chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Harvey cops arrest PACE security guard in video that goes viral

A video that went viral on social media Wednesday shows Harvey cops arresting a PACE security guard who “ sucker punched ” a handcuffed man standing on the street , officials allege .
More than 2 million people have viewed a Twitter post of the video , fueling speculation about the incident .
On Wednesday , Harvey Police Chief Robert Collins said the security guard was Robert Undraitis , 60 , of Calumet City .
On Saturday , Undraitis was working for a security company that contracts with the PACE suburban bus system , Collins said .
Jeremiah Nesbitt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Undraitis in the face near the PACE terminal at 154th Street and Park Avenue , Collins said .
He said Undraitis chased down Nesbitt .
A cell-phone video recorded by a woman at the scene shows Harvey police officers arresting Nesbitt .
Collins said a Harvey officer who knelt on Nesbitt ’ s back during that arrest didn ’ t violate Harvey ’ s police policies because it was a “ temporary control tactic ” and didn ’ t involve a choke hold or pressure on Nesbitt ’ s neck .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d banned choke holds .
The announcement followed George Floyd ’ s death in May in Minneapolis after an officer put a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
Collins said that after Nesbitt was handcuffed and stood up , Undraitis “ sucker punched ” him .
Undraitis is charged with battery and illegal possession of a gun .
Harvey police confiscated his 9mm handgun because he didn ’ t have a valid state firearm owner ’ s identification card , Collins said .
Nesbitt is charged with battery .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court records show .
Neither man could be reached for comment nor could a spokesperson for PACE .
Collins became the Harvey police chief in January and said he ’ s trying to end the south suburban town ’ s reputation for lawlessness .
“ We wanted to change the narrative .
No excessive force , ” said Collins , who previously worked in Bellwood and Dolton .
Collins praised the officer who ordered the arrest of Undraitis , noting many police officers work off-duty security jobs and his Harvey officer didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cop .
“ This was a uniformed person and that officer took action immediately , ” Collins said .
“ I am very pleased that he took action .
”

A video that went viral on social media Wednesday shows Harvey cops arresting a PACE security guard who “sucker punched” a handcuffed man standing on the street, officials allege.
More than 2 million people have viewed a Twitter post of the video, fueling speculation about the incident.
On Wednesday, Harvey Police Chief Robert Collins said the security guard was Robert Undraitis, 60, of Calumet City.
Police in Harvey, Illinois arrest someone on their side for lunging at a man in cuffs pic.twitter.com/kYJd5k2inA — Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) December 22, 2020
On Saturday, Undraitis was working for a security company that contracts with the PACE suburban bus system, Collins said.
Jeremiah Nesbitt, 30, of Chicago Heights, struck Undraitis in the face near the PACE terminal at 154th Street and Park Avenue, Collins said. He said Undraitis chased down Nesbitt.
A cell-phone video recorded by a woman at the scene shows Harvey police officers arresting Nesbitt.
Collins said a Harvey officer who knelt on Nesbitt’s back during that arrest didn’t violate Harvey’s police policies because it was a “temporary control tactic” and didn’t involve a choke hold or pressure on Nesbitt’s neck.
Earlier this year, Harvey officials said they’d banned choke holds. The announcement followed George Floyd’s death in May in Minneapolis after an officer put a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Collins said that after Nesbitt was handcuffed and stood up, Undraitis “sucker punched” him. Undraitis is charged with battery and illegal possession of a gun. Harvey police confiscated his 9mm handgun because he didn’t have a valid state firearm owner’s identification card, Collins said.
Nesbitt is charged with battery. He and Undraitis were released on bail, court records show. Neither man could be reached for comment nor could a spokesperson for PACE.
Collins became the Harvey police chief in January and said he’s trying to end the south suburban town’s reputation for lawlessness.
“We wanted to change the narrative. No excessive force,” said Collins, who previously worked in Bellwood and Dolton.
Collins praised the officer who ordered the arrest of Undraitis, noting many police officers work off-duty security jobs and his Harvey officer didn’t know if Undraitis was a moonlighting cop.
“This was a uniformed person and that officer took action immediately,” Collins said. “I am very pleased that he took action.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--City tells General Iron owner that application to open on South Side is ‘deficient’

The city asked General Iron ’ s owner to submit almost three dozen additional documents related to potential pollution and safety as part of its application to open a controversial car-shredding operation on the Southeast Side .
In a letter dated Wednesday , the city called Reserve Management Group ’ s permit application “ incomplete and substantially deficient ” under new rules for such operations .
The requests relate to an array of issues , from dust and air pollution control to stormwater discharge into the Calumet River where the facility will be located at East 116th Street .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlling fires and explosions .
Southeast Side residents have noted an explosion at General Iron ’ s Lincoln Park site earlier this year as well as numerous air pollution and nuisance complaints from North Side neighbors as reasons they oppose the business .
They ’ ve said it ’ s not fair that a business that generated years worth of complaints from neighbors is moving to their community and many have called it environmental racism .
RMG is expected to stop operating General Iron at the metal-shredder ’ s longtime home in Lincoln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is building a new facility it plans to openon the Southeast Side in early 2021 .
The operation under construction has been highly contentious as community members and environmental groups have fought to keep the business from starting up .
The new facility , to be rebranded Southside Recycling , is the subject of both a federal lawsuit and a complaint to federal housing officials .
Both complaints , naming Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city , allege the relocation of a polluting nuisance from mostly white Lincoln Park to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ civil rights .
Lightfoot ’ s Administration has denied allegations in the federal complaints and has said it will conduct a thorough review of the permit application , though residents say they don ’ t want the business at all .
Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

The city asked General Iron’s owner to submit almost three dozen additional documents related to potential pollution and safety as part of its application to open a controversial car-shredding operation on the Southeast Side.
In a letter dated Wednesday, the city called Reserve Management Group’s permit application “incomplete and substantially deficient” under new rules for such operations. The requests relate to an array of issues, from dust and air pollution control to stormwater discharge into the Calumet River where the facility will be located at East 116th Street.
The city also is asking for details on controlling fires and explosions. Southeast Side residents have noted an explosion at General Iron’s Lincoln Park site earlier this year as well as numerous air pollution and nuisance complaints from North Side neighbors as reasons they oppose the business. They’ve said it’s not fair that a business that generated years worth of complaints from neighbors is moving to their community and many have called it environmental racism.
RMG is expected to stop operating General Iron at the metal-shredder’s longtime home in Lincoln Park at the end of the year. It is building a new facility it plans to openon the Southeast Side in early 2021.
The operation under construction has been highly contentious as community members and environmental groups have fought to keep the business from starting up. The new facility, to be rebranded Southside Recycling, is the subject of both a federal lawsuit and a complaint to federal housing officials. Both complaints, naming Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city, allege the relocation of a polluting nuisance from mostly white Lincoln Park to a Latino-majority community is a violation of residents’ civil rights.
Lightfoot’s Administration has denied allegations in the federal complaints and has said it will conduct a thorough review of the permit application, though residents say they don’t want the business at all.
An RMG spokesman declined to comment.
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Trump pardons Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Charles Kushner

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people , including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in-law , in the latest burst of clemency in his final weeks at the White House .
The actions bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom Trump in the last two days has granted clemency either by pardoning them or by commuting their sentences .
The pardons of Manafort and Roger Stone , who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump , underscore the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office he final weeks to unravel the results of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation and to come to the aid of associates he feels were wrongly pursued .
Trump has now pardoned four people convicted in that investigation , including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign adviser George Papadopoulos , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Manafort had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his work in Ukraine and was among the first people charged as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign and Russia .
He was released to home confinement last May because of coronavirus concerns in the federal prison system .
Manafort , in a tweet , thanked Trump and lavished praise on the outgoing president , declaring that history would show he had accomplished more than any of his predecessors .
Kushner is the father of Trump ’ s son-in-law , Jared Kushner , and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations .
Trump and the elder Kushner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their children were married in 2009 .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, in the latest burst of clemency in his final weeks at the White House.
The actions bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom Trump in the last two days has granted clemency either by pardoning them or by commuting their sentences.
The pardons of Manafort and Roger Stone, who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump, underscore the president’s determination to use the power of his office he final weeks to unravel the results of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and to come to the aid of associates he feels were wrongly pursued.
Trump has now pardoned four people convicted in that investigation, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
Manafort had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his work in Ukraine and was among the first people charged as part of Mueller’s investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. He was released to home confinement last May because of coronavirus concerns in the federal prison system.
Manafort, in a tweet, thanked Trump and lavished praise on the outgoing president, declaring that history would show he had accomplished more than any of his predecessors.
Kushner is the father of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009.
Chicago-related pardons
Trump also pardoned John Boultbee and Peter Atkinson, former executives at Hollinger International, at the time the parent company of the Chicago Sun-Times. The two, plus Hollinger CEO Conrad Black and David Radler, a Hollinger officer who ran the Sun-Times, all figured in fraud schemes siphoning millions in cash from the Sun-Times and other companies. Black, a Trump friend, was pardoned in 2019, a year after he wrote a flattering political biography of the president. The White House noted the pardon request had Black’s support.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Follow the science? It’s not that easy when deciding when — or if — to reopen schools

