Great Bend, Ks, March 20, 2020 –&nbsp;Effective at 12 noon today, the following City facilities are closed to the public until further notice.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Police Department

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Municipal Court

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fire Department

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Codes &amp; Inspections

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brit Spaugh Zoo &amp; Raptor Center

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Department of Public Works’ buildings

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Department of Public Land’s buildings

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All City Parks

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All other Buildings where Great Bend City operations are conducted

We are committed to serving you via the following methods:

Please continue to watch the Great Bend City Council Facebook page for current updates on COVID-19 and our website at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.greatbendks.net/75/Public-Information" target="_blank">www.greatbendks.net/75/Public-Information</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584722395294.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend, Ks, March 20, 2020 –&nbsp;Effective at 12 noon today, the following City facilities are closed to the public until further notice.•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;City Hall•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Front Door•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Police Department•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Municipal Court•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fire Department•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Codes &amp; Inspections•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Events Center•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brit Spaugh Zoo &amp; Raptor Center•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Department of Public Works’ buildings•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Department of Public Land’s buildings•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All City Parks•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All other Buildings where Great Bend City operations are conductedWe are committed to serving you via the following methods:<ol>
 <li>By Phone @ (620) 793-4111</li><li>By Email @ customerservice@greatbendks.net</li><li>Our website @ www.greatbendks.net</li><li>Utility payments may be made via the Front Door’s Drive-thru window, On-line Bill Pay, Drop Boxes located at the Front Door, City Office or Dillon’s on west 10th Street or by Auto-Bank drafts.</li>
 </ol>Please continue to watch the Great Bend City Council Facebook page for current updates on COVID-19 and our website at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.greatbendks.net/75/Public-Information" target="_blank">www.greatbendks.net/75/Public-Information</a>

Great Bend city buildings closed to the public

“It is business as usual.” That is what a representative
from the Great Bend Post Office said Friday, March 20 in regards to any alterations in
the services or times the post office operates.



With many COVID-19 effects on businesses in the community, the Great Bend Post
Office at 2100 16th Street is still allowing customers to enter
doors under normal hours. 



The postal service does urge anyone coming into their office to follow Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines with regular hand washing, avoid
close contact, and stay home if you are sick.



The Great Bend Post Service is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5
p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575928088086.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“It is business as usual.” That is what a representative
from the Great Bend Post Office said Friday, March 20 in regards to any alterations in
the services or times the post office operates.

With many COVID-19 effects on businesses in the community, the Great Bend Post
Office at 2100 16th Street is still allowing customers to enter
doors under normal hours. 

The postal service does urge anyone coming into their office to follow Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines with regular hand washing, avoid
close contact, and stay home if you are sick.

The Great Bend Post Service is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5
p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

‘Business as usual’ at the Great Bend Post Office

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post


















With Kansas Governor Laura Kelly closing down school buildings for the
rest of the spring semester to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts
have scrambled to figure out how to keep educating their students for the final
eight weeks of the school year.


After the Kansas State Department of Education rolled out their plans of
continued education to all the districts last week, USD 428 in Great Bend
administration determined what the approach would look like in Great Bend.


In a letter from Eisenhower Elementary School Principal JoAnn Blevins to
families, the principal laid out how the continues learning will work.


The district will focus on reading and math and provide optional activities and
resources for families. Lessons will be delivered in two ways – either online
or through paper and pencil. Lessons will be designed to provide 30 minutes of
reading and 30 minutes of math each weekday. Teachers will be available via
email and phone to help facilitate lessons from a distance.


Blevins noted Eisenhower may be able to check out Chromebooks for families who
do not have access to a device to support online learning.


Information is still coming on how and when to pick up the paper/pencil
instructional materials.





<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584718916093.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend Post
















With Kansas Governor Laura Kelly closing down school buildings for the
rest of the spring semester to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts
have scrambled to figure out how to keep educating their students for the final
eight weeks of the school year.
After the Kansas State Department of Education rolled out their plans of
continued education to all the districts last week, USD 428 in Great Bend
administration determined what the approach would look like in Great Bend.
In a letter from Eisenhower Elementary School Principal JoAnn Blevins to
families, the principal laid out how the continues learning will work.
The district will focus on reading and math and provide optional activities and
resources for families. Lessons will be delivered in two ways – either online
or through paper and pencil. Lessons will be designed to provide 30 minutes of
reading and 30 minutes of math each weekday. Teachers will be available via
email and phone to help facilitate lessons from a distance.
Blevins noted Eisenhower may be able to check out Chromebooks for families who
do not have access to a device to support online learning.
Information is still coming on how and when to pick up the paper/pencil
instructional materials.



<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FEisenhowerEaglesGB%2Fposts%2F2761233950608308&width=500" width="500" height="757" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

A glimpse on what ‘continuous learning’ will look like for Great Bend students

The Board of County Commissioners met in Special Session on Friday, March 20. The board made the following “County Operational Changes”.

The Courthouse will close to the public beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, March 20 until further notice. Employees will continue to work and monitor phone lines.

Road and Bridge, Environmental Management and 911-Communications are also operational but closed to the public.

The Noxious Weed Department, Juvenile Services, Central Kansas Community Corrections and Court Services are working but open to the public by appointment only.

The Health Department is open and available to the public by appointment.

The Sheriff’s Office Administrative building is closed to the public. Use the Detention Center/Jail for all inquiries. The Sheriff’s Office has suspended all VIN inspections until further notice. All fingerprinting have been suspended with the exception of the medical field.

The Register of Deeds office is encouraging the public, to mail any documents that need to be recorded, directly to the Register of Deeds Office at: 1400 Main, Room 205, Great Bend, Ks. 67530. Include name, address and daytime phone number. Call the office at 620-793-1849 with any questions. No Passports will be processed until further notice.

The Treasurer’s Office encourages use of their drop box located outside the East Courthouse door from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays for tag renewals, title work, tax payments and payment plan payments. The drop box will be checked every thirty minutes. The renewals, etc. will be completed the same day if dropped off prior to 4 pm provided no problems are encountered with the documents. Please call the office at 620-793-1831 prior to dropping off your paperwork so we can provide guidance and answer questions. Please put a daytime phone number on the envelope so you can be contacted with questions or instructions for pick-up. If you have title work, please call ahead for instructions on what needs to be provided. Forms will be available upon request. You can also renew your tags by phone by calling our office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574705917284.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Board of County Commissioners met in Special Session on Friday, March 20. The board made the following “County Operational Changes”.The Courthouse will close to the public beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, March 20 until further notice. Employees will continue to work and monitor phone lines.Road and Bridge, Environmental Management and 911-Communications are also operational but closed to the public.The Noxious Weed Department, Juvenile Services, Central Kansas Community Corrections and Court Services are working but open to the public by appointment only.The Health Department is open and available to the public by appointment.The Sheriff’s Office Administrative building is closed to the public. Use the Detention Center/Jail for all inquiries. The Sheriff’s Office has suspended all VIN inspections until further notice. All fingerprinting have been suspended with the exception of the medical field.The Register of Deeds office is encouraging the public, to mail any documents that need to be recorded, directly to the Register of Deeds Office at: 1400 Main, Room 205, Great Bend, Ks. 67530. Include name, address and daytime phone number. Call the office at 620-793-1849 with any questions. No Passports will be processed until further notice.The Treasurer’s Office encourages use of their drop box located outside the East Courthouse door from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays for tag renewals, title work, tax payments and payment plan payments. The drop box will be checked every thirty minutes. The renewals, etc. will be completed the same day if dropped off prior to 4 pm provided no problems are encountered with the documents. Please call the office at 620-793-1831 prior to dropping off your paperwork so we can provide guidance and answer questions. Please put a daytime phone number on the envelope so you can be contacted with questions or instructions for pick-up. If you have title work, please call ahead for instructions on what needs to be provided. Forms will be available upon request. You can also renew your tags by phone by calling our office.

Several changes for Barton County operations made Friday

NEW YORK (AP) — Most Americans who rent their home, many of whom have lost their jobs in the sudden economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak, will not be eligible for eviction protections, despite what President Donald Trump said this week.

Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s plan released Wednesday, foreclosures and evictions would stop for 60 days on single-family homes with loans through the Federal Housing Administration. That would apply to roughly 8 million units, according to HUD. Only FHA homes lived in for at least a year can be rented out.

