Editor's note: This story was written before Gov. Kelly announced the statewide stay-at-home order on Saturday. That order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e7f75e2afae0f4d5f5e6660">SEE RELATED STORY: Kelly issues stay-at-home order for state of Kansas</a>

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Local communities are finding ways to help kids stay engaged and maybe have a little fun with scavenger hunts.

Hunts for bears, usually the stuffed kind, placed in shop windows or on home window sills, was sparked by a popular children's book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," written in 1989 by Michael Rosen.

In the book, a family and their dog set out on a bear hunt but encounter such obstacles as mud, a river and a snowstorm.

The book inspired a children's song and animated Youtube videos.

Downtown Hays Development Corp. director Sara Bloom, who has four children at home, said she has both bears and rainbows in her windows.

Downtown businesses like the Paisley Pear also have placed teddy bears in their windows for children to count.

"It is something to do and a way to be connected when we can't be in the same room," Bloom said.

The Hays Public Library launched a sidewalk chalk challenge. The library has been closed to the public since the coronavirus outbreak hit the U.S.

However, members of the library staff have continued to provide some offering online, including a video story hour for young children. Check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hayspubliclibrary/">HPL's Facebook page</a>.

Participants in the chalk challenge are encouraged to color a picture with chalk or write an encouraging message on the sidewalk. Snap a photo, post it and nominate two friends. You can use the hashtag&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hplchalkchallenge?source=feed_text&amp;epa=HASHTAG&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBNUUziCnM_xFg16k4bXzeuQDSYfH7yik3T6HN7xfzt_YFdBUKt0J1sjA1U9QwmztZELC6IF2XyjyqtrYlhcQ7Jrvv2Mi_JmJ2IVT0DBdnfVT6_qL-A-oQwYHU5iFqgxGoZpK_UvFtFgf1UZ8UDagVb2r3RptuNt7WvfZ5O_GvN0y5C9BC__wlQ4-pVJzRXijlbGxIMLWACVMMVCFgbXfikPbzb4PySAcdSOAmLFxxjHYQEHjr9gWHfnhGSCS4r6Vchv4_rLLh1A7ZMwIXgZ75GC7RiYFRdnpzdkSosF98kZjITjoiewEjvdM2gkVbE3Oyo-ANP65Nf9iMoMA9eMpXc6iyaXIwnvZ_fiA&amp;__tn__=%2ANK-R">#HPLchalkchallenge</a>.

Nicole Thibodeau in the Young Adult Department came up with the idea, Callie&nbsp;Kolacny, HPL communications coordinator, said.

"Nicole is an amazing artist, and she used that background to find a fun way to engage children and adults throughout the community,"&nbsp;Kolacny said.

"Since we need to not physically provide programs at the library right now, we still want to find safe ways to reach out and provide ideas and services to the community," she said.

Local Girl Scouts are getting in on the chalk challenge as well.

Kris Bradley, Hays resident, took her daughter outside to chalk Thursday.&nbsp;Bradley, a Girl Scout leader, encouraged other Scouts to join in the challenge.

"Hey, it is fun and the outdoors combined, right?" she said in an online message.

Ellis with some promotion from the Ellis Recreation Commission has been promoting the bear hunt for about a week.

The Ellis Rec wanted to continue the fun, so they have launched a second hunt for Easter eggs. Residents are encouraged to create and place large wooden or cardboard Easter eggs in their yards for children to "hunt."

The Ellis Chamber usually conducts a traditional Easter egg hunt on the Saturday before Easter, but that event had to be canceled in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Children are also encouraged to color pictures of eggs and hang them in their windows, Dan Pyle, Ellis Rec superintendent, said.

The rec is making eggs for the front of its office, and Pyle said his family will be making some to post at their home as well.

"It is a good way to break up the monotony," he said. "You can still go walking and still practice social distancing in the community."

