The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Friday December 4, 2020

Olivia Butts
 
Dr. Shane Wilson talks with patient Doug Freburg while performing rounds in a portion of Scotland County Hospital set up to isolate and treat COVID-19 patients Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, in Memphis, Mo. The tiny hospital in rural northeast Missouri is seeing an alarming increase in coronavirus cases.

Dr. Shane Wilson talks with patient Doug Freburg while performing rounds in a portion of Scotland County Hospital set up to isolate and treat COVID-19 patients Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, in Memphis, Mo. The tiny hospital in rural northeast Missouri is seeing an alarming increase in coronavirus cases. Jeff Roberson/AP

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Friday December 4, 2020

Today’s headlines:

  • Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger is blaming Democratic Governor JB Pritzker for not controlling a fatal COVID outbreak at an Illinois veterans’ home.

  • Illinois’ blood supply is again experiencing a critical shortage as the Coronavirus pandemic wears on.

  • State health officials announced nearly 11,000 new COVID-19 cases yesterday and almost 200 additional deaths. 

  • Farmers are feeling more pessimistic in the aftermath of the presidential election.

In today’s deep dive, more than 80% of all ICU beds are now occupied according to data from the state’s department of public health. That’s raising concerns about hospitals potentially filling up in the coming weeks. Illinois Newsroom's Christine Herman talks with an emergency room doctor.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today contributed by Dave McKinney, Hannah Meisel, Dana Cronin, and Christine Herman.