Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger Dads' Rights
  • Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case Chicago
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection Arthur Kallow
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners Blogger
  • Pekau diatribe expels residents Feb 5 2024 board meeting on ceasefire
    Chicago Union bosses embrace anti-Arab & anti-Muslim racism to fuel Fire District takeover Baby Boomers
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban Bill Lipinski
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day Blogger
  • Fentanyl drugs Courtesy of the DEA
    Five Defendants Charged in Federal Investigation Targeting Fentanyl Sales in Chicago Crime
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings Business
  • Stolen merchandise in the arrest of Isadore House by Cook County Sheriff 06-11-25
    Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered Chicago
  • Ray Hanania joins Thom Serafin on The Crisis Cast Podcast this week discussing presidential politics, journalism and how to understand Trump's reality TV persona style
    Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news Commentary
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Suburban Chicago Physician Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud Crime
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Congresswoman and Illinois native Lucy McBath endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate during Gun Violence Prevention Month Crime
  • Standup to growing anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism. Photo courtesy of human rights watch
    Chicago Federation of Labor criticized for racial bias against Arabs and Muslims Blogger
  • Orland Fire Protection District responds to fire in Orland Park Thursday Sept. 5, 2024. No injuries
    Orland Fire participates in Village Touch a Truck event June 12 Festival
Flags in Public Plaza. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Fear and dread in the USA

Posted on March 13, 2020March 20, 2020 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Fear and dread in the USA
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Fear and dread in the USA

Coronavirus is now all we think and talk about 

By Steve Metsch

“It’s the end of the world as we know it
It’s the end of the world as we know it” – R.E.M.

That song, released in 1997, was playing in my head this morning when I strolled through Menards in Hodgkins. I wasn’t there to hoard toilet paper or bottled water. I needed light bulbs, breakfast cereal and some snacks.

As I made my way around the store, I noticed it seemed more crowded than usual for a Friday morning, which is usually reserved for do-it-yourselfers. My wife had asked me to pick up some disinfectant wipes for you know what – the coronavirus – so I headed to that part of the store on the second floor.

En route, I met a friend named Andy who shook his head, smiled and said, “it’s like a movie.” Yeah, except there’s no Capt. Kirk and Mister Spock to save us.

Flags in Public Plaza. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Flags in Public Plaza. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

I was not surprised to see empty shelves behind signs that asked customers to limit themselves to a certain number of products, be they  wipes or hand sanitizer. I’d seen it the same barren shelves on Thursday when I visited six stores near our home. I did find hand sanitizer at one.

What I felt Thursday was the same thing I felt today. There was a definite underlying sense of dread, of impending doom, that we are all basically toast. Unsettling? You bet.

When I waved ahead of me in the checkout line a man buying two DVDs for his kids – kids who won’t have to attend school for weeks evidently – I said, “crazy, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” he replied, “it kind of reminds me of Y2K.”

Has it been 20 years since the world was going to end when computers would be so confused changing from 1999 to 2000 that they would turn off?

America survived. Just like America survived AIDS, two world wars, The Great Depression, 9-11 and leisure suits.

Kidding aside, this is very serious, despite friends of mine who compare it to the common flu. Right now it is 10 times deadlier than the flu.  But we’re not talking Captain Trips from Stephen King’s novel “The Stand,” with its 99.4 percent kill rate.

It will kill some, others will become very sick, some will be mildly bothered, some not at all. Those whose health is  already compromised, along with our senior citizens, are prime targets. We’ve got to be proactive. That’s why nearly every event that draws large crowds has been shut down. It’s an attempt to limit chances for the virus to spread.

Broadway is dark. The Archdiocese of Chicago closed its schools and churches.  Large sports league are idle. Even the NCAA Tournament is canceled. I have tickets to the Blackhawks-Wild game March 19. Was going to take my daughter. Not happening.

She’s returning home from the University of Illinois for spring break tonight. After break, she’ll probably still be here, attending her classes on-line like so many other college and university students nationwide. She plays club softball. The Illini are ranked No. 1 and probably won’t have a chance to win the national title in Georgia in May.

Did my wife and I chance fate attending the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament in St. Louis with thousands of fans March 6-8? We hit taverns, restaurants, the Soulard Farmers Market. We could have the virus. No coughs or fevers yet, touch wood.

The virus at its most recent count has infected 1,629 Americans that we know of, according to the CDC, which reports 41 deaths. I’m sure actual totals are much higher. Ohio thinks 100,000 residents may be infected in that state alone.

