Topeka,&nbsp;Kan.&nbsp;–The Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) has identified some COVID-19 cases linked to the Topeka Service Area on the I-70 Turnpike located at mile marker 188 (just East of Topeka, according to a media relase.

The exposure is specifically designated to the food court and restrooms of the facility. This facility houses a food court which includes the following restaurants: Dunkin Donuts, Hardees, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut. The facility is accessible going east and westbound on the I-70 Turnpike.

People who have traveled to food court or used the restrooms of this facility after April 23rd&nbsp;are recommended to contact their primary care provider IF they develop any of the following symptoms within 14 days from the date of their visit fever of 100.4 F or higher,&nbsp;chills, rigors, myalgia (muscle pain or aches, malaise,&nbsp;&nbsp;headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrhea

The facility will remain closed while it is sanitized.

Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, Shawnee County Health Officer stated, ”While the risk of anyone being infected with coronavirus during a visit at the Turnpike food court is probably very low, it is not zero. We think that the public should know that information and should share it with their healthcare provider if they become sick.”

This investigation is being conducted by the Shawnee County Health Department in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Turnpike Authority.

As a reminder, human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading them:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588891583149.png" alt="Topeka Service area on I-70 Google image" />
 <figcaption>Topeka Service area on I-70 Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka,&nbsp;Kan.&nbsp;–The Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) has identified some COVID-19 cases linked to the Topeka Service Area on the I-70 Turnpike located at mile marker 188 (just East of Topeka, according to a media relase.The exposure is specifically designated to the food court and restrooms of the facility. This facility houses a food court which includes the following restaurants: Dunkin Donuts, Hardees, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut. The facility is accessible going east and westbound on the I-70 Turnpike.People who have traveled to food court or used the restrooms of this facility after April 23rd&nbsp;are recommended to contact their primary care provider IF they develop any of the following symptoms within 14 days from the date of their visit fever of 100.4 F or higher,&nbsp;chills, rigors, myalgia (muscle pain or aches, malaise,&nbsp;&nbsp;headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrheaThe facility will remain closed while it is sanitized.Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, Shawnee County Health Officer stated, ”While the risk of anyone being infected with coronavirus during a visit at the Turnpike food court is probably very low, it is not zero. We think that the public should know that information and should share it with their healthcare provider if they become sick.”This investigation is being conducted by the Shawnee County Health Department in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Turnpike Authority.As a reminder, human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading them:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid close contact with people who are sick.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Coronavirus cases identified at I-70 service area food court

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite a massive effort, the nation faces “truly daunting” challenges to deploy millions of coronavirus tests to safely re-open the economy, the head of the National Institutes of Health told lawmakers Thursday.

NIH Director Francis Collins told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee that government and private industry have launched a $2.5 billion, taxpayer-funded effort to develop, manufacture and distribute technology capable of accurately testing millions of people a week by the end of the summer or the fall, before the annual flu season.

<a href="https://apnews.com/64a594728f6e36480ee38cc1502436cc">Widespread availability of testing is seen as critical</a>&nbsp;to reopening the economy because it would allow public health officials to identify and contain a rebound of the virus. It remains a high bar to clear.

“I must tell you, senators, that this is a stretch goal that goes well beyond what most experts think will be possible,” Collins said. “I have encountered some stunned expressions when describing these goals and this timetable to knowledgeable individuals. The scientific and logistical challenges are truly daunting.”

Nonetheless, Collins said “the track record of American ingenuity” gives him optimism. More than three months into the epidemic, the lack of testing is widely acknowledged as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c335958b1f8f6a37b19b421bc7759722">central failing in the nation’s response</a>.

The issue has dogged the White House for weeks. President Donald Trump takes credit for the fact that testing has ramped up dramatically since the early days of the outbreak, when a test from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ran into numerous problems.

But sometimes he also seems uneasy about testing.

“We do, by far, the most testing,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “If we did very little testing, we wouldn’t have the most cases. So, in a way, by doing all of this testing, we make ourselves look bad.”

The U.S. is currently testing more than a million people a week for COVID-19 and White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Deborah Birx has said that weekly number should rise to 2 million or 2.5 million by the middle of June.

But some experts say a million tests per day are needed, or more.

“To test every nursing home, and every prison, everyone in an operating room, and some entire classes and campuses and factories, teams at sports events, and to give those tests more than once, we will need millions more tests,” agreed committee chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. “This demand will only grow as the country goes back to work.”

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the panel, put the blame on Trump for persistent problems with testing.

“The problem isn’t a lack of innovation—it’s a lack of national leadership, and a plan from the White House. “And when it comes to testing, this administration has had no map, and no one at the wheel.”

Congress provided NIH with $1.5 billion to develop tests. To help private industry quickly produce and distribute tests that meet NIH standards, lawmakers gave another $1 billion to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Known as BARDA, that agency is under scrutiny after its director alleged he was ousted for opposing widespread use of a a malaria drug promoted by Trump to treat coronavirus patients.

Collins said the goal is to have highly accurate tests that can provide quick results at the “point-of-care,” such as a doctor’s office or a community health clinic. A special effort is being made to expand testing in minority communities that have taken the brunt of virus deaths.

Many of the currently available tests require processing by a central laboratory to get results. Medical technology giant Abbott already has a point-of-care test available. But Collins said there’s a limited supply of the machines, and that they can sometimes fail to detect a patient who is positive. He said Abbott is working to improve its test, but that he thinks NIH might be able to do better.

NIH has set up what Collins calls a “shark tank” process to quickly identify promising technologies, and test them. Within the agency, the initiative is formally called Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics, or RADx. It was launched just last week.

NIH scientists, along with their counterparts in industry and academia, are looking into tests that can use different types of samples, from nasal swabs, saliva, blood, or exhaled breath.

They’re also looking at antigen tests, a form of rapid test that can detect active infection. With time and effort such tests can be modified to be done at home, Collins said, but accuracy has traditionally been a problem.

