Phase 1C rollout, DePaul intramural sports return and vax insights from the staff
Plus a chance to ride bumper cars at the Stu
Welcome, newsletter readers! We are back with updates on all things Chicago, DePaul and more on this Monday evening. It’s your weekly team – Francesca, Justin, Aneesah, Grace, Emmanuel, Cam and Claire – with some staff features about our COVID-19 vaccination appointments alongside all the rest. Let’s get into it:
First! We have just five days left of our 14 East and Friends 5-Year Anniversary fundraising campaign! If you haven’t donated yet, click on over to our Inspire DePaul fundraising page and be sure to share our campaign and donate, if you’re able.
14 East Staff Vaccination Insights
Currently, the city of Chicago is in Phase 1C of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which means that many nonessential frontline workers (including university employees!) and those under 65 with underlying conditions can be vaccinated in the city. In many parts of Illinois, anyone 16 and older is now eligible, too, which will expand to the entire state on April 12. Check out this update from the Chicago Tribune for more details about exactly who is eligible and where you can get the vaccine as of today.
1C opened up eligibility for many more residents, including many of yours truly at 14 East! Between media workers and university employees, many of our staff who live in the city have become eligible and gotten our shots in the past few weeks.
Still, as millions of people worldwide continue to safely get COVID-19 vaccines and supply increases every day, some remain hesitant or simply don’t know where to start the process. If you’re looking for where to start, check out our COVID-19 Vaccine Guide (in English and Spanish). We also thought it could be helpful for those of us on staff who have already gotten their first dose of Pfizer or Moderna or their one-time Johnson & Johnson (also known as Janssen) shot to share our own experiences for those who are interested in a more personal or anecdotal look into how the whole thing goes down:
Hannah Coyle
Somehow, I managed to secure an appointment with Walgreens across the street from my apartment. It was super quick and easy. I checked in, sat down, and within minutes the vaccine provider came out. She chatted with me, asking about my day and what I planned to do after I graduate from DePaul. As the girl next to me in the waiting space began to get her vaccine, she said she thought we had previously had a class together. We spent the 15-minute waiting period after we got the vaccine in nostalgia, as we figured out the class we had together was freshman year.
Aneesah Shealey
I got microchipped (just kidding, vaccinated) at Walgreens in Naperville last Thursday and I had a really positive experience! I had minor symptoms afterwards, which were slight arm pain, as well as a sore throat. I got my vaccine for three reasons: One, I want to do as much as I personally can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, as well as protect the health of my community. Two, I want to be able to visit my grandparents and other family members this summer. Even though I’m still a tad bit apprehensive about travelling through an airport, I’m less scared with a vaccine and a triple-layered mask (I got these cute ones from Kitsch). Three, in order for Hot Girl Summer to happen, we need Vaccinated Girl Spring. I’m 20 and am fiending to go out and share brunch and gossip with my girlfriends because it’s what I should be doing. I look forward to my second dose and I have a lot of hope for the coming months.
Justin Myers
My vaccine was hosted at the home of the UIC Flames: Credit Union 1 Arena. The facility was transformed into a medical clinic by UI Health and was run by its staff. After a quick temperature scan, I was led down a series of paths, which allowed for plenty of social distancing. UI Health personnel ushered me along the way. After confirming my identity, I was led to the area set up to receive my shot. I was then led into another space to wait for 15 minutes, after which I was able to leave. In total, the entire process took 20 minutes, including the 15-minute wait time. I encountered some soreness in my arm the next day but found that arm circles and active use of the arm helped in alleviating much of the pain. I also ran into some drowsiness, which lasted a few days before going away.
