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* The governor will announce at his 2:30 press conference in Jackson County that he intends to go back to holding daily press conferences on COVID-19. Pritzker stopped doing press conferences when the state moved to Phase 4 in June.
“It’s bad out there,” said one administration official, pointing to recent positivity spikes around the state. The CovidExitStrategy.org website reports that Illinois is one of several states that have entered the “Uncontrolled Spread” stage. Despite all this, opponents appear to be growing louder.
Pritzker has said, however, that a new statewide stay at home order is not in the cards. He’s sticking to regionalization and targeted mitigations.
* The Question: Do you agree with the governor’s decision to return to daily news conferences? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
…Adding… Gov. Pritzker just confirmed he will hold daily briefings. “Every region of the state has started to move in the wrong direction,” he told reporters. “So to ensure that you have the utmost transparency on where our state is headed, Dr. Ezike and I will resume,these COVID-19 briefings on a daily basis every weekday until Illinois returns to a better standing in our COVID metrics.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:06 pm
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Previous Post: A bit much
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I voted no. I understand he wants to highlight the seriousness of the virus. I think he should wait until we inevitably go back a phase as a state.
Comment by Nagidam Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:09 pm
I do like this plan, however I don’t like it indefinitely. I thought back in the spring there came a point where the Governor was completely burnt out. He had worked too many days in a row and it wasn’t good for him and there were times when I thought that they perhaps reacted to developments or criticism in a way that they probably would have treated differently under better circumstances.
During these times I think there’s public information value from these regular updates but don’t make it every day indefinitely, or at least empower some of his deputies or agency directors to spell him from time to time.
Comment by The Captain Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:12 pm
Voted Yes. Way too many rumors and “experts” spouting off about what is needing to be done. For the Love of Pete there are still HS football coaches tweeting about why kids should be playing football.
I would like to see the Gov have some Q & A with the experts he relies on and the Docs on the front lines. Time to put out some rumor fires out and put some HS coaches in their place in a public fashion
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:13 pm
I think it is a good move since he is getting such push back from what seems to be a small but vocal minority. He needs to be able to respond regularly.
Comment by RWP Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:15 pm
Yes. Leaders owe it to people to be more visible and active when things get worse. Be out there daily to emphasize mitigation practices and other important info.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:16 pm
I voted yes. There’s not really a downside, and the more public attention he can focus on problem areas, the better.
Comment by Benjamin Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Voted Yes. There really is no more serious problem facing the state and the country. While the level of crisis waned in the warmer months, it appears that the virus will be back with full force. Fortunately, the progress made in treatment has resulted in a lower percentage of deaths. But if we get overwhelmed, there will be a higher percentage of deaths. There is no better time to sound the alarm than now.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Sure gives him a chance to do a little media hoe done, whack the GOPies Trumpt and Griffin and boost fair tax
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:18 pm
Voted yes. The news conferences can help highlight the gravity of the situation and provide an opportunity to educate on where mitigation is and isn’t working. I would like to think that it would help tamp down some of the grifters like DeVore and Bailey but that’s asking too much. In the initial days of the pandemic the governor provide a consistent voice and message that was rooted in science. We need to get back to that.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:19 pm
I voted yes - transparency it vitally important and the daily briefings made clear what was happening, and conveyed the message better.
Comment by DownSouth Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:19 pm
Yes. Illinois is headed in the wrong direction. Direct communication from the head of our state government is a very good first step towards getting this outbreak somewhat under control again. It’s also a public signal that the numbers are getting worse, and will cause some people to change their behavior.
Comment by Graybeard Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:19 pm
Yes. “Grandson of Man” said clearly and concisely:
“Leaders owe it to people to be more visible and active when things get worse. Be out there daily to emphasize mitigation practices and other important info.”
Comment by Downstater-in-Chicago Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:20 pm
Voted no.
Impact is lost with too many press conferences. He should highlight major changes.
There are a lot of other issues that need his attention. Don’t want Covid to crowd out everything.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:20 pm
It takes constant repetition to get thru to some people.
