Statewide: Self Testing For COVID-19 On The Rise; Workers Weigh Going Back On The Job

This week, some employers are having difficulty reopening their businesses because many workers don't want to come back.  While there are health concerns, it also comes down to dollars and cents.  

Self-testing for COVID-19 could play a key role in fully reopening the economy.  But what are the concerns?  

Also, most rural hospitals have faced challenges preparing for the pandemic, even as they've seen fewer cases of the coronavirus disease. 

Those stories and more on this episode of Statewide.

Our lineup:

* Dana Cronin of Harvest Public Media finds out the coronavirus has given some rural grocery stores a boost. 

* Steph Whiteside with Side Effects Public Media reports how smaller, rural hospitals have prepared for the pandemic. 

* Sean Crawford visits with St. Louis Post-Dispatch Business Reporter Jacob Barker about how unemployment and other assistance has some low income workers putting off a return to their jobs. 

 * WBEZ's Kate McGee tells us how self-testing for COVID-19 is an important step toward getting a true picture of the virus.  But there are questions about accuracy.

Credit JUSTIN FOWLER / ILCA POOL PHOTO

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* Bill Wheelhouse with NPR Illinois details how the coronavirus played a big role in the state General Assembly's special session.

* WNIJ's Chase Cavanaugh talks Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan about the reopening of more state parks and recreational sites.

* Peter Medlin with WNIJ interviews the Winnebago County Sheriff about having to make difficult decisions in the age of COVID-19.

* Herb Trix of WVIK talks with a political consultant who says campaigning continues despite the pandemic. 

* Sean Crawford speaks with Robin Fretwell Wilson, the Director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois.  The IGPA has created a task force of experts to help with a roadmap for reopening Illinois and provide guidance to state and local officials.  

Listen to Statewide across Illinois in:

• Bloomington/Normal – WGLT 89.1 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
• Carbondale – WSIU 91.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
• Mount Vernon - WVSI 88.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
• Olney - WUSI 90.3 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
• Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m., Sundays 6-7 p.m.)
• Springfield/Decatur - WUIS 91.9 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
• Peoria – WCBU 89.9 (Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
• Pittsfield - WIPA 89.3 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
• Urbana/Champaign – WILL 580 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 7-8 p.m.)
• Quad Cities - WVIK HD 2 (Sundays 11 a.m. - Noon)