Yes, this has a surreal feel. I was thinking of seeing one of my favorite local bands, The Polkaholics, at Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., Chicago, tonight. Now, I’m debating if that is smart. Maybe I should play some of their CDs at home instead.

Our world has changed in a few days.

When I shopped at Menards today, passing some people I caught myself wondering “do they have it?” Yesterday at Charter Fitness, near the end of my workout, a guy on the exercise bike next to mine blew his nose. I fled although we are told a dry cough is a symptom.

Paranoid? Smart? Too cautious? I don’t know. “Better safe than sorry,” my mom would say. She’s 83. My father is 84. They are in relatively  good health, but I worry their seemingly endless tour of doctors’ offices endangers them.

I wake in the middle of night – 2:30 a.m. today – filled with dread. And that’s before I check my 401K. The virus is the first thing I think of when the alarm sounds, the last thing I think of before falling asleep. Bedtime includes a prayer for the world.

According to the World Health Organization, there are 132,758 confirmed cases globally, with 4,955 deaths. The vast majority of cases, 80,991, are in China. So are the most deaths, 3,180.

When will this all end? Your guess is as good at mine. Hopefully, this Halloween someone will dress as the coronavirus and we’ll all laugh.

We hear horror stories out of Italy. The Italian Civil Protection Agency said today that 250 people died in the past 24 hours, bringing the total there to 1,266, second only to China in fatalities. And then we hear great success stories  like Singapore which was extremely proactive against spreading the disease. I wonder why China didn’t tell us more about this virus sooner. Or why our spies didn’t say anything. Or did they?

President Trump, in denial just a few days ago telling us it will go away, declared a national emergency today, freeing up $50 billion to fight the coronavirus. That’s rare good news. Is it too little too late? What took him so long? Or will this help?

I don’t think this is the end of the world. I do think it’s a world changer like 9-11. Meanwhile, I still can’t shake that rockin’ tune playing on the radio station in my head. Hopefully, in eight weeks, nine weeks, 12 weeks – whenever we’re out of the woods – we will all sing the rest of that chorus with a smile.

“It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine” – R.E.M. 

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Commentary, Government, Health, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:CDC, china, Coronavirus, Italy, Menards, Polkaholics, Trump, Y2K

Post navigation

Previous Post: Radio Show: Illinois prepares to celebrate April Arab Heritage month
Next Post: Arab groups divided on Illinois 3rd Congressional District battle

Related Posts

  • Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Stratton takes backseat in Pritzker administration Blogger
  • Hollywood in Lyons News
  • Rev. Anthony Williams, courtesy of Ballotpedia
    Reverend to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush as independent Chicago
  • RoseMarie Lipinski with former Congressman Bill Lipinski at her graduation from Georgetown University. Photo courtesy of the Lipinski family
    RoseMarie Lipinski Foundation offers scholarship for women to attend college Bill Lipinski
  • Lyons SD 103 board boots member News
  • house fire on the 9100 block of 169th place in Orland Hills on the evening of March 18, 2022
    The Orland Fire Protection District is hiring Firefighters/Paramedics. Employment

More Related Articles

More than hot dogs food
Congressman Sean Casten Sean Casten defeats Marie Newman and will face-off with extremist Keith Pekau Cook County
Movie offers compelling story about TV's Fred Rogers A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood brings nostalgic memories to viewers Aaron Hanania
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Plan to Allow Leftover College Savings Funds to Be Used For Retirement Signed Into Law Education
Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout Cook County
Tammy Wendt gets sworn-in to office as Commissioner for the Cook COunty Board of Review for the 1st District on Dec. 7, 2020. Photo courtesy of Tammy Wendt Democrat Tammy Wendt sworn in to Board of Review Cook County

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • Pekau diatribe expels residents Feb 5 2024 board meeting on ceasefire
    Chicago Union bosses embrace anti-Arab & anti-Muslim racism to fuel Fire District takeover
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day
    June 12, 2025
  • Ray Hanania joins Thom Serafin on The Crisis Cast Podcast this week discussing presidential politics, journalism and how to understand Trump's reality TV persona style
    Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news
    June 11, 2025
  • NEWS
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger
    June 14, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case
    June 13, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves Hockey skate Past Rockford Icehogs 4 to 2
    February 23, 2025
  • Chicago Wolves player Andrew Poturalski. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. https://www.chicagowolves.com
    The Chicago Wolves dispatched the Iowa Wild 4-1 on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
    February 22, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger
    June 14, 2025
  • Stolen merchandise in the arrest of Isadore House by Cook County Sheriff 06-11-25
    Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered
    June 11, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme