chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Illinois records a 2,000-plus daily coronavirus caseload for 10th day this month (LIVE UPDATES)

State health officials on Saturday announced 2,441 new coronavirus cases and 25 additional deaths .
The new infections were found among the latest batch of 65,217 tests reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health in the last day .
That keeps the state ’ s seven-day positivity rate — a figure experts use to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading — at 3.6 % , which is a slight uptick from last weekend when that number checked in at 3.5 % .
Saturday marked the 10th day this month Illinois recorded a 2,000-plus daily caseload .
This month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day .
Meanwhile , the state averaged a daily caseload of about 1,812 new infections last month — a large increase from the 1,150 new cases reported on average each day in July .
While the state ’ s daily caseload average has continued to rise over the last three months , positivity rates have sunk across most of Illinois , thanks to a statewide increase in testing capacity .
Illinois has processed more than 1.3 million tests this month .
Nearly two months after federal regulators unveiled rules for at-home coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell these fast and cheap tests even though the technology is ready .
Molecular PCR tests processed at medical labs remain the standard of accurate testing , but they are more expensive and results can take days to process .
Antigen tests are less expensive , plentiful and deliver results in minutes .
Three companies gained Food and Drug Administration authorization to sell antigen testing instruments to labs or clinics .
A fourth company , Abbott Laboratories , won approval to market a $ 5 rapid , credit card-sized test administered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Maryland lab , people infected with the new coronavirus take turns sitting in a chair and putting their faces into the big end of a large cone .
They recite the alphabet and sing or just sit quietly for a half hour .
Sometimes they cough .
The cone sucks up everything that comes out of their mouths and noses .
It ’ s part of a device called “ Gesundheit II ” that is helping scientists study a big question : Just how does the virus that causes COVID-19 spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly hitchhikes on small liquid particles sprayed out by an infected person .
People expel particles while coughing , sneezing , singing , shouting , talking and even breathing .
But the drops come in a wide range of sizes , and scientists are trying to pin down how risky the various kinds are .
2:06 p.m. With daily cases on rise , Illinois on track for 10K+ deaths by the end of year The Illinois Department of Public Health Friday announced another 2,514 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and 25 more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s seven-day positivity rate — the number used to gauge how quickly the virus is spreading — between Sept. 18 and 24 is 3.6 % , up slightly from the 3.5 % positivity rate recorded earlier this week .
Within the past 24 hours , laboratories have reported 69,793 specimens for a total of 5,363,471 since the pandemic began .
As of Thursday night , 1,637 coronavirus patients in Illinois were hospitalized , 371 were in intensive care units and 124 were on ventilators .
“ Were starting to see an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” IDPH spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said .
Daily death counts and the number of patients in intensive care and on ventilators have been steady , she said .
There ’ s no indication yet that it will impact the Bears ’ game at the Falcons on Sunday , but Falcons cornerback A.J .
Terrell tested positive for coronavirus Saturday and was placed on the reserve/COVID list .
He will be the first NFL player to miss a game because of a positive test .
ESPN reported that Terrell was tested Friday morning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his positive result Saturday .
The team is re-testing everyone who was in close contact with Terrell .
The Bears are scheduled to fly to Atlanta after meetings at Halas Hall on Saturday and kickoff is noon Sunday .
Coach Matt Nagy is intent on limiting the amount of time his team spends traveling or in hotels for road games this season .
11:00 a.m .
Universities determined to salvage semester despite warning signs MADISON , Wis. — Colleges across the country are struggling to salvage the fall semester amid skyrocketing coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under quarantine , and flaring tensions with local community leaders over the spread of the disease .
Many major universities are determined to forge ahead despite warning signs , as evidenced by the expanding slate of college football games occurring Saturday .
The football-obsessed SEC begins its season with fans in stadiums .
Several teams in other leagues have had to postpone games because of outbreaks among players and staff .
Institutions across the nation saw spikes of thousands of cases days after opening their doors in the last month , driven by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing .
School and community leaders have tried to rein in the virus by closing bars , suspending students , adding mask requirements , and toggling between in-person and online instruction as case numbers rise and fall .
Tension over the outbreaks is starting to boil over in college towns .
Faculty members from at least two universities have held no-confidence votes in recent weeks against their top leaders , in part over reopening decisions .
Government leaders want the University of Wisconsin-Madison to send its students home .
Republican Florida Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees as draconian rules on college campuses , said he is drawing up a “ bill of rights ” for college students .
There was some eye rolling on social media when Notre Dame conducted a socially distanced version of its postgame tradition in Weeks 1 and 2 .
Instead of locking arms with their teammates and swaying in unison to sing the “ Alma Mater ” along with the school ’ s marching band , the Irish spread out at five-yard intervals as though conducting pregame stretch .
Well , no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s game at Wake Forest , scheduled as the first road test for the nation ’ s seventh-ranked team , was postponed until Dec. 12 after up to 27 % of Notre Dame ’ s 85-man roster landed either in isolation or quarantine because of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing .
Notre Dame announced Tuesday that it was pausing all football-related activities until further notice .
It speaks to how concerned the university ’ s leadership is that even a mutual off date of Oct. 3 for the Irish and Demon Deacons was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s been a lot of reminiscing of late , now that Steve Soble , Southport Lanes ’ owner since 1991 , has decided to close .
“ It ’ s been one of the strangest six months of our lives , ” said Soble , 56 , echoing the refrain of many a bar owner in the city .
He ’ s had “ virtually no one ” inside the 6,250-square-foot bar during the pandemic .
Even with 50 or so seats outside , he had to pray for good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was not even worth opening , ” he said .
And so on Sunday the bartender will holler “ last call !
” one more time .
The pins in the adjoining four-lane bowling alley clattered for the last time in mid-March after the statewide shutdown .
Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here .
• The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced another 2,257 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and 30 more deaths have been attributed to the virus .
• The state ’ s test positivity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how quickly the virus is spreading — between Sept. 17 and 23 remains at 3.5 % , the lowest rate since late July .
7:02 a.m .
Even before any second COVID wave , many Chicagoans are still in need from the first one The calls come daily to state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe ’ s office on the Northwest Side from people who need help navigating the state bureaucracy .
They call about unemployment benefits , housing assistance and food stamps .
They call about utility bills , problems with state licenses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the callers these days are in tears , not knowing where to turn .
Some can ’ t pay the rent .
Others are worried about feeding their families .
Yet what ’ s striking to LaPointe ’ s chief of staff , Jessica Genova , is how apologetic many of the callers are , as if they ’ re feeling guilty about their predicament and needing help .
“ I ’ ve never done this before , ” they say .