In March , a single case of the coronavirus in a Northwest Side school led Chicago Public Schools officials to close it .
By July , after the governor had shuttered all Illinois schools for the spring , CPS said its buildings would reopen in the fall as long as daily caseloads in the city were below 400 or test positivity was under 8 % — a threshold that wasn ’ t met .
In November , as officials announced plans to reopen in the new year , they said the only metric stopping them would be if cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 18 days .
City officials have attributed the changing thresholds to evolving science .
They ’ ve explained that better recommendations are possible as more data becomes available , and that studies have shown that schools don ’ t appear to be superspreaders when strict mitigation is in place .
But the shifting thresholds and hard-to-follow metrics have confounded families and teachers and created a new and complicated twist in the debate over whether it ’ s safe to go back to school .
The result is that a much lower bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , a significant change that has been hard to stomach in a city where trust of public officials in many Black and Brown communities is already hard to muster , and where the virus is still raging .
The Chicago Teachers Union and many parents have gone so far as to question whether public health officials are moving the goalposts to allow Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS leaders to proceed with plans they ’ ve long wanted to implement .
So which metrics do scientists say schools should use ?
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , several local and national infectious disease experts told the Chicago Sun-Times .
Some argue the metric the city is using — doubling rate , which would allow schools to reopen right now — might offer an incomplete look at Chicago ’ s epidemic .
Yet every one of them says the threshold the teachers union is pushing — 3 % test positivity , which likely won ’ t be reached for months — is outdated and not particularly useful .
“ You can ’ t really establish an absolute threshold for saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit this number that means you have to close , ’ ” said Dr. Daniel Johnson , chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Chicago Medical Center .
Closures could be necessary at a lower level of spread if mitigation protocols are ignored , while opening with a greater number of infections could be possible if strong rules are followed , Johnson said .
The data is most helpful , experts said , when considered with several other factors : How strictly mitigation protocols , such as mask wearing , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing and testing programs there are ; and how well schools are set up to deal with occasional cases without having to shut down .
All those are harder to accomplish in large , dense urban school districts like CPS .
The Chicago Department of Public Health has recently focused on doubling time as the most important metric , which is calculated by determining how many days it will take — based on the current rate of case growth — for the number of people infected since the start of Chicago ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double .
If cases are doubling in a short amount of time , that means the city is experiencing rapid spread , or an uncontrolled outbreak .
The longer it takes to double , the slower the growth of the epidemic .
Dr. Marielle Fricchione , medical director in CDPH ’ s COVID-19 bureau , said local data from the virus ’ first wave showed the change from uncontrolled to controlled transmission happened around a rate of 18 days — the new bar that CDPH set for reopening CPS .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it is safe to reopen schools besides the presence of a controlled outbreak , ” Fricchione told Chicago ’ s Board of Education at its monthly meeting earlier this month .
“ Changing metrics is not a reflection of chaos .
Changing metrics is a reflection of good science.
” In November , Chicago ’ s doubling time was 12 days .
Now , even as the region is still in the grip of the pandemic , the doubling time stands at 60 days .
Yet Chicago as of Wednesday was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed cases per day , about half the peak in November but still around the worst days in the spring .
That paradox , in which officials use one metric — doubling time — to justify sending students and teachers back to classrooms despite another — new cases — appearing to indicate widespread infections , has vexed parents and teachers .
And those frustrations could have merit , according to Dr. Justin Lessler , an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
“ If you have really high overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very low doubling time , you ’ re still going to see tons of cases in the schools if you reopen , ” Lessler said .
“ Doubling time is important if your only concern is , ‘ Are we potentially contributing , by opening schools , to a fast-growing epidemic ?
’ But you also have to look at how widespread the epidemic is when you ’ re opening schools because that ’ s going to tell you how many cases there are going to be [ in the schools ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a team at New York University ’ s school of medicine that models COVID-19 outbreaks and has advised , among others , NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio on school closures , is a strong proponent of using doubling time — in conjunction with hospitalizations , case totals and other metrics — to make decisions about reopening any spaces where people gather , including schools .
But in a city like Chicago , where the number of new cases identified every day is high , a long doubling time doesn ’ t on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen , he said .
“ I would be concerned about that burden , ” Braithwaite said .
“ That doesn ’ t necessarily mean I wouldn ’ t open up the schools .
Imagine it ’ s been that way for weeks and weeks and weeks , that same number , in other words it ’ s not accelerating .
Then it may be possible to open up schools ... “ But you wouldn ’ t just look at the doubling time and say , ‘ Yeah , everything ’ s fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers union , which has unsuccessfully gone to court to keep schools closed for now , has been an especially vocal critic of the mayor and school system and , by extension , Chicago health officials .
Instead of doubling time , the union has demanded a 3 % test positivity rate to be used — a mark that hasn ’ t been hit since March 5 — pointing to New York City ’ s public schools that closed in November once the city ’ s infections rose to that rate .
De @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen schools even as the city moved above that bar and currently sits above 5 % .
NYC officials first used the 3 % positivity threshold because it was easily retrievable data , and they ’ ve since backtracked because “ it isn ’ t a very good metric , ” Braithwaite , the NYU doctor , said .
He advised NYC officials to stop using positivity rate on its own because it depends on several factors that can vary unpredictably — such as who ’ s getting tested and how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it difficult to identify useful information .
Asked if the CTU had spoken with a medical expert who could discuss the union ’ s stance on public health metrics for this story , spokeswoman Chris Geovanis said the union hadn ’ t brought in a paid medical consultant .
CTU attorney Thad Goodchild said the union is basing its demands on metrics used in other major cities , the threshold previously set by CDPH and the metrics used by state health officials to require out-of-state travelers to quarantine upon arrival to Illinois .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not something we ’ re pulling from thin air , ” Goodchild said .
“ Is the science evolving ?
Of course it is .
We ’ re learning more about this every day .
Is 3 % the right number , or is it a different number ?
We want to bargain about that .
CPS is refusing to bargain about that.
” “ But one thing we ’ re clear about is we ’ re damn sure 12 % , 13 % , 20 % in some zip codes , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , isn ’ t the number .
And it ’ s outrageous for them to claim that it is and to trot out statistics that disregard the core metrics that the entire public health community has been relying on.
” Chicago ’ s positivity rate during the second wave this fall peaked at 16 % last month and has since steadily fallen to just above 10 % .
Many neighborhoods , especially in Black and Latino communities , have suffered through much higher rates as , among other reasons , working-class parents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to work to support their families .
But Colleen Nash , a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Rush University Medical Center , said the metrics used in one city or state don ’ t necessarily translate to another , and one positivity rate in NYC “ can mean something very different ” in Chicago .
“ These are two very different cities with large differences in population density , geographic distribution of that population and its health care resources and physical layout , ” Nash said .
‘ Once again , education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the end of the day , no one metric is going to tell any community when to reopen its schools — only a comprehensive look at the epidemic , strong mitigation efforts and a prioritization of education will allow that , experts said .
In other places where officials have been more resistant to COVID-19 restrictions , schools have been open at much higher rates of transmission .
Some studies have shown in-person schooling in communities with widespread infections has contributed to their local epidemic .
In Iowa , where the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools have been ordered back in-person unless their county ’ s positivity rate averages 15-20 % over two weeks .
Three other states — Arkansas , Texas and Florida — have ordered schools open , with decisions on closures to be made in consultation with state health officials .
Many European countries such as France , however , have closed most other parts of society to slow the spread of the virus , including restaurants and bars , while keeping schools open .
That strategy appears to have worked , slowing community spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago and other American cities like San Francisco and Boston , bars and restaurants have been first to reopen .
“ When we made the decision to open up bars and restaurants and gyms and all those other things , and schools were an afterthought , that was incredibly discouraging as a lifelong educator , ” schools chief Janice Jackson said on a webinar last week , “ because once again , education was put on the back burner .
”

