There could be a correlation between Illinois’ Phase 4 reopening and larger crowds and the increased positive numbers of coronavirus cases across the state. What experts in the health field have been stamping over the past several months — practicing social distancing, wearing a mask and practicing good hygiene — is still the advice now and going forward over the next year to year-and-a-half. (State Journal-Register)  

Invoking images of a children’s rhyme and a John Lennon classic, leaders with the FDA have unveiled what they call a blueprint for the agency’s “New Era of Smarter Food Safety.” The FDA’s plan includes employing enhanced technology and new data sources to trace food outbreaks to their sources. (Food Safety News)

Chinese imports from the U.S. rose for the first time since the new coronavirus emerged earlier this year, showcasing Beijing’s post-pandemic purchasing power even as political tension between the world’s two largest economies continues to rise. (Wall Street Journal)  

We know circumstances are tough right now. Your anxiety, your stress, your worry, your struggles; they are real. Know that your Farm Bureau family is here to help and provide resources to support you. For more information, visit our Health and Safety page.

Accident and injury rates are higher for farmers than other occupations. Access to mental health care providers in rural areas is often limited. (State Journal-Register)

Key pieces of the farm industry appear to have more of a handle on the severe supply chain disruptions of recent months. That includes some of the hardest-hit sectors, like beef and pork production. (Politico)