Saturday marked the 10th day this month Illinois recorded a 2,000-plus daily caseload. This month, Illinois is averaging about 1,973 cases per day. Meanwhile, the state averaged a daily caseload of about 1,812 new infections last month — a large increase from the 1,150 new cases reported on average each day in July.
Here is what happened today in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago, the state and the nation.
News
9 p.m. Illinois records 2,441 new coronavirus cases, 25 additional deaths
Getty Images
State health officials on Saturday announced 2,441 new coronavirus cases and 25 additional deaths.
The new infections were found among the latest batch of 65,217 tests reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health in the last day. That keeps the state’s seven-day positivity rate — a figure experts use to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading — at 3.6%, which is a slight uptick from last weekend when that number checked in at 3.5%.
Saturday marked the 10th day this month Illinois recorded a 2,000-plus daily caseload. This month, Illinois is averaging about 1,973 cases per day. Meanwhile, the state averaged a daily caseload of about 1,812 new infections last month — a large increase from the 1,150 new cases reported on average each day in July.
While the state’s daily caseload average has continued to rise over the last three months, positivity rates have sunk across most of Illinois, thanks to a statewide increase in testing capacity. Illinois has processed more than 1.3 million tests this month.
Read the full story here.
8:35 p.m. How to handle technology issues with online school
Across the U.S., the pandemic has forced students to attend virtual school to prevent spread of the coronavirus. But the more we rely on technology, the bigger the consequences when gadgets or internet service let us down.
Technology being technology, all sorts of things can go wrong. Your internet service may be inadequate for all-day videoconferencing or simply overstressed. Hardware and software can be confusing, can break, and sometimes just fails to work. There can be unanticipated consequences from turning on a new video camera in your home for school lessons.
7:15 p.m. Rapid, cheap home tests: Companies attempt to make coronavirus tests widely available
Nearly two months after federal regulators unveiled rules for at-home coronavirus tests, no company has federal approval to sell these fast and cheap tests even though the technology is ready.
Molecular PCR tests processed at medical labs remain the standard of accurate testing, but they are more expensive and results can take days to process.
Antigen tests are less expensive, plentiful and deliver results in minutes. Three companies gained Food and Drug Administration authorization to sell antigen testing instruments to labs or clinics. A fourth company, Abbott Laboratories, won approval to market a $5 rapid, credit card-sized test administered by a health care professional.
Read the full story here.
5 p.m. Tiny airborne particles may pose a big coronavirus problem
At a University of Maryland lab, people infected with the new coronavirus take turns sitting in a chair and putting their faces into the big end of a large cone. They recite the alphabet and sing or just sit quietly for a half hour. Sometimes they cough.
The cone sucks up everything that comes out of their mouths and noses. It’s part of a device called “Gesundheit II” that is helping scientists study a big question: Just how does the virus that causes COVID-19 spread from one person to another?
It clearly hitchhikes on small liquid particles sprayed out by an infected person. People expel particles while coughing, sneezing, singing, shouting, talking and even breathing. But the drops come in a wide range of sizes, and scientists are trying to pin down how risky the various kinds are.
Read the complete story here
2:06 p.m. With daily cases on rise, Illinois on track for 10K+ deaths by the end of year
The Illinois Department of Public Health Friday announced another 2,514 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and 25 more deaths from the virus.
The state’s seven-day positivity rate — the number used to gauge how quickly the virus is spreading — between Sept. 18 and 24 is 3.6%, up slightly from the 3.5% positivity rate recorded earlier this week.
Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 69,793 specimens for a total of 5,363,471 since the pandemic began.
As of Thursday night, 1,637 coronavirus patients in Illinois were hospitalized, 371 were in intensive care units and 124 were on ventilators.
“Were starting to see an increase in the number of daily cases,” IDPH spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said. Daily death counts and the number of patients in intensive care and on ventilators have been steady, she said.
Reporter Mitch Dudek has the full story.
1:59 p.m. Falcons place CB A.J. Terrell on reserve/COVID list after testing positive
There’s no indication yet that it will impact the Bears’ game at the Falcons on Sunday, but Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell tested positive for coronavirus Saturday and was placed on the reserve/COVID list. He will be the first NFL player to miss a game because of a positive test.
ESPN reported that Terrell was tested Friday morning, then practiced, then the Falcons received his positive result Saturday. The team is re-testing everyone who was in close contact with Terrell.
The Bears are scheduled to fly to Atlanta after meetings at Halas Hall on Saturday and kickoff is noon Sunday. Coach Matt Nagy is intent on limiting the amount of time his team spends traveling or in hotels for road games this season.
Read the full story here.
11:00 a.m. Universities determined to salvage semester despite warning signs
MADISON, Wis. — Colleges across the country are struggling to salvage the fall semester amid skyrocketing coronavirus cases, entire dorm complexes and frat houses under quarantine, and flaring tensions with local community leaders over the spread of the disease.
Many major universities are determined to forge ahead despite warning signs, as evidenced by the expanding slate of college football games occurring Saturday. The football-obsessed SEC begins its season with fans in stadiums. Several teams in other leagues have had to postpone games because of outbreaks among players and staff.
Institutions across the nation saw spikes of thousands of cases days after opening their doors in the last month, driven by students socializing with little or no social distancing. School and community leaders have tried to rein in the virus by closing bars, suspending students, adding mask requirements, and toggling between in-person and online instruction as case numbers rise and fall.
Tension over the outbreaks is starting to boil over in college towns.
Faculty members from at least two universities have held no-confidence votes in recent weeks against their top leaders, in part over reopening decisions. Government leaders want the University of Wisconsin-Madison to send its students home. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, alarmed by what he sees as draconian rules on college campuses, said he is drawing up a “bill of rights” for college students.
Read the full story here.
8:29 a.m. Notre Dame football season on hold
There was some eye rolling on social media when Notre Dame conducted a socially distanced version of its postgame tradition in Weeks 1 and 2.
Instead of locking arms with their teammates and swaying in unison to sing the “Alma Mater” along with the school’s marching band, the Irish spread out at five-yard intervals as though conducting pregame stretch.
Well, no one’s laughing now.
Saturday’s game at Wake Forest, scheduled as the first road test for the nation’s seventh-ranked team, was postponed until Dec. 12 after up to 27% of Notre Dame’s 85-man roster landed either in isolation or quarantine because of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.
Notre Dame announced Tuesday that it was pausing all football-related activities until further notice. It speaks to how concerned the university’s leadership is that even a mutual off date of Oct. 3 for the Irish and Demon Deacons was brushed aside as a reasonable reschedule date.
Read the full story here.
7:05 a.m. Another beloved Chicago bar shutters, citing COVID
There’s been a lot of reminiscing of late, now that Steve Soble, Southport Lanes’ owner since 1991, has decided to close.
“It’s been one of the strangest six months of our lives,” said Soble, 56, echoing the refrain of many a bar owner in the city. He’s had “virtually no one” inside the 6,250-square-foot bar during the pandemic. Even with 50 or so seats outside, he had to pray for good weather.
“When it rained, it was not even worth opening,” he said.
And so on Sunday the bartender will holler “last call!” one more time. The pins in the adjoining four-lane bowling alley clattered for the last time in mid-March after the statewide shutdown.
Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here.
New cases
Falcons put CB A.J. Terrell on reserve/COVID list after testing positive.
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced another 2,257 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and 30 more deaths have been attributed to the virus.
The state’s test positivity rate — the number used to gauge how quickly the virus is spreading — between Sept. 17 and 23 remains at 3.5%, the lowest rate since late July.
Analysis & Commentary
7:02 a.m. Even before any second COVID wave, many Chicagoans are still in need from the first one
The calls come daily to state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe’s office on the Northwest Side from people who need help navigating the state bureaucracy.
They call about unemployment benefits, housing assistance and food stamps. They call about utility bills, problems with state licenses and support for their small businesses.
Many of the callers these days are in tears, not knowing where to turn. Some can’t pay the rent. Others are worried about feeding their families.
Yet what’s striking to LaPointe’s chief of staff, Jessica Genova, is how apologetic many of the callers are, as if they’re feeling guilty about their predicament and needing help.
“I’ve never done this before,” they say.
Read Mark Brown’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Rapid, cheap home tests: Companies attempt to make coronavirus tests widely available

Nearly two months after federal regulators unveiled rules for at-home coronavirus tests , no company has federal approval to sell these fast and cheap tests even though the technology is ready .
Molecular PCR tests processed at medical labs remain the standard of accurate testing , but they are more expensive and results can take days to process .
Antigen tests are less expensive , plentiful and deliver results in minutes .
Three companies gained Food and Drug Administration authorization to sell antigen testing instruments to labs or clinics .
A fourth company , Abbott Laboratories , won approval to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card-sized test administered by a health care professional .
But no company has been cleared to sell tests directly to consumers for widespread screening – a step some believe is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 , as more than 200,000 Americans have died and people worry about safely returning to work , school , travel or sporting events .
“ The way to get this under control is if people find out as early as possible they are infected and then quarantine from others , ” said Dr. Yukari Manabe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United States needs 30 million tests a week to adequately track the virus and protect vulnerable residents , according to the Rockefeller Foundation .
Labs have worked round the clock to gradually bring more tests to Americans over the past six months .
Still , the nation reached 1 million daily tests for the first time last week , about one quarter of Rockefeller ’ s goal of more than 4 million tests each day , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
Testing in many states and clinics is limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick .
Routine screening could prevent the spread among people who have the virus but don ’ t have any symptoms .
If people test themselves before going to work , restaurants or school , it could significantly reduce transmission .
The effort to screen people without symptoms is monumental , said Stephen Tang , president and chief executive officer of OraSure Technologies .
“ We ’ ve never had this kind of undertaking in our history , ” Tang said .
With labs stretched to their limits , the extra capacity must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests .
Large and small companies alike are working toward that goal .
Post-it Note maker 3M has teamed with MIT researchers to develop a rapid , paper-based test .
Researchers said the goal is to develop a point-of-care test to deliver quick results outside a lab .
Representatives of 3M and MIT declined to say whether they plan to make a test for consumers to use at home .
Illinois-based Abbott in August became the first company to gain approval of a rapid antigen test using “ lateral flow ” technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will spend $ 750 million to purchase 150 million tests with the first shipments expected this month .
The test must be administered by a healthcare professional such as a physician ’ s assistant or a school nurse .
An Abbott spokeswoman declined to say whether the company will seek FDA authorization to sell a home version .
Several other companies are working to bring home tests Americans can purchase without a prescription or doctor ’ s referral .
OraSure sells a rapid HIV test at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walmart .
The company has developed a rapid antigen test now in clinical studies .
It expects to sell directly to consumers before the end of 2020 .
Gaining FDA authorization for these inexpensive , at-home tests is no easy task .
Under the agency ’ s template , released July 29 , the FDA said at-home tests should correctly identify positive cases at least 90 % of the time .
This sensitivity threshold is higher than antigen tests the agency has authorized for point-of-care or lab settings .
The agency also wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work on patients .
The FDA recommends studies with at least 150 people , of which at least 30 people test positive for the virus .
Two companies , Gauss and Cellex , last week announced a rapid antigen test being studied in clinical trials .
Gauss developed an app with detailed instructions for users .
Cellex ’ s rapid antigen test has demonstrated nearly 90 % sensitivity , the FDA ’ s minimum for such tests .
Cambridge , Massachusetts-based E25Bio is studying its antigen test on people without symptoms at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company already has applied to market its rapid antigen test as a diagnostic that can be used at labs .
The company wants to gather enough data to apply for at-home testing , said Carlos-Henri Ferré , E25Bio ’ s director of operations and communications .
Ferré said the FDA ’ s template for at-home testing requires a sensitivity level higher than other forms of antigen testing .
“ If we ’ re talking about a screening device , the parameters don ’ t need to be the same as an ultimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” We hope the ( FDA ’ s ) language would change and reflect what we ’ re creating , which is a screening tool for public health.
” Experts say PCR tests that detect the virus ’ s genetic material are the most accurate to detect low levels of the virus .
But these tests are processed by labs that need trained workers and sufficient chemical supplies .
If there ’ s a shortage of supplies or workers , test results are delayed .
Some major commercial labs took a week or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivering results of little use for consumers .
The antigen tests , which detect proteins , are often less sensitive than PCR tests .
But some argue antigen tests , which can produce results in minutes and are less expensive , can identify when a person is infectious and most likely to pass the virus to others .
“ From a public health standpoint , the lower sensitivity might not matter if your point is to take people who are infected out of circulation , ” Manabe said .
” Because you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a relatively high viral load using the antigen test.
” But the FDA also must evaluate other factors , such as how results from antigen tests are publicly reported to public health officials .
State and local health departments might not know when someone tests positive or when to dispatch workers to trace the contact of infected individuals .
More than 20 states could not track or do not disclose data on rapid antigen tests , leaving public health officials unable to know the true spread of the virus , Kaiser Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s existing stance on at-home testing is an “ evolving situation ” that might require test developers to use an app or cloud-based device to track test results .
Still , requiring consumers to log into an app and voluntarily report their test results might be ineffective .
Testing industry officials want to know how the FDA will require test manufacturers to track results “ The big question that is present in the industry is how will at-home approval be viewed by the FDA ?
” said Anthony Lemmo , CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ To just go to CVS and buy it without this information being collected , from an epidemiological point of view , feels like a big hole.
” Abbott is pairing its rapid test with a mobile app consumers can use should they need test results to enter places where people gather .
The Gauss-Cellex test would require users to take their own nasal swab and scan the rapid test on a mobile app , which would inform the user of the test results .
Peter Pitts , a former FDA associate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicine in the Public Interest , said the FDA must consider the benefits of speed , accuracy and reliability when evaluating any test or product .
“ The only thing worse than no data or no testing is bad data based on bad testing , ” Pitts said .
“ It sends us into the wrong direction .
It compromises people ’ s faith in the system and it doesn ’ t provide anything useful .
”