Comment by d.p.gumby Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Voted “Yes”… two reasons;
1) Governors own, and the accountability aspect will allow the governor to clearly and singly deliver the message, thoughts, and instructions, and when he says it, it’s his.
2) Clarity. There’s no ambiguity or “the governor’s people say” kinda leveraging. As this crisis of a global pandemic is now worsening, the Governor clearly leading, clearly speaking, clearly giving the words the full impact of the office, we won’t hear confusion, we hope it’s clear to all.
Voted “Yes”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Voted yes. Time to remind people that we can go backwards in the Restore Illinois Plan and show were we are/where we may be headed.
Comment by Robert Montgomery Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:22 pm
I voted no. A few will listen, but most won’t. JB will just use it as an opportunity to blast Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Trump (not necessarily in that order) for Illinois’ problems….
Comment by Joe Schmoe Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:23 pm
Voted no. Daily a bit much - 2 to 3 times per week more than adequate.
Comment by bogey golfer Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:25 pm
Voted no.
I agree with Last Bull Moose that the effectiveness diminishes over time. I’d say 2-3 times per week is plenty. You can always hold extra pressers if there’s an important development.
I’m all for transparency and availability, but in my opinion, there’s a cut off point at which it’s more effective to do the actual work than to stop that work to talk to the press.
Comment by Father Ted Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:25 pm
I voted yes. It provides an opportunity to hear it directly from JB, and not have it filtered. Hopefully it won’t be required for long.
Comment by SSL Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:27 pm
I voted Yes
My reasoning is I feel the Governor being in front of the people and letting everyone know just where we stand. Not just as a region, but as a State is a good thing. We have to many of the distractors out there who are pushing the opposite direction of the Governor and they are getting sources to push their agendas. We have Senators and Attorney’s who want to tell the Governor how to do his job. Well if they want to make the hard decisions then they should run for office and win so they can make those decisions and live with them. I’m sure the Governor has had many sleepless nights over the last 210 days.
Comment by Club J Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:33 pm
Voted no. His credibility is shot with me and I’d prefer to hear from real experts that will answer questions…not politicians.
Comment by OOO Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:33 pm
This is an emphatic yes by me. One way to chip away at the nonsense being parroted by the vocal minority is to take charge of the situation.
Comment by Glengarry Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:35 pm
Yes. This is, by far, the single greatest issue facing the state. Unless and until we get the spread of the virus under control, we will never get our businesses back, we won’t be able to fully open schools, we will watch as our friends and neighbors get sick or lose their livelihoods and homes.
Really, what else should he be spending time on? What else matters like this?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:41 pm
Voted yes. Daily appearances by the state’s CEO underscores the gravity of the situation and allows the administration to provide critical details and context to a captive audience.
Comment by The Doc Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:41 pm
Yes. maybe people will become appropriately afraid and more will wear masks and keep inside whenever possible. better start now than later.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:43 pm
For sure
It will give him 15 more days of blaming the Trump administration for everything going wrong
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:44 pm
I voted “no” not because I disagree giving the daily updates might not add some “gravitas” or urgency to the message, but because it continues of pattern of avoiding ratcheting up enforcement in favor of sermons. You can play a drinking game with how many times he says “people have to realize/understand…”
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:45 pm
Yes.
To be blunt, doing these appearances is a requirement for a leadership position in any environment where things are changing quickly.
I’m glad to see the governor and his team are able to recognize when to throttle up and when to throttle down - before being told by someone to do it.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:47 pm
I voted Yes. I love hearing Trumpers lose their minds while the left simultaneously foments its collective outrage at everything they see as being wrong with “late stage” capitalism.
It makes me feel sane.
On a serious note, wear a mask, wash your hands and act responsibly. We will get through this.
Comment by Blue Beard Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:57 pm
Voted yes.
If there is anything more important than an unchecked global pandemic I don’t know what it could possibly be.
Comment by don the legend Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 2:59 pm
Yes, because he also brings the experts with him.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:01 pm
Voted “yes”
adding…@Blue Beard x2. Amen brother.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:03 pm
Yes, although 3x/wk might do. When people only hear the loud minority, they think that is the majority.
