Bugle Newspapers 11-19-20

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state

ezike: ‘We are in for a rough ride for the next 3 months’

By JeRRy nOWicKi capital news illinois

Illinoisans should stay home as much as possible, wear face coverings and rethink their Thanksgiving plans as hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to rise, state officials reiterated Monday.

“We are in for a rough ride for the next three months or so,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said at a COVID-19 briefing Monday. “Just how bumpy it really gets depends on each of us.

Let’s hang in there together and be all in for Illinois.”

She warned that Illinoisans should rethink Thanksgiving plans that include travel or mixing households and should consider virtual gettogethers and dropping off food at a family member’s doorstep instead of gathering in person.

Gov. JB Pritzker warned that current hospitalization trends, if left to grow at the pace they have been for several weeks, could overwhelm the hospital system, noting, “we have just 1,100 ICU beds open in a state of nearly 13 million people in the middle of a pandemic.”

“If we wait to take action until our hospitals are full, it will be too

late, and countless patients – COVID patients as well as those with all the other ailments and injuries that bring people to the hospital – will die unnecessary deaths, because there aren’t enough beds or people to staff them.”

The calls came as hospitalizations for COVID-19 increased for the 22nd straight day as of Sunday night, setting a new pandemic high with 5,581 hospital beds in use by COVID-19 patients. The average daily usage from Monday, Nov. 9, to Sunday, Nov. 15, was 5,268, an increase of 1,225 or 30 percent from the week prior.

As hospital bed usage continued to blow past previous pandemic highs, intensive care bed usage neared past highs as well, with 1,144 ICU beds in use by COVID-19 patients at the end of Sunday. That number had increased for 11 straight days, and the 1,002 beds used on average daily from Nov. 9-15 marked an increase 203 or 25 percent from the previous week.

The one-day usage was the highest since May 16.

Ventilator usage for COVID-19 hit its highest point since June 3 with 514 ventilators in use at the end of Sunday. Average daily usage from Nov. 9-15 was up 113 or 32 percent from

the week prior.

Ezike and Pritzker appeared at their daily briefing in Chicago along with a pair of hospital administrators that called for statewide participation to slow virus spread but also encouraged Illinoisans not to be afraid of visiting the hospital should serious illness arise from COVID-19 or other medical conditions.

Dr. Michael Kulisz, an emergency medical specialist and chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine, said two hospitals he’s affiliated with in Region 1 of the state’s mitigation plan in northwest Illinois have more than doubled the peaks of the spring.

“It’s important for the community to understand that each of the hospitals is a safe place to come to,” he said.

“I know early in the pandemic, some patients opted to stay home because of the fear that it wasn’t safe at the hospital, but the hospitals have put a lot of things in place, including (personal protective equipment), hand washing stations, and visitor policies that does make it safe for patients to come.”

Still, he said, as the positivity rate in Region 1 hovers around 20 percent, community members should avoid exposure to COVID-19 by staying in

when possible, keeping distance from others, masking and washing hands.

Ruth Colby, president and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, echoed Kulisz, noting that several hospital workers and nurses have had to quarantine because of virus exposure in the community.

“My message is that every time someone in the community does not wear a mask or observe the other safety precautions you’ve outlined, that creates the potential for a health care worker to contract COVID, and we’re urging everyone in the community to please, please help us stem the growth of this disease, especially over the holidays,” she said.

Pritzker warned that reinforcements in terms of medical professionals from other states are not likely to arrive during this wave since the COVID-19 surge appears to be nationwide.

“We can expect much worse to come if mitigation measures aren’t followed leading into Thanksgiving,” he said, noting the state continues to monitor the need for field hospitals.

From Saturday to Monday, the state reported an average of 11,097 new cases among 96,604 tests reported each day, making for a three-

day positivity rate of 11.5 percent. The rolling seven-day average case positivity rate decreased to 12.5 percent over that span.

The state reported 275 deaths over the three-day period, bringing the death toll since the pandemic began to 10,779 among 585,248 confirmed and probable cases and more than 9.1 million test results reported.

Pritzker noted there was “wonderful news on the vaccine front” Monday as pharmaceutical company Moderna announced it had a vaccine with an early success rate nearing 95 percent. But he noted that candidate and a vaccine from Pfizer still must pass future phases relevant to their safety and efficacy before they are used. And even then, it could be well into 2021 before a vaccine becomes widely available.

“We have real hope for possible widespread distribution by early spring,” Pritzker said. “Still, that’s months away. So we have to let that inspire us not to give up, and to take more precautions for ourselves and for our health care workers. Let’s do all that we can to save lives now, so that more Illinoisans, more Americans will be here when the vaccine is here.”

