cooking doesn’t meet her specifications. At her age, spending this much time with your parents seems, quite frankly, unhealthy. I’m scared to bring it up because she’s hypersensitive. How do I avoid another several months of lockdown with a person who doesn’t even live with me? — OVERWHELMED IN OREGON
DEAR OVERWHELMED: This isn’t a subject you should address with your sister, but is something to discuss privately with your parents. Whether to draw the line and encourage your sister to become less dependent is something they might want to consider.
When her company becomes more than you can handle, excuse yourself, go to your room and avail yourself of your other ways to be social by firing up your computer and visiting with friends. It would also be a kindness for you to suggest ways she, too, can network with people in her field or who have some common interests.
DEAR ABBY: Every day when my husband comes home, he takes off his shoes to relax. He works hard outdoors more than 10 hours daily. His feet smell horrible — unbearable to be around. We have tried insoles, baking soda, foot sprays and even health checks, which helped but didn’t get rid of the problem.
He gets offended when I ask him to change his socks and wash his feet. To him I’m out of line to continually point it out. But I can’t even sit in the same room with him. Help! — STINKING TIRED IN THE SOUTH
DEAR STINKING TIRED: There is a name for your husband’s very common medical condition: It’s bromodosis, and it is fixable. It’s the result of sweat and the growth of bacteria and possibly fungus.
Your husband should discuss this again with his doctor. Directions for treating his condition are also available online, but they are longer than my column can accommodate. Doing a search on healthline.com would be a good place to start. He should also carry an extra pair of shoes and socks and change them in the course of the workday. Let’s hope that from now on your husband will put his best foot forward.
DEAR ABBY: I want to donate to organizations that do good work. My question is, where can I find out which charities put all of the donations toward their cause rather than to staff and fundraising? I read years ago that a well-known charity paid an exorbitant salary to the person in charge, who was already wealthy. — GIVING IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR GIVING: The website charitynavigator.org is the largest evaluator of charities in the United States and provides reliable data on more than 1.8 million charities and nonprofits. Many people use it to gauge how their contributions will be spent before they donate, and sometimes that information is a real eye-opener.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--Underground insulin exchanges emerge as workers lose jobs, insurance co-pays fall short