Nearly two months after federal regulators unveiled rules for at-home coronavirus tests, no company has federal approval to sell these fast and cheap tests even though the technology is ready.
Molecular PCR tests processed at medical labs remain the standard of accurate testing, but they are more expensive and results can take days to process.
Antigen tests are less expensive, plentiful and deliver results in minutes. Three companies gained Food and Drug Administration authorization to sell antigen testing instruments to labs or clinics. A fourth company, Abbott Laboratories, won approval to market a $5 rapid, credit card-sized test administered by a health care professional.
But no company has been cleared to sell tests directly to consumers for widespread screening – a step some believe is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, as more than 200,000 Americans have died and people worry about safely returning to work, school, travel or sporting events.
“The way to get this under control is if people find out as early as possible they are infected and then quarantine from others,” said Dr. Yukari Manabe, a Johns Hopkins University professor of medicine.
The United States needs 30 million tests a week to adequately track the virus and protect vulnerable residents, according to the Rockefeller Foundation. Labs have worked round the clock to gradually bring more tests to Americans over the past six months. Still, the nation reached 1 million daily tests for the first time last week, about one quarter of Rockefeller’s goal of more than 4 million tests each day, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Testing in many states and clinics is limited to people exposed to the virus or sick. Routine screening could prevent the spread among people who have the virus but don’t have any symptoms. If people test themselves before going to work, restaurants or school, it could significantly reduce transmission.
The effort to screen people without symptoms is monumental, said Stephen Tang, president and chief executive officer of OraSure Technologies.
“We’ve never had this kind of undertaking in our history,” Tang said.
With labs stretched to their limits, the extra capacity must come from companies that make portable antigen tests. Large and small companies alike are working toward that goal.
Post-it Note maker 3M has teamed with MIT researchers to develop a rapid, paper-based test. Researchers said the goal is to develop a point-of-care test to deliver quick results outside a lab. Representatives of 3M and MIT declined to say whether they plan to make a test for consumers to use at home.
Illinois-based Abbott in August became the first company to gain approval of a rapid antigen test using “lateral flow” technology, similar to a pregnancy test. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will spend $750 million to purchase 150 million tests with the first shipments expected this month.
The test must be administered by a healthcare professional such as a physician’s assistant or a school nurse. An Abbott spokeswoman declined to say whether the company will seek FDA authorization to sell a home version.
Several other companies are working to bring home tests Americans can purchase without a prescription or doctor’s referral.
OraSure sells a rapid HIV test at retailers such as CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. The company has developed a rapid antigen test now in clinical studies. It expects to sell directly to consumers before the end of 2020.
Gaining FDA authorization for these inexpensive, at-home tests is no easy task.
Under the agency’s template, released July 29, the FDA said at-home tests should correctly identify positive cases at least 90% of the time. This sensitivity threshold is higher than antigen tests the agency has authorized for point-of-care or lab settings.
The agency also wants companies to conduct studies on how tests work on patients. The FDA recommends studies with at least 150 people, of which at least 30 people test positive for the virus.
Two companies, Gauss and Cellex, last week announced a rapid antigen test being studied in clinical trials. Gauss developed an app with detailed instructions for users. Cellex’s rapid antigen test has demonstrated nearly 90% sensitivity, the FDA’s minimum for such tests.
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based E25Bio is studying its antigen test on people without symptoms at a co-working space in the Boston area. The company already has applied to market its rapid antigen test as a diagnostic that can be used at labs. The company wants to gather enough data to apply for at-home testing, said Carlos-Henri Ferré, E25Bio’s director of operations and communications.
Ferré said the FDA’s template for at-home testing requires a sensitivity level higher than other forms of antigen testing.
“If we’re talking about a screening device, the parameters don’t need to be the same as an ultimate diagnostic test,” he said. ”We hope the (FDA’s) language would change and reflect what we’re creating, which is a screening tool for public health.”
Experts say PCR tests that detect the virus’s genetic material are the most accurate to detect low levels of the virus. But these tests are processed by labs that need trained workers and sufficient chemical supplies. If there’s a shortage of supplies or workers, test results are delayed. Some major commercial labs took a week or longer to process tests in July, delivering results of little use for consumers.
The antigen tests, which detect proteins, are often less sensitive than PCR tests. But some argue antigen tests, which can produce results in minutes and are less expensive, can identify when a person is infectious and most likely to pass the virus to others.
“From a public health standpoint, the lower sensitivity might not matter if your point is to take people who are infected out of circulation,” Manabe said. ”Because you are probably going to find all the people with a relatively high viral load using the antigen test.”
But the FDA also must evaluate other factors, such as how results from antigen tests are publicly reported to public health officials. State and local health departments might not know when someone tests positive or when to dispatch workers to trace the contact of infected individuals.
More than 20 states could not track or do not disclose data on rapid antigen tests, leaving public health officials unable to know the true spread of the virus, Kaiser Health News reported.
Manabe said the FDA’s existing stance on at-home testing is an “evolving situation” that might require test developers to use an app or cloud-based device to track test results. Still, requiring consumers to log into an app and voluntarily report their test results might be ineffective.
Testing industry officials want to know how the FDA will require test manufacturers to track results
“The big question that is present in the industry is how will at-home approval be viewed by the FDA?” said Anthony Lemmo, CEO of BioDot, a company that testing supplier. “To just go to CVS and buy it without this information being collected, from an epidemiological point of view, feels like a big hole.”
Abbott is pairing its rapid test with a mobile app consumers can use should they need test results to enter places where people gather. The Gauss-Cellex test would require users to take their own nasal swab and scan the rapid test on a mobile app, which would inform the user of the test results.
Peter Pitts, a former FDA associate commissioner and co-founder of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, said the FDA must consider the benefits of speed, accuracy and reliability when evaluating any test or product.
“The only thing worse than no data or no testing is bad data based on bad testing,” Pitts said. “It sends us into the wrong direction. It compromises people’s faith in the system and it doesn’t provide anything useful.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Rev. Leon Finney remembered as a fighter and ‘gentleman from Woodlawn’ at funeral