The Ellis Rec also issued a Family Karoke Challenge on Friday on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ellisrec.org/">Facebook page</a>. Post your videos on the Rec Facebook page with the has tag #EllisRecFFChallenge for a chance to win a prize.

WaKeeney also launched a bear hunt last week, according to Cathy Albert, director of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GetWaKeeney/">WaKeeney Travel and Tourism</a>.

"Families can walk around with the weather being so nice," she said earlier this week. "It is a chance to get some fresh air."

The Trego County Junior High KAY Club launched a weekly scavenger hunt on Wednesday that will run through April 15. The theme is pillars of education.&nbsp;

Community members will display items in their windows for children to find. There will be a family prize pack as a reward. To enter to win a prize pack, text 785-769-3297 or post a photo to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stacie.edgettminson">Stacie Minson's&nbsp; Facebook page</a>, the KAY sponsor.

The first week's theme was respect and carrying and people were asked to post hearts in their windows.

"I have been really impressed&nbsp; how different communities have come up with things on the spur of the moment, especially for kids and families," Albert said. ... "something to do and a chance to get outside, especially with the nice weather."

Send us your positive news stories. Email admin@hayspost.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585336989938.jpeg" alt="A bear in the front window of the Paisley Pear in downtown Hays. Many communities have created bear or other scavenger hunts for kids during this time of social distancing." />
 <figcaption>A bear in the front window of the Paisley Pear in downtown Hays. Many communities have created bear or other scavenger hunts for kids during this time of social distancing.</figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: This story was written before Gov. Kelly announced the statewide stay-at-home order on Saturday. That order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e7f75e2afae0f4d5f5e6660">SEE RELATED STORY: Kelly issues stay-at-home order for state of Kansas</a>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostLocal communities are finding ways to help kids stay engaged and maybe have a little fun with scavenger hunts.Hunts for bears, usually the stuffed kind, placed in shop windows or on home window sills, was sparked by a popular children's book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," written in 1989 by Michael Rosen.In the book, a family and their dog set out on a bear hunt but encounter such obstacles as mud, a river and a snowstorm.The book inspired a children's song and animated Youtube videos.Downtown Hays Development Corp. director Sara Bloom, who has four children at home, said she has both bears and rainbows in her windows.Downtown businesses like the Paisley Pear also have placed teddy bears in their windows for children to count."It is something to do and a way to be connected when we can't be in the same room," Bloom said.<h2>HPL Chalk Challenge</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585337124077.png" alt="HPL Chalk Challenge" />
 <figcaption>HPL Chalk Challenge</figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Public Library launched a sidewalk chalk challenge. The library has been closed to the public since the coronavirus outbreak hit the U.S.However, members of the library staff have continued to provide some offering online, including a video story hour for young children. Check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hayspubliclibrary/">HPL's Facebook page</a>.Participants in the chalk challenge are encouraged to color a picture with chalk or write an encouraging message on the sidewalk. Snap a photo, post it and nominate two friends. You can use the hashtag&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hplchalkchallenge?source=feed_text&amp;epa=HASHTAG&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBNUUziCnM_xFg16k4bXzeuQDSYfH7yik3T6HN7xfzt_YFdBUKt0J1sjA1U9QwmztZELC6IF2XyjyqtrYlhcQ7Jrvv2Mi_JmJ2IVT0DBdnfVT6_qL-A-oQwYHU5iFqgxGoZpK_UvFtFgf1UZ8UDagVb2r3RptuNt7WvfZ5O_GvN0y5C9BC__wlQ4-pVJzRXijlbGxIMLWACVMMVCFgbXfikPbzb4PySAcdSOAmLFxxjHYQEHjr9gWHfnhGSCS4r6Vchv4_rLLh1A7ZMwIXgZ75GC7RiYFRdnpzdkSosF98kZjITjoiewEjvdM2gkVbE3Oyo-ANP65Nf9iMoMA9eMpXc6iyaXIwnvZ_fiA&amp;__tn__=%2ANK-R">#HPLchalkchallenge</a>.Nicole Thibodeau in the Young Adult Department came up with the idea, Callie&nbsp;Kolacny, HPL communications coordinator, said."Nicole is an amazing artist, and she used that background to find a fun way to engage children and adults throughout the community,"&nbsp;Kolacny said."Since we need to not physically provide programs at the library right now, we still want to find safe ways to reach out and provide ideas and services to the community," she said.Local Girl Scouts are getting in on the chalk challenge as well.Kris Bradley, Hays resident, took her daughter outside to chalk Thursday.