'It's OK To Feel': Pritzker Announces Coronavirus Support Lines

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had a moving message for Illinois residents ahead of Easter Sunday as emotions over the new coronavirus are running high throughout the state for those who he said may be "swimming in stress and uncertainty." He said, "Feel all of it; we are living in a deeply unprecedented moment and holding the emotional ramifications of it inside will only be harder on you."

Pritzker announced a new emotional support help line Saturday, in addition to a coronavirus help line for patients who don't require hospitalization.

As of Saturday afternoon, there 19,180 total positive cases, including 1,293 new cases since Friday. The statewide death toll is at 677. This marks 81 additional deaths since Friday.

Illinois Department of Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, "I am lifting up the memory of every individual who is no longer with us."

"This Easter is different. Easter 2020 will go down in history as a completely different type of Easter," Ezike said.

"If there are churches that were planning to convene tomorrow please cancel now," she said. "We can't risk spreading the virus through this church congregation. We do have evidence of people who got sick through attending church and other similar gatherings. Let's not do that."

Free Emotional Support Text Line

Gov. Pritzker announced the start of a free emotional support text line, Call 4Calm for residents who have been experiencing emotional distress. Residents can text "TALK" to 552020 for to speak with a mental health counselor. Spanish-speaking residents can text "HABLAR" to 552020 for Spanish speakers. People who use the service will remain completely anonymous.

Residents can also text with key words, such as "unemployment," "food," or "shelter" to get more information about help with these issues.

Illinois Department of Human Services Assistant Secretary Kia Coleman said, "lives have been upended, children are home from school, adults are working remotely. Additionally, many adults are unable to work at all and people are scared."

"We would like Illinois Call 4Calm to be another resource to address these fears and concerns," Coleman said.

Remote Patient Monitoring Program

Health workers will now be able digitally connect with patients who may have coronavirus symptoms, but may not require hospitalization. The service, which will be available in southern and central Illinois Monday, will soon be expanded throughout Illinois.

Residents can call 833-673-5669 as of Monday for help with coronavirus symptoms. The service includes daily virtual visits, in addition to wellness kits with thermometers, blood pressure cuffs and alcohol wipes, Pritzker said.

He added that the service "will help limit the spread of the virus and keep hospitals from being overwhelmed."

Children's Town Hall Meeting

Gov. Pritzker plans to hold a 5 p.m. virtual town hall meeting with the Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR), the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, and Mikva Challenge to help kids understand coronavirus better.

You can tune in to the town hall at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Facebook page at 5 p.m.

Pritzker closed with an uplifting message for kids. He said, "The Easter Bunny is officially an essential worker and will be working tomorrow."