What's wrong with this picture?

The above photograph, taken at the last Board of Aldermen meeting, shows only two of the members of the Board of Aldermen practicing Social Distancing. Ward 5 Alderman Derek Ward (seated at the far right wearing a surgical mask has moved as far away from his seatmate, Bonnaye Mims, as possible. Ward 1 Alderman Frank Hunt, is seated in his regular space. The seat to his immediate left is empty because Alderman Greg Walters was absent.

The following press release is from Mayor Quinton Lucas of Kansas City, Missouri as regards the Stay at Home Order for a four county wide area making up most of Kansas City, Missouri and surrounding suburbs. 

To view the complete text of the order use the following link.

full text of the Order.

“Stay at Home" Press Release

Post Date:03/21/2020 4:59 PM

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 21, 2020

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas – in consultation with Health Department Director Dr. Rex Archer and Emergency Medical Services Medical Director Dr. Erica Carney – today issued a “Stay at Home” Order, requiring Kansas Citians to stay at home except for “essential activities” as our community continues working to slow the spread of COVID-19. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and healthcare facilities will remain open. This order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 24.

View the full text of the Order.

“As community spread of COVID-19 continues throughout our region, we are taking aggressive action to flatten the curve and protect our most vulnerable brothers and sisters,” said Mayor Lucas. “We are asking our entire community to unite to prevent the spread of this virus and appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this time. I understand the financial and emotional toll this virus has taken on Kansas City families and businesses, and I am working my hardest to create every opportunity possible to ease some of this financial burden. We have suspended all water and electricity shut-offs and have issued a moratorium on evictions, but I know our work for those struggling most continues.”

For purposes of this order, permissible “essential activities” will mean:

• To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family and close personal acquaintances, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home;
• To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or close personal acquaintances, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
• To assist in the preparation of food and drink for delivery and carry out, or to pick up food or drink for carry out.
• To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, biking, hiking, or running;
• To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order; and
• To care for a family member, close personal acquaintance, or pet in another household;

“Essential activities” do not include weddings, funerals, wakes, memorial services, or similar gatherings.

An Update on School Closures:

With the support of superintendents from all 14 school districts and other education leaders that educate Kansas City students, Mayor Lucas has also updated his existing State of Emergency order to extend school closures in the Missouri-side of the metropolitan area through Friday, April 24. Daycares and early childhood programs remain exempt from this order.

Mayor Lucas will review this Order, and updated as needed, prior to its April 24 expiration.

 Kansas Citians interested in signing up for text updates from the City of Kansas City regarding COVID-19 should text COVIDKC to 888-777. For more information, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or kcmo.gov/coronavirus. You may also call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hotline at 877-435-8411 for questions regarding COVID-19 in Missouri.

the following story was written by michael j. coren. a link at the bottom of those text will take you to the rest of the story. his writing is a historical blueprint of how the spanish flu in 1917/1918 was handled in two different american cities. 

TALE OF TWO CITIES

The 1918 Spanish flu shows

why social distancing works

By Michael J. Coren

In 1918, the city of Philadelphia threw a parade that killed thousands of people. Ignoring warnings of influenza among soldiers preparing for World War I, the march to support the war effort drew 200,000 people who crammed together to watch the procession. Three days later, every bed in Philadelphia’s 31 hospitals was filled with sick and dying patients, infected by the Spanish flu.

By the end of the week, more than 4,500 were dead in an outbreak that would claim as many as 100 million people worldwide. By the time Philadelphia’s politicians closed down the city, it was too late.

A different story played out in St. Louis, just 900 miles away. Within two days of detecting its first cases among civilians, the city closed schools, playgrounds, libraries, courtrooms, and even churches. Work shifts were staggered and streetcar ridership was strictly limited. Public gatherings of more than 20 people were banned.  READ MORE

BY GREG WALTERS

Social Distancing
Works if we
Follow the Rules

There is no doubt the coronavirus it is foremost in most of our thoughts. Some of the of the measures taken to slow the advance of the pandemic make so much sense you may wonder why some are ignoring the advice for life-style changes like ‘social distancing”.

For those who are able to work from home, it is a good idea.

Because of technological advances, particularly with the internet, we meet with very few of our clients face to face. Through the use of social distancing in the work space and in personal habits, hand washing, etc., the spread of the coronavirus can be controlled.

Social distancing doesn’t have to be draconian. South Korea has adopted a modern version of the St. Louis model used in the 1917/1918 Spanish Flu epidemic. Korea is considered a successful model in its attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus.

South Korea's Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip told journalists, “we recommend a response system that blends voluntary public participation with creative applications of advanced technology.”

The Kansas City "coordinated government effort" of closing schools, canceling public and private events, and the ordering the closing of non-essential businesses is in part a result of people not taking practicing social distancing.

We all have a responsibility to actively practice social distancing. It is one of the most effective ways to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. 

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