Banned. Gov. Pritzker has forbidden radio talk show host Amy Jacobson from joining his daily media briefings, on grounds she sacrificed her status—in the words of Pritzker’s press secretary—“as an impartial journalist” by speaking at an anti-Pritzker rally “attended by people holding hateful Nazi imagery.”
■ Your Square publisher in 2017—and 1976: “Objectivity is a myth.”
On the one hand, he could die. On the other hand, he could die. Despite his own government’s warning that the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can prove fatal, President Trump says he’s taking it as protection against COVID-19.
■ Late into the night, CNN’s Oliver Darcy observes, Fox News’ hosts and doctors repeatedly contradicted one another as they discussed Trump’s decision.
■ Meanwhile, Vox reports: Georgia Republicans have canceled an election for that state’s Supreme Court, meaning the governor can simply appoint a Republican.
Fine point. Mayor Lightfoot said Chicago was ready to impose financial penalties on churches that violated stay-home rules.
■ Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington’s objection (cited in yesterday’s Chicago Public Square) to the state’s “nonessential” classification of church services comes under fire from Beachwood Reporter founder Steve Rhodes: “Public officials aren’t calling religion non-essential. It’s the dangerous gatherings—dangerous to those beyond the congregations—that are non-essential.” (Emphasis Square’s.)
Sports’ return? Some governors are warming to the idea of team sports’ revival—without fans in the stands.
■ … but he has an alternative. (Cartoon: Keith J. Taylor.)
■ Tribune critic Chris Jones hails “America’s first worthy Zoom play,” now streaming live and free.
■ Block Club Chicago details barbershops’ pandemic safeguards: “No walk-ins, no magazines, no blowouts.”
Ditka’s demise. The Gold Coast restaurant named for the ex-Bears coach is gone for good, killed by the coronavirus shutdown … and an expiring lease.
■ Massive layoffs at Uber Technologies cast a shadow over its plans to become a major tenant at Chicago’s renovated Old Post Office.
‘Disturbing.’ After a Monday morning explosion that sent smoke into the air over Lincoln Park, a Chicago alderman is calling for the permanent and immediate closure of the scrap plant where it happened.
■ Lightfoot concedes the city “should have done a better job” of letting Little Village residents know demolition was about to resume at the decommissioned coal plant that last month suffered a botched implosion.
Flood cleanup advice. Consumer Reports’ advice from January is timely again for Chicago.
■ Its recommended supplies list may ring a bell: N95 respirator, bleach …
■ The basement of Chicago’s tallest building, Willis Tower, flooded—knocking out power and putting some radio and TV stations off the air.
Can you touch the tomatoes? A University of Californa food virology researcher advises how to stay safe while grocery shopping.
■ Ribfest’s goose is cooked.
About that headline. Reader Deborah J. Wess takes issue with a headline in yesterday’s Chicago Public Square: “‘Glitch-slapped’? To this reader, wordplay on a sexist trope not funny, not appropriate.” Square stands chastened—and grateful for readers who write to help improve this service.