Chicago, IL
Hawaii to lift last US state mask mandate by March 26
No states would require masks indoors after 11:59 p.m. March 25. Hawaii is the final to drop the pandemic security measure, with indoor masks mandates in Oregon and Washington state expiring at 11:59 p.m. Friday.
Hawaiʻi’s indoor statewide masks mandate will expire on March 25 at 11:59 PM when the present emergency proclamation referring to COVID-19 ends. It’s taken your complete group to get so far – with lowered case counts and hospitalizations.
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) March 8, 2022
We’re additionally higher at treating people who find themselves contaminated, have boosters, & the CDC charges our COVID19 group degree “low.” That is all promising. However we’ve seen variants wipe out earlier progress. If we see one other surge, we might be able to reinstitute the masks coverage, if wanted.
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) March 8, 2022
I need to as soon as once more thank everybody for his or her arduous work and dedication to retaining our group secure. I do know this can be a milestone many have been ready for.
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) March 8, 2022
Ige stated Hawaii’s COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations are reducing. The seven-day new case common is about 140, he stated, whereas per week in the past it was greater than 300. There have been 48 sufferers hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday. He stated that is the primary time the quantity has been beneath 50 since round final summer time.
He stated he expects the downward developments to proceed.
Since April 2020, the state of Hawaii has required face masks. At first, it was each indoors and outside.
Ige stated Hawaii’s tradition of caring for others, particularly kupuna, or older folks in Hawaiian, helped the state tolerate the masks rule for thus lengthy.
“I do consider that we’re the final group to launch the masks mandate as a result of we care about one another and we care about our group and we’re all prepared to sacrifice to maintain one another wholesome and secure,” he stated.
READ ALSO | By no means had COVID? As masks restrictions slowly disappear, what are the probabilities of getting it now?
Hawaii well being officers nonetheless advocate carrying masks indoors at faculties, hospitals, prisons and different “congregate dwelling settings.”
Sen. Kurt Fevella, the lone Republican within the state Senate, stated he provides credit score to the governor for not lifting the mandate sooner, although he is aware of lots of his constituents are able to take their masks off.
“Individuals would come as much as me and inform me to take the diaper off my face,” Fevella stated. “Individuals being impolite and disrespectful … does not assist anyone.”
When folks make these sorts of feedback, he explains that he wears a masks to guard his 83-year-old father who lives with him.
He stated when the mandate ends, he and his members of the family will proceed carrying masks relying on the circumstances.
“If we do not know the gang we’re with, we’ll put on the masks,” he stated.
The top of the masks mandate coincides with when Hawaii plans to carry its COVID-19 quarantine requirement for vacationers. Beginning March 26 these arriving from different locations within the U.S. will not have to indicate proof of vaccination or a detrimental take a look at to keep away from sequestering themselves for 5 days.
Ige stated these guidelines have contributed to Hawaii having among the many lowest charges of COVID-19 within the nation.
Bronx, New York, resident Pamela Aquino stated her Hawaii summer time trip wasn’t hindered by carrying a masks indoors.
“It was so strict there. Just about all over the place we went we needed to put on masks,” she stated. “It is smart for them. It is an island. I completely get it. You do not have a number of hospitals.”
Kauai resident Sheila Herr stated she’s going to proceed carrying a masks when indoors round folks, like on the grocery retailer, even when it isn’t necessary.
“Nearly all of my associates on Kauai agree that we should always put on masks to guard one another,” she stated.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble stated many individuals will hold masks on.
“Some will do it out of an abundance of warning. Others as a result of they’re in danger,” she stated. “So please encourage those that really feel extra comfy carrying masks to proceed to take action.”
Lt. Gov. Josh Inexperienced, an emergency room doctor on the Massive Island, stated he really useful Monday that the governor and well being division carry the mandate on or earlier than March 25.
“The governor and the director of well being are very conservative and it has benefited us as a result of we have the bottom case fee and the second lowest mortality fee within the nation,” Inexperienced stated.
However he stated he is now nervous in regards to the “collateral” results of pandemic restrictions equivalent to despair and alcohol abuse.
“It is necessary that we start to maneuver towards regular as a result of there are different concerns like folks’s psychological well being,” he stated.
Copyright © 2022 by The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.
Chicago, IL
2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say
CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.
The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.
The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.
After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.
It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.
The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.
Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Chicago, IL
3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban
HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.
As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.
“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”
WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story
“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”
“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”
SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor
For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.
“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”
However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.
Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.
Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Chicago, IL
Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.
The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.
The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.
However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.
This story is breaking and can be up to date.
Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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