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Danny Davis wins Democratic Primary, but pandemic top of mind,
Vol. 34 No. 13
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March 25, 2020
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austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
@AustinWeeklyChi
PAGE 7
West Side school launches relief fund, PAGE 5
@AustinWeeklyNews
More COVID-19 cases hit West Side Physician at Mt. Sinai tests positive, Austin man dies By MICHAEL ROMAIN & IGOR STUDENKOV Editor & Contributing Reporter
A physician at Mt. Sinai Hospital tested positive for COVID-19 on March 20, four days after they were sent home after developing symptoms. The Sinai Health System isn’t releasing the name or any other identifying information. In a statement to the media, officials with the health system said that they are tracking down patients and hospital staff members “to notify them and coordinate any appropriate testing for potential COVID-19 infection.” The hospital system is also trying to identify staff members and other employees who had contact with the doctor. Sinai Health officials said that after the infected doctor developed symptoms, the person was evaluated by Mt. Sinai’s employee health department and sent home on March 16. Official said that during their shift, the infected doctor and other staffers “followed proper procedures for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize potential exposure for both staff and patients.” In addition to the infected doctor at Mt. Sinai in North Lawndale, four patients at Marquette Park’s Holy Cross Hospital, another Sinai Health System hospital, tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the first patient came in for treatment on March 20 and was sent home to self-isolate. Three other patients came in earlier last week, but their test results didn’t come back until March 20. On March 16, all hospitals within the Sinai Health System implemented visitor See CORONAVIRUS on page 11
PASCAL SABINO/Block Club Chicago
SINGING, SHOUTING: Reva Mason days before her 100th birthday. Mason attended St. Paul’s Church every Sunday, singing, dancing and shouting in the name of God. “I’m gonna tell you the truth: I love shouting,” she said.
West Side food programs adjust to crisis Schools serving meals, pantries offering delivery and pickup
By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago
Chicago Public Schools began closing its doors to students last week after a rapid escalation of the coronavirus pandemic forced the city to take serious measures to prevent the spread of the disease. But families that rely on public schools to feed their kids breakfast and lunch each day will still be able to have their nutrition needs met by the school district. For the duration of the school closures, each school will continue to provide meals
that will be available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can pick up six meals each day for students and family members at their nearest school — even if the child is not enrolled at that school. As students left school Monday at Morton School of Excellence, 431 N. Troy St., teachers made sure students knew they could pick up the meal boxes each day and sent the kids home with a snack for the evening and breakfast for the next day. “The students were very happy receiving their first meal leaving out here today. Nobody said they didn’t want it, and I think
that speaks volumes about the need,” said Principal Dr. Peggie Burnett-Wise. The school serves Garfield Park where over half of households earn less than $25,000 a year and many students depend on free lunches for their meals.
West Side food pantries offer delivery, ‘grab and go’ pickup As the city takes precautions against the spread of the coronavirus, public health
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See FOOD OPTIONS on page 8
Larry Williams,Agent 5932 W. Lake Street Chicago, 60644 (773) 379-9010 larry.williams.b0bk@statefarm.com