[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> SCAMMERS ARE TAKING A LOT OF INFORMATION FROM THEM LIKE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

>> OFFICIALS ARE WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT SOME POP-UP COVID TESTING SITES.

DETAILS HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BEING SCAMMED.

>> ILLINOIS SCHOOLS CUT QUARANTINE TIME IN HALF FOLLOWING NEW C.D.C.

GUIDANCE.

>> OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS SOARED FOR OLDER AMERICANS IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.

>> YOU THINK SKOKIE SHOULD BE A STEWARD.

>> CONSERVATION AND COMMERCE ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE IN SKOKIE.

IT'S ALL THE NEXT STOP IN OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> I'M YOUR GUIDE ON A PACKAGE TOUR WE CALL WILD TRAVELS.

>> A BEARD COMPETITION, FAINTING GOATS AND EPIC GAME OF TUG OF WAR.

WE HAVE A PEEK AT THE LATEST SEASON OF WILD TRAVELS.

>> MEET A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER DOCUMENTING MEMBERS OF HER TRIBE.

>> AND I'M IN SKOKIE AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AND WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT A CAR VENDING MACHINE, VERY, A CAR VENDING MACHINE THAT IS DISPENSING CONTROVERSY AND SPEAKING WITH A RABBI OF A SYNAGOGUE FOR THE DEAF AND SINGING NURSES ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO GET VACCINATED FOR CORONAVIRUS.

WE'LL HAVE ALL OF THAT COMING UP FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> AND NOW TO TOP STORIES... HOSPITALIZATIONS IN ILLINOIS HIT A RECORD-HIGH.

LAST NIGHT 7300 PATIENTS WITH COVID ARE REPORTED TO BE IN ILLINOIS HOSPITALS.

STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 37,000 NEWLY REPORTED COVID CASES.

OFFICIALS REPORT 142 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THAT'S THE SECOND HIGHEST DAILY DEATH COUNT SINCE JANUARY OF 2021 BEFORE VACCINES WERE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

THE STATE'S SEEN MORE THAN 2,560,000 REPORTED CASES WITH 28,946 DEATHS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES IT WILL PURCHASE MORE COVID-19 TESTS FOR AMERICANS IN AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE OMICRON SURGE.

THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BUY 500 MILLION MORE TESTS ON TOP OF 500 MILLION BIDEN ANNOUNCED AND ADDS THE WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE CAN ORDER FREE TESTS WILL ROLL OUT NEXT WEEK.

>> AND DURING A COVID-19 UPDATE TODAY BIDEN EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF WEARING MASKS.

HE SAYS NEXT WEEK HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL ANNOUNCE PLANS TO MAKE QUOTE HIGH QUALITY MASKS AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE FOR FREE.

>> AS I'VE SAID IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, PLEASE WEAR A MASK.

MAKE SURE -- I THINK IT'S PART OF OUR PATRIOTIC DUTY IT IS NOT THAT COMFORTABLE.

IT IS A PAIN IN THE NECK.

BUT, I HAVE TAKEN EVERY ACTION I CAN AS PRESIDENT TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WEAR MASKS IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND AIRPLANES AND TRAINS BECAUSE THEY CROSS STATE LINES.

>> CHICAGO'S SCOOTER PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY BUT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RIDE THEM ON THE 606 TRAIL.

THEY ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A RENTAL LICENSE.

THREE COMPANIES WILL RECEIVE A PERMIT.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE TOLD THE SCOOTER WOULD BE BANNED FROM THE LAKEFRONT TRAIL BUT RULES RELEASED BY THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SAY THE TWO WHEELERS WILL BE BANNED FROM THE 606 TRAIL AND RIVERWALK AND O'HARE AIRPORT.

THE WINNING FIRMS WILL DEPLOY A MAXIMUM OF 3,000 SCOOTERS EXPECTED TO HIT CITY STREETS THIS SPRING.

>> ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADES ARE BACK ON AFTER A TWO-YEAR HIATUS.

THE SOUTH SIDE AND NORTH SIDE PARADES ARE SET TO RETURN SUNDAY MARCH 13TH.

THE CELEBRATIONS WERE AMONG THE FIRST LARGE EVENTS TO BE CANCELED IN CHICAGO DUE TO COVID CONCERNS IN MARCH OF 2020.

THE PARADE AND RIVER DINING ARE SET FOR SATURDAY MARCH 12TH ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITE.

>> AND UP NEXT, HOW TO SPOT UNTRUSTWORTHY COVID TESTING SITES.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND A WARNING TONIGHT.

CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS ARE ADVISING PEOPLE TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR UNTRUSTWORTHY COVID-19 TESTING SITES.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ HAS MORE ON WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE WALKING INTO A POP-UP TESTING SITE.

>> IF THE PANDEMIC WASN'T TOUGH ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE TO CONSIDER IF THE TESTING SITE IS LEGIT.

THE C.E.O.

OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SAYS IF A SITE ASKS FOR A CREDIT CARD OR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER THAT SHOULD BE A RED FLAG.

>> SOME ARE BAD BUSINESSES THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE DATA RIGHT.

NOT DOING THE TESTING RIGHT.

THEN YOU HAVE THE SCAMMERS TAKING A LOT OF INFORMATION FROM THEM LIKE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

SOME CONSUMERS COME TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND ARE CHARGED FOR A SERVICE.

>> SUSPICIOUS TESTING LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THEY HAVE SHARED INFORMATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

IT CAN BE CONFUSING TO UNDERSTAND IF A SITE IS REAL OR NOT.

THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INFLUX OF POP-UP SITES SHOWING UP ACROSS THE STATE.

HE SAYS PEOPLE NEED TO CHECK IF TESTING SITES ARE LICENSED AND REGULATED.

>> THERE ARE GOING TO BE POP-UP SITES THAT MAY IN FACT USE A LEGITIMATE LABORATORY AND A LEGITIMATE TEST TO GET RESULTS.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK WHO THEY ARE USING AS THEIR LABORATORY AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT LABORATORY IS CERTIFIED.

IT'S CALLED CLINICAL LABORATORY APPROVE.

AMENDMENT.

AND THERE'S THE C.D.C.

ACTUALLY HAS A LIST OF CERTIFIED LABORATORIES.

>> ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THAT THIS IS A NATIONAL CHALLENGE AS THE COUNTRY NAVIGATES THE LATEST OMICRON COVID SURGE AND PEOPLE SCRAMBLE TO FIND TESTING SITES.

>> A LOT OF THESE ARE APPEARING BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY CITY AND STATE OPERATED RUN SITES AS WE HAD EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC.

ARE THERE CALLS FOR THOSE TO RETURN?

>> THERE IS.

I SPOKE WITH MARIA HAD DON AND SEE THINKS SO.

>> SINCE 2020, YOU'RE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR PUBLIC TESTING SITES.

WE HAD TO ORGANIZE A LOT OF TESTING SITES WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HEALTH PARTNERS BUT THE RELIANCE ON THE POP-UP, ANYONE WHO CAN LICENSE A BUSINESS THROUGH THE WEBSITE AND GET A CONNECTION WITH A LAB, I DON'T THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE AND I DO THINK THAT AS WE'RE ENTERING THIS PHASE WHERE WE AREN'T SEEING AN END THAT TESTING IS GOING TO BE A PART OF US BEING ABLE TO LIVE.

