Here's the most important message:
Governor Pritzker Orders Illinois Residents to Stay Home
Today, Governor Pritzker issued a new executive order that instructs Illinois residents to stay at home and orders that all non-essential businesses and operations must cease as of 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 21. Here's a summary:
- Grocery stores, delivery services, restaurant take-out and delivery services, pharmacies, gas stations, and many other essential business will continue to operate. There is no need to rush to the store or stockpile goods.
- Residents can only leave their home: for their health and safety; for necessary supplies and services; for outdoor activity; to continue to work in essential businesses; and to take care of others.
- All public and private gatherings, with very limited exceptions, must cease.
- When outside the home, businesses and residents must practice social distancing including six-feet separation from others; washing hands frequently; covering coughs and sneezes; and not shaking hands.
Most Lake Bluff residents have been taking this seriously, and the Governor's order just makes mandatory what is already happening in our community. If your life doesn't look different from how it did a week ago, this order should make clear how dire the situation is.
Stay Home!
Stop the spread of COVID-19!
More information on COVID-19 in Illinois, including advice for prevention, is available at coronavirus.illinois.gov. The Village will continue to update its website periodically with local and State information.
Things You May Have Missed
There's a lot going on right now. Here are some important community items to be aware of:
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Metra will reduce their service by about half starting Monday. Here's the revised Lake Bluff schedule.
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The Library has digital books and resources available from home, and you can now get a library card online if you're a Lake Bluff resident.
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The Park District is posting a Workout of the Day each day on their Facebook page. Consistent with Governor Pritzker's order today, playgrounds will be closed on or before Saturday, March 21 at 5 p.m.
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Schools throughout Illinois will remain closed until at least April 8.
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Restaurants in the Village continue to operate with carry-out, curbside, and delivery service. As of today, all restaurants can now sell alcohol in conjunction with carry-out and curbside orders. Here's a list of open restaurants or, if you prefer, a more interactive guide.
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Northwestern Hospital emphasizes that COVID-19 testing is only available with a doctor's referral.
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Small businesses and their employees affected by COVID-19 are eligible for aid. The Small Business Administration is providing disaster loans for businesses, and employees laid off because of COVID-19 or who have to stay home to provide childcare are eligible for unemployment insurance. While each case is unique, many unemployment applicants will receive payments without a waiting period and do not have to actively seek employment if they plan to return to their jobs after this emergency.
Some Different Advice
Finally, let's end on an upbeat note. Here's some personal advice from Dr. Arthur C. Nielsen of Northwestern University on some positive things you can be doing right now:
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Reach out to friends and family. Do this by phone, email, FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom. Let them know you care and share how you and they are doing.
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Get some exercise. If possible, go for a walk while keeping your distance from others.
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Do something fun that you’ve been putting off because you didn’t have time before. Read a novel, play an instrument, play a new video game, binge watch a TV series. Do some of this with your partner or family, for instance, playing card games you haven’t played in years.
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Be nice to your partner (and others) stuck with you at home. Remember that he or she is NOT you, including that you may differ on how anxious to be and what to do about that. When you inevitably bump into each other, try to be Calm, Curious, and Caring—the Three C’s.
- If possible, do one or two “constructive” things each day that help you feel you are still connected to your life prior to this pandemic. If you can work from home, do some of that.
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