chicagotribune--2020-05-06--‘I always feel afraid. But in that fear, I live in hope.’ Chicago nurses tell their stories from the

‘I always feel afraid. But in that fear, I live in hope.’ Chicago nurses tell their stories from the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

“ My husband and I decided I would move out for the safety of the family .
So my daughter moved out of her college apartment , and currently I ’ m living there while she ’ s at home .
It ’ s very lonely .
Being home alone is not something that I ’ m used to , but I have to make an effort to try to live in this situation .
It ’ s rough .
It ’ s lonely ; it ’ s depressing .
Work alone is depressing enough when you ’ re there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connect with your family like you would on a normal basis ?
It ’ s even harder .
Prayers , I would have to say , are the only thing keeping me strong enough to do what I need to do as a mom , a wife and also a nurse .
It ’ s just a very overwhelming , emotionally draining , physically draining situation .
And we truly don ’ t know if the end is anywhere near .
There ’ s a lot of sacrifices all of us are making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of people are seeing that.
” — Falguni Dave , 45 , charge nurse , Stroger Hospital , Chicago

Poignant, heart-wrenching stories from the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic have flooded our inbox over the past few days, as the Tribune asked Chicago-area nurses one question: “How are you living through this new norm?”
For National Nurses Week, May 6-12, more than 60 of them told us how they make it through each day, and about the hardest challenges they’re facing. Some brought smiles to our faces. Others offered words of caution and hopes for the future.
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Here’s what they had to say.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
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How we make it through
Falguni Dave, from left, Stacy Nelson and Lee Schmidt. (National Nurses United; Amy Miracle; Lee Schmidt)
“My husband and I decided I would move out for the safety of the family. So my daughter moved out of her college apartment, and currently I’m living there while she’s at home. It’s very lonely. Being home alone is not something that I’m used to, but I have to make an effort to try to live in this situation. It’s rough. It’s lonely; it’s depressing. Work alone is depressing enough when you’re there. And not to be able to connect with your family like you would on a normal basis? It’s even harder. Prayers, I would have to say, are the only thing keeping me strong enough to do what I need to do as a mom, a wife and also a nurse. It’s just a very overwhelming, emotionally draining, physically draining situation. And we truly don’t know if the end is anywhere near. There’s a lot of sacrifices all of us are making, and I don’t think a lot of people are seeing that.” — Falguni Dave, 45, charge nurse, Stroger Hospital, Chicago
“Finding a new normal means creating space for myself and those around me to grieve, while simultaneously moving forward at a feverish pace, in a profession that threatens to swallow me whole. Not all days are dark, though. I have been overwhelmed by the creative ways health care workers are expressing their love and common humanity. Pandemic life for a nurse requires careful self-care. I have been tending to my own needs by spending time in nature, knitting, showing gratitude for small happy gestures, accepting and giving love, prioritizing my relationships and time with those I cherish, and remembering to smile and laugh.” — Stacy Nelson, palliative care nurse practitioner, Franciscan Health, northwest Indiana
“By staying focused on our educational mission of preparing nurses to enter the workforce in caring for the health of our communities.” — Lee Schmidt, registered nurse, associate professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
Tyrone Landingham. (Michael McGee)
“I’m a really faith-based, God-fearing man, so I’ve really leaned on my faith to get me through. My church has been doing a really amazing job, making sure we’re still able to receive the Word, that we’re covered in prayer. That has been a tremendous help to me, because it’s hard not being able to actually be in the building. They’ve done a great job of creating that experience virtually. Also, the team I work with at Howard Brown Health creates such a great environment. That makes it easy to come to work and fight on the front lines. I am honored to be on the front lines, fighting for those who are unable to fight.” — Tyrone Landingham, 29, registered nurse, Howard Brown Health, Chicago
Jamie Love, from left, Kirsten Bray and Lucia Torres. (Brendan Namoff; Kirsten Bray; Lucia Torres)
“My work family helps each other make it through each and every day. That is what gets me through my shift. Well that ... and wine helps a lot, too.” — Jamie Love, cardiac ICU registered nurse, Rush Medical Center, Chicago
“Home workouts. Lots of walks outside. Lots of home cooking. Lots of Netflix.” — Kirsten Bray, emergency department registered nurse, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington
“The new norm is challenging. I am trying to take it one day at a time. Because of my job, I quarantine myself after I leave work to avoid the possibility of infecting people. I miss my family and friends. I have this quote written on my refrigerator, and I read it before work all the time: ‘A little progress each day adds to big results.’ The patients I care for and people staying home add up to big results.” — Lucia Torres, registered nurse, Advocate Health Care
Amy Tapscott, clockwise from left, Erin Passmore and Monique Ridosh. (Debby Crowley; Erin Passmore; Loyola University)
“Early on in nursing school, I was taught to always count on change. This is a time when that has proven ever more true. I realize all the medical professionals are working tirelessly to keep us all safe and healthy. So, I try to be positive and remember we are all in this together.” — Amy Tapscott, registered nurse, Passavant Area Hospital, Memorial Health System affiliate, Jacksonville
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“During this pandemic, I got swept up in the sourdough bread-making craze, supporting local businesses and artists, finding comfort in our dogs and trying my best to be positive. I commissioned a local artist to deconstruct some old clothes into chic COVID masks. I started a Facebook group called COVID Crusaders. The mission is to offer support resources, uplifting messages or a positive sentiment during this unsettling time. It’s hard to find a normal when the rest of the world is locked down, and we nurses are still working. I am grateful I have a job, support of my family, friends and co-workers. We are all in this together.” — Erin Passmore, urgent care registered nurse, UI Health Mile Square Health Center, Chicago
“Trying my best each day to live in the present moment. A moment in which our society is engaged in working together for the common good.” — Monique Ridosh, registered nurse, assistant professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
Sara Ruble, from left, Ty Bernal and Sharon Cichon. (Sara Ruble; Sharon Cichon; Ty Bernal)
“Walks with my friends from work, making others laugh, FaceTimes with friends and family, and trying new things, like getting an ice cream maker, allow me to cope with the pressures surrounding all health care workers. As odd as things may be, I hope the incredible generosity, determination and unity I’ve seen will always be considered a part of the new normal. It’s made life a little easier to live for all of us.” — Sara Ruble, oncology nurse, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
“I am living through this new normal by taking it day by day, with a good, open flow of communication, on- and off-shift.” — Ty Bernal, medical ICU registered nurse, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
“Staying positive and strong — to fight the COVID!” — Sharon Cichon, registered nurse
Why we do what we do
Nicole Beebe. (Nicole Beebe)
“Sometimes in the ER, we are our patients’ stand-in family, due to emergency situations. With the COVID-19 pandemic and visitors being limited, this is especially important. We are their hands to hold, and we provide their clinical and emotional care. We are also their communication to their families. As a charge nurse, I believe it is very important to note that it takes everyone supporting each other from all areas of the hospital to provide care to our patients safely and compassionately, especially during a pandemic.” — Nicole Beebe, registered nurse, trauma nurse specialist, Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, Huntley
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Karla Christianson, clockwise from left, Ali Branch, Tiffany Wiksten and Audrey Klopp. (Karla Christianson; Howard Brown Health; Alexandra Seguin; family photo)
“No one invited COVID-19 into our world, and it certainly did not come with a set of instructions. But we’ve got this. I am an emergency department nurse, and it’s what I (and the team) do. I assess, plan, implement and evaluate, and then do it all over again. We are experts at change management and quickly adapt to new practices, counting on each other for support and keeping the quality of the care we provide pivotal in our practice setting. I, and the team, get stronger with each challenge and realize our blessings. So how am I living with this new norm? Better, stronger, day by day and with caution.” — Karla Christianson, emergency nurse, Good Shepherd
“Living through the pandemic kind of ramps up the idea of why you went to (nursing) school. (We’re) learning how to make changes and be a part of science in a way most people never get the chance to do. Overall, I would be silly not to say that it is also incredibly stressful and a total culture shock, but I’m trying to see it from as good of a place as I can. To know that I still have a job, I still have work. At Howard Brown, we work specifically with the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re still able to provide those services and be a safe place our patients can come.” — Ali Branch, 37, community health nurse, Howard Brown Health, Chicago
“Nursing is a calling — it’s a calling we answer because we’re inspired to provide the most fundamental care to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients. Astute, critical thinking and complex clinical intervention keep our patients healthy, and that kind of care is the result of education that prepares nurses like us to meet those expectations. Nurses are so critically important. The world needs us, no matter what unit, department or capacity we work in. No one would ever say that being a nurse is easy, but I can say that it’s incredibly rewarding. I’m incredibly proud to be among you and grateful that we answered our calling.” — Tiffany Wiksten, manager of infection prevention and control, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
“Our nursing students, at the forefront of the COVID-19 situation — the leaders who will figure out how we will be more prepared ‘next time’ — are my heroes. It is with gratitude to them for all they are doing that I stand by, ready to listen and remind them that they’ve done their best and that we are proud of them.” — Audrey Klopp, registered nurse, Doctor of Nursing Practice program director, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
