Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt released another video message via social media. The mayor updated citizens on all things coronavirus, including information on Dillon's workers, unemployment, and the effect on sales tax.

Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt released another video message via social media. The mayor updated citizens on all things coronavirus, including information on Dillon's workers, unemployment, and the effect on sales tax.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcody.schmidt.311%2Fvideos%2F2984904418244101%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Great Bend Mayor...'just checking in'

KANSAS CITY –More than fifty senior students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine have asked to graduate early to participate in the Kansas Pandemic Volunteer Health Care Workforce, a program that will deploy them throughout Kansas as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These medical students matched March 20 for residency training that will begin July 1 at various locations throughout the country. 

This new program will allow them to serve in areas of critical need in the state of Kansas immediately, prior to their residencies. Students from all three of the medical school’s campuses, in Kansas City, Salina and Wichita, have volunteered.

“There is a potential for extreme stress on health care systems in urban and rural settings due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mike Kennedy, M.D., professor and associate dean of Rural Health Education in the KU School of Medicine. “Many rural physicians are already overworked, and the addition of a surge in health care utilization could overburden these physicians to the breaking point.”

Kennedy noted that there are 34 counties in Kansas that have only one or two physicians for the entire county. There are also many rural practices and health care systems that are under significant financial strain and may be insolvent without help by the end of the pandemic.

“This all-volunteer program will provide assistance where it’s needed in Kansas, including rural Kansas where the need may quickly outpace the available physicians,” said Jeff Colyer, M.D., former governor of Kansas, a clinical associate professor at the KU Medical School and chair of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS). “It could be a national model for how recent medical school graduates can help meet critical rural needs.”

“These senior medical students may provide meaningful relief during this time of crisis,” Kennedy added.

“We are pleased our students have stepped up to assist their fellow Kansans,” said Douglas A. Girod, chancellor of the University of Kansas. “These medical students have met all requirements for graduation at KU and the university is happy to assist by conferring their degrees early.”

Fourth-year medical students who wish to volunteer in this capacity will be immediately granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the university and will be eligible for a special permit to practice medicine from the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, and their early graduation has been approved by the national accrediting body, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. 

They will be provided with stipends for expenses and will receive immediate relevant training. 

These new physicians will be required to work with existing physicians rather than independently, and they will not supervise advanced practice providers. The program will be administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

“The additional manpower provided by these medical students will be invaluable,” said Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE, Kansas state surgeon and a colonel in the Kansas Army National Guard. “The state of Kansas supports this endeavor and, as an Army officer myself, I am pleased to activate the Kansas National Guard to provide the personnel to assist in placing these students where they can be most helpful to our state.”

John Alley, M.D., an assistant professor of surgery at the KU School of Medicine and a major with the Kansas National Guard, will oversee the day-to-day operation of the program.

“With this program, we are making valuable resources available to our colleagues around the state,” Alley said. “These students are to be commended for their willingness to serve. They truly embody the spirit of medicine in giving of oneself for the greater good.”

The program will be funded by a $1 million gift from the Patterson Family Foundation in Kansas City, Mo. Originally established by late Cerner Corporation co-founder Neal Patterson and Jeanne Lillig-Patterson in 2007, the Patterson Family Foundation has been led since 2017 by their children, and it has a focus on health care, education and rural communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic could have devastating effects on the region we call home, challenging the most vulnerable among us,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, director of the Patterson Family Foundation. “In Kansas, more than 30 percent of elderly people live in rural areas, and many rural physicians are themselves at high risk. The Patterson family is inspired by the volunteerism of the new graduates who have signed up for this initiative, and we are honored to support these new physicians as they serve where they are needed most.”

Health care facilities and physicians in need of assistance from this program should contact pandemicvolunteer@kumc.edu to inquire about requesting volunteers from this program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585917785994.png" alt="Michael Kennedy, MD, FAAFP photo courtesy KU School of Medicine" />
 <figcaption>Michael Kennedy, MD, FAAFP photo courtesy KU School of Medicine</figcaption>
 </figure>KUMCKANSAS CITY –More than fifty senior students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine have asked to graduate early to participate in the Kansas Pandemic Volunteer Health Care Workforce, a program that will deploy them throughout Kansas as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These medical students matched March 20 for residency training that will begin July 1 at various locations throughout the country. This new program will allow them to serve in areas of critical need in the state of Kansas immediately, prior to their residencies. Students from all three of the medical school’s campuses, in Kansas City, Salina and Wichita, have volunteered.“There is a potential for extreme stress on health care systems in urban and rural settings due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mike Kennedy, M.D., professor and associate dean of Rural Health Education in the KU School of Medicine. “Many rural physicians are already overworked, and the addition of a surge in health care utilization could overburden these physicians to the breaking point.”Kennedy noted that there are 34 counties in Kansas that have only one or two physicians for the entire county. There are also many rural practices and health care systems that are under significant financial strain and may be insolvent without help by the end of the pandemic.“This all-volunteer program will provide assistance where it’s needed in Kansas, including rural Kansas where the need may quickly outpace the available physicians,” said Jeff Colyer, M.D., former governor of Kansas, a clinical associate professor at the KU Medical School and chair of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS). “It could be a national model for how recent medical school graduates can help meet critical rural needs.”“These senior medical students may provide meaningful relief during this time of crisis,” Kennedy added.“We are pleased our students have stepped up to assist their fellow Kansans,” said Douglas A. Girod, chancellor of the University of Kansas. “These medical students have met all requirements for graduation at KU and the university is happy to assist by conferring their degrees early.”Fourth-year medical students who wish to volunteer in this capacity will be immediately granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the university and will be eligible for a special permit to practice medicine from the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, and their early graduation has been approved by the national accrediting body, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. They will be provided with stipends for expenses and will receive immediate relevant training. These new physicians will be required to work with existing physicians rather than independently, and they will not supervise advanced practice providers. The program will be administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).“The additional manpower provided by these medical students will be invaluable,” said Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE, Kansas state surgeon and a colonel in the Kansas Army National Guard. “The state of Kansas supports this endeavor and, as an Army officer myself, I am pleased to activate the Kansas National Guard to provide the personnel to assist in placing these students where they can be most helpful to our state.”John Alley, M.D., an assistant professor of surgery at the KU School of Medicine and a major with the Kansas National Guard, will oversee the day-to-day operation of the program.“With this program, we are making valuable resources available to our colleagues around the state,” Alley said. “These students are to be commended for their willingness to serve. They truly embody the spirit of medicine in giving of oneself for the greater good.”The program will be funded by a $1 million gift from the Patterson Family Foundation in Kansas City, Mo. Originally established by late Cerner Corporation co-founder Neal Patterson and Jeanne Lillig-Patterson in 2007, the Patterson Family Foundation has been led since 2017 by their children, and it has a focus on health care, education and rural communities.“The COVID-19 pandemic could have devastating effects on the region we call home, challenging the most vulnerable among us,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, director of the Patterson Family Foundation. “In Kansas, more than 30 percent of elderly people live in rural areas, and many rural physicians are themselves at high risk. The Patterson family is inspired by the volunteerism of the new graduates who have signed up for this initiative, and we are honored to support these new physicians as they serve where they are needed most.”Health care facilities and physicians in need of assistance from this program should contact pandemicvolunteer@kumc.edu to inquire about requesting volunteers from this program.

