U.S. COVID-19 Spikes; Illinois Reviews Its Data

This  is based on a joint interview with a member of Gov. JB Pritzker's COVID-19 "reopening" team -- Acting Director Michael Negron of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity -- and Dean Wayne H. Giles of the University of Illinois School of Public Health.

Two top officials focused on "reopening" Illinois with twin goals of kick-starting its economy while keeping citizens safe are scrutinizing COVID-19 data to ensure no Illinois backslide like Texas and Florida have seen.

These populous states and others reopened early to boost economies. Sharp COVID-19 spikes ensued. The Texas governor calls it a mistake. COVID-19 cases are also up in Arizona and California, despite its strict rules.

Michael Negron is a point man in Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's fight to contain the virus. "We've certainly seen what's happening in other states, and we're eyeing all our latest data forecasting models closely for any similar signs," he said. "Fortunately, there's nothing now to concern us."

Negron is Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). "Our good position in relation to other states is a direct result of our 'steady-as-we-go' approach," he said. "We are all too aware of how much economic pain Illinois suffers. But we just have to endure it now so it isn't much worse later."

At the end of June, while Illinois was meeting its goals toward reopening, Texas experienced an unexpected surge in new infections and hospitalizations. Gov. Greg Abbott "paused" the state's reopening. In Florida, the rising case count tops the previous record nearly every day. Arizona's drive-up testing sites are overwhelmed. California Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened to hold back state funds from counties who don't enforce public health COVID-19 rules.

Wayne H. Giles, Dean of the University of Illinois School of Public Health in Chicago, says the school has already provided the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) with informatics data. "We're also standing by to help IDPH later. There will be a real-time need for fast and accurate data -- public health informatics in another form -- when there's a need to quickly coordinate distribution of things like clothing, meals, help getting to doctors."

Dr. Giles became Dean of the UIC School of Public Health -- the only fully accredited one in Illinois -- in 2017. Before that, he spent 25 years at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. While there, Dr. Giles was granted CDC's prestigious Charles C. Shepard Award for his work, among other things, in epidemiology.

Don't ignore masks, social distancing

Both officials warn against becoming lax about the simple but very effective routines individuals can follow to do their part in the anti-COVID-19 battle. Already, many people are spotted playing basketball, softball, and other sports with nary a mask in sight.

"I understand why people do this," says Dr. Giles. "We've all been cooped up, we want to get out, and the weather is nice. But almost everything people want to do they can do by wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and washing their hands often. People have to make it a habit."

Acting DCEO Director Negron said Gov. Pritzker does not want to impose punitive solutions like fines, though he could. "All we keep saying over and over is what Dean Giles just said -- take these necessary simple steps. That way, we'll all get where we want to go as fast as we can."

Negron notes that things aren't made easier for state success in getting people to wear masks and social distance when "President Trump sends mixed messages, especially appearing in public himself without one."

As the interview took place, Illinois had just moved into Phase 4 of its 5-Phase "Restore Illinois" reopening plan. Phase 4 lets people of 50 or more gather, allows bars and restaurants to reopen with restricted capacity to allow for social distancing, and permits child care facilities and schools to open their doors with Illinois Department of Public Health guidance.

And "face coverings and social distancing remain the norm."