DENVER — D.j .
Mattern had her Type 1 diabetes under control until COVID-19 ’ s economic upheaval cost her husband his hotel maintenance job and their health coverage .
The 42-year-old Denver woman suddenly faced insulin ’ s exorbitant list price — anywhere from $ 125 to $ 450 per vial — just as their household income shrank .
She scrounged extra insulin from friends , and her doctor gave her a couple of samples .
But , as she rationed her supplies , her blood sugar rose so high that her glucose monitor couldn ’ t even register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hospitalized .
“ My blood was too acidic .
My system was shutting down .
My digestive tract was paralyzed , ” Mattern said , after three weeks in the hospital .
“ I was almost near death.
” So she turned to a growing underground network of people with diabetes who share extra insulin when they have it , free of charge .
It wasn ’ t supposed to be this way , many thought , after Colorado last year became the first of 12 states — including Illinois — to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some insurers can charge consumers for insulin .
But , as the coronavirus pandemic has caused people to lose their jobs and health insurance , demand for insulin sharing has skyrocketed .
Many who once had good insurance are now realizing the $ 100 cap for a 30-day supply is just a partial solution , applying only to state-regulated health plans .
It does nothing for the majority of people with employer-sponsored plans or those without insurance coverage .
According to the Colorado chapter of Type 1 International , an insulin access advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Type 1 diabetes under 65 could benefit from the cap .
Such laws , often backed by pharmaceutical companies , give the impression things are improving , said Colorado chapter leader Martha Bierut .
“ But the reality is we have a much longer road ahead of us.
” The struggle to afford insulin has forced many into that underground network .
Through social media and word of mouth , those in need of insulin connect with counterparts who have a supply to spare .
Insurers typically allow patients a set amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use varying amounts to control their blood-sugar , depending on factors such as diet and activity that day .
Though it ’ s illegal to share a prescription medication , those involved say they don ’ t care : They ’ re out to save lives .
They bristle at the suggestion that the exchanges resemble back-alley drug deals .
The supplies are given freely , and no money changes hands .
For those who can ’ t afford their insulin , they have little choice .
It ’ s a your-money-or-your-life scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system seems to have no answer .
“ I can choose not to buy the iPhone or a new car or to have avocado toast for breakfast , ” said Jill Weinstein , who lives in Denver and has Type 1 diabetes .
“ I can ’ t choose not to buy the insulin because I will die.
” Surveys conducted before the pandemic showed that one in four people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes had rationed insulin because of the cost .
For many Blacks , Hispanics and Native Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These populations are more likely to have diabetes and also more likely to face economic disparities that make insulin unaffordable .
Then , COVID-19 arrived , with economic stress and the virus itself hitting people in those groups the hardest .
This year , the American Diabetes Association reported a surge in calls to its crisis hotline regarding insulin access problems .
In June , the group found , 18 % of people with diabetes were unemployed , compared with 12 % of the general public .
Many are wrestling with the tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rent , utilities or insulin .
State Rep. Dylan Roberts , a Democrat who sponsored Colorado ’ s copay cap bill , said legislators knew the measure was only the first step in addressing high insulin costs .
The law also tasked the state ’ s attorney general to produce a report , due Nov. 1 , on insulin affordability and solutions .
“ We went as far as we could , ” Roberts said .
“ While I feel Colorado has been a leader on this , we need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and national level.
” According to the American Diabetes Association , 36 other states have introduced insulin copay cap legislation , but the pandemic stalled progress on most of those bills .
Insulin prices are high in the United States because there are few limits on what pharmaceutical manufacturers can charge .
Three large drugmakers dominate the insulin market and have raised prices in near-lockstep .
A vial that 20 years ago cost $ 25 to $ 30 now can run 10 to 15 times that much .
And people with diabetes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five vials a month .
“ It all boils down to cost , ” said Gail deVore , who lives in Denver and has Type 1 diabetes .
“ We ’ re the only developed nation that charges what we charge.
” Before the coronavirus crisis triggered border closings , diabetes patients often crossed to Mexico or Canada to buy insulin at a fraction of the U.S. price .
President Donald Trump has taken steps to lower drug prices , including allowing for the importation of insulin in some cases from Canada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implement .
DeVore posts on social media three or four times a year asking whether anybody needs supplies .
While she ’ s always encountered demand , her last tweet in August garnered 12 responses within 24 hours .
“ I can feel the anxiety , ” deVore said .
“ It ’ s unbelievable.
” She recalled helping one young man who had moved to Colorado for a new job but whose health insurance didn ’ t kick in for 90 days .
She used a map to choose a random intersection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the dusty rural road after dark , his car already was there .
She handed him a vial of insulin and testing supplies .
He thanked her profusely , almost in tears , she said .
“ The desperation was obvious on his face , ” she said .
It ’ s unclear just how widespread such sharing of insulin has become .
In 2019 , Michelle Litchman , a researcher at the University of Utah ’ s College of Nursing , surveyed 159 patients with diabetes , finding that 56 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabetes are sometimes labeled as noncompliant , but many people don ’ t have access to what they need , ” Litchman said .
“ Here are people who are genuinely trying to find a way to take care of themselves.
” If insulin affordability doesn ’ t improve , Litchman suggested in a journal article , health care providers might have to train patients on how to safely engage in underground exchanges .
The hashtag # Insulin4all has become a common way of amplifying calls for help .
People sometimes post pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while others insert numbers or asterisks within words to avoid social media companies removing their posts .
Though drug manufacturers offer limited assistance programs , they often have lengthy application processes .
So they typically don ’ t help the person who , say , accidentally drops her last glass vial on a tile floor and finds herself out of insulin for the rest of the month .
Emergency rooms will treat patients in crisis and have been known to give them an extra vial or two to take home .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term health .
That ’ s why members of the diabetes community continue to look out for one another .
Laura Marston , a lawyer with Type 1 diabetes who helped to expose insulin pricing practices by Big Pharma , said two of the people she first helped secure insulin , women in their 40s , are in failing health , the result of a lifetime of challenges controlling their disease .
“ The last I heard , one is in end-stage renal failure , and the other has already had a partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The effects of this , what we see , you can ’ t turn your back on it.
” The underground sharing is how Mattern secured her insulin before recently qualifying for Medicaid .
When someone on a neighborhood Facebook group asked whether anybody needed anything in the midst of the pandemic , she replied with one word : insulin .
Soon , an Uber driver arrived with a couple of insulin pens and replacement sensors for her glucose monitor .
“ I knew it wasn ’ t altogether legal , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , if I didn ’ t get it , I wouldn ’ t be alive.
” KHN ( Kaiser Health News ) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of KFF ( Kaiser Family Foundation ) , which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

