Ask The Newsroom: Confusion Over Masks And Coronavirus Protection

Ask The Newsroom: Confusion Over Masks And Coronavirus Protection

This week, The 21st show is answering listener questions about the coronavirus. We received a question at AskTheNewsroom.com from Kimberly, who wants to know why the general public is being told to not to use face masks while at the same time, we’re hearing health care workers need them: “Why is it that the masks work for…

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News Around Illinois – March 10, 2020

Lawmakers Pushing For Privacy Protections From Smart Speakers SPRINGFIELD – A pair of Illinois lawmakers want privacy protections for data from smart appliances and virtual home assistants. State Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) says the information collected by those devices deserves the same protection as everything else in a home.  The legislation would require police to get a…

Illinois COVID-19 Cases Grow To 11; Disaster Proclamation Declared

Illinois COVID-19 Cases Grow To 11; Disaster Proclamation Declared

CHICAGO – Illinois now has 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19. On Monday afternoon, Governor JB Pritzker announced four new cases of the coronavirus in the state.   He also formally declared a disaster proclamation. That opens up pathways to federal and state resources, including money and medical expertise.  While the risk of getting coronavirus remains low, Pritzker…

How Health Care Providers In Champaign-Urbana Are Preparing For Coronavirus

How Health Care Providers In Champaign-Urbana Are Preparing For Coronavirus

URBANA – Health care providers in east-central Illinois say they’re prepared for the possibility of coronavirus coming to central Illinois.  If someone’s sick enough — if they have a really high fever, if they have a really bad cough or chest pain — we’ll instruct them where to come. – Dr. Robert Healy OSF HealthCare’s…

Champaign County Expands Early Voting
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Champaign County Expands Early Voting

CHAMPAIGN – As early voting continues for the March 17 Illinois Primary, Champaign County is opening seven additional early voting locations on Monday, March 8, in Champaign, Rantoul, Tolono, Mahomet and St. Joseph. Two other early voting locations opened a week earlier on the University of Illinois campus. Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons says he…

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News Around Illinois – March 9, 2020

Lawmakers Okay SNAP Participants To Use Benefits Online SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House passed legislation this week meant to let recipients of food aid use their benefits online. Representative Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) says not being able to spend food assistance on the web has directly hurt her constituents. “It really has been a struggle in my…

Jail’s Future Is An Issue In Champaign County Board Election
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Jail’s Future Is An Issue In Champaign County Board Election

URBANA – As the Champaign County Board considers closing the older of its two county jails, progressive Democrats running for board seats argue for making any new jail facility a smaller one. It’s generally agreed that the Champaign County Jail in downtown Urbana is dangerously run down. County Board Chairman Giraldo Rosales, a Champaign Democrat…

Carle Hospital In Urbana To Participate In Statewide Coronavirus Surveillance Program

Carle Hospital In Urbana To Participate In Statewide Coronavirus Surveillance Program

URBANA – Starting this week, some patients who present to the emergency department at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana with flu-like symptoms will be tested for the coronavirus. Sample collection will be done at Carle, and testing will be conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which is able to provide in-state testing for…