The latest
Daily COVID-19 cases dip under 1,000, but officials warn it could take 2 weeks to see if protests prompt uptick
Another 97 people died Wednesday of COVID-19 in Illinois, and health officials are warning that it could take up to two weeks to see if mass protests in the state will spark any upticks in new cases.
An Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman called it a “moving timeline” of up to 14 days to see if anyone gathered in a crowd has contracted COVID-19. They could also be asymptomatic.
The department is urging all protesters to get tested — whether they show symptoms or not.
In total, 5,622 people have died from the coronavirus in Illinois. The state also reported 982 new positive cases, bringing the tally to 123,830 cases. The virus remains in 101 of 102 counties.
Read the full story by Tina Sfondeles here.
News
7:52 a.m. Chicagoans start adjusting to new normal with salons, restaurants in Phase 3
Shaggy-headed men formed a line outside Father & Son Barber Shop in Edgewater well before it opened at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Perched on a lawn chair, Andrew Carpenter, 36, worked remotely on his phone as he waited his turn.
It was safety, not vanity, that motivated him to show up early on the first day of Phase 3 of Chicago’s reopening.
“I was hoping to be one of the first, before the barbers have contact with a lot of customers,” he said, suspecting odds would be lower any barbers would have COVID-19 at the onset of reopening their business. “Then I’m going to wait a couple months before I get another cut.”
“I’m also here because it’s getting hot, and my wife really doesn’t like it this big and shaggy. But it’s always good to have a professional appearance as well,” said Carpenter, a real estate agent.
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Analysis & Commentary
7:04 a.m. A smarter way to trace the spread of COVID-19 without violating your privacy rights
Decision-makers across the country are exploring tools they can use in the battle against COVID-19. The latest device to be considered? The smartphone in your hand.
Many believe that the same phone you use to stay connected with your loved ones, get breaking news and play games might slow down the spread of COVID-19. But using our phones for this purpose is not a quick fix, and it runs the risk of tapping into private data stored on them.
Just think about all the ways you use your phones. All the places it goes with you. All the information you share with it. Now imagine giving the government or another third party access to all that information.