DENVER — D.j. Mattern had her Type 1 diabetes under control until COVID-19’s economic upheaval cost her husband his hotel maintenance job and their health coverage. The 42-year-old Denver woman suddenly faced insulin’s exorbitant list price — anywhere from $125 to $450 per vial — just as their household income shrank.
She scrounged extra insulin from friends, and her doctor gave her a couple of samples. But, as she rationed her supplies, her blood sugar rose so high that her glucose monitor couldn’t even register a number. In June, she was hospitalized.
“My blood was too acidic. My system was shutting down. My digestive tract was paralyzed,” Mattern said, after three weeks in the hospital. “I was almost near death.”
So she turned to a growing underground network of people with diabetes who share extra insulin when they have it, free of charge. It wasn’t supposed to be this way, many thought, after Colorado last year became the first of 12 states — including Illinois — to put a cap on the co-payments that some insurers can charge consumers for insulin.
But, as the coronavirus pandemic has caused people to lose their jobs and health insurance, demand for insulin sharing has skyrocketed. Many who once had good insurance are now realizing the $100 cap for a 30-day supply is just a partial solution, applying only to state-regulated health plans.
It does nothing for the majority of people with employer-sponsored plans or those without insurance coverage. According to the Colorado chapter of Type 1 International, an insulin access advocacy group, only 3% of patients with Type 1 diabetes under 65 could benefit from the cap.
Such laws, often backed by pharmaceutical companies, give the impression things are improving, said Colorado chapter leader Martha Bierut. “But the reality is we have a much longer road ahead of us.”
The struggle to afford insulin has forced many into that underground network. Through social media and word of mouth, those in need of insulin connect with counterparts who have a supply to spare. Insurers typically allow patients a set amount of insulin per month, but people use varying amounts to control their blood-sugar, depending on factors such as diet and activity that day.
Though it’s illegal to share a prescription medication, those involved say they don’t care: They’re out to save lives. They bristle at the suggestion that the exchanges resemble back-alley drug deals. The supplies are given freely, and no money changes hands.
For those who can’t afford their insulin, they have little choice. It’s a your-money-or-your-life scenario for which the American free-market health care system seems to have no answer.
“I can choose not to buy the iPhone or a new car or to have avocado toast for breakfast,” said Jill Weinstein, who lives in Denver and has Type 1 diabetes. “I can’t choose not to buy the insulin because I will die.”
Bad situation made worse by the pandemic
Surveys conducted before the pandemic showed that one in four people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes had rationed insulin because of the cost. For many Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans, the pinch was especially bad. These populations are more likely to have diabetes and also more likely to face economic disparities that make insulin unaffordable.
Then, COVID-19 arrived, with economic stress and the virus itself hitting people in those groups the hardest.
This year, the American Diabetes Association reported a surge in calls to its crisis hotline regarding insulin access problems. In June, the group found, 18% of people with diabetes were unemployed, compared with 12% of the general public. Many are wrestling with the tough choices of whether to pay for food, rent, utilities or insulin.
State Rep. Dylan Roberts, a Democrat who sponsored Colorado’s copay cap bill, said legislators knew the measure was only the first step in addressing high insulin costs. The law also tasked the state’s attorney general to produce a report, due Nov. 1, on insulin affordability and solutions.
“We went as far as we could,” Roberts said. “While I feel Colorado has been a leader on this, we need to do a whole lot more both at the state and national level.”
According to the American Diabetes Association, 36 other states have introduced insulin copay cap legislation, but the pandemic stalled progress on most of those bills.
Insulin prices are high in the United States because there are few limits on what pharmaceutical manufacturers can charge. Three large drugmakers dominate the insulin market and have raised prices in near-lockstep. A vial that 20 years ago cost $25 to $30 now can run 10 to 15 times that much. And people with diabetes can need as many as four or five vials a month.
“It all boils down to cost,” said Gail deVore, who lives in Denver and has Type 1 diabetes. “We’re the only developed nation that charges what we charge.”
Before the coronavirus crisis triggered border closings, diabetes patients often crossed to Mexico or Canada to buy insulin at a fraction of the U.S. price. President Donald Trump has taken steps to lower drug prices, including allowing for the importation of insulin in some cases from Canada, but that plan will take months to implement.
Relying on strangers’ kindness
DeVore posts on social media three or four times a year asking whether anybody needs supplies. While she’s always encountered demand, her last tweet in August garnered 12 responses within 24 hours.
“I can feel the anxiety,” deVore said. “It’s unbelievable.”
She recalled helping one young man who had moved to Colorado for a new job but whose health insurance didn’t kick in for 90 days. She used a map to choose a random intersection halfway between them. When deVore arrived on the dusty rural road after dark, his car already was there. She handed him a vial of insulin and testing supplies. He thanked her profusely, almost in tears, she said.
“The desperation was obvious on his face,” she said.
It’s unclear just how widespread such sharing of insulin has become. In 2019, Michelle Litchman, a researcher at the University of Utah’s College of Nursing, surveyed 159 patients with diabetes, finding that 56% had donated insulin.
“People with diabetes are sometimes labeled as noncompliant, but many people don’t have access to what they need,” Litchman said. “Here are people who are genuinely trying to find a way to take care of themselves.”
If insulin affordability doesn’t improve, Litchman suggested in a journal article, health care providers might have to train patients on how to safely engage in underground exchanges.
The hashtag #Insulin4all has become a common way of amplifying calls for help. People sometimes post pictures of the supplies they have to share, while others insert numbers or asterisks within words to avoid social media companies removing their posts.
Though drug manufacturers offer limited assistance programs, they often have lengthy application processes. So they typically don’t help the person who, say, accidentally drops her last glass vial on a tile floor and finds herself out of insulin for the rest of the month. Emergency rooms will treat patients in crisis and have been known to give them an extra vial or two to take home. But each crisis takes a toll on their long-term health.
That’s why members of the diabetes community continue to look out for one another. Laura Marston, a lawyer with Type 1 diabetes who helped to expose insulin pricing practices by Big Pharma, said two of the people she first helped secure insulin, women in their 40s, are in failing health, the result of a lifetime of challenges controlling their disease.
“The last I heard, one is in end-stage renal failure, and the other has already had a partial limb amputation,” Marston said. “The effects of this, what we see, you can’t turn your back on it.”
The underground sharing is how Mattern secured her insulin before recently qualifying for Medicaid. When someone on a neighborhood Facebook group asked whether anybody needed anything in the midst of the pandemic, she replied with one word: insulin. Soon, an Uber driver arrived with a couple of insulin pens and replacement sensors for her glucose monitor.
“I knew it wasn’t altogether legal,” Mattern said. “But I knew that, if I didn’t get it, I wouldn’t be alive.”
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--‘Totally Under Control’: A no-nonsense look at how COVID-19 ran amok in the U.S.

