"Hamilton": Curtains.
Metra tracks: Alight.
Deep-dish delivery: Debatable.
Chicagoans have settled into polar vortex survival mode, nestling under blankets to work on laptops at home or layering socks with Saran Wrap if venturing out. Some stopped for a quick iPhone photo of the lake or skyline. Others succumbed to the irresistible urge to experiment with throwing hot water into the ruthlessly cold air.
Sunny Wednesday morning temperatures rose just a few degrees from overnight, at minus 20 or so degrees Fahrenheit, leaving people and pets in danger. Midwesterners have more ahead of curtailing activities and attempting to intervene when people can't or won't help themselves. If you see someone who needs a hand, call 311 in the city or local police in the suburbs with specific information about the person's (or the pet's) location and identifying details. If you don't call, the authorities won't be able to get help to others.
History reminds us that Chicago has survived other deep freezes. During a similarly brutal cold snap in 1872, The Chicago Daily Tribune reported on "The Ice King: His persistent tyranny and despotic exercise of power." In 1951, below-zero temperatures almost--but not quite--snuffed out Dorothy Mae Stevens, Chicago's miraculous "frozen woman."
Fire stations, emergency rooms and news organizations are open for business, and they will undoubtedly deal with heartwarming and tragic stories in the coming hours. It will be on all of us to reflect on what went right and what didn't, and do better the next time. Climate change means more weather extremes, which can be deadly whether hot or cold.
With weather uniting many of us under the warmth of our laptops, Chicagoans are also taking a moment to support each other on social media, sharing useful information, words of encouragement and plenty of wit and wisdom.
If you're working or helping, we salute you. If you are sensibly staying out of the way of those who truly need to get someplace, good move--or rather, thanks for not moving into their paths.
And if you absolutely have to hurl boiling water into the air, throw high and outside. Only two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
Editorial on 02/02/2019