217 Today: Thursday October 22, 2020

Thursday October 22, 2020

Today's headlines: 

• Illinois has developed its plan for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. As Sean Crawford reports, there are a lot of unknowns.

• Researchers at SIU are taking part in an effort to help further understand the novel coronavirus by sequencing its genome.

• The University of Illinois published the third version of its Illinois Climate Action Plan, or iCAP, this week, and it’s officially been signed by Chancellor Robert Jones. The sustainability plan includes steps for the Urbana-Champaign campus to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

• Officials in Vermilion County reported two more deaths from COVID-19 Wednesday, a man and woman, both in their 70s. Eleven people have died from the disease in Vermilion County. Officials there reported 37 new cases yesterday.

• In Macon County, officials reported one additional death from COVID-19 yesterday, the 52nd in that county.

In today's deeper dive, handling the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a mental health challenge for many people. Experts anticipate this winter will be even worse.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts and hosted by Brian Moline. Reporting today contributed by Sean Crawford, Steph Whiteside, Lecia Bushak, and Darian Benson.