Editorial: The mindset of 2020

 
 
alt text By Amya Jordan, Reporter, The Real Chi
 
 

COVID-19 made us go through different phases such as not being able to go places like school, work, outside and other businesses. We were told we couldn’t go places like we used to go. COVID-19 has increased. The past months of isolation might be for nothing as COVID- 19 increases. 

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, “We have made so much progress here in Chicago in containing the spread of the virus, protecting our health system and saving lives, and in general, the virus remains under control locally.” The numbers of deaths and cases were getting better, but now it’s getting worse. Lightfoot said, “Chicago has also seen an increase in its percent positivity rate – the percentage of people tested who are positive for COVID-19 – after weeks of decline.” The virus is spreading tremendously, but it’s also under control at the same time. It’s under control because everyone is trying to maintain the protocols.

As they work on this vaccine many people are losing their lives and many people die a day from COVID-19. Although we are not going back a phase, the mayor still made important changes that we need to follow. Mayor Lightfoot warns that we could go back to phase 3. 

Although we aren't back at phase 3 yet, she has put in place new restrictions for gyms and restaurants and some businesses. Some of the restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms and personal services are a precautionary move in response to a recent increase in community cases of the virus.  Some restrictions started Friday, July 24 at 12:01 a.m.

According to the Lightfoot administration: “The new upcoming restrictions have changed a lot like indoor fitness class size will be reduced to a maximum of 10 people.”  Lightfoot said, “Also Personal services requiring the removal of face coverings will no longer be permitted” and Lightfoot added,“Residential property managers will be asked to limit guest entry to five per unit to avoid indoor gatherings and parties.”

They also made a change about school which is going to be remote learning. People may hope we're going to find a vaccine for this virus and everything is going to be back to normal, but it has not happened yet. Although this is like a nightmare, there is hope 2021 will be a better year.