“ We have it totally under control .
It ’ s one person coming in from China , and we have it under control .
It ’ s going to be just fine.
” – President Donald Trump , responding to a question about the novel coronavirus in an interview with CNBC on Jan. 22 .
The doctors and the science and the irrefutable timeline carry the day in Alex Gibney ’ s how-did-we-get-here pandemic documentary “ Totally Under Control , ” but the stories of the Mask Man and the Volunteer are equally valuable , equally infuriating , equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mask Man is Michael Bowen , a onetime Donald Trump supporter and the owner of Prestige Ameritech , a large medical supply company in Texas , who last January began sending out e-mails to top administrators offering to ramp up production on N95 masks in anticipation of demand that would occur with the inevitable spread of COVID-19 .
The response : crickets .
Day after day , time after time , Bowen tried to find SOMEBODY at the Dept .
of Health and Human Services to listen to him , but his overtures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic , improvising masks , making “ Hazmat Suits ” out of lawn garbage bags .
Later , we see Bowen choking up as he laments how many lives might have been saved if someone had listened to him .
The Volunteer is one Max Kennedy Jr. , an idealistic millennial who joined Jared Kushner ’ s coronavirus supply chain task force and was stunned to learn the team consisted of young , inexperienced unpaid volunteers such as himself , and was really just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality TV .
Save for a brief and unproductive pep talk from Kushner , the volunteers were left to their own devices and resorted to making cold calls and sending out e-mails in an effort to locate and purchase much-needed PPE supplies .
Spoiler alert : It was a total flop .
The Oscar-winning and prolific Gibney ( “ Enron : The Smartest Guys in the Room , ” “ Taxi to the Dark Side , ” “ Going Clear : Scientology ” ) teams with Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger to chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the century so far .
It ’ s a frantic pursuit , given the madness and the sadness continues and shows no signs of abating , particularly in the United States — in large part because of the government ’ s unwillingness and inability to provide a rapid , firm , cohesive , science-based response in the crucial first few weeks of the pandemic .
( Cue the obligatory news clip of the president saying of Democrats , “ This is their new hoax , ” and viral footage of violent confrontations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Totally Out of Control ” lays out the case through a mostly linear timeline that provides a stark contrast between the actions taken in places such as South Korea and the inaction of the United States .
Time and again , we hear from experts who were stunned by the administration ’ s refusal to absorb and accept scientific fact even as the virus was being politicized .
The interviewees include the likes of Scott Becker of Public Health Laboratories ; Dr. Rick Bright , the esteemed former federal vaccine expert turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world-renowned expert on modeling mass disease outbreaks who is something of a global rock star in the scientific research community , and Dr. Thomas Frieden , who was the director of CDC under President Barack Obama and now heads a five-year , $ 225 million initiative to prevent epidemics and cardiovascular disease .
The interviews are illuminating and invaluable , but yes , there are times when you might feel as if you ’ re back in school , furiously taking notes to keep up with everything .
( Although the interview technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sessions were conducted via a contraption Gibney dubs “ the COVID cam ” that was sent to the homes of interviewees .
Others were conducted with the camera operator sealed in a plastic enclosure that looks like something out of “ E.T.
” The net result is a high-def look far superior to mere Zoom chats . )
“ Totally Out of Control ” is told in a journalistically sound , no-nonsense matter fitting the deadly serious nature of the subject , though we get the occasional and quite effective special effect reminiscent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Contagion.
” This is about as timely as a documentary can be , and yet it ’ s already in need of an update .
The closing title card notes that on the day after the film was completed , the president revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Think of all that ’ s transpired since then .
Enough for a whole new documentary .