That ’ s what his friends and family repeatedly said Saturday at his funeral service .
Finney was known as “ an organizer ’ s organizer , ” who “ gave a voice to the voiceless ” and served as a “ friend to the friendless.
” He was an iconic leader in the civil rights movement in Chicago and was a relentless advocate for community development and affordable housing .
He also served as a mentor to countless people , including a “ skinny guy with great dreams , ” former President Barack Obama wrote in a letter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his two children and three grandchildren , he was simply “ dad ” and “ papa.
” Finney , a longtime power player in Chicago politics , died Sept. 4 at the University of Chicago Medical Center after a long-term illness .
He was 82 .
Despite coronavirus restrictions , more than 100 masked people showed up to the Apostolic Faith Church in Bronzeville to pay their respects , including Mayor Lori Lightfoot , Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Rev .
Jesse Jackson Sr. Others — like Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Ill. — paid homage to the “ Chicago icon ” via video tribute .
Lightfoot was one of the first speakers to honor Finney , whose work allowed Black men and women to “ thrive and on whose shoulder we stand , ” the mayor said .
“ Dr .
Finney was many things : A minister , a community organizer and entrepreneur , a father , and ... a marine , ” Lightfoot said .
“ And the tie that bound all of these things together was his spirit , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his people and public service.
” In Obama ’ s letter , read aloud by Finney ’ s granddaughter , Jaiden Cooke , the former president said , “ Doc was always there for us.
” “ I hope you ’ ll continue to draw inspiration of his words of love , support and wisdom that will live on for generations to come , ” Obama wrote .
Born in Louise , Mississippi , Finney was the son of Leon Finney Sr. , creator of the famed Leon ’ s Bar-B-Q .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public service .
He joined the Woodlawn Organization , often abbreviated as TWO , and worked to bring new houses , big developments and businesses to the area .
But Finney ’ s leadership of the TWO , as well as other organizations and businesses , was also dogged by allegations of mismanagement and wrongdoing , as the Sun-Times reported last year amid bankruptcy hearings for the Woodlawn Development Corp. Finney founded Christ Apostolic Church and served as its pastor until that church merged with Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church , where he served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his footprints and his fingerprints are all over so many important organizations , initiatives and people that are leading yet today , ” Lightfoot said .
Hermene Hartman , the chief executive officer of N ’ Digo Publishing , described her close friend as strong , fierce and loving .
“ He was a fighter .
He was not going to back down no matter what , ” Hartman said .
“ He had a strong , disciplined , steel mind .
When he focused on something , just like the Marine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and he usually won even if he lost.
” Finney butt heads at times with politicians , including Lightfoot .
But he always put others before himself , his friends said .
“ It wasn ’ t just him , it was always us , ” Hartman said as she held back tears .
“ We will miss Leon , this city will be lonely without him .
He raised issues , he fought the fight , and he brought us along ... And it meant something to us ...
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was a gentleman from Woodlawn .
”

The Rev. Leon Finney Jr. was a “complex man.”
That’s what his friends and family repeatedly said Saturday at his funeral service.
Finney was known as “an organizer’s organizer,” who “gave a voice to the voiceless” and served as a “friend to the friendless.”
He was an iconic leader in the civil rights movement in Chicago and was a relentless advocate for community development and affordable housing. He also served as a mentor to countless people, including a “skinny guy with great dreams,” former President Barack Obama wrote in a letter that was read at the service.
But to his two children and three grandchildren, he was simply “dad” and “papa.”
Photos are displayed Saturday at the visitation and funeral service for Dr. Leon Finney Jr. at Apostolic Faith Church. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Finney, a longtime power player in Chicago politics, died Sept. 4 at the University of Chicago Medical Center after a long-term illness. He was 82.
Despite coronavirus restrictions, more than 100 masked people showed up to the Apostolic Faith Church in Bronzeville to pay their respects, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
Others — like Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill. — paid homage to the “Chicago icon” via video tribute.
Lightfoot was one of the first speakers to honor Finney, whose work allowed Black men and women to “thrive and on whose shoulder we stand,” the mayor said.
“Dr. Finney was many things: A minister, a community organizer and entrepreneur, a father, and ... a marine,” Lightfoot said. “And the tie that bound all of these things together was his spirit, his love and his dedication to his community, his people and public service.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks Saturday at the visitation and funeral service for Dr. Leon Finney Jr. at Apostolic Faith Church in Bronzeville. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
In Obama’s letter, read aloud by Finney’s granddaughter, Jaiden Cooke, the former president said, “Doc was always there for us.”
“I hope you’ll continue to draw inspiration of his words of love, support and wisdom that will live on for generations to come,” Obama wrote.
Born in Louise, Mississippi, Finney was the son of Leon Finney Sr., creator of the famed Leon’s Bar-B-Q.
But Finney Jr. took the path of public service.
He joined the Woodlawn Organization, often abbreviated as TWO, and worked to bring new houses, big developments and businesses to the area. But Finney’s leadership of the TWO, as well as other organizations and businesses, was also dogged by allegations of mismanagement and wrongdoing, as the Sun-Times reported last year amid bankruptcy hearings for the Woodlawn Development Corp.
Finney founded Christ Apostolic Church and served as its pastor until that church merged with Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church, where he served as senior pastor.
Rev. Leon Finney’s photo and bunting hangs above the Metropolitan Church in the Bronzeville neighborhood as his body lies in state inside, Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
“His legacy, his footprints and his fingerprints are all over so many important organizations, initiatives and people that are leading yet today,” Lightfoot said.
Hermene Hartman, the chief executive officer of N’Digo Publishing, described her close friend as strong, fierce and loving.
“He was a fighter. He was not going to back down no matter what,” Hartman said. “He had a strong, disciplined, steel mind. When he focused on something, just like the Marine he was, he would back it up and he usually won even if he lost.”
Finney butted heads at times with politicians, including Lightfoot. But he always put others before himself, his friends said.
“It wasn’t just him, it was always us,” Hartman said as she held back tears. “We will miss Leon, this city will be lonely without him. He raised issues, he fought the fight, and he brought us along... And it meant something to us... He was ours. He was our Leon. He was a gentleman from Woodlawn.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Man, 25, shot dead in Maywood

Man, 25, shot dead in Maywood

Darryl Woodard was shot several times about 3:45 p.m. in the 2100 block of South 9th Avenue , the Cook @ @ @ @ @ office said .
He was taken to the Loyola University Medical Center , where he @ @ @ @ @ .
An autopsy determined Woodard died of his injuries , and ruled his death a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said .
Maywood police did not immediately respond to a request for @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 25-year-old man was fatally shot Friday in south suburban Maywood.
Darryl Woodard was shot several times about 3:45 p.m. in the 2100 block of South 9th Avenue, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. He was taken to the Loyola University Medical Center, where he died about an hour later.
An autopsy determined Woodard died of his injuries, and ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
Woodard lived in Maywood.
Maywood police did not immediately respond to a request for details.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Hundreds gather to ‘say her name’ at Daley Center rally for Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor ’ s name reverberated throughout Daley Plaza Saturday afternoon as hundreds of people gathered to “ say her name ” at a rally in the wake of a grand jury ’ s decision not to charge three Louisville police officers in Taylor ’ s death .
About 300 people held roses and signs that read “ Justice for Breonna Taylor ” and “ Black women deserve better.
” A moment of silence was also held for about two minutes .
“ As a Black woman , I must say that I am 100 percent disgusted , feeling disrespected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna Taylor , ” speaker Niama Malachi told the crowd .
“ And with that , I ask , do you know what America has done to the Black woman ?
“ Every day , we are persecuted , unjustly prosecuted , abused and ridiculed , wrongly accused and none of us are exempt , ” Malachi said .
Taylor was killed in March by Louisville police while sleeping in her bed when officers entered her home while serving a warrant as part of a narcotics investigation tied to a suspect who didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were found .
Officer Brett Hankison , who was fired from the Louisville Police Department after the shooting , was the only officer indicted Wednesday by a Kentucky grand jury .
Hankison faces three counts of wanton endangerment for allegedly firing 10 rounds blindly into the apartment , but was not charged in Taylor ’ s death .
The rally , organized by My Block , My Hood , My City , also raised about $ 50,000 for the Black Women Led Organizations Fund , according to My Block founder Jahmal Cole .