NIH has received more than 1,000 applications putting forth different ideas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588938823679.png" alt="NIH Director Francis Collins during Senate testimony Thursday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>NIH Director Francis Collins during Senate testimony Thursday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite a massive effort, the nation faces “truly daunting” challenges to deploy millions of coronavirus tests to safely re-open the economy, the head of the National Institutes of Health told lawmakers Thursday.NIH Director Francis Collins told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee that government and private industry have launched a $2.5 billion, taxpayer-funded effort to develop, manufacture and distribute technology capable of accurately testing millions of people a week by the end of the summer or the fall, before the annual flu season.<a href="https://apnews.com/64a594728f6e36480ee38cc1502436cc">Widespread availability of testing is seen as critical</a>&nbsp;to reopening the economy because it would allow public health officials to identify and contain a rebound of the virus. It remains a high bar to clear.“I must tell you, senators, that this is a stretch goal that goes well beyond what most experts think will be possible,” Collins said. “I have encountered some stunned expressions when describing these goals and this timetable to knowledgeable individuals. The scientific and logistical challenges are truly daunting.”Nonetheless, Collins said “the track record of American ingenuity” gives him optimism. More than three months into the epidemic, the lack of testing is widely acknowledged as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c335958b1f8f6a37b19b421bc7759722">central failing in the nation’s response</a>.The issue has dogged the White House for weeks. President Donald Trump takes credit for the fact that testing has ramped up dramatically since the early days of the outbreak, when a test from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ran into numerous problems.But sometimes he also seems uneasy about testing.“We do, by far, the most testing,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “If we did very little testing, we wouldn’t have the most cases. So, in a way, by doing all of this testing, we make ourselves look bad.”The U.S. is currently testing more than a million people a week for COVID-19 and White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Deborah Birx has said that weekly number should rise to 2 million or 2.5 million by the middle of June.But some experts say a million tests per day are needed, or more.“To test every nursing home, and every prison, everyone in an operating room, and some entire classes and campuses and factories, teams at sports events, and to give those tests more than once, we will need millions more tests,” agreed committee chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. “This demand will only grow as the country goes back to work.”Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the panel, put the blame on Trump for persistent problems with testing.“The problem isn’t a lack of innovation—it’s a lack of national leadership, and a plan from the White House. “And when it comes to testing, this administration has had no map, and no one at the wheel.”Congress provided NIH with $1.5 billion to develop tests. To help private industry quickly produce and distribute tests that meet NIH standards, lawmakers gave another $1 billion to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Known as BARDA, that agency is under scrutiny after its director alleged he was ousted for opposing widespread use of a a malaria drug promoted by Trump to treat coronavirus patients.Collins said the goal is to have highly accurate tests that can provide quick results at the “point-of-care,” such as a doctor’s office or a community health clinic. A special effort is being made to expand testing in minority communities that have taken the brunt of virus deaths.Many of the currently available tests require processing by a central laboratory to get results. Medical technology giant Abbott already has a point-of-care test available. But Collins said there’s a limited supply of the machines, and that they can sometimes fail to detect a patient who is positive. He said Abbott is working to improve its test, but that he thinks NIH might be able to do better.NIH has set up what Collins calls a “shark tank” process to quickly identify promising technologies, and test them. Within the agency, the initiative is formally called Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics, or RADx. It was launched just last week.NIH scientists, along with their counterparts in industry and academia, are looking into tests that can use different types of samples, from nasal swabs, saliva, blood, or exhaled breath.They’re also looking at antigen tests, a form of rapid test that can detect active infection. With time and effort such tests can be modified to be done at home, Collins said, but accuracy has traditionally been a problem.NIH has received more than 1,000 applications putting forth different ideas.___

US faces 'truly daunting' challenges on needed COVID tests

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🎤Post Podcast: Moran says relief on the way for ag producers impacted by COVID-19

St. Joseph businesses, at least most of them, have reopened
under the lifting of local COVID-19 restrictions.

But business is anything but back to normal.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Patt Lilly says it
will take some time for that to happen.

“I think there will be a period, whatever that is, where we begin
to open, but it will be with some regulation,” Lilly tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “It will be with some frame of mind that we have to continue
to protect our health and that of our employees and customers.”

St. Joseph followed state guidelines and Monday lifted
restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. City officials
continue to urge residents to maintain six feet of distance between themselves,
to wash their hands thoroughly, and cough into their elbows.

Businesses also have been given guidelines. Lilly says each
business will approach the lifting of restrictions differently.

“So, if you tell business what they have to do they will
figure out how to get that done,” Lilly says. “They may not all do it the same
way, but they will figure out how to get that done.”

Lilly says we are entering a period in which fears of the
virus might well keep people from going out.

“On the St. Joseph side, we’re going to work to try to
encourage people to get out and enjoy not only our local businesses, but enjoy
the community,” Lilly says. “But obviously we all have to continue to do that
in a safe way.”

Lilly says the coronavirus is changing business practices with
restaurants and bars rearranging tables and chairs so patrons can maintain
social distancing, with other businesses make sure they have plenty of
sanitizer on hand for customers.

Lilly says he understands the virus hasn’t disappeared, but he
hopes residents will venture out.

“I would hope that people begin to embrace getting back out,
getting about what this new normal is all about and support our local
businesses, so that they can sustain themselves going forward.”

Lilly says residents need to continue to maintain social
distance and maintain good hygiene.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph businesses, at least most of them, have reopened
under the lifting of local COVID-19 restrictions.But business is anything but back to normal.St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Patt Lilly says it
will take some time for that to happen.“I think there will be a period, whatever that is, where we begin
to open, but it will be with some regulation,” Lilly tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “It will be with some frame of mind that we have to continue
to protect our health and that of our employees and customers.”St. Joseph followed state guidelines and Monday lifted
restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. City officials
continue to urge residents to maintain six feet of distance between themselves,
to wash their hands thoroughly, and cough into their elbows.Businesses also have been given guidelines. Lilly says each
business will approach the lifting of restrictions differently.“So, if you tell business what they have to do they will
figure out how to get that done,” Lilly says. “They may not all do it the same
way, but they will figure out how to get that done.”Lilly says we are entering a period in which fears of the
virus might well keep people from going out.“On the St. Joseph side, we’re going to work to try to
encourage people to get out and enjoy not only our local businesses, but enjoy
the community,” Lilly says. “But obviously we all have to continue to do that
in a safe way.”Lilly says the coronavirus is changing business practices with
restaurants and bars rearranging tables and chairs so patrons can maintain
social distancing, with other businesses make sure they have plenty of
sanitizer on hand for customers.Lilly says he understands the virus hasn’t disappeared, but he
hopes residents will venture out.“I would hope that people begin to embrace getting back out,
getting about what this new normal is all about and support our local
businesses, so that they can sustain themselves going forward.”Lilly says residents need to continue to maintain social
distance and maintain good hygiene.

St. Joseph businesses adapting to new normal

St. Joseph city officials
have confirmed the second COVID-19 death recorded in Buchanan County is that of
a Triumph Foods worker.

Earlier, the City of St.
Joseph issued a news release that a man in his 40s who had tested positive for
the coronavirus on April 22nd had died. City officials say the man
died at his home. He had underlying medical conditions.

This is the second death
recorded by St. Joseph and Buchanan County health officials. The first death
was that of an inmate at the St. Joseph prison who had been transferred from
the Cameron prison and later died at a Kansas City area hospital.

Buchanan County now reports
362 cases of COVID-19; 330 confirmed and 32 probable with two deaths. Andrew
County continues to report five coronavirus cases.

Mosaic Life Care has tested
2,387 individuals. Ninety-four tested positive, five of those have been
hospitalized with 89 being treated on an outpatient basis. Mosaic is awaiting
results from 87 tests.

Missouri health officials
report 9,102 cases with 396 deaths.

In Kansas, health officials
report 5,734 cases with 144 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph city officials
have confirmed the second COVID-19 death recorded in Buchanan County is that of
a Triumph Foods worker.Earlier, the City of St.
Joseph issued a news release that a man in his 40s who had tested positive for
the coronavirus on April 22nd had died. City officials say the man
died at his home. He had underlying medical conditions.This is the second death
recorded by St. Joseph and Buchanan County health officials. The first death
was that of an inmate at the St. Joseph prison who had been transferred from
the Cameron prison and later died at a Kansas City area hospital.Buchanan County now reports
362 cases of COVID-19; 330 confirmed and 32 probable with two deaths. Andrew
County continues to report five coronavirus cases.Mosaic Life Care has tested
2,387 individuals. Ninety-four tested positive, five of those have been
hospitalized with 89 being treated on an outpatient basis. Mosaic is awaiting
results from 87 tests.Missouri health officials
report 9,102 cases with 396 deaths.In Kansas, health officials
report 5,734 cases with 144 deaths.