In March, a single case of the coronavirus in a Northwest Side school led Chicago Public Schools officials to close it.
By July, after the governor had shuttered all Illinois schools for the spring, CPS said its buildings would reopen in the fall as long as daily caseloads in the city were below 400 or test positivity was under 8% — a threshold that wasn’t met.
In November, as officials announced plans to reopen in the new year, they said the only metric stopping them would be if cases in the city started to double fewer than every 18 days.
City officials have attributed the changing thresholds to evolving science. They’ve explained that better recommendations are possible as more data becomes available, and that studies have shown that schools don’t appear to be superspreaders when strict mitigation is in place.
But the shifting thresholds and hard-to-follow metrics have confounded families and teachers and created a new and complicated twist in the debate over whether it’s safe to go back to school. The result is that a much lower bar has been set for a return to schools, a significant change that has been hard to stomach in a city where trust of public officials in many Black and Brown communities is already hard to muster, and where the virus is still raging.
The Chicago Teachers Union and many parents have gone so far as to question whether public health officials are moving the goalposts to allow Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS leaders to proceed with plans they’ve long wanted to implement.
‘You can’t really establish an absolute threshold’
So which metrics do scientists say schools should use?
It’s more complicated than any single number, several local and national infectious disease experts told the Chicago Sun-Times. Some argue the metric the city is using — doubling rate, which would allow schools to reopen right now — might offer an incomplete look at Chicago’s epidemic. Yet every one of them says the threshold the teachers union is pushing — 3% test positivity, which likely won’t be reached for months — is outdated and not particularly useful.
Dr. Daniel Johnson UChicago Medicine
“You can’t really establish an absolute threshold for saying that, ‘Oh, if you hit this number that means you have to close,’” said Dr. Daniel Johnson, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Closures could be necessary at a lower level of spread if mitigation protocols are ignored, while opening with a greater number of infections could be possible if strong rules are followed, Johnson said.
The data is most helpful, experts said, when considered with several other factors: How strictly mitigation protocols, such as mask wearing, are implemented and enforced; how strong of contact tracing and testing programs there are; and how well schools are set up to deal with occasional cases without having to shut down. All those are harder to accomplish in large, dense urban school districts like CPS.
The Chicago Department of Public Health has recently focused on doubling time as the most important metric, which is calculated by determining how many days it will take — based on the current rate of case growth — for the number of people infected since the start of Chicago’s second surge on Oct. 4 to double.
If cases are doubling in a short amount of time, that means the city is experiencing rapid spread, or an uncontrolled outbreak. The longer it takes to double, the slower the growth of the epidemic.
Dr. Marielle Fricchione (bottom right) of the Chicago Department of Public Health answers questions about the city’s school reopening plan at the virtual Board of Education meeting in December. Chicago Public Schools/YouTube
Dr. Marielle Fricchione, medical director in CDPH’s COVID-19 bureau, said local data from the virus’ first wave showed the change from uncontrolled to controlled transmission happened around a rate of 18 days — the new bar that CDPH set for reopening CPS.
“There is no established metric at this time for when it is safe to reopen schools besides the presence of a controlled outbreak,” Fricchione told Chicago’s Board of Education at its monthly meeting earlier this month. “Changing metrics is not a reflection of chaos. Changing metrics is a reflection of good science.”
In November, Chicago’s doubling time was 12 days. Now, even as the region is still in the grip of the pandemic, the doubling time stands at 60 days. Yet Chicago as of Wednesday was still experiencing a rolling average of 1,171 newly diagnosed cases per day, about half the peak in November but still around the worst days in the spring.
That paradox, in which officials use one metric — doubling time — to justify sending students and teachers back to classrooms despite another — new cases — appearing to indicate widespread infections, has vexed parents and teachers.
And those frustrations could have merit, according to Dr. Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
“If you have really high overall case rates, but you have a very low doubling time, you’re still going to see tons of cases in the schools if you reopen,” Lessler said. “Doubling time is important if your only concern is, ‘Are we potentially contributing, by opening schools, to a fast-growing epidemic?’ But you also have to look at how widespread the epidemic is when you’re opening schools because that’s going to tell you how many cases there are going to be [in the schools].”
Dr. Scott Braithwaite, who leads a team at New York University’s school of medicine that models COVID-19 outbreaks and has advised, among others, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio on school closures, is a strong proponent of using doubling time — in conjunction with hospitalizations, case totals and other metrics — to make decisions about reopening any spaces where people gather, including schools. But in a city like Chicago, where the number of new cases identified every day is high, a long doubling time doesn’t on its own mean it’s safe to reopen, he said.
“I would be concerned about that burden,” Braithwaite said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean I wouldn’t open up the schools. Imagine it’s been that way for weeks and weeks and weeks, that same number, in other words it’s not accelerating. Then it may be possible to open up schools...
“But you wouldn’t just look at the doubling time and say, ‘Yeah, everything’s fine, open them up.’”
Students in New York City went back to school Dec. 7 after a three-week shutdown. Michael Loccisano/Getty
Positivity rate ‘isn’t a very good metric’
The teachers union, which has unsuccessfully gone to court to keep schools closed for now, has been an especially vocal critic of the mayor and school system and, by extension, Chicago health officials.
Instead of doubling time, the union has demanded a 3% test positivity rate to be used — a mark that hasn’t been hit since March 5 — pointing to New York City’s public schools that closed in November once the city’s infections rose to that rate. De Blasio, however, has since decided to reopen schools even as the city moved above that bar and currently sits above 5%.
NYC officials first used the 3% positivity threshold because it was easily retrievable data, and they’ve since backtracked because “it isn’t a very good metric,” Braithwaite, the NYU doctor, said. He advised NYC officials to stop using positivity rate on its own because it depends on several factors that can vary unpredictably — such as who’s getting tested and how many tests are being administered — that make it difficult to identify useful information.
Asked if the CTU had spoken with a medical expert who could discuss the union’s stance on public health metrics for this story, spokeswoman Chris Geovanis said the union hadn’t brought in a paid medical consultant.
CTU attorney Thad Goodchild said the union is basing its demands on metrics used in other major cities, the threshold previously set by CDPH and the metrics used by state health officials to require out-of-state travelers to quarantine upon arrival to Illinois.
“What we’re proposing is not something we’re pulling from thin air,” Goodchild said. “Is the science evolving? Of course it is. We’re learning more about this every day. Is 3% the right number, or is it a different number? We want to bargain about that. CPS is refusing to bargain about that.”
“But one thing we’re clear about is we’re damn sure 12%, 13%, 20% in some zip codes, and [1,200] new cases per day, isn’t the number. And it’s outrageous for them to claim that it is and to trot out statistics that disregard the core metrics that the entire public health community has been relying on.”
Chicago’s positivity rate during the second wave this fall peaked at 16% last month and has since steadily fallen to just above 10%. Many neighborhoods, especially in Black and Latino communities, have suffered through much higher rates as, among other reasons, working-class parents and older students are forced to continue to go to work to support their families.
But Colleen Nash, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Rush University Medical Center, said the metrics used in one city or state don’t necessarily translate to another, and one positivity rate in NYC “can mean something very different” in Chicago.
“These are two very different cities with large differences in population density, geographic distribution of that population and its health care resources and physical layout,” Nash said.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Janice Jackson speaks while Mayor Lori Lightfoot listens during a press conference at King Academy of Social Justice in Englewood on the first day of the fall semester. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
‘Once again, education was put on the back burner’
At the end of the day, no one metric is going to tell any community when to reopen its schools — only a comprehensive look at the epidemic, strong mitigation efforts and a prioritization of education will allow that, experts said.
In other places where officials have been more resistant to COVID-19 restrictions, schools have been open at much higher rates of transmission. Some studies have shown in-person schooling in communities with widespread infections has contributed to their local epidemic.
In Iowa, where the governor has been against strong pandemic protocols, schools have been ordered back in-person unless their county’s positivity rate averages 15-20% over two weeks. Three other states — Arkansas, Texas and Florida — have ordered schools open, with decisions on closures to be made in consultation with state health officials.
Many European countries such as France, however, have closed most other parts of society to slow the spread of the virus, including restaurants and bars, while keeping schools open. That strategy appears to have worked, slowing community spread even when transmission was high. In Chicago and other American cities like San Francisco and Boston, bars and restaurants have been first to reopen.
“When we made the decision to open up bars and restaurants and gyms and all those other things, and schools were an afterthought, that was incredibly discouraging as a lifelong educator,” schools chief Janice Jackson said on a webinar last week, “because once again, education was put on the back burner.”
Contributing: Brett Chase


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Botched police raids scar whole neighborhoods and defeat reform nationwide

