'Too Soon' And 'The Village Is Trippin'' Win Patch COVID-19 Poll

OAK LAWN, IL — 178 readers took our “scientific” Twitter poll in which we asked if they agreed with Oak Lawn’s decision to move forward with an in-person Fourth of July Parade and summer concerts soon after the lockdown.

The Village of Oak Lawn announced last week that it would proceed with the parade and concerts on the village green.

Apparently, 57.3 percent of poll takers thought it was too soon to be gathering for these events as the state enters Phase 4 of Illinois’s revitalization plan after months of self-isolation during the coronavirus shutdown. Another 12.9 percent thought the “village is trippin’.”

>>> Will COVID-19 Keep You Away From OL's July 4th Parade & Concerts?

On the flip side, 28.1 percent who took the poll thought it was time to get back to normal, and 1.7 percent said they were bored.

During his news conference on Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois has done better than most other highly populated states in dampening down the virus’s spread, although new COVID-19 cases edged up a tick after holding steady at 2 percent for the last week. With Illinois poised to reopen to more activities on Friday, Pritzker said he’ll be quick to move a region back if “we see a surge.”

Nationally, new cases are at an all-time high after falling steadily for weeks, largely driven by spikes in states that have flaunted CDC guidance on mask-wearing and social distancing.

Texas, Florida and California led the way, with all three states reporting more than 5,000 new cases apiece. More young people are becoming infected, putting themselves at greater risk and older people over 60 who may cross their path.

Three Republican governors put the brakes on their respective states’ reopening plans in Texas, Utah and Arizona on Thursday. And, Republican governors and Trump allies in key battleground states — Texas, Arizona and Florida — in the upcoming presidential election have broken with the White House and are now telling constituents to wear face masks and practice social distancing, as reported in POLITICO.

Cases are also climbing rapidly among young adults in a number of states where bars, stores and restaurants have reopened — a shift that not only puts them in greater peril but poses an even bigger danger to older people who cross their paths.

As for Oak Lawn, wear a face covering, wash your hands and stock up on the hand sanitizer. Don't dance too close to the stage and give the coronavirus to Five Guys Named Moe.