City officials confirm Triumph Foods worker dies of COVID-19

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Wednesday that she’s still considering releasing some Kansas inmates early because of the coronavirus pandemic even though an outbreak of hundreds of cases has one prison under quarantine.

Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/31673502b3271e605e1b13ad197c9dc4">confirmed last week</a>&nbsp;during an Associated Press interview that the Department of Corrections moved six inmates from state to house arrest before being forced to stop early releases because of an outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility outside Kansas City. As of Wednesday, 609 inmates and 88 staff members there were infected.

The burgeoning cases at the Lansing prison — with 85% of the inmates showing no symptoms — helped fuel a 5.1% increase Wednesday in confirmed cases in Kansas. The prison’s home of Leavenworth County saw its confirmed cases rise by 30% from Tuesday, up 181 to 783 total, while the state’s total increased to 5,734, up 276. The actual number of cases is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without feeling ill.

Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by seven to 144, according to the state’s count. John Hopkins University said 162 had died. Three deaths have occurred at the Lansing prison; eight staff members and six inmates also are infected at seven other facilities, with no deaths.

“The issue of releasing folks from prison is an ongoing one,” Kelly said during a Statehouse briefing. “I expect that it will be sort of a rolling measure, now that we’ve got the system in place to verify who’s eligible for that.”

Kelly has faced criticism from advocates and inmates’ families and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/83731f5bfeb061b5e1fa5b4fc5b096bf">a state-court lawsuit&nbsp;</a>for not acting sooner to release inmates.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_066_0000_article/021_066_0009_section/021_066_0009_k/" target="_blank">A state law&nbsp;</a>allows the Department of Corrections to move inmates who’ve committed less serious crimes into house.

Some 80% of Lansing’s 1,700 or so inmates had been tested as of Wednesday, and Norman said the entire staff should be tested by next week.

The Lansing outbreak continues to fuel daily increases in Kansas cases after Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/abd6bb1cfc4f6349d94f853f04b12bcb">let a statewide stay-at-home order expire&nbsp;</a>at midnight Sunday.

One key issue in reopening the economy has been local officials’ ability to trace the contacts of infected people, and the state health department has brought on about 200 people to help them. It plans to increase the number to 400, said Dr. Lee Norman, the department’s top administrator, and most will be volunteers.

But Norman added, “I think we’ll get a little bit stretched thin when people start going back to work as the economy and as businesses open back up again.”

Kelly and Norman acknowledged that some workers might fear going back to work. In other states, refusing to go back is seen legally as voluntarily quitting, so that the workers who are then fired aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits. Kelly said Kansas will “case by case basis” rather than having a blanket policy.

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

Because of the pandemic, the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature started its annual spring break March 20, more than two weeks early. Legislative leaders decided Wednesday that lawmakers will reconvene May 21 for a single day of work.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588805379177.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly during Wednesday's press briefing" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly during Wednesday's press briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Wednesday that she’s still considering releasing some Kansas inmates early because of the coronavirus pandemic even though an outbreak of hundreds of cases has one prison under quarantine.Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/31673502b3271e605e1b13ad197c9dc4">confirmed last week</a>&nbsp;during an Associated Press interview that the Department of Corrections moved six inmates from state to house arrest before being forced to stop early releases because of an outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility outside Kansas City. As of Wednesday, 609 inmates and 88 staff members there were infected.The burgeoning cases at the Lansing prison — with 85% of the inmates showing no symptoms — helped fuel a 5.1% increase Wednesday in confirmed cases in Kansas. The prison’s home of Leavenworth County saw its confirmed cases rise by 30% from Tuesday, up 181 to 783 total, while the state’s total increased to 5,734, up 276. The actual number of cases is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without feeling ill.Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by seven to 144, according to the state’s count. John Hopkins University said 162 had died. Three deaths have occurred at the Lansing prison; eight staff members and six inmates also are infected at seven other facilities, with no deaths.“The issue of releasing folks from prison is an ongoing one,” Kelly said during a Statehouse briefing. “I expect that it will be sort of a rolling measure, now that we’ve got the system in place to verify who’s eligible for that.”Kelly has faced criticism from advocates and inmates’ families and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/83731f5bfeb061b5e1fa5b4fc5b096bf">a state-court lawsuit&nbsp;</a>for not acting sooner to release inmates.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_066_0000_article/021_066_0009_section/021_066_0009_k/" target="_blank">A state law&nbsp;</a>allows the Department of Corrections to move inmates who’ve committed less serious crimes into house.Some 80% of Lansing’s 1,700 or so inmates had been tested as of Wednesday, and Norman said the entire staff should be tested by next week.The Lansing outbreak continues to fuel daily increases in Kansas cases after Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/abd6bb1cfc4f6349d94f853f04b12bcb">let a statewide stay-at-home order expire&nbsp;</a>at midnight Sunday.One key issue in reopening the economy has been local officials’ ability to trace the contacts of infected people, and the state health department has brought on about 200 people to help them. It plans to increase the number to 400, said Dr. Lee Norman, the department’s top administrator, and most will be volunteers.But Norman added, “I think we’ll get a little bit stretched thin when people start going back to work as the economy and as businesses open back up again.”Kelly and Norman acknowledged that some workers might fear going back to work. In other states, refusing to go back is seen legally as voluntarily quitting, so that the workers who are then fired aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits. Kelly said Kansas will “case by case basis” rather than having a blanket policy.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.Because of the pandemic, the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature started its annual spring break March 20, more than two weeks early. Legislative leaders decided Wednesday that lawmakers will reconvene May 21 for a single day of work.

Kansas still mulling inmate releases despite prison outbreak

Governor Laura Kelly held her first press briefing since April 28 Wednesday afternoon. It is also the first since she announced her <a href="http://Reopen-Kansas-Framework-043020.pdf">Ad Astra Plan </a>to reopen Kansas.

She and Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,  discuss the latest updates regarding COVID-19.  &nbsp;

Statewide, confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas rose Wednesday by 276, up to 5,734 total, though the actual number is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without showing symptoms. Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by seven to 144.

Governor Laura Kelly held her first press briefing since April 28 Wednesday afternoon. It is also the first since she announced her <a href="http://Reopen-Kansas-Framework-043020.pdf">Ad Astra Plan </a>to reopen Kansas.She and Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,  discuss the latest updates regarding COVID-19.  &nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F1725820937571603%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Statewide, confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas rose Wednesday by 276, up to 5,734 total, though the actual number is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without showing symptoms. Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by seven to 144.

🎥  Gov. holds first COVID-19 press briefing in over a week

An effort is underway at the Missouri Capitol to keep the
taxman from grabbing a piece of your stimulus check.

