WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, says don’t assume the coronavirus will fade during warm weather.

Fauci told ABC’s “Good Morning America” there’s precedent with other infections like influenza that “when the virus gets warmer that the virus goes down in its ability to replicate, to spread.”

But Fauci added “having said that, one should not assume that we are going to be rescued by a change in the weather. You must assume that the virus will continue to do its thing. If we get some help from the weather, so be it, fine. But I don’t think we need to assume that.”

He was asked about the New York Times story that research indicates the coronavirus that began circulating in New York in mid-February came mainly from Europe, not Asia.

“I think that’s probably correct,” Fauci said. He notes that “Europe became the epicenter pretty quickly after China really exploded with their cases.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586435843632.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci answers questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci answers questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, says don’t assume the coronavirus will fade during warm weather.Fauci told ABC’s “Good Morning America” there’s precedent with other infections like influenza that “when the virus gets warmer that the virus goes down in its ability to replicate, to spread.”But Fauci added “having said that, one should not assume that we are going to be rescued by a change in the weather. You must assume that the virus will continue to do its thing. If we get some help from the weather, so be it, fine. But I don’t think we need to assume that.”He was asked about the New York Times story that research indicates the coronavirus that began circulating in New York in mid-February came mainly from Europe, not Asia.“I think that’s probably correct,” Fauci said. He notes that “Europe became the epicenter pretty quickly after China really exploded with their cases.”___

Dr. Fauci: Don’t assume virus fades in warm weather

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A civil rights group asked the Kansas Supreme Court on Thursday to immediately release prisoners who have preexisting medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas filed the class action petition on behalf of seven inmates being housed at Lansing Correctional Facility, the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and the Topeka Correctional Facility. They are seeking an expedited hearing before the state’s highest court on the request by the named plaintiffs and other Kansas inmates in a similar situation.

Rebecca Witte, the spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said the department would comment later on the filing.

“Petitioners are housed in crowded facilities with limited access to adequate medical treatment and sanitation supplies,” according to the petition. “Several petitioners also have preexisting medical conditions that make them uniquely vulnerable to serious complications and death if they contract the COVID-19 virus — which has already infected both staff and individuals housed within Kansas prisons.”

The lawsuit contends that the release would not only prevent harm to the medically vulnerable inmates, but would also sufficiently reduce the population at prison facilities to ensure proper social distancing and reduce transmission of the virus to inmates and the wider public.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A civil rights group asked the Kansas Supreme Court on Thursday to immediately release prisoners who have preexisting medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas filed the class action petition on behalf of seven inmates being housed at Lansing Correctional Facility, the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and the Topeka Correctional Facility. They are seeking an expedited hearing before the state’s highest court on the request by the named plaintiffs and other Kansas inmates in a similar situation.Rebecca Witte, the spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said the department would comment later on the filing.“Petitioners are housed in crowded facilities with limited access to adequate medical treatment and sanitation supplies,” according to the petition. “Several petitioners also have preexisting medical conditions that make them uniquely vulnerable to serious complications and death if they contract the COVID-19 virus — which has already infected both staff and individuals housed within Kansas prisons.”The lawsuit contends that the release would not only prevent harm to the medically vulnerable inmates, but would also sufficiently reduce the population at prison facilities to ensure proper social distancing and reduce transmission of the virus to inmates and the wider public.

ACLU seeks release of Kan. inmates vulnerable to COVID-19

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of the N95 respirators, surgical masks, face, shields, gowns and other medical supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients.

The Department of Health and Human Services told The Associated Press Wednesday that the federal stockpile was in the process of deploying all remaining personal protective equipment in its inventory.

The HHS statement confirms&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6827959-Medical-supplies-distribution.html" target="_blank">federal documents</a>&nbsp;released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee showing that about 90% of the personal protective equipment in the stockpile has been distributed to state and local governments.

HHS spokeswoman Katie McKeogh said the remaining 10% will be kept in reserve to support federal response efforts.

House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/new-document-shows-inadequate-distribution-of-personal-protective-equipment-and" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration is leaving states to scour the open market for scarce supplies, often competing with each other and federal agencies in a chaotic bidding war that drives up prices.

“The President failed to bring in FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) early on, failed to name a national commander for this crisis, and failed to fully utilize the authorities Congress gave him under the Defense Production Act to procure and manage the distribution of critical supplies,” Maloney said. “He must take action now to address these deficiencies.”

For the last month, health care workers across the nation have taken to social media to illustrate the shortages by taking selfies wearing home-sewn masks on their faces and trash bags over their scrubs.

President Donald Trump has faulted the states for not better preparing for the pandemic and has said they should only being relying on the federal stockpile as a last resort.

The AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">reported</a>&nbsp;Sunday that the Trump administration squandered nearly two months after the early January warnings that COVID-19 might ignite a global pandemic, waiting until mid-March to place bulk orders of N95 masks and other medical supplies needed to build up the stockpile. By then, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and were pleading for help.

Trump spent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09985ba2784e553d69c7f194960de94f">first two months</a>&nbsp;of the outbreak playing down the threat from the new virus. He derided warnings of a pandemic as a hoax perpetrated by Democrats and the media, predicting as late as Feb. 26 that the number of U.S. cases would soon drop to zero.

The stockpile was created in 1999 to prevent supply-chain disruptions for the predicted Y2K computer problems. It expanded after 9/11 to prepare for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. Congress provided money in 2006 to prepare for a potential influenza pandemic, though much of that stock was used during the H1N1 flu outbreak three years later.

At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the federal stockpile had about 13 million N95 respirators, masks which filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles and are critical to prevent health care workers from becoming infected. That’s just a small fraction of what hospitals need to protect their workers, who normally would wear a new mask for each patient, but who now are often issued only one to last for days.

Federal contracting records show HHS made an initial bulk order of N95 masks on March 12, followed by larger orders on March 21. But those contracts won’t yield big deliveries to the national stockpile until the end of April, after the White House has projected the pandemic will reach its peak.

For nearly a month, Trump rebuffed calls to use his authority under the Defense Production Act to order companies to increase production of respirators and ventilators, before he relented last week.

Asked about the AP report, the president suggested Sunday the states should be thankful for the shipments of supplies they have gotten.

