Vital Statistics Services to Remain Open, Closed for Walk-In Service
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that its Vital Statistics Office functions will continue online and via telephone during the two-week closure of state offices beginning March 23. Walk-in service will not be available during this time.
Those needing vital records can visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital to order via online, phone or mobile app.
Kansas Department of Corrections Plans for Continued Public Safety Services
TOPEKA, Kan. – At the direction of Governor Laura Kelly, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced today which functions of the agency would remain open, and which would close, to help minimize additional risk of exposure to COVID-19.
As the KDOC is a public safety agency, most functions of the agency will remain operational throughout the two-week closure.
“I want to reassure the public that our commitment to the safety of this state will continue,” Jeff Zmuda, KDOC Secretary, said. “We will continue to meet the needs of those that we serve while keeping them and our staff healthy and safe.”
State prisons will continue operations, including most offender programming. Some staff will be working from home and some placed on paid administrative leave, as directed by Kelly.
Parole offices will be closed during this time, but supervision of offenders in the community will continue with staff working remotely.
KDOC’s Central Office will be closed to visitors during this time, but the office’s core services will continue.
For more information and resources related to COVID-19, including symptoms and tips for prevention, visit http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/.
Situation Overview
• This document is updated every afternoon and available on www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/20/20 at 10 a.m.
Total Positive Cases
44
Private Labs
17
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab
27
Deaths (included in above numbers)
1
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2
Positive Case Information
County Number
Butler County
2
Leavenworth County
2
Cherokee County
1
Linn County
1
Douglas County
1
Morris County
2
Franklin County
1
Sedgwick
1
Jackson County
1
Wyandotte
9
Johnson County
23
* Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents. Numbers included in cases home states. 2
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Offers Online, Mobile Services
PRATT – While Kansas state parks, fishing lakes and wildlife areas will remain open to the public, effective March 23, 2020, all Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) offices will close for two weeks to prevent potential spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. KDWPT staff plan to resume essential business activities beginning April 6. Until then, outdoor enthusiasts in Kansas can benefit from the department’s online and mobile services, which offer nearly all of the same purchasing and reservation services available in-office, without risk.
Licenses and Permits
Kansas hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased electronically from kshuntfishcamp.com, at most license vendors, and through KDWPT’s mobile app – HuntFish KS.
State Park Reservations
All Kansas state parks remain open, and campsites, cabins and yurts can be reserved online through ReserveAmerica.com and KDWPT’s mobile app – CampIt KS.
Boat Registrations
All vessels powered by motor (gasoline, diesel or electric) or sail must be registered and numbered in Kansas. A registration is valid for three years from date of purchase.
Nonresident Deer Draw Applications
The application period for the 2020 Kansas nonresident deer draw is April 1-24. Applications can be made online here, https://www.kshuntfishcamp.com/signinWithIdentifierAndDob.page.
Visit ksoutdoors.com for frequently-asked questions at this time, and other information that will make your time outdoors more enjoyable – like a day spent fishing. Anglers should check out the Fishing Forecast page to find the best places to catch the kind and size of fish they prefer. If you just want to catch fish, type “Whatever’s Biting” into the search box for a list of the top 20 lakes and reservoirs that give you the best chance to catch a fish. And district fisheries newsletters are also great sources of information for anglers. They can be found by clicking “News,” then “All Agency Newsletters.” You can even sign up to have the newsletters emailed directly to you.
DCF prioritizes abuse/neglect cases and safety net services
At the direction of Governor Laura Kelly, all Department for Children and Families service centers will close to the public, until further notice, beginning Monday, March 23. While the public won’t be able to access buildings, the agency’s core services will continue.
“Our mission is to protect children and strengthen families,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Our essential staff will continue the important work of investigating abuse and neglect allegations and processing applications for vital assistance programs.”
Core services continuing during the shutdown include:
“We are taking prudent measures to make sure our employees are safe during this time,” Howard said. “While it might take us a bit longer to process an application, we do not anticipate any major interruptions or delays in our core services.