Francesca Mathewes
I got my first shot this morning! I had a bit of a hard time actually securing the appointment –– I’m not sure if I was missing the appointment releases, but it took me three or four days of pretty vigilant scanning online to lock one down at a CVS on 144th Street in Riverdale, which was the closest I was able to secure (a 20 minute Metra ride from my partner’s place in Hyde Park, where I planned to leave from). Before securing this shot, I got on the waitlist at a couple of Wal-Marts in the city, who keep a running list of people who can walk in for an appointment if they have cancellations (call the pharmacy!), as well as a waitlist for Howard Brown Health, which has weekend vaccination events. I also learned a lot about some of the ins and outs of this process from the Chicago Vaccine Hunters Facebook group (which sounds a little out there, I know). Despite my general hesitancy towards Facebook group information gathering, people actually seemed very helpful and the group is well-moderated. Definitely go in with a grain of salt, because it’s mostly anecdotal information, but it’s a good way to get questions answered quickly and there are even moderators actually signing people up for appointments on their own time.
I took the Metra to the CVS and got there about an hour early (I was worried about missing my appointment with the later train!). This was no problem, as they had a socially distanced seating area with lots of chairs and let me check in right away. The appointments seemed to be running about 15 minutes behind schedule, but the vaccination itself was completely smooth –– I was in and out of the booth in about 5 minutes. CVS has the Pfizer vaccine, and they automatically schedule your second appointment. I’m a few hours out and feel a little fatigued, with some arm soreness, but it’s all very manageable.
Cam Rodriguez
I got my first shot last Thursday at a golf club in my hometown, after weeks of trying to schedule appointments at different IDPH and Cook County sites, as well as sites at local CVS and Walgreens locations. Thankfully, through the Chicago Vaccine Hunters group on Facebook, I was connected to the link to sign up for a first-dose Pfizer appointment through Jewel, who facilitated the clinic.
I am prone to what’s called vasovagal syncope, which is fancy medical speak for “I pass out when I get shots or my blood drawn,” even though I’m not afraid of needles or vaccines! When I got to the station where I was going to be vaccinated, I let the pharmacist know that I tend to pass out. Instead of chancing it and sitting (and potentially falling over) while getting my vaccination, I was able to lie down in a semi-private area and receive my vaccination that way, which was a huge relief: I was super worried about potentially freaking out other people getting vaccinated. If you tend to pass out like me, or if you think you might, I’d own up to it — the person vaccinating me was grateful that I didn’t surprise her, and I was relieved that I didn’t leave with a bruise or two.
Do you have other questions about the vaccination process? Have something you want us to look into? Leave us a note on our COVID-19 Vaccine Reporting Google Form (in English and Spanish)
Chicago Headlines
As conversation of the proposed megadevelopment “The 78” continues, residents express concern over what a casino could mean for the community, Lynnea Domienik writes for South Side Weekly.
A week after the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo at the hands of CPD officers, few details have been revealed. Kelly Bauer of Block Club Chicago recaps today’s press conference between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPD Supt. David Brown.
Mercy Hospital on Chicago’s South Side is saved from closing as its sale finalized today and will remain in full service. Jamie Nesbitt Golden of Block Club has the story.
To finish off our Chicago headlines for this week, we have some good news. Beginning this past weekend and continuing this summer, each Saturday Paseo Boricua in Humboldt Park will host a mini fest to encourage safe community participation and celebrate the community’s Puerto Rican heritage, Mina Bloom of Block Club reports.
DePaul News
Join DePaul After Dark this Thursday, April 8, in person from 6 to 9 p.m. for a night of bumper cars at the Lincoln Park Student Center in room 120. This event is the first in a lineup of Spring Quarter opportunities to begin the transition back to on-campus student life.
If you plan to join OSI in your physical form, there are a few mandatory regulations to follow. First, masks must be worn at all times while on campus with mouths and noses completely covered. Free, individually sealed and packaged surgical masks are available at the student center for those in need of one. Second, an “all clear” message must be shown through the CampusClear app at the door to be admitted into the building.
Illinois is also in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan, which means that student organizations are now eligible to host on-campus events of their own. In order to be approved for this, the event must first be approved through DeHub. Special restrictions apply for these in-person events. Attendance cannot exceed 50 people or 50 percent of the room’s total capacity. Off-campus, in-person events are restricted to Cook County and the counties immediately surrounding it, and no overnight events are permitted.