Congress authorized $1,200 economic stimulus checks to every
taxpayer making $75,000 or less; $2,400 for couples making $150,000 or less.
Couples with dependent children get $500 per child. It is all part of the
package Congress approved to help an economy rocked by the coronavirus pandemic.

Missouri is one of only six states that considers that extra
money taxable.

That, according to state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville,
is wrong.

Luetkemeyer says he inquired with the fine folks at the Missouri
Department of Revenue about just how much of a chunk could be taken out.

“And they estimated that for people who are receiving those
checks who will be taxed on them, it would be up to $56 per $1,200 for each
individual that’s receiving those checks,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post.

Luetkemeyer insists this is simple:&nbsp; the state shouldn’t tax those checks.

“In the midst of this pandemic that we’re in right now, where people
have lost their jobs, we have record unemployment, people are hurting right now,
they are struggling to make ends meet, that we need to make sure that all that
money is staying in the pocket of Missouri working families,” Luetkemeyer says.

The state would be giving up approximately $35 million if the
legislature approves Luetkemeyer’s measure to make the checks tax free, but
Luetkemeyer says the state shouldn’t receive a windfall off of checks meant to
ease economic suffering.

With time running out on this disrupted legislative session,
Luetkemeyer is being creative in attempting to pass his proposal. He says he is
attaching it to whatever bill could possibly carry such an amendment.

He says it has been well received judging from the vote when
he attached it to a bill dealing with taxation.

“Even though we just did a voice vote to let the amendment on,
my suspicion is that whenever a bill comes back with that provision that I
offered on it and it comes to a full vote in the Senate my expectation is that it
will enjoy broad bipartisan support and potentially pass the Senate chamber unanimously.”

The Missouri legislative session ends at the end of Friday,
May 15th.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn effort is underway at the Missouri Capitol to keep the
taxman from grabbing a piece of your stimulus check.Congress authorized $1,200 economic stimulus checks to every
taxpayer making $75,000 or less; $2,400 for couples making $150,000 or less.
Couples with dependent children get $500 per child. It is all part of the
package Congress approved to help an economy rocked by the coronavirus pandemic.Missouri is one of only six states that considers that extra
money taxable.That, according to state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville,
is wrong.Luetkemeyer says he inquired with the fine folks at the Missouri
Department of Revenue about just how much of a chunk could be taken out.“And they estimated that for people who are receiving those
checks who will be taxed on them, it would be up to $56 per $1,200 for each
individual that’s receiving those checks,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post.Luetkemeyer insists this is simple:&nbsp; the state shouldn’t tax those checks.“In the midst of this pandemic that we’re in right now, where people
have lost their jobs, we have record unemployment, people are hurting right now,
they are struggling to make ends meet, that we need to make sure that all that
money is staying in the pocket of Missouri working families,” Luetkemeyer says.The state would be giving up approximately $35 million if the
legislature approves Luetkemeyer’s measure to make the checks tax free, but
Luetkemeyer says the state shouldn’t receive a windfall off of checks meant to
ease economic suffering.With time running out on this disrupted legislative session,
Luetkemeyer is being creative in attempting to pass his proposal. He says he is
attaching it to whatever bill could possibly carry such an amendment.He says it has been well received judging from the vote when
he attached it to a bill dealing with taxation.“Even though we just did a voice vote to let the amendment on,
my suspicion is that whenever a bill comes back with that provision that I
offered on it and it comes to a full vote in the Senate my expectation is that it
will enjoy broad bipartisan support and potentially pass the Senate chamber unanimously.”The Missouri legislative session ends at the end of Friday,
May 15th.

The taxman cometh...to take a piece of your stimulus check

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 276 to a total of 5734, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 276 to a total of 5734, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 144<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588785993293.png" alt="May 6, 2020 -image KDHE" />
 <figcaption>May 6, 2020 -image KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Taiwan is donating 100,000 surgical masks to Kansas to help medical and meat packing workers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, announced Wednesday that the shipment of masks is expected to arrive next week.

The move comes as Taiwan seeks to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6c7345b5b3bebb139602e746bf0e6fbd">included</a>&nbsp;in the upcoming World Health Assembly. Moran, who requested the masks, has been supportive of including Taiwan. He thanked the country’s President Tsai Ing-wen in a statement, saying it is “another great reminder that we are all in this together.”

Four counties with meat packing plants — Seward, Ford, Finney and Lyon — have a combined 2,258 confirmed cases, 41% of the state’s total. And an outbreak at the state’s largest prison in Lansing has now infected 551 inmates and 88 staff members. Most of the infected inmates don’t have symptoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588782922468.png" alt="Photo courtesy Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Taiwan is donating 100,000 surgical masks to Kansas to help medical and meat packing workers amid the coronavirus outbreak.U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, announced Wednesday that the shipment of masks is expected to arrive next week.The move comes as Taiwan seeks to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6c7345b5b3bebb139602e746bf0e6fbd">included</a>&nbsp;in the upcoming World Health Assembly. Moran, who requested the masks, has been supportive of including Taiwan. He thanked the country’s President Tsai Ing-wen in a statement, saying it is “another great reminder that we are all in this together.”Statewide, confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas rose Wednesday by 276, up to 5,734 total, though the actual number is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without showing symptoms. Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by seven to 144.Four counties with meat packing plants — Seward, Ford, Finney and Lyon — have a combined 2,258 confirmed cases, 41% of the state’s total. And an outbreak at the state’s largest prison in Lansing has now infected 551 inmates and 88 staff members. Most of the infected inmates don’t have symptoms.

Moran confirms donation of 100K surgical masks for Kansas

Missouri Department of Health and Social Services officials
report 412 of 2,367 Triumph Foods workers tested last week in St. Joseph test
positive for COVID-19.

State Health Director Dr. Randall Williams says a closer
examination of those testing positive has revealed some interesting findings.

“As we look at these people who are asymptomatic and go in and
talk to them, we are finding that if you look at the six or seven criteria the
CDC now lists that many of them are now telling us that they were in fact symptomatic,”
Williams tells reporters in Jefferson City during the daily COVID-19 briefings
hosted by the governor. “They might not have had a fever, but they had a cough
or muscle aches.”

Williams says health
officials believe asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are less contagious than those
who display symptoms, though that remains unclear.

Williams says
some test results from the pork processing plant are still pending.

Northwest Health
Services set up a temporary testing site in the Triumph Foods parking lot in
south St. Joseph last week. Northwest finished its testing Friday morning.
Employees who were off last week will be tested at the Northwest southside
clinic.

Under CDC guidelines, Triumph employees
can return to work if they do not display symptoms for 10 days after being
tested.

St. Joseph and Buchanan County health
officials report 327 total COVID-19 cases; 300 confirmed by lab results and 27
probable cases. Andrew County continues to report five cases.

Mosaic Life Care has tested 2,282
individuals with 91 testing positive for the coronavirus. Four of those have
been hospitalized with the rest being treated at their homes. Mosaic is
awaiting the results of 129 tests.

Missouri reports 8,916 cases of COVID-19
with 377 deaths.