Additionally, we are committed to receiving and responding to reports of abuse/neglect. We may do some of those investigations virtually when possible, but be assured, we’ll work with our law enforcement partners to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safe.”
Kansans also can expect no interruption in child support operations. While DCF child support workers will be on administrative leave, agency contractors will continue their work.
There are several ways for Kansans to connect with DCF during the next two weeks. If someone suspects abuse or neglect, they should call the KPRC at 1-800-922-5330. They also can report allegations online at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/PPS/Pages/KIPS/KIPSWebIntake.aspx.
Those needing to apply for services like food, cash or child care assistance can apply online at www.dcf.ks.gov. Paper applications also will be available outside each DCF service center across the state. Completed applications can be left in drop boxes outside each service center or mailed to local service center.
Kansans who need to report a change or need to provide information about their case can email or mail their local DCF service center. They also can see if their benefits have been processed by going to ebtEDGE at www.ebtedge.com.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 31, 2020. Each DCF region also will have a dedicated emergency service phone number.
In the Wichita region call 316-337-7222.
In the Kansas City region call 1-888-369-4777.
In the East Region call 785-296-2500.
In the West Region call 785-462-6760 ext. 206.
DCF encourages Kansans to monitor the agency’s Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest information about office access and services.
For more information on COVID-19 visit: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has developed a plan to keep Kansas’ 28 state parks, 63 state fishing lakes, and more than 100 wildlife areas open to the public during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, KDWPT’s online and mobile sales options allow Kansans to purchase the licenses, permits and reservations they need without risk of exposure to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“We’re committed to ensuring Kansas outdoors remain accessible to all, and that Kansans have safe and healthy recreation opportunities during this unprecedented crisis,” KDWPT Secretary Brad Loveless said. “There’s no better place to be right now than out in nature, where social distancing is a breeze. We encourage families across the state to get outside, get fresh air, go fishing or for a hike, and enjoy our natural spaces.”
Beginning March 23, 2020, KDWPT will temporarily close regional and district offices for two weeks; however, state park staff will work in limited capacities to ensure Kansas’ state parks remain open to the public, and that park facilities are regularly cleaned and disinfected. Though often adjoined, KDWPT state parks are separate from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) facilities, which will be closed. Visitors can locate an open KDWPT state park nearest them by visiting ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations.
Thanks to the advent of KDWPT’s mobile apps – CampIt KS and HuntFish KS – visitors can reserve campsites, purchase fishing licenses, renew boat registrations and check rules and regulations all from their mobile devices, removing the need for in-person transactions at KDWPT offices. Licenses can be printed on home desktop printers or most can be stored as PDFs within the apps on mobile devices.
Kansas state parks offer 10,000 campsites and hundreds of miles of trails open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Parks offer convenient access for boating and fishing, and some parks have shooting ranges. Small, family-friendly state fishing lakes are scattered across the state and provide more than 5,000 total surface acres of fishing opportunities close to home.
All public land regulations and license requirements remain in effect. Check with local governments for access restrictions to community lakes and USACE-operated parks.
For more on Kansas state parks, and other outdoor recreation opportunities in Kansas, visit ksoutdoors.com. For more information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for daily updates, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website at kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
Topeka, KS – As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop and reports of bottled water shortages make headlines, the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Health and Environment want to remind Kansans the drinking water provided by our public water supply systems is free of viruses and other pathogens.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the state’s public water supply systems remain a safe and affordable way to access the water needed for drinking, cooking and maintaining personal hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Kansans can and should continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual as COVID-19 is not present in drinking water supplies. Disinfection processes like those practiced by public water systems provide protection that includes filtration and disinfection of our raw water supplies. These treatments are effective in removing and/or inactivating viruses.
“The state shares a deep understanding of the importance of a reliable, good quality of water and wastewater services in our daily lives and during a public health crisis,” Kansas Water Office Director Earl Lewis said. “There isn’t a need to switch your normal routine or increase purchase of bottled water to address COVID-19.”