Breonna Taylor’s name reverberated throughout Daley Plaza Saturday afternoon as hundreds of people gathered to “say her name” at a rally in the wake of a grand jury’s decision not to charge three Louisville police officers in Taylor’s death.
About 300 people held roses and signs that read “Justice for Breonna Taylor” and “Black women deserve better.”
A moment of silence was also held for about two minutes.
“As a Black woman, I must say that I am 100 percent disgusted, feeling disrespected and unprotected by the slight given to Breonna Taylor,” speaker Niama Malachi told the crowd. “And with that, I ask, do you know what America has done to the Black woman?
“Every day, we are persecuted, unjustly prosecuted, abused and ridiculed, wrongly accused and none of us are exempt,” Malachi said.
Taylor was killed in March by Louisville police while sleeping in her bed when officers entered her home while serving a warrant as part of a narcotics investigation tied to a suspect who didn’t live there. No drugs were found.
Officer Brett Hankison, who was fired from the Louisville Police Department after the shooting, was the only officer indicted Wednesday by a Kentucky grand jury. Hankison faces three counts of wanton endangerment for allegedly firing 10 rounds blindly into the apartment, but was not charged in Taylor’s death.
The rally, organized by My Block, My Hood, My City, also raised about $50,000 for the Black Women Led Organizations Fund, according to My Block founder Jahmal Cole.
Hundreds of people attend the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Breonna Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Hundreds of people have a moment of silence for Breonna Taylor during the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Reverend Darius Randle attends the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Breonna Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Hundreds of people have a moment of silence for Breonna Taylor during the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Jahmal Cole, founder of My Block, My Hood, My City, speaks during the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Breonna Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Hundreds of people attend the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Breonna Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Hundreds of people attend the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Breonna Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Monette McLin raises her fist during the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Breonna Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Hundreds of people have a moment of silence for Breonna Taylor during the “Say Her Name” rally organized by My Block, My Hood, My City to honor Taylor at Daley Plaza, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26, 2020. Taylor was a paramedic who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky while executing a no-knock warrant. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Man killed in Burnside shooting

Man killed in Burnside shooting

A man was shot to death Friday in Burnside on the South Side .
The 19-year-old was walking in an @ @ @ @ @ about 10 p.m. in the 9400 block of South Vernon Avenue when someone opened fire @ @ @ @ @ The man was struck in the chest and back , police said .
He was @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
The Cook County medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ man as Cornelius Pulthus Jr. , who lived in the neighborhood .
An autopsy Saturday @ @ @ @ @ death a homicide , saying he died of multiple gunshot wounds .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s homicides .

A man was shot to death Friday in Burnside on the South Side.
The 19-year-old was walking in an alley with two other males about 10 p.m. in the 9400 block of South Vernon Avenue when someone opened fire, Chicago police said.
The man was struck in the chest and back, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified the man as Cornelius Pulthus Jr., who lived in the neighborhood. An autopsy Saturday ruled Pulthus Jr.’s death a homicide, saying he died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Area Two detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Tiny airborne particles may pose a big coronavirus problem

NEW YORK — At a University of Maryland lab , people infected with the new coronavirus take turns sitting in a chair and putting their faces into the big end of a large cone .
They recite the alphabet and sing or just sit quietly for a half hour .
Sometimes they cough .
The cone sucks up everything that comes out of their mouths and noses .
It ’ s part of a device called “ Gesundheit II ” that is helping scientists study a big question : Just how does the virus that causes COVID-19 spread from one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on small liquid particles sprayed out by an infected person .
People expel particles while coughing , sneezing , singing , shouting , talking and even breathing .
But the drops come in a wide range of sizes , and scientists are trying to pin down how risky the various kinds are .
The answer affects what we should all be doing to avoid getting sick .
That ’ s why it was thrust into headlines a few days ago when a U.S. health agency appeared to have shifted its position on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published new language in error .
The recommendation to stay at least 6 feet ( 2 meters ) apart — some authorities cite about half that distance — is based on the idea that larger particles fall to the ground before they can travel very far .
They are like the droplets in a spritz of a window cleaner , and they can infect somebody by landing on their nose , mouth or eyes , or maybe being inhaled .
But some scientists are now focusing on tinier particles , the ones that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are carried by wisps of air and even upward drafts caused by the warmth of our bodies .
They can linger in the air for minutes to hours , spreading throughout a room and build up if ventilation is poor .
The potential risk comes from inhaling them .
Measles can spread this way , but the new coronavirus is far less contagious than that .
For these particles , called aerosols , “ 6 feet is not a magic distance , ’ ’ says Linsey Marr , a leading researcher who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But she says it ’ s still important to keep one ’ s distance from others , “ the farther the better , ” because aerosols are most concentrated near a source and pose a bigger risk at close range .
Public health agencies have generally focused on the larger particles for coronavirus .
That prompted more than 200 other scientists to publish a plea in July to pay attention to the potential risk from aerosols .
The World Health Organization , which had long dismissed a danger from aerosols except in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later said that aerosol transmission of the coronavirus can ’ t be ruled out in cases of infection within crowded and poorly ventilated indoor spaces .
The issue drew attention recently when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted and then deleted statements on its website that highlighted the idea of aerosol spread .
The agency said the posting was an error , and that the statements were just a draft of proposed changes to its recommendations .
Dr. Jay Butler , CDC ’ s deputy director for infectious disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to believe larger and heavier droplets that come from coughing or sneezing are the primary means of transmission .
Last month Butler told a scientific meeting that current research suggests aerosol spreading of the coronavirus is possible but it doesn ’ t seem to be the main way that people get infected .
Further research may change that conclusion , he added , and he urged scientists to study how often aerosol spread of the coronavirus occurs , what situations make it more likely and what reasonable steps might prevent it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ happening a lot more than people initially were willing to think.
” As a key piece of evidence , Marr and others point to so-called “ superspreader ” events where one infected person evidently passed the virus to many others in a single setting .
In March , for example , after a choir member with coronavirus symptoms attended a rehearsal in Washington state , 52 others who had been seated throughout the room were found to be infected and two died .
In a crowded and poorly ventilated restaurant in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread from a lunchtime patron to five people at two adjoining tables in a pattern suggesting aerosols were spread by the air conditioner .
Also in January , a passenger on a Chinese bus apparently infected 23 others , many of whom were scattered around the vehicle .
Butler said such events raise concern about aerosol spread but don ’ t prove it happens .
There could be another way for tiny particles to spread .
They may not necessarily come directly from somebody ’ s mouth or nose , says William Ristenpart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His research found that if paper tissues are seeded with influenza virus and then crumpled , they give off particles that bear the virus .
So people emptying a wastebasket with tissues discarded by somebody with COVID-19 should be sure to wear a mask , he said .
Scientists who warn about aerosols say current recommendations still make sense .
Wearing a mask is still important , and make sure it fits snugly .
Keep washing those hands diligently .
And again , staying farther apart is better than being closer together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their main addition to recommendations is ventilation to avoid a buildup of aerosol concentration .
So , the researchers say , stay out of poorly ventilated rooms .
Open windows and doors .
One can also use air-purifying devices or virus-inactivating ultraviolet light .
Best of all : Just do as much as you can outdoors , where dilution and the sun ’ s ultraviolet light work in your favor .
“ We know outdoors is the most spectacularly effective measure , by far , ’ ’ says Jose-Luis Jimenez of the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not impossible to get infected , but it is difficult.
” The various precautions should be used in combination rather than just one at a time , researchers say .
In a well ventilated environment , “ 6 feet ( of separation ) is pretty good if everybody ’ s got a mask on ” and nobody stays directly downwind of an infected person for very long , says Dr. Donald Milton of the University of Maryland School of Public Health , whose lab houses the Gesundheit II machine .
Duration of exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably not much risk from a short elevator ride while masked or being passed by a jogger on the sidewalk , experts say .
Scientists have published online tools for calculating risk of airborne spread in various settings .
At a recent meeting on aerosols , however , Dr. Georges Benjamin , executive director of the American Public Health Association , noted that preventive steps can be a challenge in the real world .
Keeping apart from other people can be difficult in homes that house multiple generations .
Some old buildings have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , ” he said .
And “ we have far too many communities where they simply don ’ t have access to clean water to wash their hands.
” It might seem strange that for all the scientific frenzy to study the new coronavirus , the details of how it spreads can still be in doubt nine months later .
But history suggests patience .
“ We ’ ve been studying influenza for 102 years , ” says Milton , referring to the 1918 flu epidemic .
“ We still don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what the role of aerosols is .
”

