THEThe G Talk AndAZETTE- Cobden Review • ServingD UnionEMOCRAT County Since 1849 Thursday, October 15, 2020 Anna, Illinois ©2020 Reppert Publications $1.00 Volume 171, Number 44 News Union County again at COVID-19 warning level Southern Seven Health main vigilant to slow spread Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, which dividing the county case potential new cases (based Department reported on of the virus. led to an orange “Warning” count for seven days by on 29 positive cases) per Notes Friday, Oct. 9, that the Eight different indicators designation for the counties county population times 100,000 reported, up from Items of interest coronavirus disease/CO- are used to determine a for two categories: new 100,000. This describes the previous week of 96 from throughout VID-19 risk level in Union county’s designation. cases per 100,000 and Test the potential number of new potential cases (based the Union County area and Johnson counties had A county is considered at Positivity Percentage. people who are currently on 12 positive cases). changed from blue to or- the orange “Warning” level A warning for new case ill and may be infectious in The test positivity per- As of early this week, the ange on the Illinois De- when at least two of the rate indicates the rate is the county. centage for Johnson County Union County clerk’s office partment of Public Health, main indicators are going in greater than 50 cases per Union County had 196 was 12.4 percent out of 193 IDPH, County Level Risk 100,000 people. potential new cases (based reported that 701 people has the wrong direction. tests, up from 3.3 percent Metrics Map. A warning for test posi- on 33 positive cases) per cast early voting ballots for The health department out of 215 tests the previ- Southern Seven Health tivity indicates that the 100,000 reported, up from the Nov. 3 general election. ous week. Department also reported said that individuals, fami- percentage was above 8 the previous week of 113 *** lies and community groups Although Massac and From the website for the that Massac and Pulaski percent from the previous new potential cases (based counties remained orange should use this information seven-day period. on 19 positive cases). Pulaski counties both rec- National Weather Service to help inform their choices corded a decrease in the office in Paducah: “Temper- for another week. New cases per 100,000 The test positivity per- An orange designation about personal and family people rate is a unit of centage for Union County number of new cases and atures will drop well below indicates warning signs of gatherings, as well as what measure calculated as a was 9.1 percent out of 362 test positivity, the rates normal by Friday and stay increased COVID-19 risk activities they choose to do. rate to compare the number tests, up from 4.9 percent weren’t enough of a drop below normal through the in the community. Both Union and Johnson of cases in large and small out of 347 tests the previ- to remove the warning des- weekend. Some frost will The health advised that counties showed an increase counties. ous week. ignation. be possible over portions of residents are asked to re- in two risk metrics from The rate is calculated by Johnson County had 233 (continued on page 2) the region early Friday and Saturday.” *** 82 cases More than 1,200 Ameren customers were reported to have been without electric- reported ity last Saturday afternoon in areas including Anna, at Choate Jonesboro and Cobden. More than 80 confirmed *** COVID-19 cases had been The Great ShakeOut reported as of late last week earthquake drill is planned at the Choate Mental Health at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, and Developmental Center today, throughout Illinois. in Anna. The theme is “Drop, Cover In response to the out- and Hold On.” break, a joint statement *** was issued by State Sen. The Union County Dem- Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg; ocratic Party shared in an State Sen. Paul Schimpf, R- email last week that it con- Waterloo; State Rep. Terri tinues to lose 2020 election Bryant, R-Murphysboro; campaign signs on a daily State Rep. Patrick Wind- basis: “...mainly Biden/ horst, R-Metropolis; the Harris or Biden/Durbin but Illinois Department of Hu- also local signs as well.” As man Services, AFSCME of Oct. 6, at least 60 signs Council 31 and the Illinois had been taken. Nurses Association. The COVID-19 mobile testing in Anna *** statement follows: As COVID-19 continues to sweep across the region, Southern Seven Health Department encourages The health, safety, and Trick-or-treat hours are all residents to get tested, regardless of symptoms, especially if they have been in close contact with well-being of residents and