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* In case you were wondering, as I did on Saturday when I ventured forth into the world…
The governor ordered that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the United States and Illinois flags at half-staff to honor those who have lost their lives in Illinois due to COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/j4yaGhAvkJ
— IL Senate Democrats (@ILSenDems) April 20, 2020
* I’ve been saying this for over two months, but I guess I’ll say it again: The federal government needs to get its act together…
The Food and Drug Administration has allowed about 90 companies, many based in China, to sell [antibody] tests that have not gotten government vetting, saying the pandemic warrants an urgent response. But the agency has since warned that some of those businesses are making false claims about their products; health officials, like their counterparts overseas, have found others deeply flawed.
Tests of “frankly dubious quality” have flooded the U.S. market, said Scott Becker, executive director of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. Many of them, akin to home pregnancy tests, are easy to take and promise rapid results.
And the federal guidance that does exist is so confusing that health care providers are administering certain tests unaware that they may not be authorized to do so. Some are misusing antibody test results to diagnose the disease, not realizing that they can miss the early stages of infection.
Barring a vaccine, widespread testing and treatment is the only way out of this stay at home stuff.
* Speaking of treatment, here’s Amanda Vinicky…
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will not interfere with doctors prescribing hydroxychloroquine, a drug individuals with autoimmune diseases say they’re having a harder time getting ahold of since it’s been cited by officials, including President Donald Trump, as a potential way to ward off the new coronavirus.
There is no study proving hydroxychloroquine, or HCQ, is an effective way to prevent COVID-19; clinical trials are underway.
The Lupus Society of Illinois has asked Pritzker in a petition to prohibit pharmacies from dispensing HCQ and the brand-name version of the medicine, Plaquenil, “for either presumptive (COVID-19) positive patients or prophylactic use.” […]
[Pritzker] said that determinations about how drugs are used “are decisions that are typically made by doctors.”
That’s as it should be, whether or not you agree with the all the loud touting of hydroxychloroquine.
* If you’re a legislator advocating for reopening state parks, and part of your pitch is there’s plenty of room for social distancing at said parks, perhaps when you make a video you should, you know, stand more than a couple of feet apart…
Let’s go fishing! Open the state parks now!
Posted by Darren Bailey for State Senate 55th District on Saturday, April 18, 2020
* As I’ve told you before, the governor’s office sends an email every night to legislators answering their questions. Yesterday’s had a surprise…
Q: Are people allowed to go boating in small groups of 10 people of less?
A: Boating is a recreational activity in which groups of people are gathered in small spaces. Boating is not an essential activity under the Stay at Home Executive Order 10 and as extended by Executive Order 18. Only minimum business operations are permitted at boatyards and marinas.
I stored my pontoon for the winter at the place I bought it from, but I neglected to have it taken out of storage and delivered to my house before the stay at home order was issued. That place is now locked up.
But, apparently, even if I could get it home I couldn’t use it.
Sigh.
I’m told this particular provision could be altered in the governor’s revised order, which is expected later this month. I still gotta figure out how to get my boat, though.
* On to headlines from the Tribune’s live blog…
Illinois school districts were urged to prepare e-learning plans for students in case of emergency. Most didn’t do it.
Lightfoot announces new protective measures for essential Chicago city workers
Trump accuses Democrats of playing ‘a very dangerous political game’ by insisting there is a shortage of tests for the coronavirus
Chicago alderman proposes COVID-19 rent relief plan
Hyde Park bookstores turn the page to e-commerce amid coronavirus pandemic
Obama’s healthcare guru has been right so far about coronavirus. His message: This will be over, but it’ll hurt.
