Answers to people's concerns on reopenin Wichita
Answers to people's concerns on reopening
Gov. Laura Kelly has been planning to slowly, gradually and cautiously reopen the state of Kansas. But since a lot of people have questions in mind on how to get on tasks, the following
are answers to them.
When will swimming pools, gyms and fitness centres reopen?
The City of Wichita is not planning on reopening them at least until May 18th. Spokesperson Megan Lovely said that they are reviewing the governor’s recommendations and hopes to draw a plan to reopen municipal pools and splash pads pretty.
Spokesman Sean Amore told The Eagle earlier this week that The Greater Wichita YMCA too is working on reopening its branches and pools soon and according to CDC there isn't any
substantial evidence regarding spread of the virus through water as treating water with public pools etc with disinfectants will potentially kill the virus. But for now, CDC says we are all better of maintaining physical distancing and proper hygiene if planning on visiting these places once opened.
When will the courts reopen?
The district courts remained close as of Friday statewide but proper information on when and how they will open to their usual is yet to be announced from the Kansas Supreme
The court. The Supreme Court ordered closures until March 18th. Office of Judicial Administration spokeswoman Lisa Taylor said in a Friday morning email that “the Supreme Court is in the process of working through those details now.”
Court administrator of Sedwick County District Court, Ellen House said the court is expecting a phased-in approach to reopen which will include following social distancing and preventing crowding in the courthouse. Wichita Municipal Court too remains closed and all hearings are suspended at this time. Notices will be sent out to defendants and lawyers when it reopens, according to the city’s website.
When will the mall open?
Towne East Square is all set to open to the public from Monday to Saturday between 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Simon Property Group has prepared protocols to
follow once they open for business which includes ensuring occupancy that doesn't exceed one person per 50 square feet, closing high interaction areas like play areas, screening employees and recommending tenants as well as taping off “every other sink and urinal” to encourage social distancing.
Towne West Square is owned by Kohan Retail Investment Group and the company’s website stated that they will reopen their shopping centres “when we feel it is safe to do so again in
accordance to local governance and Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.”
What about summer childcare programs and camps?
Daycare programs have been excluded from the governor’s stay-home order from the beginning and now in the reopening plan, summer camps are cancelled until June 1st.
The Wichita School District is planning on how to take forward their summer Latchkey programs, which includes daytime childcare to kids between ages 5 to 12. Spokeswoman Wendy Johnson said the district hopes to make a decision soon.
The Wichita Catholic Diocese announced on Friday about canceling summer Totus Tuus and Prayer & Action youth programs and YMCA summer camps enrollment too have hit a pause for now.
How many people have died in Sedgwick County? I can’t find a source.
12 deaths have been reported in Sedgwick County up until May 2nd, of these six of them belong to the Clearwater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Sedgwick County has been giving daily
updates and the case numbers are updated from time to time on the website, kansas.com and in The Wichita Eagle along with state’s updates on https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/ and the The county also gives updates on Youtube and at its website, www.sedgwickcounty.org.
Do we have sufficient numbers of RELIABLE tests so that the basic guidelines of TEST..TRACE..ISOLATE can be followed?
Despite Gov. Laura Kelly's repeatedly stressing on the importance of widespread testing, Kansas has failed to do so along with many other states. In this context in her speech on Thursday evening, she addressed on the progress that they made with regards to widespread testing which experts believe is quintessential. She said that the state has ordered 500,000 testing kits from an overseas supplier and of these the first 5,000 are en route and shipments of 10,000 a week are expected. An additional 50,000 kits are expected
from the federal government in a coming couple of weeks.
The World Health Organization recommends a positive test rate of less than 10% before reopening and Kansas as of has 16% test rate which could mean that many cases may go
undetected.
Why in the first phase are schools/daycare/ colleges opening up?
K-12 school buildings will remain closed for the rest of the school year. Less than 10 people are allowed into school facilities for cleaning crews to deep clean facilities or letting teachers into the building for short times to retrieve materials from their classrooms since student instruction has moved online. The decision on whether or not to reopen schools after the summer break will be made at a later date based on conditions at the time. Daycare has always been excluded from the stay-at-home order that ends Monday, although facilities will from now on have to follow extra set of regulations to reduce the spread of the virus. Higher education institutions will remain closed indefinitely and only a few educational activities or events can be held on campus, with not more than 10 people.
If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, what type of sanitation takes place — to protect customers and fellow employees?
It is left to the choice of an individual business owner or management. However, Federal guidance recommends cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in an employee’s
workspace if they leave work because of illness.
What about public libraries?
The Wichita Public Library says it will discuss plans this week on when and how to reopen.