When the Chicago police used a warrant to break in to Anjanette Young ’ s home on Feb. 21 , 2019 , looking for a felon with a gun , it would have been a questionable idea even if they had been at the right address .
The police might have done better to stake out the place until the suspect came out .
The police , of course , were at the wrong address .
They battered down the door and terrorized Young with drawn firearms , just as she was trying to change clothes after a day ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a hospital .
They forced her to stand — handcuffed , naked and dehumanized — while they searched her home .
It never should have happened .
Using no-knock search warrants or standard warrants in which police theoretically announce themselves and then break in seconds later are inherently dangerous to all concerned and often not justified .
Certainly in a case where the police were searching for a known felon allegedly in illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition , they could have used a stakeout .
That this was not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s attorney who processed the search warrant and the judge who granted it illustrates much of what ails law enforcement today .
No one in this chain gave enough thought to the need for innocent members of the community to feel secure in their own homes .
The police too often have their priorities wrong , even after years of calls for fundamental reforms , and they are not alone in this .
How could City Hall , once again , think it could get away with trying to suppress video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want publicized ?
What did the city think it would gain from that ?
This is not to say policing is easy .
Every day , police are thrust into volatile situations where the potential is high for violence , including to themselves .
They must make snap decisions with limited knowledge of what has taken place before they arrived on a scene .
They are a community ’ s line of defense against crime .
They work in a city that is on a pace to record 800 murders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When they learn of illegal guns , they want to act fast before weapons are moved .
But the police must remember that their job isn ’ t just about arrests , it ’ s also about making a community feel safe .
Many police officers want reforms .
After George Floyd ’ s killing , 14 Minneapolis police officers , saying they spoke for hundreds in the department , wrote a letter saying they “ stand ready to listen and embrace the calls for change , reform and rebuilding.
” But police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilloried if something goes wrong , and they look to police unions for support .
That can raise a barrier to reform .
As the New York Times reported Wednesday , this is by no means a Chicago problem alone , or a Minneapolis problem or even just a big city problem .
Police unions across the country have used their collective bargaining power to stifle reform efforts and make it harder to discipline officers .
Police chiefs complain unions prevent them from firing known “ bad apple ” cops .
In one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police union in St. Louis was able to block the top prosecutor ’ s proposal to create a unit within the prosecutor ’ s office that would independently investigate misconduct .
Reform efforts in Chicago long have similarly run up against the intransigence of police unions .
Reflexively blocking attempts at reform makes it harder for police and city officials to collaboratively review policies that endanger the public .
Government officials around the nation have found their efforts at reform essentially stymied .
In Chicago , as communications consultant Peter Cunningham — an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in the Sun-Times on Wednesday , the city “ has all but thrown in the towel on police reform.
” Police Supt .
David Brown says the police execute about 1,500 search warrants a year .
Not all of them involve breaking down doors .
But some officers may believe they are dealing with hardened criminals and the only way they can get the evidence they need is to break in without any warning or very little .
If no one is killed , such break-ins usually get little attention , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But often overlooked is that the scars to the community run deep when police raids go awry , not only among those who experience raids directly , but also among those who hear about them and no longer feel quite as safe and secure in their own homes .
Brown said changes in search warrant procedures were made earlier this year , and additional ones will be made .
But given the long failure of the city to reform the police with rewritten procedures , we aren ’ t holding our breath .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unnecessarily breaking into a home and other kinds of unnecessarily aggressive police behavior exact community-wide costs .

When the Chicago police used a warrant to break in to Anjanette Young’s home on Feb. 21, 2019, looking for a felon with a gun, it would have been a questionable idea even if they had been at the right address.
The police might have done better to stake out the place until the suspect came out.
The police, of course, were at the wrong address. They battered down the door and terrorized Young with drawn firearms, just as she was trying to change clothes after a day’s work as a licensed social worker at a hospital. They forced her to stand — handcuffed, naked and dehumanized — while they searched her home.
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It never should have happened. Using no-knock search warrants or standard warrants in which police theoretically announce themselves and then break in seconds later are inherently dangerous to all concerned and often not justified.
Certainly in a case where the police were searching for a known felon allegedly in illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, they could have used a stakeout. That this was not immediately apparent to the police, the assistant state’s attorney who processed the search warrant and the judge who granted it illustrates much of what ails law enforcement today. No one in this chain gave enough thought to the need for innocent members of the community to feel secure in their own homes.
Misplaced priorities
The police too often have their priorities wrong, even after years of calls for fundamental reforms, and they are not alone in this. How could City Hall, once again, think it could get away with trying to suppress video of the raid that the police didn’t want publicized? What did the city think it would gain from that?
This is not to say policing is easy. Every day, police are thrust into volatile situations where the potential is high for violence, including to themselves. They must make snap decisions with limited knowledge of what has taken place before they arrived on a scene. They are a community’s line of defense against crime. They work in a city that is on a pace to record 800 murders and more than 4,000 shootings this year. When they learn of illegal guns, they want to act fast before weapons are moved.
But the police must remember that their job isn’t just about arrests, it’s also about making a community feel safe.
Police union roadblocks
Many police officers want reforms. After George Floyd’s killing, 14 Minneapolis police officers, saying they spoke for hundreds in the department, wrote a letter saying they “stand ready to listen and embrace the calls for change, reform and rebuilding.” But police don’t want to be personally pilloried if something goes wrong, and they look to police unions for support.
That can raise a barrier to reform. As the New York Times reported Wednesday, this is by no means a Chicago problem alone, or a Minneapolis problem or even just a big city problem. Police unions across the country have used their collective bargaining power to stifle reform efforts and make it harder to discipline officers. Police chiefs complain unions prevent them from firing known “bad apple” cops.
In one example cited by the Times, the police union in St. Louis was able to block the top prosecutor’s proposal to create a unit within the prosecutor’s office that would independently investigate misconduct. Reform efforts in Chicago long have similarly run up against the intransigence of police unions.
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Reflexively blocking attempts at reform makes it harder for police and city officials to collaboratively review policies that endanger the public. Government officials around the nation have found their efforts at reform essentially stymied. In Chicago, as communications consultant Peter Cunningham — an ally of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel — wrote in the Sun-Times on Wednesday, the city “has all but thrown in the towel on police reform.”
Botched raids leave lasting scars
Police Supt. David Brown says the police execute about 1,500 search warrants a year. Not all of them involve breaking down doors. But some officers may believe they are dealing with hardened criminals and the only way they can get the evidence they need is to break in without any warning or very little.
If no one is killed, such break-ins usually get little attention, even if they turn up no evidence. But often overlooked is that the scars to the community run deep when police raids go awry, not only among those who experience raids directly, but also among those who hear about them and no longer feel quite as safe and secure in their own homes.
Brown said changes in search warrant procedures were made earlier this year, and additional ones will be made. But given the long failure of the city to reform the police with rewritten procedures, we aren’t holding our breath.
Real reform must start with the understanding that unnecessarily breaking into a home and other kinds of unnecessarily aggressive police behavior exact community-wide costs.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Johnny’s IceHouse East up for sale — but buyer must agree to close rink

Ali Lawrence wanted to establish a pro women ’ s hockey team in Chicago , and expected Johnny ’ s IceHouse East would be their home rink .
But then came news Wednesday that the property at 1350 W. Madison St. is up for sale — and any prospective buyer must agree not to use the West Loop property for hockey .
“ The North Stars have been practicing mostly out of Johnny ’ s East ; we talked about wanting to win a banner to have hung in the rafters , ” said Lawrence , president of the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed in hopes of bringing the National Women ’ s Hockey League to Chicago .
“ And for me , I learned how to play hockey at Johnny ’ s .
As an adult learning to play a game like that , it was life changing ; Johnny ’ s is a second home for me.
” Lawrence ’ s lament is just one sign of how Chicago ’ s hockey community is trying to cope , as the pandemic shuts down ice rinks across the city and suburbs .
Johnny ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ice rink , a bar , a hockey supply shop , an indoor parking lot and locker rooms .
It also has been home to games for adult and youth leagues , as well as the De La Salle Institute ’ s hockey team and the club team from DePaul University .
But since the rink ’ s opening , property values in the surrounding West Loop neighborhood have soared .
The sale of Johnny ’ s by owner Lisa Moro is being handled by commercial real estate firm Bradford Allen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Bradford Allen ’ s website , which describes the 22,000-square-foot site as “ ideal for residential and or retail mixed use , ” with the “ potential for adaptive reuse of the existing structure.
” “ Reuse ” is key ; the listing also states : “ This offering does not include the business and a condition of any sale will preclude the Buyer from continuing to operate the ice rink.
” Neither Bradford Allen nor rink officials responded to requests for comment on why the sale requires the rink to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an indoor skating facility at 2550 W. Madison St .
The property sale is a blow to local hockey players who — pandemic or not — often jockey for limited ice time in the city .
While some of Chicago ’ s professional , youth , high school , college , and recreational hockey league players called Johnny ’ s East home , they weren ’ t surprised that Moro , who took over after her husband , Tom Moro , died in 2018 , would put the rink up for sale .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ West loop location , the passing of Tom Moro , an aging building with increasing maintenance costs , an undersized sheet of ice , and the opening of Fifth Third Arena all contribute to strain on the rink , ” said Schuyler Jackson , a software solutions architect who ’ s played at Johnny ’ s East since 2013 .
“ Couple those with COVID and decreased bar sales — the writing is on the wall .
We are all saddened by the prospective sale , but I don ’ t think anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arena , the Chicago Blackhawks ’ current practice facility , opened in 2017 and , like Johnny ’ s East , also is available for community skating and youth and adult leagues .
Without Johnny ’ s East , only four indoor ice rinks will operate year-round in the city : Johnny ’ s IceHouse West , the Blackhawks ’ practice facility from 2010 to 2018 ; Fifth Third Arena ; and Chicago Park District rinks at Morgan Park and McFetridge Sports Center .

