In Sundays  Chicago Tribune, Columnist John Kass probably hit on a theme that most people are thinking about but not actually saying it for fear of sounding either sympathetic or cruel.  His headline says “AMERICANS ARE TOO AFRAID OF RISK. WE NEED BALANCE.”  That balance will depend on one’s perspective of Illinois lockdown and massive restrictions in a state that has seen over 3,406 deaths due to the Coronavirus. Over 70,000 Americans have died from the virus (if one can believe the figures being released) make no mistake lots of folks are in doubt of some of the numbers. In Illinois alone the dead has surpassed 3,406 souls who have died. Add to that an economy countrywide that has collapsed to its lowest point ever. Over 20 million jobs were lost in April alone and many predict it is even worse than that and headed downward.

He goes on to say, “that all the economic ruin is due to the Governors shutting down commerce to fight the Coronavirus, but maybe the extreme social isolation of the young and healthy wasn’t the wisest course.”  He asks how many more will die of alcoholism, drug addiction, suicide, stress, domestic battery, and on and on.  Shamefully, even the horrendous violence amid this total shutdown has escalated to the point of being called an epidemic. Chicago’s killings and shootings are showing no effect from any of these restrictions.

John breaks it down as only he can, in simple and easy to understand points of view. First, we have those of us who want to get the country back to work, who are portrayed as selfish fools who just want people to die. Then we have those who will never want the lockdown to end and are dismissed as fearful Coronavirus Karens, peering out their windows, calling the police if they see someone walking on the street without wearing a mask. Seek Balance is the Kass theme. In my opinion, whoever coined the phrase, “WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER” SPENT WAY TO MUCH TIME AT DISNEY WORLD.

Neither John Kass or myself for that matter has criticized either party, the rushers who want the return to the only normal they know, or those who tend to ignore the other victims who are losing jobs and the disasters of losing one’s income can and will cause the longer this isolation continues. Critics are a part of almost any decision when there is doubt about an outcome. An old Irish philosopher once described critics that seemed to me to nail it, “CRITICS ARE LIKE EUNUCHS IN A HAREM: THEY KNOW HOW IT’S DONE, THEY’VE  SEEN IT DONE EVERY DAY, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO IT THEMSELVES.”  So here we have a house divided, no way out for some, most certainly we are not all in this together.

Is there a balance to be had that John Kass says we need? While Illinois is still in a lockdown and its residents are required to wear masks, I can tell you here in Florida and in Georgia that normal that some folks are longing for back in Illinois has resumed for about a week, with very few restrictions with the exception of social distancing recommendations. Restaurants are open both inside seating (25% capacity) and outside, the beaches are open, the bars are doing a great business, no liquor stores are closed at 9 p.m. and to be honest that social distancing recommendation is just not happening.

Yesterday I was in a Walmart shopping, unmasked folks were in a vast majority over those few wearing masks. Granted all the employees were masked up and they were applying a sanitizer to the shopping carts but social distancing was nowhere to be found. Crowed aisles, check out lanes and parking lots, the goings-on showed no visible fear of the virus whatsoever. Call it what you want reckless, progressive or what Kass called for BALANCE. Three states whose rules are so far apart, we will probably have to wait years to discover who was wise, who was overly cautious, and indeed who might have been foolish, maybe at a great cost.  The question is what cost?  We are in a great unknown.  I can hear the voice of Rod Serling from the ’60s.   The Twilight Zone. We are actually in a friggin twilight zone.

John Kass has had the guts and courage to ask some hard questions, now it’s up to us to be heard from. We are not in a Harem.  We are being critical one way or another because our lives are being dictated to.  One way or another if we all are thinking alike then nobody is thinking.  Let’s hope for the Kass mantra WE NEED BALANCE. Richard Dawkins the great scientist always preached being open-minded but not so open-minded that our brains fall out. No doubt the future will record how we react to this challenge. Will they see the ugly side, the toilet paper, and hand sanitizer hoarders, the people who are convinced rules and decency do not apply to them, or will they see a generation that “produced persons of true character that was revealed in times of crisis or temptation.”Make sure you have what it takes to be your best in such times.  A wise man once said.

Not surprising for educated, informed people, my friends have opinions about reopening the economy. Mostly they, as do I, think that it’s too soon to ease up. But we do need to acknowledge that we’re privileged.

Seniors are the greatest beneficiaries of the lockdown, since coronavirus is deadlier for us than for younger age groups.

