Much of the news this week has been about how people and communities are adapting to life in the time of coronavirus. Advocates want food stamp recipients to have access to online grocery shopping. An Aurora neighborhood has put together an impressive scavenger hunt for those much-needed walks.
Chicagoland is finding a way forward, one day at a time.
Along with the latest news updates and a running list of Chicago-area closings and cancellations, the Tribune is taking a look at how our day-to-day lives are changing.
Here are the latest updates Friday on how we’re living in the time of COVID-19:
11:52 a.m.: With church baptisms on hold, parents look for reassurance: ‘It’s been burned into me, you get your child baptized soon as possible’
Joseph Santos, not quite a year old, was scheduled to be baptized April 25 at St. Agnes. His parents, Isabel Rodriguez and Ivan Santos, planned a party and dinner; they picked out his Bible, his rosary and a cloth used to wipe baptismal waters from his face.
They bought a ceremonial candle and a devotional necklace of the Virgin Mary, then they made sure it was blessed. They bought him white pants, white shirt, white shoes.
“Now I’m starting to wonder when he’ll get baptized at all,” Rodriguez said.
Her mother, who lives with them, is a Chicago police officer. “She’s really the only one who leaves the house now. We’re healthy, we’re good. Still, it’s hard not to be worried. As a Catholic, I want my son baptized should anything happen to him. It’s important.”
Further south, in Beverly, Lauren Doig was planning also to have her two-month-old Nicholas baptized on April 25. She grew up Catholic in Oak Forest, her husband grew up Catholic in the very Irish community of Beverly.
Baptism, and the celebratory party that traditionally follows, meant bringing together two large families, “but you do it because it’s the way you’re raised, it’s part of Catholic culture. And it’s a sacred duty, one that you want to do soon as you can,” Doig said. “You’re born into this world with sins, the church says. And there’s always a chance something happens.
“Now, because of everything, I’m thinking — I’m hoping — I really don’t want to baptize a two-year-old.”
Read more here.
11:15 a.m.: A restaurant sign poked fun at Mitch Trubisky’s accuracy issues to promote social distancing. The irony? The owner is a big fan of the Bears quarterback.
Bears fan and restaurant owner Joseph Kaleel has gone through tough times before, so when he created a sign poking fun at Mitch Trubisky’s accuracy issues to explain social distancing, he just wanted to give customers a laugh.
The sign?
“During this Coronavirus outbreak, remember to remain at least 10 feet away from others. If you’re wondering how far that is, picture a Bears wide receiver and then imagine where Trubisky threw the pass. That distance is about 10 feet.”
“Even police officers, they come in and they were cracking up,” Kaleel said of the sign. “They’re like, ‘My god, I’ve never read anything so true.'” — Phil Thompson
10:06 a.m.: Despite low enrollment, some suburban child care centers are staying open during the pandemic for children of essential workers
Child care centers closed last month as the state moved to limiting social gatherings — including in education settings. Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order that was initially to be in effect to early-April but was extended to the end of the month.
Under the extended order, schools with early childhood or pre-school programs that use state funding are allowed to provide child care to children of workers who are exempt from the governor’s stay-at-home directive, Pritzker announced.
Centers had to apply for emergency licensure to remain open during the pandemic. Under the license, they can only serve children of essential employees, including those working in hospitals, banks and grocery stores.
“We need our health care workers,” said Man-Yee Lee, director of communications for the YMCA of Metro Chicago. “We need our first responders. And we’re not going to get through this if we can’t help them out.” — Kaitlin Edquist
10:17 a.m.: Want a pound of salami with that sandwich? As consumers stay home, some restaurants are selling groceries along with meals.
Six weeks ago, Potbelly executives were celebrating signs the sandwich chain’s turnaround was finally paying off.
Now, with fears of COVID-19 keeping diners home, it’s trying to sell cold cuts and rolls alongside sandwiches and shakes — and making no predictions about the future.
Many states, including Illinois, have instituted stay-at-home orders and banned restaurants from offering dine-in service, forcing them to pivot to only takeout and delivery. But only 14% of restaurant operators surveyed by market research firm Datassential in late March said customers had placed enough orders to offset lost dine-in sales.
Some restaurants are pivoting again, selling ingredients alongside standard menu items to help make up the difference.
On April 3, Potbelly’s “Potbelly Pantry” started selling deli meats at $6.99 a pound, 10-ounce packs of sliced cheese for $4.49 and 6-packs of rolls for $3.99 along with chips, bags of cookies and bottled drinks.
Selling prepared meals is more profitable. But restaurants are quiet, the food is perishable and many consumers are looking for ways to avoid trips to the supermarket.
“It’s definitely a case of necessity being the mother of invention,” said Mark Brandau, group manager at Datassential. — Lauren Zumbach
9:45 a.m.: 7 tips for being a patient advocate for yourself or loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic
Talking to doctors and navigating the health-care system can be challenging — even when we aren’t facing a pandemic.
As the number of people seeking care for COVID-19 continues to swell, we spoke with patient advocacy experts for tips on how to get the help you and your loved ones need. Here’s what they told us. — Jennifer Day
7:15 a.m.: Deemed ‘essential businesses,’ Oak Park, Elmwood Park marijuana shops enact safety measures for customers and staff
While being allowed to stay open as “essential businesses,” local marijuana shops are taking additional precautions to ensure the safety of their staffs and customers.
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a “stay-at-home” order last month in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the order allowed some “essential businesses” to remain open. The businesses deemed essential include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, liquor stores and cannabis dispensaries.