Kansas reports 5,458 cases with 137
deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Department of Health and Social Services officials
report 412 of 2,367 Triumph Foods workers tested last week in St. Joseph test
positive for COVID-19.State Health Director Dr. Randall Williams says a closer
examination of those testing positive has revealed some interesting findings.“As we look at these people who are asymptomatic and go in and
talk to them, we are finding that if you look at the six or seven criteria the
CDC now lists that many of them are now telling us that they were in fact symptomatic,”
Williams tells reporters in Jefferson City during the daily COVID-19 briefings
hosted by the governor. “They might not have had a fever, but they had a cough
or muscle aches.”Williams says health
officials believe asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are less contagious than those
who display symptoms, though that remains unclear.Williams says
some test results from the pork processing plant are still pending.Northwest Health
Services set up a temporary testing site in the Triumph Foods parking lot in
south St. Joseph last week. Northwest finished its testing Friday morning.
Employees who were off last week will be tested at the Northwest southside
clinic.Under CDC guidelines, Triumph employees
can return to work if they do not display symptoms for 10 days after being
tested.St. Joseph and Buchanan County health
officials report 327 total COVID-19 cases; 300 confirmed by lab results and 27
probable cases. Andrew County continues to report five cases.Mosaic Life Care has tested 2,282
individuals with 91 testing positive for the coronavirus. Four of those have
been hospitalized with the rest being treated at their homes. Mosaic is
awaiting the results of 129 tests.Missouri reports 8,916 cases of COVID-19
with 377 deaths.Kansas reports 5,458 cases with 137
deaths.

Triumph with 400+ COVID-19 cases; Buchanan CO with 300+

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed ahead Tuesday with the next&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>aid, a sweeping $800 billion-plus package that is expected to be unveiled soon even as the House stays closed while the Senate reopens in the pandemic.

Key to any plan to reopen the economy, Democrats say, is robust testing. They are also expected to propose another round of direct cash aid for anxious Americans, funds for states to prevent layoffs and more money to shore up businesses in the stay-home economy.

“We still don’t have a national testing strategy that is adequate,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. He called it embarrassing. “It’s life and death.”

The contours of the next package are taking shape despite Republican resistance to more outlays and a deepening debate over how best to confront the deadly pandemic and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7f38d7fa2982dc53572232c9d2049dca">economic devastation</a>.

President Donald Trump is encouraging states to reopen and Republicans hope the gradual comeback will kick-start the economy, reducing the pressure for more pricey aid.

“Now it’s time to go back to work,” Trump said Tuesday at the White House.

Under strict social distancing guidelines, the Senate reconvened Monday for the first time since March, while the House is staying away due to the health risks as the conflicted Congress reflects an uneasy nation. The Washington area remains a virus hot spot under stay-home rules.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the chamber defending his decision to focus the agenda on confirming Trump’s nominees rather than the virus outbreak.

On Tuesday, McConnell insisted that any new aid package must include liability protections for the hospitals, health care providers and businesses that are operating and reopening in the pandemic.

But the Republican leader also signaled an interest in beefed up virus testing strategies as central to the nation’s ability to take steps “back toward normalcy.”

“Testing, tracking, treatments,” McConnell said from the Senate floor. “Our task ahead will be to keep seeking thoughtful solutions.”

By reconvening this week, Senate Republicans are trying to set the terms of debate, frustrated that Pelosi was able to fill up earlier aid bills with Democratic priorities. They’re reluctant to unleash federal funds beyond the nearly $3 trillion Congress already approved in virus relief and hope Trump’s push to re-open will reduce the need for more aid.

For more than five weeks, the COVID-19 crisis has all but closed Congress, a longer absence than during the 1918 Spanish flu.

Senators returned to a changed place with new guidelines, including the recommendation that senators wear masks — blue face coverings were available for free, and being worn by staff. They were also told to keep their distance and leave most staff at home. Public access is limited, including at public hearings. The Capitol itself remains closed to visitors and tours.

It’s not just lawmakers at risk. Reopening part of Capitol Hill poses health risks for the cooks, cleaners, police officers and other workers who keep the Capitol complex functioning.

Democrats are eyeing the new aid package as states and cities seek as much as $1 trillion to prevent local layoffs and keep paying nurses, police, firefighters and other front-line workers as local revenues tank during the stay-home shutdown.

Pelosi outlined the governors’ requests for $500 billion, with the counties and cities seeking as much as $300 billion, which she has said could be spread out over the next several years. On a private conference call with House Democrats on Monday, she also discussed a “paycheck guarantee” for the newly jobless.

Pelosi told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill the new package will be “just very directly related to saving lives, the livelihood and the life of our democracy.”

Several House committee chairmen outlined the provisions expected in the upcoming bill, according to a statement from the Democratic caucus after the private call.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal discussed another round of additional direct cash payments for families and extending unemployment insurance. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Ca., chair of the Financial Services Committee, focused on helping homeowners, renters and small landlords make rent and mortgage payments, the statement said. Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone spoke about investing in virus testing and contact tracing.

Trump said any new package must have a payroll-tax holiday.

In the Senate, McConnell has loaded up the schedule with consideration of Trump’s nominees, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9788d3f3fe54884631ccc5592a4a118c">hearing Tuesday on John Ratcliffe,</a>&nbsp;the Texas Republican congressman who is Trump’s choice to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588696644712.png" alt="&nbsp;House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ahead of Tuesday's ceremonial swearing-in for Congressman-elect Kweisi Mfume of Maryland -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ahead of Tuesday's ceremonial swearing-in for Congressman-elect Kweisi Mfume of Maryland -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed ahead Tuesday with the next&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>aid, a sweeping $800 billion-plus package that is expected to be unveiled soon even as the House stays closed while the Senate reopens in the pandemic.Key to any plan to reopen the economy, Democrats say, is robust testing. They are also expected to propose another round of direct cash aid for anxious Americans, funds for states to prevent layoffs and more money to shore up businesses in the stay-home economy.“We still don’t have a national testing strategy that is adequate,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. He called it embarrassing. “It’s life and death.”The contours of the next package are taking shape despite Republican resistance to more outlays and a deepening debate over how best to confront the deadly pandemic and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7f38d7fa2982dc53572232c9d2049dca">economic devastation</a>.President Donald Trump is encouraging states to reopen and Republicans hope the gradual comeback will kick-start the economy, reducing the pressure for more pricey aid.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588705884068.png" alt="President Trump spoke with reporters before a Tuesday trip to Arizona-White House courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump spoke with reporters before a Tuesday trip to Arizona-White House courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>“Now it’s time to go back to work,” Trump said Tuesday at the White House.Under strict social distancing guidelines, the Senate reconvened Monday for the first time since March, while the House is staying away due to the health risks as the conflicted Congress reflects an uneasy nation. The Washington area remains a virus hot spot under stay-home rules.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the chamber defending his decision to focus the agenda on confirming Trump’s nominees rather than the virus outbreak.On Tuesday, McConnell insisted that any new aid package must include liability protections for the hospitals, health care providers and businesses that are operating and reopening in the pandemic.But the Republican leader also signaled an interest in beefed up virus testing strategies as central to the nation’s ability to take steps “back toward normalcy.”“Testing, tracking, treatments,” McConnell said from the Senate floor. “Our task ahead will be to keep seeking thoughtful solutions.”By reconvening this week, Senate Republicans are trying to set the terms of debate, frustrated that Pelosi was able to fill up earlier aid bills with Democratic priorities. They’re reluctant to unleash federal funds beyond the nearly $3 trillion Congress already approved in virus relief and hope Trump’s push to re-open will reduce the need for more aid.For more than five weeks, the COVID-19 crisis has all but closed Congress, a longer absence than during the 1918 Spanish flu.Senators returned to a changed place with new guidelines, including the recommendation that senators wear masks — blue face coverings were available for free, and being worn by staff. They were also told to keep their distance and leave most staff at home. Public access is limited, including at public hearings. The Capitol itself remains closed to visitors and tours.It’s not just lawmakers at risk. Reopening part of Capitol Hill poses health risks for the cooks, cleaners, police officers and other workers who keep the Capitol complex functioning.Democrats are eyeing the new aid package as states and cities seek as much as $1 trillion to prevent local layoffs and keep paying nurses, police, firefighters and other front-line workers as local revenues tank during the stay-home shutdown.Pelosi outlined the governors’ requests for $500 billion, with the counties and cities seeking as much as $300 billion, which she has said could be spread out over the next several years. On a private conference call with House Democrats on Monday, she also discussed a “paycheck guarantee” for the newly jobless.Pelosi told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill the new package will be “just very directly related to saving lives, the livelihood and the life of our democracy.”Several House committee chairmen outlined the provisions expected in the upcoming bill, according to a statement from the Democratic caucus after the private call.Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal discussed another round of additional direct cash payments for families and extending unemployment insurance. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Ca., chair of the Financial Services Committee, focused on helping homeowners, renters and small landlords make rent and mortgage payments, the statement said. Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone spoke about investing in virus testing and contact tracing.Trump said any new package must have a payroll-tax holiday.In the Senate, McConnell has loaded up the schedule with consideration of Trump’s nominees, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9788d3f3fe54884631ccc5592a4a118c">hearing Tuesday on John Ratcliffe,</a>&nbsp;the Texas Republican congressman who is Trump’s choice to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.___