“The track record of our municipal water systems and rural water districts in delivering good drinking water that complies with the federal health-based standards has been consistently outstanding,” Tom Stiles, Director of the Bureau of Water at KDHE, said. “For all the worries swirling about with COVID-19, the quality of your drinking water isn’t one of them.”
These are challenging times for our state and nation, but despite the many uncertainties regarding COVID-19, Kansans should take comfort in the fact that the virus does not spread through drinking water supplies. Our state’s public water supply systems remain committed to the uninterrupted delivery of clean and safe drinking water for the duration of this crisis and beyond.
For more information on COVID-19 visit the Kansas Department for Health and Environment’s Resource Center at: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
Governor Laura Kelly announces disaster assistance for Kansas businesses and discusses banks, unemployment
Governor Laura Kelly was joined today by David Toland, Secretary of Commerce; Delía García, Secretary of Labor; David Herndon, State Bank Commissioner; and others to discuss what the Kelly Administration is doing to help mitigate the potential impact of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, on the Kansas economy.
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans
The Governor first announced that under the state’s disaster declaration she issued on March 12th, Kansas has applied for, and expects to receive, disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to supplement small businesses disrupted by the economic fallbacks of COVID-19.
“As Kansans practice social distancing, our restaurants, bars and other event centers will see a decrease in patrons. These loans can be used to help keep Kansas small businesses afloat when they can’t obtain credit elsewhere,” Kelly said. “During this turbulent time, our affected small business owners need support.”
Through the SBA, loans of up to $2 million would be made available to Kansas small businesses in need of assistance. The disaster declaration extends to all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital available for Kansas small businesses across the state.
“SBA’s disaster loans are a powerful tool to help our state’s small businesses weather this temporary storm,” Toland said. “The Department of Commerce is grateful for the SBA’s quick action working to make these resources available and for their commitment to keeping Kansas businesses strong.”
Once approved, Kansas small businesses can begin applying for disaster loan assistance through the SBA at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. SBA loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for private non-profit organizations.
Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund
The Governor also announced during Friday’s press conference that her administration has allocated $5 million of state funds to establish the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund to provide short-term, zero-interest loans for Kansas’ hospitality sector during the pandemic.
“In an effort to make sure all Kansans come through these difficulties together, we are providing much-needed support to businesses dealing with the earliest impacts of this public health crisis,” Kelly said. “There are more than 10,000 hotels, restaurants, bars, event centers and other hospitality establishments in need of our support right now, and we’re doing everything we can see them through this severe, but temporary, downturn.”
The HIRE Fund offers loans up to $20,000 at 0 percent interest for a term of three years to hospitality businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
“The hospitality industry is experiencing some of the most immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis with businesses being closed to the public all across Kansas,” Toland said. “HIRE Fund loans are available to help these businesses meet working capital commitments, such as payroll, utilities, commercial loan payments, inventory expenses and more.”
Loan decisions will made within 72 hours of the time an application is submitted, and businesses will receive funds within 48 hours (or the next business day) of an application being approved. The program is administered by NetWork Kansas, a non-profit with a system of small business loan underwriters across 64 Kansas counties.
For more information on the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency fund, visit kansascommerce.gov/HIREfund.
Kansas Department of Labor Updates
García spoke about her agency’s role in supporting Kansans during the current health and economic crisis.
“We are doing everything we can to support Kansas workers and employers,” García said. “As we navigate these unprecedented times, know the Kansas Department of Labor is here for you – and we are ready to support our fellow Kansans.”
To illustrate the gravity of the situation, García said that last week the department received 1,296 unemployment claims. This week, the department has received 11,355 claims – an increase of over 10,000.
“We are in uncharted waters right now, which underscores the importance of us working together,” García said. “To serve Kansas workers and employers as efficiently as possible, we are encouraging them to utilize our website — www.dol.ks.gov — as much as possible.”
Employers and workers can apply for benefits, file by spreadsheet, find answers to frequently asked questions and utilize additional resources online.