planned from 5 p.m. to 7 someone who has tested positive. The health department noted in a news release that “it is through employees at Choate De- p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, testing that the health department can effectively track this disease and prevent its spread to our most velopmental Center are of vulnerable populations." in the City of Anna. Illi- the utmost importance. During September, Southern Seven Health Department held mobile COVID-19 testing events in five of nois Department of Public The 82 confirmed CO- the seven counties it serves. A total of 382 people were tested. The health department scheduled three Health guidelines will be VID-19 cases in the last more drive-thru mobile testing events in the region during early October. A drive-thru mobile testing followed for safety. ten days, among 45 Cho- event was held Friday, Oct. 9, at the health department’s public health clinic along Lick Creek Road in *** ate Developmental Center Anna. By noon, more than 30 tests had been administered. The Illinois Department of Public Health and Businesses in downtown (continued on page 2) Southern Seven Health Department hosted the testing event. Anna and on the Jonesboro Square are planning to have trick-or-treat hours from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Former Congressman calls for unity, end to violence Oct. 24. By Benjamin Marxer oration called for citizens those freedoms are never just and lasting peace for for justice, with violence,“ *** Former Southern Illi- to take a stand against in- lost to any of our people,” ourselves in all nations.’“ said Poshard. The City of Anna is plan- nois Congressman Glenn justice and violence. said Poshard. “That’s leadership,” con- “Those voices are wrong. ning to offer leaf pick up Poshard has taken to the “As long as there is in- “It doesn’t matter the tinued Poshard. “That’s Because we can never get during the week of Nov. streets and sidewalks of equality among our people, race, religion, ethnicity, what leadership is about. to the guarantees of that 2-6. Those who would like as long as anyone is being the politics, we are Ameri- declaration, of equality, Southern Illinois, calling Compassion. Caring. For- to have leaves picked up are denied justice and the free- cans.” freedom, justice, mercy, for a return to peace, unity giving. It’s being Ameri- asked to contact Anna City dom to peruse life, liberty Quoting from Lincoln’s we will never get there and civility amongst a bit- can.” Hall by Oct. 28. terly divided state and na- and happiness, as long as second inaugural address, through violence. Violence these children, the next gen- Poshard said, “’With malice “Please, silence the voice will never get us to where (continued on page 2) tion. of violence. It doesn’t mat- Throughout the month eration, our generation, are toward none, with charity those principals live. It can being denied the freedoms for all, let us go forth to bind ter where the voice comes only be done through non- of October, Poshard has that are a gift to us from up the nation’s wounds, to from, be it the podium of violence.” scheduled “silent marches” our forefathers, then, as Mr. care for him who has borne the highest office in the Poshard’s silent marchers in front of the courthouses Lincoln said, it is an unfin- the battle, for his widow, land, or on the streets where are scheduled through Oct of each of 39 counties he ished work that we must and his orphans, to do all people divert the peace pro- 22, concluding in St. Clair represented during his time address, to make sure that that we can do to insure a cess, the process of protest County. in Congress. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Poshard’s tour brought him to the Union County Court- house in Jonesboro. With signs promoting non-violence, kindness and togetherness, Poshard led marchers in a non-partisan appeal to end the strife be- tween political ideologies and the violence that has arisen from those divisions. Masks and social dis- tancing standards were ob- served by participants in the event. “We have to take it upon ourselves to be the kind of citizens that democracy re- quires,” said Poshard in ad- dressing the assembly “We have to speak out against the violence.” Incorporating famous March at Union County Courthouse speeches from Presidents During October, former Southern Illinois Congressman Glenn Poshard is leading “silent marches” Lincoln and Kennedy, as throughout the region in a call for a return to peace, unity and civility during a tumultuous time in the well as the Declaration of nation’s history. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Poshard, left, led a march at the Union County Courthouse in Independence, Poshard’s Jonesboro.