Pelosi pushes new virus relief package as GOP hits 'pause'

More than 400 Triumph Foods workers tested positive for COVID-19, though
they didn’t display symptoms of the coronavirus.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports 412 of the
2,367 workers tested at the St. Joseph pork processing plant last week tested
positive. Triumph workers not tested last week are being tested at the Northwest
Health Services southside St. Joseph clinic.

This was the largest effort in the state’s strategy to “box in” a COVID-19
outbreak, implemented after Triumph reported two workers tested positive for
the coronavirus. Triumph committed to testing all workers in an effort to keep
the virus from spreading.

State Health Director Randall Williams confirmed Tuesday at the governor's daily briefing that the state is awaiting more test results from Triumph.

Under CDC guidelines, Triumph employees can return to work if they do
not display symptoms for 10 days after being tested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588706059523.jpeg" alt="Triumph Foods testing site set up by Northwest Health Services/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Triumph Foods testing site set up by Northwest Health Services/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMore than 400 Triumph Foods workers tested positive for COVID-19, though
they didn’t display symptoms of the coronavirus.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports 412 of the
2,367 workers tested at the St. Joseph pork processing plant last week tested
positive. Triumph workers not tested last week are being tested at the Northwest
Health Services southside St. Joseph clinic.This was the largest effort in the state’s strategy to “box in” a COVID-19
outbreak, implemented after Triumph reported two workers tested positive for
the coronavirus. Triumph committed to testing all workers in an effort to keep
the virus from spreading.State Health Director Randall Williams confirmed Tuesday at the governor's daily briefing that the state is awaiting more test results from Triumph.Under CDC guidelines, Triumph employees can return to work if they do
not display symptoms for 10 days after being tested.

More than 400 out of 2,367 Triumph Foods workers test positive for COVID-19

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says the mass testing at Triumph
Foods in St. Joseph helped the state respond quickly to those testing positive
for COVID-19, yet displaying no symptoms.

Parson says test results disclose nearly 400 Triumph workers so
far testing positive for the coronavirus though asymptomatic.

“Those people are all in quarantine now, which is good news.
So, we’ve got them separated,” Parson tells reporters at a daily briefing on
state COVID-19 response. “But, I also want to mention we did roughly 3,000
tests over the state of Missouri randomly over the weekend also and of those
3,000 tests there were nine which came back positive.”

Parson backs the decision by St. Joseph city officials to lift
COVID-19 restrictions even with the results from the week-long Triumph testing,
saying local officials know better than state officials what is best for their
community.

“And they’ve got to figure out what do they think is the best
thing to do for their communities,” Parson says. “And if they have a – quote –
hot spot at any time during this 30 days they can take action and that’s why we
purposely left it for them to do that in case we needed to make a change in the
model on that. Again, it goes back to what our blanket policy was, what we
believe we should do for the state of Missouri and what they should do as
individuals in that city or county.”

State officials sent nearly 3,000 kits to St. Joseph to test
Triumph workers last week. Northwest Health Services tested approximately 2,500
last week. It will test the remaining Triumph workers at its southside clinic. Results
from the testing continue to roll in.

State Health Director Dr. Randall Williams says a team went to
St. Joseph to search out anyone who came in contact with Triumph workers
testing positive.

“They are up there talking to the people that were close to
them,” according to Williams. &nbsp;“We’re
still trying to determine where the primary form of contact is, at the plant or
where they live.”

Williams says those who are asymptomatic, yet test positive
can return to work if they show no symptoms seven days after the test.

“I’ve been on the phone with them 5, 6 times a day, every day
for two weeks now,” Williams says of Triumph officials. “And the CDC says for asymptomatic
patients, remember for symptomatic patients it’s seven days from symptom onset
and three days from symptom resolution, but if you don’t have any symptoms, you
can’t use those. So, if go to the CDC website and it’s on our website they say
its seven days from a positive test if you have no symptoms.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Gov. Mike Parson says the mass testing at Triumph
Foods in St. Joseph helped the state respond quickly to those testing positive
for COVID-19, yet displaying no symptoms.Parson says test results disclose nearly 400 Triumph workers so
far testing positive for the coronavirus though asymptomatic.“Those people are all in quarantine now, which is good news.
So, we’ve got them separated,” Parson tells reporters at a daily briefing on
state COVID-19 response. “But, I also want to mention we did roughly 3,000
tests over the state of Missouri randomly over the weekend also and of those
3,000 tests there were nine which came back positive.”Parson backs the decision by St. Joseph city officials to lift
COVID-19 restrictions even with the results from the week-long Triumph testing,
saying local officials know better than state officials what is best for their
community.“And they’ve got to figure out what do they think is the best
thing to do for their communities,” Parson says. “And if they have a – quote –
hot spot at any time during this 30 days they can take action and that’s why we
purposely left it for them to do that in case we needed to make a change in the
model on that. Again, it goes back to what our blanket policy was, what we
believe we should do for the state of Missouri and what they should do as
individuals in that city or county.”State officials sent nearly 3,000 kits to St. Joseph to test
Triumph workers last week. Northwest Health Services tested approximately 2,500
last week. It will test the remaining Triumph workers at its southside clinic. Results
from the testing continue to roll in.State Health Director Dr. Randall Williams says a team went to
St. Joseph to search out anyone who came in contact with Triumph workers
testing positive.“They are up there talking to the people that were close to
them,” according to Williams. &nbsp;“We’re
still trying to determine where the primary form of contact is, at the plant or
where they live.”Williams says those who are asymptomatic, yet test positive
can return to work if they show no symptoms seven days after the test.“I’ve been on the phone with them 5, 6 times a day, every day
for two weeks now,” Williams says of Triumph officials. “And the CDC says for asymptomatic
patients, remember for symptomatic patients it’s seven days from symptom onset
and three days from symptom resolution, but if you don’t have any symptoms, you
can’t use those. So, if go to the CDC website and it’s on our website they say
its seven days from a positive test if you have no symptoms.”