When can youth sports teams begin practising again? How do we practice and stay 6 feet apart?
The Executive Director Scott Martin said, Southwest Boys Club, Genesis Sports Complex and the
Park City Youth Baseball/Softball League could receive a green signal to start on practices at the
start of next week.
About 1,000 Wichita area kids make up those three leagues, and there are more than 10 players
per team hence Martin said practices will be cut down to no more than 10 players to ensure
safety.
In-game rules will be amended to best fit social distancing recommendations, too, Martin said.
Dugouts will be extended down the first- and second-base lines. The umpire will stand behind
the pitcher instead of behind the catcher. And rules for leading off the bases and picking off
baserunners will be fluidly adjusted based on the phasing of Governor Kelly’s plan.
The first tournaments are scheduled for Memorial Day weekend with the first league games
scheduled for June 1.
Westurban Baseball is following almost all of the same self-imposed guidelines, Executive
Director Eric Blasdel said. Westurban is adding one other rule of note: Players will be allowed
to sit with their parents when their team is hitting and they are not up to bat. The league has
submitted its changes to Sedgwick County, Blasdel said.
Two Rivers Youth Club and the YMCA make up the other two largest youth baseball and softball
leagues. They have not responded to the Eagle’s inquiries.
Wichita Regional Soccer Association and American Youth Soccer Association, Wichita Region
208 have not responded to the Eagle’s enquiries either.
When will barbers, like Great Clips, open?
Barbers and stylist shops will remain closed according to the governor’s order for Phase One of
the reopening plan, but in case the state decides it’s safe to move to Phase Two at a given point
of time they may be allowed to reopen.
How will any of these plans be enforced? What happens if a sports league goes ahead in defiance of state order — is that up to sheriff or whom?
Violations of mass-gathering standards will be handled through citations at the discretion of
local police, sheriff’s deputies or other law enforcement.
Sedgwick County Commission expressed its reluctance to enforce the guidelines and voted
unanimously on Friday to shut down a Web portal that had been set up for residents to report
suspected violations. Though no one was prosecuted under the governor’s stay-at-home or
mass-gathering orders the county did issue about 160 warning letters.
Is it safe for people to be close together (less than 6-ft) if people are wearing cloth masks?
Would that be an acceptable precaution for resuming normal public activity?
Though the answer isn't simple and conclusive it is better to follow the set guidelines, The U.S.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention currently is recommending people to wear masks
when they step out and maintain social distancing for as much as they can.
Recent research reported by three South Korean universities and the University of Minnesota concluded that cloth masks at most can only stop the spread of infection from
already infected people.
Can more than 10 people but less than 30 attend a wedding in a church in Kansas?
This is not allowed according to Phase on reopening but the second phase of reopenings, which
is set to start no earlier than May 18 will be allowed no more than 30 people at once.
The third phase, which will start no earlier than June 1, will be allowing mass gatherings of up
to 90 people. The governor will look at various health measures before deciding to move to the
next phase.
What is the expiration date of the “10 people gathering” part of this plan?
Phase one, which limits gathering to 10 people, lasts until at least May 18.
What is the timeline for this plan? If this is only phase 1, then what do future phases include?
The timeline will be starting from Monday and will go on until at least June 15 to get through all
four phases. When and how the state will move to the next phase will totally depend upon the
extent of the spread of the virus.
Other News by This Author
Local leaders clearing doubts on the reopening of businesses
After the announcement of the reopening of the economy, many questions are arising in people's minds. All these questions are answered by Governor Laura Kelly on which businesses can open and which cannot. In her address on Thursday night, Gov. Kelly, a question was posed to Eyewitness News concerning the reopening of restaurants Monday while bars have to stay closed for the next two weeks(until May 18) to reopen. The big question: What's the difference between a bar and grill and a grill and bar if both establishments serve food and alcohol?
Sedgwick County commissioner Pete Meitzner says he cleared the doubts on which establishment among bars and restaurants can reopen. "If it's a restaurant that is a bar also, as long as it's serving food, in what we all know, then it's eligible to be open Monday." According to Meitzner, the bars which serve only alcohol, which doesn't offer food (pretzels and peanuts don't count), will have to remain closed. He advises all the businesses to follow social distancing guidelines to keep the employees and customers/clients safe.
Business owners in Kansas prepare to reopen once the stay at shelter orders will be lifted
Kansas City will most likely lift it stays at home order by Monday and the Sedgwick County
Commission recommending not to extend the orders is a huge relief and a rejoicing matter to businesses owners who are excited to reopen their closes businesses.
Reopening barbershops, salons need guidance before they start. Prime Time Barbershop owner Nelson Tovar said: "We're just hoping lets us go back to work, hoping that she trusts in the community for them to take the right precautions."