According to Oak Park deputy village manager Lisa Shelley, the MedMen marijuana dispensary at 1132 Lake St. was issued a cease and desist notice March 29 for the recreational sales portion of its business due to concerns over social distancing both inside and outside the store. The order was lifted the following day when MedMen submitted a plan for compliance, village officials confirmed. — Steve Schering
Thursday, April 9
Chicago doctors noticing bump in injuries from people cooking, exercising at home during the coronavirus
‘Airlines are playing games’: The fight to get refunds for coronavirus-canceled flights
Rush University Medical Center was built for a moment like this. Take a look inside the calm at the center of Chicago’s coronavirus storm.
Residents of assisted living home make mask kits for neighbors. ‘It’s been a wonderful response.’
Grades can’t count against kids during Illinois’ coronavirus school shutdown. Does that mean less incentive to do the work?
College students are unlikely to get tuition refunds after coronavirus campus shutdowns. But it won’t be for lack of trying.
Coronavirus sends dinner parties, doctor visits and music lessons online — and there will be no going back
CTA to announce bus boarding changes to promote social distancing during coronavirus pandemic
Wednesday, April 8
Suburban high schools considering virtual proms, graduations as end of academic year nears amid pandemic
A haunting, beautiful look at Chicago’s new normal as residents cope with coronavirus anxiety
14 bake-at-home cookie kits to pick up from Chicago’s best bakeries and pastry chefs
Paper Easter egg hunts. Rooftop sunrise service shot with an iPhone. DIY stained glass crosses and lamb cakes. How families and churches plan to celebrate the holiday amid coronavirus.
McDonald’s executives take pay cuts as COVID-19 pandemic causes March sales to plunge
Rahm Emanuel wrote a book about local governments stepping in for the fed. The coronavirus response is proving his point — and its limits.
Shoppers are buying groceries online to stay safe during the pandemic, but Illinois’ 1.8 million food stamp recipients — who advocates say are at greater risk — can’t, thanks to red tape
How Jason Benetti is helping fans reach out to their loved ones: ‘It’s been an awesome amount of humanity that’s washed into my Twitter feed’
‘It could not be more perfect for right now’: Whimsical video game world of ‘Animal Crossing’ flourishes amid coronavirus lockdowns
Tuesday, April 7
Another spring ritual delayed because of the coronavirus: Chicago’s bridge lifts
To bring her neighborhood together (but not too close!), Aurora woman organizes a scavenger hunt
Travel nurses head to Illinois to aid hospitals amid coronavirus crisis. ‘It’s your duty to help.’
So you want to donate to Chicago theater — here are 6 good ways to help
Column: Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright groups seek donations as virus shuts down tours
Toilet-paper cakes and more: Illinois museums already seeking coronavirus artifacts
Some businesses in Highland Park to receive rent relief during coronavirus pandemic
Chicago therapists are switching to teletherapy to see stressed-out patients during coronavirus pandemic
Online sales helping Chicago roasters, but will specialty coffee survive pandemic?
The hectic lives of college basketball coaches have suddenly changed. Instead of spring recruiting, they are tackling the ‘honey-do list’ and Peloton workouts.
Bunny brings candy-filled eggs to kids for ‘socially-distanced Easter egg hunts’
Niles Animal Hospital reopens after owner’s death: ‘We just need to put our family back together’
Monday, April 6
School districts donate high-demand N95 masks, other PPE items to hospitals and first responders: ‘We’re happy to do whatever we can to assure a healthy community’
Despite coronavirus fears, Chicago’s primary turnout was nowhere near a record low
Chicago police have dispersed groups more than 1,500 times as CPD enforces social distancing and stay-at-home order
Survivors of COVID-19: Even as patients recover, emotional scars linger. ‘It was life-altering.’
Cadre of Chicago-area priests trained to minister to dying coronavirus patients
Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins 8 Chicago sports teams in a new ‘We Are Not Playing’ ad campaign to help stop the coronavirus spread
Wisconsin’s Door County told out-of-towners to stay home. Governors issued stay-at-home orders. Hundreds still came.
As coronavirus stresses resources, PAWS asks for help: ‘We’re not going to be able to adopt our way out of this’
From long toss in the backyard to BP in the driveway: How Cubs players are staying ready for an uncertain opening day
Brides cope with coronavirus uncertainty, share horror stories and support
Sunday, April 5
Miguel Cervantes talks ‘Hamilton,’ the Broadway shutdown, the ‘isolation 10’ and life under lockdown in Bucktown
Brookfield Zoo furloughs nearly third of employees after coronavirus-related financial pressures
Portage High staffers, restaurants step in to feed families
Saturday, April 4
Chicago health chief Dr. Allison Arwady supports facial coverings to help stop coronavirus spread
Program that connects with North Shore seniors needs volunteers to keep pace with demand during coronavirus pandemic
10 ways to enjoy Chicago’s coming warm weather while social distancing
Navy vet taught himself to sew a face mask overnight. Now he and fellow Latino immigrants are making hundreds and donating them to those in need.
Friday, April 3
‘Maestros Choice’: Chicago Symphony Orchestra launches series on WFMT
‘We just got laid off out of nowhere’: Cooks and cashiers at university dining halls plead for Chicago schools to pay lost wages amid coronavirus job cuts
Should you tell your landlord if you have coronavirus? As Chicago tenants get requests to disclose, experts say such attempts are misguided
Mental health specialists are ramping up ‘tele-therapy’ treatments for clients during pandemic
‘To us right now, time is life.’ Chinese community mobilizing to provide medical supplies to Chicago-area hospitals.
Coronavirus pandemic leaves Montgomery greenhouse with thousands of lilies ‘all dressed up and nowhere to go’