KU Med students step up for state during pandemic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, as the president is aggressively defending his response to the public health crisis.

The recommendations, still being finalized Thursday, were expected to apply to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. A person familiar with the White House coronavirus task force’s discussion said officials would suggest that non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the nose and mouth when outside the home — for instance, at the grocery store or pharmacy. Medical-grade masks, particularly short-in-supply N95 masks, would be reserved for those dealing directly with the sick.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the proposed guidance before its public release.

President Donald Trump, who was tested again for coronavirus Thursday using a new rapid test, indicated he would support such a recommendation. “If people wanted to wear them, they can,” he said.

“It’s not a bad idea, at least for a period of time,” Trump had said earlier in the week.

The White House said Trump’s latest test returned a negative result in 15 minutes, and said Trump was “healthy and without symptoms.”

Dr. Deborah Birx, the task force’s coordinator, told reporters the White House was concerned that the mask guidance would lead to a “false sense of security” for Americans. She said new data show that the administration’s social-distancing guidelines were not being followed to the extent necessary to keep virus-related deaths to a minimum.

The discussions on face masks came as the White House moved aggressively to defend its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly its efforts to speed the distribution of ventilators and protective equipment needed by medical professionals.

Trump sent a politically tinged letter to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York objecting to his criticism of the administration’s response. “The Federal Government is merely a back-up for state governments,” Trump wrote. “Unfortunately, your state needed far more of a back-up than most others.”

Trump said states should have done more to stockpile medical supplies before the pandemic.

Vice President Mike Pence also announced Thursday that the White House was considering direct payments to hospitals to cover COVID-19 treatment costs for uninsured Americans.

The emerging guidance on masks appeared to be more limited than a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draft of the guidance, which suggested the recommendation apply to nearly all Americans, all over the country, according to a federal official who has seen the draft but was not authorized to discuss it.

Officials were expected to limit its geographic scope to just those areas where the virus was spreading rapidly, the official said. The formal announcement was expected as soon as Friday.

Under the previous guidance, only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks. The new proposal was driven by research showing that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy.

On Wednesday, Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, urged his city’s 4 million residents to wear masks when they’re in public. On Thursday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio followed suit in his city, the epicenter of the virus’ spread in the U.S.

In response to recent studies, the CDC on Wednesday changed how it was defining the risk of infection for Americans. It essentially says anyone may be a considered a carrier, whether they have symptoms or not.

The virus spreads mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes, though experts stress that the germ is still not fully understood.

U.S. officials have been telling people to stay at home as much as possible, and keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from others when they do go out. Other advice includes frequent hand washing and not touching your face.

But until now federal officials have stopped short of telling people to cover their faces out in public.

Scientists can’t rule out that infected people sometimes exhale COVID-19 virus particles, rather than just when coughing or sneezing, but there isn’t enough evidence to show if that can cause infection, according to a committee convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to advise the White House.

The question has to do with whether the new coronavirus spreads mostly by droplets that don’t linger for long in the air, or also by tinier “aerosolized” particles. Certain medical procedures, such as inserting breathing tubes, can create those tiny particles, which is why health care workers wear close-fitting N95 masks during such care.

The committee cited one study that detected airborne viral RNA in and just outside some hospital isolation rooms, but noted that it was unclear if that could infect someone.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has repeatedly admonished Americans not to wear face masks, saying they don’t prevent the people who wear them from catching the virus. He and other officials have stressed that surgical face masks and other protective medical equipment have been in short supply and must be prioritized for people such as health-care workers.

The World Health Organization on Monday reiterated its advice that the general population doesn’t need to wear masks unless they’re sick. Since the epidemic began in China, the WHO has said masks are for the sick and people caring for them.

“There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit,” WHO’s epidemic chief Dr. Mike Ryan said during a news conference. “In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite,” he added, noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or improperly putting it on or taking it off.

That’s in addition to the problem that health care workers who do need masks are facing “a massive global shortage,” Ryan said. “The thought of them not having masks is horrific, so we have to be very careful on supply, but that is not the primary reason why WHO has advised against using masks.”

Many people have taken it upon themselves to make their own masks, but one North Carolina health system found that such DIY products vary in how well they work. Wake Forest Baptist Health doctors and scientists tested 13 different designs made by community volunteers. They found that some were better at filtering than off-the-shelf surgical masks but others were barely better than wearing no mask at all.

Separately, a 2013 study tested whether homemade masks might help during a flu pandemic. It found surgical masks were three times more effective in catching droplets from coughing people than masks made from cotton T-shirts, though it’s not clear if the new coronavirus behaves exactly like flu viruses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585909675405.png" alt="President Trump during Thursday's Coronavirus Task force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during Thursday's Coronavirus Task force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, as the president is aggressively defending his response to the public health crisis.The recommendations, still being finalized Thursday, were expected to apply to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. A person familiar with the White House coronavirus task force’s discussion said officials would suggest that non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the nose and mouth when outside the home — for instance, at the grocery store or pharmacy. Medical-grade masks, particularly short-in-supply N95 masks, would be reserved for those dealing directly with the sick.The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the proposed guidance before its public release.President Donald Trump, who was tested again for coronavirus Thursday using a new rapid test, indicated he would support such a recommendation. “If people wanted to wear them, they can,” he said.“It’s not a bad idea, at least for a period of time,” Trump had said earlier in the week.The White House said Trump’s latest test returned a negative result in 15 minutes, and said Trump was “healthy and without symptoms.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696207171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Deborah Birx, the task force’s coordinator, told reporters the White House was concerned that the mask guidance would lead to a “false sense of security” for Americans. She said new data show that the administration’s social-distancing guidelines were not being followed to the extent necessary to keep virus-related deaths to a minimum.The discussions on face masks came as the White House moved aggressively to defend its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly its efforts to speed the distribution of ventilators and protective equipment needed by medical professionals.Trump sent a politically tinged letter to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York objecting to his criticism of the administration’s response. “The Federal Government is merely a back-up for state governments,” Trump wrote. “Unfortunately, your state needed far more of a back-up than most others.”Trump said states should have done more to stockpile medical supplies before the pandemic.Vice President Mike Pence also announced Thursday that the White House was considering direct payments to hospitals to cover COVID-19 treatment costs for uninsured Americans.The emerging guidance on masks appeared to be more limited than a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draft of the guidance, which suggested the recommendation apply to nearly all Americans, all over the country, according to a federal official who has seen the draft but was not authorized to discuss it.Officials were expected to limit its geographic scope to just those areas where the virus was spreading rapidly, the official said. The formal announcement was expected as soon as Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696236815.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Under the previous guidance, only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks. The new proposal was driven by research showing that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy.On Wednesday, Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, urged his city’s 4 million residents to wear masks when they’re in public. On Thursday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio followed suit in his city, the epicenter of the virus’ spread in the U.S.In response to recent studies, the CDC on Wednesday changed how it was defining the risk of infection for Americans. It essentially says anyone may be a considered a carrier, whether they have symptoms or not.The virus spreads mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes, though experts stress that the germ is still not fully understood.U.S. officials have been telling people to stay at home as much as possible, and keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from others when they do go out. Other advice includes frequent hand washing and not touching your face.But until now federal officials have stopped short of telling people to cover their faces out in public.Scientists can’t rule out that infected people sometimes exhale COVID-19 virus particles, rather than just when coughing or sneezing, but there isn’t enough evidence to show if that can cause infection, according to a committee convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to advise the White House.The question has to do with whether the new coronavirus spreads mostly by droplets that don’t linger for long in the air, or also by tinier “aerosolized” particles. Certain medical procedures, such as inserting breathing tubes, can create those tiny particles, which is why health care workers wear close-fitting N95 masks during such care.The committee cited one study that detected airborne viral RNA in and just outside some hospital isolation rooms, but noted that it was unclear if that could infect someone.U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has repeatedly admonished Americans not to wear face masks, saying they don’t prevent the people who wear them from catching the virus. He and other officials have stressed that surgical face masks and other protective medical equipment have been in short supply and must be prioritized for people such as health-care workers.The World Health Organization on Monday reiterated its advice that the general population doesn’t need to wear masks unless they’re sick. Since the epidemic began in China, the WHO has said masks are for the sick and people caring for them.“There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit,” WHO’s epidemic chief Dr. Mike Ryan said during a news conference. “In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite,” he added, noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or improperly putting it on or taking it off.That’s in addition to the problem that health care workers who do need masks are facing “a massive global shortage,” Ryan said. “The thought of them not having masks is horrific, so we have to be very careful on supply, but that is not the primary reason why WHO has advised against using masks.”Many people have taken it upon themselves to make their own masks, but one North Carolina health system found that such DIY products vary in how well they work. Wake Forest Baptist Health doctors and scientists tested 13 different designs made by community volunteers. They found that some were better at filtering than off-the-shelf surgical masks but others were barely better than wearing no mask at all.Separately, a 2013 study tested whether homemade masks might help during a flu pandemic. It found surgical masks were three times more effective in catching droplets from coughing people than masks made from cotton T-shirts, though it’s not clear if the new coronavirus behaves exactly like flu viruses.