Updates regarding on-campus student involvement may be found in the new Back to Campus Vodcast, a video series hosted by Courtney James on Mondays at 4:15 p.m. and featuring student organization leaders to keep students up to date on all news pertaining to the return back to campus.
In-person intramural sports are also returning this quarter, including outdoor soccer, softball and 4v4 flag football. New to DePaul intramural sports? You can learn how to get involved and stay updated here.
After a 20-year stint, John McEnroe announced his retirement from his role as faculty athletics representative at DePaul. Anna Marie Frank, former DePaul volleyball and gymnastics team member and associate professor of kinesiology, will assume the role on July 1. The faculty athletics representative is responsible for serving as co-chair to the athletic academic eligibility committee, as well as the NCAA academic representative for DePaul. They also communicate academic eligibility of students to faculty.
National Headlines
Inmates in a jail in St. Louis are again protesting their treatment in the St. Louis Justice Center, as well as their right to court dates. Videos shared on social media show inmates hanging out of windows and throwing chairs and other objects while shouting, “We want court dates!”
The death of a fan due to COVID-19 complications who attended the NCAA tournament has promoted increased contact tracing in Indiana related to the incident
Anthony Fauci says that the federal government has no plans to mandate vaccine passports, which would be a federally-backed credential indicating that someone is vaccinated and able to travel internationally.
Recommendations
I’m always looking for new cafes in Chicago, and as a self-proclaimed matcha latte connoisseur I tend to look for spots that feature a decent iced matcha. You can imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered that an entirely matcha-focused cafe had recently opened in Lincoln Park! Matchacita offers a variety of matcha-infused food and drink items from their signature “matchacita latte” to their matcha waffles and matcha-based smoothie bowls. Matcha not your thing? There’s still a number of menu items you can enjoy, with superfood smoothies, refreshing lemonades and iced teas and an array of toast options. The new spot, located at the corner of Belden & Lincoln, is open seven days a week for pickup and delivery. — Claire Malon
This weekend, I watched the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love with my girlfriend. I have seen this movie multiple times, but she hadn’t so I was interested to see her reaction. The movie undercuts traditional expectations in romantic movies through a montage of couples’ legs under the table and the awkward dinner scene between Julianne Moore and Steve Carell’s characters, who repeatedly defy rom-com character tropes. My girlfriend was the meme of Leonardo Dicaprio pointing straight ahead when she saw these two popular actors. The film either purposely wanted their star-studded cast undermining expectations or the actors understood that the film wasn’t your typical romantic movie. Finally, when the film reaches its climax in a hilarious cast get-together, the scene is hard to turn away from. It’s so awkwardly hilarious. –– Emmanuel Flores
Looking for a campus job? The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) is hiring! The UCWbL is seeking a diverse staff of students across all disciplines to help those at DePaul with their writing-based needs. If you want to work with amazing people, learn new skills and help other students, apply today! Applications are due Monday, April 19 at noon.
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 testing at multiple locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, in addition to mobile testing sites that are updated weekly, which you can access here.
The Illinois Department of Health and the City of Chicago have opened more free COVID-19 testing sites in the city and surrounding counties, which are listed with more information here.
In the spring, the City of Chicago partnered with CORE response 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.
Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine in Chicago? 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.
Today, the city opened up two new mass testing sites at Chicago State University and Wrigley Field
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/counselor directories and other online resources.
The Center on Halsted offers behavioral health, anti-violence and educational resources for LGBTQIA+ 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. This master list includes specific resources as well as protesting tips and donation links.
This link is a directory of Black therapists in Chicago.
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
And 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 extension 9081 to schedule an intake appointment (counseling is not religious-centered).
That’s all from us, this week! Stay safe, take care of yourselves and we’ll see you back here next week.
Francesca, Justin, Aneesah, Grace, Emmanuel, Cam and Claire