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Originally Posted by blkjack
I asked that on WFO Radio yesterday when they were interviewing Alan Reinhart . Of course, they ignored it.
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Odd they would ignore one of their best events. Someone get offended by the "opening"? With the way the governor of Illinois is dictating things, cannot see him allowing thousands at Rt. 66 without a vaccine. Will California allow anything either?
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/05...tore-illinois/
"CHICAGO — Those desperate for answers as to when life can get back to normal in Illinois got a little clarity Tuesday from Gov. JB Pritzker, who unveiled a five-stage plan for opening everything from salons to restaurants in the state.
The timeline, however, depends on the spread of coronavirus, which has still not reached its peak.
“We have to figure out how to live with COVID-19 until it can be vanquished – and to do so in a way that best supports our residents’ health and our health care systems and saves the most lives,” Pritzker said.
“‘Restore Illinois’ is a public health plan to safely reintroduce the parts of our lives that have been put on hold in our fight against COVID-19. This is also a data-driven plan that operates on a region-by-region basis, a recognition that reality on the ground looks different in different areas of our state.”
The plan divides the state into four regions: Northeast Illinois, North-Central Illinois, Central Illinois and Southern Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health will monitor each region and move that region to the next phase when it meets defined public health goals.
Life won’t return to “normal” until Phase 5, when there’s a vaccine or widespread, effective treatment for COVID-19, Pritzker said. Experts have said either of those things is likely months away.
Until then, large gatherings are canceled and most people are required to wear face coverings when unable to social distance, Pritzker said. Schools could reopen if a region is in Stage 4 by this fall, but they’ll have “strict” guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“It brings me no joy to say this, but based on what the experts tell us and everything we know about this virus and how easily it spreads in a crowd, large conventions, festivals and other major events” are canceled until Phase 5, Pritzker said.
But there will be progress and, with that, the lifting of restrictions in the months ahead: Phase 3 is the next step for Illinois, when workplaces such as barbershops and offices will reopen.
Schools, restaurants and bars can reopen in Phase 4. Gatherings of 50 or fewer people also will be allowed again.
Phase 4 is when Illinoisans will be “rebuilding what school and work will look like” until a vaccine or treatment is developed, Pritzker said.
If a region sees an uptick in cases, though, it could mean reverting to the restrictions of an earlier phase.
“Moving backward is honestly the last thing anyone wants to do,” Pritzker said. “But if the virus begins to attack more people or if the health care systems are headed toward being overwhelmed in any region, swift action will need to be taken.”
Officials don’t want to use police to enforce social distancing, though officers will monitor for violations of the stay at home order, Pritzker said."