TESTING WILL BE PART OF US BEING ABLE TO WORK, GO TO SCHOOL, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD LEGITIMATE SITES.

>> AND ARE THE SITES ONE-OFFS OR SOME OF THEM CHANGES?

>> THE BBB DID SHED LIGHT ON THE ORGANIZATION CALLED THE CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL WHICH OPERATES HUNDREDS OF TESTING SITES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND HAS AN F RATING WITH THE BBB.

THERE IS A LOCATION IN THE ROGERS PARK AREA OPERATING THIS MORNING AND PEOPLE WERE GOING IN.

WE WENT INTO OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY DID ASK FOR MY DRIVER'S LICENSE.

SOME OF THE TESTING SITES WERE OPERATING FROM AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND MASSAGE PARLORS.

ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK SAYS THEY RUN SIX TESTING SITES AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO SPEND MORE TIME DOING RESEARCH TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> THE ADVICE I WOULD GIVE TO INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE REALLY WANTED TO CHOOSE A TESTING SITE IS THAT REALLY LOOK FOR ONE THAT IS MANAGED AND STAFFED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

THAT'S REALLY KEY.

THESE ARE LAB TESTS.

AND THEY NEED TO BE ADMINISTERED BY AND PROCESSED BY CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

>> THE SURGE IN CASES HAS CAUSED LABS TO BE BACKED UP.

AS WE'VE HEARD IT'S VITAL TO ASK QUESTIONS WHEN WALKING INTO A TESTING LOCATION.

HEAD TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE C.D.C.

WHERE THEY HAVE A LIST OF VERIFIED COVID TESTING OPERATIONS.

THE C.E.O.

OF BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU PREDICTS IT WILL BE A PROBLEM UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT PUTS OUT A STRONGER PLAN TO SHUTDOWN FAKE TESTING SITES.

>> I'VE SEEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN IN MY CAREER OF 34 YEARS.

EVERY INDUSTRY HAS BAD ACTORS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE SIMMERING AND GOING TO A BOILING POINT NOT ONLY LOCALLY BUT NATIONALLY.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT.

>> AND WE LEARNED THE ORGANIZATION I SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER THE CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL IS TEMPORARILY CLOSING ALL LOCATIONS.

THEY SAY IT IS AN EFFORT TO RETRAIN THEIR STAFF BUT THE MOVE COMES AMID INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE COMPANY.

>> OF COURSE IMPORTANT TO KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF PEOPLE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORTING.

>> AND NOW PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE GO TO THE NORTH SUBURBS IN SKOKIE WHERE SOME OF THE RESIDENTS ARE UPSET ABOUT A POTENTIAL NEW NEIGHBOR COMING TO TOWN.

A CAR DEALER WITH AN UNTRADITIONAL MODEL FOR DISPLAYING THEIR WARES.

AMANDA VINICKY SPENT THE DAY TO LEARN MORE AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AND AMANDA JOINS US NOW >> YES, PARIS IT IS A CAR TROVERSSY.

DEVELOPMENT AGAINST NATURE BETWEEN CONSERVATION AND COMMERCE I'M IN DOWNTOWN SKOKIE NEARBY THE VILLAGE HALL BY THIS BEAUTIFUL CATHOLIC CHURCH ACROSS THE STREET FROM VILLAGE INN A PIZZA JOINT.

I WANT TO TRAVEL TO OAKBROOK THAT IS WHERE THERE IS ALREADY A SIMILAR TOWER TO THE 14 STOREY ONE THAT CARVANA IS HOPING TO BUILD IN SKOKIE.

YOU CAN THINK OF CARVANA LIKE A VENDING MACHINE.

IT DISPENSES CARS.

NOW, SEEMINGLY, THIS ALL GLAD AND HYPER BRIGHT STRUCTURE IS DESIGNED TO SHOW OFF THE VEHICLES FOR SALE AND LURING IN PASSERSBY.

BUT THAT IS JUST WHAT MAKES ANNETTE PRINCE WORRIED.

>> AND THAT IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

ALL THE THINGS THAT WE ARE SEEING OTHER BIRDS HARMED BY ANY KIND OF A BUILDING THAT HAS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GLASS THAT BIRDS CANNOT SEE BECAUSE IT'S TRANSPARENT OR REFLECTIONS BECAUSE THEY SEE REFLECTED TREES OR SKY.

>> AND THEN THEY WOULD BE INJURED OR DIE.

PRINCE IS HEAD OF THE CHICAGO BIRD COLLISION MONITORS AND THE CHICAGO AREA HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FIRST IN THE NATION AS A THREAT TOWARD MIGRATORY BIRDS AND SKOKIE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CHAIN WHERE THE BIRDS FLYOVER AND STOP TO TAKE A REST.

AND HARMS WOODS IS A PROTECTED NATURE AREA THAT IS JUST ACROSS THE WAY FROM THE AREA WHERE CARVANA IS LOOKING TO BUILD THIS CAR VENDING MACHINE.

AND BIRDS THAT TRAVEL AT NIGHT WILL BE SURE TO CRASH INTO THAT CARVANA BUILDING AND SEVERELY INJURING THEMSELVES OR DYING.

PRINCE IS WORKING WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS TRYING TO GET CARVANA TO AMEND ITS PLAN.

THEY ARE SEEKING FOR THE COMPANY TO AGREE TO TURN OFF ITS LIGHTS OVERNIGHT FOR MONTHS AT A TIME THROUGH SPRING AND FALL WHEN BIRDS ARE MIGRATING.

AND THAT WORKS TO PREVENT THE INJURIES AND DEATHS.

AND IT WORKS WHEN CHICAGO SKYSCRAPERS TURN THEIR LIGHTS OFF OVERNIGHT.

AND THEY WANT CARVANA TO WRAP THE STRUCTURE IN PLASTIC WRAP BUT IT IT GIVES A WARNING TO BIRDS SO THEY CAN SEE IT BEFORE THEY FLY INTO THE GLASS.

FROM FAR AWAY AS CLOSE OR FAR IF YOU THINK OF IT AS 20 FEET.

HUMANS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE [INAUDIBLE] IT WOULD NOT PERSUADE -- DISSUADE CUSTOMERS FROM PEERING IN.

THE SKOKIE PLANNING COMMISSION HAS APPROVED A PLAN IN WHICH CARVANA WOULD DIM BUT NOT TURN OFF THE LIGHTS OVERNIGHT AND PUT THAT PLASTIC WRAP AROUND LOWER FLOORS.

AND LONG TIME RESIDENT ROBERT KUSEL SAYS THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> IT'S ALL OF OUR OBLIGATIONS TO PREVENT THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN.

THAT'S ALL WE'RE SAYING HERE.

I'M NOT CRAZY ABOUT A CARVANA TOWER ACROSS THE STREET FROM A FOREST PRESERVE BUT IT MUST BE BUILT SAFE OTHERWISE IT SHOULD BE REJECTED BY THE TRUSTEES.

SKOKIE HAS AN OBLIGATION AS CARETAKERS AND AS THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS LAND THAT CARVANA PROPOSES TO BUILD ON.

SKOKIE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN STOP THEM.