That’s compared with the roughly 43 million households who rented in 2019, according to the U.S. Census. Roughly half of renters rent their home from an individual investor, while the other half rent from a business or multi-unit property owner. The ones renting from a business will not receive any protections according to HUD’s proposal.

“That’s the problem with (HUD’s proposal). It only impacts a very small amount of people. We need big-scale solutions,” said Andrea Shapiro of the Metropolitan Council on Housing, a New York-based housing advocacy organization.

Furthermore, HUD has no power to protect renters in public housing authorities located across the country. HUD Secretary Ben Carson said this week on Twitter that the agency is working with Congress to get that authority to protect renters in public housing authorities.

“HUD has been in contact with every Public Housing Agency in the country to ensure the millions of low-income Americans we serve continue to have a roof over their head,” Carson said.

The rules are in contrast to comments made by Trump this week, who said renters would get “immediate relief” as part of his administration’s plan.

Housing advocates called the White House’s proposal an “important first step” but said there are limitations to the policy that need to be addressed.

“America’s lowest-income renters were already struggling to pay rent and make ends meet before this latest disaster, and people were experiencing homelessness. Congress must implement a national moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Renters tend to be more economically vulnerable than their homeowner counterparts. They have generally lower incomes and cannot tap into the equity in their homes as a line of credit in case of an emergency. A disproportionate number of renters are black, Hispanic and other minorities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584212056629.png" alt="President Trump during the March 14th Coronavirus Task force media briefing -White House courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during the March 14th Coronavirus Task force media briefing -White House courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Most Americans who rent their home, many of whom have lost their jobs in the sudden economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak, will not be eligible for eviction protections, despite what President Donald Trump said this week.Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s plan released Wednesday, foreclosures and evictions would stop for 60 days on single-family homes with loans through the Federal Housing Administration. That would apply to roughly 8 million units, according to HUD. Only FHA homes lived in for at least a year can be rented out.That’s compared with the roughly 43 million households who rented in 2019, according to the U.S. Census. Roughly half of renters rent their home from an individual investor, while the other half rent from a business or multi-unit property owner. The ones renting from a business will not receive any protections according to HUD’s proposal.“That’s the problem with (HUD’s proposal). It only impacts a very small amount of people. We need big-scale solutions,” said Andrea Shapiro of the Metropolitan Council on Housing, a New York-based housing advocacy organization.Furthermore, HUD has no power to protect renters in public housing authorities located across the country. HUD Secretary Ben Carson said this week on Twitter that the agency is working with Congress to get that authority to protect renters in public housing authorities.“HUD has been in contact with every Public Housing Agency in the country to ensure the millions of low-income Americans we serve continue to have a roof over their head,” Carson said.The rules are in contrast to comments made by Trump this week, who said renters would get “immediate relief” as part of his administration’s plan.Housing advocates called the White House’s proposal an “important first step” but said there are limitations to the policy that need to be addressed.“America’s lowest-income renters were already struggling to pay rent and make ends meet before this latest disaster, and people were experiencing homelessness. Congress must implement a national moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.Renters tend to be more economically vulnerable than their homeowner counterparts. They have generally lower incomes and cannot tap into the equity in their homes as a line of credit in case of an emergency. A disproportionate number of renters are black, Hispanic and other minorities.

Most renters will not receive protections under virus relief proposal

More great resources for children at no cost to you.

<a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/03/19/audible-launches-audible-stories-for-children-and-teens-while-school-is-out/?fbclid=IwAR3Zj06b29sMlqO4dp9lIopAKvPf-7CwQxC9OfYTBgN2A5AFxN0DDkjep-Y" target="_blank">https://bookriot.com/…/audible-launches-audible-stories-fo…/</a>

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgreatbendpl%2Fposts%2F10163114254198990%3A0&width=500" width="500" height="733" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>More great resources for children at no cost to you.<a href="https://bookriot.com/2020/03/19/audible-launches-audible-stories-for-children-and-teens-while-school-is-out/?fbclid=IwAR3Zj06b29sMlqO4dp9lIopAKvPf-7CwQxC9OfYTBgN2A5AFxN0DDkjep-Y" target="_blank">https://bookriot.com/…/audible-launches-audible-stories-fo…/</a>

Great Bend library is closed but still plenty of online options

SACRAMENTO (AP) –&nbsp;California’s 40 million residents should stay home indefinitely and venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday,</a> warning that the coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the state’s medical system.

<a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/img/Executive-Order-N-33-20.pdf">Click here to read the Governor’s executive order</a>

<a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/">Click here to learn more about the order.</a>

Watch a replay of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">announcement here.</a>

The move, the most sweeping by any state so far, was an exclamation point at the end of a week of increasingly aggressive moves meant to keep the virus in check by forcing people to stay away from each other as often as possible.

“I can assure you home isolation is not my preferred choice, I know it’s not yours, but it’s a necessary one,” Newsom said at an evening news conference streamed on social media.

He assured residents that they “can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog.” Restaurant meals can still be delivered to homes.

The announcement came after the release of a letter to President Donald Trump where Newsom warned the virus was spreading quickly and eventually could infect more than half the state’s population. A spokesman later clarified that the figure did not take into account the aggressive mitigation efforts that have been made.

The governor said he doesn’t expect police will be needed to enforce his stay-at-home order, saying “social pressure” already has led to social distancing throughout the state.

“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate,” he said.

The Democrat who is barely a year into his first term also called up 500 National Guard troops to help distribute food. The move comes after panic buying led to massive lines at some grocery stores.

Newsom also outlined a series of steps aimed at providing more space for hospital patients.

He said the state has taken over a 357-bed bankrupt hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area, soon will announce the purchase of a similarly sized hospital in Southern California and may use dormitories at the state’s public colleges and universities. He also asked Trump to dock the Navy’s 1,000-patient Mercy hospital ship in the Port of Los Angeles.

The coronavirus is spread through sneezes and coughs. There are at least 1,030 confirmed cases in California and 18 people have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Newsom’s statewide order came after counties and communities covering about half the state’s population already had issued similar edicts. He said the restriction is “open-ended” because it could raise false hopes if he included an end date.

However, he did offer a glimmer by saying he didn’t expect it would last “many, many months.”

Just before Newsom’s statewide declaration, Los Angeles announced what officials there called a “Safer at Home” order that carried the same restrictions.

“We’re about to enter into a new way of living here in Los Angeles,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “What we do and how we do it and if we get this right will determine how long this crisis lasts.”

In the letter to Trump seeking the hospital ship, Newsom said California’s infection rates are doubling every four days in some areas and that 56% of the state’s population could contract the virus in the next eight weeks, which would be more than 22 million people. He later said the “overwhelming majority won’t have symptoms” and will be fine but that up to 20% could be hospitalized.

“If we meet this moment we can truly bend the curve” of escalating cases, Newsom said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. It can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, for some people, especially older adults and those with existing health problems.

Most people recover — those with mild illness in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks, according to the World Health Organization.

Also Thursday, Newsom asked U.S. House and Senate leaders for $1 billion to support state and local health systems. He said that money would be needed to do things like set up state-run and mobile hospitals, housing options to help people socially distance and testing and treatment for people without health insurance.

He also asked for assistance so the state can extend unemployment benefits beyond the usual 26-week limit, expand food assistance programs, resources for the homeless and tribal communities and boost childcare programs. He further asked for assistance for schools, aid to local and state budgets and transportation relief.

“While California has prudently built a sizable Rainy Day Fund over the past ten years, the economic effects of this emergency are certain to mean that the state and its 58 counties will struggle to maintain essential programs and services,” he wrote.

