Sedgwick County commissioners are asking for more information from staff about Kansas governor Laura Kelly’s plan for reopening the state economy after the coronavirus shutdown.
Commission chairman Pete Meitzner said he thought it was a good plan, and the county’s chief health officer, Dr. Garold Minns, said he was comfortable accepting the plan but people should be encouraged to continue to stay at home as much as possible. Dr. Minns also said a restriction should continue on the use of playground equipment and restaurants should continue to close buffets and self-service areas. No action was taken on those two items, and commissioner David Dennis pointed out that the restaurant industry has already created protocols that have shut down buffets.
Dr. Minns said the efforts of county residents and businesses have kept coronavirus cases under control, below the numbers of heavily populated counties in northeast Kansas. He also said hospitals have been very responsible and they have things under control. He said there have been concerns because people have not gone to the hospital with other health problems because they fear catching COVID-19. Dr. Minns said hospitals have taken steps to isolate patients with coronavirus so they don’t affect other patients.
Dr. Minns said the county and health officials will have to monitor the numbers with hospitals very closely and if there is a significant progressive increase in cases over several days, with a jump in the death rate and more cases in intensive care, the county will have to re-evaluate the situation.
Assistant county counselor Justin Waggoner said the governor’s order allows for churches to continue services with several groups of ten or less, as long as there is six feet of distancing between the groups. He said restaurants could also open with multiple groups of ten or less, and they would have to be spaced at least six feet apart. Restaurants could also put up physical barriers to protect against the coronavirus.
Commissioners are asking for more information on the impact of the governor’s plan on the court system and other areas. A report will be presented at the next commission meeting on May 6th.
Commissioners voted unanimously to take down a page on the county’s web site that allows people to report violations of county restrictions. Commissioner Michael O’Donnell said the page created a “police state” situation that encouraged people to turn in their neighbors.
The governor’s three-phase plan goes into effect May 4th, and the statewide stay-at-home order is expected to be lifted.