“FEMA, the military, what they’ve done is a miracle,” Trump said. “What they’ve done is a miracle in getting all of this stuff. What they have done for states is incredible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586430652281.png" alt="PPE distribution on Wednesday in Missouri -photo office of Missouri governor" />
 <figcaption>PPE distribution on Wednesday in Missouri -photo office of Missouri governor</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of the N95 respirators, surgical masks, face, shields, gowns and other medical supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients.The Department of Health and Human Services told The Associated Press Wednesday that the federal stockpile was in the process of deploying all remaining personal protective equipment in its inventory.The HHS statement confirms&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6827959-Medical-supplies-distribution.html" target="_blank">federal documents</a>&nbsp;released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee showing that about 90% of the personal protective equipment in the stockpile has been distributed to state and local governments.HHS spokeswoman Katie McKeogh said the remaining 10% will be kept in reserve to support federal response efforts.House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/new-document-shows-inadequate-distribution-of-personal-protective-equipment-and" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration is leaving states to scour the open market for scarce supplies, often competing with each other and federal agencies in a chaotic bidding war that drives up prices.“The President failed to bring in FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) early on, failed to name a national commander for this crisis, and failed to fully utilize the authorities Congress gave him under the Defense Production Act to procure and manage the distribution of critical supplies,” Maloney said. “He must take action now to address these deficiencies.”For the last month, health care workers across the nation have taken to social media to illustrate the shortages by taking selfies wearing home-sewn masks on their faces and trash bags over their scrubs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586209464100.png" alt="President Trump answering questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answering questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>President Donald Trump has faulted the states for not better preparing for the pandemic and has said they should only being relying on the federal stockpile as a last resort.The AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">reported</a>&nbsp;Sunday that the Trump administration squandered nearly two months after the early January warnings that COVID-19 might ignite a global pandemic, waiting until mid-March to place bulk orders of N95 masks and other medical supplies needed to build up the stockpile. By then, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and were pleading for help.Trump spent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09985ba2784e553d69c7f194960de94f">first two months</a>&nbsp;of the outbreak playing down the threat from the new virus. He derided warnings of a pandemic as a hoax perpetrated by Democrats and the media, predicting as late as Feb. 26 that the number of U.S. cases would soon drop to zero.The stockpile was created in 1999 to prevent supply-chain disruptions for the predicted Y2K computer problems. It expanded after 9/11 to prepare for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. Congress provided money in 2006 to prepare for a potential influenza pandemic, though much of that stock was used during the H1N1 flu outbreak three years later.At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the federal stockpile had about 13 million N95 respirators, masks which filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles and are critical to prevent health care workers from becoming infected. That’s just a small fraction of what hospitals need to protect their workers, who normally would wear a new mask for each patient, but who now are often issued only one to last for days.Federal contracting records show HHS made an initial bulk order of N95 masks on March 12, followed by larger orders on March 21. But those contracts won’t yield big deliveries to the national stockpile until the end of April, after the White House has projected the pandemic will reach its peak.For nearly a month, Trump rebuffed calls to use his authority under the Defense Production Act to order companies to increase production of respirators and ventilators, before he relented last week.Asked about the AP report, the president suggested Sunday the states should be thankful for the shipments of supplies they have gotten.“FEMA, the military, what they’ve done is a miracle,” Trump said. “What they’ve done is a miracle in getting all of this stuff. What they have done for states is incredible.”

HHS: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines for essential workers, such as those in the health care and food supply industries. The guidance is focused on when those workers can return to work after having been exposed to the new coronavirus.

— Do take your temperature before work.

— Do practice social distancing as work duties permit.

— Don’t stay at work if you become sick

— Don’t share headsets or objects used near face.

— Don’t congregate in the break room or other crowded places.

The CDC also issued guidance for employers in essential industries.

— Do increase the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

— Do increase air exchange in the building.

— Do send sick workers home immediately.

— Do test the use of face masks to ensure they don’t interfere with workflow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586391131314.png" alt="Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines for essential workers, such as those in the health care and food supply industries. The guidance is focused on when those workers can return to work after having been exposed to the new coronavirus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586391294022.png" alt="CDC" />
 <figcaption>CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>— Do take your temperature before work.— Do wear a face mask at all times.— Do practice social distancing as work duties permit.— Don’t stay at work if you become sick— Don’t share headsets or objects used near face.— Don’t congregate in the break room or other crowded places.The CDC also issued guidance for employers in essential industries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586391231224.png" alt="CDC" />
 <figcaption>CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>— Do increase the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces.— Do increase air exchange in the building.— Do send sick workers home immediately.— Do test the use of face masks to ensure they don’t interfere with workflow.

New CDC guidance for essential workers, employers during coronavirus

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly discussed the dramatic increase in coronavirus deaths in Kansas during her daily press conference. Kansas saw a 41 percent jump in coronavirus&nbsp; deaths Wednesday to 38, according to the KDHE.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The governor and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman also responded to the statement by&nbsp; the Kansas Attorney General who told police <a href="https://ag.ks.gov/media-center/news-releases/2020/04/08/ag-derek-schmidt-kansans-should-comply-with-governor-s-order-limiting-religious-gatherings-during-pandemic-but-cannot-be-arrested-prosecuted-or-imprisoned-for-worshiping">not to enforce the governor's order on religious gatherings</a>&nbsp;and lawmakers who overturned the order restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the pandemic.

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly discussed the dramatic increase in coronavirus deaths in Kansas during her daily press conference. Kansas saw a 41 percent jump in coronavirus&nbsp; deaths Wednesday to 38, according to the KDHE.&nbsp;&nbsp;The governor and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman also responded to the statement by&nbsp; the Kansas Attorney General who told police <a href="https://ag.ks.gov/media-center/news-releases/2020/04/08/ag-derek-schmidt-kansans-should-comply-with-governor-s-order-limiting-religious-gatherings-during-pandemic-but-cannot-be-arrested-prosecuted-or-imprisoned-for-worshiping">not to enforce the governor's order on religious gatherings</a>&nbsp;and lawmakers who overturned the order restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the pandemic.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F1037628039966755%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥  Gov. Kelly on dramatic increase of virus deaths in Kansas

OVERLAND PARK, KAN.&nbsp;(AP) — Officials in Overland Park have announced the suburban&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City community’s farmers market will not open this weekend as planned in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

City officials announced the markets’ postponed opening on Tuesday under pressure from the public, the Kansas City Star reported. The city had been planning to open the market for the season on Saturday, even as other Johnson County cities decided to postpone their own markets.

The city had made several changes in an effort to address health concerns — including canceling children's events and moving the event to a parking lot to give more space between vendors. But the event draws thousands of shoppers, making it difficult to keep people six feet apart and enforce safety protocols.

The city heard from several concerned residents, especially as the number of coronavirus cases rapidly grows in Johnson County, city spokesman Sean Reilly.

“Despite the efforts we’ve gone through with the safety and health protocols, we still heard from people who were concerned about the health of the public and vendors,” Reilly said. “So we heard them, listened to them and decided we would go ahead and close it.”

Reilly said the farmers market will open after Kansas' stay-at-home order is lifted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586358248415.png" alt="Image courtesy Overland Park Farmers Market" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Overland Park Farmers Market</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, KAN.&nbsp;(AP) — Officials in Overland Park have announced the suburban&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City community’s farmers market will not open this weekend as planned in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.City officials announced the markets’ postponed opening on Tuesday under pressure from the public, the Kansas City Star reported. The city had been planning to open the market for the season on Saturday, even as other Johnson County cities decided to postpone their own markets.The city had made several changes in an effort to address health concerns — including canceling children's events and moving the event to a parking lot to give more space between vendors. But the event draws thousands of shoppers, making it difficult to keep people six feet apart and enforce safety protocols.The city heard from several concerned residents, especially as the number of coronavirus cases rapidly grows in Johnson County, city spokesman Sean Reilly.“Despite the efforts we’ve gone through with the safety and health protocols, we still heard from people who were concerned about the health of the public and vendors,” Reilly said. “So we heard them, listened to them and decided we would go ahead and close it.”Reilly said the farmers market will open after Kansas' stay-at-home order is lifted.

Coronavirus response varied among Kansas farmers markets

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak has been overturned after the state’s top prosecutor said it likely violates the state constitution.

The Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to undo the order that limited in-person religious services and funerals to 10 people. The move came after Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said that while the order was “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow,” he was discouraging law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.

Governor Laura Kelly during Tuesday's news conference

With Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order Tuesday because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings. Dr. Lee Norman, the state health department’s head, said 165 had been sickened in those outbreaks.

“In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order,” wrote Schmidt, adding that Kansas statutory and constitutional law provide substantially more protection for religious freedoms than does federal law.

