Category Archives: Government

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas Travel Quarantine List Update

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KDHE Amends Travel Related Quarantine List

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the states of New York and Washington D.C. and the countries of Andorra, Isle of Man and San Marino. The country of Aruba has been added to the travel quarantine list. An unvaccinated individual who has not had COVID-19 within the last 90 days or those that have not received all the recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots, should quarantine if they meet the following criteria:

  • Traveled between Dec. 16 and Jan. 21 to Andorra.
  • Traveled between Jan. 10 and Jan. 21 to New York and Washington D.C.
  • Traveled between Jan. 10 and Jan. 21 to Isle of Man and San Marino.
  • Traveled on or after Jan. 21 to Aruba.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state or in-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, 2020.

The length of a travel-related at home quarantine is 5 days after your last exposure with an additional requirement to wear a well-fitting mask indoors and outdoors when around others for an additional 5 days. If you cannot mask, at-home quarantine is recommended for 10 days. Quarantine would start the day after you return to Kansas or from the mass gathering. If yo­­u do not develop symptoms of COVID-19 during your quarantine period, then you are released from quarantine. Regularly check this list to stay up to date on travel-related guidance. Please refer to the KDHE Isolation and Quarantine FAQ for additional information.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.

For those who meet the following criteria do NOT need to quarantine:

  • You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. This means that you are ages 5 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people when eligible.
  • You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (meaning you tested positive using a viral test).

Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel or mass gatherings.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.

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

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas National Guard to Assist with COVID-19 Response

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Governor Kelly Deploys Kansas National Guard to Assist with COVID-19 Response

~Federal VA facilities to provide limited, temporary care to ease strain on hospitals~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced additional efforts the State is taking to combat COVID-19. Governor Kelly deployed 80 nonmedical Soldiers and Airmen from the Kansas National Guard to support the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) testing sites across the state and assist with the shipment and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Additionally, Governor Kelly engaged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide limited acute care and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds for temporary medical treatment of non-eligible VA individuals to help reduce the strain on Kansas hospitals.

“We are at an inflection point with the Omicron variant, and the strain on our hospitals is taking a toll on our health care workers and patients – all while the virus continues to spread rapidly through our communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The majority of hospital patients are unvaccinated. Please do your part by getting vaccinated and boosted today.”

Military medical professionals in the Kansas Guard, already filling positions at medical facilities in their communities, will stay in their respective communities. The nonmedical Soldiers and Airmen will be on federal orders for 31 days to assist the additional efforts.

The Veterans Health Administration facilities are limited and available based on bed availability at time of need and on a case-by-case basis until February 17, 2022.

“The National Guard is a unique military component with both a state and federal mission,” Maj. Gen. David Weishaar, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, said. “Our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen live and work in the communities we serve.”

“We are seeing a record number of COVID-19 cases across the state, causing staffing shortages and hospitals to reach capacity. This partnership with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, to accept transfers from Kansas facilities, will help alleviate the stress on our hospitals,” Acting KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said. “It will allow for more timely discharges, increase bed capacity, and allow staff to accept and treat the next acute patient. Also, with the increased demand for COVID-19 tests, the support from the Kansas National Guard will help provide the manpower to ensure that free and timely testing is available to Kansans.”

Since Wednesday, January 19, 2022, Kansas reported 20,806 new cases of COVID-19, 29 new deaths, and 92 new hospitalizations.

The Kansas National Guard is one of many resources available to support counties as needed. The National Guard supports state emergency missions through the established process used by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.

Governor Laura Kelly signed a state disaster declaration on January 6 to alleviate hospital staffing shortages along with two executive orders to temporarily suspend certain restrictions and regulations for adult care home and hospital staff.

Government

Internet Service Available for Low Income Residents

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New broadband program available to help with internet costs

TOPEKA – The Emergency Broadband Benefit, a federal program that helped almost 9 million low income Americans afford internet service in 2021, ended on December 31. The Kansas Corporation Commission wants Kansans to know that a new $14.2 billion federal program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), is available to fill the gap.

With higher income maximums, the ACP could help even more families afford internet access for work, school, and health care.  Current Emergency Broadband Benefit participants have until March 1 to contact their internet provider and switch over to the new plan with no interruption of service.