Gov. Parson: state able to respond quickly to Triump Foods workers

Mosaic Life Care has eliminated positions and cut salaries to
deal with a drop in revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mosaic issued a news release stating that seven leadership positions
were dropped as for Friday, May 1st. Also, all officers, physicians,
vice presidents, and directors took a pay cut. Mosaic says it is eliminating
some positions and improving efficiencies to save money.

“We are proud of the extraordinary work Mosaic caregivers have
done during this global pandemic,” Dr. Mark Laney, Mosaic CEO, said in a
written statement released by Mosaic. “However, the financial impact has been
significant on our operations and this decision is a necessary step to ensure
Mosaic is here for the long term to meet the health needs in our region. Our
hospitals remain the best and safest place to receive care.”

Mosaic did not specify the amount of revenue it has lost during the pandemic nor the savings it expects from the moves.

Mosaic says many factors contributed to the drop in revenue at
the hospital, including the postponing of elective surgeries, patients delaying
needed care, and spending extra on supplies and construction to treat COVID-19
patients as well as minimizing risk and exposure to caregivers. 

“Many of these changes were already within Mosaic’s long-term
cost reduction plan to address the ongoing Medicare reimbursement reductions
and the lack of Medicaid expansion in Missouri,” Laney said. “At the end of the
day, we have a duty and an obligation to our neighbors in northwest Missouri to
be good stewards with our finances to ensure Mosaic continues to be here for
generations to come.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588692933401.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care has eliminated positions and cut salaries to
deal with a drop in revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.Mosaic issued a news release stating that seven leadership positions
were dropped as for Friday, May 1st. Also, all officers, physicians,
vice presidents, and directors took a pay cut. Mosaic says it is eliminating
some positions and improving efficiencies to save money.“We are proud of the extraordinary work Mosaic caregivers have
done during this global pandemic,” Dr. Mark Laney, Mosaic CEO, said in a
written statement released by Mosaic. “However, the financial impact has been
significant on our operations and this decision is a necessary step to ensure
Mosaic is here for the long term to meet the health needs in our region. Our
hospitals remain the best and safest place to receive care.”Mosaic did not specify the amount of revenue it has lost during the pandemic nor the savings it expects from the moves.Mosaic says many factors contributed to the drop in revenue at
the hospital, including the postponing of elective surgeries, patients delaying
needed care, and spending extra on supplies and construction to treat COVID-19
patients as well as minimizing risk and exposure to caregivers. “Many of these changes were already within Mosaic’s long-term
cost reduction plan to address the ongoing Medicare reimbursement reductions
and the lack of Medicaid expansion in Missouri,” Laney said. “At the end of the
day, we have a duty and an obligation to our neighbors in northwest Missouri to
be good stewards with our finances to ensure Mosaic continues to be here for
generations to come.”

Mosaic cuts staff and salaries to cope with coronavirus impact

Buchanan County health officials report 276 COVID-19 cases
while Mosaic Life Care reports four coronavirus patients have been hospitalized
within its network.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports
eight more cases of COVID-19 among Triumph Foods workers in St. Joseph,
bringing the total to 381 with more results pending.

Buchanan County says 253 cases have been confirmed by lab
tests with 23 probable cases. Andrew County reports five confirmed cases.

Mosaic has tested 2,282 people with 91 testing positive. All
but four are being treated on an outpatient basis. Mosaic is awaiting results
from 129 tests.

Missouri health officials report 8,754 cases with 358 deaths.
In Kansas, there have been 5,245 tests with 136 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County health officials report 276 COVID-19 cases
while Mosaic Life Care reports four coronavirus patients have been hospitalized
within its network.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports
eight more cases of COVID-19 among Triumph Foods workers in St. Joseph,
bringing the total to 381 with more results pending.Buchanan County says 253 cases have been confirmed by lab
tests with 23 probable cases. Andrew County reports five confirmed cases.Mosaic has tested 2,282 people with 91 testing positive. All
but four are being treated on an outpatient basis. Mosaic is awaiting results
from 129 tests.Missouri health officials report 8,754 cases with 358 deaths.
In Kansas, there have been 5,245 tests with 136 deaths.

Buchanan County reports 276 COVID-19 cases; eight more at Triumph Foods

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Restaurant dining rooms, retail stores and some offices began reopening Monday after Kansas lifted a statewide stay-at-home order, though some business owners hesitated, still concerned about the novel coronavirus.

<a href="https://apnews.com/abd6bb1cfc4f6349d94f853f04b12bcb">Gov. Laura Kelly plans</a>&nbsp;to reopen the pandemic-battered economy in four stages between now an at least June 15. The first stage began when the her stay-at-home order expired at midnight Sunday, allowing dine-in service in restaurants and the reopening of stores, though social distancing still must be observed.

But some owners weren’t ready to open their stores to in-person shoppers. In Wichita, Watermark Books and Cafe remained closed except for online orders and curbside pickup, though owner Sarah Bagby has seen business drop 60% to 70%. She said she’s still working out issues that come with running a store where customers had been used to handling multiple books while browsing.

“We’re going to do this slowly and deliberately,” she said. “What once was once considered cozy is now considered risky, so we have to kind of reconfigure some things.”

Many businesses, including bars, gyms, theaters, barbershops and hair and nail salons, must remain closed until the second phase begins on May 18. That’s also when a 10-person mass gathering limit would increase, first to 30 until June 1 and then 90 until June 15.

Kelly’s plan already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e047671519a2e0d18115103f45162df7">has drawn criticism</a>&nbsp;for treating certain types of businesses differently from others. She’s also allowing local officials to impose stricter rules.

In the Kansas City area, Johnson County, the state’s most populous county, and neighboring Wyandotte County, are keeping stay-at-home orders in place through this Sunday. The two counties account for more than 100 of the state’s 136 reported COVID-19-related deaths.

In Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, the health officer, said the county’s 24 new cases last week were more than double the number the previous week, and cases with no tie to a previous infection source are more frequent. He said new restrictions are possible.

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas rose by 4.3% on Monday, up 215 to 5,245 total, though the actual number is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without showing symptoms. Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by two.