>> CARVANA AND SKOKIE DID AGREE WITH WHAT THE CONSERVATIONISTS ARE ASKING FOR, ASHER BRONFLED SAID HIS FELLOW RESIDENTS OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS THAT ARE WITHIN REACH OF THIS PROPOSED 14 STOREY HIGH TOWER THEY WOULD NOT BE ONBOARD THEY DON'T THINK THE BUILDING AND THE TRUCKS OF CARS THAT IT WILL BE BRINGING IN ARE A GOOD FIT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IMAGINE IF YOU WERE LOOKING TO BUY A PLACE WE HAVE RENTERS, AND YOU KNOW, THE REAL ESTATE AGENT IS SHOWING YOU AROUND.

AND AS YOU'RE SITTING THERE THIS MASSIVE NINE CARRIER MAY NOT BE YOUR FIRST CHOICE.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL AREA.

BUT YOU FEEL IT WOULD BE MARRED BY THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CARVANA DEALERSHIP.

SOME PEOPLE COULDN'T CARELESS.

I'M SURE THERE ARE MILLENNIALS THAT LOVE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LAS VEGAS EXPERIENCE.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE.

>> HE SAYS THAT MANY OF THE RESIDENTS OF THOSE APARTMENT BUILDINGS ARE OLDER AND THEY WANT THEIR PEACE AND QUIET AND IF CARVANA BUILDS IT WILL THAT BE PEACEFUL OR QUIET.

WE TRIED TO INTERVIEW MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION BUT NONE WERE AVAILABLE AND SAID THE VILLAGE SENDING A STATEMENT SAYING THAT THE VILLAGE OF SKOKIE CONTINUES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

CARVANA REPRESENTATIVES AND INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE PROJECT.

VILLAGE OFFICIALS ARE COMMITTED TO RECEIVING AND CONSIDERING ALL OPINIONS CONCERNS AND FACTS RELATED TO THE PROJECT AS THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS PROCEEDS.

CARVANA DID NOT TAKE US UP ON OUR INVITATION FOR AN INTERVIEW BUT DID SEND ALONG A STATEMENT SAYING THAT IT IS EXCITED TO BRING OUR CAR BUYING EXPERIENCE TO SKOKIE AND HAS WORKED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED AT OUR PLANNING COMMISSION HEARINGS AND THE APPEARANCE COMMISSION HEARING WHERE WE RECEIVED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FOR OUR PROJECT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THE FIRST AND ONLY BUILDING IN SKOKIE WITH THIS LEVEL OF BIRD STRIKE MITIGATION.

SOMETHING ELSE THAT CONSERVATIONISTS WANT IS IF THIS GOES FORWARD, MONITORING OF BIRD COLLISIONS.

WE CAN EXPECT A VOTE SOMETIME COMING UP SOON.

NONE IS SCHEDULED.

BUT THE VILLAGE DOES BELIEVE THAT A VOTE FOR THE BOARD WILL BE COMING IN FEBRUARY.

WE WILL HAVE MORE COMING UP FROM SKOKIE, FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND, APPROVAL WILL NOT BE AUTOMATIC.

SORRY I HAD TO -- IT'S TERRIBLE.

WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE INCLUDING A RABBI FOR THE SYNAGOGUE FOR THE DEAF COMING UP.

>> BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> ILLINOIS' SCHOOLS ARE CHANGING QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ALIGN WITH GUIDANCE FROM THE C.D.C.

THE NEW GUIDELINES RECOMMEND KINDERGARTEN-12TH GRADE STUDENTS ISOLATE FOR FIVE DAYS AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO COVID.

PREVIOUSLY THE GUIDANCE WAS A 10-DAY ISOLATION PERIOD.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE CHANGES ARE Dr. ROBERT MURPHY AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND THE IS DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH.

AND Dr. TODD FLORIN, A DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE AT LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

Dr. MURPHY LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT FOR THE NEW GUIDANCE THIS UPDATED GUIDANCE?

>> WELL, THE ARGUMENT FOR THE NEW GUIDANCE IS THAT TWO THINGS; ONE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TESTS FLOATING IN THE SYSTEM AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT.

IT'S NOT BASED ON THE SCIENCE THAT YOU DON'T NEED A TEST.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT MANY COMPANIES INCLUDING MANY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, AIRLINES AND OTHER BIG BUSINESSES ARE LOSING HUGE CHUNKS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THE QUARANTINE IS SO LONG OF A PERIOD OF TIME.

SO THERE WAS PRESSURE TO SHORTEN THAT.

THERE IS SOME SCIENCE THAT SAYS PARTICULARLY IN VACCINATED PEOPLE THAT THEY TEND NOT TO SHED THE VIRUS AFTER FIVE DAYS.

THEY SHED MORE IN THE FIRST FIVE DAYS.

BUT THIS REALLY CAN'T BE EXTRAPOLATED TO THE GROUP.

I THINK IT'S PREMATURE WITHOUT TESTING INVOLVED.

>> YOU ARE MAKING THE CASE THAT IN THE CASE OF STUDENTS YOUNG PEOPLE, ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO -- THERE'S CRITICISM THIS ISOLATION PERIOD IS NOT LONG ENOUGH.

WHAT ABOUT FOR KIDS?

>> RIGHT IT IS THE SAME WITH THEM.

WHY DO YOU HAVE THEM COME BACK WHEN THEY ARE POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS?

I MEAN THAT IS THE QUESTION.

ESPECIALLY WITHOUT ANY TESTING INVOLVED.

>> NOW, ACCORDING TO DISTRICT DATA FROM CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS 12,000 STUDENTS ARE IN QUARANTINE.

AND 2300 ADULTS ARE IN QUARANTINE TODAY.

Dr. MURPHY STICKING WITH YOU ARE YOU CONCERNED THIS REDUCED ISOLATION TIME COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN CASES IN SCHOOLS?

>> YOU KNOW, IN-PERSON LEARNING IS OBVIOUSLY GOOD FOR KIDS.

HOWEVER AT THE VERY PEAK OF THIS PANDEMIC AFTER TWO YEARS OF THIS, WITH THE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE SEEING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND STATE OF ILLINOIS AND EVERYWHERE, IT REALLY WAS TOO RISKY TO BRING THE CLASSROOM AT THIS POINT.

THIS MAY CHANGE SOON.

IT'S ALREADY STARTING TO LEVEL OFF IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IN THE STATE OF VERMONT IT'S GOING DOWN, THE UNITED KINGDOM IS GOING DOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AND OTHER STATES ARE CONTINUING TO INCREASE BUT THAT INCREASE IS DECELERATING.

SO IT WAS -- IT'S JUST PREMATURE AND WHY SO MANY STUDENTS ARE OUT AND TEACHERS ARE OUT.

>> Dr. TODD FLORIN YOU PUBLISHED A STUDY ON THE SEVERE OUTCOMES OF COVID-19 IN CHILDREN.

AND IN THAT STUDY RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT 3% OF CHILDREN EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS SUFFERED SEVERE SYMPTOMS AFTER TWO WEEKS OF BEING HOSPITALIZED AND 25% WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR TREATMENT.

WHAT DOES THIS RESEARCH TELL YOU ABOUT THE IMPACT OF COVID ON CHILDREN?

>> RIGHT.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE STUDY WE LOOKED AT OVER 3200 KIDS IN 41 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN 10 COUNTRIES.

