Category Archives: COVID-19

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Guidance For Celebrating Halloween

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KS Dept. of Health and Environment Guidance for Celebrating Halloween, September 2020

This document outlines guidance and considerations for celebrating Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic. As typical Halloween celebrations do not allow for minimizing contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives. Refer also to any specific city or county guidance in your community which may be more restrictive than what is outlined below.

Halloween Activities Not Recommended

• Gatherings, events, or parties with non-household members
• Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions
• Door to door trick or treating – It is very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors, ensure everyone (trick or treaters and residents of homes being visited) are properly wearing face coverings, and because food sharing is risky.
• “Trunk or treating” – It is difficult to avoid crowding and sharing food at such events.
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.

Recommended

• Online parties or contests (e.g., costume contests, pumpkin carving)
• Car parades
o Drive by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate vehicles and drive by judges that are appropriately physically distanced
o Drive through events where individuals remain in vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays
o Drive in events where individuals receive a treat bag (with commercially packaged, non-perishable treats) or take away item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle
• Halloween movie nights at drive in theaters
• Halloween themed meals at outdoor restaurants, complying with restaurant protocol
• Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum, complying with museum protocol
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations

Personal Protection Measures

Regardless of how you celebrate, there are important recommendations for how to keep yourself and your household members safe.

• Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and around others who are not part of your household.
• Avoid confined spaces, including indoor spaces that don’t allow for easy distancing of at least 6-feet between you and others.
• Practice physical distancing – place at least 6-feet between yourself and other people who are not part of your household.
• Practice routine hand hygiene – wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean frequently touched items regularly.
Safer Trick or Treating and “Trunk or Treating”
Although KDHE does not recommend trick or treating or “Trunk or Treat” events as ways to celebrate Halloween, there are some recommendations and guidance to consider if you make these choices for yourself or members of your household.
• Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home.
o Incorporate face coverings into costumes.
o Face coverings should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is otherwise unable to remove their cloth face covering without assistance.
• Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use at regular intervals while outside your home.
• Consider carrying sanitizing wipes to disinfect candy or other items accepted from homes. Or, sanitize items individually when you get home before consumption. Remember to also examine treats for choking hazards or tampering before eating them.
• Accept only commercially packaged, non-perishable items.
• Practice physical distancing.
o Always leave at least 6-feet of space between yourself and people not in your household.
o Do not crowd sidewalks, driveways, or porches.
o Wait until a porch or doorway is empty before approaching a home.
o Move aside on sidewalks and driveways to allow space between yourself and other trick or treaters.
o Keep a safe distance from cars – do not walk in the street.
• For “Trunk or Treat” events, follow all guidelines above while also considering:
o Maintain at least 6-feet of distance between yourself and other attendees as you walk around.
o Wait for others to depart a car/trunk before approaching. Do not congregate at a car/trunk with other attendees unless they are members of your household.
Guidance for Homes Accepting Trick or Treaters
• When answering the door or coming into contact with trick or treaters, correctly wear a cloth face covering.
September 23, 2020
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at regular intervals; hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be substituted if soap and water are not available.
• Regularly clean and sanitize frequently touched items such as door handles, door bells, and door knockers. Consider having sanitizing wipes by the door for quick access between trick or treaters.
• Distribute only commercially produced, non-perishable items to trick or treaters.
• Do not use “grab bowls”, where trick or treaters reach into a communal bowl to retrieve candy.
• Practice one-way trick or treating
o Consider spacing items 6-feet apart on your porch, in your yard or on a table in your driveway with a sign advising trick or treaters to “Take 1”. Watch from a safe distance and replenish items as needed.
o Alternatively, make individual goodie bags for trick or treaters to pick up as they walk by. If your home has a fence, consider hanging individual goodie bags on the fence for trick or treaters to take as they walk by.
• For “Trunk or Treat” events, also consider:
o Participating cars should be parked at least 6-feet apart.
o Make individual goodie bags and place them in your trunk so they are not touching. Maintain a distance of at least 6-feet from other attendees and replenish bags or items as needed.
o Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use at regular intervals.
o Sanitize high-touch areas at regular intervals. Consider having sanitizing wipes on hand.
Halloween Parties
Although KDHE does not recommend hosting or attending parties as a way to celebrate Halloween, there are some recommendations and guidance to consider if you make this choice for yourself or members of your household.
• Remind potential guests who are sick or waiting on results of a COVID-19 test to stay home.
• Host activities with only people from your local area as much as possible.
• Correctly wear a cloth face covering around others who are not part of your household.
• Practice routine hand hygiene – wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Consider only hosting or attending parties hosted in large, outdoor spaces that allow for physical distancing of at least 6-feet between attendees. If an event must be hosted indoors, make sure the space is well-ventilated (for example, open windows and doors).
• Maintain at least 6-feet between yourself and people who are not members of your household, especially when cloth face coverings are removed for eating and drinking.