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Wednesday to 1,008, up from 900 Tuesday, with 38 deaths.

The sickened include 56 patients and staff members at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation in Kansas City, Kansas. Six have died and seven are hospitalized, health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday.

State health officials are monitoring the outbreak. Previously that state’s largest outbreak had been at the Life Care Center of Burlington, where 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive. One resident at that facility has died.

Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.

By STEPHEN KORANDA &amp; CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-lawmakers-wiped-out-gov-laura-kellys-covid-19-ban-big-church-gatherings#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Kansas Republican leadership 
seemingly had enough of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive orders, 
with a limit on church gatherings marking the final straw.

The 
Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to strip the state 
of any ban on the number of people who could gather at one time to stop 
the spread of the coronavirus.

No more than 10 people have been 
allowed to gather for a while, but on Tuesday, Kelly specified that it 
would apply to churches and funerals. Kansas officials have said three 
clusters of coronavirus have been directly tied to church services, 
leading to 165 illnesses and 12 deaths.

Plus, Easter is this Sunday, and the decision rankled Republican leadership.

“I
 can’t approve this,” said Senate President Susan Wagle, who often 
clashes with Kelly. “We did take an oath to uphold (religious freedoms 
in the constitution).”

It is now up to Kelly whether to establish
 another order that limits gatherings. She delayed an afternoon news 
conference as soon as the LCC’s vote happened.

Kansas House 
Speaker Pro Tem Finch said he hoped everyone will stay home, adding that
 it isn’t worth the risk to go to a church service this weekend and 
thanked church leaders for holding online services.

Those who 
voted to overturn the executive order, via conference call, were Wagle, 
Finch, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, House Speaker Ron Ryckman and
 House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins. The two Democrats, Sen. Anthony 
Hensley and House Rep. Tom Sawyer, wanted to keep the order.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda">@kprkoranda</a>.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTHKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak has been overturned after the state’s top prosecutor said it likely violates the state constitution.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/pHrW7sAiqY">pic.twitter.com/pHrW7sAiqY</a>&mdash; Speaker Ryckman (@RonRyckman) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonRyckman/status/1247989645973032960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to undo the order that limited in-person religious services and funerals to 10 people. The move came after Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said that while the order was “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow,” he was discouraging law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586287905649.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Governor Laura Kelly during Tuesday's news conferenceWith Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order Tuesday because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings. Dr. Lee Norman, the state health department’s head, said 165 had been sickened in those outbreaks.“In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order,” wrote Schmidt, adding that Kansas statutory and constitutional law provide substantially more protection for religious freedoms than does federal law.Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Wednesday to 1,008, up from 900 Tuesday, with 38 deaths.The sickened include 56 patients and staff members at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation in Kansas City, Kansas. Six have died and seven are hospitalized, health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday.State health officials are monitoring the outbreak. Previously that state’s largest outbreak had been at the Life Care Center of Burlington, where 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive. One resident at that facility has died.Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.----------By STEPHEN KORANDA &amp; CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-lawmakers-wiped-out-gov-laura-kellys-covid-19-ban-big-church-gatherings#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Kansas Republican leadership 
seemingly had enough of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive orders, 
with a limit on church gatherings marking the final straw.The 
Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to strip the state 
of any ban on the number of people who could gather at one time to stop 
the spread of the coronavirus.No more than 10 people have been 
allowed to gather for a while, but on Tuesday, Kelly specified that it 
would apply to churches and funerals. Kansas officials have said three 
clusters of coronavirus have been directly tied to church services, 
leading to 165 illnesses and 12 deaths.Plus, Easter is this Sunday, and the decision rankled Republican leadership.“I
 can’t approve this,” said Senate President Susan Wagle, who often 
clashes with Kelly. “We did take an oath to uphold (religious freedoms 
in the constitution).”It is now up to Kelly whether to establish
 another order that limits gatherings. She delayed an afternoon news 
conference as soon as the LCC’s vote happened.Kansas House 
Speaker Pro Tem Finch said he hoped everyone will stay home, adding that
 it isn’t worth the risk to go to a church service this weekend and 
thanked church leaders for holding online services.Those who 
voted to overturn the executive order, via conference call, were Wagle, 
Finch, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, House Speaker Ron Ryckman and
 House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins. The two Democrats, Sen. Anthony 
Hensley and House Rep. Tom Sawyer, wanted to keep the order.This is a breaking news story and will be updated.Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda">@kprkoranda</a>.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Update: Kan. lawmakers wipe out Gov.'s ban on church gatherings 

Posted by COLE REIF During times like these, there are many community partners who may find their resources stretched. That is why the United Way of Central Kansas recommends anyone in need of services or information to call 211.

UWCK Executive Director Gaila Demel says calling 211 is the best way to find resources in a particular area.

"The trained person at the call center will screen calls for us," said Demel. "This is a really easy way for people to go through the screening process. All the caller has to do is give them their zip code."

Users can also call 211 if they are worried about a family member in a different state, and the call center will start matching you with resources available in that area.

The United Way has partnered with Eagle Communications to initiate a relief fund to help those in serious need in our local community. The Schmidt Foundation will match the first $5,000 contributed to be used to help the 22 partner agencies that the United Way of Central Kansas provides funds for.

"What I appreciate the most about this donation drive from the Schmidt Foundation is that we will be able to help many of our community partners with boots on the ground right now," said Demel.

To make a contribution by cash or check, mail to Eagle Communications at Box 609 or leave it in the drop box next to the main door at the Eagle Media Center at 12th &amp; Baker in Great Bend. For debit or credit card contributions, visit greatbendpost.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581391526748.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Posted by COLE REIF During times like these, there are many community partners who may find their resources stretched. That is why the United Way of Central Kansas recommends anyone in need of services or information to call 211.UWCK Executive Director Gaila Demel says calling 211 is the best way to find resources in a particular area."The trained person at the call center will screen calls for us," said Demel. "This is a really easy way for people to go through the screening process. All the caller has to do is give them their zip code."Users can also call 211 if they are worried about a family member in a different state, and the call center will start matching you with resources available in that area.The United Way has partnered with Eagle Communications to initiate a relief fund to help those in serious need in our local community. The Schmidt Foundation will match the first $5,000 contributed to be used to help the 22 partner agencies that the United Way of Central Kansas provides funds for."What I appreciate the most about this donation drive from the Schmidt Foundation is that we will be able to help many of our community partners with boots on the ground right now," said Demel.To make a contribution by cash or check, mail to Eagle Communications at Box 609 or leave it in the drop box next to the main door at the Eagle Media Center at 12th &amp; Baker in Great Bend. For debit or credit card contributions, visit greatbendpost.com.

The importance of calling 211 in a time of need; United Way & Eagle Radio contributions 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top prosecutor says a new executive order from Gov. Laura Kelly restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak likely violates the state constitution.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said in a news release Wednesday that limiting religious services and funerals to 10 people is “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow” but discouraged law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.

According to the media release, “The Office of Attorney General strongly encourages all Kansans participating in religious services or activities to voluntarily comply with the new restrictions on religious mass gatherings in order to protect public health.” Schmidt wrote in a memorandum to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide. “Nevertheless, … we also strongly discourage law enforcement from attempting to enforce the requirements of EO 20-18 as violations of the criminal law. In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order.”