The ACP program provides:

  • A monthly service discount of up to $30 per month for broadband.
  • Up to $75 per month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

Eligibility is determined based on income or participation in certain assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA), Medicaid, SSI, Lifeline, free or reduced school lunches or receipt of a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

To qualify based on income, participants must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. That is a higher ceiling than the 135% maximum allowed on the Emergency Broadband Program making the program accessible to more families. For example, the maximum income for a family of four on the ACP program is $53,000 per year, compared to a maximum of $35,775 on the Emergency Broadband Program.

More information on the ACP program, including provider listings and applications are available on the KCC’s website at https://kcc.ks.gov/public-affairs-and-consumer-protection/kansas-lifeline-program.

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Access to COVID Testing

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KDHE Takes Steps to Improve Access to and Speed of COVID-19 Testing
~ Actions are being taken to address the rapid increase in demand for COVID-19 testing due to Omicron variant ~

TOPEKA – Over the past month, the highly infectious and transmittable Omicron variant of COVID-19 has significantly increased case rates and demand for testing in the United States and Kansas. KDHE continues monitoring the spread and impact of Omicron since the first case was confirmed in Kansas in mid-December 2021.

As of January 16, 2022, the daily case rate has been more than 7,800 daily COVID-19 cases, that is a significant increase from about 1,200 cases per day in early December 2021.

Over the same period of time, KDHE saw testing rates increase. This increase in demand for COVID-19 tests has led to longer wait times, delays in turnaround of test results, and decrease in availability of rapid over-the-counter antigen tests.

KDHE is actively working to increase testing availability for all Kansans. Outlined below are a few of the steps KDHE has and continues to take to reduce wait times, improve turnaround times, and increase the number of mass testing sites in Kansas:

  • Coordinating with health departments to increase staff at existing sites across the state. The following locations are now open from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Saturday:
    • Johnson County – Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS
    • Johnson County – Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS
  • Adding new testing sites to reduce wait times. KDHE is currently working to add 13 new testing sites, beginning with the following locations:
    • Johnson County – Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS, opening January 19.
    • Johnson County – Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, KS, opening January 21.
    • Ellis County – Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St., Hays, KS, opening January 21.
    • Crawford County – Countryside Christian Church, 1901 E 4th, Pittsburg, KS, opening January 21.
  • Identifying new partner labs to increase testing capacity and reduce test result turnaround times.
  • Sourcing indoor locations for mass testing sites to reduce closures due to weather.

Up to date information on testing locations and hours can be found at knowbeforeyougoKS.com.

KDHE is taking additional actions to expand testing access:

  • Community Testing Partners (CTPs): expanding the number and geographic footprint of partners (such as pharmacies, local health departments, and hospitals) to ensure broader availability of testing across the state.
  • Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs): extending funding for PCR testing through March 2022 for Long Term Care Facilities to ensure they have screening and surveillance testing to protect the most vulnerable.
  • K-12 testing: prioritizing antigen testing kits for school districts, sourcing over 520,000 additional antigen test kits, and updating testing protocols to continue to keep Kansas schoolchildren safe.

Additionally, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are now available for free at covidtests.gov. All households are eligible to order 4 free at-home tests, which will typically ship within 7-12 days. The first shipments of tests will begin in late January.

For Kansans with a health insurance plan, over-the-counter tests can be purchased at no cost or reimbursed through your health plan as of January 15. Check with your health plan for details and keep your receipt to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. For Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, please check with your plan or state agency for information.

KDHE will continue to develop and pursue additional initiatives to increase testing capacity and shorten turnaround times to keep Kansans safe. In the meantime, KDHE continues to urge Kansans to use the following tools to protect against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant:

  • Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the best tool to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death.
  • Wear a mask. Masks offer protection against all variants. It is recommended that people in Kansas wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings, where COVID-19 transmission remains high, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Social distance. People should avoid large gatherings and stay at least 6 feet from others when in public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of getting sick.
  • Stay home. If you have tested positive or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a sore throat, cough, or fever, avoid spreading the virus by staying isolated. Consult a healthcare provider on your recommended course of treatment.

To find a free testing location in your community, or guidance about who should get tested, visit knowbeforeyougoKS.com.

To learn more about the vaccines, visit kansasvaccine.gov.

Find and schedule a vaccination appointment at vaccines.gov.

