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

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
    • Submit a Press Release
  • 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
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • EVENTS
  • Toggle search form
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    New tool shows where property tax dollars go and informs fed up taxpayers Blogger
  • Home fire in Cicero impacts 14 families at 16th And Austin Avenue. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero
    President Dominick, Town Board organize drive to help families impacted by Friday’s fire Cook County
  • Thanksgiving Turkey. hoto courtesy of Unsplash. Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash.
    Is Thanksgiving and Christmas about celebration, or just about the money? Baby Boomers
  • Raymond Lopez, 15th Ward Chicago Alderman, files for Congress in the March 19, 2023 Democratic Primary for the 4th District, Illinois
    Raymond Lopez, A Democrat Who Delivers, Files for Congress Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Treasurer Maria Pappas unveils online tool detailing property tax spending as Dec. 1 tax due date looms Chicago
  • 2023 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set®Available on November 28, 2023
    2023 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set®Available on November 28 Baby Boomers
  • U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Citizens Against Government Waste Names Sen. Dick Durbin November 2023 Porker of the Month Economy
  • US Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican from Kentucky, sponsor of bill to eliminate double taxation on Social Security
    Vote against any member of Congress who doesn’t support this Social Security protection bill Baby Boomers
  • Andi Gladwin performs magic at The Rhapsody Theater through Nov. 19, 2023. Photo courtesy of The Rhapsody Theater
    Unveiling Wonder: Andi Gladwin’s “SHUFFLED” Delivers an Unforgettable Night of Magic at The Rhapsody Theater in Chicago Aaron Hanania
  • Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart talks with volunteers during a cleanup of the Deer Creek River in Ford Heights Village Friday Nov. 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of Sheriff Tom Dart
    Sheriff Dart and Friends of the Chicago River Join Forces to Cook County
  • Photo courtesy of the Lyons Democratic Organization
    Illinois Provides Important Resources for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Illinois Legislature
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Black Men United cohost veterans event at Hines VA Hospital Cook County
  • the second annual Stagg High School Vocational Fair featured Professionals who spent the day on November 7, 2023 discussing their careers with interested students, as well as detailing their career paths and available training. Photo courtesy of Stagg High school and District 230
    Stagg High School hosts massive Vocational Fair Education
  • Flags in Public Plaza. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Illinois ranks in bottom five in study of Best and Worst states for veteran care Civil Rights
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    What can America do with $14.3 billion? Baby Boomers
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau at the Bike Ride for the Special Olympics Aug. 30 hosted by the Orland Park Police Department is the only person in the village photo that is not wearing a mask. Photo courtesy of the Orland Park Police Department.

Orland Park COVID-19 cases doubled in past 60 days

Posted on September 2, 2020October 6, 2020 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Orland Park COVID-19 cases doubled in past 60 days
SHARE THIS STORY
361           
 
  
361
Shares

Loading

Opinion: Orland Park COVID-19 cases doubled in past 60 days

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is nurturing an environment which is dismissing the threat of the Coronavirus COVID-19 and reports from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Pekau, who apparently has a resistance to wearing a face mask, has argued that the rise in COVID-19 cases in Orland Park is due to the rise in testing. But only a portion of the village residents have been tested which means that the actual infection rates are probably far higher

By Ray Hanania

While Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to resist the wearing of face masks — his small group of supporters insist that it is an infringement on their Constitutional Rights — the numbers of  Coronavirus COVID-19 infections continue to rise in the village.

According to data collected by the Illinois Department of Public Health, there are a total of 1,074 infections in Orland Park in Zip Codes 60462 and 60467, as of Sept. 1, 2020.

That shows a steady and continued climb of 50 percent every month since July 1, when the IDPH recorded 530 confirmed cases and August 1 when the numbers increase by 50 percent to 781. The confirmed COVID-19 cases have more than doubled in the past 60 days.

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau at a bike ride fundraiser hosted by the Orland Park Police Department is the only person in the village photo that is not wearing a mask. Photo courtesy of the Orland Park Police Department.
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau at the Bike Ride for the Special Olympics Aug. 30 hosted by the Orland Park Police Department is the only person in the village photo that is not wearing a mask. Photo courtesy of the Orland Park Police Department.