“We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.”– President Donald Trump, responding to a question about the novel coronavirus in an interview with CNBC on Jan. 22.
The doctors and the science and the irrefutable timeline carry the day in Alex Gibney’s how-did-we-get-here pandemic documentary “Totally Under Control,” but the stories of the Mask Man and the Volunteer are equally valuable, equally infuriating, equally … ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
‘Totally Under Control’
Untitled Neon presents a documentary directed by Alex Gibney, Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger. No MPAA rating. Running time: 123 minutes. Available on demand Tuesday and on Hulu Oct. 20.
The Mask Man is Michael Bowen, a onetime Donald Trump supporter and the owner of Prestige Ameritech, a large medical supply company in Texas, who last January began sending out e-mails to top administrators offering to ramp up production on N95 masks in anticipation of demand that would occur with the inevitable spread of COVID-19. The response: crickets. Day after day, time after time, Bowen tried to find SOMEBODY at the Dept. of Health and Human Services to listen to him, but his overtures were ignored.
Cut to footage of health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic, improvising masks, making “Hazmat Suits” out of lawn garbage bags. Later, we see Bowen choking up as he laments how many lives might have been saved if someone had listened to him.
The Volunteer is one Max Kennedy Jr., an idealistic millennial who joined Jared Kushner’s coronavirus supply chain task force and was stunned to learn the team consisted of young, inexperienced unpaid volunteers such as himself, and was really just for show, like something out of reality TV. Save for a brief and unproductive pep talk from Kushner, the volunteers were left to their own devices and resorted to making cold calls and sending out e-mails in an effort to locate and purchase much-needed PPE supplies. Spoiler alert: It was a total flop.
The Oscar-winning and prolific Gibney (“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” “Taxi to the Dark Side,” “Going Clear: Scientology”) teams with Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger to chase after and nail down arguably THE story of the century so far. It’s a frantic pursuit, given the madness and the sadness continues and shows no signs of abating, particularly in the United States — in large part because of the government’s unwillingness and inability to provide a rapid, firm, cohesive, science-based response in the crucial first few weeks of the pandemic. (Cue the obligatory news clip of the president saying of Democrats, “This is their new hoax,” and viral footage of violent confrontations over mask-wearing in big-box stores.)
“Totally Under Control” lays out the case through a mostly linear timeline that provides a stark contrast between the actions taken in places such as South Korea and the inaction of the United States. Time and again, we hear from experts who were stunned by the administration’s refusal to absorb and accept scientific fact even as the virus was being politicized. The interviewees include the likes of Scott Becker of Public Health Laboratories; Dr. Rick Bright, the esteemed former federal vaccine expert turned whistleblower; Dr. Eva Lee, a world-renowned expert on modeling mass disease outbreaks who is something of a global rock star in the scientific research community, and Dr. Thomas Frieden, who was the director of CDC under President Barack Obama and now heads a five-year, $225 million initiative to prevent epidemics and cardiovascular disease.
The interviews are illuminating and invaluable, but yes, there are times when you might feel as if you’re back in school, furiously taking notes to keep up with everything. (Although the interview technology itself is fascinating. Some of the sessions were conducted via a contraption Gibney dubs “the COVID cam” that was sent to the homes of interviewees. Others were conducted with the camera operator sealed in a plastic enclosure that looks like something out of “E.T.” The net result is a high-def look far superior to mere Zoom chats.) “Totally Under Control” is told in a journalistically sound, no-nonsense matter fitting the deadly serious nature of the subject, though we get the occasional and quite effective special effect reminiscent of such projects as Soderbergh’s “Contagion.” This is about as timely as a documentary can be, and yet it’s already in need of an update. The closing title card notes that on the day after the film was completed, the president revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Think of all that’s transpired since then. Enough for a whole new documentary.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--53 shot, 4 fatally, in Chicago weekend gun violence

