Illinois grieves as an infant is among the state’s latest to die from coronavirus
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker talked about grief Saturday during his daily news briefing, which included an announcement that a Chicago infant was one of 13 people who died in the state due to coronavirus in the past 24 hours.
The death toll increased from 34 to 47.
“Grief is a bridge,” Pritzker said. “It gives us permission to experience the sadness we need to feel in order to move forward. It helps us empathize with the people in our communities that are hurting. It helps us to lift them up.”
Pritzker also reassured state residents that the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually pass.
“We will carry our lost family members and friends with us forever, and someday their memories will not bring grief but the grace that we need so that we can live on and love again.”
Pritzker announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping to convert McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago into the state’s first field hospital as part of an effort to increase hospital capacity to deal with coronavirus cases.
“We’re not waiting for the worst,” he said. “We’re preparing ourselves for the worst.”
Pritzker thanked individuals, organizations and businesses that have donated supplies and equipment for emergency responders and medical personnel, including Chicago-based McDonald’s, which donated 400,000 N95 masks on Saturday.
The governor announced efforts to make it easier for Illinois residents to enroll in Medicaid programs or continue receiving Medicaid benefits; and to ensure COVID-19 treatment is covered for the insured and uninsured.
“We’ve already received waivers allowing us to suspend prior authorizations, meaning doctors and providers don’t have to wait for approval before they can offer Medicaid care,” he said.
Following his announcement about the infant who died, Pritzker noted that coronavirus deaths among children are rare, and he defended his administration’s sometimes “drastic” measures to keep people home as a way to protect families.
“We’re increasing testing capacity every day,” he said. “We’re stopping at nothing to obtain supplies and equipment that we need for our hospitals and our medical workers, and I’ll continue to do everything necessary to bend this curve and to keep Illinoisans safe and healthy.”
Businesses and organizations that might have supplies and equipment that could be used by emergency responders and medical personnel include nail salons, tattoo parlors, construction companies, elective-surgery centers and dermatology and pediatric clinics, according to Pritzker.
Those willing to donate should send an email to ppe.donations@illinois.gov.
This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 3:45 PM.