Michelle Kmiec with her fellow nurses at Edward Hospital. (Colleen Rafferty)
“My recent experiences at the hospital make clear what’s important in life and have reminded me to focus on the people I love. Working closely with patients who’ve contracted COVID-19, at the end of their lives, particularly if they’re alone, requires all the qualities that made us pursue this work. So being a nurse during this pandemic hasn’t changed me, so much as it has reminded me. It has inspired me to spend time on the things that matter most to me, and it makes me proud to be a nurse.” — Michelle Kmiec, emergency room registered nurse, Edward Hospital, Naperville
What our days are like now
Kristen Pérez on May 3, 2020, outside University of Illinois Hospital. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
“We have all developed new rituals. It’s been 60 days now; impossible not to. The morning routine is the most unchanged, except for what you bring to work with you: extra clothes, disinfectant spray and wipes, and my own P100 mask in case today is the day there are no more N95s. That’s the biggest fear at work: no more PPE.
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“I’m a float nurse, but I no longer bother to check my assignment for the day. I know where I’m going: The COVID care wing. Three separate units combined to make one large area for non-ICU COVID-positive patients. One charge nurse, 50-plus beds. You spend the day trying to be positive. You feel suffocated by your N95 mask that you had to fight administration to get and now are required to wear constantly. You wear your gown and your face shield, and you never knew this kind of hot before. You have to drink your own sweat off your lip inside the mask.
“You silently pray for your patients as they tell you about their other family and friends who are also hospitalized or have died. You think about your own friends, family and co-workers who are hospitalized or have died. Most days you get lunch donated. It’s nice to get food; the problem is finding time and space to eat it. Later on, it’s time to go. Out the door, and finally reveal your face, and get unobstructed air into your lungs, on your skin. You get in the car. You make it home. Sometimes you cry on the way. Sometimes you call home to warn them to stay away from the door. I stay separated. I go upstairs and never come down.
“You try to ignore the people claiming this is a hoax or a violation of their right to leave the house. You know it’s hard out there for people. What we need most is for everyone to do their part. We are not asking people to give up their freedom; we are asking people to modify their habits for the benefit of the most vulnerable. We can’t do it without you — nursing doesn’t work like that.” — Kristen Pérez, registered nurse, UI Health Hospital, Chicago
Maureen Salihar, second from left, with Cheryl Nazol, Jodi Overbeck and Lisa Grandsard. (Illinois Nurses Foundation)
“This picture is of me and my managers. The masks were made by my brother and his wife in Minnesota. We are leaning in seven days a week, 24 hours a day as leaders to the staff. Being part of multiple Hospital Incident Command System teams and, most of all, looking out for the entire hospital staff who are, in return, supporting nurses.” — Maureen Salihar, registered nurse, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove
Aneta Piton, counter-clockwise from top left, Margaret Polakow, Maritza Perez and Brandon Barrios. (Aneta Piton; Margaret Polakow; Saint Anthony Hospital; Brandon Barrios)
“My days though are filled with both fear and hope. Fear that I will infect one of my patients. Fear that my fiancee, who has cancer, will be infected by something I carried home. Fear that someone will berate me on the street because I’m a nurse. I always feel guilty. I always feel afraid. But in that fear, I live in hope and among hope. My oncology patients still brave the risks of coming to the hospital every single day. I still see acts of kindness that remind me my work is important: People donating food, writing signs or flashing their lights thanking front line workers. The new normal? I don’t know what that is or will be. But I can say that in a world of fear, I see plenty of hope. And it’s that hope that I believe will shape our new normal.” — Aneta Piton, oncology nurse, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
“For some reason, at my hospital, we are watching this story play out over and over with Latino and Hispanic patients in their 50s and 60s. Patients who have spent their entire lives giving back to the Chicago community, working so hard in restaurants, factories, hospitals and office buildings in order to give their children a better life — many of them with no insurance.
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“I had two Hispanic patients stuck in the same room in the emergency department, as they waited for an ICU bed to become available. One is 64, the other 51. Both were on high-flow oxygen — the last resort before the feared intubation and mechanical ventilation. Both lay on an ER cart, struggling to breathe, working hard to stay calm, worrying about their families at home, and continuously thanking me and other nurses for caring for them.
“My gut instinct told me the 64-year-old was struggling a little more. But he denied this, and his numbers and levels were holding stable. Later, his son Daniel texted me to tell me his father had just been intubated and was now on a ventilator. He wanted to know, ‘Is this bad?’ I could not say what I was thinking: ‘Yes, this is the worst news ever. He probably will not come off of the ventilator.’
“I have never been more grateful for my learned gift of Spanish fluency, which allows me to connect with these patients and their families on a more personal level. In the past, ER nursing was not a job that I took home with me. Patients stayed in emergency department short term, and were passed from shift to shift. Now, I leave work worried, I worry about my patients while at home, I return to work worried. For myself and for my ER nurse team, the strength and resilience we never knew we had keep us forging ahead and returning day after day through this new norm.” — Margaret Polakow, emergency department registered nurse, Community First Medical Center, Chicago
“Our new way of living rapidly became our norm. Every day when I get to work, I get my temperature checked and receive my mask of the day. I make sure I don’t touch items with my hands: door handles, elevator buttons. At the end of the day, I wipe my station, shoes, phone, pens and stethoscope, change clothes and shoes, and wash my hands again. Then when I get home, I leave my shoes outside, change clothes and jump into the shower. After that, I am able to talk to my family. Our new norm rapidly became our norm, but it is all worth it to keep ourselves, our loved ones and others safe.” — Maritza Perez, labor and delivery registered nurse, Saint Anthony Hospital, Chicago
“It’s a scary time to be a new nurse, but I’ve been accepted and have never felt alone. I’m even more privileged to see that our patients, too, are not being left alone. I see nurses going into COVID rooms just to brush hair and provide sips of water. All this ignites my passion to help people even more.” — Brandon Barrios, float pool registered nurse, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest
Linda Roberts, second from left, with her nieces, Jenny Ocampo, Diana Salihar and Kelly Ulrich. (Illinois Nurses Foundation)
“I am a 64-year-old registered nurse who works for the state, staffing a health policy board. I have been working from home since mid-March. At the end of March, my niece asked me to make masks for co-workers, as they gave PPE to either first responders or the local hospital. In the past three weeks, I have made 61 masks and 12 scrub caps. Forty masks went to my niece’s work. It takes me 1 ½ hours per mask, as they have two layers with a pocket for a filter, and I sew ties, as elastic pulls on ears. I also made 12 surgical scrub caps to keep hair out of their faces. At my age, I work at home, but my RN nieces work with patients. The next 20 masks are for a homeless shelter.” — Linda Roberts, registered nurse, Illinois Center for Nursing/Department of Financial and Professional Regulation manager, Chicago
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Jean Kirk, left, and Katie Vogler. (Katie Vogler)
“Every day brings something new. It all started with early discussions with the Illinois Department of Public Health, as our facility serves a large Asian American population and Chinese New Year was on the horizon. We learned about the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy; we began daily checks of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and listened to World Health Organization webcasts. Work began on updating our response plans, developed during H1N1 and Ebola. With the emergence of the novel coronavirus, it was evident that existing plans were not going to work.
“Our first submissions were all negative. Then we received a call from Public Health. We had three cases of coronavirus detected through state lab testing, and two were in asymptomatic patients. This was our wake-up call. This was no longer an infection prevention issue — all hands were on deck.
“What will the new norm be? It’s hard to say. For now, we keep an eye on those central lines and Foley catheters and glance at daily labs, but our priority is making sure our health care workers remain safe caring for their COVID patients.” — Jean Kirk and Katie Vogler, registered nurses, infection prevention, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago
The challenges we face
Liz Somone, a nurse at University of Illinois Hospital, and husband Brian Johnson, a Chicago Fire Department paramedic, stand with 10-month-old daughter Alexandria and dog Kermit outside their home in Chicago on May 4, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
“I am a nurse in an ICU nestled in the Medical District, and my husband works as a paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department. We live on the Southwest Side with our 10-month-old daughter and a funny old dog. It is forcibly clear that these are heavy, uncharted times for all of us.
“Work is heartbreaking and emotionally draining. Our co-workers are dying. Patients are dying. Communities are being eroded by this relentless bug. Early on, my husband and I outlined a plan in case either of us became infected. I hate that we needed to do that. I hold my breath while he is on shift and count down the 24 hours until he returns.
“I teeter between rage and sorrow. If I allow myself to pause and digest the enormity of those feelings; they consume me. We alternate watching our daughter while the other works. After my turn to fight the good fight, I race home, run the shower hotter than hot, throw my scrubs in the laundry and savor rocking our sweet chunk of love to sleep.
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“Every night I take my temperature and hold space for the countless lives lost. This season of our lives has brought unique challenges, but I am not wishing away the days. I am present and looking forward to the future. It is an honor and privilege to work as a nurse during such a vulnerable time. Despite our new norm being filled with fear and uncertainty, nothing can take away the treasured moments at home sipping coffee and watching my babe grow.” — Liz Somone, registered nurse, UI Health Hospital, Chicago
