Changes to fall CTA U-Pass program, rising COVID case counts and vax reporting details for employees
And Chicago journalists warn against misinformation
Hey everyone!
Welcome to our 70th COVID-19 updates newsletter, brought to you by your team this week: Kate, Grace, Ally and Cam. As we get closer to the start of the school year, we’ll continue to provide you with the latest updates from DePaul administration about back-to-school policies, new developments with COVID case counts and headlines for Chicago and beyond.
Back-to-school policy updates — including changes to the U-Pass program
We’re one month away from the first day of classes and getting back to campus! Here’s what you need to know:
U-Pass Opt-In Program
Eligible students looking to take advantage of DePaul’s unlimited U-Pass program this fall quarter will now have to opt-in through this form. This program allows students unlimited use of the CTA trains and busses during each quarter for $105 per quarter, billed with tuition.
According to the opt-in form, students are eligible if they are in a “degree-seeking program, and enrolled full-time (12 credit hours for undergraduates and eight credit hours for graduates) and complete the opt-in form by the September 23 deadline.”
However, not all eligible students need to complete the opt-in form in order to enroll in the program. (Incoming freshmen, this is you!) All incoming freshmen are enrolled in either Discover or Explore Chicago classes, which utilize CTA transportation for class experiences, so they are opted-in to the program automatically. Freshman taking Discover and Explore courses online in the fall will be refunded after the 10th day of Autumn Quarter. Students enrolled in Discover will receive their U-Pass on the first day of class, and do not need to fill out any additional forms.
For more information about DePaul’s U-Pass program, visit the webpage.
DePaul Employee Vaccinations
DePaul announced on July 26 that all employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by September 3. Originally, employees would be subject to a random verification process to prove their vaccination status according to the July 26 announcement from the university. Today, August 9, the university announced that they will instead be using a “secure third-party platform” for employees to attest to their vaccination status. Employees will be able to quickly confirm their vaccination status and upload their vaccine card. More information will be released in the next few days via email and Newsline according to DePaul’s COVID-19 updates page.
Reminders
Masks are still required indoors at all times on campus, unless you are alone in an office with the door closed. The student center provides free disposable masks for students if you forget yours.
Students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated before returning to campus Fall Quarter. Students will need to upload proof of vaccination to Campus Connect before the quarter begins. This can be done by logging into Campus Connect > Student Resources > Immunization Status, and then entering the dates of your vaccinations and uploading a photo of your vaccination card. DePaul employees will need to be vaccinated by September 3. Students will need to be vaccinated before the 2021-2022 school year — September 8.
All COVID-19 updates and guidance from the university can be found here.
Chicago headlines
In an effort to curb the sharp increase of COVID-19 cases and keep doors of businesses open, at least 15 Chicago music venues are requiring attendees to be vaccinated as a requirement for entry to a concert or live performance. Block Club Chicago’s Joe Ward has the details.
While COVID-19 numbers soar, one bright side remains: 70% of Chicago adults and 50% of teens have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Stefano Esposito of the Chicago Sun-Times reports on the update.
One CPD officer was killed and two other people wounded in a gunfight on Saturday in West Englewood after a traffic stop. The officer who was killed, 29-year-old Ella French, was survived by her mother and brother. CPD Supt. David Brown refused to state why the individuals were pulled over. Kelly Bauer of Block Club Chicago.
More context:After news of the shooting broke over the weekend, outside news outlets and social media accounts began spreading misinformation regarding the shooting, stating that French left behind a two-month-old baby who was still breastfeeding (which is untrue, French had no children). Block Club Chicago’s Stephanie Lulay took to Twitter to caution readers against spreading misinformation and urged her followers to fact check sources and information found online.
National headlines
COVID-19 cases are on the rise, especially in the Sunshine State. The CDC reported that Florida encountered 23,903 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, which is the state’s highest rate of single-day cases since the start of the pandemic. Gov. Ron DeSantis maintains his executive order of prohibiting mask mandates in schools. Nearly one-fifth of the deadly COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are from Florida, Dustin Jones of NPR reports.
President Biden called for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation on Tuesday, after the New York Attorney General’s office released a report stating that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. This is the first time Biden has demanded Cuomo’s resignation after his March 16 statement to the media pending results of the investigation. Biden believes Cuomo will ultimately be prosecuted as well. Christina Wilkie of CNBC has the story.
