The latest
We asked Chicagoans if they’ll get the COVID-19 vaccine once it’s available. Here’s what they said.
With several coronavirus vaccine studies underway and the news that Russia has approved the first immunization against COVID-19 despite limited testing, we asked Chicagoans: Once a vaccine is available, will you get it?
Here’s what some people said:
“Once it is well-tested as safe and effective, people who don’t get vaccinated will be regarded as negligent — like homeowners without working smoke detectors.” — Kenneth Mayka
“Absolutely not! I don’t get the flu or pneumonia shot, and I definitely won’t be getting this one either. They have rushed this shot, and I do not trust that it’s safe.” — Melissa Haney
“I will shoot it into my eyeball if it gets things back to normal.” — Jonathan Eftink
“Of course, I will get it! I will do anything preventative. Always get flu shots, pneumonia shots, shingles shot.” — Beverly Hendrix Crocker
“Nope. Something that they whipped up in a lab that hasn’t been around long enough to observe side-effects or long-term effects. I can’t do it!” — BeBe Jones
Want to see more responses? Read the full story here.
News
8:20 a.m. La Sardine, a West Loop institution, permanently closes because of coronavirus
After a 22-year run, La Sardine, the noted French bistro in the West Loop, will close because of the coronavirus.
The restaurant, located at 111 N. Carpenter, called COVID-19 “and extinction event for restaurants.” Without outdoor seating or parking, La Sardine struggled with the coronavirus restrictions. The closing announcement was posted Thursday on Facebook.
“It has been a true blessing serving you all, and we are so honored that you chose to spend so many of your life’s special moments with us. Truly.”
Read the full story by John Silver here.
7:45 a.m. Pritzker urges precautions, patience and prayers as Illinois’ case tally from ‘insidious virus’ passes 200,000
More than 200,000 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 over the last five months in Illinois — about 1.6% of the state’s population — as health officials on Thursday announced the latest batch of 1,834 new coronavirus cases.
Since early March, a total of 200,427 people have been confirmed to be carrying the virus, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state has about 12.7 million residents.
Health officials also announced 24 more residents with COVID-19 have died, raising the statewide pandemic death toll to 7,696. About 95% of the state’s coronavirus patients have recovered.
Read the complete story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
New Cases
Analysis & Commentary
8:05 a.m. Trump finally admits it: He’s weakening the postal service to sway elections
We’ve long said President Donald Trump is purposely sabotaging the U.S. Postal Service in a desperate attempt to steal the November election.
Now there is proof. And it comes straight from the president himself.
In a FOX Business interview Thursday, Trump admitted he is blocking the postal service from receiving $25 billion in coronavirus stimulus money because some of the funds would be used to expand mail-in voting during the pandemic.
He’s also standing in the way of an additional $3.6 billion in pandemic funding that states would get to bolster election security and mail-in voting.
Read the full editorial by the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board here.