60% OF THOSE WERE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND WE FOUND THAT IN THIS KIDS WHO PRESENTED TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS THESE ARE NOT KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY THEY WERE SICK ENOUGH TO COME TO AN ER.

ONE IN FOUR WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL.

AND OF THOSE THAT WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL, 3% DEVELOPED A VERY SEVERE OUTCOME.

DEFINED AS NEEDING INTENSIVE INTERVENTIONS LIKE MECHANICAL VENTILATION, MEDICATIONS TO SUPPORT BLOOD PRESSURE.

NOW, THE REASSURING PIECE OF THIS IS THAT IF YOU ARE A CHILD WHO PRESENTED TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND WELL ENOUGH TO GO HOME YOUR RISK OF SEVERE OUTCOMES WAS LOW.

.5% HAD ONE OF THE SEVERE OUTCOMES AND NONE OF THE CHILDREN SENT HOME FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM DIED.

SO AS A PARENT AND PEDIATRICIAN, THAT DATA IS VERY REASSURING TO US.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THIS STUDY BECAUSE OF ITS SCOPE WAS DONE OVER A TIME PERIOD THAT WAS BEFORE OMICRON.

THE STUDY DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

AND SO WE CAN'T NECESSARILY EXTRAPOLATE IT TO THE CURRENT VARIANT OF CONCERN AND THE CURRENT STATUS WITH REGARD TO VACCINATION.

>> HOW CAN IT HELP DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS IN DECIDING HOW TO TRIAGE PATIENTS AS THEY ARE OVERRUN WITH CASES?

>> IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

AND WE FOUND FOUR FACTORS THAT WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VERY SEVERE OUTCOMES.

ONE WAS OLDER AGED CHILDREN.

ADOLESCENTS WERE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP SEVERE OUTCOMES COMPARED WITH THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

A PAST HISTORY OF PNEUMONIA AND WE THINK THAT IS DUE TO SUSCEPTIBILITY TO HAVING PULMONARY DISEASE AND YOU KNOW PRIOR VARIANTS OF COVID WERE HIGHLY ATTRACTED TO THE LUNGS.

THIRD IS A HISTORY OF REPORTED CHRONIC COMPLEX CONDITIONS, PREEXISTING CONDITIONS IN THE CHILDREN.

AND THE FOURTH WAS PRESENTING A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE ILLNESS.

FOUR TO SEVEN DAYS INTO SYMPTOMS AS OPPOSED TO EARLIER IN THE ILLNESS.

>> Dr. MURPHY LESS THAN 10% OF ICU BEDS ARE AVAILABLE IN ILLINOIS.

WE KNOW THERE IS AN UPTICK IN HOSPITALIZATIONS WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND PARENTS AND CHILDREN DO IN THE MEANTIME, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO THESE ISOLATION RECOMMENDATIONS IN ABOUT 25 SECONDS?

>> 25 SECONDS.

NUMBER ONE IF YOUR KID IS ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINATION GET THEM VACCINATED.

NUMBER TWO, IF THEY GO INTO ISOLATION OR INTO QUARANTINE, WHEN THEY COME OUT MAKE SURE THEY ARE WEARING A GOOD MASK THAT IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO AT THIS POINT.

BUT ANOTHER THING ABOUT THESE KIDS, THOUGH, MOST OF THOSE KIDS THAT ARE HOSPITALIZED ARE UNVACCINATED.

THEY ARE UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE OR THEY DID NOT GET VACCINATED.

THE VACCINATION RATE IS LOW IN KIDS 5-11.

I THINK IT'S ONLY 12% AND 50% ABOVE THAT.

AND YOU LOOK IN THE HOSPITALS AND IT'S THE SAME WITH THE ADULTS IT'S UNVACCINATED.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> UP NEXT, A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER SHARES PHOTOS OF NATIVE-AMERICAN PEOPLE AND TRADITIONS.

STAY WITH US.

>> MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING DETAILS ON OPIOID DEATHS FOR OLDER AMERICANS.

BUT FIRST, ARTICLES OF COLORFUL CLOTHING AND ORNAMENTS TELL THE STORY OF THE PERSON WHO WEARS THEM.

THE ENSEMBLE IS CALLED REGALIA AND PRESERVES A COMMUNITY.

A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER WITH ROOTS IN THE POTAWATOMI NATION HAS BEEN DOCUMENTING HER PEOPLE AND THEIR LEGACY.

MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY.

>> FROM CHILDREN... TO ELDERS... AND ALL AGES IN-BETWEEN... A PHOTOGRAPHER HAS CAPTURED IMAGES OF HER TRIBE AND EXPLORED THE BONDS OF COMMUNITY.

>> I STARTED IN 2010.

I HAVE BEEN A REGISTERED POTAWATOMI SINCE I WAS A TODDLER IN THE 1950s.

AND SO I HAD ACCESS.

THEY ASKED ME IF I WOULD SHOW MY ARTWORK BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER.

I SAID HOW ABOUT IF WE CREATE NEW ARTWORK?

>> SHE TRAVELED TO KANSAS, OKLAHOMA AND NEBRASKA AND PLACES WHERE THE MIDWEST POTAWATOMI WERE FORCED TO RELOCATE IN THE 1820s AND 30s.

SHE AIMED THE CAMERA AT PEOPLE AND REGALIA.

>> IT IS NOT AN REENACTMENT.

MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S NOT A COSTUME.

A COSTUME IS SOMETHING YOU PUT ON TO BE SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT.

AND REGALIA IS ALL ABOUT WHO YOU ARE.

YOUR STORY IS WOVEN IN IT MIGHT BE ABOUT YOUR BIRTH ORDER.

IT MIGHT BE ABOUT AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN YOUR LIFE OR GIFTS FROM OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS THAT YOU KNOW.

OR IN RESPECT TO YOUR ANCESTORS MAYBE YOUR CLAN COLORS.

YOUR REGALIA IS NEVER FINISHED IT'S ALWAYS EVOLVING AND IT TELLS YOUR STORY.

>> HER LARGE FORMAT PHOTOGRAPHS PRESERVE THE STORIES.

THEY ARE FEATURED IN A BOOK THAT IS ONLY BEING DISTRIBUTED TO POTAWATOMI NATIONS.

HOOGSTRATEN WORKED AT WTTW IN THE 1980s.

SHE WON AN EMMY AWARD FOR THE OPENING GRAPHICS OF "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND THE ORIGINAL CHICAGO "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

SOME OF HER PHOTOS OF CHICAGO WERE FEATURED ON THE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" SET BUT SHE FOCUSES ON PERSONAL PROJECTS.

>> THESE ARE JUST REGULAR FOLKS.

THEY WORK IN FACTORIES OR THEY GO TO STANFORD ALL ACROSS THE SCALE AND THEY JUST CAME IN TO BE PART OF THIS PROJECT.

THEY WEREN'T NERVOUS OR MODEST.

I DIDN'T HAVE TO COAX THEM THEY CAME IN AND DID IT.

IT WAS REALLY AMAZING.

IT WAS A GIFT.

>> THE PICTURES SPOTLIGHT MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

>> NATIVE-AMERICANS VOLUNTEERED A HIGHER PERCENTAGE THAN ANY OTHER ETHNIC GROUP WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT WITH THE TROUBLES WITH THEIR PAST?