Newsom earlier announced $150 million of a $1 billion emergency state appropriation would go toward getting homeless people off the streets. He has estimated up to 60,000 of the state’s homeless could get infected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584698975131.png" alt="California Governor Newsome during Thursday's announcement" />
 <figcaption>California Governor Newsome during Thursday's announcement</figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO (AP) –&nbsp;California’s 40 million residents should stay home indefinitely and venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday,</a> warning that the coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the state’s medical system.<a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/img/Executive-Order-N-33-20.pdf">Click here to read the Governor’s executive order</a><a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/">Click here to learn more about the order.</a>Watch a replay of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/videos/494465634769746/">announcement here.</a>The move, the most sweeping by any state so far, was an exclamation point at the end of a week of increasingly aggressive moves meant to keep the virus in check by forcing people to stay away from each other as often as possible.“I can assure you home isolation is not my preferred choice, I know it’s not yours, but it’s a necessary one,” Newsom said at an evening news conference streamed on social media.He assured residents that they “can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog.” Restaurant meals can still be delivered to homes.The announcement came after the release of a letter to President Donald Trump where Newsom warned the virus was spreading quickly and eventually could infect more than half the state’s population. A spokesman later clarified that the figure did not take into account the aggressive mitigation efforts that have been made.The governor said he doesn’t expect police will be needed to enforce his stay-at-home order, saying “social pressure” already has led to social distancing throughout the state.“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate,” he said.The Democrat who is barely a year into his first term also called up 500 National Guard troops to help distribute food. The move comes after panic buying led to massive lines at some grocery stores.Newsom also outlined a series of steps aimed at providing more space for hospital patients.He said the state has taken over a 357-bed bankrupt hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area, soon will announce the purchase of a similarly sized hospital in Southern California and may use dormitories at the state’s public colleges and universities. He also asked Trump to dock the Navy’s 1,000-patient Mercy hospital ship in the Port of Los Angeles.The coronavirus is spread through sneezes and coughs. There are at least 1,030 confirmed cases in California and 18 people have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.Newsom’s statewide order came after counties and communities covering about half the state’s population already had issued similar edicts. He said the restriction is “open-ended” because it could raise false hopes if he included an end date.However, he did offer a glimmer by saying he didn’t expect it would last “many, many months.”Just before Newsom’s statewide declaration, Los Angeles announced what officials there called a “Safer at Home” order that carried the same restrictions.“We’re about to enter into a new way of living here in Los Angeles,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “What we do and how we do it and if we get this right will determine how long this crisis lasts.”In the letter to Trump seeking the hospital ship, Newsom said California’s infection rates are doubling every four days in some areas and that 56% of the state’s population could contract the virus in the next eight weeks, which would be more than 22 million people. He later said the “overwhelming majority won’t have symptoms” and will be fine but that up to 20% could be hospitalized.“If we meet this moment we can truly bend the curve” of escalating cases, Newsom said.For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. It can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, for some people, especially older adults and those with existing health problems.Most people recover — those with mild illness in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks, according to the World Health Organization.Also Thursday, Newsom asked U.S. House and Senate leaders for $1 billion to support state and local health systems. He said that money would be needed to do things like set up state-run and mobile hospitals, housing options to help people socially distance and testing and treatment for people without health insurance.He also asked for assistance so the state can extend unemployment benefits beyond the usual 26-week limit, expand food assistance programs, resources for the homeless and tribal communities and boost childcare programs. He further asked for assistance for schools, aid to local and state budgets and transportation relief.“While California has prudently built a sizable Rainy Day Fund over the past ten years, the economic effects of this emergency are certain to mean that the state and its 58 counties will struggle to maintain essential programs and services,” he wrote.Newsom earlier announced $150 million of a $1 billion emergency state appropriation would go toward getting homeless people off the streets. He has estimated up to 60,000 of the state’s homeless could get infected.___

Governor orders 40 million in California to stay-at-home 

H&B Communications offering free internet to students & those forced to work from home

3.19 Update: Grace and Flexibility

To the families of USD 428,Today brought more plans and innovation as our administrators begin to engage building leadership and teachers in USD 428’s Continuous Learning Plan. While we also feel the unease and anxiety of these uncertain days, we’re encouraged by the ‘helpers’ who face these challenges with courage and confidence.

USD 428’s Food Service Team served 515 meal packages yesterday and 592 today, which is incredible! Our Maintenance Team continues their diligent work, keeping our facilities and offices clean. And the community – we see residents and businesses stepping up to support their neighbors in amazing ways.

-&gt; Playgrounds &amp; GBHS Memorial Stadium Complex Closed - To limit gatherings of large groups and reduce risks of communal spread of the virus, playgrounds and the GBHS stadium have been closed as of today.

-&gt; If you have questions, please feel free to call the District Education Center, Monday-Friday from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. Please call instead of coming out to the office, we have a team of essential staff available to answer questions.

-&gt; Building specific information – Be on the lookout for more information from your building. In the near future, each building will be asking families to complete a survey so that we can better assess the connectivity (internet) abilities and needs of our students and households.

As we’ve said before, there are many questions that we simply do not yet have answers for at this time… but we know more each day.

As we work together to protect the health and safety of our community, we’re approaching this situation with grace and flexibility. For our staff, students, families and community - we’re giving grace and flexibility, and asking for the same in return.

Most importantly, our teachers can’t wait to connect with their students. As students and families are grieving the abrupt end to the year, so are your teachers and staff. While it will look different, plans are taking shape and we will continue to provide learning opportunities for Great Bend’s students.

Mensaje para las familias,El día de hoy nos trae más planes e innovaciones a medida que nuestros administradores y maestros han empezado a involucrarse en el liderazgo de sus planteles del USD 428 en el Plan de Aprendizaje Continuo. Mientras nosotros también sentimos la incertidumbre y ansiedad de estos días, nos sentimos animados por nuestros ‘ayudantes’ a enfrentar estos desafíos con valor y confianza.

El Equipo del Departamento de Alimentos del USD 428 sirvió ayer 515 paquetes de alimentos y el día de hoy 592, ¡Esto es increíble! Nuestro Equipo de Mantenimiento continua su trabajo diligentemente, manteniendo los planteles y oficinas limpios. Y en la comunidad – vemos a los residentes y negocios ofreciendo su apoyo a sus vecinos en maneras muy maravillosas.

Las noticias de último momento de hoy incluyen lo siguiente,-&gt; Las Áreas de Juego y el Estadio Memorial de la GBHS están cerrados – para limitar las reuniones de grupos grandes y reducir el riesgo de esparcir el virus en la comunidad, las áreas de juego y el estadio de la GBHS han sido cerrados a partir de hoy.-&gt; Si usted tiene preguntas, por favor no dude en llamar al Centro de Educación del Distrito, de lunes a viernes de 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. Por favor llame en vez de venir a la oficina, nosotros tenemos un equipo de trabajo imprescindible dispuesto a contestar sus preguntas.-&gt; Información especifica del plantel – Manténgase alerta por mas información sobre su plantel. En un futuro cercano, cada plantel les estará pidiendo a las familias que llenen una encuesta para que podamos evaluar la conectividad (internet) habilidades y necesidades de nuestros estudiantes y los que están en casa.

Como mencionamos anteriormente, hay muchas preguntas que simplemente todavía no tenemos las respuestas en este momento… pero cada día sabemos más.

Al trabajar juntos para proteger la salud y seguridad de nuestra comunidad, nos estamos acercando a esta situación con gracia y flexibilidad, y les pedimos que ustedes hagan lo mismo a cambio.

Lo más importante, nuestros maestros ya quieren comunicarse con los alumnos. Los estudiantes y sus familias están tristes por el fin del año escolar tan brusco, también lo están los maestros y el personal. Mientras nos vemos diferentes, los planes están tomando forma y continuaremos proveyendo las oportunidades de aprendizaje para los alumnos de Great Bend.