Ali Lawrence wanted to establish a pro women’s hockey team in Chicago, and expected Johnny’s IceHouse East would be their home rink.
But then came news Wednesday that the property at 1350 W. Madison St. is up for sale — and any prospective buyer must agree not to use the West Loop property for hockey.
“The North Stars have been practicing mostly out of Johnny’s East; we talked about wanting to win a banner to have hung in the rafters,” said Lawrence, president of the Chicago North Stars, an all-woman team she formed in hopes of bringing the National Women’s Hockey League to Chicago.
“And for me, I learned how to play hockey at Johnny’s. As an adult learning to play a game like that, it was life changing; Johnny’s is a second home for me.”
From left to right: Jessica Howerton, Ali Lawrence, and Anna Lurie during practice at the Johnny’s IceHouse West ice skating rink on October 16, 2020. Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Lawrence’s lament is just one sign of how Chicago’s hockey community is trying to cope, as the pandemic shuts down ice rinks across the city and suburbs.
Johnny’s, which opened in 1996, houses an ice rink, a bar, a hockey supply shop, an indoor parking lot and locker rooms. It also has been home to games for adult and youth leagues, as well as the De La Salle Institute’s hockey team and the club team from DePaul University.
But since the rink’s opening, property values in the surrounding West Loop neighborhood have soared.
Johnny’s IceHouse East is home to many youth and adult hockey leagues. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The sale of Johnny’s by owner Lisa Moro is being handled by commercial real estate firm Bradford Allen.
There’s no asking price listed on Bradford Allen’s website, which describes the 22,000-square-foot site as “ideal for residential and or retail mixed use,” with the “potential for adaptive reuse of the existing structure.”
“Reuse” is key; the listing also states: “This offering does not include the business and a condition of any sale will preclude the Buyer from continuing to operate the ice rink.”
Any prospective buyer of Johnny’s IceHouse East, 1350 W. Madison St., must agree to shut down the ice rink and use the property for something else. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Neither Bradford Allen nor rink officials responded to requests for comment on why the sale requires the rink to shut down.
Johnny’s also operates an indoor skating facility at 2550 W. Madison St.
The property sale is a blow to local hockey players who — pandemic or not — often jockey for limited ice time in the city.
While some of Chicago’s professional, youth, high school, college, and recreational hockey league players called Johnny’s East home, they weren’t surprised that Moro, who took over after her husband, Tom Moro, died in 2018, would put the rink up for sale.
“Rising property value in a prime West Loop location, the passing of Tom Moro, an aging building with increasing maintenance costs, an undersized sheet of ice, and the opening of Fifth Third Arena all contribute to strain on the rink,” said Schuyler Jackson, a software solutions architect who’s played at Johnny’s East since 2013.
“Couple those with COVID and decreased bar sales — the writing is on the wall. We are all saddened by the prospective sale, but I don’t think anyone is shocked by it.”
Fifth Third Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks’ current practice facility, opened in 2017 and, like Johnny’s East, also is available for community skating and youth and adult leagues.
Without Johnny’s East, only four indoor ice rinks will operate year-round in the city: Johnny’s IceHouse West, the Blackhawks’ practice facility from 2010 to 2018; Fifth Third Arena; and Chicago Park District rinks at Morgan Park and McFetridge Sports Center.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Bears sign former Lions CB Teez Tabor to practice squad

With concerns about their depth at cornerback , the Bears added former second-round pick Teez Tabor to their practice squad @ @ @ @ @ Tabor at No .
53 overall in 2017 , but he started just five games @ @ @ @ @ t played since 2018 .
He was with the 49ers last year and this year @ @ @ @ @ to their active roster .
They waived him in July with a non-football injury .
@ @ @ @ @ four starts ) for the Lions in 2018 and did not impress .
He was @ @ @ @ @ 17 completions for 335 yards and three touchdowns .
Opposing quarterbacks posted a 143.3 passer @ @ @ @ @ Bears picked up Tabor after starters Jaylon Johnson and Buster Skrine missed the Vikings game @ @ @ @ @ Sunday against the Jaguars .
Rookie Kindle Vildor was supposed to fill in for Johnson @ @ @ @ @ Bears could promote Tabor in time to play against the Jaguars .

With concerns about their depth at cornerback, the Bears added 2017 second-round pick Teez Tabor to their practice squad Wednesday.
The Lions drafted Tabor at No. 53 overall , but he started only five games for them and hasn’t played since 2018. He was with the 49ers last year and this year but never made it to their active roster. They waived him in July with a non-football injury.
Tabor played in 12 games (four starts) for the Lions in 2018 and did not impress. He was targeted 27 times and allowed 17 completions for 335 yards and three touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks posted a 143.3 passer rating against him.
The Bears picked up Tabor after starters Jaylon Johnson and Buster Skrine missed the Vikings game and could be out again Sunday against the Jaguars. Rookie Kindle Vildor was supposed to fill in for Johnson but struggled. The Bears could promote Tabor in time to play against the Jaguars.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Jaguars playing for dignity, not Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone grew up a Lions fan — “ I ’ m probably the only person from the Bronx that was a Detroit Lions fan , ” he said .
And he remembers the excitement he felt as a 15-year-old when his Lions took Oklahoma running back Billy Sims with the No .
1 overall pick in the 1980 draft .
“ I was all fired up , ” he said .
“ I understand how the fans feel .
But I think when you ’ re actually doing it and coaching it , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach of the Jaguars , Marrone is caught in the middle of one of the trickiest , most conflicting scenarios a football coach can face .
He is programmed to win every game and finish a dreadful season on a high note .
But if he beats the Bears on Sunday at TIAA Bank Stadium , it could cost the Jaguars the opportunity of a coach ’ s lifetime .
At 1-13 , the Jaguars are first in line for the No .
1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft and the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — considered by many draft analysts a generational talent , drawing comparisons to Peyton Manning and John Elway .
If Lawrence is that good , the Jaguars are in a bit of a pickle in their final two games against the Bears at home and the Colts on the road .
If they win , it could cost them the quarterback they ’ ve been searching for since they entered the NFL in 1995 ( their career passing leader is Mark Brunell ) .
The Jaguars ’ hold on the No .
1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also 1-13 after beating the Rams last week .
So many times when big decisions are made , coaches talk about “ doing what ’ s in the best interest of the Chicago Bears ” or whatever NFL team they ’ re coaching .
At this point , it looks like it ’ s in the best interest of the Jacksonville Jaguars to draft Trevor Lawrence if they get the chance .
But you can ’ t say that , of course .
And Marrone isn ’ t even giving it a wink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win or lose Sunday .
He ’ s all-in for winning out .
He ’ s a football coach .
It ’ s all he knows .
“ You want to put the work in , ” Marrone said .
“ You want to be able to go out there and win a football game , and you want to do it for your teammates and your coaches .
… Winning ’ s the most important thing for us.
” It ’ s the ultimate no-win situation for Marrone , because his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limbo .
Jaguars owner Shad Kahn fired general manager Dave Caldwell after a 27-25 loss to the Browns dropped the Jaguars to 1-10 — and Marrone ’ s future is uncertain at best .
So when Marrone says he ’ s going for the win , he means it .
He has a decision to make at quarterback against the Bears — either Gardner Minshew or former Bears quarterback Mike Glennon .
Minshew ’ s development as a sixth-round draft pick last year encouraged the Jaguars to trade Nick Foles to the Bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anointed starter in 2021 and was benched in favor of Jake Luton , who was benched in favor of Glennon , who was benched in favor of Minshew .
Everything about it screams “ Trevor Lawrence ” — though Ohio State ’ s Justin Fields or BYU ’ s Zach Wilson look like workable Plan Bs .
“ I ’ m just trying to figure out what the best thing is for us to do , ” Marrone said .
“ We ’ ve tried a bunch of different things .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterbacks here the last couple of years .
Right now we ’ re not playing well at that position.
” Marrone said he ’ ll choose the quarterback who in practice looks like he can best execute the game plan against the Bears .
Like any coach he ’ s looking for the quarterback who gives the Jaguars the best chance to win .
You can ’ t blame Jaguars fans for wanting him to go with the quarterback who gives them the best chance to lose .