NEW YORK — At a University of Maryland lab, people infected with the new coronavirus take turns sitting in a chair and putting their faces into the big end of a large cone. They recite the alphabet and sing or just sit quietly for a half hour. Sometimes they cough.
The cone sucks up everything that comes out of their mouths and noses. It’s part of a device called “Gesundheit II” that is helping scientists study a big question: Just how does the virus that causes COVID-19 spread from one person to another?
It clearly hitchhikes on small liquid particles sprayed out by an infected person. People expel particles while coughing, sneezing, singing, shouting, talking and even breathing. But the drops come in a wide range of sizes, and scientists are trying to pin down how risky the various kinds are.
The answer affects what we should all be doing to avoid getting sick. That’s why it was thrust into headlines a few days ago when a U.S. health agency appeared to have shifted its position on the issue, but later said it had published new language in error.
The recommendation to stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart — some authorities cite about half that distance — is based on the idea that larger particles fall to the ground before they can travel very far. They are like the droplets in a spritz of a window cleaner, and they can infect somebody by landing on their nose, mouth or eyes, or maybe being inhaled.
But some scientists are now focusing on tinier particles, the ones that spread more like cigarette smoke. Those are carried by wisps of air and even upward drafts caused by the warmth of our bodies. They can linger in the air for minutes to hours, spreading throughout a room and build up if ventilation is poor.
The potential risk comes from inhaling them. Measles can spread this way, but the new coronavirus is far less contagious than that.
For these particles, called aerosols, “6 feet is not a magic distance,’’ says Linsey Marr, a leading researcher who is studying them at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. But she says it’s still important to keep one’s distance from others, “the farther the better,” because aerosols are most concentrated near a source and pose a bigger risk at close range.
Public health agencies have generally focused on the larger particles for coronavirus. That prompted more than 200 other scientists to publish a plea in July to pay attention to the potential risk from aerosols. The World Health Organization, which had long dismissed a danger from aerosols except in the case of certain medical procedures, later said that aerosol transmission of the coronavirus can’t be ruled out in cases of infection within crowded and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
The issue drew attention recently when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted and then deleted statements on its website that highlighted the idea of aerosol spread. The agency said the posting was an error, and that the statements were just a draft of proposed changes to its recommendations.
Dr. Jay Butler, CDC’s deputy director for infectious disease, told The Associated Press that the agency continues to believe larger and heavier droplets that come from coughing or sneezing are the primary means of transmission.
Last month Butler told a scientific meeting that current research suggests aerosol spreading of the coronavirus is possible but it doesn’t seem to be the main way that people get infected. Further research may change that conclusion, he added, and he urged scientists to study how often aerosol spread of the coronavirus occurs, what situations make it more likely and what reasonable steps might prevent it.
Marr said she thinks infection by aerosols is “happening a lot more than people initially were willing to think.”
As a key piece of evidence, Marr and others point to so-called “superspreader” events where one infected person evidently passed the virus to many others in a single setting.
In March, for example, after a choir member with coronavirus symptoms attended a rehearsal in Washington state, 52 others who had been seated throughout the room were found to be infected and two died. In a crowded and poorly ventilated restaurant in China in January, the virus evidently spread from a lunchtime patron to five people at two adjoining tables in a pattern suggesting aerosols were spread by the air conditioner. Also in January, a passenger on a Chinese bus apparently infected 23 others, many of whom were scattered around the vehicle.
Butler said such events raise concern about aerosol spread but don’t prove it happens.
There could be another way for tiny particles to spread. They may not necessarily come directly from somebody’s mouth or nose, says William Ristenpart of the University of California, Davis. His research found that if paper tissues are seeded with influenza virus and then crumpled, they give off particles that bear the virus. So people emptying a wastebasket with tissues discarded by somebody with COVID-19 should be sure to wear a mask, he said.
Scientists who warn about aerosols say current recommendations still make sense.
Wearing a mask is still important, and make sure it fits snugly. Keep washing those hands diligently. And again, staying farther apart is better than being closer together. Avoid crowds, especially indoors.
Their main addition to recommendations is ventilation to avoid a buildup of aerosol concentration. So, the researchers say, stay out of poorly ventilated rooms. Open windows and doors. One can also use air-purifying devices or virus-inactivating ultraviolet light.
Best of all: Just do as much as you can outdoors, where dilution and the sun’s ultraviolet light work in your favor.
“We know outdoors is the most spectacularly effective measure, by far,’’ says Jose-Luis Jimenez of the University of Colorado-Boulder. “Outdoors it is not impossible to get infected, but it is difficult.”
The various precautions should be used in combination rather than just one at a time, researchers say. In a well ventilated environment, “6 feet (of separation) is pretty good if everybody’s got a mask on” and nobody stays directly downwind of an infected person for very long, says Dr. Donald Milton of the University of Maryland School of Public Health, whose lab houses the Gesundheit II machine.
Duration of exposure is important, so there’s probably not much risk from a short elevator ride while masked or being passed by a jogger on the sidewalk, experts say.
Scientists have published online tools for calculating risk of airborne spread in various settings.
At a recent meeting on aerosols, however, Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, noted that preventive steps can be a challenge in the real world. Keeping apart from other people can be difficult in homes that house multiple generations. Some old buildings have windows that were “nailed shut years ago,” he said. And “we have far too many communities where they simply don’t have access to clean water to wash their hands.”
It might seem strange that for all the scientific frenzy to study the new coronavirus, the details of how it spreads can still be in doubt nine months later. But history suggests patience.
“We’ve been studying influenza for 102 years,” says Milton, referring to the 1918 flu epidemic. “We still don’t know how it’s transmitted and what the role of aerosols is.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--This You Gotta See: Cubs, White Sox armed and ready for Games 1 and 2 of playoffs

There ’ s so much we don ’ t know about the baseball postseason to come .
Like who will play whom .
And where .
And when .
You know , the little things .
Put the Cubs and White Sox into the same , overstuffed barrel of big-league teams that went into the final couple of days of the regular season with division titles and wild-card playoff pairings still to be sorted out .
We know all eight American League teams will be scheduled to play Tuesday .
We know all 16 playoff teams will be scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned that a 60-game regular season plus an expanded playoff field equals late-September chaos .
Nothing wrong with that .
But we do know this : The Cubs , with Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish , and the Sox , with Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel , are capable of beating any opponent in a best-of-three series .
Why ?
We already told you .
The answer is those four pitchers .
Hendricks threw a shutout in Game 1 of the season and likely will be on the hill for Game 1 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Sox ’ No .
1 and — hello , no-no — has backed that up .
Darvish has rewritten the script on his 2018 signing , and Keuchel has demonstrated from the get-go this season that he was worth the dough the Sox threw at him .
“ Still no fans in the playoffs , right ?
” Darvish said .
“ I think [ it won ’ t ] feel any different.
” We ’ ll see about that .
Here ’ s what ’ s happening : You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halftime lead in Week 2 ?
The Falcons totally “ hold our beer ” -ed them , gagging away a 19-point halftime lead in a ridiculous loss to the Cowboys .
It ’ s desperation time already for 0-2 Atlanta .
Some humble requests of both teams : Don ’ t throw at anybody .
Don ’ t break , sprain , strain or pull anything .
Don ’ t overtax any key pitchers .
Don ’ t bump an ump .
Look , just don ’ t blow it .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in a more innocent time — March — the Fire were supposed to make their Soldier Field return against Atlanta with 40,000-plus in the stands .
Fans : Nope .
Fanfare : Not much .
Better late than never , though .
There ’ s no telling who will drive home the daggers in this one .
Jimmy Butler ?
Tyler Herro ?
Jayson Tatum ?
Kemba Walker ?
Why don ’ t the Bulls have any of these guys ?
Aaron Rodgers and company are one of only four NFL teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 500 yards in their first two games .
They ’ ve yet to turn the ball over and already have scored at least two touchdowns in four of eight quarters played .
Other than that , they stink .
Liverpool , the Premier League ’ s reigning champ , aims to beat the Gunners for the fifth straight time at Anfield .
That hasn ’ t happened since the 1980s , but you probably knew that already .
Lightning at Stars , Game 6 ( if necessary ; 7 p.m. , Ch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back from a 3-1 series deficit and win the title ?
They ’ ll have to catch lightning in a bubble .
But seriously , folks .
Here ’ s the thing about quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson : They ’ re good at football .
Also : It ’ s even more fun to watch both of them than it is to watch one of them .
No , you won ’ t find this brand of analysis just anywhere .
It ’ s not how you finish , but how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsightly losing streak that messed with the Sox down the stretch of the regular season .
Everybody ’ s 0-0 .
Giolito is ready .
Let ’ s light this candle .
As people in this sport are fond of saying , often meaninglessly , “ It ’ s baseball.
” Well , Kris Bryant , Anthony Rizzo , Javy Baez and others on this team have done the whole “ baseball ” thing at the highest level before .
Here we go again ?
If Keuchel is going to be to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cubs , this is where it begins in earnest .
Let Cincinnati ’ s Trevor Bauer have his Cy Young award .
If Darvish does in the playoffs what he did in the regular season , he ’ s an instant legend in this town .
Speaking of instant legends … wait , our bad , this is the Broncos and the Jets .
Let ’ s try this : Do you like football ?
Technically , this is football .
The SEC ’ s opening weekend of games basically took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 to , like , a 6 on the excitement-o-meter all by itself .
Here ’ s another good — potentially great — one .
Kentucky Derby winner Authentic is the favorite in Baltimore .
Authentic ?
Baltimore ?
Are we the only ones suddenly thinking about crab cakes ?
See : previous SEC comments .
Yeah , we know , Big Ten fans , it gets kind of old .

