The Latest
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How to Safely Open Colleges? Test Everyone and Test Often, Experts Say
A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association concluded colleges would need to test students for coronavirus every two days in order to reopen safely. But with the costs and number of tests needed for that level of broad, repeated testing, scientists are looking into a cheaper alternative: pool testing. Instead of testing individual samples, in…
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‘A Little Bit of Heaven': Nursing Home Residents Visit With Families As Deaths Decline
There are no hugs allowed, but for Marie and Jacee Brija, just sitting across from each other is enough. “It’s a little bit of heaven, that’s all I can tell you,” said Marie Brija, 84, a resident of Bridgeview Health Care Center. “I’ve waited so long.” It’s been four months since families have been able to visit loved ones...
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New Study Sheds Light on Mystery Disease Affecting Kids
Doctors are learning more about a mysterious disease linked to the coronavirus that has affected previously healthy children. A study published this week in the New England of Journal of Medicine followed 186 children who developed Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) in 26 states. The young patients developed severe inflammation in multiple organs, including the heart, weeks after having COVID-19, researchers…
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Chicago Prepares as Vote-By-Mail Expands Ahead of November Election
All voters who participated in recent elections will now be sent an application for a mail ballot, thanks to a bill that Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law this week. Coronavirus concerns have pushed to the forefront how officials will carry out elections safely in November. “Whether or not there’s a vaccine, there’s going to be a vote. And...
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Extremist Groups May Be Infiltrating Protests
As thousands march in peaceful protests against police brutality, activists have denounced rioters and looters who they said are hijacking their message. Now, federal authorities and other officials are looking into whether far-right and far-left extremist groups are taking advantage of the moment. “When you destroy people’s businesses, what you’re doing is you’re destroying people’s ability to take care...
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How to Spot Contact Tracing Scams
As states ramp up their contact tracing efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, so too are scammers who are preying on consumers’ fears, experts said. “Scammers love pandemics. They are having a field day,” said Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. Bernas said 90 percent of complaints to BBB’s…
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Here's How Downtown Chicago Office Buildings Might Look Post-Coronavirus
The vibrancy of Chicago’s famed Loop, dotted with restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment, hinges on the return of tourists and employees whose companies occupy downtown office buildings. The coronavirus has left once bustling streets nearly empty. On a warm spring Friday around mid-day, only essential employees could be seen on sidewalks. A lone commuter waited at bus stop. Construction...
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Doctors Fear Child Abuse is Underreported During Coronavirus Pandemic
While most stay home to stay safe, doctors are scared for children whose homes are not havens.
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Illinois Debates Vote-By-Mail Ballots for 2020 Election Amidst Pandemic
With less than six months to go until the general election and with concerns over social distancing at polling places, some Illinois leaders are pushing to significantly expand the use of vote-by-mail ballots. State Sen. Julie Morrison, a Democrat from Lake Forest, plans to introduce a bill that would allow the state to mail a ballot to every registered voter…
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Infection Control Is Key to Contain Virus in Nursing Homes: Experts
Of the 351 long-term care facilities currently identified by the Illinois Department of Public Health as having a coronavirus outbreak, 60 percent were cited for infection control violations, the latest federal data shows. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated the Nursing Home Compare tool last week for the first quarter of 2020, which included the list of facilities…