Four people were killed and 49 others were injured by gunfire this weekend in Chicago .
Five of those wounded were teenagers .
Last weekend saw 37 people shot throughout the city , five of them fatally .
• The latest fatal shooting happened Saturday evening in West Garfield Park on the West Side .
Four people were in a car about 6:50 p.m. when someone fired at them in the 100 block of South Keeler Avenue , Chicago police said .
They continued driving to the 500 block of South Pulaski Road , where the car crashed into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital after being shot in the back and forearm .
A 17-year-old girl and 19-year-old man were also shot in the back and taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition .
A 34-year-old man was in critical condition at Mount Sinai after being shot multiple times .
• Another fatal shooting happened early Saturday in East Garfield Park on the West Side .
A 27-year-old man was driving north at 2:56 a.m. in the first block of North Kedzie Avenue when a tan minivan pulled alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to police .
He was shot in the buttocks and taken to Stroger Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
• Two women were shot , one of them fatally , about half an hour before that in West Garfield Park .
They were standing in an alley at 2:27 a.m. in the 4500 block of West Wilcox Street when someone fired shots .
Mieya C. Sims , 25 , was shot in the head and died at Mount Sinai Hospital , police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 , was hit in the right leg and taken to the same hospital in good condition .
• A shooting late Friday night left a man dead and two other people injured in Roseland on the Far South Side .
They were standing on the street about 11:30 p.m. in the 10800 block of South Calumet Avenue when a male walked up and fired shots .
Tacarrene B. Scott , 37 , was shot in the head and abdomen and pronounced dead at the scene , authorities said .
A 33-year-old woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in serious condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn .
Another 37-year-old man was hit in the left leg and taken to the same hospital in good condition .
Four other minors were among those injured by gunfire over the weekend .
• A 17-year-old boy was shot Sunday afternoon in West Garfield Park .
He heard shots and realized he was hit about 4:30 p.m. in the 700 block of South Independence Boulevard , police said .
He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
• About two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wounded in Woodlawn on the South Side .
About 2:30 p.m. , he was shot in the shoulder in the 6600 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue , police said .
He took himself to St. Bernard Hospital in good condition .
• Earlier that morning , another 17-year-old boy was hurt in a drive-by in Roseland on the South Side .
He was on the street about 5:40 a.m. in the 300 block of West 107th Street , when someone in a passing vehicle fired shots at him , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the left leg and taken to Trinity Hospital where his condition was stabilized .
• Another teenage boy was injured Friday evening in East Garfield Park .
About 6:45 p.m. in the 3100 block of West Polk Street , the 15-year-old heard shots and felt pain , police said .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
• In other nonfatal attacks , three men were wounded early Monday morning inside a home in Kenwood on the South Side .
Several people were inside the home about 2:40 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boulevard when someone opened fire after an argument , according to police .
A 21-year-old man was shot in the hip and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition .
A 20-year-old man was shot in the hand and forearm and was taken to the same hospital in good condition .
A third man , 24 , suffered a graze wound to the head and declined medical treatment .
• A woman was shot Sunday afternoon on Lake Shore Drive in the Loop .
About 1:20 p.m. she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Lake Shore at Jackson Boulevard , police said .
While the car was stopped at Jackson , a second vehicle pulled up next to her .
After a conversation between people in the two vehicles , a passenger in the rear of the other vehicle fired at the Caliber , striking the woman in the head .
The Caliber sped off and exited Lake Shore Drive in the 600 block of East Grand Avenue , near Navy Pier .
Officers responded , and she was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earliest shooting left a man wounded Friday evening in Lawndale on the West Side .
The man , 36 , was near a business when he was shot in the 4300 block of West Cermak Road around 6:15 p.m. , police said .
He went to Mount Sinai Hospital on his own in good condition .
At least 34 other people have been shot in Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Five people were killed and 48 others were injured by gunfire this weekend in Chicago. Five of those wounded were teenagers.
Last weekend saw 37 people shot throughout the city, five of them fatally.
Sunday
The last reported homicide of the weekend happened about 10 p.m. Sunday in Chatham on the South Side. Jeremiah D. McCoy, 25, was riding as a passenger in a car when a blue sedan pulled up and shot the man in the head in the 8600 block of South State Street, officials said. The sedan drove away traveling northbound on State Street, police said. The man who was shot was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died.
Saturday
About 6:50 p.m. Saturday evening, one man was killed and three others wounded in West Garfield Park on the West Side. Four people were in a car about 6:50 p.m. when someone fired at them in the 100 block of South Keeler Avenue, police said. They continued driving to the 500 block of South Pulaski Road, where the car crashed into a Chicago Fire Department vehicle.
A 21-year-old man was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital after being shot in the back and forearm. A 17-year-old girl and 19-year-old man were also shot in the back and taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition. A 34-year-old man was in critical condition at Mount Sinai after being shot multiple times.
A 21-year-old man was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital after being shot in the back and forearm. A 17-year-old girl and 19-year-old man were also shot in the back and taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition. A 34-year-old man was in critical condition at Mount Sinai after being shot multiple times. Another fatal shooting happened early Saturday in East Garfield Park on the West Side. A 27-year-old man was driving north at 2:56 a.m. in the first block of North Kedzie Avenue when a tan minivan pulled alongside him and someone inside fired shots, according to police. He was shot in the buttocks and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Two women were shot, one of them fatally, about half an hour before that in West Garfield Park. They were standing in an alley at 2:27 a.m. in the 4500 block of West Wilcox Street when someone fired shots. Mieya C. Sims, 25, was shot in the head and died at Mount Sinai Hospital, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. The other woman, 22, was hit in the right leg and taken to the same hospital in good condition.
Friday
A shooting late Friday night left a man dead and two other people injured in Roseland on the Far South Side. They were standing on the street about 11:30 p.m. in the 10800 block of South Calumet Avenue when a male walked up and fired shots. Tacarrene B. Scott, 37, was shot in the head and abdomen and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. A 33-year-old woman was shot in the abdomen and taken in serious condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Another 37-year-old man was hit in the left leg and taken to the same hospital in good condition.
Minors wounded
Four other minors were among those injured by gunfire over the weekend.
A 17-year-old boy was shot Sunday afternoon in West Garfield Park. He heard shots and realized he was hit about 4:30 p.m. in the 700 block of South Independence Boulevard, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
About two hours before that, a 15-year-old boy was wounded in Woodlawn on the South Side. About 2:30 p.m., he was shot in the shoulder in the 6600 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, police said. He took himself to St. Bernard Hospital in good condition.
Earlier that morning, another 17-year-old boy was hurt in a drive-by in Roseland on the South Side. He was on the street about 5:40 a.m. in the 300 block of West 107th Street, when someone in a passing vehicle fired shots at him, according to police. He was struck three times in the left leg and taken to Trinity Hospital where his condition was stabilized.
Another teenage boy was injured Friday evening in East Garfield Park. About 6:45 p.m. in the 3100 block of West Polk Street, the 15-year-old heard shots and felt pain, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Other nonfatal shootings
In other nonfatal attacks, three men were wounded early Monday morning inside a home in Kenwood on the South Side. Several people were inside the home about 2:40 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Drexel Boulevard when someone opened fire after an argument, according to police. A 21-year-old man was shot in the hip and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. A 20-year-old man was shot in the hand and forearm and was taken to the same hospital in good condition. A third man, 24, suffered a graze wound to the head and declined medical treatment.
A woman was shot Sunday afternoon on Lake Shore Drive in the Loop. About 1:20 p.m. she was inside a white Dodge Caliber traveling north on Lake Shore at Jackson Boulevard, police said. While the car was stopped at Jackson, a second vehicle pulled up next to her. After a conversation between people in the two vehicles, a passenger in the rear of the other vehicle fired at the Caliber, striking the woman in the head. The Caliber sped off and exited Lake Shore Drive in the 600 block of East Grand Avenue, near Navy Pier. Officers responded, and she was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
The weekend’s earliest shooting left a man wounded Friday evening in Lawndale on the West Side. The man, 36, was near a business when he was shot in the 4300 block of West Cermak Road around 6:15 p.m., police said. He went to Mount Sinai Hospital on his own in good condition.
At least 33 other people were shot in Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--Answering the Bears’ most pressing questions

