Some businesses have already begun shutting down or cancelling events, reminiscent of what has happened in the past, prior to larger, more wide-sweeping shutdowns. Artist Shakey Graves canceled a number of shows around the Midwest due to the rampant spread of the delta variant of covid. The popular Codfish Hollow Barnstormers and Raccoon Motel venues in the Iowa and Illinois Quad-Cities market have both announced canceled concerts and proof of vaccination requirements to attend shows, as more and more touring artists begin to require proof of vaccination to attend concerts.

In addition, as previously reported by QuadCities.com, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker did not rule out further shutdowns and restrictions while announcing a return to covid mitigations in Illinois due to the huge spikes in infections in the state, especially among unvaccinated people. Pritzker’s mitigations included a return to students wearing masks in schools, and a requirement all state employees at congregate facilities to be vaccinated. All employees at veterans homes, senior facilities, long-term care facilities, etc. will be required to be vaccinated.

Shutdowns and stronger mitigations have already begun sweeping the United States as the highly contagious delta variant of covid-19 begins to creep back up and temperatures start to dip into fall, meaning more people will be inside and the risk of contagion is higher.