TO HONOR THE ABSCESSERS.

TWO, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR LAND AND THEY WILL ALWAYS DEFEND IT.

SO IT STARTS TO MAKE SENSE.

>> THERE IS A POSITIVE MINDSET AMONGST OUR PEOPLE THAT YOU STAY ON THE RED ROAD.

THE RED ROAD IS THE GOOD ROAD.

YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE FROM MOTHER EARTH.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT REGALIA IT'S PROOF THAT WE ARE STILL HERE.

WHEN YOU SEE KIDS AND OLDER MEN AND GRANDMOTHERS AND STORYTELLERS ALL TAKING SUCH PRIDE IN THEIR REGALIA AND ALL THE STORY IN EACH PIECE OF REGALIA THERE IS NO QUESTION WE ARE STILL HERE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

MORE FASM WITH HER WORK THAN I KNEW.

THE BOOK IS TITLED DANTSZING FOR OUR TRIBE.

AND 25 COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND THEYEN WITH TO THE POTAWATOMI NATION FOR POSTERITY.

YOU CAN SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... HOW A SKOKIE SYNAGOGUE FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY IS WORKING TO STAY AFLOAT AMID ZOOM SERVICES AN ONGOING PANDEMIC.

>> A DISTURBING NEW STUDY FINDS OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS FOR OLDER ADULTS HAVE SOARED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.

>> AND A PREVIEW OF THE THIRD SEASON OF PBS'S WILD TRAVELS IN WHICH VIEWERS GET TO VISIT WACKY PLACES ACROSS THE U.S. >> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> SOME CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE PLANNING A WALKOUT TOMORROW.

THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS RADICAL YOUTH ALLIANCE IS ORGANIZING A WALKOUT AT 12:30.

THE ORGANIZATION IS PLANNING THE ACTION TO PROTEST THE DISTRICT'S DECISION TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING WITHOUT MEANINGFULLY GATHERING INPUT FROM STUDENTS AND A LACK OF COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED $2 BILLION SETTLEMENT WITH STUDENT LOAN SERVICER NAVIENT.

THE SETTLEMENT WILL GO TOWARD DEBT CANCELLATION AND RESTITUTION AFTER ABUSES INCLUDING GUIDING BORROWERS INSTEAD OF DIRECTING THEM TOAL INTERPRET ACTIVE PROGRAMS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS 18,000 ILLINOIS BORROWERS WILL RECEIVE $4.9 MILLION IN RESTITUTION PAYMENTS AND 5,000 WILL HAVE MORE THAN 133 MILLION DOLLARS OF DEBT CANCELED.

>> AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT STOPS THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S.

BUSINESSES.

THE COURT IS NOT ALLOWING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO ENFORCE ITS VACCINE MANDATE FOR EMPLOYEES AT LARGE BUSINESSES INCLUDING THE WHITE HOUSE OVERSTEPPED ITS AUTHORITY.

80 MILLION PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

JUSTICES DID ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENFORCE THE VACCINE MANDATE FOR MOST HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> AND ILLINOIS DRIVER SERVICE ALSO REMAIN CLOSED FOR ANOTHER WEEK.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SAYS THE HIGH NUMBER OF COVID CASES IN THE STATE MEANS IN-PERSON SERVICES WILL NOT RESUME UNTIL JANUARY 24.

BUT ON-LINE TRANSACTIONS WILL CONTINUE INCLUDING FOR LICENSE PLATE STICKERS.

MEANWHILE, ALL DRIVERS LICENSE AND ID CARD EXPIRATION DATES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MARCH 31.

>> BACK TO AMANDA VINICKY WHO SPENT THE DAY IN SKOKIE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> I'M JOINED BY RABBI SHERRY SCHENN LEADER OF THE CONGREGATION IT IS A REFORM JUDAISM CONGREGATION HERE IN SKOKIE.

AND RABBI, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT YEAR AND YOUR CONGREGATION IS PARTICULARLY SPECIAL.

TELL US WHY?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND YES.

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

RABBI GOLDHAMMER WHO FOUNDED THE CONGREGATION HE IS MY LEAD RABBI I AM HIS ASSOCIATE FOUNDED IT FIRST CONGREGATION FOR THE DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES.

50 YEARS AGO WHEN THE DEAF WEREN'T WELCOMED INTO TRADITIONAL SYNAGOGUES.

WE ARE EXCITED.

AND WE'RE CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HEBREW SEMINARY WHICH I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AND WE TRAIN RABBIS TO WORK WITH DEAF AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

>> WE HAD LAST CHECKED IN WITH YOU AND THE CONGREGATION BACK IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR AS YOU WERE STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT DESPITE PROVIDING AN IMPORTANT SERVICE FOR DEAF WORSHIPERS.

HOW ARE THINGS NOW?

>> THEY ARE NOT THE BEST.

WE'RE STILL HERE WHICH THANK GOD FOR THAT ONE.

AND IT'S HARD.

WE'RE STRUGGLING.

WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH LONGER WE WILL SURVIVE BUT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN AND PRAYING AND HAVING FAITH WE HAVE OUR "GOFUNDME" PAGE.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING EVERYTHING VIRTUALLY BECAUSE WE WANTED TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR MEMBERS.

AND SO WE STILL DO ZOOM SERVICES EVERY WEEK.

WE ARE DOING A SEDER SERVICE CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF THE TREES SATURDAY.

BUT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST.

WE HAVE OUR SIGN LANGUAGE IN FACT THE YOUNG WOMAN WHO YOU INTERVIEWED TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY.

AND SHE IS STILL SIGNING OUR SERVICES AND STUDYING TO BE A RABBI.

>> WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO THE COMMUNITY OF SKOKIE TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY TO LOSE CONGREGATION?

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE SAD.

I MEAN WE'VE BECOMING MORE INCLUSIVE BUT WE ARE -- WE ARE THE ONLY FULL-TIME SYNAGOGUE THAT HAVE TWO RABBIS THAT SIGN.

THROUGH ZOOM WE HAVE BEEN REACHING PEOPLE FROM THE WEST COAST IN CALIFORNIA TO NEW YORK, FLORIDA PEOPLE ARE TUNING IN.

AND BEING PART OF THE SERVICE.

IT WOULD BE WE ARE PART OF SKOKIE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

WE'VE BEEN HERE AND THE IDEA THAT WE WOULDN'T BE IS JUST TOO SAD ON SO MANY LEVELS.

>> IS THERE A DOLLAR FIGURE OR ASK?

>> JUST ANYTHING THAT PEOPLE CAN DO TO HELP.

IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

AND I PROMISE MY GRANDSON THIS IS HIS BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I LOVE YOU.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

TO YOUR GRANDSON AND THANK YOU TO YOU ONCE AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THAT IS RABBI SHERRY SCHENN OF THE CONGREGATION WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE INCLUDING COVID SINGING NURSES AND THE LEADER OF THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS WITH DETAILS ABOUT A NEW STUDY FROM NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE.

>> YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO HEAR AT OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS FOR OLDER AMERICANS ARE SOARING.

BETWEEN 19999 AND 2019 PEOPLE 55 AND OLDER SURGED 1900%.