Rebecca Puzas, from left, Stephanie Melone and Mona Dabbouseh. (Elizabeth Johnson; Stephanie Melone; Saint Anthony Hospital)
“I am currently 39 weeks pregnant. Although I planned to work up until my due date, due to COVID-19, the risk of exposure and lack of PPE, I began my maternity leave April 10. One word that describes how I’m feeling: HELPLESS. Situations like this is one of the main reasons I became a nurse. Being home and learning every day about the tragedy this pandemic is bringing breaks my heart. I have to sit back while my co-workers — my ‘work family’ — endanger their lives every day, and I cannot do anything about it. I hear about them being put in quarantine to rule out COVID-19; I hear about them losing family members to this virus, and even their own lives. So HELPLESS is how I’m feeling, while I sit at home. I pray every day my work family stays safe.” — Rebecca Puzas, surgical/organ transplant ICU registered nurse, UI Health Hospital, Chicago
“Being pregnant during this time has two separate challenges. However, I have the support of family and friends through FaceTime and other electronic interactions. My husband and I miss going to the gym the most, so we created an at-home gym and have enjoyed spending time together that way. Preparing for a baby, prayer and focusing on the positives of life has helped me get through this the most.” — Stephanie Melone, registered nurse,
“Every day is a new challenge. Living through this new norm has been extremely challenging. Taking care of higher acuity patients with little resources has taken a toll on me. But I am proud to work for an institution who prioritizes our safety.” — Mona Dabbouseh, ICU registered nurse, Saint Anthony Hospital, Chicago
What we miss most
Betty Metousis, from left, Lise Hauser and Harriet Hawkins. (Yen Tai; Lise Hauser; Harriet Hawkins)
“My new normal does not feel normal at all. Since working on the COVID ICUs, I have quarantined myself away from my husband and kids. I feel very alone in a full house. When I come home, I unload all my belongings at the front door. I no longer carry a purse or lunch bag. I go straight to shower, then come out and wipe everything down. I talk to everyone and check in to make sure all of the e-learning assignments are completed and that all of their school projects are done. I look forward to going back to the way things were prior to COVID. I can’t wait to hug and kiss my family again.” — Betty Mestousis, registered nurse anesthetist, acute care nurse practitioner, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
“I really miss seeing my students. When I teach in a classroom, I observe their faces, their body language, and the tone of their voices when they ask or answer questions. When I lecture to a computer screen, I get none of that information. I don’t know if what I’m teaching is getting through or not. It’s especially strange to end the semester remotely. I don’t get to hand out candy at the end of the final exam or give final words of encouragement. I hope some of my students stay in touch. I respect them tremendously for the work they’re doing to keep progressing toward their nursing careers.” — Lise Hauser, advanced practice registered nurse, certified nurse midwife, assistant professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
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“I am in education, and up until last week, I was busy at work. Wearing a mask and teaching — and keeping students 6 feet apart — was challenging and required creative solutions. But it was fun. As of now, I am not allowed to work. I am essentially retired and work per diem. The hospital cannot pay me to teach. It feels wrong to be at home when so many are working without enough staff. I am a regular volunteer at the local homeless shelter medical clinic. And I will be making cloth and Tyvek gowns for a pediatric dental office. In my 51 years of being a nurse, I never dreamed that we would be where we are.” — Harriet Hawkins, critical care and pediatric registered nurse, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago
What we’re thankful for
Karena Brown, 31, stands May 3, 2020, outside Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she is a general medicine patient care manager. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
“Living through this process would not be possible without the support of my colleagues, friends and family. Their support has meant the world to me. Friends have cooked meals and left them on my doorstep, had food delivered to my hospital and even offered to do my laundry. Even the small text messages asking me how I am doing has a huge impact on my well-being. The support from them and the surrounding community has been overwhelmingly kind, and it has helped give me the drive to come to work each shift, ready to take on the day.” — Karena Brown, medical-surgical registered nurse, nurse manager, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
Beth Calderon, from left, Mei Luna and Susan Buechele. (Alexander Barrido; Saint Anthony Hospital; Loyola University)
“The quality of patient care remains unchanged, as I’m learning to provide that care and reassurance through telehealth. I truly miss being able to have the personal interaction in person and with my family as well.” — Beth Calderon, licensed practical nurse, AMITA Health Asthma and Allergy, Bloomingdale
“Living through this pandemic is something I never thought I would do. It can be overwhelming at times, but knowing how much support I have reassures me that we will get through this tough time together. I want to thank the front lines for working hard and dedicating their time to help everyone in need.” — Mei Luna, pediatrics registered nurse, Saint Anthony Hospital, Chicago
“Most of all, I think this pandemic has provided me with a profound sense of pride and gratitude for my fellow nurses, who are adjusting to their new normal. Many nurses are working tirelessly on the front lines as they provide care for patients in their most vulnerable moments.” — Susan Buechele, pediatric nurse practitioner, Evolve Pediatrics, Orland Park; assistant professor, Loyola University Chicago
Meghan Donahue. (University of Chicago Medicine)
“Camaraderie, courage and gratitude are three words that come to mind when I think about this pandemic and the new norm it has created for me. There is a palpable sense of teamwork among the doctors, nurses and ancillary departments throughout the hospital. It has revealed the tenacity and courage of the staff and has allowed me to appreciate what an honor it is to be a part of the UChicago Medicine team. The generous support of our community and leadership have allowed for all of this. It is the small acts of kindness that create a silver lining to this pandemic, and we are so grateful.” — Meghan Donahue, emergency department charge nurse, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago
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What matters most
Patricia Meade, second from right, and fellow nurses at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. (Patricia Meade)
“Continuing the daily fight to ensure nurses have safe staffing and the needed PPE required to care for their patients.” — Patricia Meade, registered nurse, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center, Joliet
Amanda Farrell, clockwise from left, P. Ann Solari-Twadell, Diana Hackbarth and Gazalla Mistry. (Kristie Adelmann; Robert Solari; Diana Hackbarth; Gazalla Mistry)
“Every time I come home from a shift, my priority is keeping my grandma, with whom I live, as safe as possible. But to accomplish that, we’ve both had to make sacrifices, such as not seeing our loved ones. Having patience and reminding myself that every day we are one step closer to the end is crucial. Also, I can choose to be grateful for the many blessings I do have: the technology that allows me to FaceTime friends and family; access to running water to clean myself and my scrubs as needed; and that the whole medical community is working tirelessly to treat the virus and find a cure.” — Amanda Farrell, COVID-19 unit registered nurse, Advocate Trinity Hospital, Chicago
“As a nurse educator, it has been very good to remain connected to undergraduate nursing students. This calls for me to prayerfully go about my day, listening carefully to not just the words spoken by students, but the emotion and energy present or not. Personally, self-care is of essence. It is easy to work, as it is endless. What is more of a challenge is having fun, laughing and maintaining a good sense of humor. Providing support to colleagues is also a primary focus. Joining other faculty in raising money to have meals sent to the hospital staff is one small way to let them know they are not alone in all they are doing to care for others.” — P. Ann Solari-Twadell, registered nurse, associate professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
“Our nurse-led team at the grant-funded clinic at Proviso East High School in Maywood offers free primary health care, behavioral health and nutrition services for adolescents at the high school and surrounding middle schools. With schools closed, our clinic quickly switched to providing telehealth services. Students can get needed health information and continue therapy for behavioral health issues while sheltering at home. We know that telehealth may be the ‘new normal’ for quite some time.” — Diana Hackbarth, registered nurse, clinic project director, professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
“As a director of nursing, I keep the focus on safety of patients and employees. Communication with patients, families and employees is a priority every day. The uncertainty and unprecedented nature of COVID-19 makes it very scary. Changes in policy and procedures every day make it difficult to keep the focus, but the nurse managers and I are staying strong and doing everything we can to embrace our new normal.” — Gazalla Mistry, director of nursing, registered nurse, Symphony Post Acute Network, Hanover Park
How we adapt
Dalia and Milda Sawicki, clockwise from left, Ann Moon and John Pucker. (Brendan Namoff; UChicago Medicine; John Pucker)
“How do we deal with the new norm? Well, I’m lucky enough to be going through this with my sister at my side. At a time when so much is unpredictable, having her here in the ICU to lean on is a blessing. Not to mention two Sawicki sisters are better than one.” — Milda Sawicki, cardiac ICU registered nurse, Rush Medical Center, Chicago
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“One of a medical ICU nurse’s greatest strengths is adapting to change at any given moment. We are evolving our practice to include the roles that families would normally serve in the most vulnerable time of a patient’s life. My co-workers and I have developed a familial bond and have become a stronger team. We truly have not provided better care or been more dedicated to our mission. We have never felt this level of support and recognition from our community. It’s an honor to be able to work with such a great team of nurses.” — Ann Moon, medical ICU nurse, University of Chicago Medical Center