Trump tested again for virus; new face mask guidelines expected

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Great Bend Economic Development, will host a special Live Chamber Chat Q&amp;A session on Facebook and YouTube Friday, April 3rd&nbsp;at 10:30a.m. Viewers can view the stream on&nbsp;<a href="http://facebook.com/gbcoc" target="_blank">facebook.com/gbcoc</a>&nbsp;or the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce YouTube channel.

Topic: COVID-19 Business Resources and Funding Options through the CARES ACT

Specifically, topics of discussion will be the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other funding options through the Small Business Administration and Community Development Block Grants.

Megan Barfield, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Jessica Milsap, Great Bend Economic Development

Experts taking your questions:

Bob Wetmore, Co-DirectorGreat Plains Development Inc.

Austin Coyan, CPA, CFESenior ManagerAdams, Brown, Beran &amp; Ball, Chtd.

Send your questions to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mbarfield@greatbend.org" target="_blank">mbarfield@greatbend.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jmilsap@gbedinc.com" target="_blank">jmilsap@gbedinc.com</a>.

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will host a Live Chamber Chat Q&amp;A session on Facebook and YouTube Monday, April 6th at 2:00 p.m. Viewers can view the stream on&nbsp;<a href="http://facebook.com/gbcoc" target="_blank">facebook.com/gbcoc</a>&nbsp;or the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce YouTube channel.

Topic: Employer &amp; Jobseeker Resources Available through Kansas WorkforceONE

Host:&nbsp;Megan Barfield, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President

Tucky Allen, Business Services Director/Rapid Response CoordinatorKansas-WorkforceONE

Laura Patzner, Workforce System CoordinatorKansas WorkforceOne

Send your questions to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mbarfield@greatbend.org" target="_blank">mbarfield@greatbend.org</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585863620972.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Great Bend Economic Development, will host a special Live Chamber Chat Q&amp;A session on Facebook and YouTube Friday, April 3rd&nbsp;at 10:30a.m. Viewers can view the stream on&nbsp;<a href="http://facebook.com/gbcoc" target="_blank">facebook.com/gbcoc</a>&nbsp;or the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce YouTube channel.Topic: COVID-19 Business Resources and Funding Options through the CARES ACTSpecifically, topics of discussion will be the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other funding options through the Small Business Administration and Community Development Block Grants.Hosts:Megan Barfield, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Jessica Milsap, Great Bend Economic DevelopmentExperts taking your questions:Bob Wetmore, Co-DirectorGreat Plains Development Inc.Austin Coyan, CPA, CFESenior ManagerAdams, Brown, Beran &amp; Ball, Chtd.Send your questions to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mbarfield@greatbend.org" target="_blank">mbarfield@greatbend.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jmilsap@gbedinc.com" target="_blank">jmilsap@gbedinc.com</a>.MONDAY, APRIL 6THThe Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will host a Live Chamber Chat Q&amp;A session on Facebook and YouTube Monday, April 6th at 2:00 p.m. Viewers can view the stream on&nbsp;<a href="http://facebook.com/gbcoc" target="_blank">facebook.com/gbcoc</a>&nbsp;or the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce YouTube channel.Topic: Employer &amp; Jobseeker Resources Available through Kansas WorkforceONEHost:&nbsp;Megan Barfield, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce PresidentExperts taking your questions:Tucky Allen, Business Services Director/Rapid Response CoordinatorKansas-WorkforceONELaura Patzner, Workforce System CoordinatorKansas WorkforceOneSend your questions to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mbarfield@greatbend.org" target="_blank">mbarfield@greatbend.org</a>.&nbsp;

Two Chamber Chats live with COVID-19 resources

Curbside pickup still available at the Tap Room in Hoisington

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top health official faced questions Thursday over the state’s monitoring of GPS data gleaned from people’s cellphones about how residents have cut down on travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state Department of Health and Environment, has cited the data in at least two briefings and has used it to publicly scold Kansas residents for not taking social distancing seriously enough. The information is provided by data-analysis firm Unacast on a publicly accessible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unacast.com/covid19/social-distancing-scoreboard" target="_blank">website&nbsp;</a>that grades states and counties on social distancing based on how much they’ve reduced their travel.

A public-interest law firm, the Kansas Justice Institute,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasjusticeinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Ltr-to-Governor-Kelly-Re-KDHE-4-1-20.pdf" target="_blank">is demanding</a>&nbsp;that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly provide more information about how the information is collected and used, expressing concerns about privacy and other civil liberties. The law firm is a subsidiary of the free-market, small-government Kansas Policy Institute, a think tank that is influential among conservatives in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

<a href="https://kansasjusticeinstitute.org/" target="_blank">The Justice Institute</a>&nbsp;also sent copies of its letter to legislative leaders and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Samuel MacRoberts, its general counsel, said the state so far has been “circumspect” in moving to contain the COVID-19 threat, but the disclosure of the use of Unacast data was a surprise, and, “the details matter.”

