In a little over a month, the Corona Virus (COVID-19) has dramatically changed our way of life.  Worldwide, many people have been infected, some have died.  On what is hoped to be a temporary basis, businesses and schools have closed, sports venues are vacant, movie theaters are largely empty, restaurants have closed or are restricting business to carry-out and/or delivery, we are regularly washing our hands and using hand sanitizer, and we are doing something that we hadn't even heard of 2 months ago...social distancing.  

As we look forward and hope that we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we could all use some optimism to buoy our attitudes and ward off depression.  This is your opportunity to let us know how you're coping with this situation...perhaps getting closer with your family or friends as you spend more time at home...making the best of a difficult situation.  

Tell us your stories.  We're all in this together.

Good work, Fred! 

My state rep Kelley Cassidy notified us via e-mail of a supply drive by Swedish Coventent Hospital near Foster and California in Chicago.  I registered what I wanted to donate - leftover plastic gloves and some body wash left over from my caring for my husband Pat - and they said yes, so yesterday I drove over and delivered to a masked worker outside their emergency room.  Good way to help!

A friend's child who is just 25 has the virus and has been feeling miserable for almost 2 weeks!  But he hasn't taken me up on my offer of chicken soup. 

However, getting this virus is NO JOKE!  It can affect the lungs.  Also, a goodly percentage of hospitalized patients are younger people, like 20-50!  So warn any youngsters you know! 

Also, some younger sufferers lose sense of smell and taste - this is believed to be temporary, fortunately.

The virus is probably effecting everyone and is a game changer. Janet and I left Fla early this year and got back to our Wis house in late March. As of March 26, we have 1 confirmed case in Waupaca County and no deaths yet. But Milwaukee City is hard hit. My niece and her husband are ER nurses and very concerned over the lack of PPE. Rest of kids and families are ok so far. I do alot of work for my ASHRAE professional society and we have seen lots of changes. No physical meetings. Period. Our society used to have alot of them. We are switching to e-webinars and e-meetings. I am training another niece to setup and run these meetings since her former job as a hotel sales manager may be gone for some time. This is a forced conversion from physical to digital meetings. Once folks do it, I wonder how much it will catch on. It saves a ton of travel cost and time. IF and that is a big IF it can accomplish the ''objective", budget dollars will shift from travel to digital meetings. My nephew does data center commissioning of new data centers and their firm obtained a huge amount of new business in the last two weeks.

Am looking to see things get back to the (new) normal but suspect it will take awhile.

Stay well all. And follow the social isolation rules. (At least until we all get N95 masks like they now seem to have in China hot zones.)

Steve Simmonds just provided the following COVID-19 info that he says was published by Johns Hopkins University:

* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.

* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).

By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.

* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.

* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.

* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.

* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.

* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only
-between 3 hours (fabric and porous),
-4 hours (copper and wood)
-24 hours (cardboard),
- 42 hours (metal) and
-72 hours (plastic).

But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.

* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.

They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.

* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.

* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.

* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.

* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.

* You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.

* You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

 

Don Hall provided the following link to COVID-19 information provided by the U.S. Naval War College:

https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=civmilresponse-program-sims-uo-2019

I saw this on TV the other night and had to look it up online. Ignore for a minute who this ad is for--WOW!

Like many of you who live in Lake County, Illinois, I received my property tax bill today.  I was disappointed to find that, once again, my taxes had increased in spite of the diminished value of my home...but that's a discussion for another day. 

The reason for today's post is to raise the question of whether there should be a property tax moratorium...or at least a temporary reduction (say 50%) in consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 situation on people's income (hence, their ability to pay their property taxes).  There are many issues to consider, not the least of which is:  Are the organizations and institutions that receive the benefit of property taxes still functioning during this period?  Consider that over 75% of my property taxes goes to local educational institutions, all of which have reduced or no operations at this time.

I'd be very interested in the thoughts of my classmates on this matter, especially those of my classmates that may be in the educational system or in public service.  I could use some education on this subject (no pun intended).

Fred,

The first thing I noticed in your remarks is that your property value had declined while the amount taxed on your property had increased.  Essentially, that means the "taxing rate" applied to your property allocated by the County was adjusted upward to maintain or increase (per the property extention tax law...PTEL) the various taxing bodies budgets that are part of your taxing rate for the next fiscal year.  Having been the Superintendent of a taxing body (our taxing rate was part of the County's rate), every thing is based on the equalized assessed valuation (EAV) of all commercial/farm/residential properities on the tax rolls per each Township within the County in which you reside.  Other sources such as sales taxes, assessments, fees and the like I won't address.  It is incumbent on every taxpayer/landowner to become familiar with how your property is assessed (value determination for taxing purposes) by the Township in which you reside.  Each year if you feel your property value (per the Township Assessor) is higher than what you deem reasonable, you must challenge that amount following their procedures which may require, eventually, a hearing before the County Assement Appeals Board.  If you want to decrease your taxes you must decrease your assessed valuation to protect against an increasing taxing rate.  This process is typically laid out in the County Supervisor of Assessments webpage and on the Township webpage that applies to you.  Start your "education" there as the budgeting, assessment and the levy extention process (which determines your "taxing rate") is complex and is the basis for everything...most people, unless an official in local/state government, are clueless.  Key: learn how to challenge your property assessment.