• When setting up tables and chairs, create individual seating areas of various sizes spaced 6-feet apart to be utilized by individual family or household units. Encourage guests to sit only with those who are members of their household, especially for eating and drinking when cloth face coverings will be removed.
• Avoid activities that require guests to be in close contact or to share items, such as games or food.
• Encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks.
• Limit people going in and out of areas where food is being prepared, such as kitchens or grills.
• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.

General Halloween Health and Safety Tips

In addition to modifications to Halloween activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19, remember the following general Halloween health and safety tips to keep you and members of your household safe.
• Avoid trick or treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
• Hold a flashlight while trick or treating to help you see and others see you.
• Walk, don’t run, from house to house.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks whenever possible.
• Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible. Avoid walking in streets and roadways. If there is no sidewalk, walk along the far edge of the road facing traffic in order to stay safe.
• Wear well-fitting costumes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
• Eat only commercially produced, non-perishable treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
• Do not enter homes unless you are with a trusted adult.
• Only visit well-lit homes.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Never walk near candles or luminaries. Wear flame-resistant costumes.
References
1. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Guidance for Celebrating Halloween. Retrieved September 2020 from http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/docs/community/GuidanceHalloween.pdf.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Halloween Health and Safety Tips. Retrieved September 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Personal and Social Activities. Retrieved September 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#gatherings.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Holiday Celebrations. Retrieved September 2020 from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html.

COVID-19, Fort Scott, Schools

St. Mary’s School Makes Changes for Pandemic

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St. Mary’s Catholic School students have some classes outside. Submitted photos.

School started for St. Mary’s Catholic School on August 27.

 

But with the COVID 19 Pandemic, this year is not school as usual.

 

“We have moved our 3rd/4th grade combination classroom into our gym space, to ensure that there is at least six feet between all students,” Josh Regan, St. Mary’s Principal, said. “From the very beginning, one of our top priorities has been to make sure that there is adequate social distancing in every classroom.”

 

Regan knows the school is fortunate to be small enough to be able to social distance, and that not all schools have this ability, he said.

 

Regan is thankful for the cooperation of staff and the community in setting the school up for the start of school.

 

“I want to commend our 3rd/4th grade classroom teacher, Amber Russell, for her hard work in creating a classroom space in just a couple of weeks,” Regan said.  “She really went above and beyond in making that space not only conducive to learning but also inviting and comfortable for kids.”

 

Amber Russells’s 3rd/4th class allows social distancing in the school gym. Submitted photos.

“We also want to thank Matt Ida and Brian McGowan at Extrusions Inc. for their generous help in constructing temporary walls for that classroom,” Regan said.

The administration and staff want to maximize time the students can be without a facemask, one of the ways they are following government guidelines to stop the spread of the disease, he said.

” We want to maximize the time that kids can be kids, without the restriction of a facemask that we feel strips away part of our God-given human connection with others since we cannot see concealed faces,” Regan said.  “Communication is damaged and relationships are much more difficult to build when we cannot tell whether a child is frustrated, sad, happy, or somewhere in between based on their expression!!”

