Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order for the state. What should’ve ended on April 30 will now continue through May 30.
This was all done with good intentions, in the hopes that we will be flattening the curve.
“In addition to an extension of the existing order, the governor announced that beginning May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face covering or mask when in a public place where a six-foot social distance cannot be maintained,” said President Hammond.
Despite the new order, campus life continues. Students still living on campus have been provided on-campus housing options for the summer, and essential personnel are still able to visit campus for necessary work.
Functioning areas on campus include residence life, dining services, campus safety, information technology services, operations and buildings and grounds.
May Term and summer classes will continue with remote learning and commencement will be virtual. Although it is not certain yet, it is possible that remote learning may continue through the next fall semester. Pritzker urges educators to be prepared for that possibility.
“I would prepare for both (remote and regular classes) because it is still unclear what things will look like,” said Pritzker. “I would encourage administrators and teachers to work very hard on making sure that’s available just in case.”
COVID-19 numbers
The U.S. has reached 1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 3 million worldwide.
As of today, there have been 45,883 people tested positive (including 1,980 in the last 24 hours), 1,983 deaths (including 50 in the last 24 hours) and 227,628 total tests performed (including 12,676 in the last 24 hours) in Illinois alone. These were the numbers provided by Pritzker in his 50th daily COVID-19 update.
“I want to stop and take a moment now to address those who think that coronavirus is just a Chicago or a Cook County problem and that downstate Illinois is immune or doesn’t need restrictions. Folks, that’s just not how this virus operates,” said Pritzker.
The majority of confirmed cases in the state are in people in their 40s and 50s. Most deaths are occurring in people 80 and older.
As of today, Naperville has 48 confirmed cases.
The CDC confirmed new symptoms associated with COVID-19. Initially, symptoms included fever, cough, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Now, the CDC reports six new symptoms, including chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and the loss of taste or smell.
Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
“We must all do our part to get back to the sense of normalcy which could be pushed back if all of us are not working in concert,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Editor’s note: The numbers for this article are up to date as of April 27 at 3 p.m.