&nbsp;Bradley, a Girl Scout leader, encouraged other Scouts to join in the challenge."Hey, it is fun and the outdoors combined, right?" she said in an online message.<h2>Ellis eggs</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585337314480.png" alt="Ellis Recreation Commission Egg Hunt" />
 <figcaption>Ellis Recreation Commission Egg Hunt</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis with some promotion from the Ellis Recreation Commission has been promoting the bear hunt for about a week.The Ellis Rec wanted to continue the fun, so they have launched a second hunt for Easter eggs. Residents are encouraged to create and place large wooden or cardboard Easter eggs in their yards for children to "hunt."The Ellis Chamber usually conducts a traditional Easter egg hunt on the Saturday before Easter, but that event had to be canceled in light of the coronavirus outbreak.Children are also encouraged to color pictures of eggs and hang them in their windows, Dan Pyle, Ellis Rec superintendent, said.The rec is making eggs for the front of its office, and Pyle said his family will be making some to post at their home as well."It is a good way to break up the monotony," he said. "You can still go walking and still practice social distancing in the community."The Ellis Rec also issued a Family Karoke Challenge on Friday on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ellisrec.org/">Facebook page</a>. Post your videos on the Rec Facebook page with the has tag #EllisRecFFChallenge for a chance to win a prize.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585337473872.png" alt="Elis Karoke Challenge" />
 <figcaption>Elis Karoke Challenge</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>WaKeeney bears and scavenger hunt</h2>WaKeeney also launched a bear hunt last week, according to Cathy Albert, director of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GetWaKeeney/">WaKeeney Travel and Tourism</a>."Families can walk around with the weather being so nice," she said earlier this week. "It is a chance to get some fresh air."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585337938437.png" alt="WaKeeney bear hunt&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>WaKeeney bear hunt&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Trego County Junior High KAY Club launched a weekly scavenger hunt on Wednesday that will run through April 15. The theme is pillars of education.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585338008460.png" alt="TCJH scavenger hunt" />
 <figcaption>TCJH scavenger hunt</figcaption>
 </figure>Community members will display items in their windows for children to find. There will be a family prize pack as a reward. To enter to win a prize pack, text 785-769-3297 or post a photo to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stacie.edgettminson">Stacie Minson's&nbsp; Facebook page</a>, the KAY sponsor.The first week's theme was respect and carrying and people were asked to post hearts in their windows.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585338339172.jpeg" alt="Hearts posted in the window of TJ's Alignment and Repair for the TCJH Kay Club scavenger hunt in WaKeeney." />
 <figcaption>Hearts posted in the window of TJ's Alignment and Repair for the TCJH Kay Club scavenger hunt in WaKeeney.</figcaption>
 </figure>"I have been really impressed&nbsp; how different communities have come up with things on the spur of the moment, especially for kids and families," Albert said. ... "something to do and a chance to get outside, especially with the nice weather."Send us your positive news stories. Email admin@hayspost.com.

Going on a bear hunt while keeping your social distance

Update: 5:07 p.m. Saturday, March 28&nbsp;

With the stay-at-home order in effect Monday, this program will be more important than ever to our community, according to Sara Bloom, DHDC director.