“So much communication is nonverbal, especially in how a teacher reads the emotions of students and how kids interact with each other,” he said. ” Our kids wear masks as mandated, but we have worked hard to maximize time outside where they can remove masks safely and laugh, talk, and enjoy the time with their friends! ”

Students bring beach towels to school each week to spread out on the school’s lawn to eat lunch.

St. Mary’s students enjoy lunch outside. Submitted photos.

” About a month before school we also started asking school families, parishioners, and community members to allow us to borrow any picnic tables that we could get our hands on,” he said. “A couple of our families even anonymously bought and donated outdoor tables.”

“Our teachers frequently take classes outside and use the tables to distance kids with masks off,” Regan said.

In addition, the school has all its’ physical education classes outside.

“It has worked out great for us, mostly because God has blessed us with beautiful weather so far this year,” Regan said.

Students at St. Mary’s learn outside. Submitted photos.
Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Health Department: 26 Active Cases

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

September 29, 2020

Please call your local health department if you would like a further breakdown of cases.

Allen County

Current Active Cases 27
Total Hospitalizations 5-0 in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 55
Total Cases Since Testing 82
Deaths 1

Anderson County

Current Active Cases 9
Total Hospitalizations 2-0 in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 76
Total Cases Since Testing 85
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Active Cases 26
Total Hospitalizations 10-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 168
Total Cases Since Testing 194
Deaths 3

Woodson County

Current Active Cases 3
Total Hospitalizations 2-1 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 17
Total Cases Since Testing 20
Deaths 0
COVID-19, Government, Kansas

New Kansas COVID-19 Testing Strategy Announced

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Governor Kelly to Deliver COVID-19 Update, Announce New Unified Testing Strategy

   

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. today, Monday, September 28, to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announce a new unified testing strategy.

 

As COVID-19 mass gathering restrictions allow gatherings of 45 people or fewer, all media outlets are invited to attend provided all follow proper social distancing protocol and wear masks.

 

To attend the briefing, please RSVP at [email protected].

  

Each briefing will be broadcast live on Governor Kelly’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/GovLauraKelly.    

  

Who:              Governor Laura Kelly

 

What:             COVID-19 Press Briefing

                       

Where:           Kansas Statehouse

                        Secretary of State Ceremonial Office, 212A-N

                        Topeka, KS        

 

When:            4 p.m., Monday, September 28, 2020

 

Business, COVID-19, Fort Scott

New Grocery Store In Downtown Fort Scott Is Coming

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Kress Building in downtown Fort Scott, August 2020.

A new grocery store in downtown Fort Scott is on the horizon.

This project is a result of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program.

The SPARK Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to the website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

The Kansas SPARK Committee approved the final pieces of the Bourbon County Spark Plan on Sept. 25.

This Kress Building repurposing addresses access to food, which was one of the issues identified for the SPARK program.

” BAJA Investments, LLC submitted an application which will result in the rehabilitation of the Kress Building located at 17 S Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, into a grocery store,” Bill Michaud, the developer of the project and owner of BAJA Investments, LLC, said.

Kress Building, 17 S. Main, Fort Scott, August 2020.

Featured at the future store will be locally produced co-op food and salad bar/deli, he said.

Additionally, a new resource center to support the needs of the community through COVID-19 pandemic recovery will be located in the rehabilitated Kress Building.

“Prior to the grocery store opening, a collaboration of local community resource agencies will open the BWERC (pronounced B-WORK) which is an acronym for the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneurship Resouce Center,” said  Michaud. “This is an exciting collaboration between Kansas Works, (a division of Network Kansas that supports Workforce Development), the SBDC at Pitt State (Small Business Development Center), Fort Scott Community College, and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce including the E-Community program — all that together with being coordinated and supported by Bourbon County Economic Development.”

Any inquiries regarding the B-WERC facility services may be directed to Bourbon County Economic Development Director, Jody Hoener at 620.215.5725 or by email at [email protected]

Food Co-op, Deli Meat/Cheese and Salad Bar

“The idea of a downtown grocery store certainly wasn’t an original idea,” Michaud said.  “I think there has been discussion of this since the Dollar General moved out of downtown many years ago.  I think it’s one of those things that people didn’t realize how convenient it was to have until it was gone.”