THAT IS FROM OVER500 DEATHS IN 1999 TO MORE THAN 10,000 DEATHS TWO DECADES LATER.

AND ALSO DISTURBING IS THAT OLDER BLACK MEN WERE FOUND TO BE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM A OPIOID OVERDOSE THAN OTHER OLDER ADULTS.

THOSE ARE THE FINDINGS OF A REPORT FROM NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS REPORT IS MARYANN MASON, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE READ OFF THE STARTLING NUMBERS.

WHAT IS BEHIND THIS ENORMOUS RISE IN OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS AMONG AMERICANS 55 AND OLDER?

>> WELL, PART OF THIS THANK YOU, PARIS.

PART OF THIS IS OLDER ADULTS ARE JUST LIKE OTHER AMERICANS IN THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

AS THE NUMBERS ARE INCREASING FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION, SO THEY ARE FOR THE OLDER ADULT.

I THINK ONE THING THAT SURPRISES MANY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS IS THAT OLDER ADULTS, INDEED, DO SUFFER FROM OPIOID USE DISORDER AND DIE FROM OPIOID OVERDOSE.

>> AND WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BLACK MEN HAVING FOUR TIMES GREATER CHANCE OF DYING OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE THAN NONBLACK MEN?

>> THAT I WOULD SAY WE DON'T KNOW THAT COMPLETE ANSWER TO THAT BUT WE HAVE SOME IDEAS THAT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED.

I THINK WE REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH ON THAT AND IF YOU LOOK AT BLACK MEN IN AMERICA THEIR EXPERIENCES ARE OFTEN TRAUMATIC, ARE OFTEN IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE UNDER RESOURCED.

THEY ARE OFTEN DISPROPORTIONATELY INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ENVIRONMENTS.

SO THOSE EXPERIENCES ARE LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE TO DRUG USE IN WAYS THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATE COMPARED TO OTHER POPULATIONS.

AND YOU ALSO I WANT TO POINT OUT, BLACK MEN ARE UNDER PRESCRIBED OPIOIDS FOR PAIN IN MEDICAL ENVIRONMENTS.

SO THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF UNTREATED PAIN OUT THERE FOR THAT POPULATION AS WELL.

>> AND THAT WAS GOING TO LEAD INTO MY QUESTION, HOW MUCH OF THIS IS ILLICIT OPIOIDS THAT ARE USED VERSUS FOLKS THAT GET PRESCRIBED OPIOID MEDICATION FOR PAIN?

>> THAT IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

IS UNDERSTANDING THAT BREAKDOWN AND WE DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

I HAVE SOME IDEAS BUT THAT IS PART OF OUR NEXT BATCH OF RESEARCH.

I DO THINK THAT OLDER ADULTS HAVE VERY GOOD REASONS WHY THEY MAY BE MEDICALLY PRESCRIBED OPIOIDS.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S ILLICIT OPIOIDS OUT THERE IN THIS POPULATION AS WELL.

>> 1900% INCREASE OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

DOES THAT COMPARE TO OTHER CLASSES OF AMERICANS?

OTHER AGE GROUPS?

>> LIKE THE GENERAL PICTURE OF OPIOID INCREASE IN THE -- OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATH INCREASE IN THE UNITED STATES, IT IS IN LINE WITH SOME OF THAT.

BUT THE CONCENTRATION SINCE 2013 IN THIS POPULATION HAS REALLY SHOT UP COMPARED TO OTHER POPULATIONS.

>> AND YOU COVER 1999 AND 2019.

THAT IS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC SET IN.

AND GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, DEPRESSION LOSS OF JOB OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WOULD YOU EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO BE UP EVEN MORE NOW?

>> I DO.

AND I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT EARLY 2020 DATA AND IT IS UP.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE OLDER ADULT IN 2020.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT.

>> IS THERE A SPECIFIC POLICY PRESCRIPTION TO DEAL WITH THIS ESPECIALLY AMONG THOSE 55 AND OLDER?

>> I THINK THERE'S TWO OR THREE THINGS WE COULD BE DOING IMMEDIATELY.

ONE IS INCREASED SCREENING OF THE OLDER ADULT FOR OPIOID MISUSE.

PART OF HOW AGEISM WORKS IS THAT WE ASSUME OLDER ADULTS MAY NOT BE USING ILLICIT SUBSTANCES OR MISUSING PRESCRIPTIONS AND WE NEED TO THROW THAT IDEA OUT THE DOOR AND SCREEN UNIVERSALLY TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE SO WE CAN CONNECT THEM TO TREATMENT.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE FIRST AND FOREMOST.

THE OTHER IS ADAPTING TREATMENT TO THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS AND IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS MAKING TREATMENT CENTERS ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES AND ADAPTING TREATMENT SERVICES FOR HEARING AND VISION IMPAIRED PERSONS.

AND ALSO OFFERING SERVICES IN A WAY THAT ARE SORT OF CULTURALLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE OLDER ADULT.

AND ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT IS GROUP THERAPY WHICH STUDIES THE FOUND LESS ACCEPTABLE TO THE OLDER ADULT PROBABLY BECAUSE OF SOME CULTURAL IDEAS ABOUT SHARING EXPERIENCES, FEELINGS AND TRAUMA IN A GROUP SETTING.

>> AND COULD SORT OF THIS AGEISM BE PART OF THE REASON WHY THAT NUMBER SHOT UP SO MUCH OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

BEFORE 2000 MEDICAL PROVIDERS WERE NOT SCREENING OLDER AMERICANS FOR OPIOID USE?

>> RIGHT.

AND I THINK IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.

WE ARE EVOLVING AS THE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION OF THE OLDER ADULTS GROWS BUT WE ARE IN NO WAY IN A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE THROWN AGEISM OUT.

THERE ARE PROVIDERS WHO ARE NOT SCREENING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE OLDER AND THEY ASSUME THEY ARE NOT USING.

SO WE NEED TO REALLY START TO LOOK AT OLDER PEOPLE AS FULLY HUMAN IN A WAY THAT COULD EXPOSE THEM TO SOME OF THE NEGATIVE THINGS.

>> ALL RIGHT INTERESTING STUDY MARYANN MASON.

AND AS I UNDERSTAND MORE RESEARCH TO COME ON THIS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT WE CHECK BACK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM SKOKIE.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... WE THEK BACK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY IN SKOKIE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> SKOKIE IS ONE OF THE HANDFUL OF MUNICIPALITIES WITH ITS OWN PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND NURSE SUSAN REISBERG SAYS THEY TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HEALTH THAT INCLUDES A VACCINE CLINIC AND THE DOWNSTAIRS OF VILLAGE HALL AND THE NURSE SAYS THEY KEEP BUSY.

>> WE RECEIVE CALLS FROM PARENTS AND BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE SUPPORT STAFF THAT ANSWERS PHONES.

MYRIAD OF PHONE CALLS THAT COME IN EVERYDAY ALL KINDS OF QUESTIONS.

WE ASSIST PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT COMPUTER LITERATE IN SIGNING UP FOR VACCINATION CLINICS.

WE ASSIST PEOPLE IN FINDING THE DATES THAT THEY WERE VACCINATE FEDERAL THEY MISPLACED THEIR COVID CARDS WE'RE REFERRING THEM TO ILLINOIS VAX VERIFY TO RETREAT THEIR DATA.