Linda Burton owner of Sister Moses Boutique and store manager Lyndsey Roman said that they are ready to reopen and are talking all steps necessary like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer. Central Standard Brewing appears to have a different approach to the Governer's decision of lifting stay at home orders since the risk of the virus is still pretty much in existence co-owner Andy Boyd said "We've decided to stay curbside delivery through the end of May, that's just, you know, a personal decision. So, whatever they decide to do really won't have any bearing on us. Our staff is not comfortable opening up to the public at this point."
Don Hall passes away in a road accident
Wichita radio DJ Don Hall died in a car crash on Wednesday morning at Kellogg and Rock. On this note, Wichita police have arrested a 43-year-old Ray Watkins charging him with second-degree murder connecting with the accident. Also, alcohol and drugs are suspected to be factors involved. By the time the officer's reached the site of accident Hall was found to be trapped in the vehicle, the fire department had to come and free him out but by then he was pronounced dead. 70-year-old Hall had been working in radio for the past 45 years and hosted KEYN's morning radio show along with Barbara Baan. He also worked as the public address announcer for shocker basketball games at Wichita State University. When the news came out Jack Oliver, the program director at Entercom said that he and staff got worried when he started so early to work.
Other News Wichita
Confusion on how to run businesses after a stay at shelter orders are lifted
There are dilemma and confusion everywhere as to happens to local and other businesses when they stay at shelter orders will be lifted in Kansas, on this note Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns stepped forward to she light on what should be done and followed once businesses open, he said the owners should ensure that they keep following all the instructions that we all are practicing already, which includes good hygiene, proper handwashing, sanitizing, physical distancing. Though this has been mentioned by Dr. Minns no official statement or instructions have been passed by the State of Kansas directing to the business owners about
practicing already existing safety measures, these are soon expected to come from state and local leaders at the end of this week. In South Carolina a maximum of 20 people are allowed into the shop at once, modified seating for customers in restaurants, one-way aisles to prevent face-to-face contact in stores and staggering restroom stalls for employees and guests and following CDC guidelines meticulously. The County leaders are planning to lift the stay at the shelter order on May 3rd.
Police seek public help to find teen runaways
Wichita police department is looking for two teens and their toddlers who ran away from home, the details and the physical features are made available to the public thus seeking the help of public to find them, the runaways were last spotted on Saturday at around 6 p.m. after leaving a home
which is located in the 3300 block of East Grand, they are identified as Christianna Gonzalez, 15, her 8-month-old son Marcellus Gonzlez-Mitchell, Vanity Allen, 16, and her 6-month-old daughter, Violet Allen. Anyone with information on them is welcomed to pass on it to the authorities by calling on 911.
The hospitals in Wichita think they had seen their peak of patients by now
According to hospitals in Wichita, they have seen the peak of COVID-19 patients, said Sedgwick County's local Health Officer, Dr. Garold Minns. A special staff meeting was held on Friday with Local business leaders. Minns said in this meeting:
"The hospitals think they have seen the peak, although the peak is very flat. They're feeling good about the fact that we're not going to have a huge surge, and I think they are feeling more comfortable that we can move ahead now."
The Kansas Health Department said that they had expected the state to hit the peak between April 19 and April 29.
Gov. Laura Kelly pushed back a statewide stay-at-home order to May 3, considering the expected dates for the peak. Kelly's order may expire a week from May 3, and according to Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers, the counties will take further decisions on its own. The Commissioner of Sedgwick County called representatives from several industries to discuss the plans to reopen and keep everyone safe. Representatives from Wichita State University, Wichita City Tourism, and the YMCA offered some great ideas to resume the industries and other businesses safely. Sedgwick County says that they will come up with guidelines to reopen for industries that may vary for different industries.
Other News United States Of America
NIKE DONATING THIRTY-TWO THOUSAND PAIRS OF SHOES TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN U.S AND EUROPE
Nike is providing more than thirty-two thousand pairs of Air Zoom Pulse trainers to healthcare staff to support emergency employees who are on their feet for long working hours during the corona virus disease outbreak.
The sports apparel company is working with the charity Good 360 & local agencies to send a pair of stylish sneakers to workers at various hospitals across the United States & Europe. According to Forbes the shoes typically sell around one hundred and twenty dollars.
Throughout Chicago, LA, & NYC, & inside the Veterans Health Administration, around thirty thousand pairs would go to the medical staff. About twenty-five hundred hospitals in Europe will be funded including Barcelona, Berlin, London, Milan, Paris, and Belgium, Nike News announced.
50-year-old woman dies in Maui County due to coronavirus
Maui County recorded another coronavirus-related death Sunday, raising the county total to six and state fatalities to 17, according to state health officials.