“There’s definitely concerns on privacy,” said state Sen. Dennis Pyle, a conservative Hiawatha Republican. “We need answers.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6cc283afc526355e6b1ca4c7de0fe32b">cited Unacast data&nbsp;</a>on March 24 in praising his state’s social distancing. That was a day before he issued a stay-at-home order.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/425a488fcf8f16dfb0d7e06a9293b1ff" target="_blank">A similar order&nbsp;</a>from Kelly took effect Monday.

Unacast said in a statement Thursday that it uses aggregated mobility and anonymous data from tens of millions of devices, but, “Our data is always in aggregate or anonymized and never shows individuals’ behavior.”

The data measures how much people collectively have reduced travel from normal and gives each state and county a letter grade. The latest grade for Kansas is a C-minus, with 18 of its 105 counties mostly in western Kansas, receiving an F.

Norman said Wednesday that the message isn’t that the state is watching its residents but that it wants “to give people feedback.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584989189392.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during a recent media briefing on the virus" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during a recent media briefing on the virus</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top health official faced questions Thursday over the state’s monitoring of GPS data gleaned from people’s cellphones about how residents have cut down on travel during the coronavirus pandemic.Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state Department of Health and Environment, has cited the data in at least two briefings and has used it to publicly scold Kansas residents for not taking social distancing seriously enough. The information is provided by data-analysis firm Unacast on a publicly accessible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unacast.com/covid19/social-distancing-scoreboard" target="_blank">website&nbsp;</a>that grades states and counties on social distancing based on how much they’ve reduced their travel.A public-interest law firm, the Kansas Justice Institute,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasjusticeinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Ltr-to-Governor-Kelly-Re-KDHE-4-1-20.pdf" target="_blank">is demanding</a>&nbsp;that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly provide more information about how the information is collected and used, expressing concerns about privacy and other civil liberties. The law firm is a subsidiary of the free-market, small-government Kansas Policy Institute, a think tank that is influential among conservatives in the Republican-controlled Legislature.<a href="https://kansasjusticeinstitute.org/" target="_blank">The Justice Institute</a>&nbsp;also sent copies of its letter to legislative leaders and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Samuel MacRoberts, its general counsel, said the state so far has been “circumspect” in moving to contain the COVID-19 threat, but the disclosure of the use of Unacast data was a surprise, and, “the details matter.”“There’s definitely concerns on privacy,” said state Sen. Dennis Pyle, a conservative Hiawatha Republican. “We need answers.”Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6cc283afc526355e6b1ca4c7de0fe32b">cited Unacast data&nbsp;</a>on March 24 in praising his state’s social distancing. That was a day before he issued a stay-at-home order.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/425a488fcf8f16dfb0d7e06a9293b1ff" target="_blank">A similar order&nbsp;</a>from Kelly took effect Monday.Unacast said in a statement Thursday that it uses aggregated mobility and anonymous data from tens of millions of devices, but, “Our data is always in aggregate or anonymized and never shows individuals’ behavior.”The data measures how much people collectively have reduced travel from normal and gives each state and county a letter grade. The latest grade for Kansas is a C-minus, with 18 of its 105 counties mostly in western Kansas, receiving an F.Norman said Wednesday that the message isn’t that the state is watching its residents but that it wants “to give people feedback.”___

Kansas' review of cellphone GPS data raises privacy concerns

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coronavirus cases swelled nearly 15% in one day as an outbreak at a nursing home grew and officials urged people to stay away from each other to control the virus’ spread.

Health&nbsp;<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData" target="_blank">officials&nbsp;</a>reported 552 cases in Kansas on Thursday, up from 482 a day earlier.

Thirteen people have died, including a 90-year-old resident of the Life Care Center of Burlington.

Twenty-five other residents and staff members at the facility about 60 miles (95 kilometers) south of Topeka are sickened, Coffey County officials said. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78e495c299d67e60d45729352f2c0d44">company&nbsp;</a>also runs a nursing home near Seattle tied to 40 deaths and one in Kansas City, Kansas, where a resident died last month.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees long-term care facilities, rated the Burlington home overall as “much below average” and gave it similar ratings for health inspections and quality measures, while rating the facility’s staffing as average.

The Burlington nursing home hasn’t responded to telephone messages seeking comment.

For most people, the new virus 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.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a statewide stay-at-home-order as part of efforts to contain the virus, but getting everyone to follow it has proved challenging. People are supposed to stay at least 6 feet (1.83 meters) from each other and not gather in groups of more than 10.

The Shawnee Mission School District, which is among the state’s largest with more than 27,000 students, announced that it would begin issuing trespassing warnings Thursday for people who violate social distancing rules at its fields and stadiums.

Those facilities remain open so people can exercise. But officials say the district and local police departments have received numerous complaints about large groups playing organized sports.

The virus also has taken a financial toll. New unemployment benefit data released Thursday show that claims in Kansas increased to 54,739 for the week ending March 28, up from 25,563 the prior week. That’s a sharp spike from last year when there were 1,508 new claims for the week ending March 30, 2019, and 1,271 the week before that.

The University of Kansas also&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.ku.edu/sites/coronavirus.ku.edu/files/docs/Notice%20for%20Lawrence%20and%20Edwards%20Campus.pdf" target="_blank">announced&nbsp;</a>Thursday that it was postponing its graduation until late summer or early fall. It also is instituting a hiring and salary freeze.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585657534018.png" alt="Life Care Center -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Life Care Center -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coronavirus cases swelled nearly 15% in one day as an outbreak at a nursing home grew and officials urged people to stay away from each other to control the virus’ spread.Health&nbsp;<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData" target="_blank">officials&nbsp;</a>reported 552 cases in Kansas on Thursday, up from 482 a day earlier.Thirteen people have died, including a 90-year-old resident of the Life Care Center of Burlington.Twenty-five other residents and staff members at the facility about 60 miles (95 kilometers) south of Topeka are sickened, Coffey County officials said. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78e495c299d67e60d45729352f2c0d44">company&nbsp;</a>also runs a nursing home near Seattle tied to 40 deaths and one in Kansas City, Kansas, where a resident died last month.The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees long-term care facilities, rated the Burlington home overall as “much below average” and gave it similar ratings for health inspections and quality measures, while rating the facility’s staffing as average.The Burlington nursing home hasn’t responded to telephone messages seeking comment.For most people, the new virus 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.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a statewide stay-at-home-order as part of efforts to contain the virus, but getting everyone to follow it has proved challenging. People are supposed to stay at least 6 feet (1.83 meters) from each other and not gather in groups of more than 10.The Shawnee Mission School District, which is among the state’s largest with more than 27,000 students, announced that it would begin issuing trespassing warnings Thursday for people who violate social distancing rules at its fields and stadiums.Those facilities remain open so people can exercise. But officials say the district and local police departments have received numerous complaints about large groups playing organized sports.The virus also has taken a financial toll. New unemployment benefit data released Thursday show that claims in Kansas increased to 54,739 for the week ending March 28, up from 25,563 the prior week. That’s a sharp spike from last year when there were 1,508 new claims for the week ending March 30, 2019, and 1,271 the week before that.The University of Kansas also&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.ku.edu/sites/coronavirus.ku.edu/files/docs/Notice%20for%20Lawrence%20and%20Edwards%20Campus.pdf" target="_blank">announced&nbsp;</a>Thursday that it was postponing its graduation until late summer or early fall. It also is instituting a hiring and salary freeze.

