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VOL. 16 • NO. 44
WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM
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also serving Wood Dale
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020
Nation shuts down as coronavirus threat rises By Dee Longfellow FOR THE INDEPENDENT
News updates about the COVID-19 coronavirus have been changing almost hourly, making your weekly newspaper behind the times before the presses even stop rolling. What started as a mild threat heard on the news has now escalated to what could well be an illness that threatens the entire globe. Amid conspiracy theories of many levels to assertions that “it’s not that bad” to full-blown lockdowns of school districts, college and universities, government agencies and, by order of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, all bars and restaurants. At press time, the most recent developments included: 1. A resident of DuPage DuPage County tested positive for the COVID-19 Coronavirus; 2. County Board Chairman Dan Cronin supports Governor’s emergency declaration; 3. The governor calls for closing bars and restaurants throughout the state for two weeks. DuPage County resident tests positive for coronavirus disease On Saturday, March 14, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Governor JB Pritzker announced that a resident of DuPage County had tested positive at the IDPH Laboratory for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The resident is a female in her 60s and was in stable condition at the latest reports. No other information about the woman was released.
State and local public health officials have started an investigation to learn who may have had contact with the woman prior to the diagnosis. “Our staff is working to quickly identify, interview and learn the risk for people who may have been in close contact with the first COVID-19 case in DuPage County,” said Karen Ayala, executive director, DuPage County Health Department. “Our highest priority is the health and safe-
ty of all who live, work and play in DuPage County, and we will continue to use every available resource to prepare our communities for additional cases of COVID-19.”
Cronin supports governor’s emergency declaration On Monday, March 9, Pritzker proclaimed a State of Emergency to assure that the state’s disaster response costs would be eligible for reimburse-
ment through federal government programs and making State Disaster Relief Funds available. Cronin expressed support for the governor’s decision to issue an Emergency Proclamation. Following is a portion of a statement released by Cronin: “Today we stand with the governor as he has acted to better prepare our state for the next phase of our response to COVID-19. While the risk
to Illinoisans remains low, the governor’s proclamation provides an avenue for state and local governments to access federal funding for our planning and response efforts. It also allows the state to better assist county and local governments and to procure emergency supplies and equipment if needed. “I want to recognize our healthcare
See CORONAVIRUS, Page 4
Food Pantry benefits from ‘Beatles’ Invasion In support of the Bensenville/Wood Dale Food Pantry, breakfast patrons at the Hideaway Cafe were entertained by “Something New,“ a Beatles tribute band on Sunday, March 1. More than 400 pounds of food and personal care items were collected. Pictured with some of the items are members of the band with owners of the Hide Away Ray and Debbie, and flanked by food pantry volunteers. The Bensenville/Wood Dale food pantry has been serving the needy for over 40 years and currently serves more than 1,000 individuals monthly in the Bensenville, Elmhurst, and Wood Dale communities. They are located at 192 S. Center Street in Bensenville. Distribution hours are 8:30 – 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturday but it requires more than 30 volunteers working during the week, picking up donations, sorting food, and stocking shelves. There is also a mobile pantry, which visits a school and Castle Towers in Bensenville. Call 630-766-9382 for more information on assistance or how you can volunteer for this organization.
For March 17th Primary Election results, Visit: theindependentnewspapers.com
RAY SARLOW PHOTO Bensenville Independen
Bensenville/Wood Dale Food Pantry volunteers are pictured here with “the Beatles” – that is, members of “Something New,” a Beatles tribute band, which performed on Sunday, March 1 at the Hideaway Café. The event served as a collection event for the food pantry and the public responded, bringing in more than 400 pounds of food items.
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Governor makes call to close bars, restaurants
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