>> YOU MAY NTH THE SHIRTEDS THEY ARE WEARING THEY ARE GIFTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT SPELL OUT VACCINATED.

>> MEASLES, CHICKENPOX, YOU WILL HEAR IT MENINGITIS, POLIO WHICH IS VIRTUALLY IRRADICATED IN THE WORLD ALL OF THESE DUE TO VACCINES THESE ARE VACCINE PREVENTIBLE DISEASES.

>> OF COURSE EVEN THOUGH WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 ARE GETTING THOSE SO-CALLED BREAKTHROUGH CASES BUT DAVIS SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE INCLUDING CHILDREN TO GET THAT SHOT.

>> THE MAIN GOAL OF THE VACCINE IS TO PREVENT HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH.

SO WHILE PEOPLE ARE STILL POSSIBLY TESTING POSITIVE WITH BREAKTHROUGH CASES, THERE IS A VAST AND IMMENSE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED THAT ARE BOOSTED VERSUS UNVACCINATED.

>> THE NURSES WERE GOOD SPORTS AND WHILE THEIR NUMBER ONE MESSAGE IS FOR FOLKS TO GET VACCINATED AND MASK UP THEY HAVE ANOTHER ONE VIA SONG... ♪WE HATE YOU COVID, OH, YES, WE DO♪ ♪WE DON'T HATE ANYONE AS MUCH AS YOU♪ ♪WHEN YOU COME NEAR US, WE'RE BLUE♪ ♪OH, COVID, WE HATE YOU♪ >> THERE YOU HAVE IT.

THE LAST TIME I WAS IN SKOKIE TO COVER AN "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET TO THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IT WAS CLOSED THAT WAS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT HAS, HOWEVER, BEEN OPEN FOR A WHILE NOW AND THINGS ARE GOING SMOOTHLY.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY WITH THE HEAD OF THE MUSEUM OR THE DIRECTOR ABOUT A NEW EXHIBIT THAT IS SET TO MAKE ITS DEBUT THE 27TH OF THIS MONTH AND IT'S VIRTUAL REALITY.

>> IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ON A HEADSET AND JOURNEY WITH A SURVIVOR BACK TO THEIR HOME ORIGINALLY IN EUROPE AND THEN TO GO WITH THEM TO THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS THAT THEY EXPERIENCED.

SO YOU COULD STAND WITH SURVIVOR FROM ITSY ON THE ARRIVAL RAMP AT ALWAYS WITCH AS AUSCHWITZ HOW THEY WERE PUSHED FROM AND SEPARATED TO THE SOUND OF BARKING DOGS AND YELLING.

>> FRITZ WAS THE LONG TIME PRESIDENT OF THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AND SHE PASSED AWAY THIS PAST JUNE.

SHE MADE A PROMISE IN AUSCHWITZ SHE WAS THE YOUNGEST AND 599 WOMEN BREAD RATIONS AND SHE PROMISED SHE WOULD SHARE THEIR STORIES.

SHE HAS DONE SO WITH THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM WHICH HAS A EXHIBIT FOCUSED ON LGBTQ RIGHTS IN STONEWALL.

>> RISE UP FOCUSES ON STONEWALL AND THE LGBTQ RIGHTS MOVEMENT THAT LOOKS AT FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES AND OTHERS IN THE LONG COURSE OF STRUGGLE TOWARDS EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.

AND WE KNOW THAT STRUGGLE IS STILL ONGOING.

AND THAT IS ADDRESSED TOO, THE EXHIBITION WAS CREATED BY THE MUSEUM IN DC AND OUR TEAM HAS AN OVERLAY OF CHICAGO AS WELL.

>> A MESSAGE OF EQUALITY THAT SHE SAYS IS IN KEEPING WITH THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM'S ENTIRE REASON FOR EXISTENCE.

RISE UP IS CURRENT BUT A JOURNEY BACK WILL SOON OPEN ON THE 27TH.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> YOU CANNOT BEAT SINGING NURSES THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> UP NEXT, VISITING THE ECCENTRIC AND WACKY ACROSS THE U.S. WITH PBS'S WILD TRAVELER.

FIRST, A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND.

>> YOU ALL REMEMBER WILD CHICAGO AND WILD TRAVELS?

WTTW'S WILD TRAVELER IS READY TO HIT THE ROAD AGAIN.

THE SHOW PBS WILD TRAVELS IS IT BACK WITH A NEW SEASON PREMIERING THIS WEEK AND VIEWERS CAN EXPECT ECCENTRIC PLACES ACROSS THE U.S. TO A UN CYCLE FOOTBALL TEAM.

LET'S LOOK AT ONE ADVENTURE FROM THE SHOW.

>> YOU BREED THEM TO BE FAINTING GOATS.

>> WE BREED THEM AND SELL THE BABIES FOR PETS AND BREEDING STOCK TO OTHER FARMS.

>> YOU THINK YOU WOULD WANT NON-FAINTING GOATS.

I WAS HIRED FOR THE JOB IS THAT I CAN STAY CONSCIOUS FOR THE WHOLE INTERVIEW.

>> HOPEFULLY WE CAN STAY CONSCIOUS.

JOINING US ARE HARVEY MOSHMAN THE PRODUCER OF THE SHOW AND WILL CLINGER THE HOST OF WILD TRAVELS.

WILL, HARVEY GREAT TO SEE YOU.

WILL, TELL US ABOUT THE GOATS.

WHY IS THIS FARM RAISING FAINTING GOATS?

>> WELL, APPARENTLY THERE IS A COUPLE ADVANTAGES TO HAVING A FAINTING GOAT.

IT'S FUN TO WATCH THEM FAINT AND SECOND THEY ARE EASY TO CATCH.

IF YOU OWN A FAINTING GOAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SCARE IT AND IT DROPS LIKE A BRICK.

SO THOSE ARE TWO BIG ADVANTAGES WHY THEY RAISE THEM TO FAINT.

>> IT SEEMS CRUEL TO ME.

IS IT NOT?

>> THEY ARE NOT BEING HURT IN ANYWAY.

LET ME ASSURE OF THAT.

THERE IS NO PHYSICAL DANGER THEY SKIP YOU CAN HEAR IT IF YOU LISTEN CLOSE YOU CAN HEAR THEIR MUSCLES TIGHTEN AS THEY JUST BOOM THEY GO DOWN.

AND IT'S VERY ENTERTAINING.

AND NO, NOBODY GETS HURT.

EXCEPT OUR CAMERAMAN WHO DIPPED OVER AND FELL INTO [INAUDIBLE] >> AND OUR CAMERAMAN WAS A GOOD SPORT ABOUT IT ALL.

>> HARVEY THERE IS AN EPISODE WHERE YOU GO TO A SMALL TOWN FOR A TUG OF WAR.

TELL US ABOUT THAT TUG OF WAR?

>> WELL, THIS IS TUG FEST HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 30 YEARS AND LIKE ANY ODD SPORTING COMPETITION IT BEGAN IN A BAR WITH FOLKS.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THERE ARE 10 TEAMS OF 10 ON EITHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.