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Will cOunty

girl scouts set up micro pantry in Romeoville On November 12, the Village of Romeoville added another food pantry option for residents, courtesy of Girl Scout Troop 71503. The micro pantry is located inside the Romeoville branch of the White Oak Library (201 W. Normantown Road) near bathrooms. This pantry, and micro pantries in general, allow for people in need to anonymously pick up food and also serves as a drop off point for those who wish to donate food. The 4’ by

3’ wooden box with shelves and a door contains non-perishable food items and other necessities like diapers.

“We are thrilled by the opportunity to partner with local Girl Scout Troop 71503,” said White Oak Library Director Scott Pointon. “This micro food pantry will serve the residents of Romeoville for many years to come and is a perfect complement to the wonderful services the library provides

to the community.”

The idea to set up a micro pantry came when the girls of Troop 71503 were working towards completing their Bronze Award, which is the third highest award in Girl Scouts of the USA. They were researching projects for the award and discovered the micro pantry.

“As a village, we are so proud of

see ‘pantRy ’ page 7

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‘pantry ’ from page 5 these girls for taking the initiative to help their neighbors in need,” said Mayor John Noak. “We thank them for their commitment to their community.”

The troop, which consists of eight sixth graders who attend A. Vito Martinez and John J. Lukancic middle schools, had been working on this project since February.

They used fundraising to help cover costs for construction supplies, including a bake sale and securing sponsorships from American Legion Post #52, The Hampton Park Social Athletic Club, The Hampton Park Ladies Auxiliary, and Home Depot. All told, they were able to raise $1,000 for the project.

“The girls have worked extremely hard on planning and building

their micro pantry,“ explained Troop Leader Stephanie Koperski.

“They learned how to budget, use a table saw, measure, cut, paint and so much more during this process.” “This project has shown the girls just how important it is to come together as a community during uncertain times,” continued Troop Co-Leader Jennifer Drdak. “Our hope is that the micro pantry will help start the healing process this pandemic has imposed on our community.”

If you would like to donate nonperishable items to the pantry, the troop invites you to place them directly into the pantry itself. To find operating hours for White Oak Library’s Romeoville branch, visit whiteoaklibrary.org/RomeovilleBranch.

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liBRaRies

libraries begin to close buildings as cOVid-19 numbers rise The Downers Grove Public Library moved to Curbside Pickup service only on Monday, November 16.

Patrons who wish to receive a curbside pickup order are encouraged to place holds on their account, or request a curated bundle through the library’s website. An email will be sent when items are ready for pickup.

Three 15-minute curbside pickup parking spots are reserved on Curtiss Street for patrons. Once parked, a staff member will come to take patron details. Library staff members will place a bag with up to 20 items in the patron’s trunk. For everyone’s safety, staff members will not take returns or donations from cars or patrons in a Curbside Pickup transaction. Library hours will remain the same.

Returns can be put in any of the four book drops located on Forest Ave. (near the 15-minute parking spot, and by the accessible entrance) and Curtiss St. (to the right of the entrance).

Oversized items may be returned to the Curtiss Street entrance during operating hours.

The health and safety of the Downers Grove Community is at the forefront of our decision making. The reimplementation of Curbside Pickup has been carefully considered and planned, with great attention to safe material handling, social distancing, and workflow. To ensure that our staff and community stay safe, Staff report to work only if they (and family members) are healthy, limited staff members are allowed in the building at the same time, social distancing guidelines are closely followed, curbside Pickup procedures are designed

to be contactless, PPE is provided for staff members. All staff are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, workspaces are regularly cleaned with sanitizer.

NILES-MAINE The Niles-Maine District Library building will be closed except for limited technology appointments starting at end of business on Saturday, November 14, 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“With the recent stay-at-home advisory by Governor Pritzker, local school closures, and rising COVID-19 cases in the community, we want to make sure our residents and staff members stay safe and healthy,” said Executive Director, Susan Dove Lempke. “Please check our website for the latest updates.”

Limited technology appointments for Niles-Maine cardholders only will be available. Cardholders may fill out

a request form on the Library’s website or call 847-663-6606 to reserve a timeslot. Patrons interested in picking up library materials safely may schedule a pick up time via the No Contact Holds Pick-Up service. Visit the Library’s website for more information. Checked out materials may be returned on the north side of the building. Please look for the orange signs. Materials will be quarantined for at least 3 days before processing.

Staff members will continue to work in the building as well as remotely. Patrons are encouraged to ask questions, get reading recommendations, and more via live chat, email, or phone. Niles-Maine cardholders are able to access online resources, movie and music streaming services, ebooks downloads, and more on the Library’s website. Visit the Library’s online calendar for a variety of programs for adults, teens, and kids.

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Wednesday, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

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