Kansas nursing home outbreak swells: 1 dead, 25 sickened

By COLE REIF&nbsp; Great Bend Post


















With students now spread throughout the state, country and the world,
Barton Community College resumed classes March 30 through an online platform
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual classes delivers an education for
students to enable them to finish their spring classes.


Barton’s Dean of Academics Brian Howe says the spring break extension gave
faculty added time to plan and adapt the curriculum for alternative deliveries
of education.


“The biggest challenge is making sure everyone has the technology that they
need,” said Howe. “Our IT folks have been fantastic repurposing and rearranging
equipment we have. At this point, you cannot order something and get it here in
time or it is sold out.”


Howe says the college’s experience in providing online learning was invaluable
for making the instruction change so quickly.


“We started with online instruction back in 1999, in the infancy of the
internet,” said Howe. “All that information was readily available and made our
transition relatively easy.”


Classes resumed via Zoom, Barton’s online streaming video service.


The college is maintaining a minimal staff including faculty who are currently
working from home. The school has been closed to the public since March 24.






<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585854585650.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF&nbsp; Great Bend Post
















With students now spread throughout the state, country and the world,
Barton Community College resumed classes March 30 through an online platform
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual classes delivers an education for
students to enable them to finish their spring classes.
Barton’s Dean of Academics Brian Howe says the spring break extension gave
faculty added time to plan and adapt the curriculum for alternative deliveries
of education.
“The biggest challenge is making sure everyone has the technology that they
need,” said Howe. “Our IT folks have been fantastic repurposing and rearranging
equipment we have. At this point, you cannot order something and get it here in
time or it is sold out.”
Howe says the college’s experience in providing online learning was invaluable
for making the instruction change so quickly.
“We started with online instruction back in 1999, in the infancy of the
internet,” said Howe. “All that information was readily available and made our
transition relatively easy.”
Classes resumed via Zoom, Barton’s online streaming video service.
The college is maintaining a minimal staff including faculty who are currently
working from home. The school has been closed to the public since March 24.

How Barton Community College adjusted to the online switch

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

Monday's Barton County Commission meeting had a different look and fell as the board met in regular session at the Courthouse.

Administrator Phil Hathcock made sure there were no more than 10 people in the commission chambers to ensure compliance with Kansas Governor's order of keeping public gatherings to 10 or fewer people.

Coronavirus forced the meeting to be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams.

Commissioners Jennifer Schartz says the county is doing their best to keep county offices functional during this tough time.

"I think all of our essential services are still in place," Schartz said. "We have a really good team in place to make this happen. I have heard a lot of positive comments about the annex office for the Treasurer's Office we set up."

The Treasurer's Office has a drive-thru facility now at 2223 Broadway so tags, taxes and titles can all be done from your vehicle. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Schartz hopes that county residents do not get lax in their preventative measures because the pandemic has not affected the area of the state as much as others.

"People let their guard down and this is not the time to do that," said Schartz. "I know when the weather is nicer, people want to be out. It is more of a temptation but people need to continue to be vigilant."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584723006705.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostMonday's Barton County Commission meeting had a different look and fell as the board met in regular session at the Courthouse.Administrator Phil Hathcock made sure there were no more than 10 people in the commission chambers to ensure compliance with Kansas Governor's order of keeping public gatherings to 10 or fewer people.Coronavirus forced the meeting to be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams.Commissioners Jennifer Schartz says the county is doing their best to keep county offices functional during this tough time."I think all of our essential services are still in place," Schartz said. "We have a really good team in place to make this happen. I have heard a lot of positive comments about the annex office for the Treasurer's Office we set up."The Treasurer's Office has a drive-thru facility now at 2223 Broadway so tags, taxes and titles can all be done from your vehicle. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.Schartz hopes that county residents do not get lax in their preventative measures because the pandemic has not affected the area of the state as much as others."People let their guard down and this is not the time to do that," said Schartz. "I know when the weather is nicer, people want to be out. It is more of a temptation but people need to continue to be vigilant."

Barton County Commissioner on social distancing: 'Don't let your guard down...be vigilant'

Latest report from the KDHE on coronavirus numbers in Kansas.&nbsp; 

<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData">Click here for</a> more details&nbsp;

Latest report from the KDHE on coronavirus numbers in Kansas.&nbsp; <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData">Click here for</a> more details&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585850011517.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas; 13 deaths

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is gearing up for a large increase in testing as it works to bring an outbreak of the coronavirus under control.

Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health and environment, said Wednesday that he expects to have up to 64,000 test kits that can produce results in 45 minutes in the coming weeks, the Lawrence Journal-World reports.

“Very clearly we need to do population studies, meaning testing people who are well,” he said. “It’s very fundamental work and will push the analysis (of the virus) upstream. But until that time, social distancing is the name of the game.”

Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday. Also, the number of COVID-19 fatalities has grown to 11 following the death Tuesday of a 90-year-old woman in Coffey County. The county is battling an outbreak at the Life Care Center of Burlington, located about 60 miles south of Topeka.

For most people, the virus 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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585769259410.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during Wednesday's press conference" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during Wednesday's press conference</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is gearing up for a large increase in testing as it works to bring an outbreak of the coronavirus under control.Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health and environment, said Wednesday that he expects to have up to 64,000 test kits that can produce results in 45 minutes in the coming weeks, the Lawrence Journal-World reports.“Very clearly we need to do population studies, meaning testing people who are well,” he said. “It’s very fundamental work and will push the analysis (of the virus) upstream. But until that time, social distancing is the name of the game.”Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday. Also, the number of COVID-19 fatalities has grown to 11 following the death Tuesday of a 90-year-old woman in Coffey County. The county is battling an outbreak at the Life Care Center of Burlington, located about 60 miles south of Topeka.For most people, the virus 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.

Kansas plans to increase testing soon in fight against virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home order to stem the spread of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the new coronavirus</a>&nbsp;despite his administration’s projections that tens of thousands of Americans are likely to be killed by the disease. One by one, though, states are increasingly pushing shutdown orders of their own.

Trump said Wednesday he wants to give governors’ “flexibility” on whether a stay-at-home policy is the best option for their constituents but acknowledged that he’s looking at limiting air and rail travel between hot spots within the United States. The Republican president remains hesitant to press a unified policy even after the White House released “sobering”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c8a9da5569b191ae278e60fffcc855f7">new projections&nbsp;</a>on Tuesday that 100,000 to 240,000 Americans will likely succumb to the coronavirus even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.

Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday the nation’s federalist system leaves much of the authority on how to properly respond to catastrophes to state governors and local officials.

On Wednesday alone, five more states — Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada and Pennsylvania — added or expanded their stay-at-home orders.