“I am living through the new norm by changing my educational offerings to my students to online learning using face-to-face technology and screen-sharing technology. As a critical care/emergency and transport advanced practice nurse, I have volunteered my services to the Illinois Department of Public Health through HELPS Illinois and am part of the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Institution volunteer force and the IDPH Transfer Team.” — John Pucker, advanced practice nurse, clinical nurse specialist, assistant professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
Vicki Bacidore, counter-clockwise from top left, Fran Vlasses, Kate Foster and Brendan Namoff. (Loyola University; Peter Vlasses; Kate Foster; Brendan Namoff)
“I work as an emergency nurse practitioner and nursing professor. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, nurse practitioner students had to transition to all online learning and testing. Having patience and resiliency has been the new norm, and I believe we will all adjust and be better positioned to handle the next outbreak or whatever comes next. Nurses have the ability to face adverse situations, remained focused, prioritize and be optimistic for the future.” — Vicki Bacidore, advanced practice registered nurse, acute care nurse practitioner, certified emergency nurse, assistant professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
“New norm? Just add ZOOM. Next-gen nurses, teachers, researchers: Caring made visible.” — Fran Vlasses, registered nurse, professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
“I have worked in the emergency department for nearly 10 years. I have seen a lot of change, but never as much or as quickly as this. I try my best to focus on the positives, such as the overwhelming sense of teamwork that we have experienced. We rely on creativity, ingenuity and collaboration more than ever before to develop ways to keep things safe while maintaining the same excellent compassionate patient care we delivered before this.” — Kate Foster, pediatric emergency registered nurse, clinical director, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield
“I’ve been video chatting with friends and family to feel connected while enjoying this new, uninterrupted home life with my fiancee and dog. Trying to use this time to be productive by honing my KDR in ‘Call of Duty.’” — Brendan Namoff, cardiac ICU registered nurse, Rush Medical Center, Chicago
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Lorna Finnegan, counter-clockwise from left, Leah McClellan, Aly Rifkin and Ashley Zepeda, and Nicolas Kruckenberg. (Lorna Finnegan; Jackie Weber; Brendan Namoff; Nicolas Krucken)
“I started as dean of Loyola’s School of Nursing on July 1 and never imagined that my first year as a new dean would include leading through a pandemic. I am balancing leading through crisis with managing the present. Our faculty, staff and students have pivoted hour by hour and made rapid adjustments to the ways that we teach and deliver patient care. I am proud to be the dean of this exceptional school of nursing. Congratulations to our 2020 graduates, who are our next generation of health care heroes.” — Lorna Finnegan, registered nurse, family nurse practitioner, dean, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
“On a personal level, I live through the new norm with as much routine as possible, even when the balance of responsibilities of work and home-schooling topple. As a nurse practitioner in an outpatient setting, I have adjusted to seeing patients online, while trying to keep up with research and resources that will best support them in the context of individual and collective challenges. As I live through this new norm, I have a heightened sense of gratitude for my nursing colleagues and nurses everywhere.” — Leah McClellan, registered nurse, instructor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
“I’m adapting by taking my dog for long walks and enjoying time outside. I’m also adapting by running, reading and keeping in touch with family via Zoom to watch my baby niece and nephew grow. We also have trivia night with family via Zoom.” — Aly Rifkin, cardiac ICU registered nurse, Rush Medical Center, Chicago
“In addition to the ICU staff that’s here every day, we’ve had assistance from other departments throughout the hospital. That’s been invaluable. We’ve always worked together, but caring for these patients has forced us to trust each other and rely on everyone’s expertise in a new way that we will carry forward.” — Nicolas Kruckenberg, ICU registered nurse, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, McHenry
Cindy Barwegen, left, and Lisa Skemp. (Cindy Barwegen; Klienpeter Photography)
“Not there yet; learning to have more patience. Not happy. Miss going out, eating too much, walking outside, feeling more tired when at home, looking forward to work — it gets me out of the house!” — Cindy Barwegen, emergency registered nurse
“As a nurse, of course I support my family, friends, neighbors and the faculty members and nursing students who are doing this work in the community, nursing homes and acute care. This means daily Zoom meetings and phone calls to check in, offer support and facilitate access to resources. It is an honor to be a nurse and, in particular, a Loyola nurse.” — Lisa Skemp, registered nurse, professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
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What weighs on us
Sharon Sullivan, a nurse at Community First Medical Center, stands in front of her home before leaving for a 12-hour shift May 1, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
“I can’t imagine my kids going through life without me. I’m a single mom. I did make a commitment to nursing, but I have also have a commitment to these kids.” — Sharon Sullivan, 49, nurse at Community First Medical Center, Chicago
Jose Mendoza, from left, Katherina Lou Martin and Laura De La Pena. (Saint Anthony Hospital; UChicago Medicine; Annali De La Pena)
“It is unbelievable the impact COVID-19 has brought to our lives. This crisis has not only impacted my career, but also my personal life. I wake up in the morning thinking about my family and pray for the best. It is heartbreaking having limited interaction with my son because of the fear that something could happen to him.
“This disease does not discriminate. I see people of all ages fighting for their lives. It is very sad when you see low-income families being affected and have no insurance to pay their bills. Many times, a patient requires home oxygen but does not have money to pay for it. Although most of these patients receive assistance from the hospital, the number of new cases is very alarming. Although these experiences have been life-altering, I am confident that we will all overcome this with the support of both family at home and at work.” — Jose Mendoza, emergency department registered nurse, Saint Anthony Hospital, Chicago
“It’s been heartbreaking not to get to see or hug our family members, as most of us have been isolating ourselves when we get home to protect our families from getting sick. We live through this new norm by preparing ourselves mentally, emotionally and physically as we go to work. This pandemic has given us the opportunity to care for sick patients and be their source of strength, as no family members are allowed to visit them in the hospital. This pandemic has taught us to become more resilient, care for one another at work and be hopeful that this, too, shall pass.” — Katherina Lou Martin, COVID-19 unit charge nurse, University of Chicago Medical Center
“This COVID-19 world emergency sets everything we are trained to do into motion. And thinking about nurses and doctors seeing large numbers of deaths without relief is sobering, and hits hard. I am completing my doctoral degree work in nursing during Nurses Week. So all of these things are weighing on me during what should be a huge relief of an accomplishment. Now, I have added a sense of urgency. While I still work at our university hospital, I know returning to teaching nursing students within a clinical setting has significantly changed for the foreseeable future.” — Laura De La Pena, certified registered nurse, clinical instructor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
Doris Carroll, left, and Saundra Sobczak. (Doris Carroll; Michelle Kmiec)
“It’s difficult — to decide to come to work, to answer the calls, emails and texts of nurses in need of answers, who wonder if they will be infected or bring it home to their family. I wonder why hospital administrators failed to prepare for this pandemic. It’s difficult. I am not a hero. Nor a martyr. Nor is any nurse I work with. We are here because we care for each other and our patients. And we will survive.” — Doris Carroll, registered nurse, vice president, Illinois Nurses Association
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“As nurses, we are used to adapting to ever-changing conditions. It’s made me realize I am not afraid (for myself). I have never once put on PPE for me. I am afraid for my family. I am afraid to infect my next patient who is immunocompromised. I am afraid to infect my co-workers. This isn’t necessarily the new normal; this is the normal for an ER nurse.” — Saundra Sobczak, emergency room registered nurse, Edward Hospital, Naperville
Lorna Mayers, left, and Megan Bartolome. (Saint Anthony Hospital; Megan Bartolome)
“Every morning when I leave home, I am more prayerful. This pandemic has made me think more about the fragility of life. I try to appreciate each moment of my day. I am really proud of all my colleagues — from housekeeping to our doctors. Front-line workers should all be appreciated for their continuous dedication.” — Lorna Mayers, medical surgery registered nurse, Saint Anthony Hospital, Chicago
“Living through this new normal during the global pandemic has drastically changed my life. Taking all of the precautions to stay safe and keep everyone safe. No matter how stressful mentally and physically work can be, I leave knowing that I made a difference.” — Megan Bartolome, telemetry registered nurse, AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village
“Perhaps the most painful thing so far has been the way misinformation and partisanship have shaped this crisis. I see protests and posts on Facebook where people ignore recommendations to wear masks. Anti-lockdown protestors berate the calm, counter-protesting nurses with comments like, ‘You’re disgusting.’
“I don’t understand when health became political, or when health providers became untrusted. If we wear masks, it is to protect the vulnerable. That is what we dedicate our lives to as nurses; advocating for those who do not have the resources or ability to advocate for themselves. We believe in ‘we, not me.’ Putting on a mask is a minor inconvenience compared with dying on a ventilator, or having to say a final goodbye to your loved one over an iPad.” — Amanda Peacock, not pictured, registered nurse, assistant professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing
Alison Bowen, Karen Cullotta, Kate Douglas, Christen A. Johnson, Ray Long, Nara Schoenberg, Rochell Sleets, Saleema Syed, David Syrek, Kate Thayer, Kasondra Van Treeck and Alice Yin contributed to this report.
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archeung@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-05-05--Chicago lands 8 nominations in James Beard Awards