Wednesday's memorandum is the second Schmidt has provided to assist law enforcement and prosecutors statewide in navigating the legally uncertain world of enforcing emergency orders during the current COVID-19 crisis. He said today’s further guidance was necessary because the new executive order singles out for additional regulation the exercise of a fundamental freedom expressly protected by the Kansas Constitution and by state statute. Schmidt noted that Section 7 of the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights, as well as the state’s Preservation for Religious Freedom Act, both set strict limits on the authority of any state or local government authority, including the governor, to restrict the religious freedoms of Kansans.

With Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order&nbsp; because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings.&nbsp;

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/addendum-1-to-law-enforcement-duties-and-authorities-memo.pdf?sfvrsn=7a60ac1a_2">Click here to read</a> a copy of the attorney general’s memorandum&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586286859667.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly issued the executive order during her news conference Tuesday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly issued the executive order during her news conference Tuesday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top prosecutor says a new executive order from Gov. Laura Kelly restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak likely violates the state constitution.Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said in a news release Wednesday that limiting religious services and funerals to 10 people is “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow” but discouraged law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.According to the media release, “The Office of Attorney General strongly encourages all Kansans participating in religious services or activities to voluntarily comply with the new restrictions on religious mass gatherings in order to protect public health.” Schmidt wrote in a memorandum to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide. “Nevertheless, … we also strongly discourage law enforcement from attempting to enforce the requirements of EO 20-18 as violations of the criminal law. In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order.”Wednesday's memorandum is the second Schmidt has provided to assist law enforcement and prosecutors statewide in navigating the legally uncertain world of enforcing emergency orders during the current COVID-19 crisis. He said today’s further guidance was necessary because the new executive order singles out for additional regulation the exercise of a fundamental freedom expressly protected by the Kansas Constitution and by state statute. Schmidt noted that Section 7 of the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights, as well as the state’s Preservation for Religious Freedom Act, both set strict limits on the authority of any state or local government authority, including the governor, to restrict the religious freedoms of Kansans.With Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order&nbsp; because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings.&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/addendum-1-to-law-enforcement-duties-and-authorities-memo.pdf?sfvrsn=7a60ac1a_2">Click here to read</a> a copy of the attorney general’s memorandum&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. AG tells police not to enforce Gov's order on religious gatherings

Psted by COLE REIF This is normally the busiest time of the year at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, but thanks to COVID-19, all KWEC programs and events are cancelled until further notice as the Center remains closed to the public.

"This is not a great time for that for us because this is getting into our busiest season," said KWEC Director Curtis Wolf. "We are disappointed because all of us that work at the Center, this is what we live for..this time of year."

While the Center is closed, Wolf says Cheyenne Bottoms is not and states the wetlands offer the perfect place to enjoy nature in a proper social distancing setting.

"Cheyenne Bottoms is a great place to still go to," said Wolf. "With our stay-at-home orders, it is still feasible to get outdoors."

There have been 82 different species of birds observed at Cheyenne Bottoms over the past two weeks including bald eagles, Canadian geese and a couple of great horned owl nests.

"This is the time to get out there with great things to see," Wolf added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586365768310.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Psted by COLE REIF This is normally the busiest time of the year at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, but thanks to COVID-19, all KWEC programs and events are cancelled until further notice as the Center remains closed to the public."This is not a great time for that for us because this is getting into our busiest season," said KWEC Director Curtis Wolf. "We are disappointed because all of us that work at the Center, this is what we live for..this time of year."While the Center is closed, Wolf says Cheyenne Bottoms is not and states the wetlands offer the perfect place to enjoy nature in a proper social distancing setting."Cheyenne Bottoms is a great place to still go to," said Wolf. "With our stay-at-home orders, it is still feasible to get outdoors."There have been 82 different species of birds observed at Cheyenne Bottoms over the past two weeks including bald eagles, Canadian geese and a couple of great horned owl nests."This is the time to get out there with great things to see," Wolf added.

KWEC...Cheyenne Bottoms is still a perfect place to enjoy nature

Barton County reports a fourth positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in rural Northeast Barton County. This individual has a known travel history. This does not mean that unidentified cases do not exist elsewhere in the county and precautions should be taken by ALL residents of the county in all areas.

Please refer to the KDHE (Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment) website for additional information and statewide statistics at: http://www.kdheks.gov/

We continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action, including the issuance of quarantine/isolation orders. To date, 42 Quarantine/ Isolation orders have been served in various locations in Barton County.

This is a very serious and sometimes deadly virus. We strongly encourage the public to take this pandemic seriously by practicing social distancing and staying home if at all possible.

We will continue to provide further information as it becomes available.

Barton County reports a fourth positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in rural Northeast Barton County. This individual has a known travel history. This does not mean that unidentified cases do not exist elsewhere in the county and precautions should be taken by ALL residents of the county in all areas.Please refer to the KDHE (Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment) website for additional information and statewide statistics at: http://www.kdheks.gov/We continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action, including the issuance of quarantine/isolation orders. To date, 42 Quarantine/ Isolation orders have been served in various locations in Barton County.This is a very serious and sometimes deadly virus. We strongly encourage the public to take this pandemic seriously by practicing social distancing and staying home if at all possible.We will continue to provide further information as it becomes available.

4th case of COVID-19 reported in Barton County 

Great Bend reminder...Stone Lake and Veterans Lake fishing is closed

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The number dead after a coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City, Kansas, rehabilitation facility has grown to six with another 50 patients and staff testing positive.

Health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday that seven of the sickened residents of Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation are hospitalized.

Wyandotte County’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Greiner, blamed the high number of COVID-19 cases on “a confluence of bad circumstances,” including a lag in testing results. KCUR reports that Greiner also said Tuesday that the close interactions required at a rehab facility helped fuel the spread. Greiner said it appears it was caused by a staff member three weeks ago, although he stressed that officials are “not 100%” certain.

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by 6.5% Tuesday to 900.

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A rehabilitation facility in Kansas City, Kansas, where four people have died of COVID-19 is one of a few group living facilities in the state that’s dealing with coronavirus outbreaks among their vulnerable residents.

Health officials for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, said Monday that the people who died at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation Center were among 37 who were sickened there. Only four were staff members; the rest were patients.

Meanwhile, three staff members and a resident at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center for people with intellectual disabilities have tested positive, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services said in a news release. The sickened resident has been isolated.

At the Life Care Center of Burlington — the site of the state’s largest outbreak — 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive, Coffey County health officials said. One resident died.

Life Care Centers of America also owns a Seattle area nursing home where 40 died and another in Kansas City, Kansas, where one resident died.

The cases at group living facilities are among 900 that state officials reported Tuesday in 57 counties, up from 845 Monday. Twenty-seven people have died.

Also Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Corrections said an outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility had grown to eight inmates and seven staff members.

Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said several of the state’s other 11 coronavirus clusters have been tied to nursing homes. And three are tied to church gatherings in Wyandotte County.

Updated projections from the University of Washington show hospital use is expected to peak in Kansas on April 19, eight days earlier previous projections, with deaths expected to peak at 10 per day on April 23.

The model predicts the states’ health care systems will not be as stressed as first expected. Kansas will ultimately need 94 intensive care unit beds; it has 278.

The head of Ascension Via Christi, which operates hospitals and other medical facilities in Wichita, Manhattan, Wamego, Pittsburg and Fort Scott, said Tuesday that the primary concern is staffing.

“The people that are operating the ventilators in a state like Kansas, where people are more precious than products, is a different situation than New York, where people are plentiful and product was scarce. We have a little bit of the reverse situation in Kansas,” said Don King, senior vice president of Ascension and ministry market executive for Kansas.