Saludos,Khris ThextonUSD 428 Superintendente

<figure>
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 </figure>From USD 428...3.19 Update: Grace and FlexibilityTo the families of USD 428,Today brought more plans and innovation as our administrators begin to engage building leadership and teachers in USD 428’s Continuous Learning Plan. While we also feel the unease and anxiety of these uncertain days, we’re encouraged by the ‘helpers’ who face these challenges with courage and confidence.USD 428’s Food Service Team served 515 meal packages yesterday and 592 today, which is incredible! Our Maintenance Team continues their diligent work, keeping our facilities and offices clean. And the community – we see residents and businesses stepping up to support their neighbors in amazing ways.Today’s updates include the following,-&gt; Playgrounds &amp; GBHS Memorial Stadium Complex Closed - To limit gatherings of large groups and reduce risks of communal spread of the virus, playgrounds and the GBHS stadium have been closed as of today.-&gt; If you have questions, please feel free to call the District Education Center, Monday-Friday from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. Please call instead of coming out to the office, we have a team of essential staff available to answer questions.-&gt; Building specific information – Be on the lookout for more information from your building. In the near future, each building will be asking families to complete a survey so that we can better assess the connectivity (internet) abilities and needs of our students and households.As we’ve said before, there are many questions that we simply do not yet have answers for at this time… but we know more each day.As we work together to protect the health and safety of our community, we’re approaching this situation with grace and flexibility. For our staff, students, families and community - we’re giving grace and flexibility, and asking for the same in return.Most importantly, our teachers can’t wait to connect with their students. As students and families are grieving the abrupt end to the year, so are your teachers and staff. While it will look different, plans are taking shape and we will continue to provide learning opportunities for Great Bend’s students.Regards,Khris ThextonUSD 428 Superintendent-----------------------------3.19 Noticias: Gracia y FlexibilidadMensaje para las familias,El día de hoy nos trae más planes e innovaciones a medida que nuestros administradores y maestros han empezado a involucrarse en el liderazgo de sus planteles del USD 428 en el Plan de Aprendizaje Continuo. Mientras nosotros también sentimos la incertidumbre y ansiedad de estos días, nos sentimos animados por nuestros ‘ayudantes’ a enfrentar estos desafíos con valor y confianza.El Equipo del Departamento de Alimentos del USD 428 sirvió ayer 515 paquetes de alimentos y el día de hoy 592, ¡Esto es increíble! Nuestro Equipo de Mantenimiento continua su trabajo diligentemente, manteniendo los planteles y oficinas limpios. Y en la comunidad – vemos a los residentes y negocios ofreciendo su apoyo a sus vecinos en maneras muy maravillosas.Las noticias de último momento de hoy incluyen lo siguiente,-&gt; Las Áreas de Juego y el Estadio Memorial de la GBHS están cerrados – para limitar las reuniones de grupos grandes y reducir el riesgo de esparcir el virus en la comunidad, las áreas de juego y el estadio de la GBHS han sido cerrados a partir de hoy.-&gt; Si usted tiene preguntas, por favor no dude en llamar al Centro de Educación del Distrito, de lunes a viernes de 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. Por favor llame en vez de venir a la oficina, nosotros tenemos un equipo de trabajo imprescindible dispuesto a contestar sus preguntas.-&gt; Información especifica del plantel – Manténgase alerta por mas información sobre su plantel. En un futuro cercano, cada plantel les estará pidiendo a las familias que llenen una encuesta para que podamos evaluar la conectividad (internet) habilidades y necesidades de nuestros estudiantes y los que están en casa.Como mencionamos anteriormente, hay muchas preguntas que simplemente todavía no tenemos las respuestas en este momento… pero cada día sabemos más.Al trabajar juntos para proteger la salud y seguridad de nuestra comunidad, nos estamos acercando a esta situación con gracia y flexibilidad, y les pedimos que ustedes hagan lo mismo a cambio.Lo más importante, nuestros maestros ya quieren comunicarse con los alumnos. Los estudiantes y sus familias están tristes por el fin del año escolar tan brusco, también lo están los maestros y el personal. Mientras nos vemos diferentes, los planes están tomando forma y continuaremos proveyendo las oportunidades de aprendizaje para los alumnos de Great Bend.Saludos,Khris ThextonUSD 428 Superintendente

Great Bend school district update: 'Grace & Flexibility'

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today spoke on the Senate floor after supporting the&nbsp;Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The relief bill passed the Senate, 90-8.

“We need to make certain that our health care providers have the necessary tools to meet the health care needs of American citizens,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“And front and center in that regard is testing, and we are woefully inadequate and undersupplied in what we need to test the necessary number of Kansans and Americans to know what they face and to know what their circumstances are and to respond in the medically required way. We are working to make sure there are more tests across the country and working to make certain that those tests are distributed in a way that Kansans and their health care providers can access them.”

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYLgqoUiD0I" target="_blank">Here</a>&nbsp;to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks

“This has been a trying and difficult, challenging time in our country and in my home state of Kansas. Lots of conversations, care and compassion going on – we can’t give anyone a hug these days, we can’t extend a hand, at least literally. But we are extending a hand to all of our friends and our neighbors, those across our community, those across our state and across the country. I’m troubled of course by what circumstances Americans find themselves in. There are those who are in a poor circumstance from which they can’t recover from the circumstances that we face. I want to make sure that Kansans know we hear their cries, we know of their problems and that work is afoot to try to make a difference.

“Just a couple of examples – things that perhaps in the overall scale of where we are perhaps don’t seem significant enough, but can make a difference in individual lives and families wellbeing. We have been successful in getting the school lunch program available for students whose schools are no longer in session – who don’t go to the classroom and therefore aren’t in the school lunchroom. USDA and the school food program are now available for those who are at home because their school classes have been canceled as a result of the virus.

“We are paying a lot of attention to this – I hope Kansans know, Americans know – to the veteran and the veteran community. We’ve had success in passing legislation on the Senate floor, waiting for House consideration, that allow those veterans who are no longer in the classroom in a university or in a technical college and are now learning by distance education, by technology, to be able to continue to receive their GI educational benefits. That required a change in the law, and it’s in the works so that those benefits continue even though the student is not, as now required, in a classroom itself. We are trying to make certain the Department of Veterans Affairs has the resources necessary to meet the needs of our veterans. It is a vulnerable population because of age and existing conditions of many of our veterans. We are in constant contact, not only with the Department of Veterans Affairs, but with veterans themselves and with our veteran hospitals and clinics, and other health care providers in Kansas.

“Today we are dealing with economic relief for those who are losing their job, fearful of losing their job or have already lost their job. Much of life’s meaning comes from our employment – from what we do – and a job is certainly something that helps put food on a family’s table and provide security for an individual, but it also provides meaning. No one can understand unless they are without a job how devastating that can be.

“I am pleased by the number of business men and women who have called me to tell me that the last thing they want to do is layoff anyone who works in their business. The circumstances at home and in Kansas, we’ve been through economic difficulties before, we’ve seen the cycle of the economy – the ups and downs, the normal flows – but this is something totally different than that.

“Oil and gas: the price of oil is such that keeping our oil and gas producers in Kansas in business is a real challenge. Aviation manufacturing is an important component of the Kansas economy and today, Textron Industries, which manufactures Cessna aircraft and Beechcraft, announced they are furloughing 7,000 of their 9,000 workers. That’s on top of other challenges in the aviation industry in which Spirit AeroSystems, headquartered in Kansas, has already laid off 2,800 employees. So from the oil and gas industry of western and south central and eastern Kansas, to the manufacturing hub of Wichita and south central Kansas, the consequences of the coronavirus are real and felt in the pocketbook, felt in the brain and felt in the heart.

“Our restaurants, hotels, car rental agencies – those who serve others. I’ve been in circumstances this week in visiting with the people who work at a restaurant, the people who work at a café, the people who work here in D.C. at the cafeteria where I had breakfast this morning. Those who have jobs wonder if they are going to have jobs tomorrow, and those who have already lost their jobs wonder how they are going to pay the bills. This morning a conversation with an optometrist telling me the circumstances of no longer being able to care for patients except in the emergency setting, which means the business in the optometrist office, an important health care provider, the business in the dental office, that that has been curtailed in the necessity of considering laying off the clinical workers there is front and center in that conversation.

“It’s a troublesome situation across Kansas, doesn’t matter what city or town you live in. If you’re a farmer, the cattle prices are significantly depressed despite the fact that it’s still pretty expensive at the grocery store. I think about my hometown and the loss of a business. There aren’t many businesses in many rural communities of Kansas, and many businesses don’t really earn much of a living or a profit. It could be a family circumstance, it could be this is what they did, this is what their parents did, this could be a service to the community, and they live on a lot less because that business is important to a small community. But this kind of challenge is such that if that business closes, the chances are that it doesn’t reopen. The financial circumstances of small town America are such that there is little likelihood of recovery and reopening.

“I hope that the legislation we passed today – now on its way to the president – it included a few things that I was troubled by and I think will create significant difficulties for some. We need to continue to work to change those provisions that are troublesome and cause problems, but it was important in my view to make certain that the things that were wrong in that bill didn’t prevent us from passing something to help those with the things that are right. None of our economic efforts that we make to make certain that people feel more secure economically will work until they feel more secure in their health and wellbeing of themselves and their families. So even though you may get some assistance – a person may get some assistance, a family may be relieved of some of the financial burden that they now face, a laid off worker may get unemployment benefits – but your mind is always going to be on the issue of your health and wellbeing of your children and your parents and your grandparents, those we know in the nursing home and those we know in the nursery.

“As long as we are troubled by what may happen to us and our health, no amount of economic stimulus can overcome the fear of one’s wellbeing, and particularly the wellbeing of their spouse, their children and their parents. So clearly, economic relief in and of itself in my view is insufficient. We need to make certain that our health care providers have the necessary tools to meet the health care needs of American citizens. And front and center in that regard is testing, and we are woefully inadequate and undersupplied in what we need to test the necessary number of Kansans and Americans to know what they face and to know what their circumstances are and to respond in the medically required way.