**There will be a $1,000 per customer limit on purchase.

**All customers will be given the option of keeping their bonus cards or donating them to a local food bank.

The Downtown Hays Development Corp. in cooperation with Astra Bank is offering a bonus for people who buy gift cards from participating downtown Hays businesses April 1 through May 31.

For every $25 purchased in gift cards, buyers will receive a $10 gift certificate to Dillons or Walmart.

Sara Bloom, DHDC director, said there is currently no limit on the amount of gift cards that can be purchased.

"This is a way to help get cash to downtown businesses through gift cards and back into stores plus offset grocery costs and support families," Bloom said.&nbsp;

The program has been dubbed Stronger Than Ever Working Together .

All of the gift card purchases will be handled through the DHDC office. A special webpage on the <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/">DHDC website</a> is being created where buyers can select and purchase their gift cards.&nbsp;

The gift cards will be mailed to purchasers. Bloom said there are two reasons for this process. The first is that not all downtown businesses have gift card systems or websites in place.

The second is to promote social distancing.

Although some of the downtown businesses are temporarily closed to honor coronavirus precautions, the gift cards can be used when the businesses reopen.

Walmart has also been a generous donor for this program, Bloom said, and has agreed to donate the first $1,000 worth of gift cards.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585341227728.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Update: 5:07 p.m. Saturday, March 28&nbsp;With the stay-at-home order in effect Monday, this program will be more important than ever to our community, according to Sara Bloom, DHDC director.**There will be a $1,000 per customer limit on purchase.**All customers will be given the option of keeping their bonus cards or donating them to a local food bank.By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Downtown Hays Development Corp. in cooperation with Astra Bank is offering a bonus for people who buy gift cards from participating downtown Hays businesses April 1 through May 31.For every $25 purchased in gift cards, buyers will receive a $10 gift certificate to Dillons or Walmart.Sara Bloom, DHDC director, said there is currently no limit on the amount of gift cards that can be purchased."This is a way to help get cash to downtown businesses through gift cards and back into stores plus offset grocery costs and support families," Bloom said.&nbsp;The program has been dubbed Stronger Than Ever Working Together .All of the gift card purchases will be handled through the DHDC office. A special webpage on the <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/">DHDC website</a> is being created where buyers can select and purchase their gift cards.&nbsp;The gift cards will be mailed to purchasers. Bloom said there are two reasons for this process. The first is that not all downtown businesses have gift card systems or websites in place.The second is to promote social distancing.Although some of the downtown businesses are temporarily closed to honor coronavirus precautions, the gift cards can be used when the businesses reopen.Walmart has also been a generous donor for this program, Bloom said, and has agreed to donate the first $1,000 worth of gift cards.

DHDC to launch bonus program for gift card purchases

Gov. Laura Kelly appointed John Bottenberg to the Kansas State Fair Board, and reappointed Harmon Bliss, Nick Ketzner and Robert Atkisson.

The purpose of the Board is to promote and showcase Kansas agriculture, industry and culture; to create opportunity for commercial activity; and to provide an educational and entertaining experience that is the pride of all Kansans.

“The Fair provides tremendous opportunities for commerce, entertainment and education in Kansas each year,” Kelly said. “I feel confident that these appointees will ensure the success of the Fair through their service on the Board.”

Bottenberg, Topeka, served on the board previously and was appointed to an at-large seat. He is a former state representative.

Bliss, Jetmore, is the current Board president and was reappointed to the seat reserved for a representative from the southwest agriculture extension district.

Ketzner, Bird City, was reappointed to the northwest agriculture extension district seat.

Atkisson, Stockton, was reappointed to the seat reserved for a representative from the Kansas Fairs Association.