A respiratory therapist or other caregiver can be responsible for operating as many as eight respirators during an outbreak, and if you have one worker out sick it could impact as many as eight ventilators in a pressing situation, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586045672182.png" alt="Photo courtesy Riverbend&nbsp;Post Acute Rehabilitation Center" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Riverbend&nbsp;Post Acute Rehabilitation Center</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The number dead after a coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City, Kansas, rehabilitation facility has grown to six with another 50 patients and staff testing positive.Health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday that seven of the sickened residents of Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation are hospitalized.Wyandotte County’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Greiner, blamed the high number of COVID-19 cases on “a confluence of bad circumstances,” including a lag in testing results. KCUR reports that Greiner also said Tuesday that the close interactions required at a rehab facility helped fuel the spread. Greiner said it appears it was caused by a staff member three weeks ago, although he stressed that officials are “not 100%” certain.State health officials are monitoring the outbreak. Previously that state’s largest outbreak had been at the Life Care Center of Burlington, where 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive. One resident at that facility has died.Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by 6.5% Tuesday to 900.-------MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A rehabilitation facility in Kansas City, Kansas, where four people have died of COVID-19 is one of a few group living facilities in the state that’s dealing with coronavirus outbreaks among their vulnerable residents.Health officials for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, said Monday that the people who died at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation Center were among 37 who were sickened there. Only four were staff members; the rest were patients.Meanwhile, three staff members and a resident at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center for people with intellectual disabilities have tested positive, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services said in a news release. The sickened resident has been isolated.At the Life Care Center of Burlington — the site of the state’s largest outbreak — 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive, Coffey County health officials said. One resident died.Life Care Centers of America also owns a Seattle area nursing home where 40 died and another in Kansas City, Kansas, where one resident died.The cases at group living facilities are among 900 that state officials reported Tuesday in 57 counties, up from 845 Monday. Twenty-seven people have died.Also Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Corrections said an outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility had grown to eight inmates and seven staff members.Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said several of the state’s other 11 coronavirus clusters have been tied to nursing homes. And three are tied to church gatherings in Wyandotte County.Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.Updated projections from the University of Washington show hospital use is expected to peak in Kansas on April 19, eight days earlier previous projections, with deaths expected to peak at 10 per day on April 23.The model predicts the states’ health care systems will not be as stressed as first expected. Kansas will ultimately need 94 intensive care unit beds; it has 278.The head of Ascension Via Christi, which operates hospitals and other medical facilities in Wichita, Manhattan, Wamego, Pittsburg and Fort Scott, said Tuesday that the primary concern is staffing.“The people that are operating the ventilators in a state like Kansas, where people are more precious than products, is a different situation than New York, where people are plentiful and product was scarce. We have a little bit of the reverse situation in Kansas,” said Don King, senior vice president of Ascension and ministry market executive for Kansas.A respiratory therapist or other caregiver can be responsible for operating as many as eight respirators during an outbreak, and if you have one worker out sick it could impact as many as eight ventilators in a pressing situation, he said.___

Update: Virus deaths at Kan. rehab facility grow to 6

Topeka, Kan. – Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt encourages Kansas consumers to visit with their auto insurers about potential discounts, rebates or reductions in premiums during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Many companies recognize the statewide stay-at-home order has reduced the number of Kansans driving, lowering the risk for everybody,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said.

Some companies, but not all, have announced measures to help consumers during this time such as rebates on premiums paid or discounts on rates. Kansas consumers should reach out to their auto insurer to find out the relief options that may be available to them.

“I am pleased insurers are finding ways to help Kansans get a few extra dollars in their pocket,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said.

If consumers need assistance finding contact information for their auto insurer, they are encouraged to reach out to the Kansas Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-432-2484 or KID.Commissioner@ks.gov.

While the Kansas Insurance Department building is closed due to COVID-19 precautions, remote operations continue including those performed by the Department’s Consumer Assistance Division. The Department’s website: insurance.kansas.gov is also a resource for consumers at this time. 


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586363089955.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka, Kan. – Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt encourages Kansas consumers to visit with their auto insurers about potential discounts, rebates or reductions in premiums during the COVID-19 crisis.“Many companies recognize the statewide stay-at-home order has reduced the number of Kansans driving, lowering the risk for everybody,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said.Some companies, but not all, have announced measures to help consumers during this time such as rebates on premiums paid or discounts on rates. Kansas consumers should reach out to their auto insurer to find out the relief options that may be available to them.“I am pleased insurers are finding ways to help Kansans get a few extra dollars in their pocket,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said.If consumers need assistance finding contact information for their auto insurer, they are encouraged to reach out to the Kansas Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-432-2484 or KID.Commissioner@ks.gov.While the Kansas Insurance Department building is closed due to COVID-19 precautions, remote operations continue including those performed by the Department’s Consumer Assistance Division. The Department’s website: insurance.kansas.gov is also a resource for consumers at this time.

Discounts and rebates may be available to Kansans from auto insurers 

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/updated-regularly-what-kansans-need-know-about-covid-19-coronavirus#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/en-constante-actualizaci-n-lo-que-los-ciudadanos-de-kansas-deben-saber-sobre-el-coronavirus">Note: A Spanish-language version of this article can be found HERE.</a>

The new coronavirus is spreading quickly <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">around the world</a>, including across Kansas, and setting off a range of responses.

The
 Kansas News Service is boiling down key developments in the state and 
updating the status regularly here. To read this information in Spanish,
 <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/en-constante-actualizaci-n-lo-que-los-ciudadanos-de-kansas-deben-saber-sobre-el-coronavirus#stream/0" target="_blank">go here</a>. This list was last updated at 4:10 p.m. April 7.

900 cases (see map for counties) and 223 hospitalizations

27 deaths&nbsp; (the state is no longer disclosing which counties are seeing deaths)

NOTE: These figures only
 include cases confirmed with lab tests and do not represent the real, 
unknown total. Community transmission is occurring in parts of Kansas. 
View additional charts showing the disease’s spread over time and other 
trends <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData" target="_blank">here</a>.

Gov. Laura Kelly is instituting a statewide stay-at-home order as of 
12:01 a.m. March 30. It will last until at least April 19. Stay-at-home 
orders allow people to take care of essential activities (such as 
grocery shopping or going to work) as well as exercise outside, but 
otherwise keep to themselves.&nbsp;

The state’s stay-at-home order 
supersedes at least 13 county-by-county orders. Should the state’s order
 lift before a county’s is through, the county can choose to keep its 
own in effect.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is now mandating&nbsp;home
 quarantine for 14 days if you've traveled to the places listed below. 
If you come down with symptoms (such as a fever of 100.4 degrees or 
higher, coughing or shortness of breath) during those 14 days, contact 
your health care provider and explain your potential COVID-19 
exposure.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Some 
doctors recommend patients with COVID-19 symptoms stay home even if they
 test negative for the disease, because of concerns that current testing
 approaches may be producing a significant number of <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/02/nation/how-accurate-are-coronavirus-tests-doctors-raise-concern-about-false-negative-results/">false negatives</a>.

Several
 hospitals across the state now offer drive-through testing, but 
patients must get doctor approval in advance or else will be turned 
away. Many Kansans can’t be tested unless they’re sick enough to be 
hospitalized, and results may take up to a week.&nbsp;

That’s because 
testing supplies remain limited and private labs helping many clinics 
and hospitals have large backlogs of samples. Hospitals trying to buy 
equipment for in-house testing say vendors are backlogged, too. The 
state will soon have several portable machines that can conduct 5- to 
15-minute tests, and plans to lend them out to facilities most in need.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-coronavirus-testing-works-if-you-live-kansas#stream/0" target="_blank">Some Kansas hospitals have succeeded</a>
 in getting the testing materials and can give patients their results 
within a day. The state health department lab in Topeka can handle 
several hundred samples per day — a fraction of the demand.