But the invocation of federalism in the midst of a crisis that threatens a nationwide body count on par with some of the deadliest American wars suggests that Trump and his advisers are cognizant of the political ramifications of their response. Republican governors in states like Florida, Texas and Nebraska have questioned the necessity of applying strong&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing rules</a>&nbsp;to rural or exurban areas that haven’t reported much evidence of the virus.

The lack of a unified, 50-state response also collides with evidence emerging that coronavirus infections are being spread by people who have no clear symptoms, complicating efforts to gain control of the pandemic. A study conducted by researchers in Singapore and published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday is the latest to estimate that around 10% of new coronavirus infections may be spread by people who were infected with the virus but not experiencing symptom

Even while deferring to governors. the Trump administration has issued guidelines that have urged Americans to work from home if possible, cancel on-site instruction at schools and avoid large gatherings. The resistance to a more robust response comes even as Vice President Mike Pence said White House models for the coronavirus toll show the country on a trajectory akin to hard-hit Italy.

Speaking to CNN, Pence said, “We think Italy may be the most comparable area to the United States at this point.” Italy, which has already recorded more than 13,000 deaths, has issued a nationwide quarantine, shutting down almost all industrial production and offices and largely prohibiting residents from leaving their homes. The U.S. has recorded more than 5,000 deaths, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The White House’s best-case projection for loss of life assumes statewide stay-at-home orders, according to a senior administration official familiar with Trump’s thinking. Trump, the official said, is a believer in federalism and that it is up to governors to set restrictions for their states. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.

More than 285 million people live in the 40 states where governors have declared statewide shelter-in-place orders or have recommended that residents stay home. In other states — places like Iowa and Nebraska, among others — governors have resisted state-level decisions, but some localities have declared residents should stay at home.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a7c1f7f226c6d04fa7ca380998a7e9a">a poll published Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 78% of U.S. adults, including 84% of Democrats and 76% of Republicans, favor requiring Americans to stay in their homes except for essential errands. Americans in states that already had stay-at-home orders in place when the survey began are more likely than those in states that did not to approve of their state’s response, 63% to 51%.

Still, Trump — who has conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/969eafc8f5cb01e9b3e8fe941b3264eb">long, near-daily briefings</a>&nbsp;on his administration’s response to the virus outbreak over the last three weeks — has been reluctant to use his bully pulpit to urge governors to issue orders that would help effectively create a national quarantine.

“There are some states that are different,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “There are some states that don’t have much of a problem.”

But there are signs that Trump administration officials are pushing behind the scenes for holdout governors to issue statewide quarantines.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had resisted issuing a statewide order but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e5bac343ca91824ecd6c7699bf371183">reversed course and issued one</a>&nbsp;Wednesday as federal and local pressure mounted for him to abandon the county-by-county approach he had implemented.

DeSantis, a Republican, told reporters that he decided to issue the order after consulting with Trump and White House advisers.

Rep. Donna Shalala, a Florida Democrat, said earlier Wednesday that Trump should be pressing governors for a unified approach to help stem the spread of the disease, calling his response so far “fragmented, weak and uneven.”

“He hasn’t made a national plea to say we’re all in this together, and he hasn’t even talked to the governors about all doing the same thing,” Shalala, who was secretary of health and human services under President Bill Clinton, said in an interview.

Authority to order quarantines inside states rests almost entirely with states under provisions in the U.S. Constitution ceding power not explicitly delegated to the federal government to states, courts have ruled consistently for years. While the federal government itself can’t order nationwide quarantines or impose quarantines on states, courts have said it has clear power under constitutional clauses regulating commerce to quarantine international travelers or those traveling state to state who might be carriers of deadly diseases.

A few legal scholars have argued that the Constitution’s Commerce Clause may vest Trump with powers to impose a multiple state or national lockdown with or without states’ approval, though any such move under that minority interpretation would almost certainly be challenged immediately as unconstitutional.

Pence told CNN that leaders and residents of states that haven’t been hard hit are already taking action to slow the virus’ spread.

In Nebraska, Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he’s basing his decisions on the advice he gets from public health experts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which has dealt extensively with outbreaks and served as a quarantine space for Ebola patients. In Iowa, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has resisted a mandatory shelter-in- place order, saying the data she looks at doesn’t yet justify it in her state.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, another Republican, said her voluntary guidance had helped slow the infection rate. “The calls to apply a one-size-fits-all approach is herd mentality, it’s not leadership,” she said.

Ricketts, a vocal Trump supporter, has repeatedly said he won’t impose a stay-at-home order in Nebraska but has ordered restaurants either to close their dining areas or allow no more than 10 people inside at once, depending on their location in the state.

In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered schools to stay closed through at least May and imposed restrictions that doctors and even his critics say are tantamount to a stay-at-home order for the state. Still, Abbott refused to call it that.