Shake Shack, with 189 U.S. restaurants, will return $10 million small-business PPP coronavirus loan
Pay now, stay later: Hotels hit hard by coronavirus pandemic selling ‘bonds’ for future travel
Fourth detainee with COVID-19 at Cook County Jail dies
* Sun-Times live blog…
Proposed rent relief ordinance would give hard-hit workers 1 year to make missed payments
Provident Hospital ER reopens — with a few changes in place
Public health expert: ‘Marshall Plan’ needed to redress coronavirus race disparities
Coronavirus cases rising at Chicago’s federal high-rise jail
Illinois should test 100K people per day before reopening economy
Letter from a Chicago doctor: How we can improve health for African Americans after COVID-19
Second- and third-wave layoffs coming from COVID-19
WHO chief says worst of outbreak yet to come
Complaints soar as PPP loans benefit big restaurant chains instead of small business
United Airlines expects $2.1 billion loss in 1st quarter
* Roundup…
* Brett Giroir, Trump’s testing czar, was forced out of a job developing vaccine projects. Now he’s on the hot seat.
* New rules for nuclear plant workers: 12-hour days for two weeks straight - Exelon Corp., operator of the biggest U.S. nuclear fleet, says the move allows for “healthy workers to remain on site for more hours, reducing the need to bring in outside travelers and vendors.”
* Coronavirus has killed thousands. It could also bankrupt your southern Illinois city.
* Litchfield McDonald’s closed after COVID-19 exposure
* Crain’s: There’s no way to fast-forward this recovery
* Loop retail vacancy highest in 12 years
* Weak labor protections have put Midwestern food processing workers at risk for coronavirus
* COVID-19 outbreaks in homeless shelters threaten to outpace city response, doctor warns
* First White County resident to test positive for COVID-19 is a toddler
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 1:19 pm
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–determinations about how drugs are used “are decisions that are typically made by doctors.”–
Yes, but those doctors who are misprescribing or overprescribing should be subject to scrutiny and potential professional discipline. Hopefully the state is monitoring prescription levels.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 1:33 pm
“Common sense tour” he called it. Those three probably also traveled there in the same vehicle. Hey guys, how about working to get us some more tests available in our south central counties? That would make sense.
Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 1:38 pm
Did these 3 legislators break into the park? Because…they’re closed.
Comment by FIREDup!! Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:03 pm
i’ll be out boating very soon
Comment by foster brooks Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:07 pm
=The Food and Drug Administration has allowed about 90 companies, many based in China, to sell [antibody] tests that have not gotten government vetting, saying the pandemic warrants an urgent response.=
Precisely why the feds have to take the lead here. They have the resources and more importantly the responsibility to do this in a safe and coordinated fashion. Requiring each state to determine which tests may be appropriate to detect antibodies would be a disaster given the prevalence of bogus tests.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:07 pm
====you know, stand more than a couple of feet apart…====
Maybe they thought since they were around 6 feet tall that they were casting 6 foot shadows and they were doing good.
Comment by Been There Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:09 pm
The FDA *is* the feds.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:14 pm
Three legislators from three different counties not following the stay at home order and not six feet apart. We better pray for these three. {Sigh}
Also. With state parks and DNR managed properties closed, maybe these three would like to explain how they were able to get to the boat ramp. Did the “common sense tour” trespass?
Comment by {Sigh} Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:16 pm
The “Common Sense Tour” that took them from St. Clair County - all the way across the state, including into a closed State Park, during stay at home order, with nary a mask among them or any signs of much social distancing. Thinking this should have been called the Covidiot Tour.
Comment by DownSouth Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:18 pm
The difficulty in social distancing and boating is not on the water. Rather, it is the boat ramps, docks, parking lots, etc. They’re not using canoes or rafts that can go into the water most anywhere … .
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:23 pm
*Rather, it is the boat ramps, docks, parking lots, etc.*
pretty easy to stay 6ft apart in those areas too.
Comment by EmptyMailbox Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 2:55 pm
==== I still gotta figure out how to get my boat, though.
Boating and marinas are allowed in Minnesota and while the marina down the street is still pretty empty the boat ramps are open and people seem to be using good sense in getting to them. Now, the water is still really cold up here and the wind picks that up. It seems to me to be a reasonable accommodation to make since in the water it’s pretty good separation and just some common sense at the ramps can make it work.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 3:44 pm
Dear Rich, Don’t sweat the boat. Our President God of Testing has declared the Virus will go away in time to enjoy summer vacation.
Comment by Al Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 3:48 pm
What if there are only 2 people in the boat?
Comment by Mama Monday, Apr 20, 20 @ 7:30 pm