 

“The many issues that have arisen out of the COVID pandemic pushed this need to the forefront and access to healthy food was a stated point of emphasis under the SPARK program,” he said.

 

“One feature we are planning is the food co-op for locally grown produce and other food products,” he said.  “We are going to provide a local outlet for as many ‘produced in Bourbon County’ products as possible.”

 

“We hope to become a resource to connect local producers with the market of consumers and restaurants who are looking for fresh, locally grown products,” Michaud said.

 

“Secondly we are offering to partner with CHC/SEK so that they may expand the food delivery service that they offer to the homebound, elderly and other underserved populations in Crawford County, into Fort Scott,” he said.  “The new store will provide storage for donated food items for delivery and supplement the needs of the clientele by making additional food items available.”

 

The pandemic has caused some nationwide unemployment, which leads to increased food insecurities, some driven by lack of transportation, Michaud noted.

 

“So adding to the food supply downtown and in northwest Fort Scott will help address that need for residents of that part of town,” he said.   “In recent years, the increased downtown housing development has further increased the need for a downtown grocery store.”

 

“That increase in residential housing, the lack of food supply to residents west of 69 highway and the great opportunity for partnerships to support local produce and other small businesses make this an investment in our community and in our downtown … a project I thought was worth pursuing,” Michaud said.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Entertainment, Exercise

NO Tri-Yak-A-Thon in 2020

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“We did not receive enough registrations to have the Tri-Yak-A-Thon,” said Penny Pollack-Barnes.  “The race has been cancelled.”

The multi-sport annual event had a registration cut off for Sept. 26 for the Oct. 10 event at Gunn Park.

“In these uncertain times, we decided to hold the event if we have enough interest in the event,” Barnes said.  If they had 40 registered participants by September 26 it would have continued. They did not.

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to include Aruba. Aruba was previously on the list and was removed September 10. However, it’s rates have increased over the last two weeks to 4.2 times the rate of new COVID-19 cases in Kansas and subsequently, is being added.

 

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:

 

  • Traveled to Aruba on or after September 24.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.

 

Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 500 or more persons in a single room or space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals. Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.

 

“If you are choosing to travel or attend mass gathering events, please know that there are inherent risks,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “Be sure to wear masks, practice social distancing and use proper hand hygiene. And, if you’re not feeling well, stay home!”

 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

Bourbon County Total COVID-19 Cases Since Testing-175

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

September 21, 2020

Due to the recent increase in probable cases and presumptive lab cases, we are combining probable, presumptive, out of state and positive cases together into a “Total Cases Since Testing” column. Please call your local health department if you would like a further breakdown of cases. We will have this weekly update posted to our website tomorrow morning (www.sekmchd.com, under about us and FAQs)

Allen County

Current Active Cases 3
Total Hospitalizations 4-1 in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 53
Total Cases Since Testing 57
Deaths 1

Anderson County

Current Active Cases 4
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 58
Total Cases Since Testing 62
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Active Cases 28
Total Hospitalizations 10-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 144
Total Cases Since Testing 175
Deaths 3

Woodson County

Current Active Cases 4
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 13
Total Cases Since Testing 17
Deaths 0
Business, COVID-19, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Cinema Gets Creative In Offerings

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Fort Cinema is located at 224 W. 18th. Submitted photo.

The  COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on movie theaters throughout the nation.

It has also impacted Fort Cinema, located at 224 W. 18th.

“We have lost 70% of our revenue during the same time frame from a year ago,” Brent Cavin, who has worked and managed the theater since 2007, said. “Blockbuster movies continue to be pushed back by studios.”

In spite of this, the cinema owners have had community support.

“The community has been great about supporting us with purchasing of concessions and gift cards. We take it as a sign that our citizens want to make sure the theater remains in Fort Scott.”

Cavin is co-owner of Anderson and Cavin LLC, with his brother-in-law, Chris Anderson, and they have been in talks with the current theater owners, Des and Amanda Hale, about purchasing the theater, he said.