Pekau has asserted in numerous political videos posted on the Village YouTube Channel that the cause of the increasing numbers is the rise in COVID-19 testing.

In his August 14, 2020 YouTube video chat with the public, Pekau said, “Cases are what we regularly hear about from press and from the governor. For me, cases do not really tell the story for several reasons. The sheer number of tests. The more we test the more cases we have.”

His conclusion from his assertion seems clear: if there was no testing there wouldn’t be any infections, apparently. His extremist view is irresponsible.

In truth, testing helps the village know the full extent of the infection, rather than burying your head in the sand of political selfishness.

===================

In a recent photo of a Bike Ride for Special Olympics hosted by the Orland Park Police Department on Sunday August 30, 2020, Mayor Pekau was pictured filling out a form surrounded by other residents and attendees. He was the only person in the photo not wearing a face mask. But Pekau did have the equipment used by bike riders that one might argue isn’t really necessary to wear in order to ride a bike. Pekau wears the equipment to safely ride a bike, not a face mask to safely navigate the pandemic.

===================

The worst part of this debate is that “testing” is only a partial indicator of how bad things really are in Orland Park when it comes to the spread of this deadly pandemic.

The testing Pekau refers to only reflects a small percentage of residents who have gone out of their way to get tested for the virus. That means that residents of Orland Park really have no idea how serious the COVID-19 pandemic is because the vast majority of residents have not been tested, despite Mayor Pekau’s insinuation that infection numbers are not as important as other factors.

In fact, Orland Park has a population of 58,312 residents (as of 2018) — it’s probably more like 60,000 today. The IDPH reports that only 9,769 residents in zip code 60462 and 5,373 residents in 60467 have been tested. That means that only 15,144 residents of the estimated 60,000 total residents have been tested.

That means that the infection numbers only reflect the testing of 25 percent of the residents. If the pattern of infection reflects a steady spread through Orland Park — many employees at the Village of Orland Park have tested positive for COVID-19 already for example — then the real current infection rate as of today could actually be 4 times greater, or about 4,300, and rising.

The truth is that the presence of COVID-19 in the Orland Park population is not just a threat to those who have it but to those who do not have it, especially for senior citizens and residents who have pre-existing conditions who are most susceptible to getting the deadly virus infection.

In my opinion, the mayor of any community should be wearing a face mask when in public — understanding that it can be taken off to give speeches at rallies and events as most are doing. But wearing it sets an example for all to follow. Not in Orland Park, however.

In a recent photo of a Bike Ride for Special Olympics hosted by the Orland Park Police Department on Sunday August 30, 2020, Mayor Pekau was pictured filling out a form surrounded by other residents and attendees. He was the only person in the photo not wearing a face mask. But Pekau did have the equipment used by bike riders that one might argue isn’t really necessary to wear in order to ride a bike. Pekau wears the equipment to safely ride a bike, not a face mask to safely navigate the pandemic.

There is no doubt that Pekau embraces the extreme conservative view on coronavirus, that it is a government-driven exploitation of a typical ailment like the flu virus that is being exploited to deny Constitutional rights to those residents. They view it as an infringement on their rights, despite the fact that the United States shows the highest and worst rate of infections in the world.

Johns Hopkins University and Medical Center shows that the United States has 6.1 million COVID-19 infection cases of the world’s 26 million total confirmed cases. Johns Hopkins reports about 900,000 deaths worldwide from COVID-19, with 185,000 deaths in the United States, the highest of any other country.

Cook County, because of the presence of Chicago, ranks as having the 4th highest death rate of all counties in America, or 5,065 deaths trailing only Queens County, Los Angeles County, and Kings County in New York. In fact, nine of the 11 top coronavirus deaths are in New York. But Illinois and Cook County are not far behind.