Office of the GovernorGov. Laura Kelly appointed John Bottenberg to the Kansas State Fair Board, and reappointed Harmon Bliss, Nick Ketzner and Robert Atkisson.The purpose of the Board is to promote and showcase Kansas agriculture, industry and culture; to create opportunity for commercial activity; and to provide an educational and entertaining experience that is the pride of all Kansans.“The Fair provides tremendous opportunities for commerce, entertainment and education in Kansas each year,” Kelly said. “I feel confident that these appointees will ensure the success of the Fair through their service on the Board.”Bottenberg, Topeka, served on the board previously and was appointed to an at-large seat. He is a former state representative.Bliss, Jetmore, is the current Board president and was reappointed to the seat reserved for a representative from the southwest agriculture extension district.Ketzner, Bird City, was reappointed to the northwest agriculture extension district seat.Atkisson, Stockton, was reappointed to the seat reserved for a representative from the Kansas Fairs Association.

NW Kansans reappointed to Kansas State Fair Board

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

Dr. Joe Meier’s hospital in Wilson County has 15 beds, no intensive 
care unit and one ventilator. Two of his neighboring counties in 
southeast Kansas have no hospital at all, and another two have no ICU 
either.

So Meier has a plea to the residents of his region: Stay home.

"It's not a matter of 'if' (COVID-19) is going to hit here,' he said. "It’s a matter of when."

Harvard University researchers looked at&nbsp;<a href="https://globalepidemics.org/2020/03/17/caring-for-covid-19-patients/" target="_blank">nine scenarios</a>&nbsp;for
 how many Americans could catch COVID-19, and how fast. Kansas, it 
turned out, could only handle the milder scenarios. More moderate or 
severe situations would overload the state’s hospitals without dramatic 
steps — such as clearing hospitals of other patients and convincing the 
public to shelter in place.

As of Thursday afternoon, Kansas had 
about 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the true number of people 
carrying the bug is unknown. State officials have said at times that 
they expect to see cases double every three or four days.

Staff at Wilson Medical Center are preparing to run an ad hoc ICU and 
convert spaces used for other purposes into coronavirus wards. The 
hospital is ordering more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/how-ventilators-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-in-saving-people-with-coronavirus" target="_blank">ventilators</a>, which are needed to help severely ill COVID-19 patients breathe, but those could take a month or more to arrive.

“If Wichita becomes full and Topeka becomes full and Kansas City is 
full,” Meier said, “we're going to have to take care of them whether we 
have ICU beds or not.”

While most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, about <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/methodology-how-propublica-mapped-hospital-capacity-for-coronavirus" target="_blank">one in five</a>
 people become sick enough for hospitalization. If too many need that 
level of care at once, Kansas would need field hospitals. Facilities 
could have to ration ventilators and other equipment, as has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/15/coronavirus-rationing-us/" target="_blank">happened elsewhere</a>.

“Everybody
 has a role to play in terms of slowing the spread,” said Thomas Tsai, a
 professor at the Harvard Global Health Institute, which produced the 
study.

But the country’s window of opportunity is closing, he 
added. Strict social distancing is needed to avoid the worst-case 
scenarios and buy time for hospitals that are waiting on equipment and 
protective gear, and training staff on handling COVID-19 patients.

There’s
 a big difference, for example, between 20% of the U.S. catching 
COVID-19 over the next 18 months versus 40% in a year or 60% in half a 
year.

Harvard’s scenarios took into account likely hospitalization rates and how full hospitals already were.

Health
 care facilities in the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas that 
depend on it — what’s known as a hospital referral region — could handle
 only the mildest of Harvard’s scenarios.

That’s a situation in 
which the disease hits 20% of the 2.6 million people over the next 
year-and-a-half. Anything beyond that, and the region’s hospitals would 
overflow.

The vast Wichita referral region (population 1.3 
million, including west and southeast Kansas) could handle up to a 40% 
infection rate over a year-and-a-half. The Topeka referral region 
(population 460,000) could handle a 20% infection rate over a year or 
year-and-a-half.

Kansas didn’t appear ready, according to the researchers’ findings, 
for higher infection rates and swifter spread. Even if hospitals had no 
other patients, there wouldn’t be enough beds in the state for a 40% 
infection rate over six months.