Recently they introduced video game rentals on the big screen.
“It is $100 for two hours, $50 per additional hour,” Cavin said.
Participants must bring in a console that has wireless control to use on the big screen.
“We’ve hosted multiple parties already for: MarioKart, FortNite and Super Smash Brothers,” he said.  “The parties are a great way to gather with family and friends.”
MarioKart, a video game, can now be viewed on the big screen at Fort Cinema. Submitted photo.

The business has been practicing measures to ensure safety for its customers.

The theater requires employees to wear masks during customer interaction, they have put seating gaps in the viewing parties and they “deep sanitize” all heavy traffic areas in-between shows and while open, he said.

 

“The  (gaming) initiative was created as a means to provide a safe environment to gather and have fun during a pandemic,” he said. ” We have had a few parties already that asked privately if they could connect a console to our projectors. When we realized that the content looked incredible on our screen we decided to go public with the idea. We have had a lot of success with opening our theater to private movie parties in the last few months and wanted to expand upon that premise.”

 

Rentals take place outside of normal business hours, Monday through Thursday.  A theater can be rented anytime before 4 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m. On Friday through Sunday, they can be rented anytime before 1:30 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m.

 

Video game rental prices are $100 for two hours, with additional hours at $50 an hour.

 

Any wireless controller console can work, and WiFi is available for online gaming.

 

The cinema also offers theater rentals for movies: Classic movies are $100, new releases are $200.

 

“I would also like the public to know that we are open every day of the week with new movies again,” Cavin said.

 

Contact on Fort Cinema Facebook page via Messenger, or call (620) 223-3366 during the business hours of 6:00 to 9:00 nightly.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Has 30 Active COVID-19 Cases

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

September 14, 2020

Allen County

Current Active Cases 10
Presumptive Cases 7
Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County 4
Total Hospitalizations 3-1 in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 46 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives )
Total Positives Since Testing 49 (Allen County + out of state)
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Active Cases 7
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 47
Total Positives Since Testing 54
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Active Cases 30
Presumptive Cases 15
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon 17
Total Hospitalizations 9-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 114 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives)
Total Positives Since Testing 131 (Bourbon County + out of state/county)
Deaths 2

Woodson County

Current Active Cases 4
Presumptive Cases 2
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 12
Total Positives Since Testing 114
Deaths 0

“Woodson is at 14 total positives, not 114,” noted Rebecca Johnson, SEK Multi-County Health Departments Administrator

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Health Care

Mental Health Help Offered Along With Practices to Self-Help

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The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Clinic, 401 Woodland Hills, just off Hwy. 69 south of Fort Scott.

Mental health is a factor in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

With increased stress due to the virus, the economy, social injustice issues, and the upcoming United States general election, mental health issues are a concern.

 

Eric Thomason, PMHNP, the  Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services Clinic Director, answered the following questions in an email interview with fortscott.biz.

 

Thomason said he is seeing a spike in people needing mental health services.

Eric Thomason. Submitted photo.

 

Thomason gives a recap of the pandemic, starting with how it began.

” It was this invisible thing, which we didn’t know much about, and it was killing people. This is an anxiety-provoking idea. We started to see the spread through urban areas of the United States. A lot of us collectively held our breath and thought, “How long until it is here?” Instead of carrying a belief that tomorrow can be better today, we removed the hope that tomorrow can provide.

Hope: A Weapon Against Depression

Hope is the single most important weapon in the battle of depression. One of my primary jobs is to restore hope. To restore a very simple idea, that if I get up, get dressed, and keep fighting, today can be better than yesterday.”

Economic Stress

“The economic fallout has been tremendous. I treat a lot of blue-collar hard-working folks from Fort Scott and the surrounding areas. Our community members are some of the hardest hit in the nation due to involvement in livestock operations. I have had patients who lost jobs in the foodservice industry or as a part of other health care clinics. The removal of employment does two terrible things. It reduces our income and it reduces the perception of our value and purpose. Employment gives us a sense of accomplishment. If we did nothing else today, we finished our days’ work. COVID-19 took that away from a lot of the hardworking individuals I serve”

 

Social Support Systems Needed

“Lastly, social support systems are profoundly important to our wellbeing. Social isolation is often a symptom and predictive factor of depression. COVID-19 increased our isolation, thus increasing our risk of depression.”

