WAPO: And another mid-west small town in denial finally pays the price for GQP lies

[lindysalsagal]

A small town in denial comes face to face with the virus
Du Quoin, Ill., thought it might have escaped the pandemic. Then came November.

By Will Englund FEBRUARY 26, 2021

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/02/26/du-quoin-covid-nursing-home/?arc404=true

When the month began, Perry County, population 20,000, had experienced fewer than 500 coronavirus cases over seven months, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. By Nov. 12, when word came of the first positive test at Fairview, the county had 653 cases. By the end of the month, 1,238. By the end of January, 2,940, or nearly 15 percent of the county’s residents. That’s almost double the percentage of New York City’s caseload. Fifty-six have died.

snip

Angry, too, because it seemed that state and national health officials had done little through the 10 months of the pandemic to get a better handle on nursing home practices. “They basically throw their hands up and say, ‘It’s very contagious. It’s a tragedy.’ It’s a very piecemeal, hodgepodge, ridiculous system, especially in rural counties. What are you guys doing to learn from the tragedy that happened to my mom?”

At the St. Nicholas Brewing Co., diners are seated inside now that the positivity rate has declined, at widely spaced tables. General manager Abby Ancell, who pioneered farm-to-table dining in Du Quoin, is especially proud of the fish tacos. People still show up without masks; the restaurant has a stash by the door for patrons to wear while they walk to their tables. Some roll their eyes. Others turn on their heels and walk out. “Small-town southern Illinois, you never know what you’re going to get,” Ancell said.

“A lot of people think it’s over,” said Dan Eaves, the head of Marshall Browning Hospital. “We still have churches that are allowing people to come without masks. It’s very disappointing.”

[Midnight Writer]

1. I can testify. Some businesses around here are bragging about their "no mask policy".

And some of the local churches are specifically telling their members not to wear masks. Because...Jesus.

[paleotn]

2. Hodge podge, piecemeal, ridiculous system for 10 months?

Yes. But, would it have made any goddamn difference if it wasn't? No. After all those cases and deaths, many of those jack-o-loons still don't think this is serious. My sympathy is approaching zero.

[SarcasticSatyr]

3. Is there any easy work around so I can read the article?

...

[lindysalsagal]

4. maybe try incognito. If not, pm me.

[Celerity]

5. yes, subscribe to WaPo, I am on a student/educator discount that works out to 12 euros per year

through my uni here in Sweden.


here are some discount links

good luck!



https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/specialoffer/

https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002035092-Academic-Rate-for-the-All-Access-Digital-subscription


you should find deals here too (it shows a non srtudent special for me at only 20 euros per year, but if you live in US it should pull up USD prices)

https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acq/