Rates matter. At the daily COVID-19 briefing, Gov. J.B. Pritzker addressed the assumption by some that downstate counties are at less risk from the virus that urban centers because there are fewer cases in rural areas. He said a more important metric is the rate of infection, which show the proportion of the population affected, and he noted that of the five counties with the highest rates, two are downstate. Chicago and Cook County have high numbers of cases and high rates of infection.
Masks work collectively rather than individually. Face coverings are required in public places where social distancing is impractical starting May 1. There’s been some confusion since the COVID-19 crisis began about whether masks should be worn and whether they are effective. Since early April both the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended people where masks in public (but not N95 or other respirator masks that are essential equipment for healthcare workers!). Just about any cloth face covering will do, because the purpose is not really to protect the wearer from being exposed to the virus. Masks are more effective at preventing an infected person from spreading the virus. And because people can be infected without having symptoms, if everyone wears a mask, we are all better protected.
COVID-19 case update. Homewood saw another increase, from 134 to 137 in the past 24 hours. Flossmoor remains at 54 confirmed cases. The number of new cases in Illinois was less than 2,000 for the first time in several days. The number of deaths declined again.
Meme of the Day. Speaking of masks, this meme starring Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a good illustration of how masks work to slow the spread of the virus. We weren’t able to discover the origin of the meme.