Pekau may wish that Orland Park was not in Cook County. But the truth is that a large number of Orland Park residents are employed by companies located in Chicago where the bulk of the infections are located. Those who are still going to work — Orland Park has led the fight to ease restrictions against the spread of the pandemic — are potentially bringing back infections to the community.

Without proper protections, the virus can spread more easily, a commonsense aspect that has escaped Pekau’s selfish political agenda and policies.

Requiring face masks — which is what most responsible businesses are doing — is an added safeguard that along with social distancing and washing your hands and areas of contact can held stop the spread of the deadly virus.

It would be great if Mayor Pekau set aside his twisted and extreme political beliefs to make the concerns of the public in this pandemic a higher priority.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Is Thanksgiving and Christmas about celebration, or just about the money? - December 1, 2023
  • Raymond Lopez, A Democrat Who Delivers, Files for Congress - November 29, 2023
  • Treasurer Maria Pappas unveils online tool detailing property tax spending as Dec. 1 tax due date looms - November 28, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
361           
 
  
361
Shares
 
361
Shares
 
 
 361         
Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, Politics, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Coronavirus, COVID-19, face masks, infections, infections doubled in past 60 days, infections increase 50 percent, Mayor Keith Pekau, not wearing face masks, Orland Park

Post navigation

Previous Post: Federal charges filed against 74 in Portland protest violence
Next Post: Madigan slams Republican leadership for hypocrisy and failing to lead

Related Posts

  • CERT trainees take instruction from Lt. Bill Leddin and Engineer Tom Rafferty on how to properly apply a tourniquet to an injured limb in a 2016 training. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
    New Emergency Training Classes set by Orland Fire District Baby Boomers
  • Double Eagles News
  • Summit OKs school crossing improvements News
  • RTA Pace Bus No 2682 Photo courtesy Wikipedia
    RTA rolls out Summer Campaign, encourages riders to show “We Can All Agree on Transit” Government
  • Foxx policies punish police rather than the criminals Blogger
  • Russian soldiers in front of the Kremlin. Photo courtesy of Steve hHarvey, LrwMuJNTIA unsplash
    Biden administration exposes how Iran is aiding Russia in Ukraine war Government

More Related Articles

Jim Garrett, president CEO of Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, donates $1 to buy the site to park board president Marie Ryan and Sen. Hastings Parkland for the future: convert Tinley Park Mental Health Center to recreational center News
Pekau clamps down on democracy, plays victim card again Blogger
Emergency Alert sent by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on March 26, 2020 at 7:446 pm to every cell phone customer in Northern Illinois including in the Cook County Suburbs. Trump declares Illinois a Major Disaster Area breaking news
Pritzker’s assault weapons ban not enough to make law abiding citizens safe Blogger
Scottish Festival 2018, Itasca Chicagoland to celebrate Scottish culture and history Events
2-25 does not add up Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    New tool shows where property tax dollars go and informs fed up taxpayers
    December 3, 2023
  • Thanksgiving Turkey. hoto courtesy of Unsplash. Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash.
    Is Thanksgiving and Christmas about celebration, or just about the money?
    December 1, 2023
  • US Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican from Kentucky, sponsor of bill to eliminate double taxation on Social Security
    Vote against any member of Congress who doesn’t support this Social Security protection bill
    November 17, 2023
  • Andi Gladwin performs magic at The Rhapsody Theater through Nov. 19, 2023. Photo courtesy of The Rhapsody Theater
    Unveiling Wonder: Andi Gladwin’s “SHUFFLED” Delivers an Unforgettable Night of Magic at The Rhapsody Theater in Chicago
    November 13, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    What can America do with $14.3 billion?
    November 6, 2023
  • Assault weapons, courtesy of WIkipedia
    Gun control debate and failure to impose severe punishments on criminals fueling American violence
    November 4, 2023