The Kansas Department of Corrections reported that a third inmate died in a coronavirus outbreak at the state prison in Lansing, near Kansas City. Some 380 inmates and 88 employees have tested positive there, and there have been more than 480 confirmed cases among inmates and staff at seven of the state’s nine other prisons, but no deaths.

The coronavirus can cause severe illness or death, particularly for older people or people with existing medical conditions. But most infected people have mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within a few weeks.

In northwestern Kansas, Junelle Hills put up the open sign for Interior Connection and Quilt Cabin in Colby. It sells curtains, quilting supplies and portable sheds and cabins, and Hills said she was looking forward to “getting back to normal.”

Her door has been locked for weeks, but she shipped material for masks and let in individual customers who needed supplies to make them. She remained busy even as the normal weekday 8:30 a.m. bustle in her hometown disappeared, she said.

“It was kind of scary some mornings, driving to work, because it was like a ghost town,” she said.

In Dodge City in southwestern Kansas, Brenda Lee was eager to reopen the I Don’t Care Family Restaurant, so named because that was often the answer she or her husband gave when the other asked where they should eat. The reopening won’t happen for a week or two, but that’s because of a renovation undertaken during the stay-at-home order.

Lee said the restaurant was observing social distancing before the stay-at-home order. Even without the coronavirus, she said, the restaurant has to worry about people coming in with illnesses like the flu.

“That’s the risk of being a business, period,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587578545738.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Restaurant dining rooms, retail stores and some offices began reopening Monday after Kansas lifted a statewide stay-at-home order, though some business owners hesitated, still concerned about the novel coronavirus.<a href="https://apnews.com/abd6bb1cfc4f6349d94f853f04b12bcb">Gov. Laura Kelly plans</a>&nbsp;to reopen the pandemic-battered economy in four stages between now an at least June 15. The first stage began when the her stay-at-home order expired at midnight Sunday, allowing dine-in service in restaurants and the reopening of stores, though social distancing still must be observed.But some owners weren’t ready to open their stores to in-person shoppers. In Wichita, Watermark Books and Cafe remained closed except for online orders and curbside pickup, though owner Sarah Bagby has seen business drop 60% to 70%. She said she’s still working out issues that come with running a store where customers had been used to handling multiple books while browsing.“We’re going to do this slowly and deliberately,” she said. “What once was once considered cozy is now considered risky, so we have to kind of reconfigure some things.”Many businesses, including bars, gyms, theaters, barbershops and hair and nail salons, must remain closed until the second phase begins on May 18. That’s also when a 10-person mass gathering limit would increase, first to 30 until June 1 and then 90 until June 15.Kelly’s plan already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e047671519a2e0d18115103f45162df7">has drawn criticism</a>&nbsp;for treating certain types of businesses differently from others. She’s also allowing local officials to impose stricter rules.In the Kansas City area, Johnson County, the state’s most populous county, and neighboring Wyandotte County, are keeping stay-at-home orders in place through this Sunday. The two counties account for more than 100 of the state’s 136 reported COVID-19-related deaths.In Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, the health officer, said the county’s 24 new cases last week were more than double the number the previous week, and cases with no tie to a previous infection source are more frequent. He said new restrictions are possible.Confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas rose by 4.3% on Monday, up 215 to 5,245 total, though the actual number is thought to be higher because of limited testing and because people can be infected without showing symptoms. Reported COVID-19-related deaths increased by two.The Kansas Department of Corrections reported that a third inmate died in a coronavirus outbreak at the state prison in Lansing, near Kansas City. Some 380 inmates and 88 employees have tested positive there, and there have been more than 480 confirmed cases among inmates and staff at seven of the state’s nine other prisons, but no deaths.The coronavirus can cause severe illness or death, particularly for older people or people with existing medical conditions. But most infected people have mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within a few weeks.In northwestern Kansas, Junelle Hills put up the open sign for Interior Connection and Quilt Cabin in Colby. It sells curtains, quilting supplies and portable sheds and cabins, and Hills said she was looking forward to “getting back to normal.”Her door has been locked for weeks, but she shipped material for masks and let in individual customers who needed supplies to make them. She remained busy even as the normal weekday 8:30 a.m. bustle in her hometown disappeared, she said.“It was kind of scary some mornings, driving to work, because it was like a ghost town,” she said.In Dodge City in southwestern Kansas, Brenda Lee was eager to reopen the I Don’t Care Family Restaurant, so named because that was often the answer she or her husband gave when the other asked where they should eat. The reopening won’t happen for a week or two, but that’s because of a renovation undertaken during the stay-at-home order.Lee said the restaurant was observing social distancing before the stay-at-home order. Even without the coronavirus, she said, the restaurant has to worry about people coming in with illnesses like the flu.“That’s the risk of being a business, period,” she said.____

Some Kansas businesses eagerly reopen, but others hesitate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The economic paralysis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic is forcing the U.S. Treasury to borrow far more than it ever has before — $2.99 trillion in the current quarter alone.

The amount is more than five times the government’s previous record borrowing for a quarter, $569 billion, set in the depths of the 2008 financial crisis. It also dwarfs the $1.28 trillion the government borrowed in the bond market for all of 2019.

The Treasury Department said the huge sum is needed to pay for nearly $3 trillion in rescue aid that the government has unleashed in programs to support tens of millions of jobless workers and shuttered businesses with direct payments and loans.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The economic paralysis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic is forcing the U.S. Treasury to borrow far more than it ever has before — $2.99 trillion in the current quarter alone.The amount is more than five times the government’s previous record borrowing for a quarter, $569 billion, set in the depths of the 2008 financial crisis. It also dwarfs the $1.28 trillion the government borrowed in the bond market for all of 2019.The Treasury Department said the huge sum is needed to pay for nearly $3 trillion in rescue aid that the government has unleashed in programs to support tens of millions of jobless workers and shuttered businesses with direct payments and loans.“Borrowing needs are skyrocketing as Treasury needs cash to fund stimulus measures and to compensate for a plunge in revenues caused by massive job losses,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, an economist at Oxford Economics.In addition, the government needs to borrow to cover the shortfall in revenue that will occur because the Trump administration has delayed the deadline for tax payments this year from April to June.The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting that the government will run a record deficit of $3.7 trillion this year, far above the $1 trillion-plus annual deficits recorded from 2009 through 2012 when the government was fighting the 2008 financial crisis and a deep downturn that followed.The deficits would be even higher but the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark short-term interest rate to a record low near zero and is buying trillions of dollars in government bonds and mortgage-backed securities to push long-term interest rates, which were already at record lows, even lower.Private economists believe that the government has little choice but to spend the money now to prevent an even worse downturn and possibly even a situation like the Great Depression of the 1930s.Under the plans the Treasury unveiled on Monday, the government will borrow $4.48 trillion this budget year including a projected $677 billion in borrowing in the July-September quarter. The budget year ends on Sept. 30.In a stark demonstration of how the government’s financial situation has changed, three months ago before the coronavirus outbreak caused widespread shutdowns in the United States, Treasury was projecting that it would be able to pay down $56 billion in debt during the quarter.CBO is projecting the U.S. economy will shrink by a record 40% at an annual rate in the current April-June quarter.

Coronavirus Update