Clear and Concise, Week 41:
• We can do better. Masks may not fully protect us from the COVID-19, however, not wearing masks provides less protection. We have seen the spread of COVID-19 throughout the country, including various states suffering through spikes in numbers of cases. The triple-header of advice in Ws is sound: Wash our hands, wear our masks, warily keep our physically-safe distance. No to wear masks simply increases our risks of absorbing the sickness. One chance in 100 is better than one chance in 10. What better advice leads to better health? It has nothing to do with restricting liberty, toughness, bravado, or, exceptionalism. What more needs to be said? Now there is the annual influenza episode. One salutary point is that fewer children congregate now to provide added flu possibilities.
• Repeat: Voting is more beneficial than not voting. We can make a difference. We have a voice to use and we should use it. The deadline for U.S. 2020 Census has been extended to October 31. We count and we must be counted. Additional revenue to our communities is at stake.
• Aurora is providing drive-thru flu vaccinations this month on Fridays. The site is in Phillips Park on the southeast side, 1000 Ray Moses Drive. It is available to everyone over the age of four. Morning clinics in Phillips Park are October 16 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; afternoon clinics are from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, 23. The Aurora city government is combining with the VNA Health Care to provide the assistance. COVID-19 and flu season offer a double dose of possible sickness. Be well!
• The first of five community listening sessions was held last week in Aurora. See photo on page 1. There will be four more such sessions, each Thursday through November 5. The listening sessions were generated by the CHANGE: Community Helping Aurora’s Necessary Growth and Empowerment). They will be Thursday, Oct. 15, St. Therese Church, 271 N. Farnsworth Avenue with full Spanish translations; Thursday, Oct. 22, Main Baptist Church, 814 E. Galena Boulevard; Thursday, Oct. 29, Impact Church, 4054 Fox Valley Center; Thursday, Nov. 5, Society 57, 100 S. River Street. Registration is required prior to the meetings. Each 90-minute listening session will begin at 6 p.m. with mayor Richard Irvin and representatives of the Aurora Police Department. Aurora residents can register at www.aurora-il.org/CHANGE. Residents are encouraged to speak up and be heard.
• We can and should hold civil discourse without anger and malice. We can disagree without being disagreeable. We prevail when we do not let divisive forces divide us by sending us to our corners and operate in a combative nature. A social democratic republic works best when all voices are respectfully heard and considered. We can compromise and still hold true to our tenets. We must not let bullies be bullies, however, we can agree to disagree.
• Simply community maintenance: Every community has its brush, leaves, and yard waste method of elimination. We must find out what our communities have planned. Information is available by phone calls, websites, fliers, or, mail pieces.
• Montgomery’s Beautification Committee will be host to its annual Halloween Display Contest to provide a forum for giving a salute to property owners with special Halloween decorations. Residents can nominate others property owners, or, themselves. Call 331-212-9044 through October 18. Committee members will visit the decorated property October 21 to select winners.
• Oswego will hold its Community Drive-Around Scavenger Hunt, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.
•The annual St. Charles Scarecrowfest was canceled, however, the Scarecrow Stroll still was held.