OK, this is not really about the most recent erosion damage to our lakefront (which is pretty awful). It is a snapshot of our health.
The Bad News: 2,538 individuals infected. 26 Dead. We were at 9 dead, and barely 1,000 just a few days ago. The pace of infection is increasing.
The worse news. Chicago’s major medical centers have effectively run out of the top tier protective gear. They have ordered ALL WORKERS, not just medical staff who comes into contact with patients, to wear a mask. They are being given a sewn cloth mask, because they save the top masks for hands-on medical staff.
Signs for hope: Several local companies have shut down production and retooled to make health protective equipment. Kudos to them all.
The future? Not looking good. Chicago’s giant conference center, McCormick Place, is changing over McCormick Place East (the original structure, after the old one burned down) and turning it into a COVID treatment center.
WGN news just reported that USPS post office workers are suffering dearly, with some workers reportedly testing positive. WIPE YOUR MAIL WITH A DISINFECTANT.
Amazon admitted several of its employees, including warehouse workers in southern Wisconsin, also tested positive. WIPE YOUR PACKAGES WITH A DISINFECTANT.
UPS and FEDEX are also reporting some infected workers have tested positive, and are having trouble hiring people to do the “to the door” deliveries. WIPE YOUR DELIVERIES WITH A DISINFECTANT.
Here are the latest guidelines from Illinois Department of Public Health (which has several truly kick ass, professionals on staff. Comparing their TV appearances to Duh FurHair is like comparing Golden Delicious Apples to watery diarrhea from a COVID victim.
Clinical and Public Health Guidance for Managing COVID-19
Interim Guidance (subject to change); March 18, 2020
The number of persons diagnosed with COVID-19 in Illinois continues to increase
Community-wide transmission has been documented in multiple areas of the state
Several commercial laboratories and hospital-based COVID-19 testing options are now available
IDPH laboratories will now only accept nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs; lower respiratory tract specimens (sputum) can also be submitted
Priority testing at IDPH laboratory is for hospitalized individuals with pneumonia not attributable to another etiology
- Immediately report to the Local Health Department:
Persons who are part of a cluster of 2 or more possible or confirmed cases in a residential congregate setting that serves more vulnerable populations such as an assisted living facility, group home, homeless shelter, or correctional setting and
- Persons hospitalized with unexplained pneumonia who are from a residential congregate setting that serves more vulnerable populations such as an assisted living facility, group home, homeless shelter, or correctional settings.
MINIMIZE EXPOSURES TO THE PUBLIC, VULNERABLE PATIENTS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS
- Advise patients with mild respiratory illness to STAY HOME; testing is not indicated for mildly ill or asymptomatic persons
- This will minimize possible exposures to healthcare workers, patients and the public and reduce the demand for personal protective equipment
PRESERVE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES
- Use standard, contact, droplet precautions, and eye protection when caring for patients who are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19
Plan now for enhanced surge capacity at healthcare facilities
Illinois announced that it is getting more COVID testing kits. Unfortunately, the available supply of reagents, the chemicals that are used to grade and provide findings of a testing kit, are not keeping pace with the actual tests. That means growing delays in test results.
Justice delayed? Illinois Courts are only accepting emergency situations. For general business, they are effectively closed, with only skeleton, emergency crews operating. Orders of protection, serious crimes, and hearing to release inmates are at the top of the list. Non-violent prisoners have been and continue to be processed and released.
Justice denied. The reaction from some lakefront bikers is almost, but not quite, amusing. Lori Lightfoot, Chicago’s current mayor, has closed the lakefront to all people. Too many large groups were gathering and milling about. Just what we do not want or need in this day and age. Seeing the police cars blocking access is a thing of beauty. Those poor, bikers and joggers. Such an imposition. (Sarcasm, in case it was not apparent)
Justice is 18 miles away. Justice, IL, I mean. And Tinley Park, where several EMS workers were just diagnosed. The first responders are getting sick. They are not the only ones. Nursing homes have been afflicted, both staff and inmates.
Justice would include the 25th Amendment. As soon as humanly possible.
I have a new list of Heroes.
- Gov. Pritzker
- Mayor Lightfoot
- IDPH
- USPS
- Doctors, nurses, medical aides, and janitors.
- Every first responder, be it Fire, Police or ambulance services.
- There are more, but I have limited electrons.
I have a new list of Zeroes.
The Orange Turd
JarJarVanka, who reportedly ordered medical supply companies NOT to service the State Of Michigan.
Bill Barr. Steve Miller. The US Sturgeon General and the whole collection of ass-kissing, brown-nosing unflushed turds.
On a side note, some people in the IDPH continue to have a sense of humor. Who else would publish a study entitled, “Higher Medical Cannabis Interest Than Expected?”
WASH YOUR HANDS. AVOID MEETING PEOPLE. SELF ISOLATE. CHECK UP ON ELDERLY BY PHONE, ZOOM, SKYPE, or simply by phone.
Be safe out there, folks. This will last a long time, probably several months now. Just in time for a rebound for the fall weather.
As another aside, global climate change is hitting Illinois, particularly the Chicago lakefront. Those sidewalks above were pristine just last fall. Trump has denied any federal funds to help is the deterioration. Because, you know, Blue State.