Government

Senator Marshall to Hold Bourbon County Town Hall

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U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., will hold a public town hall at 5:30pm CT on Monday, January 24th, at Fort Scott Community College. The public is invited to attend the town hall to learn about federal legislative issues and ask questions of the Senator. The event is open to the press.

“I look forward to the opportunity to speak with Kansans and learn more about the issues and concerns impacting their lives,” said Senator Marshall. “I value the opportunity to hear directly from folks in Bourbon County so that I can take their stories and concerns with me when I return to Washington D.C.”

Event Details:

Time: 5:30pm CT

Date: Monday, January 24th

Location: Fort Scott Community College, Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S Horton St., Fort Scott, KS

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Tax Sale Nets $129K

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There were 64 properties auctioned by Bourbon County Counselor and Assistant County AttorneyJustin Meeks on Jan. 13 at the courthouse, County Treasurer Patty Love said.

Patty Love. Submitted photo.

“50 properties sold for a total of $129,408.40,” she said. “The 14 properties that didn’t sell were properties inside the city of Fort Scott that had a minimum bid which was a total of the Special Assessment levied against the property by the city for mowing and demolition. Those properties that didn’t sell have now been transferred to the Land Bank.”

There was a total of 78 bidders present at the tax sale, she said.

 

Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.

There were originally 78 properties scheduled to be sold on the tax sale, but some were taken from the list by Meeks, she said.

“Justin pulled seven of them for legal reasons and seven were redeemed by the owners paying all taxes and the court filing fee,” Love said.

Rhonda Dunn. Submitted photo.

 

“The money received will be applied to taxes owed on individual properties and will be distributed to the taxing entities,” Rhonda Dunn,  Bourbon County Treasurer’s Clerk. said.

The tax entities are the City of Fort Scott, the  Bourbon County government, and the county’s two school districts- USD 234 and USD 235.

“They are distributed based on mill levy of each entity and the year the previous owner owed it for,” Dunn said.

 

The next tax sale is scheduled for May 19, according to Dunn.

It’s been five years since the last tax auction, Dunn said.

Fort Scott, Government

Meet the New City Manager Jan. 20

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There will be a Meet and Greet event with Kelley Zellner, the new City Manager, and the five city commissioners held on Thursday, January 20th, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the lobby area of The Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, located at 2108 S. Horton Street.

Even though a majority of commissioners may be present, no city business will be conducted.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

January 14, 2022

 

2022 Session Begins

You thought last year was a mess – well – here we go again.   With the increased COVID-19 cases, variants, and major inflation, 2022 is going to be another challenge.  I am confident that we can meet these challenges with perseverance and by remembering the words of our Founding Fathers, that our government is of “We the People” and that every decision we make as legislators must be in support of our Constitution.

 

Wildfires

December 16, 2021, several communities in Kansas were devastated by wildfires.  The high winds, storms, and fires resulted in loss of life, homes, and livelihoods.  There has been an outpouring of help, but more is needed.  The Senate Tax Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 318 out of committee. This Bill would allow a sales tax exemption on fencing material purchased as a result of losses from the wildfires.  The legislature has passed similar legislation in the past.  The difference in SB 318, is that it would not sunset so with any future fires the exemption would be available.

 

I offered an amendment to SB 318 that provides an option for County Commissioners to abate property taxes on agriculture or commercial property destroyed in a Governor declared disaster.  It passed unanimously.  Currently, County Commissioners have an option to abate property taxes on homes but they cannot abate property taxes on other property in a disaster.  It was reported that a Senator was concerned about the optional abatement because it might decrease K-12 funding from the 20 mil property tax.  Can you imagine losing almost all of your property and still having to pay property tax on it as if it wasn’t destroyed?

 

Personal Note

In less than a two-week period we lost several friends and family.  Two of them died from COVID-19, but the rest died from other causes.  We also have friends and family who are in the hospital and fighting to recover.  It has been a difficult time, but with God’s grace we find strength.

 

Some media and now social media allow people to make false claims about me not taking COVID-19 seriously.  This is fake news.  I have and will continue to take precautions and hope that you do also.  I will also continue to fight for your life, your liberty and your pursuit of happiness so that you may decide for yourself, not your government mandating and stripping you of your freedoms.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

www.KSLegislature.org

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Critical Blood Shortage Impacting Kansas Hospitals 

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Trauma Program (KTP) continue to highlight the importance of blood donation amid increasingly critical blood shortages experienced across the state and nation. Blood shortages can pose risks to hospitals in performing necessary patient care. As January is National Blood Donor month, KDHE and KTP encourage those able to schedule an appointment to donate blood. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has declared this the worst blood shortage in over a decade, with less than a one-day supply of critical blood types. The Community Blood Center for our region is at a 1-2 day supply.

