Latest coronavirus news for Feb. 10, 2021: Live updates

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All Illinoisans with underlying well being circumstances to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines Feb. 25

Starting Feb. 25, all Illinois residents with underlying well being circumstances or disabilities are anticipated to be eligible to obtain the coronavirus vaccine, Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced Wednesday.

That may embody individuals with diabetes, those that have or had most cancers, COPD or coronary heart illness, Pritzker stated after touring a brand new mass vaccination website in Quincy.

The growth of Illinois’ Part 1B distribution plan follows CDC tips for vaccinating individuals with such underlying circumstances, the Democratic governor stated.

For now, about 4 million of the state’s 12.7 million residents have been given the inexperienced gentle to join photographs — in the event that they’re in a position to monitor down an appointment to get one of many coveted doses that stay briefly provide.

Learn the total story from Mitchell Armentrout right here.

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1:50 p.m. CDC research: two masks are higher than one vs. COVID-19

NEW YORK — U.S. authorities researchers discovered that two masks are higher than one in slowing coronavirus unfold, however well being officers stopped in need of recommending that everybody double up.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention on Wednesday reported the outcomes of a lab experiment that spaced two synthetic heads 6 ft from one another and checked to see what number of coronavirus-sized particles spewed by one have been inhaled by the opposite.

The researchers discovered that carrying one masks — surgical or fabric — blocked round 40% of the particles coming towards the pinnacle that was inhaling. When a fabric masks was worn on high of a surgical masks, about 80% have been blocked.

When each the exhaling and inhaling heads have been double-masked, greater than 95% of the particles have been blocked, stated the CDC’s Dr. John Brooks.

Learn the total story right here.

11:31 a.m. Lightfoot affords Chicago eating places some aid, however commerce group calls it a ‘child step’

AP Pictures

Chicago eating places preventing for survival after twice being pressured to cease serving diners indoors are getting a little bit of a reprieve, however it’s solely what Illinois Restaurant Affiliation President Sam Toia calls a “child step.”

As a substitute of elevating indoor capability from 25% to 50%, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration is “turning the dimmer swap” — by freezing capability at 25% however permitting Chicago eating places to serve 50 individuals “per room,” up from 25 individuals per room presently.

“Take a restaurant like Gene & Georgetti’s. There, you’ve got about 4 completely different rooms. Two rooms upstairs. Two rooms downstairs. So that they in all probability may get 50 individuals in every of their rooms and get to about 200 individuals,” Toia stated.

The issue with the mayor’s go-slow strategy is that it penalizes neighborhood eating places with just one eating room, Toia stated.

“It’s a child step. We want to be at, straight-out 40 or 50 % capability with no limits on rooms. Nonetheless, the mayor and Dr.[Allison] Arwady doesn’t wish to transfer that quick that fast,” Toia stated, referring to the town’s well being commissioner.

Learn Fran Spielman’s full story right here.

11:20 a.m. A 3rd of US adults skeptical of COVID photographs: AP-NORC ballot

NEW YORK — About 1 in 3 Individuals say they undoubtedly or in all probability received’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, based on a brand new ballot that some specialists say is discouraging information if the U.S. hopes to attain herd immunity and vanquish the outbreak.

The ballot from The Related Press-NORC Middle for Public Affairs Analysis discovered that whereas 67% of Individuals plan to get vaccinated or have already performed so, 15% are sure they received’t and 17% say in all probability not. Many expressed doubts concerning the vaccine’s security and effectiveness.

The ballot means that substantial skepticism persists greater than a month and a half right into a U.S. vaccination drive that has encountered few if any critical negative effects. Resistance was discovered to run greater amongst youthful individuals, individuals with out school levels, Black Individuals and Republicans.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s main infectious-disease scientist, has estimated that someplace between 70% and 85% of the U.S. inhabitants must get inoculated to cease the scourge that has killed near 470,000 Individuals. Extra lately, he stated the unfold of extra contagious variants of the virus will increase the necessity for extra individuals to get their photographs — and shortly.

So is 67% of Individuals sufficient?

Learn the total story right here.

8:23 a.m. CTU members approve CPS reopening deal, sending tens of hundreds of scholars and academics again to colleges

Chicago Lecturers Union members have accepted college reopening phrases provided by Chicago Public Faculties, ending a monthslong standoff with district officers and setting the nation’s third-largest college system on a path to deliver again tens of hundreds of scholars and academics to lecture rooms.

The deal places college employees on a quick monitor for vaccines, creates well being and security requirements and committees for over 500 colleges, lays out a complete testing plan and delays the return of most college students till March — all measures the union pushed for in protracted negotiations.

“The overwhelming majority of CPS households have been separated from their colleges for practically a yr, and the ratification of our settlement ensures households have choices to decide on in-person studying and make a plan that’s greatest for them,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS chief Janice Jackson stated in a joint assertion Wednesday morning.

“We stay up for welcoming college students as they return to their lecture rooms within the days forward. … Our colleges are absolutely ready to soundly welcome again college students starting tomorrow, and we’re keen to offer further help for the households who want greater than distant studying can present.”

Learn Nader Issa’s full story right here.

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Evaluation and commentary

9:55 a.m. From Groundhog Day to Christmas morning: Getting vaccine an actual shot within the arm for the COVID-19 blues

I’d been on maintain some time, however in all probability now not than quarter-hour, earlier than a lady from the Cook dinner County Public Well being vaccination scheduling helpline answered the telephone.

It had required dozens of calls and journeys to the web site to get by way of this far, however I’d made it to the identical stage two earlier occasions up to now week, so my expectations have been low.

The 2 earlier events I’d been politely advised they didn’t have any extra vaccine appointments “presently” and was suggested to attempt again later.

So, when the girl answered the telephone Monday, and I requested if she had any openings, I’m positive my tone of voice sounded extra defeatist than hopeful.

However then she stated: “Might you do 1:30 p.m. tomorrow in Tinley Park?’’

I nearly jumped out of my chair.

In fact, I may do 1:30 p.m. in Tinley Park. I may do 1:30 a.m. in the event that they needed, not that I provided.

For minutes afterward, I used to be shocked. What was this unusual feeling I used to be experiencing? Reduction? Happiness? Sure, happiness. It had been some time.

Hold studying Mark Brown’s column on getting the COVID-19 vaccine right here.