“We are working to make sure there are more tests across the country and working to make certain that those tests are distributed in a way that Kansans and their health care providers can access them. And most recently we were able to getting CDC to undo a problem that kept tests from being transferred to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in my home state. We are pleased to see the FDA, for example, has modified the necessary steps it takes for a manufacturer of these test kits to be certified, to be qualified, to manufacture them. And the amount of test kits that are being produced, the amount of manufacturing has increased, and we are expecting significant improvements in the next couple of weeks. Yes, I wish they were here earlier, but can we fix the problem we face now and get them here soon – immediately.

“I sit in the desk of Sen. Bob Dole a predecessor of mine in Kansas. His name is etched is this desk drawer. Now known for his bipartisanship and held in great respect, not only at home in Kansas, but across the country. I stand at the desk that is here in the place of Sen. John McCain. Two people who demonstrated the desire to work together. And while I’ve outlined a few things that I think are important, that I wanted Kansans to know, my mission and my remarks today that may be the most important is to ask my Republican colleagues and my Democrat colleagues to set aside the usual bickering and political posturing that takes place in the United States Congress. No American can feel well, no American can feel that things are going to be okay if they don’t see leadership and cooperation among us.

“And so while we today are preparing for the presentation of new legislation dealing with the challenges that businesses, employers and employees face, trying to relieve the economic and financial burden that many American are experiencing and more will experience in the future, could Americans please see that me and my colleagues are taking every step not to make this a political exercise, but to demonstrate our care and concern for those we represent.

“I mentioned a moment ago about veterans. This is the point in time in which if you take a walk on the National Mall, as I’ve often done, to walk to the Lincoln Memorial I will walk by now the WWII memorial; I will walk by the Vietnam Wall and on my return, I will walk by the Korean War Memorial. We should hold those veterans, those military men and women who are honored in those settings, as our role models. We should do that every day, but can we please do it over the next few weeks, the next few months and into the next year as we try to address the challenges that America faces today. No person memorialized in those settings fought and sacrificed their life for a Republican or a Democrat. They sacrificed because they believed they could make life better for the folks back home—they’re own family members, their neighbors and people they didn’t know. They sacrificed because they believed they could make the world a more safe and secure place. And I pledge myself in every way possible to see that I do the things today, tomorrow and into the future that means this Congress has come together on behalf of the American people, just like those who served our country did and now rest in peace.

“To the Democrat colleagues here in the Senate, please consider me open to their suggestions. To my Republican colleagues, please know that I am an ally in the things we believe in. But we may all need to give a little, so that America can return, Americans can be safe, Americans can be secure; our health is protected; and our economy flourishing. I would ask God in this circumstance to bless this country, to bring us together; hold us in His arms in a way we can’t do today. And to make certain that this Congress represents the will of the people, not the will of any political party.”&nbsp;

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today spoke on the Senate floor after supporting the&nbsp;Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The relief bill passed the Senate, 90-8.“We need to make certain that our health care providers have the necessary tools to meet the health care needs of American citizens,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“And front and center in that regard is testing, and we are woefully inadequate and undersupplied in what we need to test the necessary number of Kansans and Americans to know what they face and to know what their circumstances are and to respond in the medically required way. We are working to make sure there are more tests across the country and working to make certain that those tests are distributed in a way that Kansans and their health care providers can access them.”Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYLgqoUiD0I" target="_blank">Here</a>&nbsp;to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full RemarksRemarks as delivered:“This has been a trying and difficult, challenging time in our country and in my home state of Kansas. Lots of conversations, care and compassion going on – we can’t give anyone a hug these days, we can’t extend a hand, at least literally. But we are extending a hand to all of our friends and our neighbors, those across our community, those across our state and across the country. I’m troubled of course by what circumstances Americans find themselves in. There are those who are in a poor circumstance from which they can’t recover from the circumstances that we face. I want to make sure that Kansans know we hear their cries, we know of their problems and that work is afoot to try to make a difference.“Just a couple of examples – things that perhaps in the overall scale of where we are perhaps don’t seem significant enough, but can make a difference in individual lives and families wellbeing. We have been successful in getting the school lunch program available for students whose schools are no longer in session – who don’t go to the classroom and therefore aren’t in the school lunchroom. USDA and the school food program are now available for those who are at home because their school classes have been canceled as a result of the virus.“We are paying a lot of attention to this – I hope Kansans know, Americans know – to the veteran and the veteran community. We’ve had success in passing legislation on the Senate floor, waiting for House consideration, that allow those veterans who are no longer in the classroom in a university or in a technical college and are now learning by distance education, by technology, to be able to continue to receive their GI educational benefits. That required a change in the law, and it’s in the works so that those benefits continue even though the student is not, as now required, in a classroom itself. We are trying to make certain the Department of Veterans Affairs has the resources necessary to meet the needs of our veterans. It is a vulnerable population because of age and existing conditions of many of our veterans. We are in constant contact, not only with the Department of Veterans Affairs, but with veterans themselves and with our veteran hospitals and clinics, and other health care providers in Kansas.“Today we are dealing with economic relief for those who are losing their job, fearful of losing their job or have already lost their job. Much of life’s meaning comes from our employment – from what we do – and a job is certainly something that helps put food on a family’s table and provide security for an individual, but it also provides meaning. No one can understand unless they are without a job how devastating that can be.“I am pleased by the number of business men and women who have called me to tell me that the last thing they want to do is layoff anyone who works in their business. The circumstances at home and in Kansas, we’ve been through economic difficulties before, we’ve seen the cycle of the economy – the ups and downs, the normal flows – but this is something totally different than that.“Oil and gas: the price of oil is such that keeping our oil and gas producers in Kansas in business is a real challenge. Aviation manufacturing is an important component of the Kansas economy and today, Textron Industries, which manufactures Cessna aircraft and Beechcraft, announced they are furloughing 7,000 of their 9,000 workers. That’s on top of other challenges in the aviation industry in which Spirit AeroSystems, headquartered in Kansas, has already laid off 2,800 employees. So from the oil and gas industry of western and south central and eastern Kansas, to the manufacturing hub of Wichita and south central Kansas, the consequences of the coronavirus are real and felt in the pocketbook, felt in the brain and felt in the heart.“Our restaurants, hotels, car rental agencies – those who serve others. I’ve been in circumstances this week in visiting with the people who work at a restaurant, the people who work at a café, the people who work here in D.C. at the cafeteria where I had breakfast this morning. Those who have jobs wonder if they are going to have jobs tomorrow, and those who have already lost their jobs wonder how they are going to pay the bills. This morning a conversation with an optometrist telling me the circumstances of no longer being able to care for patients except in the emergency setting, which means the business in the optometrist office, an important health care provider, the business in the dental office, that that has been curtailed in the necessity of considering laying off the clinical workers there is front and center in that conversation.“It’s a troublesome situation across Kansas, doesn’t matter what city or town you live in. If you’re a farmer, the cattle prices are significantly depressed despite the fact that it’s still pretty expensive at the grocery store. I think about my hometown and the loss of a business. There aren’t many businesses in many rural communities of Kansas, and many businesses don’t really earn much of a living or a profit. It could be a family circumstance, it could be this is what they did, this is what their parents did, this could be a service to the community, and they live on a lot less because that business is important to a small community. But this kind of challenge is such that if that business closes, the chances are that it doesn’t reopen. The financial circumstances of small town America are such that there is little likelihood of recovery and reopening.“I hope that the legislation we passed today – now on its way to the president – it included a few things that I was troubled by and I think will create significant difficulties for some. We need to continue to work to change those provisions that are troublesome and cause problems, but it was important in my view to make certain that the things that were wrong in that bill didn’t prevent us from passing something to help those with the things that are right. None of our economic efforts that we make to make certain that people feel more secure economically will work until they feel more secure in their health and wellbeing of themselves and their families. So even though you may get some assistance – a person may get some assistance, a family may be relieved of some of the financial burden that they now face, a laid off worker may get unemployment benefits – but your mind is always going to be on the issue of your health and wellbeing of your children and your parents and your grandparents, those we know in the nursing home and those we know in the nursery.“As long as we are troubled by what may happen to us and our health, no amount of economic stimulus can overcome the fear of one’s wellbeing, and particularly the wellbeing of their spouse, their children and their parents. So clearly, economic relief in and of itself in my view is insufficient. We need to make certain that our health care providers have the necessary tools to meet the health care needs of American citizens. And front and center in that regard is testing, and we are woefully inadequate and undersupplied in what we need to test the necessary number of Kansans and Americans to know what they face and to know what their circumstances are and to respond in the medically required way.“We are working to make sure there are more tests across the country and working to make certain that those tests are distributed in a way that Kansans and their health care providers can access them. And most recently we were able to getting CDC to undo a problem that kept tests from being transferred to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in my home state. We are pleased to see the FDA, for example, has modified the necessary steps it takes for a manufacturer of these test kits to be certified, to be qualified, to manufacture them. And the amount of test kits that are being produced, the amount of manufacturing has increased, and we are expecting significant improvements in the next couple of weeks. Yes, I wish they were here earlier, but can we fix the problem we face now and get them here soon – immediately.“I sit in the desk of Sen. Bob Dole a predecessor of mine in Kansas. His name is etched is this desk drawer. Now known for his bipartisanship and held in great respect, not only at home in Kansas, but across the country. I stand at the desk that is here in the place of Sen. John McCain. Two people who demonstrated the desire to work together. And while I’ve outlined a few things that I think are important, that I wanted Kansans to know, my mission and my remarks today that may be the most important is to ask my Republican colleagues and my Democrat colleagues to set aside the usual bickering and political posturing that takes place in the United States Congress. No American can feel well, no American can feel that things are going to be okay if they don’t see leadership and cooperation among us.“And so while we today are preparing for the presentation of new legislation dealing with the challenges that businesses, employers and employees face, trying to relieve the economic and financial burden that many American are experiencing and more will experience in the future, could Americans please see that me and my colleagues are taking every step not to make this a political exercise, but to demonstrate our care and concern for those we represent.“I mentioned a moment ago about veterans. This is the point in time in which if you take a walk on the National Mall, as I’ve often done, to walk to the Lincoln Memorial I will walk by now the WWII memorial; I will walk by the Vietnam Wall and on my return, I will walk by the Korean War Memorial. We should hold those veterans, those military men and women who are honored in those settings, as our role models. We should do that every day, but can we please do it over the next few weeks, the next few months and into the next year as we try to address the challenges that America faces today. No person memorialized in those settings fought and sacrificed their life for a Republican or a Democrat. They sacrificed because they believed they could make life better for the folks back home—they’re own family members, their neighbors and people they didn’t know. They sacrificed because they believed they could make the world a more safe and secure place. And I pledge myself in every way possible to see that I do the things today, tomorrow and into the future that means this Congress has come together on behalf of the American people, just like those who served our country did and now rest in peace.“To the Democrat colleagues here in the Senate, please consider me open to their suggestions. To my Republican colleagues, please know that I am an ally in the things we believe in. But we may all need to give a little, so that America can return, Americans can be safe, Americans can be secure; our health is protected; and our economy flourishing. I would ask God in this circumstance to bless this country, to bring us together; hold us in His arms in a way we can’t do today. And to make certain that this Congress represents the will of the people, not the will of any political party.”&nbsp;