Office of the State Bank Commissioner Updates
Herndon shared updates from his office, dispelled false rumors surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on Kansas banks and discussed how the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help people across the state.
The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates banks chartered by Kansas and non-bank consumer credit providers licensed to do business in Kansas. It conducts safety and soundness examinations, regulatory compliance examinations and information technology/cybersecurity exams as mandated by federal and state laws and regulations.
“Kansas banks are safe and they are sound,” Herndon said. “No depositor has ever lost a penny of insured deposits since the FDIC was created in 1933. I urge Kansans to be safe, protect yourself and your funds by leaving them in your account.”
Herndon said bankers across the state are assisting Kansans by making new loans, amending terms and conditions to existing loans and otherwise working with borrowers adversely impacted by the pandemic.
“Kansas bankers and the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help through this pandemic, and they are here to assist in any way they can for the duration,” Herndon said.
The Governor also thanked Kansas medical professionals, members of the press corps, grocery store and food industry workers, custodial staff, firefighters, police officers, state and local emergency managers, and the 21 state-active duty National guardsmen & women for their hard work.
“I know many of you are working long hours away from your family and that is tough so please know that Kansans all across the state appreciate you and all you are doing,” Kelly said.
The Beacon, a local helping agency, located at 525 E. 6th, will be closed March 26 to unload a truck and restock shelves.
To speak with the Beacon Director, Gary Murrell, please call 620-223-6869.
Hint for the week: A couple of corn tortillas make a splendid substitute for a few squares of toilet paper. Fortunately, there are other options. Just ask Howard, my friend who is known as one who never lets inconveniences upset him. Recently he emailed his take on the Covid-19 toilet paper rush.
What is this all about? You don’t need toilet paper. The origin of the item “wipes” comes from history. Every cowboy carried a wipe. Every wagon in the wagon train had multiple wipes. The “wipe” was a twelve-inch square piece of flannel that you used to “wipe” with. Afterward at some point you washed it in a stream and let it dry. In the old West the wipe was scented with crushed sage. Today you get the same odor from Sage after men’s shaving lotion, a cheap version. After drying, the “wipe” was ready for use again… In an emergency you could use your flannel shirt tail and then rinse it in the stream. Flannel “wipes” were an early way to control waste paper refuse. Of course, one had to be careful you didn’t drink the water if someone was rinsing their “wipe” upstream from you. To dry them, you simply hung them on a wheel spoke to dry at the end of the day.
“Howard, Howard, Howard,” I say aloud as I bang my head on my computer table.
So why this rush on toilet paper? It makes no sense. There’s no shortage. Most of it is made in the U.S.A., so we are not at the sharing mercy of some foreign power. There is just a shortage of kindness.
One saleslady told me that she hoped her employer would refuse to buy back the hundreds of rolls a few hoarders will try to return once this pandemic is over. She shared that several buyers bought up enough toilet paper to fill their garages. (Thank you, selfish people. It is because of greedy ones like you that my family will be digging through the rag bag to find some tattered flannel.)
When Dave and I drive from Mexico, occasionally we encounter “toilet paper ladies” (“señoras de papel higiénico”) at gas stations. Their job is to hand us a roll of three or four squares as we enter the restroom. In an emergency, I guess we could beg for more, but thankfully I’ve never been that desperate. I’ve always been grateful our country does not have to rely on such measures. But could that be our future?
Maybe the message for us is the same delivered by Moses as he led his fellow Israelites from a land of poverty to a land of prosperity. “Remember how the LORD your God led you the entire way in the desert these forty years.” There had been miracles aplenty, but Moses knew his follower’s history of forgetfulness. This journey into the Promised Land could be the same. The Israelites could forget to thank God for His blessings. They could become entitled. The same is true for us.
We need to remember—and be grateful for– how God provides. Maybe this time of going without will cause us to never again take little things (like toilet paper) for granted. Then again, maybe it simply will make us more grateful for flannel.