Under a new federal law, you should not have to pay for your coronavirus test, regardless of insurance status (but patients <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-coronavirus-testing-works-if-you-live-kansas#stream/0" target="_blank">could still see related bills</a>).
 Separately, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, the state’s largest 
private insurer, says some patients won’t have to pay for coronavirus 
treatment.

Public
 and private universities and community colleges in the state will 
finish this semester via online classes. Spring sports have been 
canceled. Most staff travel has been suspended. Graduations at KU, 
K-State and Wichita State are postponed or rescheduled.

The 
University of Kansas and Wichita State also plan to hold summer classes 
online. KU and K-State announced hiring freezes in early April.&nbsp;

In mid-March, Kansas became <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-becomes-first-state-end-person-classes-year#stream/0" target="_blank">the first state</a> in the U.S. to shut down school buildings for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. A state task force then <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/rest-school-year-kansas-will-be-short-days-limited-screen-time#stream/0" target="_blank">issued guidance</a> for distance learning, for which students aren’t expected to spend more than a few hours a day.&nbsp;

Some districts that make high schoolers earn more credits than required by the state will <a href="https://lhsbudget.com/news/2020/03/25/school-board-lowers-graduation-requirements-for-seniors/" target="_blank">graduate them this year</a> based on the state’s lower bar.&nbsp;

Districts across the state are still providing free meals to eligible children, but some have <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article241621716.html" target="_blank">stopped</a> because of concerns about the coronavirus spreading at meal pickup sites.

WHAT IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE IS AFFECTED?&nbsp;

COVID-19
 usually causes mild to moderate symptoms, like a fever or cough. Most 
people with mild symptoms recover in two weeks. More severe cases, found
 in older adults and people with health issues, can have up to six 
weeks’ recovery time or can lead to death.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment: <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/</a>

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html</a>

The
 Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585078791589.png" alt=" Health officials say one way to stop the spread of the new coronavirus is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Health officials say one way to stop the spread of the new coronavirus is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/updated-regularly-what-kansans-need-know-about-covid-19-coronavirus#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a><a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/en-constante-actualizaci-n-lo-que-los-ciudadanos-de-kansas-deben-saber-sobre-el-coronavirus">Note: A Spanish-language version of this article can be found HERE.</a>The new coronavirus is spreading quickly <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">around the world</a>, including across Kansas, and setting off a range of responses.The
 Kansas News Service is boiling down key developments in the state and 
updating the status regularly here. To read this information in Spanish,
 <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/en-constante-actualizaci-n-lo-que-los-ciudadanos-de-kansas-deben-saber-sobre-el-coronavirus#stream/0" target="_blank">go here</a>. This list was last updated at 4:10 p.m. April 7.<h2>CASES AND DEATHS</h2>900 cases (see map for counties) and 223 hospitalizations27 deaths&nbsp; (the state is no longer disclosing which counties are seeing deaths)NOTE: These figures only
 include cases confirmed with lab tests and do not represent the real, 
unknown total. Community transmission is occurring in parts of Kansas. 
View additional charts showing the disease’s spread over time and other 
trends <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData" target="_blank">here</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586352637779.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gov. Laura Kelly is instituting a statewide stay-at-home order as of 
12:01 a.m. March 30. It will last until at least April 19. Stay-at-home 
orders allow people to take care of essential activities (such as 
grocery shopping or going to work) as well as exercise outside, but 
otherwise keep to themselves.&nbsp;The state’s stay-at-home order 
supersedes at least 13 county-by-county orders. Should the state’s order
 lift before a county’s is through, the county can choose to keep its 
own in effect.<h2>SHOULD I SELF-QUARANTINE?</h2>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is now mandating&nbsp;home
 quarantine for 14 days if you've traveled to the places listed below. 
If you come down with symptoms (such as a fever of 100.4 degrees or 
higher, coughing or shortness of breath) during those 14 days, contact 
your health care provider and explain your potential COVID-19 
exposure.&nbsp;&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Connecticut on or after April 6.</li><li>Louisiana or anywhere in Colorado on or after March 27.</li><li>States with known widespread community transmission (California, Florida, New York and Washington) on or after March 15.</li><li>Illinois or New Jersey on or after March 23.</li><li>Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado (if your visit was March 8th or later).</li><li>Cruise
 ships or river cruises on or after March 15. Anyone previously told to 
quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should also finish out 
their quarantine.</li><li>International destinations on or after March 
15. Anyone previously told to quarantine because of their international 
travel should also finish out their quarantine.</li>
 </ol>Some 
doctors recommend patients with COVID-19 symptoms stay home even if they
 test negative for the disease, because of concerns that current testing
 approaches may be producing a significant number of <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/02/nation/how-accurate-are-coronavirus-tests-doctors-raise-concern-about-false-negative-results/">false negatives</a>.<h2>TESTING AVAILABILITY</h2>Several
 hospitals across the state now offer drive-through testing, but 
patients must get doctor approval in advance or else will be turned 
away. Many Kansans can’t be tested unless they’re sick enough to be 
hospitalized, and results may take up to a week.&nbsp;That’s because 
testing supplies remain limited and private labs helping many clinics 
and hospitals have large backlogs of samples. Hospitals trying to buy 
equipment for in-house testing say vendors are backlogged, too. The 
state will soon have several portable machines that can conduct 5- to 
15-minute tests, and plans to lend them out to facilities most in need.<a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-coronavirus-testing-works-if-you-live-kansas#stream/0" target="_blank">Some Kansas hospitals have succeeded</a>
 in getting the testing materials and can give patients their results 
within a day. The state health department lab in Topeka can handle 
several hundred samples per day — a fraction of the demand.Under a new federal law, you should not have to pay for your coronavirus test, regardless of insurance status (but patients <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-coronavirus-testing-works-if-you-live-kansas#stream/0" target="_blank">could still see related bills</a>).
 Separately, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, the state’s largest 
private insurer, says some patients won’t have to pay for coronavirus 
treatment.<h2>HOW ARE UNIVERSITIES RESPONDING?</h2>Public
 and private universities and community colleges in the state will 
finish this semester via online classes. Spring sports have been 
canceled. Most staff travel has been suspended. Graduations at KU, 
K-State and Wichita State are postponed or rescheduled.The 
University of Kansas and Wichita State also plan to hold summer classes 
online. KU and K-State announced hiring freezes in early April.&nbsp;<h2>HOW ABOUT K-12 SCHOOLS?</h2>In mid-March, Kansas became <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-becomes-first-state-end-person-classes-year#stream/0" target="_blank">the first state</a> in the U.S. to shut down school buildings for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. A state task force then <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/rest-school-year-kansas-will-be-short-days-limited-screen-time#stream/0" target="_blank">issued guidance</a> for distance learning, for which students aren’t expected to spend more than a few hours a day.&nbsp;Some districts that make high schoolers earn more credits than required by the state will <a href="https://lhsbudget.com/news/2020/03/25/school-board-lowers-graduation-requirements-for-seniors/" target="_blank">graduate them this year</a> based on the state’s lower bar.&nbsp;Districts across the state are still providing free meals to eligible children, but some have <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article241621716.html" target="_blank">stopped</a> because of concerns about the coronavirus spreading at meal pickup sites.<h2>WHAT IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE IS AFFECTED?&nbsp;</h2><ol>
 <li>Church gatherings and funerals:
 Effective April 8, the governor has prohibited services of more than 10
 people. That doesn’t count people performing the rituals or funeral 
workers, but they must stay six feet apart from each other. </li><li>State tax deadline: Extended until July 15, in line with a delay for filing federal tax forms.</li><li>Evictions: Business and residential evictions are banned until May 1 if a tenant is unable to pay because of the coronavirus.</li><li>Mortgage foreclosures: Foreclosures are banned until May 1.</li><li>Small businesses: May be eligible for emergency federal loans. Find information <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covid-19-response/covid-19-response-business-incentives/" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>Hospitality businesses: Kansas created an emergency loan program, which quickly ran out of funds, but businesses <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covid-19-response/hospitality-industry-relief-emergency-hire-fund/" target="_blank">can still apply</a> to help the state assess the need for more assistance.</li><li>Utilities: Evergy,
 which serves 950,000 customers in Kansas, will not disconnect 
residential or business services for an unspecified amount of time.&nbsp;</li><li>Gatherings: Restricted to fewer than 10 people throughout the state.</li><li>State of emergency: Kansas’
 declaration is good through May (and can be extended). It gives the 
government more power to marshal resources and Kelly the ability to make
 certain decisions when lawmakers aren’t in session.</li><li>State workers: Access
 to the Statehouse is limited to official business only through April 
19. Most state workers are doing their jobs remotely.</li><li>Prisons and jails: The
 Kansas Department of Corrections ended visitation at all state 
facilities, and will “re-evaluate on an ongoing basis.” It urges 
families to talk to inmates through email, phone calls and video visits.
 County jails largely have ended visitations as well.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><h2>HOW BAD IS THE VIRUS?&nbsp;</h2>COVID-19
 usually causes mild to moderate symptoms, like a fever or cough. Most 
people with mild symptoms recover in two weeks. More severe cases, found
 in older adults and people with health issues, can have up to six 
weeks’ recovery time or can lead to death.<h2>HOW CAN YOU AVOID IT?</h2><ol>
 <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IisgnbMfKvI" target="_blank">Wash your hands</a> for at least 20 seconds. Frequently.</li><li>Cover your coughs.</li><li>The
 CDC now recommends wearing a cloth mask in situations where social 
distancing isn’t possible; instructions for sewn and non-sewn versions 
are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>If you’re an older Kansan or medically fragile, limit your trips to the grocery store or any public space.</li><li>Stay home if you are sick — this goes for all ages.</li>
 </ol><h2>FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19</h2>Kansas Department of Health and Environment: <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/</a>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html</a>The
 Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

