Perspectives: Is It Time to Ease COVID-19 Closures?

The city of Harrisburg in Southern Illinois considered defying the governor’s extended stay-at-home order by allowing some businesses to open, such as hair and nail salons. But instead Mayor John McPeek and the city council pushed for a letter-writing campaign, encouraging residents to ask Gov. J.B. Pritzker to loosen restrictions. 

It’s just one example of a growing divide in some more rural areas of the state in recent weeks, where a handful of Republican legislators have called for a regional approach that would allow less populated areas of Illinois to open up, with some restrictions. 

Pritzker has said he’s willing to consider that in the coming weeks.

For two perspectives on COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders, we speak with a struggling business owner and a county health department official.

Guests:

Kim Gibbs, owner of Mancave Barbershop in Harrisburg

Danielle Walls, community health educator, Ford County Public Health Department