Rock Island Public Library has changed its policies and procedures to adapt to the changing times with covid. RIPL remains open for Grab and Go, Curbside, and Online services. Only quick browsing, material checkout, returns, and limited-time public computer/WiFi reservations are allowed. Tables, chairs, and extended visits are not available. A maximum of one-hour per person, per day is available for either computer or inside WiFi appointments. All library events continue to be offered virtually or on a take-home method. The Mobile Library continues its routes, but there is no on-board entry. Staff... Read More

The following first-person testimonial about her experiences was written by Cara Crumrine, RN for UnityPoint Health As an intensive care nurse at UnityPoint Health, I’ve seen fellow medical personnel in my life putting out scary memes and begging posts asking people to help them. I’ve seen other community members speak about how it’s not right or fair to have government officials interfere in their livelihood. I’ve seen these comments, plus countless more, and decided it’s time to speak up. This is hard. I haven’t been in a situation where I watch the world I’ve built with hard work... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Genesis Health System Hospital has begun administering the recently approved monoclonal antibody treatment known as Bamlanivimab for targeted, high-risk COVID-19-positive patients in Scott County and the surrounding areas. “With the surge taking place in Iowa right now and being a national hotspot for COVID, the timing is good and this gives us a little more ammunition in our fight against the virus in our community,” said Kurt Andersen, M.D., Senior Vice President of Physician Operations and Chief Medical Officer. “This could reduce the need for hospital stays and trips to... Read More

Many of us feel powerless during the relentless, unending onslaught of Covid-19, but Brent Tubbs is not taking it laying down. The co-owner of Moline’s Spotlight Theatre (with his wife Sara), Tubbs recently filmed and edited a special music video highlighting several Quad-Cities theaters – including his – that have been shuttered again due to the pandemic. Available at thespotlighttheatreqc.com, the three-minute video – set to the inspiring “From Now On” from “The Greatest Showman” — features many masked performers dancing outside local theaters. It is meant to be shared with... Read More

Despite federal health officials urging people to stay home, millions of people will fly during Thanksgiving week, including many through the Quad City International Airport, Moline. More than 1 million air travelers passed through security checkpoints at U.S. airports Nov. 20 and 22 for only the second and third time since the pandemic began, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Sunday was the single-busiest day at airport checkpoints since March. Saturday, the travel numbers neared a million, bringing the three-day total to more than 3 million passengers. The surge in... Read More

Rock Island County is at a “crisis point” in regard to covid-19 cases, according to health department officials. Currently, a record 92 patients are in Rock Island County hospitals with COVID-19. In addition, the health department reports 114 additional cases. The total number is now 7,783. “This is a jump of 16 patients (in area hospitals) from Sunday to Monday,” said Nita Ludwig, administrator, Rock Island County Health Department. “We know our hospital systems sounded alarms earlier this month when the number of patients was lower. Now, we are at a crisis point with... Read More

We all want things to get back to normal as quickly as possible. We look at other countries like Australia and New Zealand and they’re already having big sporting events and concerts and leading normal lives again. I want the same. I want to have my jobs and income fully back, I want to be able to go out and see friends, I want my son and his friends to be able to play soccer games again, I want my friends who own businesses to be able to open them up and keep them open. And that can happen here, but it’s going to take some sacrifice and some work. And now’s the time to... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Every person in the Quad-Cities and surrounding communities could end up infected with covid-19 if cases continue at current rates through the fall of 2021, according to latest statistics from the Illinois Department of Health and Covid Act Now, a not-for-profit national data aggregation website affiliated with the medical departments of Stanford, Harvard and Georgetown Universities. “On average, each person in Rock Island County, Illinois with COVID is infecting 1.17 other people. As such, the total number of active cases in Rock Island County, Illinois is growing at an unsustainable... Read More

Tiphanie Cannon, owner of Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie in downtown Davenport, and her dedicated staff, made the day of hundreds of health care workers today, delivering them free sandwiches and lunch as part of their Adopt A Nurse program! As reported first on QuadCities.com, Cannon asked customers to spend $10 per employee, for Oh So Sweet to make and deliver individually boxed lunches consisting on one of their popular sandwiches, a giant cookie, chips and a pickle. On Nov. 17, Cannon had over 300 sandwiches delivered to Trinity campuses in the Quad-Cities, and today, they delivered 540 boxes... Read More

Covid-19 is now the third-highest cause of death in Illinois, according to statistics announced one day before additional statewide coronavirus mitigations are slated to go into effect. As businesses and workers gird themselves for financial hardships the federal government and both political parties have ignored in lieu of political games, Illinois was hit with its highest single-day death count since mid-May, suffering 168 new coronavirus-related fatalities, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Thursday, 14,612 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were reported, and the... Read More