A 2700 FOOT ROPE HALF A MILE THAT STRETCHES ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND THIS IS THE ONLY EVENT THAT THEY ABSOLUTELY STOP TRAFFIC ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FOR FOR THIS ONE DAY EVERY YEAR THEY STOP ALL THE BARGE TRAFFIC AND THERE IS A WOMEN'S TEAM AND ILLINOIS HAS BEEN THE WINNER IN MOST OF THE 30 YEARS OF THE CONTEST.

BUT IOWA IS ALWAYS UP FOR THE FIGHT.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT ILLINOIS HAS THE BRAGGING RIGHTS.

WILL, UP NEXT YOU WENT TO SAN MARCOS TEXAS TO SEE AN UNUSUAL WAY TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> UNI CYCLE FOOTBALL ONE OF THE STUPIDEST SPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES PLAYED ON CEMENT.

THE PLAYERS ARE ON UNI CYCLES AND IT'S TACKLE.

A LOT OF BROKEN BONES AND INJURIES.

NOT A CLEVER THING TO BE DOING FRANKLY BUT THE GUYS ARE INTO IT AND THERE IS A LOT OF BEER INVOLVED.

>> WOW.

THAT SEEMS LIKE A TOTALLY COMBUSTIBLE COMBINATION.

HARVEY HOW DO YOU FIND THE STORIES?

THESE LITTLE VIGNETTES IN CERTAIN POCKETS OF THE COUNTRY?

>> WELL, IT USED TO BE HARDER TO BUT THE INTERNET IF YOU SPEND THE TIME, AND YOU GOT NOTHING ELSE BETTER TO DO YOU CAN FIND THESE STORIES ON THE INTERNET.

SO FAINTING GOATS WE WERE GOING TO MOBILE, ALABAMA FOR ITS MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION AND WE NEEDED SIDE BAR STORIES AND KEPT LOOKING FOR STUFF AND I CAME ACROSS IT AND I THOUGHT FAINTING GOATS THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT DONE BEFORE.

>> AND WILL, PRODUCTION STARTED BEFORE COVID.

HOW DID THE PANDEMIC IMPACT THE FINAL PRODUCT.

>> WE ENDED UP CANCELING FIVE OR SIX TRIPS, FIVE TRIPS.

IT WAS DEVASTATING TO OUR SHOOTING SCHEDULE WE HAD TO PUT OFF AIRING THIS SEASON BECAUSE IT PUT US BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL AND WE HAVE NOT DONE MUCH SHOOTING AT ALL DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE JUST SHOT SOMETHING VERY CAREFULLY WITH MASKS AND EVERYTHING SOMETHING CALLED FUR FEST WHICH IS ANOTHER STORY.

THAT IS GOING TO BE SEASON FOUR.

WE'VE BEEN -- WE'VE HAD TO DELAY BUT WE'RE COMING BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER, PARIS.

>> AND HARVEY, SINCE I SEE EVERYTHING THROUGH POLITICAL LENSES, ALL YOU SEE IS HOW DIVIDED WE ARE AS A NATION POLITICALLY.

RED AMERICA HATES BLUE AMERICA AND VICE VERSA IS THIS AN ANN NECK DOTE FOR THAT?

>> I THINK IT IS.

WHEN WE WERE OUT THERE ALL THE STORIES ARE REGIONALISM IN AMERICA.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE PART OF THE COUNTRY AND THE OTHER AND IT'S NOT JUST RED AND BLUE.

WE ONLY RAN INTO THE PRESS AS THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE ONCE IN LIKE FOUR YEARS OF SHOOTING.

AND SURPRISED THE HECK OUT OF US.

I WILL NOT TELL YOU WHERE IT HAPPENED.

BUT IT IS AN ANECDOTE.

>> A LOT OF HAPPY, FUNNY STORIES OUT THERE AND PEOPLE HAVING FUN.

WILL, OR HARVEY, YOU CAN EITHER JUMP IN.

I HEAR THERE IS ONE EPISODE ABOUT A PUMPKIN REGATTA.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> SURE.

>> I WILL TAKE IT.

THE PACIFIC GIANT VEGETABLE GROWERS AND THESE ARE PUMPKINS THAT WEIGH NORTH OF 1600 POUNDS.

THE BIGGEST ONE IS A COUPLE THOUSAND.

BUT THEY TAKE THESE AND THEY CUT A HOLE IN THEM AND MAKE THIS QUASI KAYAK OUT OF IT AND RACE THEM AROUND THIS LAKE IN OREGON.

AND IT'S A BIG COSTUME EVENT.

THERE'S MONEY RAISED AND PEOPLE COME FROM CANADA TO PARTICIPATE AND IT'S QUITE A BIG DEAL AND EVERYBODY HAS A BLAST.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE IT AND PUMPKINS CAN FLOAT.

>> WILL CLINGER THERE IS A CLOSE TO HOME HERE A BEARD AND MOUSTACHE COMPETITION THAT YOU WERE A PART OF.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR SEGMENTS WAS THIS WORLD BEARD MOUSTACHE CHAMPIONSHIP IN PORTLAND AND THE NATIONALS WERE COMING TO CHICAGO, AND THEY WANTED ME TO BE A JUDGE THOUGH I ONLY HAD GROWN A GOATEE AND WE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE AND IT INCLUDED WOMEN IN THE COMPETITION WHISKER INAS AND THEY CONSTRUCT BEARDS FROM BOTTLE CAPS, SOMEONE HAD A BEARD MADE OF HUMAN TEETH.

AND YEAH, BUT ONE WOMAN WHICH IS A BLAST FROM THE PAST SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE SIDE SHOW VAUDEVILLE SHE REALLY HAD A BEARD.

I WAS LIKE -- >> WE ARE LOOKING AT HER RIGHT NOW.

>> DNA AND LUCK SHE IS HAPPY TO HAVE THIS FULL BEARD.

AND GOD BLESS HER SHE WAS A GREAT INTERVIEW.

THANKS TO HER AND THANKS TO ALL THE WOMEN.

>> YOU'VE BEEN DOING THE SHOW STARTING WITH WILD CHICAGO WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU HAVE SEEN IN YOUR TRAVELS?

>> SURREAL?

SURREAL YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE SEASON.

FROZEN DEAD GUY DAYS.

THERE IS A FESTIVAL WILL BUILT AROUND A GUY THAT HAS BEEN FROZEN UNDER A TON OF DRY ICE IN A SHED IN THE HILLS OF COLORADO.

AND HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR 25 YEARS.

AND HE IS THAWED OUT A FEW TIMES.

BUT IT IS A VERY CHEAP CRYOGENICS.

AND IT'S BEEN THE CAUSE OF THIS FESTIVAL FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

AND THEY HAVE COFFIN RACES AND FROZEN T-SHIRT CONTESTS.

BUT ACTUALLY SEEING THE GUY UNDER THE ICE WE GOT TO GO INTO THE SHED THAT WAS WEIRD AND WONDERFUL.

>> WHEN DOCTORS FIND A CURE FOR DEATH THAT MAN WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE SERIES THANKS TO HARVEY MOSHMAN AND WILL CLINGER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND AGAIN THE NEW SEASON OF WILD TRAVELS PREMIERS ON WTTW SUNDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS INCLUDING A BREAKING STORY ABOUT AURORA MAYOR RICHARD IRVIN ENTERING THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR ILLINOIS GOVERNOR.

>> AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

FOR ALL OF US AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]