Illinois hits a one-day high for coronavirus deaths

Gov. JB Pritzker. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Wednesday’s coronavirus report from Gov. JB Pritzker was a grim one, as he announced a new one-day high for deaths: 238.

Otherwise, the theme of the day was our healthcare heroes.

“All of them didn’t ring in the New Year on Jan. 1, 2020, thinking that they would spend it working double shifts, multiple days a week, in the middle of the worst health crisis in over a century,” said Pritzker. “They too have families that they are worried about. They too are exhausted. They too wish they could take off their mask as they leave the hospital, go out to eat with family or friends in a roomful of strangers, or just hug their relatives without worry.”

For the second day in a row, Pritzker had a video guest, a doctor from an Edwardsville-area hospital, worried about bed space.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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…