The Sun-Times ’ Patrick Finley answers the Bears ’ biggest questions after five weeks of the season : A long-term problem .
Even if Nick Foles repeats what we ’ ve seen thus far the season — bursts of greatness , disappointment and then managing the game to a closer victory , all in a three-week span — the Bears must find a 2021 starter in the offseason .
Dare they draft one in the first round ?
Perhaps a Day 2 pick would land them someone like Derek Carr — or even Sam Darnold as a reclamation project — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start the rest of their games ?
If he ’ s healthy .
Head coach Matt Nagy and Bears assistants speak of Foles with a different tone than they did Mitch Trubisky .
Mistakes aren ’ t big-picture concerns , they say , because they know what Foles has accomplished in his career .
They can ’ t say that about Trubisky .
The biggest surprise of the Bears ’ season has been … A shoulder injury meant rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson didn ’ t play steadily alongside his teammates until the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s looked like a five-year veteran since the season started .
The Bears failed to solve two problems that their pocketbook could have solved .
It was clear since Adrian Peterson rolled past them in Week 1 that their run defense wasn ’ t the same without Eddie Goldman .
They haven ’ t made a significant move to replace him — and “ Snacks ” Harrison was available as recently as last week .
Secondly , they need to give a contract extension to Allen Robinson , a star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay in Chicago .
Develop an appetite to run the ball .
Nagy said the Bears decided to throw more Thursday when they fell down 13-0 , but that was only 22 minutes into the game .
There was plenty of time to be patient .
Nagy is saying the right things — that the Colts and Bucs had tough fronts to run against , that he won ’ t abandon the run and will use the “ mini-bye ” to make improvements .
But we ’ ve heard that before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ This question could have been answered the same way the last two-and-a-half seasons .
Khalil Mack has been quiet at times this season — and his dropped interception against the Colts was the biggest what-if not involving Robinson — but , heading into Sunday , he was tied for third in the NFL with 22 pressures .
He was a monster Thurday .
And Akiem Hicks and Robert Quinn benefit from the attention given him , A tentative yes — provided the season , and the Bears locker room , isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can probably get in the playoffs by going 5-6 the rest of the way — which is exactly what they did over the last 11 games of last season .

The Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley answers the Bears’ biggest questions after five weeks of the season:
The Bears’ quarterback situation is …
A long-term problem. Even if Nick Foles repeats what we’ve seen thus far the season — bursts of greatness, disappointment and then managing the game to a closer victory, all in a three-week span — the Bears must find a 2021 starter in the offseason. Dare they draft one in the first round? Perhaps a Day 2 pick would land them someone like Derek Carr — or even Sam Darnold as a reclamation project — in a trade.
Will Nick Foles start the rest of their games?
If he’s healthy. Head coach Matt Nagy and Bears assistants speak of Foles with a different tone than they did Mitch Trubisky. Mistakes aren’t big-picture concerns, they say, because they know what Foles has accomplished in his career. They can’t say that about Trubisky.
The biggest surprise of the Bears’ season has been …
A shoulder injury meant rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson didn’t play steadily alongside his teammates until the last 10 days or so of summer camp. He’s looked like a five-year veteran since the season started.
The biggest disappointment ….
The Bears failed to solve two problems that their pocketbook could have solved. It was clear since Adrian Peterson rolled past them in Week 1 that their run defense wasn’t the same without Eddie Goldman. They haven’t made a significant move to replace him — and “Snacks” Harrison was available as recently as last week. Secondly, they need to give a contract extension to Allen Robinson, a star player who is only 27 and wants to stay in Chicago.
Matt Nagy must …
Develop an appetite to run the ball. Nagy said the Bears decided to throw more Thursday when they fell down 13-0, but that was only 22 minutes into the game. There was plenty of time to be patient. Nagy is saying the right things — that the Colts and Bucs had tough fronts to run against, that he won’t abandon the run and will use the “mini-bye” to make improvements. But we’ve heard that before.
Their MVP thus far is ….
This question could have been answered the same way the last two-and-a-half seasons. Khalil Mack has been quiet at times this season — and his dropped interception against the Colts was the biggest what-if not involving Robinson — but, heading into Sunday, he was tied for third in the NFL with 22 pressures. He was a monster Thursday. And Akiem Hicks and Robert Quinn benefit from the attention given him,
Are the Bears a playoff team?
A tentative yes — provided the season, and the Bears locker room, isn’t ravaged by coronavirus outbreaks. The Bears can probably get in the playoffs by going 5-6 the rest of the way — which is exactly what they did over the last 11 games of last season.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--NB I-57 closed after fatal crash near Sibley