Doug Marrone grew up a Lions fan.
“I’m probably the only person from the Bronx that was a Detroit Lions fan,” he said.
And he remembers the excitement he felt as a 15-year-old when his Lions took Oklahoma running back Billy Sims with the No. 1 pick in the 1980 draft.
“I was all fired up,” he said. “I understand how the fans feel. But I think when you’re actually doing it and coaching it, it’s different.”
Indeed it is. As coach of the Jaguars, Marrone is caught in the middle of one of the trickiest, most conflicting scenarios a football coach can face. He is programmed to win every game and finish a dreadful season on a high note. But if he beats the Bears on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field, it could cost the Jaguars the opportunity of a coach’s lifetime.
At 1-13, the Jaguars are first in line for the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft and the right to choose Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, considered by many draft analysts as a generational talent, drawing comparisons to Peyton Manning and John Elway.
If Lawrence is that good, the Jaguars are in a bit of a pickle in their last two games against the Bears and against the Colts on the road. If they win, it could cost them the quarterback they’ve been searching for since they entered the NFL in 1995 (their career passing leader is Mark Brunell). The Jaguars’ hold on the No. 1 pick is tenuous — the Jets are also 1-13 after beating the Rams last week.
So many times when big decisions are made, coaches talk about “doing what’s in the best interests of the Bears” or whatever NFL team they’re coaching. At this point, it looks like it’s in the best interests of the Jaguars to draft Lawrence if they get the chance.
But you can’t say that, of course. And Marrone isn’t even giving it a wink and a nod when asked about playing to win or lose Sunday. He’s all in for winning out. He’s a football coach. It’s all he knows.
“You want to put the work in,” Marrone said. “You want to be able to go out there and win a football game, and you want to do it for your teammates and your coaches. . . . Winning’s the most important thing for us.”
It’s the ultimate no-win situation for Marrone because his status is in limbo. Jaguars owner Shad Kahn fired general manager Dave Caldwell after a 27-25 loss to the Browns dropped the Jags to 1-10, and Marrone’s future is uncertain at best.
So when Marrone says he’s going for the win, he means it. He has a decision to make at quarterback against the Bears — either Gardner Minshew or former Bear Mike Glennon.
Minshew’s development as a sixth-round pick last year encouraged the Jaguars to trade Nick Foles to the Bears. But he has stagnated as the anointed starter in 2021 and was benched in favor of Jake Luton, who was benched in favor of Glennon, who was benched in favor of Minshew.
Everything about it screams “Trevor Lawrence” — though Ohio State’s Justin Fields and BYU’s Zach Wilson look like workable Plan B’s.
“I’m just trying to figure out what the best thing is for us to do,” Marrone said. “We’ve tried a bunch of different things. We’ve gone through a bunch of quarterbacks here the last couple of years. Right now we’re not playing well at that position.”
Marrone said he’ll choose the quarterback who in practice looks like he can best execute the game plan against the Bears. Like any coach, he’s looking for the quarterback who gives the Jaguars the best chance to win. You can’t blame Jaguars fans for wanting him to go with the quarterback who gives them the best chance to lose.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-23--Halas Intrigue Episode 147: The Bears will win by HOW many?

Patrick Finley , Jason Lieser and Mark Potash know Sunday ’ s game will be a walkover — but how @ @ @ @ @ to blow out the Jaguars to constitute progress ?
New episodes of “ Halas Intrigue @ @ @ @ @ with accompanying stories collected on the podcast ’ s hub page .
You can also @ @ @ @ @ ” wherever you get your podcasts , including Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Luminary @ @ @ @ @ .

The conversation continues in our “Halas Intrigue” Facebook group
Join experts including Patrick Finley, Mark Potash, Jason Lieser, Rick Morrissey and Rick Telander after each game to make predictions, share insights and analyze the day’s big stories. This is insight you won’t be able to get anywhere else.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Ducks hanging on, aerial survey shows: But change is surely coming with the passage of the cold fron

Ducks hanging on, aerial survey shows: But change is surely coming with the passage of the cold front

Aaron Yetter ’ s latest blog off the weekly aerial waterfowl survey for the Illinois Natural History Survey noted duck numbers are holding on , but he also ended with the truth behind the cold front , “ With the frigid weather arriving over the Christmas holiday , I suspect there will be fewer birds next week.
” Click here for the listings of aerial surveys by the Illinois Natural History Survey .
Keep up with research updates and aerial surveys at the Forbes Biological Station Facebook page .
We flew the waterfowl survey on Tuesday , December 22nd .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last day of Illinois ’ central zone duck season .
We had noticeable ice on several of the refuges , especially on the northern reaches of both the Illinois and Mississippi rivers .
Duck numbers along the Illinois River ( 249,625 ) were similar to the previous week and still remained well above average for late December .
The central Mississippi River was a different story .
Duck numbers dropped ( ~50 % ) along the lower Mississippi River from Quincy to Grafton ; however , there were still nearly 300,000 ducks along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t see the large concentrations of ducks at Swan Lake ( Two Rivers NWR ) , Long Lake , Cuivre , Batchtown SFWA , Towhead , Delair NWR , or Ted Shanks CA .
We are not sure where the ducks went , but they weren ’ t in their usually spots on the refuges .
With the frigid weather arriving over the Christmas holiday , I suspect there will be fewer birds next week .
I forgot to grab my camera yesterday , so I had to use a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should normally be frozen solid by now , so I grabbed this photo of ducks sitting in the Cuivre Refuge back in December 2005 .
They were packed as tight as I have ever seen ducks congregate .
The second photo is a straight down shot of ducks at Henderson County Conservation Area , near Oquawka , IL in January 2015 .
Enjoy !
Be careful out there and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS !
For more information about the waterfowl survey , check out our webpage at www.bellrose.org .
Stay tuned for more @ @ @ @

December 23rd, 2020 – Aerial Waterfowl Inventory Blog We flew the waterfowl survey on Tuesday, December 22nd. Coincidentally, this flight was on the last day of Illinois’ central zone duck season. We had noticeable ice on several of the refuges, especially on the northern reaches of both the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Duck numbers along the Illinois River (249,625) were similar to the previous week and still remained well above average for late December. The central Mississippi River was a different story. Duck numbers dropped (~50%) along the lower Mississippi River from Quincy to Grafton; however, there were still nearly 300,000 ducks along the river this week. We just didn’t see the large concentrations of ducks at Swan Lake (Two Rivers NWR), Long Lake, Cuivre, Batchtown SFWA, Towhead, Delair NWR, or Ted Shanks CA. We are not sure where the ducks went, but they weren’t in their usually spots on the refuges. With the frigid weather arriving over the Christmas holiday, I suspect there will be fewer birds next week. I forgot to grab my camera yesterday, so I had to use a couple of photos from past flights. We should normally be frozen solid by now, so I grabbed this photo of ducks sitting in the Cuivre Refuge back in December 2005. They were packed as tight as I have ever seen ducks congregate. The second photo is a straight down shot of ducks at Henderson County Conservation Area, near Oquawka, IL in January 2015. Enjoy! Be careful out there and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! For more information about the waterfowl survey, check out our webpage at www.bellrose.org. Stay tuned for more updates next week…….


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--A Christmas gift of life for south suburban heart-transplant recipient Lanette Lewis

Share All sharing options for : A Christmas gift of life for south suburban heart-transplant recipient Lanette Lewis You could look at Lanette Lewis and see a woman who ’ s been plagued with bad luck .
But don ’ t tell her that .
As a toddler , she was diagnosed with cancer .
Her family thought she ’ d beaten it .
Then , when she was in college , the disease invaded one of her kidneys .
Doctors cut away half the kidney to save her life .
Then , months after giving birth to her first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her heart was failing .
A year ago , Lewis was at Northwestern Memorial Hospital , awaiting a heart transplant .
On Christmas Day , you ’ ll hear no griping at her family ’ s dinner table in Park Forest , no laments for how celebrations were before the world was hit with the coronavirus pandemic .
“ When this first happened , my friends were , like , ‘ Oh , my God , we can ’ t take being quarantined , ’ ” Lewis , 32 , says of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , ‘ Can you guys imagine being hospitalized for months on end and not being able to have your family and friends come and visit you ?
’ It kind of put it in perspective.
” After she gave birth in May 2019 to daughter Savannah Rose , Lewis was diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy .
It ’ s a rare failure of the heart that ’ s seen in women in the late stages of pregnancy or shortly after giving birth .
Many recover .
Lewis was told she would not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 64 , has had to deal with the fear that the cancer would return or that her youngest daughter might succumb to some other sickness .
Doctors told her many years ago that the best way to help her daughter was to stay strong and hopeful .
“ Did I have moments when I cried and bawled ?
” she says .
“ I did .
But they were always when I was alone.
” She says it never crossed her mind that she , not her daughter , might have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to encourage Lanette that you have something to live for now , ” the mother says .
Surgeons perform about 40 heart transplants a year at Northwestern .
They always hope for a “ perfect outcome , ” says Dr. Amit Pawale , Lewis ’ s transplant surgeon .
In this case , Pawale says , “ There are three lives depending on it : herself , mother and daughter.
” And , after an operation that took eight hours , he says they got it .
Lewis awoke last Christmas Eve with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on children visiting during flu season , she couldn ’ t spend Christmas with her daughter .
She had to settle for a tiny Christmas tree perched on her hospital room windowsill and watching her baby girl on a screen as she tore the paper from her presents in Park Forest .
A year later , though , she ’ s doing well .
She ’ s young — that helps .
The median survival for heart-transplant patients is 13 years , according to Pawale .
“ If you ’ re younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better , ” he says .
Lewis , who works documenting on-the-job injuries for a variety of companies and businesses across the nation , is planning to enroll in nursing school next fall .
She would like to become a cardiac nuse .
She and her mother have been preparing for the Christmas they couldn ’ t have last year .
And forget about the usual baked ham or turkey .
“ This year , I want something completely different , ” Lewis says .
“ I want a true celebration meal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ steak , some shrimp , a baked potato.
” She has told her mother she feels well enough to make the Christmas feast herself .
Irons-Lewis is happy to sit back and let her .
“ I ’ m going to relax , ” she says .
“ I ’ m really exhausted.
” There will be a prayer for the family who made Lewis ’ s gift possible , even though she doesn ’ t know who to thank .
The donor family hasn ’ t reached out to say they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , she says , “ Every day , I wake up , and I make sure I thank them .
”