My retirement income hasn’t changed.

None of my nonretired friends has lost a job. They are among the white-collar professionals working in the safety of home now. When April’s job report came out last Friday, the unemployment rate for college graduates was relatively low, 8.4 percent, compared with the overall rate of 14.7 percent.

Contrast that with the rates for Latinos, 18.9 percent, and African Americans, 16.7 percent. African Americans and Latinos who haven’t lost their jobs make up a disproportionate share of those who are performing the “essential” jobs — such as grocery and drug store cashiers, transportation workers, and deliverers of food. They do not have the luxury of earning their pay in front of a home computer.

When asked how I am, I could answer, “Tired of this,” which would be honest, but the better answer would be “I’m grateful.”

Other than boredom, why wouldn’t retirees want to continue to be protected? I’d like to hear more from the people who aren’t as fortunate as I am. What goes through their minds when they hear “We’re all in this together”?

*****

WHY CAN’T WE TEST MORE?

Some commentators have argued that lives versus jobs is a false debate. We could save both if we do enough testing. Those who test positive should isolate themselves; everyone else can return to business as usual but should be retested periodically. Only the infected instead of the whole population would be shut down, so businesses could operate.

We’re not testing enough is the catchphrase from everyone but Donald Trump and his toadies. I understand why we can’t have a vaccine or effective treatments at the snap of our fingers, but what’s the deal with testing? The problems are mostly with supplies, it’s reported. How can the world’s greatest economy not produce and distribute enough test supplies? Other countries have done it.

I’ve read the explanations, including unpreparedness, botched starts, regulatory barriers, breakdowns in supply lines, shortages of money and staff. But these needn’t have existed if the federal government had developed a national plan and coordinated the implementation.

Prognosticators from all over the political spectrum say that testing is the buffer until we have a vaccine. Without testing, we either continue locking down and crippling the economy, or states open up and expose hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, to unnecessary sickness and death. The latter, unfortunately, is what many states are doing.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to say that massive testing isn’t needed. He’s covering up the shortage of tests and trying to cover up how many more people are infected — both of which would make him look bad.

*****

MOM FINALLY GETS RELIEF FROM ISOLATION

My mother’s first Mother’s Day as a widow looked to be sad and lonely. Like others in long-term-care centers across the country, she has been sequestered in her apartment in an assisted living community. She isn’t allowed visitors. Because she doesn’t have internet access, she hasn’t seen us via Zoom or FaceTime. We only communicate by phone.

The residence, American House–Cedarlake in Plainfield, has been preparing to permit residents to sit outside on warm days, with visitors allowed as long as they keep social distance. Mom was oblivious about the plans when a nurse came to her apartment last Wednesday, a sunny, mid-60-degrees day, and asked her to put on a sweater because they were going out.

Waiting outside the main entrance was my brother. Even though Rick lives only a half-mile away, it was the first time she had seen any of us for two months. We learned of his visit when he texted a photo of Mom standing outside with her walker and wearing a face mask. Rick went again late Saturday afternoon with his son. By that time chairs were out. Mom needed a warmer coat, but she was thrilled to sit and chat with Rick and Matt for more than a half-hour. She celebrated Mother’s Day about eight hours early.

Since it’s likely that long-term-care residences will be among the last facilities to reopen, we’re happy to have warm weather arriving so that we can visit Mom outdoors. My sister Nancy is even talking about making the three-hour drive from suburban Indianapolis, visiting for an hour, and driving three hours home. “I don’t have anything better to do on a weekend,” she said. “Why not?”

•••••

ANTI-TRUMP COMMENTS: 113TH IN AN ONGOING SERIES

“The [federal government’s] response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty. . . . It has been an absolute chaotic disaster.”
— Barack Obama

Meet Katie Miller. Since October of last year, she’s been the press secretary for Vice-President Mike Pence. Because of her job, she’s tied to the hip of the VP. Whatever he’s doing…and no one really knows what that is….she’s there, right by his side. Last week, Katie Miller tested positive for Covid-19. It’s another case of the disease that has infiltrated the White House

What happens when someone you’ve been in contact with tests positive? It’s self-quarantine time! Fourteen days of taking yourself out of public. Fourteen days of getting away from people. Fourteen days of trying to keep the people closest to you safe and healthy. It’s not that tough. It’s only two weeks. Two short weeks.