“ It was clear that those whose work in 2019 led them to be selected as a semifinalist — and @ @ @ @ @ or a winner — deserved the recognition they earned , ” the statement said in @ @ @ @ @ consulted felt the awards could also offer a glimmer of hope to an industry looking @ @ @ @ @ dark time .
”

Chef Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe, was named among the nominees for Best Chef: Great Lakes. He is pictured at Marisol, where he is also chef. (Kristen Norman / Chicago Tribune)
Today was supposed to be the day of the James Beard Foundation Awards, when the winners in the Restaurant and Chef Awards category were to be announced at a black-tie gala in Chicago, and the celebratory after-parties would have stretched late into the night.
But the coronavirus shutdown postponed — well, everything. And so the JBF picked today to announce the award nominees, a list that, under ordinary circumstances, would have been issued weeks ago.
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The good news is that seven Chicago chefs have been nominated for Best Chef: Great Lakes (a region that includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio). And two other nominations were announced for Chicago.
[ What are the James Beard Awards? Here’s your guide to ‘the Oscars of the food world,’ held in Chicago ]
The nominees are Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe, nominated for the second straight year; Gene Kato of Momotaro, a first-time nominee; Noah Sandoval of Oriole, also nominated for the second straight year; first-time nominees John Shields and Karen Urie Shields of Smyth; first-time nominee Erick Williams of Virtue; and Lee Wolen of Boka, nominated for the fifth consecutive year.
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Other nominees included Spiaggia, nominated for the second time in the Outstanding Wine Program category; and Lost Lake, nominated for the second time for Outstanding Bar Program.
Chicago was shut out of the remaining national awards, including Outstanding Restaurant, Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Restaurateur, three categories in which the city has enjoyed a good deal of success.
As some consolation, a couple of former Spiaggia chefs received nominations. Missy Robbins was nominated for Outstanding Chef for her work at Lilia in New York City, and Paul Bartolotta was nominated in the Outstanding Restaurateur category for his Bartolotta Restaurants group in Milwaukee.
[ There are dozens of James Beard Award-winning restaurants in Chicago. Here's where to find them. ]
The winners will be announced Sept. 25 in Chicago, though the manner of that announcement has yet to be determined. That day would be the first day of the Chicago Gourmet weekend, if in fact that event takes place.
Mitchell Davis, chief strategy officer for the JBF, explained on the organization’s website why the nominations were released today.
“It was clear that those whose work in 2019 led them to be selected as a semifinalist — and perhaps ultimately as a nominee or a winner — deserved the recognition they earned,” the statement said in part. “Those we consulted felt the awards could also offer a glimmer of hope to an industry looking for light in a very dark time.”