The state Department of Health in Maui County has reported the death of a 60-year-old woman thus taking the total death toll in the county to 6 and that of state to 17.
The woman is said to have been having underlying health conditions and was admitted in Maui Memorial Medical Center in February and she contracted the virus in the mid of
April.
“COVID-19 is not believed to be the primary cause of death, due to her other serious illnesses, but may have been a contributing factor to her passing,” according to a news release from the
Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center. State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson offered his condolences to the woman’s family and friends and stressed on the importance of being vigilant to reduce the spread of the virus.
He said, “Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of another valued member of our community, Please follow social distancing guidelines and current emergency rules to help protect our most vulnerable people.” Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino yoo expressed condolences to the woman’s family and friends and said “I continue to ask everyone to care for their loved ones and work together to keep our people safe and healthy, We face many uncertainties in Maui County, but we must always be certain about the compassion and care we have for one another.” The state count has increased by 2 on Sunday afternoon with one case each in Honolulu County
and one in Hawaii County but the Officials announced that data cleaning has led to decrease in the count by one number due to duplication of count in Honolulu County. The state now has a total of 620 cases including 400 in Honolulu County, 116 in Maui County, 74 in Hawaii County and 21 in Kauai County, of these 73 required hospitalization and 544 have completed quarantine period.
14-year-old teen was shot in New Orleans
A 14-year-old was shot in the leg in the West Lake area of New Orleans East on Saturday afternoon said the New Orleans Police Department. The teen was at Basinview Drive and Cove view Court at around 1:15, he said he heard gunshots only to realise later that he had been shot in the leg. Another teen, a 17-year old's vehicle was taken away by a man who was seen wearing black clothing. The man went up to the teen while he was in 4600 block of Bancroft Street at around 4 p.m. and threatened him by pointing a gun to his chest and took his vehicle away
Other world news
NIKE DONATING THIRTY-TWO THOUSAND PAIRS OF SHOES TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN U.S AND EUROPE
Nike is providing more than thirty-two thousand pairs of Air Zoom Pulse trainers to healthcare staff to support emergency employees who are on their feet for long working hours during the corona virus disease outbreak.
The sports apparel company is working with the charity Good 360 & local agencies to send a pair of stylish sneakers to workers at various hospitals across the United States & Europe. According to Forbes the shoes typically sell around one hundred and twenty dollars.
Throughout Chicago, LA, & NYC, & inside the Veterans Health Administration, around thirty thousand pairs would go to the medical staff. About twenty-five hundred hospitals in Europe will be funded including Barcelona, Berlin, London, Milan, Paris, and Belgium, Nike News announced.
50-year-old woman dies in Maui County due to coronavirus
Maui County recorded another coronavirus-related death Sunday, raising the county total to six and state fatalities to 17, according to state health officials.
The state Department of Health in Maui County has reported the death of a 60-year-old woman thus taking the total death toll in the county to 6 and that of state to 17.
The woman is said to have been having underlying health conditions and was admitted in Maui Memorial Medical Center in February and she contracted the virus in the mid of
April.
“COVID-19 is not believed to be the primary cause of death, due to her other serious illnesses, but may have been a contributing factor to her passing,” according to a news release from the
Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center. State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson offered his condolences to the woman’s family and friends and stressed on the importance of being vigilant to reduce the spread of the virus.
He said, “Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of another valued member of our community, Please follow social distancing guidelines and current emergency rules to help protect our most vulnerable people.” Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino yoo expressed condolences to the woman’s family and friends and said “I continue to ask everyone to care for their loved ones and work together to keep our people safe and healthy, We face many uncertainties in Maui County, but we must always be certain about the compassion and care we have for one another.” The state count has increased by 2 on Sunday afternoon with one case each in Honolulu County
and one in Hawaii County but the Officials announced that data cleaning has led to decrease in the count by one number due to duplication of count in Honolulu County. The state now has a total of 620 cases including 400 in Honolulu County, 116 in Maui County, 74 in Hawaii County and 21 in Kauai County, of these 73 required hospitalization and 544 have completed quarantine period.
14-year-old teen was shot in New Orleans
A 14-year-old was shot in the leg in the West Lake area of New Orleans East on Saturday afternoon said the New Orleans Police Department. The teen was at Basinview Drive and Cove view Court at around 1:15, he said he heard gunshots only to realise later that he had been shot in the leg. Another teen, a 17-year old's vehicle was taken away by a man who was seen wearing black clothing. The man went up to the teen while he was in 4600 block of Bancroft Street at around 4 p.m. and threatened him by pointing a gun to his chest and took his vehicle away
