Bring us together in COVID fight
The people of Illinois for the most part have been very compliant with earlier COVID mandates that commenced back in March. I would say we were all on guard and became team players, to thwart the potential dangers and risks in dealing with COVID. It seemed to be working, the metrics were reflecting a decrease in deaths, and a favorable percentage rate of new cases. In doing all that, businesses, institutions, schools and yes, restaurants paid a heavy price to make it work. Unemployment, businesses closed, business made to jump through hoops and perform great acts to stay open. It seemed to be really working, especially for the restaurants of Illinois, salons and other service centers.
What has gone wrong? This time around, reversing our way back to Stage 3, maybe even 2, will be the ultimate blow, the sucker punch that will kill our economy. Now the governor has said the ISHA cannot hold winter sports. And of course we hear the backlash that our neighboring states are in full operation and grinding through the process.
The governor has developed an angry and confused constituency of Illinois citizens. His take-it-or-leave-it approach does not sit well nor is it justified with restaurant owners, school districts and business, not to mention students and parents and so many others.
Maybe the governor should step back and find another person to be the Illinois COVID czar, and be creative in doing so to keep us together. Let's try something else.
Gary Lichthardt
Elgin