Three of the members on the coronavirus task force have done that. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Redfield and Stephen Hahn have all gone into self-quarantine. All have tested negative, and will continue to work from their homes, but better safe than sorry. Why risk anyone’s health if not necessary.

But guess who is back at work today? MIKE PENCE!!!

Yes, the person who works the closest to a person who has tested positive for the virus doesn’t feel it’s necessary to quarantine himself. The decision shouldn’t surprise anyone. This is a guy who felt it was fine not to wear a mask when he visited the Mayo Clinic. At a time where the entire world is told to practice social distancing and to wear masks in public, Mike Pence feels it’s not necessary for him to follow these simple guidelines. He’s above all this. Privilege!

It’s easy to dis on Pence for this, but you know he’s taking his marching orders from the man directly above him. He sees what Donald Trump says and does, and Pence follows him like the good little lackey that he is. Anything to stay on the presidential ticket this November. Anything to avoid going back home to Indiana.

However, we’ve heard that the White House isn’t all that calm about the disease that is infiltrating its building. Trump threw one of his infamous hissy fits when he found out that one of his personal valets tested positive for Covid-19. He expected his staff to protect him at all costs. Apparently that’s what kings do. They put themselves above the people working for them…way above.

Other staff members are speaking out. Kevin Hassett is a top economic adviser to Trump. Sunday, on the CBS news program “Face the Nation”, he said:

“I think I’d be a lot safer if I was sitting at home than I would be going to the West Wing. It’s a little bit risky”

Hassett followed up by saying he needed to serve the nation. What he really meant was he had to keep coming in to serve Trump. Not doing so would be a sign of weakness. None of that in Trump’s White House.

These are scary times in America. People are on constant edge about multiple issues. They get reassurance from their leaders. We want to know that they’re doing the right things so we can follow their lead. Americans will see what Pence is doing and think if it’s safe for him, it must be safe for us. Mike Pence not going into self-quarantine puts people at risk.

The Donald Trump White House has been a scary place the last three-plus years. This weekend it became even scarier.

Related Post: What happened to the Trump administration’s guideline for opening up a state?

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You haven’t received a bill for it, so it’s invisible to you. No one will be knocking on your door or grabbing your wages to collect the $52,000.

Nevertheless, the debt still is yours. It’s what every taxpayer in Illinois would have to cough up to pay off the state’s bills.

The latest figure comes from Truth in Accounting, the Chicago-based nonpartisan, non-profit watchdog, in its Illinois analysis portion of the group’s Financial State of the Union 2020. And Illinois’ indebtedness is shocking; if a business was this far in hock it no longer would exist.

But this is No Fault Illinois, where the politicians can get away without accepting blame for anything, including an indebtedness that is far beyond what most people would expect. We often hear about the $140 billion of unfunded state employee pension funds. (Actually, if stricter accounting rules applied, it would be closer to $200 billion, but what’s a dozen billion here and a dozen billion there matter?)

That’s not all of it. According to Truth in Accounting, Illinois’ debt amounts to $226 billion or $52,000 for every state taxpayer. It says:

Illinois’ financial problems stem mostly from unfunded retirement obligations that have accumulated over the years. Of the $292.1 billion in retirement benefits promised, the state has not funded $144.2 billion in pension and $56.1 billion in retiree health care benefits.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues to use bad budgeting practices that allow him to claim he has “balanced” the budget while underfunding pension systems. A recent Illinois bond offering stated that “The State’s contributions to the retirement systems… have been less than the contributions necessary to fully fund the retirement systems as calculated by the actuaries of the retirement systems.”

And everyday as the coronavirus pandemic cuts ever deeper into the state’s tax revenue, Illinois’ financial crisis worsens.

But, not to worry. Pretend there’s no problem.

[email protected]

www.dennisbyrne.net 

My historical novel: Madness: The War of 1812

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There have been a lot of firsts. Very few, if any of us were prepared to be working in a new and different way. It is so important to concentrate on what we can do. Not what we can’t do. We are doing what is possible and while it might look different, know that we are still here to help you.

There will be no people waiting as you enter our beautiful office, but you will see us all smiling through our masks. You can take home the recent issues of Rolling Stone, BonAppétit and People. Sorry that there will not be a large jar of chocolates to dip your hand into, but there will be flowers. That is a promise. And during this time, we will continue to find out what is important to you.

Look for us in our snazzy new scrubs. Yes, we will be wearing masks and face shields, and our hands will be gloved. We may be awkward as we figure out how to do tasks that used to come easily. We’re going to figure out how to pave the new way.