As to the second part, you must understand the first to be able to follow the second.  On a very big picture, if the taxing body (school district, for example) which composes part of your composite (many taxing bodies are with a single taxing rate) taxing rate has the same budget or increases for the coming fiscal year and the total assessed valuation, EAV, of all properties is level or declines, the taxing rate applied all properties and your property must go up.  This has been the major problem of taxing bodies since 2008...lower valuations yet higher taxes paid.  Since large school districts often compose 50-70 % of taxing levies, your situation is apt.  Unless the school district finds (the state of Illinois funding more of local education vice property taxes) new sources of revenue or cuts budgets, your only solution is to challenge your property assessment and/or make sure you're taking all the exemptions (Senior/Homestead) authorized.  This is similiar to the above, but focused on the school district.

Finally, you will have to follow the budgeting process of the school district (and every taxing body in your taxing rate) to be able to answer many of the questions you poise.  Since you are the customer/client that provides (either totaly or partially) the revenue through mostly property taxes for each taxing body, there's no escaping the dilema you're facing...declining income and property values of individuals, businesses and farms that provide, through taxes, revenues for governmental units whose costs have not diminished.  Unless, as a result of this pandemic, the taxing bodies have reduced their costs/services, there is no way to ease the eventual pain.  Business bankrutcy affords a re-baseling for failing businesses to re-align their costs...for governmental units relying on property taxes, given all the economic problems (present and past) facing Illinois, I don't see any easy solutions.  As to tax moratoriums, if the taxing bodies haven't reduced their current costs...no way that's going to happen.  Many of the governmental employees are working from home...they're still on the payroll.  This is a cascading economic problem that trickles down to the base which is ultimately the land/home owner, business person and farmer who provide the sources of revenue for all governmental units that have the power to tax.  Maybe this is a wake-up call for the Nation?

Don, I think you touched on what is really the heart of the issue in the current pandemic climate; namely, shouldn't government and educational institutions be required to reduce costs in order to reduce the property tax burden on homeowners, many of whom are facing reduced income from which they are to pay their taxes?  

Fred,

Theoretically, yes...practically, I doubt it will happen (ie., reducing the tax burden of governments due to economic hardship unless there is a public outcry).  Taxes are the lifeblood of units of government at all levels and the executive, legislative and judical bodies that run them.  Units of government (that includes a public school district) provide services that are essential according to our federal and state constitution and implementing statutes to include the election or appointment of people to represent us and the means (monetarily) to run them.  Those means are taxes or fees ordained (that's why they're called "ordinances") imposed by those we elect or appointed by those we elect.  There is a presumption that those we elect are acting rationally for the "common good."  In today's culture, governmental bodies have taken on more roles and responsibilties (some refer to that as "progressivism")  that were ever imagined and in so doing require more and more taxes to provide those services and pay folks to implement them.  Once you provide the service, it's hard to take it away and politically, elected officals, in the mainstream, are rewarded for these additions (interestingly, it's "incumbent" to keep them).  Again, unless there is a public outcry and a willingness to curtail some services provided by governmental units...the financially burdened will suffer...there are no practical means by which to reduce government and the dependencies that they have created other than at the ballot box or constitutional conventions.

On the other hand, in commercial business or the free enterprise system as opposed to government, sales (or revenue like taxes) are the lifeblood of a successful venture that provides a desired (vice essential) service or product.   If a business fails to makes sales due to the lack of interest/need/subsitution/innovation or over prices the service/product...that business goes away or what is called "creative destruction" until someone else comes up with a better idea.  When a person finds a better/cheaper way that saves the company money and increases sales...rewards typically follow.   Governmental units don't go away...look at how difficult it has been to reduce the number of units of government in Illinois by consolidating/eliminating Townships or school districts.  The big challenge, as I see it, is determining the essential governmental services and to find ways to provide them more economically....or, maybe "farm" them out to commercial entreprise.  It's about reducing the tax burden while incentivising the units of government and their elected officials to do that.  How do you incentivise governmental units?   What if elected officials had performance factors that required them to reduce taxes while increasing or eliminating non-essential services...assuming these could be measured, then publicize them when electeds are up for re-election.  If lack of sales are the demise of businesses; then, maybe the lack of reduced tax burdens should be the demise of elected officials of governmental units during times of economic hardship?

One classmate's experience of living with COVID-19.  To celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary we scheduled a Rocky Mountaineer traing trip in April 2020.  Along came COVID-19 which canceled out trip.  It got rescheduled for Oct 2020 and then again to April 2021.  Both of which got canceled 7 rescheduled.  We finally got to take our celebratory trip 2-11 Oct 2021.

I must say the Canadians are way ahead of the US in their COVID-19 fight.  We had to be COVID-19 tested with 72 hrs of boarding our flight to Canada and screened on-line by Health Canada.  We were tested again the night before we boarded our train.  We had to show our vaccine card & photo id upon enetering any restaurant.  And everybody wore masks when inside any building.