There’s so much we don’t know about the baseball postseason to come. Like who will play whom. And where. And when. You know, the little things.
Put the Cubs and White Sox into the same, overstuffed barrel of big-league teams that went into the final couple of days of the regular season with division titles and wild-card playoff pairings still to be sorted out. We know all eight American League teams will be scheduled to play Tuesday. We know all 16 playoff teams will be scheduled to play Wednesday. And we’ve learned that a 60-game regular season plus an expanded playoff field equals late-September chaos.
Nothing wrong with that.
But we do know this: The Cubs, with Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish, and the Sox, with Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel, are capable of beating any opponent in a best-of-three series. Why? We already told you. The answer is those four pitchers.
Hendricks threw a shutout in Game 1 of the season and likely will be on the hill for Game 1 of the playoffs. Giolito opened the season as the Sox’ No. 1 and — hello, no-no — has backed that up. Darvish has rewritten the script on his 2018 signing, and Keuchel has demonstrated from the get-go this season that he was worth the dough the Sox threw at him.
The big stage is ready.
Pressure? What pressure?
“Still no fans in the playoffs, right?” Darvish said. “I think [it won’t] feel any different.”
We’ll see about that. Here’s what’s happening:
SUN 27
Bears at Falcons (noon, Fox-32)
You know how the Bears nearly blew a 17-point halftime lead in Week 2? The Falcons totally “hold our beer”-ed them, gagging away a 19-point halftime lead in a ridiculous loss to the Cowboys. It’s desperation time already for 0-2 Atlanta.
Cubs at White Sox (2:10 p.m., MSN, NBCSCH)
Some humble requests of both teams: Don’t throw at anybody. Don’t break, sprain, strain or pull anything. Don’t overtax any key pitchers. Don’t bump an ump. Look, just don’t blow it. There are some big games coming up.
Atlanta United at Fire (6:30 p.m., Ch. 9)
Way back in a more innocent time — March — the Fire were supposed to make their Soldier Field return against Atlanta with 40,000-plus in the stands. Fans: Nope. Fanfare: Not much. Better late than never, though.
Celtics at Heat, Game 6 (6:30 p.m., ESPN)
There’s no telling who will drive home the daggers in this one. Jimmy Butler? Tyler Herro? Jayson Tatum? Kemba Walker? Why don’t the Bulls have any of these guys?
Packers at Saints (7:20 p.m., Ch. 5)
Aaron Rodgers and company are one of only four NFL teams ever to average at least 40 points and 500 yards in their first two games. They’ve yet to turn the ball over and already have scored at least two touchdowns in four of eight quarters played. Other than that, they stink.
MON 28
Liverpool vs. Arsenal (2 p.m., Peacock)
Liverpool, the Premier League’s reigning champ, aims to beat the Gunners for the fifth straight time at Anfield. That hasn’t happened since the 1980s, but you probably knew that already.
Lightning at Stars, Game 6 (if necessary; 7 p.m., Ch. 5)
Can the Stars come back from a 3-1 series deficit and win the title? They’ll have to catch lightning in a bubble. But seriously, folks.
Chiefs at Ravens (7:15 p.m., ESPN)
Here’s the thing about quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson: They’re good at football. Also: It’s even more fun to watch both of them than it is to watch one of them. No, you won’t find this brand of analysis just anywhere.
TUE 29
White Sox vs. TBD, Game 1
It’s not how you finish, but how you start, right? Forget the unsightly losing streak that messed with the Sox down the stretch of the regular season. Everybody’s 0-0. Giolito is ready. Let’s light this candle.
WED 30
Cubs vs. TBD, Game 1
As people in this sport are fond of saying, often meaninglessly, “It’s baseball.” Well, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez and others on this team have done the whole “baseball” thing at the highest level before. Here we go again?
White Sox vs. TBD, Game 2
If Keuchel is going to be to the Sox what Jon Lester has been to the Cubs, this is where it begins in earnest.
THU 1
Cubs vs. TBD, Game 2
Let Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer have his Cy Young award. If Darvish does in the playoffs what he did in the regular season, he’s an instant legend in this town.
Broncos at Jets (7:20 p.m., NFLN)
Speaking of instant legends … wait, our bad, this is the Broncos and the Jets. Let’s try this: Do you like football? Technically, this is football.
SAT 3
Texas A&M at Alabama (2:30 p.m., Ch. 2)
The SEC’s opening weekend of games basically took the college season from, like, a 2 to, like, a 6 on the excitement-o-meter all by itself. Here’s another good — potentially great — one.
The Preakness (3:30 p.m., Ch. 5)
Kentucky Derby winner Authentic is the favorite in Baltimore. Authentic? Baltimore? Are we the only ones suddenly thinking about crab cakes?
Auburn at Georgia (6:30 p.m., ESPN)
See: previous SEC comments. Yeah, we know, Big Ten fans, it gets kind of old.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Who is Amy Coney Barrett? Meet Trump’s Supreme Court pick

The one-time law clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia has been tapped by President Trump to fill Ruth Bader @ @ @ @ @ Share All sharing options for : Who is Amy Coney Barrett ?
Meet Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ job : Since 2017 : Judge , U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit @ @ @ @ @ clerk , Judge Laurence H. Silberman , U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of @ @ @ @ @ : Her Roman Catholic faith became an issue during her confirmation hearing last fall to @ @ @ @ @ .
The Senate confirmed her 55-43 .
Quote : “ We shouldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ that share our policy preferences .
We should be putting people on the court who @ @ @ @ @ ” — 2016 speech at Jacksonville University ’ s Public Policy Institute .

Name: Amy Coney Barrett
Age: 48, Born Jan. 28, 1972
Birthplace: Suburban New Orleans, Louisiana
Education: B.A., Rhodes College, 1994; J.D., Notre Dame Law School, 1997.
Current job: Since 2017: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
Job history:
2002-2017: Law professor, Notre Dame
2001-2002: Adjunct faculty member, fellow in law, George Washington University Law School
1999-2001: Private practice, Washington, D.C.
1998-1999: Law clerk, Justice Antonin Scalia
1997-1998: Law clerk, Judge Laurence H. Silberman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Family: Husband, Jesse Barrett; seven children.
Other details: Her Roman Catholic faith became an issue during her confirmation hearing last fall to be an appeals court judge. The Senate confirmed her 55-43.
Quote: “We shouldn’t be putting people on the court that share our policy preferences. We should be putting people on the court who want to apply the Constitution.” — 2016 speech at Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-27--Chicago outdoors: Egrets, COVID opens fishing, Iowa pheasants and youth and sporting clays

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors .
Larry Spence photographed this cool shot of a bunch of great egrets and at least one great blue heron at Buffalo Creek on Sept. 15 .
To confirm what I was seeing , I tweeted the Field Museum ’ s senior conservation ecologist Doug Stotz , who sent back the kind of information-packed reply I have come to expect from him : All of the white birds appear to be Great Egrets ( large , nearly Great Blue size , yellow bill , dark legs ) .
I see one Great Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The other 3 white herons in Illinois , immature Little Blue Heron , Cattle and Snowy Egret are all obviously smaller , and have different combos of leg and bill color .
They are all much less common as well .
I don ’ t know Buffalo Creek , so I can ’ t speak directly to that place , but in late summer and early fall , a scene like this is not too uncommon .
When water levels are low , conditions for herons are good .
A concentration like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I typically see a scene like this a few times a year .
Dixon Waterfowl refuge is a good place for such a scene , although this year water levels are high .
WOTW , the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors , runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday .
Submit nominations by message on Facebook ( Dale Bowman ) , on Twitter ( @ BowmanOutside ) and Instagram ( @ BowmanOutside ) or email ( BowmanOutside @ gmail.com ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fish that river all year the way I have always wanted to since I do not have to be in an office for most of 2020 .
I usually would be commuting downtown five days a week .
Haven ’ t had to [ be in ] since 3/16 and will not be until next year.
” A faithful reader A : The good side of the pandemic is the reprioritizing of life that many of us have been forced to do .
One of the leading changes is our interaction with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially through fishing .
“ Pheasant hunters [ in Iowa ] should expect significantly better pheasant numbers in 2020 .
Pheasant hunting this fall could be some of the best the state has seen in a decade.
” Todd Bogenschutz , upland wildlife biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources , on an average of 20.2 birds counted on 30-mile routes in the 2020 annual survey .