Events Calendar

  • No events

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Home fire in Cicero impacts 14 families at 16th And Austin Avenue. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero
    President Dominick, Town Board organize drive to help families impacted by Friday’s fire
    December 2, 2023
  • Raymond Lopez, 15th Ward Chicago Alderman, files for Congress in the March 19, 2023 Democratic Primary for the 4th District, Illinois
    Raymond Lopez, A Democrat Who Delivers, Files for Congress
    November 29, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Treasurer Maria Pappas unveils online tool detailing property tax spending as Dec. 1 tax due date looms
    November 28, 2023
  • 2023 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set®Available on November 28, 2023
    2023 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set®Available on November 28
    November 21, 2023
  • U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Citizens Against Government Waste Names Sen. Dick Durbin November 2023 Porker of the Month
    November 18, 2023
  • Andi Gladwin performs magic at The Rhapsody Theater through Nov. 19, 2023. Photo courtesy of The Rhapsody Theater
    Unveiling Wonder: Andi Gladwin’s “SHUFFLED” Delivers an Unforgettable Night of Magic at The Rhapsody Theater in Chicago
    November 13, 2023
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Ziyad Brothers serving the Arab American community since 1966
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Ad Oct -Nov 2023

Trending

  • Vehicle crashes into Orland Park Post Office on 114th Place. Car crashes into Orland P... Car crashes into Orland Park post Office At approximately 1:49 PM on Thursd... posted on September 22, 2023
  • Veteran Diana Howard addresses a disrespectful Village of Orland Park Village Board meeting on August 21, 2023. She was viciously attacked in Mayor Pekau's eNewsletter Veteran Diana Howard cour... Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor By Ra... posted on September 6, 2023
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Celebrity Fight Night XXIII in Phoenix, Arizona.. Photo courtesy of WIkipedia YouGov Poll shows Robert... YouGov Poll shows Robert F. Kennedy Jr Presidential candidacy surging Poll:... posted on September 27, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon Hastings urges residents... Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program State... posted on September 18, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash Fritz Kaegi’s artif... Fritz Kaegi's artificial inflation of property assessments to protect busin... posted on September 27, 2023

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Photo courtesy of PRIMETIME Sports and SeatGeek Stadium
    SeatGeek features competition between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Leon on Saturday Sept. 9
    September 8, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Senator Michael Hasting ensures degraded former Tinley Park Mental Health Center to be revitalized into a sports park in new law
    May 24, 2023
  • Michael Schofield III Sports Complex, Orland Park. Scoreboard
    Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation Sponsor Park Redevelopment
    May 23, 2023
  • Chicago Hounds rugby at Seat Geek Stadium July 8, 2023
    Chicago Hounds rugby announce plans for Dawg Town block party
    May 11, 2023
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Home fire in Cicero impacts 14 families at 16th And Austin Avenue. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero
    President Dominick, Town Board organize drive to help families impacted by Friday’s fire
    December 2, 2023
  • 2023 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set®Available on November 28, 2023
    2023 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set®Available on November 28
    November 21, 2023
  • U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Citizens Against Government Waste Names Sen. Dick Durbin November 2023 Porker of the Month
    November 18, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Black Men United cohost veterans event at Hines VA Hospital
    November 7, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Pappas: School districts hiked property taxes on Cook County homes, businesses   
    October 30, 2023
John Kass Columns

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

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Systems can create parental alienation, and add barriers to healthy families and father inclusion.
    October 19, 2023
  • Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
    Rupert Murdoch and the International News Empire
    October 4, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses
    September 27, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels
    September 13, 2023
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Orland Fire Protection District acquires 6 Stryker Xpedition Powered Stair Chairs to more easily and safely rescue victims in emergencies
    Orland Fire District utilizes new technology to increase emergency victim safety
    August 20, 2023
  • Suspect Alisa Velcu charged in Verion Store theft July 26, 2023 in Bloomington, Illinois. Mugshot supplied by the DuPage County State's Attorney
    Bond Set for Two Women Charged with Robbing Bloomingdale Verizon Wireless Store
    July 26, 2023
  • The Village of Orland Hills, Mayor Kyle Hastings State Senator Michael Hastings and Orland Township Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino are partnering to host a Free "Shred and E-Recycling" day for families to be held Saturday August 26, 2023.
    Orland Hills to host “Shred and E-Recycling Day” Saturday August 26, 2023
    July 18, 2023

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

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