Comment by Jibba Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:05 pm
Voted “Yes” because the only way to push out toxic disinformation is with good information.
Plus and it helps convey the gravity of our situation.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:07 pm
Yes. We need to keep the seriousness of this pandemic in the forefront. If people would just wear masks instead of wining, we would be in a better position.
Comment by Because I said so.... Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:11 pm
Yes. People need to hear this every day and know that it is not just going away. I do not understand when people say the pandemic is a hoax, or that it is blown out of proportion.
Comment by Downstate Dem Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:19 pm
A daily drumbeat of where things stands also provides the counter narrative needed to the DeVore’s of this state. It also puts the actions of grifters in the right perspective.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:20 pm
Yes. I looked forward (if that’s the right term) to them every day when he was doing them daily, because I believe more information, not less information is better. (For people who think every day is too frequent - no one is forcing them to tune in.)
Comment by Yes, because factual info = good Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:24 pm
No, I can’t even watch the news anymore. We wear masks and take all the precautions that the medical experts advise but I will not be watching. It is not that I don’t care or take this seriously but everything has been canceled this year from graduations to special Birthdays and yes two weddings. I need a break and stay away from all news except Capitolfax. I even avoid Capitolfax most days. I just can’t stand it anymore. Again, I take it seriously and follow all the guidelines. I just need a break for my own piece of mind.
Comment by Jerry Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:44 pm
Voted yes because literally anything that raises this in the public conscious, even if it only gets to one person, is worth it right now. We’re headed off a cliff
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 3:48 pm
I voted yes, for the simply fact that the more COVID is in the news, the more likely some people are to wear mask, maintain distance, avoid crowds, etc. So do so anyway, and some will not. But most Illinoisans are lay people. If they keep hearing there is a problem, they will adjust to that problem consistently.
Comment by H-W Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 4:04 pm
Voted No.
Viruses are going to virus. And unless we have a mid-range plan to just hang on until there’s a vaccine (to come in the next 60/90 days), we’re all wasting our time. No preventing this.
Comment by Ugh Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 4:04 pm
Yes. The more communication, the better. People need to keep hearing the message to wash their hands, wear a mask, and distance. Over and over again.
Comment by North Side Reformer Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 4:05 pm
Yes, because the rise in COVID-19 cases has reached “second wave” status, whether you believe the scientists or not. This is not going away anytime soon.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 4:09 pm
Voted yes, nothing wrong with weekday press conferences the next several weeks as we sort out Federal elections and see how cold weather impacts Covid stats.
The fact Governor appearances almost never go over an hour was big factor in my vote though.
Comment by ChicagoBars Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 4:25 pm
Voted Yes. Anything that preempts the Maury Povich Show is welcome.
Comment by Groucho Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 4:27 pm
“to come in the next 60/90 days”
Put me down for $100 on over.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:24 pm
Yes.
He also needs to tell reporters beforehand that he will only answer COVID-related questions and not unrelated questions some reporters are tempted to ask just to get raitings and clickbait (e.g., “Is Madigan going to jail?”). As well as showing no tolerance for reporters who ask the same questions again and again ad naseum.
Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:45 pm
Emphatically yes. To quote the OW axiom- “Governors own”. There are different ways to demonstrate leadership- in this moment- JB’s is jawboning. Every citizen should be behind him- his success is ours. And conversely, as well.
Comment by West Sider Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 5:58 pm
Yes, it’s in the “can’t hurt, might help” category.
Comment by yinn Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 6:03 pm
Yes. People need to hear from a voice of reason.
The Eastern Blockheads shouldn’t be the only voice.
Comment by Chris Waller Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 6:14 pm
Yes but mix it up more. Have him do Q&A with docs nurses family members. Help tell the stories that scare folks to stay home.
Comment by WH Mess Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 8:04 pm
Voted yes, but:
He should do it from Springfield.
Standing at the top of the Thompson Center in the Chicago Loop plays into a narrative about kings in their lofty castles.
Holding the press conferences from Springfield reminds folks he represents the entire state.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 9:03 pm