One person was killed in a crash that shut down inbound I-57 Monday morning in the south suburbs .
A @ @ @ @ @ 3:40 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-57 near Sibley Boulevard in Posen , according @ @ @ @ @ The driver of the vehicle that hit the truck was pronounced dead , state police @ @ @ @ @ the semi was not hurt .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has @ @ @ @ @ fatality .
All northbound lanes of I-57 remain closed near Sibley as authorities investigate , @ @ @ @

A 27-year-old Chicago man was killed in a crash that shut down inbound I-57 for several hours Monday morning in the south suburbs.
The man’s Chevy Malibu rear-ended a semi about 3:40 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-57 near 147th Street in Posen, according to Illinois State Police.
The driver of the Malibu, Michael A. Sample Jr. of Broadview, was pronounced dead, state police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. The 46-year-old driver of the semi was not hurt.
All northbound lanes of I-57 were closed near the scene of the crash until 8 a.m., state police said.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--3 shot inside Kenwood home

3 shot inside Kenwood home

Three men were injured in a shooting Monday in Kenwood on the South Side .
Several people were inside a @ @ @ @ @ the 4600 block of South Drexel Boulevard when someone opened fire after an argument , @ @ @ @ @ A 21-year-old man was shot in the hip and taken to the University of Chicago @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
A 20-year-old man was shot in the hand and forearm and @ @ @ @ @ hospital in good condition .
A third man , 24 , suffered a graze wound @ @ @ @ @ medical treatment , police said .
No one is in custody as Area One detectives @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Three men were injured in a shooting Monday in Kenwood on the South Side.
Several people were inside a home about 2:40 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Drexel Boulevard when someone opened fire after an argument, according to Chicago police.
A 21-year-old man was shot in the hip and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, police said. A 20-year-old man was shot in the hand and forearm and was taken to the same hospital in good condition.
A third man, 24, suffered a graze wound to the head and declined medical treatment, police said.
No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--Boy, 15, shot in Woodlawn

Boy, 15, shot in Woodlawn

A teenager was shot Sunday afternoon in Woodlawn on the South Side .
About 2:30 p.m. , the 15-year-old boy @ @ @ @ @ in the 6600 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue , Chicago police said .
He @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in good condition .
No one has been arrested , and Area One detectives @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenager was shot Sunday afternoon in Woodlawn on the South Side.
About 2:30 p.m., the 15-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder in the 6600 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago police said. He took himself to St. Bernard Hospital in good condition.
No one has been arrested, and Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--Teenage boy shot in West Garfield Park

Teenage boy shot in West Garfield Park

A teenage boy was shot in the leg in West Garfield Park Sunday afternoon .
The 17-year-old heard shots and @ @ @ @ @ 4:30 p.m. in the 700 block of South Independence Boulevard , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ Sinai Hospital in good condition .
No one is in custody , and Area Four @ @ @ @ @ more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenage boy was shot in the leg in West Garfield Park Sunday afternoon.
The 17-year-old heard shots and realized he was hit about 4:30 p.m. in the 700 block of South Independence Boulevard, Chicago police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
No one is in custody, and Area Four detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-12--Home destroyed, 2 others damaged in extra-alarm Humboldt Park fire

A vacant home was destroyed and two other buildings were damaged in a two-alarm fire Sunday in Humboldt Park on @ @ @ @ @ fire started shortly after 11:30 p.m. at a vacant 2 1/2-story home in the 800 @ @ @ @ @ , according to Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Frank Velez .
That building collapsed @ @ @ @ @ buildings to the north and south , which were also heavily damaged , Velez said @ @ @ @ @ control shortly after midnight , with crews remaining at the scene to deal with hot @ @ @ @ @ .
It was struck out by 1 a.m. Monday .
One firefighter was taken to @ @ @ @ @ injury , according to fire officials .
No other injuries were reported .
The American @ @ @ @ @ Department of Human Services were called to assist three adults and one child who were @ @ @ @ @ according to the fire department .
The cause of the fire remains under investigation , @ @ @

A vacant home was destroyed and two other buildings were damaged in a two-alarm fire Sunday in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
The fire started shortly after 11:30 p.m. at a vacant 2 1/2-story home in the 800 block of North Lawndale Avenue, according to Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Frank Velez.
That building collapsed and flames spread to adjacent buildings to the north and south, which were also heavily damaged, Velez said.
The fire was under control shortly after midnight, with crews remaining at the scene to deal with hot spots, according to Velez. It was struck out by 1 a.m. Monday.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital with a minor injury, according to fire officials. No other injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross and the Illinois Department of Human Services were called to assist three adults and one child who were displaced by the fire, according to the fire department.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Velez said.
Update for the Still and Box at 820 N Lawndale- has been upgraded to a 2-11 Alarm. pic.twitter.com/XK6UC3VnON — Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) October 12, 2020