Sen. Moran becomes emotional during coronavirus speech 

TOPEKA -&nbsp;By statute, the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is granted discretionary powers in the interest of public health and welfare. On Thursday, Debbi Beavers, Director of the Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, sent guidance notices to alcoholic beverage distributors and liquor stores concerning COVID-19, according to a media release from the agency.

A memo to state liquor licensees outlined a provision made to allow curbside sales to customers. There must be a designated "to-go" parking area located within 50 feet of the entrance of licensed premises. Sales outside of that radius are strictly prohibited.

The guidance also extends current law that allows restaurants to package alcoholic beverages with a tamper-resistant seal and accompanied with a receipt. This will allow bottles of beer and wine in the original container to be sold curbside along with meals.

This memo to liquor licensees can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf</a>)

A separate memo to alcoholic beverage distributors said alcoholic liquor purchased for an event that is canceled due to COVID-19 concerns may be returned without the Director's approval and not be considered in violation of Federal law regarding consignment sales.

The memo also does not require a direct signature for delivery by distributors. Instead, distributors are required to print the first and last name of the delivery recipient and make their own initials next to the recipient's name.

The memo to distributors can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf</a>)

The Division has taken a proactive approach and is in the process of extending all liquor licenses that expire now through April 30, 2020, for an additional 30 days to ensure licenses do not expire during this time.

TOPEKA -&nbsp;By statute, the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is granted discretionary powers in the interest of public health and welfare. On Thursday, Debbi Beavers, Director of the Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, sent guidance notices to alcoholic beverage distributors and liquor stores concerning COVID-19, according to a media release from the agency.A memo to state liquor licensees outlined a provision made to allow curbside sales to customers. There must be a designated "to-go" parking area located within 50 feet of the entrance of licensed premises. Sales outside of that radius are strictly prohibited.The guidance also extends current law that allows restaurants to package alcoholic beverages with a tamper-resistant seal and accompanied with a receipt. This will allow bottles of beer and wine in the original container to be sold curbside along with meals.This memo to liquor licensees can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/abccurbsidememo.pdf</a>)A separate memo to alcoholic beverage distributors said alcoholic liquor purchased for an event that is canceled due to COVID-19 concerns may be returned without the Director's approval and not be considered in violation of Federal law regarding consignment sales.The memo also does not require a direct signature for delivery by distributors. Instead, distributors are required to print the first and last name of the delivery recipient and make their own initials next to the recipient's name.The memo to distributors can be viewed here: (<a href="https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf" target="_blank">https://ksrevenue.org/pdf/COVID19abcdistributormemo.pdf</a>)The Division has taken a proactive approach and is in the process of extending all liquor licenses that expire now through April 30, 2020, for an additional 30 days to ensure licenses do not expire during this time.

Kansas will allow booze "to-go" during coronavirus pandemic

During times of uncertainty, Americans come together to support each other. COVID-19 is a new test of our collective strength. As social distancing and self-quarantining become the new normal, we’re facing new economic challenges. 

To support this rapidly escalating need, United Way Worldwide has created the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. This Fund supports communities struggling in the wake of the new virus, by supporting local United Ways and 211, the go-to information resource in times of crisis. Every year, 211 specialists answer 12 million requests by phone, text, chat and email to connect people with disaster, food, housing, utility, health care resources and more. 

There is no other network in the country with a similar pulse on America’s needs. So far, some 20 statewide 211 operations have been activated, and 211 is working closely with health officials all over the country to provide accurate updates to the public.

United Way of Central Kansas and our 22 Community Partners are a part of this network thanks to a partnership with United Way of the Plains, who provides this service for the majority of the State of Kansas.

They can be reached by calling 211, by texting 898211, or visit the website https://211kansas.bowmansystems.com/.

While a local fund has not been set up at this time, we are working closely with our Community Partners and other resources in our communities and will keep abreast of this rapidly changing situation. UWCK is working hard to ensure that we are there for our family, friends, and neighbors as we learn to navigate this situation together.

NOTE: You can dial 211 to speak to someone about local assistance at any time. The 1-866-211-9966 number you may have seen on social media is only available for residents of Indianapolis. Please be aware that financial assistance related to COVID-19 is not available for individuals everywhere.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583773307948.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>During times of uncertainty, Americans come together to support each other. COVID-19 is a new test of our collective strength. As social distancing and self-quarantining become the new normal, we’re facing new economic challenges. To support this rapidly escalating need, United Way Worldwide has created the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. This Fund supports communities struggling in the wake of the new virus, by supporting local United Ways and 211, the go-to information resource in times of crisis. Every year, 211 specialists answer 12 million requests by phone, text, chat and email to connect people with disaster, food, housing, utility, health care resources and more. There is no other network in the country with a similar pulse on America’s needs. So far, some 20 statewide 211 operations have been activated, and 211 is working closely with health officials all over the country to provide accurate updates to the public.United Way of Central Kansas and our 22 Community Partners are a part of this network thanks to a partnership with United Way of the Plains, who provides this service for the majority of the State of Kansas.They can be reached by calling 211, by texting 898211, or visit the website https://211kansas.bowmansystems.com/.While a local fund has not been set up at this time, we are working closely with our Community Partners and other resources in our communities and will keep abreast of this rapidly changing situation. UWCK is working hard to ensure that we are there for our family, friends, and neighbors as we learn to navigate this situation together.NOTE: You can dial 211 to speak to someone about local assistance at any time. The 1-866-211-9966 number you may have seen on social media is only available for residents of Indianapolis. Please be aware that financial assistance related to COVID-19 is not available for individuals everywhere.