chicagotribune--2020-05-07--Chicago can’t reopen without decrease in the number of coronavirus cases, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says

“ We all need to be thinking about the long game , and having these parties when we need people @ @ @ @ @ home is just silly .
What ’ s it going to mean ?
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ are never getting out of this , '' Lightfoot said on the West Side .
@ @ @ @ @ to make a difference between whether or not we get out sooner or later , @ @ @ @ @ a summer or we do not .
It ’ s absolutely essential that we stay @ @ @ @ @ home .
”

Paca Kujtim of Arlington Heights self-administers a COVID-19 test in his car at the Arlington International Racecourse on March 31, 2021 in Arlington Heights. Kujtim was getting testing as a precaution for upcoming travel. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city can’t reopen without a decrease in the number of coronavirus cases, “which we have not seen yet at all.”
Though the city has seen progress in reducing the number of COVID-19 cases, Lightfoot said, challenges remain.
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Lightfoot was asked about the city’s plans to reopen during a Wednesday news conference about spiking COVID-19 cases among Latinos. Lightfoot said she’s going to be proposing guidelines for the city that are separate from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s, but added that she understands people’s anxiety and businesses’ concern.
“I worry a lot, particularly about our micro-businesses and the workers that are affected and employed by those businesses,” Lightfoot said. “If there’s not a solution soon, they’re never coming back. They’ve already been devastated.”
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[ How will Illinois reopen? Here are three charts breaking down Gov. Pritzker’s plan ]
Lightfoot said she wants to open the city, “But we have to do it safely, and we have to do it at a time when we see there is actually a decline in cases.”
“It's ironic that we're having this conversation in this moment when we're talking about a surge in cases in the Latinx community,” Lightfoot added. “We are not where we need to be yet. We hope that we're getting there.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot wears a mask as she prepares to speak about the coronavirus economic recovery plan Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Historic Water Tower. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Still, Lightfoot struck a less optimistic note about the possibility of reopening soon.
“We can’t send people back to work, we can’t open up our city yet when we don’t see a decrease in the cases, which we have not seen yet at all, and when we don’t see a sustained decline in hospitalizations, ICU beds, all of those things are really important and the data has to drive what we do from a public policy standpoint,” she added.
In recent days, Lightfoot has cautioned against ending the state’s stay-at-home order prematurely or loosening restrictions. She has said doing so might lead to a spike in cases, pointing to examples in Japan, Singapore and Germany.
[ COVID-19 cases in Illinois by ZIP code: Search for your neighborhood ]
Over the weekend, the mayor threatened arrests for individuals who host house parties in Chicago, warning that they could cause a spike in the city’s coronavirus cases and threatening it could lead to social distancing restrictions remaining in effect beyond Pritzker’s current plans.
“We all need to be thinking about the long game, and having these parties when we need people to continue to stay at home is just silly. What’s it going to mean? It’s going to mean we are never getting out of this," Lightfoot said on the West Side. "Your actions are going to make a difference between whether or not we get out sooner or later, whether or not we have a summer or we do not. It’s absolutely essential that we stay the course and people stay home.”
gpratt@chicagotribune.com
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Twitter @royalpratt


chicagotribune--2020-05-07--Daywatch: Republicans criticize Pritzker’s reopen plan, how your office may look post shutdown and A

Daywatch: Republicans criticize Pritzker’s reopen plan, how your office may look post shutdown and Adler astronomer alleges American Girl stole likeness

The offices that people will return to post-pandemic are a sharp contrast from the collaborative work spaces and amenity filled @ @ @ @ @ in mid-March to begin working from home .
Chicago ’ s return to the office @ @ @ @ @ the most dramatic changes in big commercial buildings in nearly two decades .
And new @ @ @ @ @ make the return safer .

Want Daywatch delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. | Get the top Tribune stories of the day on your smart speaker | Here’s how to get the most out of your Tribune subscription | Got something to say? Join the conversation on our Facebook page
Good morning, Chicago. Here’s the coronavirus news and other top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Breaking coronavirus news Stay up to date with the latest information on coronavirus with our breaking news alerts.
House GOP leader Jim Durkin, shown Jan. 29, 2020, is criticizing Gov. J.B. Pritzker's five-phase plan to reopen the state amid the coronavirus pandemic. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
Facing harsh reviews from Republican lawmakers and some business leaders, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday sought to deflect criticism over his five-phase plan to reopen the state by saying it was dictated by science and data, not by himself.
“I’m not the one holding the economy back from stage five; the COVID-19 virus is,” Pritzker said at this daily news briefing. “That’s the thing that’s been causing the very high infection rates, the hospitalizations and the deaths.”
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Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson speaks during a news conference outside of Westchester Health & Rehabilitation Center on May 6, 2020, in Westchester. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
A Cook County commissioner on Wednesday called for additional related protections for nursing home residents across Illinois to help during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Brandon Johnson, a Chicago Democrat, outlined a “Save our Seniors” crisis plan, which, among other things, would free up additional federal money for nursing homes and require more certified workers at such facilities throughout the state.
The body temperatures of employees Egor Machaca, left, and Nicole Drougas are detected with DuThermX, a fully integrated body temperature measurement system, at Dubak Electrical Group in La Grange on May 4, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
The offices that people will return to post-pandemic are a sharp contrast from the collaborative work spaces and amenity filled workplaces they walked out of in mid-March to begin working from home. Chicago’s return to the office is expected to usher in the most dramatic changes in big commercial buildings in nearly two decades. And new technologies are emerging to help make the return safer.
Ifeoma Nkemdi, seen in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood on Tuesday, is a CPS teacher who is suing the Chicago Teachers Union, saying that because she withdrew her union membership, she shouldn't have to keep having dues deducted from her paychecks. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Since Ifeoma Nkemdi crossed the picket line and withdrew her membership from the Chicago Teachers Union during the October teachers strike, she’s still been seeing $59.51 deducted from each paycheck for union dues.
Lucianne Walkowicz, an astronomer at the Adler Planetarium leads a bikers to Joliet as they start the Galaxy Ride offered by the Adler Planetarium in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
An Adler Planetarium astronomer alleges American Girl doll stole their likeness. Lucianne Walkowicz wasn’t too familiar with the dolls, though their American Girl knowledge took a giant leap beginning two years ago, to the extent that Walkowicz late last month sued the Wisconsin company for stealing their image.


chicagotribune--2020-05-07--Care of nursing home residents a major concern if workers go on strike amid COVID-19 pandemic

At 77 , Claudette Russell has multiple sclerosis and a heart condition , and is an amputee .
Her former @ @ @ @ @ Windsor Park in Chicago ’ s South Shore is one of 64 nursing homes targeted @ @ @ @ @ Friday by certified nursing assistants and other workers .
Eric Russell , an activist for @ @ @ @ @ League , was concerned with the care his mother would receive in case the CNAs @ @ @ @ @ known , walk out .

When his ailing mother came down with a sore throat and tested positive for the coronavirus, Eric Russell had her transferred from her nursing home in Chicago to a new nursing home in Park Forest.
At 77, Claudette Russell has multiple sclerosis and a heart condition, and is an amputee. Her former home at the Villa at Windsor Park in Chicago’s South Shore is one of 64 nursing homes targeted for a possible strike beginning Friday by certified nursing assistants and other workers. Eric Russell, an activist for the Tree of Life Justice League, was concerned with the care his mother would receive in case the CNAs, as they’re known, walk out.
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“CNAs helped my mother stand to her feet,” he said. “They read the Bible to my mother. They feed her. They do all the work at these places.”
Workers for SEIU Healthcare Illinois, which represents some 10,000 workers at 100 nursing homes across Illinois, have voted to go on strike unless there is a new contract. The union on Wednesday said about 4,000 workers could walk out at 44 homes at 6 a.m. Friday, and about another 2,000 could strike at another 20 homes next week.
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Certified nursing assistant Christine Curtis, foreground, bows her head in prayer during a news conference outside the Villa at Windsor Park on East 75th Street in Chicago on May 6, 2020. Curtis works at the Villa. Workers at dozens of care facilities, seeking better pay and better protective equipment because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are threatening to go on strike at 6 a.m. May 8. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
The Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities continued negotiating with the union Wednesday. Bob Molitor, association board member and CEO of The Alden Network of nursing homes, issued a statement that the nursing homes offered a package to increase the hourly rate 30%, to more than $15 per hour for most workers, when including a $2 hourly COVID-19 bonus pay for all members.
“A strike will further exacerbate the staffing strain caused by COVID-19 and may compromise the ability of some nursing homes to meet the critical needs of their residents,” he warned. “While contingency plans are in place ― including deploying administrators and other non-union employees to essential roles and hiring additional agency staff ― there are only so many wells to draw from, particularly during a pandemic.”
He called a walkout now “unconscionable.”
Union President Greg Kelley issued his own statement that workers are worried about resident care not just during a strike, but at all times.
“Our workers turned to striking as a last resort when management refused to act appropriately to address the issues that are shortchanging workers and residents during this crisis,” he said, “including lack of fair hazard pay and fair base pay and lack of adequate paid time off.”
Nursing homes have been described as “ground zero” of the COVID-19 epidemic, because they have older residents, often with other medical problems, in a group setting that makes them especially vulnerable to the virus.
More than 7,500 residents have become ill with the virus at 348 long-term care facilities statewide as of last Friday, with more than 1,000 deaths — more than one-third of all deaths statewide.
The Illinois Department of Public Health, which helps regulate nursing homes, issued a statement that it has asked for strike plans from all facilities subject to the walkout, as required by statute.
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“These are private businesses that are responsible, by law, for having adequate staff to care for and protect their clients at all times,” the agency stated.
Agency officials said they were hopeful of an agreement, and would continue to monitor long-term care facilities and their staffing levels.
Dr. Rajeev Kumar is a board member for the Society for Post Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, and medical director for two Chicago-area nursing homes.
Typically, he said, nursing homes use non-union workers, including nurses, administrators and other workers, to fill the gap left by striking workers. In some cases, particularly a prolonged walkout, a home may hire outside workers or transfer patients to other facilities, but both of those strategies would be extremely difficult during the pandemic.
“In facilities where there are alternate staffing arrangements in place, there is little reason for concern,” he said. “Otherwise, the strike is a major concern that affects the care our elderly residents receive in nursing facilities.
“It’s very unfortunate,” he said of the potential strike. “CNAs are essential workers. They help residents with activities of daily living and care. If they walk out en masse, that would put a lot of strain on the remaining personnel. We’d all have to improvise to provide those basic amenities, in addition to our other jobs.”