You could look at Lanette Lewis and see a woman who’s been plagued with bad luck. But don’t tell her that.
As a toddler, she was diagnosed with cancer. Her family thought she’d beaten it. Then, when she was in college, the disease invaded one of her kidneys. Doctors cut away half the kidney to save her life.
Then, months after giving birth to her first child last year, she was told her heart was failing. A year ago, Lewis was at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, awaiting a heart transplant.
On Christmas Day, you’ll hear no griping at her family’s dinner table in Park Forest, no laments for how celebrations were before the world was hit with the coronavirus pandemic.
“When this first happened, my friends were, like, ‘Oh, my God, we can’t take being quarantined,’” Lewis, 32, says of the pandemic. “I’m, like, ‘Can you guys imagine being hospitalized for months on end and not being able to have your family and friends come and visit you?’ It kind of put it in perspective.”
After she gave birth in May 2019 to daughter Savannah Rose, Lewis was diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy. It’s a rare failure of the heart that’s seen in women in the late stages of pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. Many recover. Lewis was told she would not.
For years, her mother Rosemary Irons-Lewis, 64, has had to deal with the fear that the cancer would return or that her youngest daughter might succumb to some other sickness. Doctors told her many years ago that the best way to help her daughter was to stay strong and hopeful.
“Did I have moments when I cried and bawled?” she says. “I did. But they were always when I was alone.”
Lanette Lewis (right) with her mother Rosemary Irons-Lewis and her 1 1⁄2-old daughter Savannah Rose Kendall at their home in Park Forest. This will be the first Christmas together for the three of them. Pat Nabong / Sun-Times
She says it never crossed her mind that she, not her daughter, might have to raise Savannah Rose.
“I wanted to encourage Lanette that you have something to live for now,” the mother says.
Surgeons perform about 40 heart transplants a year at Northwestern. They always hope for a “perfect outcome,” says Dr. Amit Pawale, Lewis’s transplant surgeon.
In this case, Pawale says, “There are three lives depending on it: herself, mother and daughter.”
And, after an operation that took eight hours, he says they got it.
Lewis awoke last Christmas Eve with a new heart.
Because of hospital restrictions on children visiting during flu season, she couldn’t spend Christmas with her daughter. She had to settle for a tiny Christmas tree perched on her hospital room windowsill and watching her baby girl on a screen as she tore the paper from her presents in Park Forest.
A year later, though, she’s doing well. She’s young — that helps. The median survival for heart-transplant patients is 13 years, according to Pawale.
“If you’re younger, healthier otherwise, your chances are better,” he says.
Lewis, who works documenting on-the-job injuries for a variety of companies and businesses across the nation, is planning to enroll in nursing school next fall. She would like to become a cardiac nuse.
She and her mother have been preparing for the Christmas they couldn’t have last year. And forget about the usual baked ham or turkey.
“This year, I want something completely different,” Lewis says. “I want a true celebration meal. I want some nice, healthy T-bone steak, some shrimp, a baked potato.”
She has told her mother she feels well enough to make the Christmas feast herself.
Irons-Lewis is happy to sit back and let her.
“I’m going to relax,” she says. “I’m really exhausted.”
There will be a prayer for the family who made Lewis’s gift possible, even though she doesn’t know who to thank. The donor family hasn’t reached out to say they’d be open to contact with Lewis.
Still, she says, “Every day, I wake up, and I make sure I thank them.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--‘Bridgerton’: Netflix series as scandalous as ‘Scandal,’ as delicious as ‘Downton Abbey’

Ooooh that Lady Featherington is such a manipulative , social-climbing schemer , I hope she gets hers !
I ’ m not sure I trust that nosy Penelope either .
Eloise Bridgerton , on the other hand : she ’ s got pluck .
I ’ m rooting for her .
As for the Duke of Hastings , he ’ s a good man , but his stubbornness is driving me crazy .
Come on Duke of Hastings , get it together !
Then there ’ s Lady Whistledown , skulking in the shadows , ruining lives with a flourish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to learn her identity ?
Those references will mean nothing if you haven ’ t read Julia Quinn ’ s popular “ Bridgerton ” books — but after you ’ ve watched the first few episodes of the Netflix serial bearing the same title , the names of the various Bridgertons and Featheringtons and other assorted characters will be as familiar to you as the Dowager Countess of Grantham and Mr. Bates et al .
were to “ Downton Abbey ” fans .
“ Bridgerton ” is the first scripted series from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ How to Get Away with Murder ” ) since Rhimes signed a nine-figure deal with Netflix , and it ’ s an unqualified triumph — a show that will give you that unmistakable binge twinge and have you activating that “ Next Episode ” time and again , until there are no more “ Next Episodes.
” ( A Season 2 is already in the works . )
Set in the Regency era aka the early 19th century of England but carrying a decidedly modern tone , from the diverse characters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likes of Billie Eilish , Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande , “ Bridgerton ” is Jane Austen meets “ Scandal ” meets “ Gossip Girl ” meets “ The Favourite , ” resulting in a wonderfully anachronistic mashup with gorgeous visuals , high-end production values and suitably larger-than-life performances by the talented cast .
On the surface it ’ s about the highly ritualized and maddeningly misogynistic courtship season in the upper echelons of society , but there ’ s an underlying current of timely social commentary running throughout the series .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and features some smoldering sexual encounters , including a full-fledged orgy . )
Season One of “ Bridgerton ” takes place over the course of one courtship season in London , with aristocratic families prepping marriage-age daughters for a series of lavish luncheons and parties and evening balls , in the hopes one of the eligible ( and well-off ) bachelors will make an offer of marriage .
The most desirable suitor of all is Simon , the Duke of Hastings ( Rege-Jean Page ) , who swoops into town like he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bachelor.
” Simon would seem to be the perfect match for the clear darling of the bachelorette set , one Daphne Bridgerton ( Phoebe Dynevor ) .
But Simon has taken a vow to never marry and Daphne has this crazy notion of finding someone she actually loves , so they hatch a plan : They ’ ll PRETEND to be in love but won ’ t get engaged .
That way , Simon won ’ t have to contend with dozens of ingenues hovering about , and Daphne will enhance the Bridgerton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a duke , which certainly will attract any number of legitimate candidates to be her husband .
“ Bridgerton ” pops with brightly colored visuals , from the elaborate costumes with tones of turquoise and gold and bright red to the beautifully maintained mansions to the meticulously groomed gardens .
As the faux courtship of Simon and Daphne becomes real and they encounter one soap opera-level obstacle after another , we ’ re drawn into nearly a dozen other intertwining storylines involving the aforementioned Lady Featherington ( Polly Walker ) , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three daughters ; the Featheringtons ’ country cousin Marina ( Ruby Barker ) , who is harboring a deep secret , and various Bridgerton siblings .
There are boxing matches and forbidden romances and even a duel at dawn .
None of these people actually works for a living , but they sure are busy getting busy .
What happens in London doesn ’ t really stay in London , because nearly every scandal , every betrayal , every secret romance is exposed in the newsletter written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who exposes her subjects to ruin by naming names .
Nobody knows the true identity of Lady Whistledown ( they might as well have called her Lady Whistleblower ) , but she is feared by everyone — even Queen Charlotte ( Golda Rosheuvel ) , who has assembled a task force to uncover Whistledown ’ s identity .
Virtually no mention is made of Simon , the queen , cousin Marina and Simon ’ s mother-figure mentor Lady Danbury ( Adjoa Andoh ) being Black .
That ’ s just the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Some historians contend Queen Charlotte descended from a Black branch of the Portuguese royal family . )
The prejudice and stereotyping we see from certain characters in “ Bridgerton ” is borne of class status , not racism .
Through all the glossy melodrama and entertaining hijinks , it ’ s a real gut punch every time someone we care about in this story is denied the chance at real love because it wouldn ’ t sit right with society and would result in condemnation from that sanctimonious Lady Whistledown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope Lady Whistledown gets hers one of these days .