UPDATE: What Kansans need to know about the COVID-19 coronavirus

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering changing its guidelines for self-isolation to make it easier for those who have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus to return to work if they are asymptomatic.

The public health agency, in conjunction with the White House coronavirus task force, is considering an announcement as soon as Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday.

Under the proposed guidance, people who are exposed to someone infected would be allowed back on the job if they are asymptomatic, test their temperature twice a day and wear a face mask, said a person familiar with the proposal under consideration. The person described the proposal on the condition of anonymity because the draft had not been finalized.

The new policy is aimed in particular at workers in critical jobs. But it also comes as the Trump administration is eyeing what it calls a “stabilization” in infection rates and looks toward rolling back some of the restrictive social-distancing guidelines and restarting the nation’s stalled economy.

The proposed guidance would follow recommendations made by the CDC that eased self-isolation requirements for front-line medical workers who were exposed to the virus. Under CDC guidance, medical workers who have been exposed to the virus without protective equipment but who have no symptoms can return to work with a mask and temperature checks after 14 days.

Pence on Tuesday said the White House is focusing on the “point of need” for the current situation but is also operating on another track to consider future recommendations for the public.

“Some of the best minds here at the White House are beginning to think about what recommendations will look like that we give to businesses, that we give to states, but it will all, I promise you, be informed on putting the health and well-being of the American people first,” Pence said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

In fashioning the recommendations, the administration appeared to be trying to balance political concerns about wanting to preserve as much normalcy as possible with public health concerns that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586341574111.png" alt="Vice President Mike Pence answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Mike Pence answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering changing its guidelines for self-isolation to make it easier for those who have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus to return to work if they are asymptomatic.The public health agency, in conjunction with the White House coronavirus task force, is considering an announcement as soon as Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday.Under the proposed guidance, people who are exposed to someone infected would be allowed back on the job if they are asymptomatic, test their temperature twice a day and wear a face mask, said a person familiar with the proposal under consideration. The person described the proposal on the condition of anonymity because the draft had not been finalized.The new policy is aimed in particular at workers in critical jobs. But it also comes as the Trump administration is eyeing what it calls a “stabilization” in infection rates and looks toward rolling back some of the restrictive social-distancing guidelines and restarting the nation’s stalled economy.The proposed guidance would follow recommendations made by the CDC that eased self-isolation requirements for front-line medical workers who were exposed to the virus. Under CDC guidance, medical workers who have been exposed to the virus without protective equipment but who have no symptoms can return to work with a mask and temperature checks after 14 days.Pence on Tuesday said the White House is focusing on the “point of need” for the current situation but is also operating on another track to consider future recommendations for the public.“Some of the best minds here at the White House are beginning to think about what recommendations will look like that we give to businesses, that we give to states, but it will all, I promise you, be informed on putting the health and well-being of the American people first,” Pence said.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.In fashioning the recommendations, the administration appeared to be trying to balance political concerns about wanting to preserve as much normalcy as possible with public health concerns that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy.

CDC weighs loosening guidelines for some exposed to virus

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — If Wisconsin was a test case for voting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">in the age of the coronavirus</a>, it did not go well for many voters.

Thousands were forced to congregate for hours in long lines on Tuesday with no protective gear. Thousands more stayed home, unwilling to risk their health and unable to be counted because requested absentee ballots never arrived.

Voters reported being afraid, angry and embarrassed by the state’s unwillingness to postpone their presidential primary elections as more than a dozen other states have already done. Neither&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d5c415b99a6945dbbecf60d57bcf68cb">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;nor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fe9a5d1194c24ca7a826652f0c63187e">Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;will be declared a winner at least until next Monday in accordance with one of several court orders that shaped the contest.

And there was evidence that minority voters were disproportionately impacted by widespread poll closures in their communities. Michael Claus, 66, wore a protective mask and a Tuskegee Airmen cap, as he waited to vote.

The African American man said he tried to vote absentee and requested a ballot in March but it never showed up. His only option was to vote in person. He blamed the Republican-controlled state legislature.

“They could have delayed the election with no problem,” Claus said. “They decided if they can suppress the vote in Milwaukee and Madison, where you have a large minority presence, you can get people elected you want elected. And that’s sad.”

The chaos in Wisconsin, a premiere general election battleground, was expected to reverberate across states that still have primaries ahead. Alaska, Wyoming and Ohio are conducting contests by mail this month, and other states, including Georgia, are slated to hold in-person voting in May.

Election experts warned that Wisconsin was an example of what not to do. And the experience added immediate context to the broader debate about protecting voting rights this November.

“We have moved forward with an election, but we have not moved forward with democracy in the state of Wisconsin,” warned Neil Albrecht, executive director of Milwaukee’s election commission.

With results not coming until next week, the state did not offer Biden the knockout blow he hoped for in his presidential nomination fight against Sanders. The candidates spoke out late Tuesday on separate livestreams from the safety of their homes hundreds of miles (kilometers) away but had little to say about the Wisconsin contest.