 

 

 

Have there been more substance abuse issues during this time?

“Unfortunately, the rate of substance abuse, accidental overdoses, and death related to drug overdose throughout the nation has increased. Some national tracking services such as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program estimate that drug-related overdose has increased over 40% across the country. This is in part to the removal or lack of coping strategies as well as treatment dropout rates due to social isolation and fear of COVID-19. One of the ways we worked to combat treatment dropout is to offer telephone, telemedicine, and in-person appointments despite COVID-19 spread throughout our communities. This is a testament to our incredible staff who chose to continue to serve and provide support to our communities when we were needed the most.”

 

What are some practices that people can do to help themselves with their mental health?

  • “Be honest with yourself or listen to your loved ones. If you aren’t doing well or someone you trust says you aren’t doing well, please get help.
  • Social distancing does not mean social isolation. Get on Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc to have social interaction. The telephone is not enough.
  • Eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise. You can socially distance and exercise outside. CHC/SEK offers Wellness Services that includes a Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Nutritionist, and Fitness Coordinator.
  • Avoid illicit drugs and alcohol.
  • Stay away from social media and political radicalism. We should be supporting one another during this difficult time, not tearing each other apart.
  • Be there for someone. Make a difference in someone’s life and you will feel better for it.”

Is a  physician referral needed for mental health services?

“It is very easy to access any of our services. No physician referral is required. You can contact our Fort Scott Clinic at 620-223-8040 and ask about any program or service offered through CHC/SEK. Our goal is to answer your questions as efficiently as possible.”

Does insurance cover mental health services?

“Mental health services are covered under most insurance plans. For any specific questions, please contact our clinic and we can help determine your plan’s coverage. We work with our patients to determine if they would qualify grant-supported treatment and/or sliding scale fees. Always remember at CHC/SEK we treat all individuals regardless of their ability to pay for service.”

Closing Thoughts

“You are worth believing that tomorrow can be better than today. You are worth being a better father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister, employee and/or boss. You are worth treatment. In a world where everything is outside of your control, you can control whether you pick up the phone and ask for help. CHC/SEK is committed to being that help.”

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor’s Executive Orders Re-Issued

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Governor Laura Kelly Re-issues Executive Orders to Keep Kansans Safe, Healthy

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order #20-64, which will re-issue and extend several previous orders set to expire next week. The orders allow Kansas to continue effectively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, keep Kansans safe and healthy, and make sure our businesses can continue to recover from the virus’s economic impact.

 

E.O. #20-64 will be reviewed by the State Finance Council during its meeting at 10 a.m. Friday, September 11. If the Council votes Friday not to extend Governor Kelly’s current State of Disaster Emergency Declaration, the re-issued orders will expire September 15, along with the emergency declaration.

 

“The disaster declaration, along with these Executive Orders, are critical to ensuring Kansas has the tools and support it needs to continue responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Kelly said. “I urge members of the State Finance Council to extend the declaration, approve these orders, and ensure we can keep Kansans health, fed, and in their homes.”

 

Under E.O. #20-64, the following orders will be extended until rescinded, until January 26, 2021, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier:

 

  • 20-37 – Allowing certain deferred tax deadlines and payments during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-39 – Extending professional and occupational licenses during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-40 – Temporarily allowing notaries and witnesses to act via audio-video communication technology during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-43 – Temporary relief from certain restrictions concerning shared work programs during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-50 – Temporary relief from certain unemployment insurance requirements during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-55 – Amended provisions related to drivers’ license and vehicle registration and regulation during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-56 – Amended Licensure, Certification, and Registration for persons and Licensure of “Adult Care Homes” during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-61 – Temporarily prohibiting certain foreclosures and evictions

 

View E.O. #20-64 here.