Ooooh that Lady Featherington is such a manipulative, social-climbing schemer, I hope she gets hers!
I’m not sure I trust that nosy Penelope either. Eloise Bridgerton, on the other hand: she’s got pluck. I’m rooting for her. As for the Duke of Hastings, he’s a good man, but his stubbornness is driving me crazy. Come on Duke of Hastings, get it together!
‘Bridgerton’
Untitled A series premiering in eight parts Friday on Netflix.
Then there’s Lady Whistledown, skulking in the shadows, ruining lives with a flourish of her pen. When are we going to learn her identity?
Those references will mean nothing if you haven’t read Julia Quinn’s popular “Bridgerton” books — but after you’ve watched the first few episodes of the Netflix serial bearing the same title, the names of the various Bridgertons and Featheringtons and other assorted characters will be as familiar to you as the Dowager Countess of Grantham and Mr. Bates et al. were to “Downton Abbey” fans.
“Bridgerton” is the first scripted series from Shonda Rhimes (“Scandal,” “How to Get Away with Murder”) since Rhimes signed a nine-figure deal with Netflix, and it’s an unqualified triumph — a show that will give you that unmistakable binge twinge and have you activating that “Next Episode” time and again, until there are no more “Next Episodes.” (A Season 2 is already in the works.) Set in the Regency era aka the early 19th century of England but carrying a decidedly modern tone, from the diverse characters to the orchestral covers of songs by the likes of Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, “Bridgerton” is Jane Austen meets “Scandal” meets “Gossip Girl” meets “The Favourite,” resulting in a wonderfully anachronistic mashup with gorgeous visuals, high-end production values and suitably larger-than-life performances by the talented cast. On the surface it’s about the highly ritualized and maddeningly misogynistic courtship season in the upper echelons of society, but there’s an underlying current of timely social commentary running throughout the series. (It’s also funny as hell and features some smoldering sexual encounters, including a full-fledged orgy.)
Season One of “Bridgerton” takes place over the course of one courtship season in London, with aristocratic families prepping marriage-age daughters for a series of lavish luncheons and parties and evening balls, in the hopes one of the eligible (and well-off) bachelors will make an offer of marriage. The most desirable suitor of all is Simon, the Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page), who swoops into town like he’s the latest catch on “The Bachelor.” Simon would seem to be the perfect match for the clear darling of the bachelorette set, one Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor). But Simon has taken a vow to never marry and Daphne has this crazy notion of finding someone she actually loves, so they hatch a plan: They’ll PRETEND to be in love but won’t get engaged. That way, Simon won’t have to contend with dozens of ingenues hovering about, and Daphne will enhance the Bridgerton family profile by drawing the attentions of a duke, which certainly will attract any number of legitimate candidates to be her husband.
Let the games begin.
“Bridgerton” pops with brightly colored visuals, from the elaborate costumes with tones of turquoise and gold and bright red to the beautifully maintained mansions to the meticulously groomed gardens. As the faux courtship of Simon and Daphne becomes real and they encounter one soap opera-level obstacle after another, we’re drawn into nearly a dozen other intertwining storylines involving the aforementioned Lady Featherington (Polly Walker), who is desperate to marry off one of her three daughters; the Featheringtons’ country cousin Marina (Ruby Barker), who is harboring a deep secret, and various Bridgerton siblings. There are boxing matches and forbidden romances and even a duel at dawn. None of these people actually works for a living, but they sure are busy getting busy.
Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) is determined to learn the identity of gossip writer Lady Whistledown. Netflix
What happens in London doesn’t really stay in London, because nearly every scandal, every betrayal, every secret romance is exposed in the newsletter written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews no less), who exposes her subjects to ruin by naming names. Nobody knows the true identity of Lady Whistledown (they might as well have called her Lady Whistleblower), but she is feared by everyone — even Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), who has assembled a task force to uncover Whistledown’s identity.
Virtually no mention is made of Simon, the queen, cousin Marina and Simon’s mother-figure mentor Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) being Black. That’s just the way it is in this fantastically revisionist world. (Some historians contend Queen Charlotte descended from a Black branch of the Portuguese royal family.) The prejudice and stereotyping we see from certain characters in “Bridgerton” is borne of class status, not racism. Through all the glossy melodrama and entertaining hijinks, it’s a real gut punch every time someone we care about in this story is denied the chance at real love because it wouldn’t sit right with society and would result in condemnation from that sanctimonious Lady Whistledown and her damn scandal sheet.
Ooooh, I hope Lady Whistledown gets hers one of these days.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Dear Abby: I’m mad at my friend for snitching, getting my daughter punished

DEAR ABBY : I have recently found out that someone I thought was a good friend is the person who snitched and got my daughter in serious trouble at school .
Our daughters attended the same preschool , middle school and high school .
Although they were friends , the friendship was more between us moms .
Before middle school graduation , the students had an outing at the beach .
Some of the girls , my daughter included , decided to bring vodka and orange juice .
A few days later , my daughter was called to the principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reprimanded .
Any awards she was to receive were rescinded .
I learned from one of the teachers that this “ friend ” is the person who turned her in .
Why didn ’ t she come to me and tell me ?
I almost feel like she wanted my daughter to get in trouble .
I have run into her a couple of times and have been cold and distant , but I want to confront her .
I was going to write and tell her why .
Do you think this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IN FLORIDA DEAR FURIOUS : I don ’ t blame you for being upset , but an eighth-grader bringing alcohol to a school celebration is wrong on many levels .
I do NOT advise putting anything in writing .
Convey your message and get the answer you want by doing it directly , face to face .
DEAR ABBY : Thirty years ago , I dated a guy I ’ ll call Allen .
We had a child together .
Our relationship ended when I found out I was pregnant .
He married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I later married someone else , whose name is on my child ’ s birth certificate .
Fast-forward 30 years .
We are now back in each other ’ s lives .
I told my son about his biological father , and they are getting to know each other .
Allen has children from his marriage , which lasted about 25 years .
His wife is now deceased .
Allen ’ s two other children and his parents and extended family know nothing about our son .
He ’ s afraid to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were born and before he was married .
Do you think he should tell everyone ?
— SECRET KEEPER IN CALIFORNIA DEAR SECRET KEEPER : Yes , I do .
As you stated , this happened before his marriage to his late wife , and your ( and his ) son should not be regarded as a shameful secret .
However , I can not make this decision FOR Allen , and neither should you .
If he isn ’ t strong enough to stand up and stand by his first child , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
DEAR ABBY : My wife and I have been married 50-some years .
While we were discussing sex and the pandemic , she revealed that she could imagine having sex with someone while both of them were masked .
I said no , the masks would become superfluous and would go just before the clothes .
Who is right ?
— HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING DEAR H.S .
: Are you serious ?
Your wife gave you some valuable information that you are ignoring .
Where is your sense of humor ?
Try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discover the masks stay on until , in the heat of passion , they slip off ( or not ) .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I have recently found out that someone I thought was a good friend is the person who snitched and got my daughter in serious trouble at school. Our daughters attended the same preschool, middle school and high school. Although they were friends, the friendship was more between us moms.
Before middle school graduation, the students had an outing at the beach. Some of the girls, my daughter included, decided to bring vodka and orange juice. A few days later, my daughter was called to the principal’s office where she was thoroughly reprimanded. Any awards she was to receive were rescinded. I learned from one of the teachers that this “friend” is the person who turned her in.
Why didn’t she come to me and tell me? I almost feel like she wanted my daughter to get in trouble. I have run into her a couple of times and have been cold and distant, but I want to confront her. I was going to write and tell her why. Do you think this is a good idea? — FURIOUS IN FLORIDA
DEAR FURIOUS: I don’t blame you for being upset, but an eighth-grader bringing alcohol to a school celebration is wrong on many levels. I do NOT advise putting anything in writing. Convey your message and get the answer you want by doing it directly, face to face.
DEAR ABBY: Thirty years ago, I dated a guy I’ll call Allen. We had a child together. Our relationship ended when I found out I was pregnant. He married a woman he chose over me. I later married someone else, whose name is on my child’s birth certificate.
Fast-forward 30 years. We are now back in each other’s lives. I told my son about his biological father, and they are getting to know each other. Allen has children from his marriage, which lasted about 25 years. His wife is now deceased.
Allen’s two other children and his parents and extended family know nothing about our son. He’s afraid to tell them, although it was before they were born and before he was married. Do you think he should tell everyone? — SECRET KEEPER IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR SECRET KEEPER: Yes, I do. As you stated, this happened before his marriage to his late wife, and your (and his) son should not be regarded as a shameful secret. However, I cannot make this decision FOR Allen, and neither should you. If he isn’t strong enough to stand up and stand by his first child, then you should reconsider your relationship with him.
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 50-some years. While we were discussing sex and the pandemic, she revealed that she could imagine having sex with someone while both of them were masked. I said no, the masks would become superfluous and would go just before the clothes. Who is right? — HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING
DEAR H.S.: Are you serious? Your wife gave you some valuable information that you are ignoring. Where is your sense of humor? Try it. You might like it and discover the masks stay on until, in the heat of passion, they slip off (or not).
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.