Beginning at 5pm Saturday March 21st, residents of Illinois are to stay at home to prevent the further spread of coronavirus COVID-19.

Governor J.B. Pritzker held his daily press conference at 3pm and announced the official order.  For many, we’ll be living the same way we have over the course of the last week.  People are still allowed to grocery stores, pharmacies, walk their dogs, jog, etc.  Essential workers such as nurses, doctors, grocery store employees, restaurant delivery people, sanitation workers, police, firefighters, etc. are have free range to do their jobs.  Everyone is strongly encouraged to avoid leaving home unless necessary.  Oak Park started a day early, declaring a shelter-in-place edict beginning Friday morning.

Police will enforce the new rules, if necessary.  Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot made it clear, however, that the onus is mostly on us as citizens to be honorable in this regard.  Stay inside to protect your fellow man and slow the spread of the virus.

Last night I participated in a Google hang with my closest friends.  We drank together and laughed for several hours.  It provided some much need socialization.  The solitude and/or home schooling of children is stressing everyone greatly.

I was somewhat fearful that today would mark the end of restaurants providing delivery.  Just before Pritzker started his announcement, I decided my last (or so I feared) meal would be from our podcast network sponsor and Lettuce Entertain You establishment Quality Crab & Oyster Bah.  I got two meals and gave an excessive tip, as has become customary as delivery people are out there keeping us all fed.

I ordered the salmon with broccoli, because I’ve been eating very unhealthy stuff since this whole thing started.  But I did yoga via a local Bucktown resident’s YouTube channel today, so I felt something good for me was in order.  I put the fried chicken dinner in the fridge for tomorrow.