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COVID-19 roundup

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* Trib

A Tribune analysis of federal vaccination data shows that in Glencoe’s predominant ZIP code, roughly 1 in every 6 residents was given their first dose from Chicago’s vaccine supply during the rollout’s earliest phases.

Residents of other affluent suburbs also had luck finding shots in the city between December 2020 and mid-April, a period when eligibility rules were still in play, people were desperate to find appointments and city officials were promising to steer doses to the hardest-hit neighborhoods. At least 1 in 8 of all residents in ZIP codes covering Oak Park, Kenilworth, Wilmette, Winnetka and River Forest received their first dose in Chicago, the data shows. When looking only at those residents who got vaccinated, the numbers are even more stark: At least 1 in 4 found shots in the city.

In fact, more Northbrook residents received first doses from the city’s supply than people living in Englewood’s primary ZIP code.

* WGLT

Pekin-based Reditus labs has discovered the Indian double mutant variant of the coronavirus in Bloomington-Normal. The lab tests nasal samples throughout the country.

Reditus said the latest batch of 371 randomly selected positive samples showed a single instance of the so-called B.1.617 Indian double mutant variant. Preliminary evidence indicates the Indian variant is potentially more dangerous than previous strains of the virus, Reditus said. […]

The dominant strains of variants in the batch tested by Reditus were the UK and Brazilian variants. Those two strains accounted for 65% of the samples. 85% of the total batch was collected in Illinois. The South African and Santa Clara variants also had a presence.

* Flubs gonna flub

Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer didn’t mince words Thursday, calling his team’s failure to get 85% of Tier 1 employees fully vaccinated “disappointing,” and agreeing the team would be at a competitive disadvantage if they don’t reach the goal.

“It’s disappointing to not be at 85% as a team,” Hoyer said on a teleconference before the game against the Washington Nationals. “We’ve worked hard to get as many people vaccinated as possible. It’s hard to try and convince or educate the people who have been reluctant. […]

About half of the league’s 32 teams — including the White Sox — are already past the 85% mark and have had protocols relaxed. Hoyer pointed to the “conveniences” of having those relaxed protocols, including managers and coaches being able to shed masks in the dugout, players dining out together and eliminating the contract-tracing element.

Hoyer called it “a real competitive advantage we’re going to miss.”

* AP

William Stratford, 29, won’t be fully vaccinated until next month, but shoppers and co-workers at the home improvement store where he works had been coming in without a mask even before the CDC put out its latest guidance.

He has complained to management and eats lunch in his car to avoid mask-less people in the breakroom. He gets stares from shoppers and co-workers.

“I know for a fact people have a negative opinion of me,” said Stratford of Valley Center, California, who asked that the store where he works not be named out of fear of reprisal. “It’s become a divisive issue in the workplace.” […]

Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial International Union, said about 40% of workers who participated in a recent union survey said they were vaccinated. He acknowledged that some many never get the shots, but he said the CDC and companies should have waited a few months to give people more time before shifting the guidance for indoor settings.

* Related…

* How Illinois would administer COVID-19 booster shots

* Return visits to hospital for additional care were common for many early COVID-19 patients as the disease’s impact lingered, new study finds

* Chicago bringing COVID-19 vaccines straight to older residents’ doors to boost uptake: ‘It’s a concierge service’

* Workers back in the offices? Experts expect permanent change to suburban cubicle culture

* Old records shed new light on smallpox outbreaks in 1700s

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 21, 21 @ 11:05 am

Comments

  1. When people think that the side effects of the Covid vaccine are worse than Covid itself there isn’t much you can do.

    Comment by Publius Friday, May 21, 21 @ 11:54 am

  2. “Residents of other affluent suburbs also had luck finding shots”

    Wealth has its privileges and priorities.

    Comment by Huh? Friday, May 21, 21 @ 12:24 pm

  3. The fact that ill-/under-informed people refuse a free vaccine while the rich and powerful (Trump included) go out of their way to get it continues to confound me.

    Comment by Jocko Friday, May 21, 21 @ 12:24 pm

  4. From the Tribune: “The CDC data does not provide enough detail to determine whether the recipients met the eligibility rules established by the city for the various phases.”

    I have family in those suburban zip codes who got their shots in Chicago in January … because they are front line medical professionals who work at Chicago hospitals.

    Comment by natty lite Friday, May 21, 21 @ 12:55 pm

  5. “About half of the league’s 32 teams”

    Are there a couple teams that I am unaware of??? NFL has 32 teams. MLB has 30.

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, May 21, 21 @ 12:57 pm

  6. The situation Stratford is in at work is the direct result of people taking CDC guidance as policy. The CDC does not set policy. The scientific fact that vaccinated people can be together without masks in most situations doesn’t mean mask requirements should immediately go away. Because policy decisions must take into account the fact that many people who want to be are not yet vaccinated, children under 12 still cannot be, some unvaccinated people will go maskless etc.

    I think a better motivation for more people to get vaccinated would have been a policy decision based on the scientific guidance that said “Great news. Now we know that when a high enough percentage of the population is vaccinated, we can remove our masks. Go get vaccinated, people. Until then, masks in place.”

    Comment by Leslie K Friday, May 21, 21 @ 1:02 pm

  7. Maybe the Cubs numbers are indicative of the Ricketts being Trumpers.

    Comment by Summer Breeze Friday, May 21, 21 @ 1:12 pm

  8. One of the wives of a Cubs player was posting anti-vax propaganda on her Instagram a month ago so it’s not surprising the team is having a problem.

    Comment by MrX Friday, May 21, 21 @ 1:15 pm

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