Sanders didn’t say a word about the election on Tuesday after warning the night before that the holding the election was “dangerous” and “may prove deadly.” Biden, too, said in-person voting shouldn’t have taken place.

Democrats in and out of Wisconsin had pushed for the contestto be postponed, yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/97db30e6564b9b5eedfc300234ea6630">Republicans — and the conservative-majority state Supreme Court — would not give in</a>. The fight over whether to postpone the election was influenced by a state Supreme Court election also being held Tuesday. A lower turnout was thought to benefit the conservative candidate.

Lest there be any doubt about the GOP’s motivation, President Donald Trump on Tuesday broke from health experts who have encouraged all Americans to stay home by calling on his supporters to “get out and vote NOW” for the conservative judicial candidate.

The election was unlike virtually any other in recent memory. Milwaukee, the state’s largest city, opened just five of its 180 traditional polling places, forced to downsize after hundreds of poll workers stepped down because of health risks. The ensuing logjam forced voters to wait together in lines spanning several blocks in some cases. Many did not have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/34b6b5c689c8c6993cb21475b017baa4">facial coverings</a>.

As of Tuesday night, Wisconsin reported more than 2,500 coronavirus infections and 92 related deaths — 49 of them in Milwaukee County, where the voting lines were longest.

Milwaukee is home to the state’s largest concentration of black voters,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b52e4e9a63d64e3a25109f09010508b6">a community that has been hit harder than others</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic. Reduced minority turnout would benefit Republicans in a series of state and local elections.

The unprecedented challenge created chaotic scenes across the state — and a variety of health risks for voters and the elected officials who fought to keep polls open.

They included Robin Vos, the Republican speaker of the state Assembly, who joined more than 2,500 National Guard troops dispatched to help staff voting stations. While many voters stranded in lines for more than an hour did not have any protective equipment, Vos donned a face mask, safety glasses, gloves and a full protective gown.

In Madison, city workers erected Plexiglas barriers to protect poll workers, and voters were encouraged to bring their own pens to mark the ballots.

Tens of thousands of voters who received absentee ballots had not returned them as of Tuesday, Albrecht said. He noted that his office received hundreds of calls from people who didn’t get an absentee ballot or were concerned theirs hadn’t been delivered to election officials.

Milwaukee resident Megan Nakkula, 30, was forced to vote in person after requesting an absentee ballot but never receiving it.

“It’s been a very emotional day thinking about what the outcome of this could be,” she said, holding back tears. “It just doesn’t feel like it was the safest decision to do. I saw a lot of elderly voters, people who were high risk and everyone is taking as many precautions as they could. We were 6 feet apart, but you know, we don’t know what we don’t know about this virus at this point in time, and it’s really scary.”

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — If Wisconsin was a test case for voting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">in the age of the coronavirus</a>, it did not go well for many voters.Thousands were forced to congregate for hours in long lines on Tuesday with no protective gear. Thousands more stayed home, unwilling to risk their health and unable to be counted because requested absentee ballots never arrived.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This feels like an era-defining image <a href="https://t.co/rgEwnhmk8O">pic.twitter.com/rgEwnhmk8O</a>&mdash; Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/donmoyn/status/1247581715511627776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Voters reported being afraid, angry and embarrassed by the state’s unwillingness to postpone their presidential primary elections as more than a dozen other states have already done. Neither&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d5c415b99a6945dbbecf60d57bcf68cb">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;nor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fe9a5d1194c24ca7a826652f0c63187e">Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;will be declared a winner at least until next Monday in accordance with one of several court orders that shaped the contest.And there was evidence that minority voters were disproportionately impacted by widespread poll closures in their communities. Michael Claus, 66, wore a protective mask and a Tuskegee Airmen cap, as he waited to vote.The African American man said he tried to vote absentee and requested a ballot in March but it never showed up. His only option was to vote in person. He blamed the Republican-controlled state legislature.“They could have delayed the election with no problem,” Claus said. “They decided if they can suppress the vote in Milwaukee and Madison, where you have a large minority presence, you can get people elected you want elected. And that’s sad.”The chaos in Wisconsin, a premiere general election battleground, was expected to reverberate across states that still have primaries ahead. Alaska, Wyoming and Ohio are conducting contests by mail this month, and other states, including Georgia, are slated to hold in-person voting in May.Election experts warned that Wisconsin was an example of what not to do. And the experience added immediate context to the broader debate about protecting voting rights this November.“We have moved forward with an election, but we have not moved forward with democracy in the state of Wisconsin,” warned Neil Albrecht, executive director of Milwaukee’s election commission.With results not coming until next week, the state did not offer Biden the knockout blow he hoped for in his presidential nomination fight against Sanders. The candidates spoke out late Tuesday on separate livestreams from the safety of their homes hundreds of miles (kilometers) away but had little to say about the Wisconsin contest.Sanders didn’t say a word about the election on Tuesday after warning the night before that the holding the election was “dangerous” and “may prove deadly.” Biden, too, said in-person voting shouldn’t have taken place.Democrats in and out of Wisconsin had pushed for the contestto be postponed, yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/97db30e6564b9b5eedfc300234ea6630">Republicans — and the conservative-majority state Supreme Court — would not give in</a>. The fight over whether to postpone the election was influenced by a state Supreme Court election also being held Tuesday. A lower turnout was thought to benefit the conservative candidate.Lest there be any doubt about the GOP’s motivation, President Donald Trump on Tuesday broke from health experts who have encouraged all Americans to stay home by calling on his supporters to “get out and vote NOW” for the conservative judicial candidate.The election was unlike virtually any other in recent memory. Milwaukee, the state’s largest city, opened just five of its 180 traditional polling places, forced to downsize after hundreds of poll workers stepped down because of health risks. The ensuing logjam forced voters to wait together in lines spanning several blocks in some cases. Many did not have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/34b6b5c689c8c6993cb21475b017baa4">facial coverings</a>.As of Tuesday night, Wisconsin reported more than 2,500 coronavirus infections and 92 related deaths — 49 of them in Milwaukee County, where the voting lines were longest.Milwaukee is home to the state’s largest concentration of black voters,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b52e4e9a63d64e3a25109f09010508b6">a community that has been hit harder than others</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic. Reduced minority turnout would benefit Republicans in a series of state and local elections.The unprecedented challenge created chaotic scenes across the state — and a variety of health risks for voters and the elected officials who fought to keep polls open.They included Robin Vos, the Republican speaker of the state Assembly, who joined more than 2,500 National Guard troops dispatched to help staff voting stations. While many voters stranded in lines for more than an hour did not have any protective equipment, Vos donned a face mask, safety glasses, gloves and a full protective gown.In Madison, city workers erected Plexiglas barriers to protect poll workers, and voters were encouraged to bring their own pens to mark the ballots.Tens of thousands of voters who received absentee ballots had not returned them as of Tuesday, Albrecht said. He noted that his office received hundreds of calls from people who didn’t get an absentee ballot or were concerned theirs hadn’t been delivered to election officials.Milwaukee resident Megan Nakkula, 30, was forced to vote in person after requesting an absentee ballot but never receiving it.“It’s been a very emotional day thinking about what the outcome of this could be,” she said, holding back tears. “It just doesn’t feel like it was the safest decision to do. I saw a lot of elderly voters, people who were high risk and everyone is taking as many precautions as they could. We were 6 feet apart, but you know, we don’t know what we don’t know about this virus at this point in time, and it’s really scary.”___

Coronavirus Update