We have learned that there is so much we can do without physical contact. Just because we are operating differently, doesn’t mean that you won’t get the same care. Telehealth allows us to see you, provide consultation, answer your questions, and even make hearing aid adjustments all in the privacy and comfort of your home. Dropping off hearing aids without physical contact is also possible.

We love our patients and we love what we do. Our promise is to make you comfortable and keep you safe. One patient at a time.

It will be different for a while and that’s okay. Keep smiling with your eyes. We’ll be smiling back at you.

This week’s Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast kicks off with rumors about a new midsize pickup truck in the Ram lineup called the Dakota. The last time FCA had a Dakota it was in the Dodge lineup before Ram became its own brand. Though this is only conjecture right now based on a trademark filing, the time is right for Ram to introduce this new truck considering pickup trucks just outsold cars for the first time in the U.S. in April.

Continuing with the truck theme, the #cardujour discussed on this week’s show is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss. This is the more dedicated off-roady version of the Silverado with large tires and pumped up suspension. Competitors would include the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Ram Rebel 1500. We may give opinions on how the Trail Boss stacks up

Our guest this week was Robert Colangelo, founder of Green Sense Farms, who calls in to discuss various market-based solutions to environmental issues, both in and out of the automotive industry.

In all, this is probably one of the better episodes we’ve done.

BTW: I’ve been feeling guilty about the donuts, so I did finally bake some and deliver them to Tom and Damon.

While I will continue to post the podcast to my blog each week, you can subscribe to the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast on any podcast subscription service or visit the Buzzsprout link. New episodes are usually posted on Friday, and then the show itself airs on WCPT 820 AM on Sundays from 1 to 2 p.m.

Be sure to let us know if you have questions or if there are any topics you’d like us to cover on future podcasts.

You can follow us on social at:

• Jill: @jillciminillo (instagram/twitter)
• Tom: @car_guy_tom (twitter)
• Damon: @DBell72333786 (twitter)
• Consumer Guide Automotive: @cgautomotive (twitter/facebook)
• Consumer Guide Car Stuff on facebook

It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but the lockdown orders currently in place all across the United States might actually provide a major boost of momentum for the sports betting legalization movement. State by state stay-at-home orders were put into place to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, allowing only the essential businesses to remain in operation. 

It has led, expectably, to a major decline in tax revenue. With unemployment now already at Great Depression levels and very few people buying much of anything beyond the basic needs these days, we’ve seen a severe reduction in both income taxes and sales taxes. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, whose states borders the world’s coronavirus epicenter in New York City, said last month that revenues “have fallen off a table.”

So how can that tax revenue shortfall be made up? Expansion of legalized gaming is a tried and true method throughout American history. With sports betting now legal in Colorado, as of May 1, you can now place a legal sports wager in 18 states. That leaves 32 states to go, and the legislative process may now get sped up due to the coronavirus pandemic and its disastrous effect on state economies. 

“We think that this legalization process that is happening at the state level stands to accelerate, and we really think we’ll benefit from that because we operate in more states than any gaming company in the world,” Penn National Gaming CEO Jay Snowden said during an appearance on CNBC this past Thursday. 

It’s a divisive issue to be sure, as the vote tally in Colorado conveyed. The legal sports gaming measure passed in November by a ultra-slim 50.7% to 49.3% margin. However, it’s predicted economic impact is expected to be massive. Legalized sports betting has been forecasted to generate as much as $6 billion annually in bets and $40 million in tax revenue for the Rocky Mountain state.

Those figures might seem surprising, and optimistic, given how there are no sports currently active in the United States, but that’s about to change. NASCAR will restart its season this weekend and PGA Tour golf will return in a few weeks. Both sports will conduct business under strict social distancing guidelines.

And we’ve already seen a major shift already from sports books, as they’ve been taking action on all kinds of activities that one might never expect. It’s more than just sports leagues in foreign countries, as bets have been places on: the weather, political races, television shows, eSports and film casting.

Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly contributes to WGN TV, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Now and SB Nation.

You can follow Banks, a former writer for Chicago Tribune.com, on Twitter and his cat on Instagram.

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With most sports around the world on pause, revisit iconic sports moments from the past to help fill that void.

Michael Jordan turned a lot of heads when he decided to drop basketball for baseball. Some of his baseball teammates and coaches from 1994 explain what it was like having Michael Jordan at spring training and how it impacted the team.

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