“This is not a stay-at-home strategy. A stay-at-home strategy would mean that you have to stay home,” Abbott said. “This is a standard based upon essential services and essential activities.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696207171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home order to stem the spread of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the new coronavirus</a>&nbsp;despite his administration’s projections that tens of thousands of Americans are likely to be killed by the disease. One by one, though, states are increasingly pushing shutdown orders of their own.Trump said Wednesday he wants to give governors’ “flexibility” on whether a stay-at-home policy is the best option for their constituents but acknowledged that he’s looking at limiting air and rail travel between hot spots within the United States. The Republican president remains hesitant to press a unified policy even after the White House released “sobering”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c8a9da5569b191ae278e60fffcc855f7">new projections&nbsp;</a>on Tuesday that 100,000 to 240,000 Americans will likely succumb to the coronavirus even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584976508622.png" alt="Surgeon General Jerome Adams-photo courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Surgeon General Jerome Adams-photo courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday the nation’s federalist system leaves much of the authority on how to properly respond to catastrophes to state governors and local officials.On Wednesday alone, five more states — Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada and Pennsylvania — added or expanded their stay-at-home orders.But the invocation of federalism in the midst of a crisis that threatens a nationwide body count on par with some of the deadliest American wars suggests that Trump and his advisers are cognizant of the political ramifications of their response. Republican governors in states like Florida, Texas and Nebraska have questioned the necessity of applying strong&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing rules</a>&nbsp;to rural or exurban areas that haven’t reported much evidence of the virus.The lack of a unified, 50-state response also collides with evidence emerging that coronavirus infections are being spread by people who have no clear symptoms, complicating efforts to gain control of the pandemic. A study conducted by researchers in Singapore and published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday is the latest to estimate that around 10% of new coronavirus infections may be spread by people who were infected with the virus but not experiencing symptom<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696236815.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Even while deferring to governors. the Trump administration has issued guidelines that have urged Americans to work from home if possible, cancel on-site instruction at schools and avoid large gatherings. The resistance to a more robust response comes even as Vice President Mike Pence said White House models for the coronavirus toll show the country on a trajectory akin to hard-hit Italy.Speaking to CNN, Pence said, “We think Italy may be the most comparable area to the United States at this point.” Italy, which has already recorded more than 13,000 deaths, has issued a nationwide quarantine, shutting down almost all industrial production and offices and largely prohibiting residents from leaving their homes. The U.S. has recorded more than 5,000 deaths, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.The White House’s best-case projection for loss of life assumes statewide stay-at-home orders, according to a senior administration official familiar with Trump’s thinking. Trump, the official said, is a believer in federalism and that it is up to governors to set restrictions for their states. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.More than 285 million people live in the 40 states where governors have declared statewide shelter-in-place orders or have recommended that residents stay home. In other states — places like Iowa and Nebraska, among others — governors have resisted state-level decisions, but some localities have declared residents should stay at home.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a7c1f7f226c6d04fa7ca380998a7e9a">a poll published Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 78% of U.S. adults, including 84% of Democrats and 76% of Republicans, favor requiring Americans to stay in their homes except for essential errands. Americans in states that already had stay-at-home orders in place when the survey began are more likely than those in states that did not to approve of their state’s response, 63% to 51%.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585690758211.png" alt="President Trump answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>Still, Trump — who has conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/969eafc8f5cb01e9b3e8fe941b3264eb">long, near-daily briefings</a>&nbsp;on his administration’s response to the virus outbreak over the last three weeks — has been reluctant to use his bully pulpit to urge governors to issue orders that would help effectively create a national quarantine.“There are some states that are different,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “There are some states that don’t have much of a problem.”But there are signs that Trump administration officials are pushing behind the scenes for holdout governors to issue statewide quarantines.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had resisted issuing a statewide order but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e5bac343ca91824ecd6c7699bf371183">reversed course and issued one</a>&nbsp;Wednesday as federal and local pressure mounted for him to abandon the county-by-county approach he had implemented.DeSantis, a Republican, told reporters that he decided to issue the order after consulting with Trump and White House advisers.Rep. Donna Shalala, a Florida Democrat, said earlier Wednesday that Trump should be pressing governors for a unified approach to help stem the spread of the disease, calling his response so far “fragmented, weak and uneven.”“He hasn’t made a national plea to say we’re all in this together, and he hasn’t even talked to the governors about all doing the same thing,” Shalala, who was secretary of health and human services under President Bill Clinton, said in an interview.Authority to order quarantines inside states rests almost entirely with states under provisions in the U.S. Constitution ceding power not explicitly delegated to the federal government to states, courts have ruled consistently for years. While the federal government itself can’t order nationwide quarantines or impose quarantines on states, courts have said it has clear power under constitutional clauses regulating commerce to quarantine international travelers or those traveling state to state who might be carriers of deadly diseases.A few legal scholars have argued that the Constitution’s Commerce Clause may vest Trump with powers to impose a multiple state or national lockdown with or without states’ approval, though any such move under that minority interpretation would almost certainly be challenged immediately as unconstitutional.Pence told CNN that leaders and residents of states that haven’t been hard hit are already taking action to slow the virus’ spread.In Nebraska, Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he’s basing his decisions on the advice he gets from public health experts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which has dealt extensively with outbreaks and served as a quarantine space for Ebola patients. In Iowa, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has resisted a mandatory shelter-in- place order, saying the data she looks at doesn’t yet justify it in her state.South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, another Republican, said her voluntary guidance had helped slow the infection rate. “The calls to apply a one-size-fits-all approach is herd mentality, it’s not leadership,” she said.Ricketts, a vocal Trump supporter, has repeatedly said he won’t impose a stay-at-home order in Nebraska but has ordered restaurants either to close their dining areas or allow no more than 10 people inside at once, depending on their location in the state.In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered schools to stay closed through at least May and imposed restrictions that doctors and even his critics say are tantamount to a stay-at-home order for the state. Still, Abbott refused to call it that.“This is not a stay-at-home strategy. A stay-at-home strategy would mean that you have to stay home,” Abbott said. “This is a standard based upon essential services and essential activities.”___

Trump resists national shutdown, leaving it up to states

Home Lumber in Great Bend to go to curbside & delivery service only

TOPEKA —The Department of Corrections announced Tuesday night that three employees at the Lansing Correctional Facility are recovering at home from COVID-19 in the first positive diagnoses in the state prison system. Inmates who had close contact with the workers have been moved to medical isolation where they will be monitored for symptoms.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said staff in the state’s prison system are using protective equipment only when treating inmates who are ill with coronavirus or who are suspected of having it. She said it would require 13,500 sets of equipment each day to have all staff use them as a preventive measure, and the supply chain “is not going to support it.”

Kelly said the state is “really at the exploratory phase right now on what action we may or may not need to take regarding our corrections facilities.”

“They’re understandably frightened,” Sarah LaFrenz, president of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said of prison staff.

Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday.&nbsp;

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Tuesday that three staff members working at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) tested positive for COVID-19. These are the first positive cases within a KDOC facility, according to a media release from the department.

The staff include a male over the age of 20 and two females over the age of 40. In order to protect the identity of these staff, no other information will be released.

The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps are being implemented immediately:

“With a virus that moves and changes as quickly as the coronavirus we anticipated that this day may come,” Zmuda said. “With the support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Kelly, and the hard work of our staff members, we are ready to care for our residents and those we serve in the community.”

TOPEKA —The Department of Corrections announced Tuesday night that three employees at the Lansing Correctional Facility are recovering at home from COVID-19 in the first positive diagnoses in the state prison system. Inmates who had close contact with the workers have been moved to medical isolation where they will be monitored for symptoms.Department of Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said staff in the state’s prison system are using protective equipment only when treating inmates who are ill with coronavirus or who are suspected of having it. She said it would require 13,500 sets of equipment each day to have all staff use them as a preventive measure, and the supply chain “is not going to support it.”Kelly said the state is “really at the exploratory phase right now on what action we may or may not need to take regarding our corrections facilities.”“They’re understandably frightened,” Sarah LaFrenz, president of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said of prison staff.Health officials reported 482 cases Wednesday, up 54 from Tuesday.&nbsp;-------TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Tuesday that three staff members working at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) tested positive for COVID-19. These are the first positive cases within a KDOC facility, according to a media release from the department.The staff include a male over the age of 20 and two females over the age of 40. In order to protect the identity of these staff, no other information will be released.The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps are being implemented immediately:<ol>
 <li>A medical investigation to ascertain who among our staff and residents have been in close contact with these staff</li><li>Notifying those persons that they have had contact with a COVID-19 confirmed case</li><li>Moving those residents who have had close contact to medical isolation where they will be monitored for symptoms</li><li>And remaining diligent in monitoring other staff and residents for symptoms</li>
 </ol>“With a virus that moves and changes as quickly as the coronavirus we anticipated that this day may come,” Zmuda said. “With the support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Kelly, and the hard work of our staff members, we are ready to care for our residents and those we serve in the community.”

The Latest: Coronavirus cases at Kansas prison

Great Bend cleaning business postpones operations

An image from Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington.&nbsp;

An image from Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585776882557.jpeg" alt="photo by Sydney Rugan (Clara Barton)" />
 <figcaption>photo by Sydney Rugan (Clara Barton)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Clara Barton Hospital: An image of togetherness 

WASHINGTON (AP) – If you’re not sick with the new coronavirus, should you wear a mask in public? Global health authorities say no. Amid a shortage of masks, the United States is sticking with that advice but Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested people who are worried wear a scarf.

That shortage is so severe that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19">Joint Commission</a>, which accredits U.S. hospitals, said Tuesday that if facilities can’t provide proper masks, health workers are allowed to bring their own from home.

