… None of that causes you pain, physical pain. Maybe some emotional pain but this is not, what we’re asking the public to do is not that hard, it doesn’t hurt. Do you not like being told to do something? OK. Get over it.
… We have to really look for leadership at this time, we really do, and sometimes it’s not fun being the leader in charge who says, ‘You know what folks? This is for not just your own good but the good of others around you, so be a part of it, be a part of the solution, don’t add to the problem.’
On those who say that the residents who have died ‘would have done so anyway’ because they were elderly or had other conditions:
(That) is really unfair to those people, to their families. They count too. They absolutely count too and a lot of times they’re there because maybe they’ve had a broken hip and they’re recovering. They can’t get up and move on their own for awhile so it’s more of a rehabilitation or they need some extra help they can’t get at home because maybe their husband or wife is also elderly and unable to care for them. Let’s remember, these are our neighbors. These are people we go to church with. These are Decatur people.
PHOTOS: Signs of encouragement during COVID-19 in Central Illinois
Mount Zion Grade School
Mount Zion Grade School displays an encouraging sign in Mount Zion on April 1st, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Marina’s
Signs are seen in the window of Marina’s on Merchant St on April 1,2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
AMC Theater
AMC Theater in Decatur, north of Mount Zion, lies empty as restrictions caused by COVID-19 affect theaters and entertainment venues around the country on April 22, 2020.
JEFF SMUDDE, HERALD & REVIEW
AMC Theater
AMC Theater in Decatur shows signs regarding their temporary closing due to restrictions caused by COVID-19 on April 22, 2020.
JEFF SMUDDE, HERALD & REVIEW
AMC Theater
AMC Theater in Forsyth shows signs regarding their temporary closing due to restrictions caused by COVID-19 on April 22, 2020.
JEFF SMUDDE, HERALD & REVIEW
Avon Theatre
The Avon Theatre in Decatur is shown on April 23,2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Avon Theatre
The Avon Theatre in Decatur is shown on April 23, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Hearts
Colorful shapes are seen in a window at a home in Warrensburg on April 22, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Stevenson Elementary School
Stevenson Elementary School displays an encouraging message in Decatur on April 22, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Hearts for Healthcare Workers
A "Hearts for Healthcare Workers" sign on is seen in a window on April 23, 2020, in Forsyth.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Decatur Public Library
A sign at the Decatur Public Library says it will be closed until further notice on March 30, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Decatur Brew Works
A sign in the window at Decatur Brew Workers announces the closure on March 30, 2020, due to COVID-19.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
‘God is the way’
An inspirational sign is seen in a window at a business on Main Street in Decatur on March 30, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
All Things Beautiful
A sign is shown at All Things Beautiful in downtown Decatur on March 30th, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Mary W. French Academy
An encouraging message is shown at Mary W. French Academy on March 30, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Peace sign
A peace sign made of colorful hearts is shown in a window at Timber Cove Apartments in Decatur on March 31, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
South Wheatland Fire Protection District
A sign is shown at the South Wheatland Fire Protection District on April 23, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
South Wheatland Fire Protection District
A sign is shown outside the South Wheatland Fire Protection District building on April 23, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Grace United Methodist Church
A sign at Grace United Methodist Church announces that services are canceled on April 6, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Macon County Health Department
A message from the Macon County Health Department is shown on April 23, 2020, in Decatur
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
A message from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Decatur is shown on April 23, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Lincoln Theater
An encouraging message is shown on the Lincoln Theater marquee on April 23, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Macon County Health Department
The Macon County Health Department is shown. Messages in the windows say "BETTER TOGETHER" and "THANK YOU."
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Mount Zion Christian Church
A sign at Mount Zion Christian Church displays to "Spread the good news" is shown on April 1, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Rock Springs Nature Center
A sign announces the closure of Rock Springs Nature Center on March 16, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Overlook Adventure Park
A digital sign announces that activities are suspended at Overlook Adventure Park on April 17, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Chalk
"Love" was created by Lilly, Chris, and Hanna Renfro on Greenridge Drive in Decatur during “Chalk the Walk.” on March 24, 2020.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Riverside Baptist Church
A sign at Riverside Baptist Church announces online services on March 24, 2020, in Decatur.
JEFFREY SMUDDE, HERALD & REVIEW
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital
An encouraging message is shown on the sign at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital., on March 24, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Window sign
A colorful sign is shown in a window on April 1, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
‘Happy Spring!’
Colorful pastel hearts are shown in a window at Timber Cove Apartments on April 1, 2020, in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
‘Everything will be OK!’
An encouraging message is shown on April 1, 2020, in a window at Timber Cove Apartments in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Hearts
Vibrant paper hearts are shown in a window on April 1, 2020, at Timber Cove Apartments in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW
Contact Allison Petty at (217) 421-6986. Follow her on Twitter: @AllisonAPetty
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via Herald-Review.com
May 4, 2020 at 08:03PM
Illinois Delivered 