chicagotribune--2020-05-07--Chicago teacher who crossed the picket line during the strike is now suing the teachers union over d

Chicago teacher who crossed the picket line during the strike is now suing the teachers union over dues payments

“ They called me a scab .
They said , ‘ You turned your back , ’ ” she said @ @ @ @ @ saying how dumb and stupid I was .
...
It was very traumatic , and @ @ @ @ @ there that I had to take a stand .
I wasn ’ t going to @ @ @ @ @ decision , and I wanted to make sure other teachers , if they felt the @ @ @ @ @ , that they had opportunities without harassment and without bullying to go ahead and do @ @ @

Since Ifeoma Nkemdi crossed the picket line and withdrew her membership from the Chicago Teachers Union during the October teachers strike, she’s still been seeing $59.51 deducted from each paycheck for union dues.
Nkemdi, a teacher at Newberry Math and Science Academy, and Joanne Troesch, a technology coordinator at Jones College Prep, say having to pay dues to CTU is a violation of their First Amendment rights not to subsidize the union’s speech.
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This week, they filed suit in federal court over the matter, listing not just CTU and the American Federation of Teachers as defendants but also the Chicago Board of Education, saying it’s complicit by deducting the dues from wages.
Though union members can resign at any time, they have a one-month window in August each year to revoke their dues’ authorization. In the lawsuit, Nkemdi and Troesch claim that violates their constitutional rights.
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The employees’ court filing, which aims to become a class-action lawsuit, seeks damages, costs and attorneys fees, along with assurances that onetime CTU members can stop having dues collected from them at any time, along with “an opportunity to retroactively exercise that right.”
In response, CTU attorney Robert Bloch said the suit was part of a national effort to hurt unions and workers’ rights.
“This is another anti-worker lawsuit from a reactionary, Koch-funded law project, filed as part of a coordinated, national right-wing effort aimed at undermining the rights of workers and their unions," Bloch said in a written statement. “We operate stringently within the letter of the law” governing dues collection, he said.
CPS teacher Ifeoma Nkemdi is suing the Chicago Teachers Union, saying that because she withdrew her membership, she shouldn't have to keep paying union dues. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Both Nkemdi and Troesch had signed forms joining CTU that authorized dues deductions from their paychecks. While the form noted that signing a union card was not a condition of employment, the complaint states it didn’t inform people of their right not to pay dues.
“Troesch and Nkemdi did not know they had a constitutional right not to financially support the CTU until the fall of 2019, when they both conducted research on how to continue working during a teachers’ strike,” according to the complaint.
The complaint cites the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, a case that started in Illinois and ended with the high court finding that it’s unconstitutional to deduct union fees from public employees without their consent.
Troesch and Nkemdi are working with a National Right to Work Foundation attorney who argued the case for Mark Janus, then an employee of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
After the Janus ruling, a study conducted with the Illinois Economic Policy Institute estimated that the decision would decrease public sector union membership, in Illinois and nationally, by about 8%, the Tribune reported. As of this month, CTU has 28,210 members, according to union officials. The drop rate over the last year is about one-third of 1%, which officials say has been more than offset by membership growth.
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Though Nkemdi was unaware of the Janus case until she started researching her options in October, she’s now leaning on it to get her money back.
“I just want the Janus case to be respected,” Nkemdi said. “That’s the first step. After that things can be debated. I want people’s constitutional rights, the right to work to be established. I don’t feel like we should be ignoring the Supreme Court on that issue.”
After reading up on the case, halfway through the 11-day strike, Nkemdi resigned from the union and crossed the picket line. Troesch also notified CPS and CTU of her union resignation and stated she no longer authorized the deduction of union dues or fees from her wages, according to the complaint. In November, the CTU responded, acknowledging the resignations and explaining union dues deductions would continue until Sept. 1.
Someone who crosses a picket line could face “appropriate charges” by the CTU executive board and then go through a judicial process akin to a trial, according to the union’s bylaws. If found guilty, they could be fined, or even expelled.
In March, the CTU informed Troesch and Nkemdi that they had been found guilty of violating the union’s internal strike policy and would be kicked out of the union unless they paid a fine equal to the amount of money they made during the strike, according to copies of the notices.
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Nkemdi said she was paid for the days during the strike when she worked, helping out with child care alongside nonunion staff, since schools remained open for students who needed care. When she walked by the picketing teachers, they called her names.
“They called me a scab. They said, ‘You turned your back,’” she said. “They were just saying how dumb and stupid I was. ... It was very traumatic, and I knew right then and there that I had to take a stand. I wasn’t going to be bullied out of my decision, and I wanted to make sure other teachers, if they felt the same way that I did, that they had opportunities without harassment and without bullying to go ahead and do so.”
Nkemdi, whose 7-year-old is a CPS student, said she didn’t think the strike was necessary. “I don’t think kids needed to be away from school,” she said.
While she agreed with union sticking points such as more nurses and social workers, she felt district leaders and Mayor Lori Lightfoot had the right interests in mind and they could have achieved a contract through negotiations. She thinks it’s right that the contracts gains won during the strike apply to all teachers, whether or not they are union members or pay dues.
“Whatever benefits a teacher gets, whether it’s advocacy through a union or something outside of a union ...all teachers should benefit because teachers work extremely hard,” Nkemdi said. “... I want all teachers to be respected, whether they are part of the union or they opt out of the union. There should be no division. We all have our personal reasons why.”
One of the points brought up in the lawsuit, so-called fair-share fees for teacher union opt-outs, have been the subject of many disputes over the decades. In 1988, the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board ruled that CPS teachers who did not belong to the CTU only needed to pay 37% of union member dues for a previous school year and should be refunded the difference between that and the 90% they had paid.
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The CTU stopped enforcing fair-share fees for nonmembers covered by its contracts in July 2018, according to the new lawsuit.
Later that year, months after the Janus ruling, Joseph Ocol, a teacher and chess coach at Earle Elementary in Chicago, claimed in a federal lawsuit that fair-share fees had violated his rights after he was expelled from union membership for breaking a one-day strike in 2016. His lawsuit sought to apply the Janus ruling retroactively and recover fair-share deductions. But this March, the judge ruled in the CTU’s favor. Ocol has appealed, according to court records.
hleone@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-05-07--Column: White privilege and the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery

If you have ever wondered what white privilege looks like when it ’ s abused , this is it .
@ @ @ @ @ unarmed black men , it is nearly always twisted to become the black man ’ @ @ @ @ @ s what happened with Trayvon , when there was no video to prove otherwise .
@ @ @ @ @ to happen to Arbery .