Front-line health workers have the greatest need for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/the-right-mask-for-the-task.html">masks</a>. And when people are sick, wearing a mask helps lessen the chances of infecting others. In places where relatives care for the sick at home, the World Health Organization also has recommended they wear a mask.

But “there is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit,” Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s epidemics chief, told reporters Monday.

“In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite,” he added, noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or touching the face while taking it off or putting it on.

For months as the COVID-19 crisis grew and masks disappeared from store shelves, U.S. health officials have agreed. The virus is believed to spread mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes, and thus the main advice has been to keep your distance – staying 6 feet away – in addition to frequent hand-washing and not touching your face. Health workers who may be doing procedures that generate tinier particles are supposed to get high priority for tight-fitting filtering masks.

“Seriously people – STOP BUYING MASKS!” Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote in a February 29 tweet. “They are not effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk.”

But mask-wearing has long been common in some countries during respiratory outbreaks, especially in parts of Asia. As questions grow about whether people sometimes can spread the virus before realizing they’re sick – which social distancing is supposed to address – increasingly people ask what it would hurt to wear some form of mask in public.

Trump said Tuesday that his scientific advisers made clear the general public shouldn’t be competing with hospitals and health workers for scarce masks of any type.

His solution: “Use a scarf if you want,” Trump said at the daily White House briefing. “It doesn’t have to be a mask. It’s not a bad idea at least for a period of time.”

Earlier in the day, Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, had told CNN that once there are enough masks, there might be “some very serious consideration” about broadening the mask recommendations.

For now, the advice posted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html">website</a>: “If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask).”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584894001370.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) – If you’re not sick with the new coronavirus, should you wear a mask in public? Global health authorities say no. Amid a shortage of masks, the United States is sticking with that advice but Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested people who are worried wear a scarf.That shortage is so severe that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19">Joint Commission</a>, which accredits U.S. hospitals, said Tuesday that if facilities can’t provide proper masks, health workers are allowed to bring their own from home.Front-line health workers have the greatest need for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/the-right-mask-for-the-task.html">masks</a>. And when people are sick, wearing a mask helps lessen the chances of infecting others. In places where relatives care for the sick at home, the World Health Organization also has recommended they wear a mask.But “there is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit,” Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s epidemics chief, told reporters Monday.“In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite,” he added, noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or touching the face while taking it off or putting it on.For months as the COVID-19 crisis grew and masks disappeared from store shelves, U.S. health officials have agreed. The virus is believed to spread mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes, and thus the main advice has been to keep your distance – staying 6 feet away – in addition to frequent hand-washing and not touching your face. Health workers who may be doing procedures that generate tinier particles are supposed to get high priority for tight-fitting filtering masks.“Seriously people – STOP BUYING MASKS!” Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote in a February 29 tweet. “They are not effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk.”But mask-wearing has long been common in some countries during respiratory outbreaks, especially in parts of Asia. As questions grow about whether people sometimes can spread the virus before realizing they’re sick – which social distancing is supposed to address – increasingly people ask what it would hurt to wear some form of mask in public.Trump said Tuesday that his scientific advisers made clear the general public shouldn’t be competing with hospitals and health workers for scarce masks of any type.His solution: “Use a scarf if you want,” Trump said at the daily White House briefing. “It doesn’t have to be a mask. It’s not a bad idea at least for a period of time.”Earlier in the day, Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, had told CNN that once there are enough masks, there might be “some very serious consideration” about broadening the mask recommendations.For now, the advice posted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html">website</a>: “If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask).”

Should you wear mask in public if not sick with coronavirus?


















The City of Great Bend is conducting business as normal in the midst of the
coronavirus epidemic. City staff is practicing social distancing and restructuring
schedules but the same operations residents received from city crews continue as normal. 

City Administrator Kendal Francis says although city
buildings and grounds are closed to the public, all the services still remain
intact with the same amount of staff.

"We continue to be fully staffed," Francis said. "We have not furloughed anyone. We want to make sure we provide citizens with the exact same service they had prior to the epidemic and the service they deserve."


The closure of city parks does mean that fishing and disc golf is prohibited at
Veterans Memorial Park. Also shut off to the public in the closures are Stone
and Rotary Lake. 

"Outside of not being able to access our buildings and grounds, our commitment to serving citizens remains the same," said Francis.

The City of Great Bend’s decision to close parks was made in
part to avoid large gatherings, before Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made the
stay-at-home order with gatherings restricted to 10 or fewer. 

Francis
understands citizens want to get out and enjoy the nicer weather, and
encourages the outdoors exercise in a responsible manner.


"Do the essential things you need to do," Francis said. "Abide by the governor's executive orders and realize we are probably in this for the long haul. You need to expect to be."


Citizens with questions on city services should call 620-793-4111 or visit the
website greatbendks.net.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585774044357.jpeg" alt="Great Bend City Hall" />
 <figcaption>Great Bend City Hall</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend Post
















The City of Great Bend is conducting business as normal in the midst of the
coronavirus epidemic. City staff is practicing social distancing and restructuring
schedules but the same operations residents received from city crews continue as normal. City Administrator Kendal Francis says although city
buildings and grounds are closed to the public, all the services still remain
intact with the same amount of staff."We continue to be fully staffed," Francis said. "We have not furloughed anyone. We want to make sure we provide citizens with the exact same service they had prior to the epidemic and the service they deserve."
The closure of city parks does mean that fishing and disc golf is prohibited at
Veterans Memorial Park. Also shut off to the public in the closures are Stone
and Rotary Lake. "Outside of not being able to access our buildings and grounds, our commitment to serving citizens remains the same," said Francis.The City of Great Bend’s decision to close parks was made in
part to avoid large gatherings, before Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made the
stay-at-home order with gatherings restricted to 10 or fewer. Francis
understands citizens want to get out and enjoy the nicer weather, and
encourages the outdoors exercise in a responsible manner.
"Do the essential things you need to do," Francis said. "Abide by the governor's executive orders and realize we are probably in this for the long haul. You need to expect to be."
Citizens with questions on city services should call 620-793-4111 or visit the
website greatbendks.net.&nbsp;

Great Bend Administrator: ‘We’re still fully staffed…that’s what citizens deserve’

Did you miss the Room 428 show this week?

Here’s the interview from the March 31, 2020 show with Cole Reif talking to USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton and Assistant Superintendent John Popp. The three cover how the first day of continued learning went throughout the Great Bend school district and the challenges they face.

Room 428 airs Tuesday mornings at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM and&nbsp;greatbendpost.com&nbsp;during the school year. The show highlights different activities and guests from around the Great Bend school district.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Did you miss the Room 428 show this week?Here’s the interview from the March 31, 2020 show with Cole Reif talking to USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton and Assistant Superintendent John Popp. The three cover how the first day of continued learning went throughout the Great Bend school district and the challenges they face.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/788481556&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false&visual=true"></iframe></div>Room 428 airs Tuesday mornings at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM and&nbsp;greatbendpost.com&nbsp;during the school year. The show highlights different activities and guests from around the Great Bend school district.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coronavirus Update