United Way offers 211 hotline during COVID-19 crisis

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump focused attention on possible treatments for the new coronavirus on Thursday, citing potential use of a drug long used to treat malaria and some other approaches still in testing.

At a White House news conference, Trump and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn cited the malaria drug chloroquine, along with remdesivir, an experimental antiviral from Gilead Sciences, and possibly using plasma from survivors of COVID-19, the disease the new virus causes.

Those treatments are among several being tested that might ease symptoms but do not stop the virus from spreading.

Also on Thursday, Swiss drugmaker Roche said it was working with the U.S. government to start a study of Actemra, a drug used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions, against the coronavirus.

"We're looking at drugs that are already approved for other indications" as a potential bridge or stopgap, Hahn said, while also doing rigorous studies to see if the drugs truly make a difference versus usual care, and if they are safe when used for a new purpose.

“We want to make sure this is done well and right,” he said.

No drug is specifically approved now for treating COVID-19.

Chloroquine and a similar drug — hydroxychloroquine, sold as Plaquenil by French drugmaker Sanofi and in generic form — are available now and can be used off-label in the United States. They may interfere with the coronavirus being able to enter cells, and some scientists have reported possible encouraging signs in test-tube and other small studies.

German drugmaker Bayer has said it would donate 3 million tablets of its chloroquine drug, Resochin, for use against coronavirus. That drug was never approved in the U.S., so Bayer is working with federal agencies to get an emergency-use authorization.

Chloroquine and remdesivir are among the drugs the World Health Organization said would be tried in a five-part international study announced Wednesday.

Already approved drugs are tempting for doctors to use off label, but formal studies are needed to see if they truly work for a new purpose or disease, said Dr. Ross McKinney Jr., chief scientific officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges, which represents about 400 major teaching hospitals across the country.

Chloroquine may look promising in a test tube, but “I'm skeptical it will be effective” in patients, he said Thursday in a call with reporters.

Remdesivir interferes with virus reproduction and has shown some promise in lab and animal studies against other coronaviruses that cause similar diseases, MERS and SARS.

It's being tested in at least five separate experiments, and Gilead also has given it to several hundred severely ill patients in the U.S, Europe and Japan under "compassionate use" provisions. That includes three of the first dozen COVID-19 patients in the United States. They recovered, but it's impossible to know whether they would have anyway without the drug.

On a podcast Wednesday with a medical journal editor, the National Institutes of Health's Dr. Anthony Fauci said China had enrolled several hundred people in its two remdesivir studies but is having trouble recruiting more because many patients just want the drug and are unwilling to take a chance on being randomly assigned to a comparison group that just gets usual care.

It would be great if an independent monitoring board could look at results so far and see if there are signs of safety or effectiveness, Fauci said.

"We desperately need the data" on this and other drugs being tested in rigorous scientific studies, Fauci said. "We've got to be able to determine if they work and if they're safe."

Apart from the studies in China, Fauci's agency is running a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.click2houston.com/health/2020/03/19/trump-focuses-attention-on-possible-coronavirus-treatments/NIH%20remdesivir%20trial:%20https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04280705">study</a>&nbsp;of remdesivir that aims to recruit 400 patients in the U.S. and elsewhere. That study is "adaptive," meaning it will allow scientists to add other drugs under the same testing umbrella as time goes on. Gilead also has said it will do two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19">studies</a>&nbsp;testing remdesivir treatment for five or 10 days in about 1,000 hospitalized patients primarily in Asia.

Remdesivir "does look like it could be promising," said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In animal tests, it was "quite effective at preventing infection" and reducing severity of illness and damage to the lungs when given early enough in the course of illness, he said.

"It interferes with the enzyme that reproduces the genetic material of the virus" and acts at an earlier step than protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and ritonavir, which are used now to treat HIV and also are being tested against the new coronavirus, Kuritzkes explained.

The HIV drugs gave disappointing results, failing to shorten illness in a study of 199 severely ill hospitalized patients in China, scientists from that country reported Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Some other studies testing the HIV drug combo are still underway.

The Roche drug, Actemra, is used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions. It targets interleukin-6, which plays a role in inflammation. Roche's U.S. subsidiary, Genentech, said Thursday that it was working with the FDA to start a 330-patient study on hospitalized COVID-19 patients in April.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals says it will lanch a study of Kevzara, its rheumatoid arthritis drug that also targets interleukin-6, against the coronavirus.

A Japanese company, Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, says tests suggest its drug favipiravir, used to treat the flu in Japan, shows promise against the coronavirus, though no large studies of that have been published yet.

Other companies are developing monoclonal antibodies, proteins that specifically fight the coronavirus. Antibodies or combinations of them were tried against Ebola, and doctors think a similar approach may help against the new virus.

Finally, some doctors have urged collecting plasma from people who have survived COVID-19, because they should have made natural antibodies to the virus that could be given to people to help their immune systems fight it off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584633255238.png" alt="FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn during Thursday's Coronavirus task force media" />
 <figcaption>FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn during Thursday's Coronavirus task force media</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump focused attention on possible treatments for the new coronavirus on Thursday, citing potential use of a drug long used to treat malaria and some other approaches still in testing.At a White House news conference, Trump and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn cited the malaria drug chloroquine, along with remdesivir, an experimental antiviral from Gilead Sciences, and possibly using plasma from survivors of COVID-19, the disease the new virus causes.Those treatments are among several being tested that might ease symptoms but do not stop the virus from spreading.Also on Thursday, Swiss drugmaker Roche said it was working with the U.S. government to start a study of Actemra, a drug used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions, against the coronavirus."We're looking at drugs that are already approved for other indications" as a potential bridge or stopgap, Hahn said, while also doing rigorous studies to see if the drugs truly make a difference versus usual care, and if they are safe when used for a new purpose.“We want to make sure this is done well and right,” he said.No drug is specifically approved now for treating COVID-19.Chloroquine and a similar drug — hydroxychloroquine, sold as Plaquenil by French drugmaker Sanofi and in generic form — are available now and can be used off-label in the United States. They may interfere with the coronavirus being able to enter cells, and some scientists have reported possible encouraging signs in test-tube and other small studies.German drugmaker Bayer has said it would donate 3 million tablets of its chloroquine drug, Resochin, for use against coronavirus. That drug was never approved in the U.S., so Bayer is working with federal agencies to get an emergency-use authorization.Chloroquine and remdesivir are among the drugs the World Health Organization said would be tried in a five-part international study announced Wednesday.Already approved drugs are tempting for doctors to use off label, but formal studies are needed to see if they truly work for a new purpose or disease, said Dr. Ross McKinney Jr., chief scientific officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges, which represents about 400 major teaching hospitals across the country.Chloroquine may look promising in a test tube, but “I'm skeptical it will be effective” in patients, he said Thursday in a call with reporters.Remdesivir interferes with virus reproduction and has shown some promise in lab and animal studies against other coronaviruses that cause similar diseases, MERS and SARS.It's being tested in at least five separate experiments, and Gilead also has given it to several hundred severely ill patients in the U.S, Europe and Japan under "compassionate use" provisions. That includes three of the first dozen COVID-19 patients in the United States. They recovered, but it's impossible to know whether they would have anyway without the drug.On a podcast Wednesday with a medical journal editor, the National Institutes of Health's Dr. Anthony Fauci said China had enrolled several hundred people in its two remdesivir studies but is having trouble recruiting more because many patients just want the drug and are unwilling to take a chance on being randomly assigned to a comparison group that just gets usual care.It would be great if an independent monitoring board could look at results so far and see if there are signs of safety or effectiveness, Fauci said."We desperately need the data" on this and other drugs being tested in rigorous scientific studies, Fauci said. "We've got to be able to determine if they work and if they're safe."Apart from the studies in China, Fauci's agency is running a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.click2houston.com/health/2020/03/19/trump-focuses-attention-on-possible-coronavirus-treatments/NIH%20remdesivir%20trial:%20https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04280705">study</a>&nbsp;of remdesivir that aims to recruit 400 patients in the U.S. and elsewhere. That study is "adaptive," meaning it will allow scientists to add other drugs under the same testing umbrella as time goes on. Gilead also has said it will do two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gilead.com/purpose/advancing-global-health/covid-19">studies</a>&nbsp;testing remdesivir treatment for five or 10 days in about 1,000 hospitalized patients primarily in Asia.Remdesivir "does look like it could be promising," said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In animal tests, it was "quite effective at preventing infection" and reducing severity of illness and damage to the lungs when given early enough in the course of illness, he said."It interferes with the enzyme that reproduces the genetic material of the virus" and acts at an earlier step than protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and ritonavir, which are used now to treat HIV and also are being tested against the new coronavirus, Kuritzkes explained.The HIV drugs gave disappointing results, failing to shorten illness in a study of 199 severely ill hospitalized patients in China, scientists from that country reported Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.Some other studies testing the HIV drug combo are still underway.The Roche drug, Actemra, is used now for rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions. It targets interleukin-6, which plays a role in inflammation. Roche's U.S. subsidiary, Genentech, said Thursday that it was working with the FDA to start a 330-patient study on hospitalized COVID-19 patients in April.Regeneron Pharmaceuticals says it will lanch a study of Kevzara, its rheumatoid arthritis drug that also targets interleukin-6, against the coronavirus.A Japanese company, Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, says tests suggest its drug favipiravir, used to treat the flu in Japan, shows promise against the coronavirus, though no large studies of that have been published yet.Other companies are developing monoclonal antibodies, proteins that specifically fight the coronavirus. Antibodies or combinations of them were tried against Ebola, and doctors think a similar approach may help against the new virus.Finally, some doctors have urged collecting plasma from people who have survived COVID-19, because they should have made natural antibodies to the virus that could be given to people to help their immune systems fight it off.___

