MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – As the “to mask or not to mask” debate rages on amidst the ongoing pandemic Western Illinois University Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) Professor Dean Alexander, who also leads WIU’s Homeland Security Research Program, and LEJA Professor Christopher Bitner have researched the challenges of mask enforcement. Their work was recently published in the June issue of Security magazine. In May 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a significant change in its COVID-19 mask mandated policy. Namely, the CDC stated that... Read More

Obituary for Jennifer (Jenny) McNeal of East Moline, IL QuadCities.com does not usually publish obituaries, but makes occasional exceptions in special cases where we have a close relationship and feel a strong desire to share a story of someone who touched our lives in a profound way. Today, I mourn the loss of my beloved sister, Jenny McNeal, who passed away this past Friday evening. I’ll begin by including the family’s officially released obituary to facilitate you quickly learning the general details about her and her upcoming service. Jennifer Joy McNeal, 74, of East Moline, IL,... Read More

The following is a guest column from Craig Cooper, Senior Communications Specialist for Genesis Health System. QuadCities.com welcomes fact-based guest columns from healthcare professionals regarding health topics of interest. Message Sean@QuadCities.com for more information. Fear, shock, rising death numbers, mask requirements and reluctance to wear them, and recommendations of only limited public gatherings. This isn’t only a description of the relentless global COVID-19 crisis. We have been here more than once before as a country. Consider Christmas 1918 and the Spanish Flu pandemic. The pandemic... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – The Western Illinois University Office of Risk Management will offer a free face covering distribution from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 in the quad area between the University Union and the Malpass Library on the Macomb campus. Face coverings will also be distributed on the Quad Cities campus and can be picked up at the front desk of Riverfront Hall at anytime. For more information on WIU COVID protocols, visit wiu.edu/coronavirus. Surveillance testing is also underway on the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Each week, approximately 700 students, faculty and staff... Read More

Create your very own Tie Dye Masks at Crafted QC (221 E 2nd St. Davenport) this Saturday Sep 12 from 12 – 4 p.m. For just $10 per mask (one size fits most adults) you can make a personalized tie-dye mask. Four tie stations and four dye stations will be set up and Liz K will be available for assistance. Additional items may be brought to tie dye, but an additional $10 per item is required. This event is first-come first-serve and registration is required at https://www.craftedqc.com/product/tie-dye-mask-workshop-sat-9-12-12-4-pm/4021. Masks and social distancing are required to participate.   For... Read More

MACOMB, MOLINE, IL – Students in Western Illinois University’s Department of Communication Social Media Lab have been working on a campaign to encourage the University communities in Macomb and the Quad Cities to wear protective masks. Using the hastags #maskupmacomb #maskupwiu and #maskupqc, WIU Associate Professor of Communication Josh Averbeck and students Josh Brennan, a senior communication major, of Davenport, IA, and Elizabeth Lutz, a senior communication major, of California, MO, have been promoting the campaign on various social media outlets. “There are many Mask Up campaigns... Read More

In the face of a shortage of masks and a greater need than ever for people to have the face-coverings, a number of Quad-Citians have stepped up to help make homemade masks for everyday folks in the Quads. A lot of these masks have gone out to whomever has come forward to claim them, whether workers in essential industries from restaurant and grocery workers to delivery drivers, or just everyday citizens. One of the first people I noticed making masks was Maria Dickmann, alderperson for the second ward in Davenport. Maria has made over 1,000 masks now, in a variety of styles and looks, always just... Read More