U of I test could help schools across the state

Posted on August 20, 2020
The saliva test for coronavirus, developed by the school, now has FDA approval(PHOTO: University of Illinois)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD– It could have been Gov. JB Pritzker’s happiest coronavirus briefing ever.

While the state’s coronavirus total has 2,295 new cases, Pritzker and University of Illinois leaders touted FDA approval of a new saliva test developed at the U of I.

“Testing is not a silver bullet,” warned Dr. Marty Burke, associate dean at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. “It was going to require a comprehensive program to wrap around that testing capability to figure out who to test and how often, and to rapidly communicate the results of those tests in a way to help people get isolated very quickly and get the contact tracing started fast so we could eliminate the spread of the virus.”

U of I system president Tim Killeen helped celebrate, calling the development a “game changer.”

 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…