Trump focuses attention on possible coronavirus treatments

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus is causing much anxiety among Americans.

Although no confirmed cases have been reported in High Plains Mental Health's northwest Kansas coverage area, Kaley Conner, HPMH marketing coordinator, on Wednesday recommended ways people can take care of their mental health during the crisis.

"We know this is an unprecedented time for many of us in our lifetime. We have never gone through anything quite like this," Conner said. "People are feeling some anxiety because that is very much out of our control."

Limit your intake of news on the virus; seek reliable sources.

"Obviously it is important to be informed and to know what is going on," Conner said. "It is important to know what precautions you should to be taking for your family, but it is also important to make sure you are getting that information from reliable sources."

Constant media exposure might not be helpful.

"Sometimes it is best to get the information you need for the day, but then kind of take a break and distance yourself from the upsetting stories and upsetting images," Conner said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;"Remind yourself that the strong feelings are going to fade," Conner said.

Keeping as much of a normal routine as possible might be helpful to keep your mind off everything that is happening in the greater world, she said.

Now could be a good time to spend time with your family, Conner suggested.

"That could be one positive that comes out of this is — that chance to have that quality time with your family," she said.

Do your best to maintain a sense of hope

"Remind yourself that this is temporary," she said. "It is important through all of this to give yourself time to process all of your emotions."

Schools closing for the rest of the year is promoting strong emotions among, teachers, parents and students, she said.

Try talking about those emotions with someone you trust, Conner said.

Try to maintain healthy relationships

People may be in isolation by choice or under quarantine, but you can still reach out to them via phone, text, online chat, social media or video chat or conferencing.

"Practice social distancing and best practices, but don't completely isolate yourself to the point you are not communicating with other people," she said.&nbsp;

This may especially be important if you have a mental health diagnosis or you know someone who does. Conner said these vulnerable individuals may need more support during this stressful time.

"I think now more than ever it is going to be important for our community to take care of each other as best we can. If you know someone who is elderly or immune compromised, someone who has a known history of a mental illness, now is an excellent time to check on those folks," Conner said.

"Send them an email. Send them a message. Give them a call and check in on them. ... "That is one thing I think we do pretty well in northwest Kansas is taking care of each other. I know things are pretty scary right now and we need to follow those best practices and try to keep ourselves safe. We also need to keep taking care of each other."

High Plains Mental Health announced it was moving most face-to-face services to telephone or video conferencing.&nbsp; This applies to clinical services, most medical services and case management/support services.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e728c12afae0f4d5f5d7282">SEE RELATED STORY: High Plains Mental Health moving services online, phone</a>

However, High Plains reassured the public in a news release services will still be available.&nbsp;

If you have unexplained physical symptoms, please contact your medical provider

"We want to encourage people that it is OK to reach out for help," Conner said. "This is a really difficult time, and it is important to take care of your brain health as well as your physical health."

If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone right away, please call High Plains'&nbsp; 24/7 crisis hotline:&nbsp;1-800-432-0333. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be accessed by calling&nbsp;1-800-273-8255 or texting MHFA to 741741.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus is causing much anxiety among Americans.Although no confirmed cases have been reported in High Plains Mental Health's northwest Kansas coverage area, Kaley Conner, HPMH marketing coordinator, on Wednesday recommended ways people can take care of their mental health during the crisis."We know this is an unprecedented time for many of us in our lifetime. We have never gone through anything quite like this," Conner said. "People are feeling some anxiety because that is very much out of our control."<h2>Tips on staying calm during the crisis</h2>Limit your intake of news on the virus; seek reliable sources."Obviously it is important to be informed and to know what is going on," Conner said. "It is important to know what precautions you should to be taking for your family, but it is also important to make sure you are getting that information from reliable sources."Constant media exposure might not be helpful."Sometimes it is best to get the information you need for the day, but then kind of take a break and distance yourself from the upsetting stories and upsetting images," Conner said.&nbsp;Take care of your bodyThis should include:<ol>
 <li>Eating well</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Getting seven to nine hours of sleep</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Avoiding too much alcohol or caffeine</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Take time to relax — enjoy a hobby, read a book, make a craft, watch a movie, listen to music, meditate, pray, practice deep breathing.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Get light exercise if possible</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Get fresh air and sunlight if possible</li>
 </ol>&nbsp;"Remind yourself that the strong feelings are going to fade," Conner said.Keeping as much of a normal routine as possible might be helpful to keep your mind off everything that is happening in the greater world, she said.Now could be a good time to spend time with your family, Conner suggested."That could be one positive that comes out of this is — that chance to have that quality time with your family," she said.Do your best to maintain a sense of hope"Remind yourself that this is temporary," she said. "It is important through all of this to give yourself time to process all of your emotions."Schools closing for the rest of the year is promoting strong emotions among, teachers, parents and students, she said.Try talking about those emotions with someone you trust, Conner said.Try to maintain healthy relationshipsPeople may be in isolation by choice or under quarantine, but you can still reach out to them via phone, text, online chat, social media or video chat or conferencing."Practice social distancing and best practices, but don't completely isolate yourself to the point you are not communicating with other people," she said.&nbsp;This may especially be important if you have a mental health diagnosis or you know someone who does. Conner said these vulnerable individuals may need more support during this stressful time."I think now more than ever it is going to be important for our community to take care of each other as best we can. If you know someone who is elderly or immune compromised, someone who has a known history of a mental illness, now is an excellent time to check on those folks," Conner said."Send them an email. Send them a message. Give them a call and check in on them. ... "That is one thing I think we do pretty well in northwest Kansas is taking care of each other. I know things are pretty scary right now and we need to follow those best practices and try to keep ourselves safe. We also need to keep taking care of each other."High Plains Mental Health announced it was moving most face-to-face services to telephone or video conferencing.&nbsp; This applies to clinical services, most medical services and case management/support services.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e728c12afae0f4d5f5d7282">SEE RELATED STORY: High Plains Mental Health moving services online, phone</a>However, High Plains reassured the public in a news release services will still be available.&nbsp;<h2>Sign and symptoms of anxiety, stress</h2><ol>
 <li>Energy or activity levels increase or decrease</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>More irritable</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Trouble relaxing or sleeping</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Frequent crying</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Excessive worry</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Desire to be alone</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Difficulty listening or communicating</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Loss of interest in pleasurable activities</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Being easily startled</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Physical symptoms, including stomach aches, digestive problems, headaches, sweating, tremors or muscle twitches&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>If you have unexplained physical symptoms, please contact your medical provider<h2>Help via phone, app or internet</h2>"We want to encourage people that it is OK to reach out for help," Conner said. "This is a really difficult time, and it is important to take care of your brain health as well as your physical health."If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone right away, please call High Plains'&nbsp; 24/7 crisis hotline:&nbsp;1-800-432-0333. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be accessed by calling&nbsp;1-800-273-8255 or texting MHFA to 741741.

Coronavirus Update