Have that mask handy

Now that May is here, it is also the start of the state’s new, modified stay-at-home order.

The biggest change to the state order is a requirement to wear a mask in public if you are at a place where you can’t stay six feet away from others – like at a grocery store or other business. This applies to anyone over the age of 2 who can medically tolerate a facial covering.

Gov. Pritzker suggests keeping a mask with you. This official facial covering doesn’t have to be an official surgical mask but something which covers your nose and mouth.

As of Thursday, over 140 more individuals had died from the virus in Illinois with a total of 2,355 lives lost to COVID-19. According to the state’s public health director, nearly 270,000 tests have been done so far. Positive cases are nearing 53,000 in 97 Illinois counties. There are now 177 testing sites all around the state.

For a list of testing locations and requirements, go to www.coronavirus.illinois.gov.