“We encourage Kansans who can donate blood to schedule an appointment today,” Janet Stanek, Acting Secretary, said. “Blood donation helps ensure our hospitals can continue their operations and has the ability to save lives.”

Updated policies and practices allow for safe donation during the pandemic. Donation centers provide specific guidance on the blood donation process and safety measures taken within their centers. The National Institutes of Health have found blood donations to be safe under current COVID-19 screening guidelines.

Locations for blood donation can be found at organization websites such as savealifenow.org, AmericasBlood.org, or redcrossblood.org.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

KDHE Announces Changes to COVID-19 Contact Tracing

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announces that as of Feb. 1, 2022, COVID-19 contact outreach and monitoring, otherwise known as contact tracing, operations will be discontinued at KDHE. KDHE contact tracing staff will be reassigned to contact investigations. County Local Health Departments have already begun to wind down contact tracing and K-12 schools who were participating in contact tracing as part of the Test to Stay program may temporarily suspend contact tracing as well. Contact tracing is when Public Health notifies close contacts to let them know that they were exposed to an infectious disease and tells them about the signs and symptoms to watch out for. Participation with contact tracing has always been voluntary. The decision to end contact outreach and monitoring was made due to the surge in amount of positive COVID-19 cases and the public’s willingness to participate has diminished since the beginning of the pandemic.

“As we enter the third year of this pandemic, public health has to begin to adjust the level of response to help alleviate the strain on the Public Health system,” Janet Stanek, Acting Secretary, said. “The pandemic is far from over, but this step is a move toward managing COVID-19 as an endemic disease. The responsibility of protecting yourself and others belongs to all of us.”

Individuals who are positive for COVID-19 will now be responsible for letting their close contacts know about their potential exposure. Additionally, if the individual with COVID-19 exposed others at high-risk settings such as schools, correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, daycares and churches, KDHE or the local health department will notify the setting. The setting will be responsible for identifying close contacts and notifying them about the potential exposure.

Individuals who are positive for COVID-19 or a close contact of someone with COVID-19 can find information on what to do here.

KDHE urges Kansans to use the following tools to protect against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

  • Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the best tool to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations, and death. The COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States are expected to protect against serious illness, hospitalizations, and death in people infected with the Omicron variant, especially those who have received a booster. COVID-19 vaccines are now authorized for people ages 5 and over. Moderately or severely immunocompromised people ages 5 and over should receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot. The COVID-19 booster shots are authorized for all people ages 12 and over. To find a vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
  • Wear a mask. Masks offer protection against all variants. It is recommended that people in Kansas wear the most protective mask that fits well and can be worn consistently  in public indoor settings, where COVID-19 transmission remains high, regardless of vaccination status. For more information, visit the CDC website, Types of Masks and Respirators.
  • Get tested. If you are sick or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, it is recommended that you get tested for COVID-19. Go to KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com to find a free testing location near you. If a positive result is received through an at-home test, isolate at home for at least 5 full days. If you took an at-home test and need Public Health to issue a letter stating that you are positive, you will need to follow up with a health care provider for a confirmation test.
  • Stay home if exposed. If you are exposed to COVID-19 and you are not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, you should stay home and away from other people for 5 full days after your last contact with the person who has COVID-19. Anyone who is exposed, including those who are up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters and those who had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, should wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public and watch for symptoms for 10 full days. Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, avoid travel, and avoid people at high risk for developing severe disease. Get tested for COVID-19 at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19, or get tested immediately if you develop symptoms.
  • Stay home if sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, you should stay home and isolate away from other people for at least 5 full days. You can end home isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving. If you did not have symptoms, end home isolation 5 days after your positive test. Severely ill people should isolate for at least 10 days. Take precautions for 10 days including wearing a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others. Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, avoid travel, and avoid people at high risk for developing severe disease.
  • Social distance and practice good hand hygiene. People should avoid large gatherings and stay at least 6 feet from others in public settings, especially if they are at higher risk of getting sick.  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.