coronavirus – Chris Katsaros Digital Journalism Blog

Illinois’s Handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic

FLOURISH STORY: Confirmed COVID-19 Cases State and Local Breakdown

By Chris Katsaros and Enrique Luna

For much of April, Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th ward) has been self-quarantining and working from home because somebody in her office was diagnosed with COVID-19.

She is one of many political leaders urging the public to stay home and practice social distancing amid the global pandemic.

“I cannot stress enough, you cannot hold church service,” Garza said. “You cannot have your dogs groomed. You cannot get a haircut. People need to take this seriously.”

Garza’s warning–echoed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov J.B. Pritzker–has been taken to heart by the city and has been slowing the increase in coronavirus cases, even while death rates in the state skyrocketed in mid-April.

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Help Prevent Spreading COVID-19

By: Chris Katsaros

On March 13, 2020, President Trump addressed the nation with an update on the COVID-19 outbreak. His official proclamation can be found on the White House’s website.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States…do hereby find and proclaim that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency, beginning March 1, 2020.”

By declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency, the President has made certain that he will be using the powers granted to him by the Stafford Act, which allows him to use disaster relief funds to help combat the global pandemic commonly known as the coronavirus.

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Google Trends: Biden vs. Sanders; Coronavirus vs. Democratic Primary

By: Chris Katsaros

After a dominating performance on Super Tuesday, former Vice President Joe Biden has positioned himself as the front-runner in the Democratic election race. Senator Bernie Sanders, however, is still alive thanks to his win in California.

The Illinois Democratic primary will take place on Mar. 17, along with Florida, Arizona, and Ohio. According to an analysis of Google Trends search data, Bernie Sanders has been searched slightly more often than Joe Biden in Illinois this past week.

Biden vs. Sanders in Illinois — Bernie Sanders has the edge over Joe Biden for most searched candidate in Illinois this past week.

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