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Larry Spence photographed this cool shot of a bunch of great egrets and at least one great blue heron at Buffalo Creek on Sept. 15.
To confirm what I was seeing, I tweeted the Field Museum’s senior conservation ecologist Doug Stotz, who sent back the kind of information-packed reply I have come to expect from him:
All of the white birds appear to be Great Egrets (large, nearly Great Blue size, yellow bill, dark legs). I see one Great Blue Heron off to the front left. The other 3 white herons in Illinois, immature Little Blue Heron, Cattle and Snowy Egret are all obviously smaller, and have different combos of leg and bill color. They are all much less common as well. I don’t know Buffalo Creek, so I can’t speak directly to that place, but in late summer and early fall, a scene like this is not too uncommon. When water levels are low, conditions for herons are good. A concentration like this means shallow water with lots of fish. I typically see a scene like this a few times a year. Dixon Waterfowl refuge is a good place for such a scene, although this year water levels are high.
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
Saturday-next Sunday: Oct. 3-4: Mokena, (708) 479-1020
Oct. 17: Waterman, asceducationdept@gmail.com
Oct. 17-18: Tinley Park, (708) 342-4200
Oct. 24-25: Joliet, (815) 935-2700
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Monday, Sept. 28: Final day, third lottery online, public duck/goose hunting
Thursday, Oct. 1: Opening day, archery deer and turkey . . . First-come, first-served online public duck/goose hunting permits
DALE’S MAILBAG
“COVID has provided me this opportunity to fish that river all year the way I have always wanted to since I do not have to be in an office for most of 2020. I usually would be commuting downtown five days a week. Haven’t had to [be in] since 3/16 and will not be until next year.” A faithful reader
A: The good side of the pandemic is the reprioritizing of life that many of us have been forced to do. One of the leading changes is our interaction with the natural world around us and nearby, especially through fishing.
BIG NUMBER
10,700: Record number of fall-season athletes in USA Clay Target League, nation’s largest youth clay target shooting sport program.
LAST WORD
“Pheasant hunters [in Iowa] should expect significantly better pheasant numbers in 2020. Pheasant hunting this fall could be some of the best the state has seen in a decade.”
Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, on an average of 20.2 birds counted on 30-mile routes in the 2020 annual survey.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-27--Dear Abby: Fiance knew when he proposed that we need to move, but now resists

DEAR ABBY : I am a 41-year-old woman who has been with my fiance for eight years .
Before we decided to become a couple , I made clear to him that if he had no intention of moving south once my kids graduate , he should not get into a relationship with me .
When we got together , I assumed he understood and would be moving with me .
We have bought vehicles together and a house .
Earlier this year , he took me on a cruise and proposed .
Again I made it clear about my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to give me a ring if he didn ’ t plan on going .
Well , here we are all these years later , and we have been fighting because I have only a year before I can leave .
Is it wrong of me to not feel bad about moving considering I made my intentions clear more than once ?
It has long been my dream to move south .
I believe he ’ s on the fence about it , but I know deep down he doesn ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad leaving him behind since he knew I was going .
I feel like eight years of my life have been wasted .
— FRUSTRATED IN NEW YORK DEAR FRUSTRATED : If you two have been happy together during the last eight years , they weren ’ t “ wasted.
” They may simply be one more chapter in your life .
Rather than fight , you and your fiance ( or are the two of you married now ? )
need to have a calm , serious discussion about what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t on board for at least giving southern living a try , you two will have to separate your assets ( house , cars ) before you relocate .
It may be less expensive emotionally and financially if you can keep things amicable .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m 48 , about to be 49 in less than a month .
I have had mostly good health , but I do have high anxiety because of some trauma from my past .
With the world now in hibernation and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness or some other tragedy , I ’ m feeling very much like I could be the next to die .
I ’ m not suicidal , but I have had “ premonitions ” in the past about events that later came true .
For some reason , I have been feeling like I am close to death recently , and it scares me .
How do I snap out of this preoccupation with death ?
— STRANGE FEELINGS DEAR STRANGE : Turn off the news !
Quit reading about and listening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to scare anyone to death .
In a sense , we are all “ close to death ” — it ’ s just a question of when .
You will increase your chances of survival if you pay attention to what the medical experts have been saying .
The message is simple : If you are in fragile physical condition , hunker down and limit your exposure .
Stay in contact with friends by cellphone or your computer .
If you are healthy and can go out for exercise or to shop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of others , wash your hands often and practice social distancing .
However , if your anxiety persists , discuss it with your physician , who may be able to prescribe something to calm you down .
TO MY READERS : Yom Kippur , the holiest day of the Jewish calendar , begins at sundown .
During this solemn 24-hour period , observant Jewish people fast , engage in reflection and prayer and formally repent for any sin that might have been committed during the previous Hebrew year .
To all of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an easy one .
— Love , ABBY 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 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I am a 41-year-old woman who has been with my fiance for eight years. Before we decided to become a couple, I made clear to him that if he had no intention of moving south once my kids graduate, he should not get into a relationship with me. When we got together, I assumed he understood and would be moving with me. We have bought vehicles together and a house.
Earlier this year, he took me on a cruise and proposed. Again I made it clear about my plans to move south and told him not to give me a ring if he didn’t plan on going. Well, here we are all these years later, and we have been fighting because I have only a year before I can leave. Is it wrong of me to not feel bad about moving considering I made my intentions clear more than once?
It has long been my dream to move south. I believe he’s on the fence about it, but I know deep down he doesn’t want to. I won’t feel bad leaving him behind since he knew I was going. I feel like eight years of my life have been wasted. — FRUSTRATED IN NEW YORK
DEAR FRUSTRATED: If you two have been happy together during the last eight years, they weren’t “wasted.” They may simply be one more chapter in your life. Rather than fight, you and your fiance (or are the two of you married now?) need to have a calm, serious discussion about what’s going to happen, because if he isn’t on board for at least giving southern living a try, you two will have to separate your assets (house, cars) before you relocate. It may be less expensive emotionally and financially if you can keep things amicable.
DEAR ABBY: I’m 48, about to be 49 in less than a month. I have had mostly good health, but I do have high anxiety because of some trauma from my past. With the world now in hibernation and many of my peers passing away due to illness or some other tragedy, I’m feeling very much like I could be the next to die. I’m not suicidal, but I have had “premonitions” in the past about events that later came true. For some reason, I have been feeling like I am close to death recently, and it scares me. How do I snap out of this preoccupation with death? — STRANGE FEELINGS
DEAR STRANGE: Turn off the news! Quit reading about and listening to the body counts. They are enough to scare anyone to death. In a sense, we are all “close to death” — it’s just a question of when. You will increase your chances of survival if you pay attention to what the medical experts have been saying.
The message is simple: If you are in fragile physical condition, hunker down and limit your exposure. Stay in contact with friends by cellphone or your computer. If you are healthy and can go out for exercise or to shop, wear a face mask in the presence of others, wash your hands often and practice social distancing. However, if your anxiety persists, discuss it with your physician, who may be able to prescribe something to calm you down.
TO MY READERS: Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, begins at sundown. During this solemn 24-hour period, observant Jewish people fast, engage in reflection and prayer and formally repent for any sin that might have been committed during the previous Hebrew year. To all of my Jewish readers — may your fast be an easy one. — Love, ABBY
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.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-27--Teen boy critically wounded in drive-by in Englewood

A 17-year-old boy was critically wounded Sunday in a drive-by in Englewood on the South Side .
About 2:10 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ alley in the 1300 block of West 64th Street , when someone inside a passing @ @ @ @ @ him , Chicago police said .
He was struck in the right arm and back @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Medical Center in critical condition , police said .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

A 17-year-old boy was critically wounded Sunday in a drive-by in Englewood on the South Side.
About 2:10 a.m. he was standing in an alley in the 1300 block of West 64th Street, when someone inside a passing silver-colored sedan fired shots at him, Chicago police said.
He was struck in the right arm and back and taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, police said.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-27--Body pulled from the Chicago River in North Center: police

A body was pulled from the Chicago River Sunday in North Center on the North Side .
About 12:15 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ of a woman , who appears to be in her mid 20s and was wearing @ @ @ @ @ jeans , in the river near the 2600 block of West Addison Street , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Marine Unit along with Chicago fire personnel pulled her from the water , @ @ @ @ @ Swedish Covenant Hospital where she was pronounced dead , police said .
The woman “ @ @ @ @ @ her head area , ” according to a Chicago police source .

Police are conducting a homicide investigation after pulling a woman with several stab wounds to her face and neck from the North Branch of the Chicago River early Sunday.
Two people saw the body of a woman about 12:15 a.m. in the river near the 3400 block of North Rockwell Street, according to Chicago police.
She appeared to be in her mid 20s, wearing a black shirt and black jeans, police said.
Police and fire personnel pulled her from the water and took her to Swedish Covenant Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said.
Police initially said she was found with head trauma, but clarified later Sunday morning that she had “numerous stab wounds to the neck and face area.”
It’s unclear how long she was in the water or when she was stabbed.
She was identified as Yesenia Venegas, 22, of Humboldt Park, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy to determine the cause and manner of her death was pending.
Her death is the second fatal stabbing of a female in Chicago this weekend.
On Saturday, a 5-year-old girl was fatally stabbed in East Garfield Park, police said. A woman was taken into custody, but no charges have been filed.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-26--Man fatally shot in Hazel Crest

Man fatally shot in Hazel Crest

A man was killed in a shooting Friday in south suburban Hazel Crest .
Paris Drake , 48 , was @ @ @ @ @ p.m. in the 17400 block of Kedzie Avenue , according to the Cook County medical @ @ @ @ @ He died of his injuries about an hour later , and an autopsy ruled his @ @ @ @ @ lived in the Longwood Manor neighborhood of Chicago , the medical examiner ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ did not immediately return a request for details .
Read more on crime , and @ @ @ @ @ homicides .

A man was killed in a shooting Friday in south suburban Hazel Crest.
Paris Drake, 48, was shot multiple times about 3 p.m. in the 17400 block of Kedzie Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He died of his injuries about an hour later, and an autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
Drake lived in the Longwood Manor neighborhood of Chicago, the medical examiner’s office said.
Hazel Crest police did not immediately return a request for details.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.