Wildfires have continued to spread throughout parts of Greece for almost two weeks. Over 20 foreign countries have sent aid in the forms of firefighter help and donations. Multiple villages have been evacuated and the highest concern is currently surrounding Evia, the country’s second largest island. An extreme European heat wave appears to be the cause for the increased spread, but investigations are still pending. Thousands continue to be evacuated by ferry, reports Niki Kitsantonis of the New York Times.
The trial of R&B singer R. Kelly began today in Brooklyn, where the defendant has been charged with federal racketeering. Other pending charges include kidnapping and sexual exploitation of children. The federal and state cases in Illinois and Minnesota are on hold until the New York trial has concluded. Racketeering or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) cases are usually what members of street gangs or organized crime are prosecuted for. However, because of Kelly’s alleged 14 racketeering acts, the prosecution must show a continuation of a criminal enterprise. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges. Deanna Paul of the Wall Street Journal has the story.
Team USA brought home more gold medals and overall medals than any other country participating in the Olympic Games. The Tokyo closing ceremony concluded two weeks of competition for athletes around the globe. This marks Team USA having won the most medals in the Summer Games for seven consecutive Games, since 1996. Ben Church of CNN reported the story.
Recommendations
There’s a reason rock music is so popular — strong vocals, loud and fast drums, catchy guitar riffs that drive the song from start to finish, a thumping bass line that ties everything together. Pennsylvania-based Sheer Mag’s 2017 album Need to Feel Your Love has all of the components of a 1970s rock record paired with a 2010s indie tone, with growly vocals and pedal-laden guitar and bass runs. My favorite track off Need to Feel Your Love has to be either “Expect the Bayonet,” which feels to me like the perfect first-day-of-school song, or “(Say Goodbye To) Sophie Scholl,” the last track and a great way to play out the album.
Pair that with a collection of psychedelic-rock hits from Chicano Batman (like “Black Lipstick,” “Freedom is Free,” or their bilingual rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land”) and you’ve got a great set of songs to start your morning, jam out to while you’re cooking dinner or listen to on a run. | Cam Rodriguez
Resources
Rental Assistance
The Illinois Housing Development Authority periodically offers rental payment programs which send vouchers directly to landlords to subsidize rent costs. The program is currently closed to new applicants. However, housing stability service providers are offered year-round. Check out the resources here.
The City of Chicago’s Rental Assistance Program provides funding for Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless.
The Brave Space Alliance currently offers multiple housing resources. In order to distribute aid accordingly, they have a housing intake and assessment form that you can find here.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Resources
All of these testing sites and vaccination sites can be accessed for free and without insurance.
Howard Brown offers free, walk-in COVID-19 viral and antibody testing at multiple locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, in addition to mobile testing sites that are updated weekly. The organization also offers the Moderna vaccine for individuals 18 and older. You can check all of their current COVID-19 resources here.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and the city of Chicago offer free COVID-19 testing sites in the city and surrounding counties, which are listed with more information here. IDPH also offers COVID-19 vaccines to all residents 12 years and older. Call 833-621-1284 to schedule an appointment.
The city of Chicago partnered with the Community Organized Relief Effort to set up free drive-thru and walk-in testing sites in the city, primarily on the South and West sides, with appointments available Monday through Friday. Register here.
The city has also updated its COVID-19 testing program with more mobile sites, which change weekly. More info here.
Know someone 12 years of age or older who has yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccine? Check out appointments via Zocdoc, the city of Chicago’s Vaccine Finder or pharmacy websites such as Walgreens and CVS to see what is available in or around your ZIP code.
Mental Health Resources
At Open Counseling, there’s a list of people and nonprofits with counseling services available for free or low cost.
This website compiles mental health resources, including therapist directories and other online resources.
The Center on Halsted offers behavioral health, anti-violence and educational resources for LGBTQ+ people.
Howard Brown Health offers anti-racism resources and sliding scale counseling specializing in the LGBTQ+ community.
This document is a resource for Black people experiencing racial trauma. The master list includes specific resources as well as protesting tips and donation links.
This link is a directory of Black therapists in Chicago who provide services for under $75.
Here’s 7 virtual mental health resources supporting Black people right now, including Chicago-based community organization Sista Afya’s support groups.
The Trans Lifeline’s peer support hotline is a resource operated by transgender and nonbinary staffers for the trans community: 877-565-8860.
The Center for Religion and Psychotherapy in Chicago is a nonprofit that provides affordable, sliding-scale counseling. Call 312-263-4368, ext. 9081 to schedule an intake appointment (counseling is not religious-centered).
Thanks for reading this week! Have a great week, and we’ll be back in your inbox next Monday.
14 East Newsletter Team