A cross with flowers and a letter "A" sits at the entrance to the Satilla Shores neighborhood where Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed on May 6, 2020 in Brunswick, Georgia. (Sean Rayford / Getty Images)
Trayvon Martin’s death could have taught Americans a lot about white privilege gone awry. But the moment his killer walked out of the courtroom a free man, it was clear there would be no lesson to learn.
So history did what it always does when mistakes are allowed to go unchecked. It repeated itself. Now, 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery is dead, because he happened to be a black man in a place where a white man didn’t think he belonged.
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This time, the killing occurred near the small coastal city of Brunswick, Georgia, less than a three-hour drive from Sanford, Florida, where George Zimmerman shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon in 2012. Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges.
Trayvon was “just walking around looking about” while wearing a hoodie. Arbery was jogging in a subdivision where white people live.
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The circumstances are eerily similar, but there is an important element that sets this killing apart. A video that surfaced online Tuesday shows the moment Arbery was gunned down. That’s the only way black victims get to tell their side of the story.
Though authorities had the video in their possession since the shooting occurred on Feb. 23, no one listened to Arbery’s parents’ pleas for justice. Glynn County police refused to make an arrest. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation wasn’t interested. The state attorney general was silent. And Gov. Brian Kemp didn’t say a word.
Now the world is paying attention.
There is no explanation for why Gregory McMichael and his 34-year-old son, Travis, have not faced any charges for nearly three months — other than they are white people living in a town that is run by white people. And Arbery is just another dead black man.
An undated family photo shows Ahmaud Arbery. (Courtesy of the Arbery Family via The New York Times)
Though the men’s account of the shooting was flawed and unbelievable, they were presumed to be honest, while Arbery’s motive for being in the neighborhood was questioned.
If you have ever wondered what white privilege looks like when it’s abused, this is it. When vigilante white men shoot unarmed black men, it is nearly always twisted to become the black man’s fault. That’s what happened with Trayvon, when there was no video to prove otherwise. And the same was about to happen to Arbery.
It is no surprise that the video tells a different story than the one the 64-year-old McMichael told police the day of the shooting. His version, according to the police report, amounted to this:
McMichael was in his front yard that Sunday afternoon when he saw a black man “hauling ass” down the street. He thought this might be the person responsible for a spate of recent break-ins in the neighborhood. So he called to his son to help bring him in.
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The father and son duo grabbed a .357 magnum and a shotgun, jumped into their pickup truck and went looking for him. They chased Arbery in the truck, yelling out to him, “Stop, stop, we want to talk to you.” At some point, a third man joined the pursuit.
When Arbery had the gall to ignore them, they pulled up beside him and Travis got out of the truck with the shotgun and began doing his duty as a privileged white man. But Arbery didn’t go for it. McMichael told police Arbery tried to take the shotgun away.
After being “violently” attacked, Travis McMichael fired two shots, the elder man told police. The next thing they knew, Arbery was lying face down on the pavement dead. As privileged white men, they were the victims of a vicious attack.
The story sounded fishy from the start. But it had credence because it came from two privileged white men, one of whom is a former Glynn County police officer who later became an investigator in the district attorney’s office.
As far as authorities were concerned, it was a solid case of self-defense. If not for that little video that went viral online, that’s likely how it would have ended.
The video showed Arbery jogging in the neighborhood. He’s seen trying to avoid the approaching pickup truck by crossing the street. One man gets out, while the other stands in the pickup bed. Shortly afterward, Arbery is seen struggling with the man outside the truck. Three shots are fired, not two.
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Arbery never had a chance to defend himself from this kind of blatant white privilege.
The case is now going to a grand jury, but due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it could take weeks before the panel convenes to decide whether charges are warranted. Police could still arrest the suspects, though.
But little in Georgia makes sense these days. The governor has basically declared the pandemic over in the state, and the stay-at-home order has been lifted. Hair salons, nail shops, tattoo parlors and movie theaters are up and running again. Under the circumstances, waiting until mid-June to impanel a grand jury is ridiculous.
The only reason these men are allowed to continue to elude arrest is if authorities think they had every right to track a black man down and shoot him in the street.
That’s the greatest perk of having white privilege.
dglanton@chicagotribune.com
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Twitter @dahleeng


chicagotribune--2020-05-07--‘Now all I got is a memory:’ Family members among group calling for stricter nursing home regulation

‘Now all I got is a memory:’ Family members among group calling for stricter nursing home regulations

Claybon was known as “ Mom ” to all her neighbors in west suburban Berkeley , and though the 83-year-old @ @ @ @ @ familiar with her warm personality also saw her as a matriarch figure , her daughter @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t with her loved ones in the final two months of her life @ @ @ @ @ 30 .

A Cook County commissioner on Wednesday called for additional related protections for nursing home residents across Illinois to help during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Brandon Johnson, a Chicago Democrat, outlined a “Save our Seniors” crisis plan, which, among other things, would free up additional federal money for nursing homes and require more certified workers at such facilities throughout the state.
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“The regulatory practices that this state is governed by are just not strong enough," Johnson said. "… We need the governor to think beyond the limitations of our own imaginations.”
Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson speaks during a news conference outside of Westchester Health & Rehabilitation Center on May 6, 2020, in Westchester. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Statewide, long-term care facilities have become a tinderbox for the coronavirus to spread. As of Friday, 1,082 of Illinois’ 2,457 COVID-19-related deaths were linked to nursing homes, assisted living centers and other long-term care facilities, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data. At least 7,500 residents at 348 facilities across the state have tested positive.
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Johnson spoke at a news conference on Wednesday held outside the Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center, which had 47 COVID-19 cases reported there, including 12 people who died from the virus, according to IDPH data.
Carrie Claybon was a resident at the facility who died from the coronavirus, her daughter said.
Claybon was known as “Mom” to all her neighbors in west suburban Berkeley, and though the 83-year-old had seven children, those familiar with her warm personality also saw her as a matriarch figure, her daughter Glenda Harris said. She wasn’t with her loved ones in the final two months of her life before she died on March 30.
“Now, my mom is deceased," Harris said Wednesday. "So now all I got is a memory.”
Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center spokeswoman Annaliese Impink said in a statement on Wednesday that the facility is providing appropriate personal protective equipment, assessing staffers’ health before each shift and restricting visitation to stem the virus’s spread.
Glenda Harris speaks at a news conference outside of Westchester Health & Rehabilitation Center on May 6, 2020, in Westchester. Her mother, Carrie Claybon, was a patient there and died on March 30th. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
“We have implemented every guideline, measure, and protocol provided by the health authorities,” Impink wrote. “We are working closely with the health authorities to follow their guidance and will continue to be transparent … while maintaining the dignity and privacy of each of our residents.”
Other outbreaks have swept through places such as City View Multi-Care Center in Cicero, where a Cook County judge ordered a state department of health inspection on Tuesday following a lawsuit from the town. Cicero officials have said over half of that facility’s residents have fallen ill, and at least nine have died.
Johnson wants more state oversight of nursing facilities, additional supplies such as personal protective equipment for workers, 15 days paid sick leave and hazard pay for staffers as well as fines and receivership for homes violating public health guidelines.
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“It’s nursing homes across the county," Johnson said. "It’s nursing homes across the state that have to step up and do a much better job.”
Loretta Brady said a relative of hers is a resident at the Westchester facility and contracted COVID-19 in March but is now recovering. Brady said she did not feel she was informed of her relative’s condition in a timely manner.
“This is unacceptable,” Brady said. “I’m just very upset because we didn’t know she had it."
ayin@chicagotribune.com