Hospitals have tapered down or shuttered <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19" target="_blank">non-emergency care</a>
 to make space and the state’s main population centers are under 
stay-home orders. Kansas health secretary Lee Norman urges the rest of 
the state to shelter in place, too.

Kansas has asked the federal government for 100 more ventilators from
 a national stockpile, Norman said Wednesday, and may turn to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/ventilator-supply-mitigation-strategies-letter-health-care-providers" target="_blank">machines meant for sleep apnea</a>
 to help COVID-19 patients breathe. To address a looming shortage of 
face masks, it’s trying to get ultraviolet lights that would let health 
workers sterilize and reuse the items several times.

The state is also scouring options for <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/03/23/coronavirus-and-the-states-governors-plan-field-hospitals-heartland-unemployment-spikes" target="_blank">temporary bed space</a>; in other parts of the U.S., officials are turning to everything from <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/1775827/king-county-field-hospitals-coronavirus/" target="_blank">soccer fields</a> to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-closed-hospitals-college-dorms-meet-coronavirus-demands/story?id=69683447" target="_blank">closed hospitals</a>.

Norman
 expected to know more soon about the state’s risks for running out of 
bed space and its options to repurpose existing buildings if needed.

“As
 much as it seems like ‘Oh, well, we’ll call in the National Guard and 
set up tents,” he said, “that's hard. We would much rather move into a 
built environment that was built for patient care, that has (ventilator)
 gases and all the safety features.”

In Topeka, Stormont Vail 
Health swiftly renovated 16 rooms, adding to 31 that were already 
equipped with the right air systems to handle COVID-19 patients. It may 
renovate another 16 rooms, CEO and physician Robert Kenagy said.

His
 hospital is also turning one of its clinics into an acute respiratory 
location to screen and care for suspected COVID-19 patients more 
efficiently and safely.

“We believe that we will be able to 
handle what's coming,” Kenagy said, if Kansans take social distancing 
seriously. “It is vitally important. This is our one opportunity to 
dampen the effect of the pandemic.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421658372.png" alt="Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>Dr. Joe Meier’s hospital in Wilson County has 15 beds, no intensive 
care unit and one ventilator. Two of his neighboring counties in 
southeast Kansas have no hospital at all, and another two have no ICU 
either.So Meier has a plea to the residents of his region: Stay home."It's not a matter of 'if' (COVID-19) is going to hit here,' he said. "It’s a matter of when."Harvard University researchers looked at&nbsp;<a href="https://globalepidemics.org/2020/03/17/caring-for-covid-19-patients/" target="_blank">nine scenarios</a>&nbsp;for
 how many Americans could catch COVID-19, and how fast. Kansas, it 
turned out, could only handle the milder scenarios. More moderate or 
severe situations would overload the state’s hospitals without dramatic 
steps — such as clearing hospitals of other patients and convincing the 
public to shelter in place.As of Thursday afternoon, Kansas had 
about 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the true number of people 
carrying the bug is unknown. State officials have said at times that 
they expect to see cases double every three or four days.Staff at Wilson Medical Center are preparing to run an ad hoc ICU and 
convert spaces used for other purposes into coronavirus wards. The 
hospital is ordering more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/how-ventilators-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-in-saving-people-with-coronavirus" target="_blank">ventilators</a>, which are needed to help severely ill COVID-19 patients breathe, but those could take a month or more to arrive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421697296.jpeg" alt=" Hospitals have tapered off non-emergency care to free up beds. That could help Kansas weather a storm of COVID-19 infections, but experts say only if Kansans also practice social distancing. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Hospitals have tapered off non-emergency care to free up beds. That could help Kansas weather a storm of COVID-19 infections, but experts say only if Kansans also practice social distancing. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>“If Wichita becomes full and Topeka becomes full and Kansas City is 
full,” Meier said, “we're going to have to take care of them whether we 
have ICU beds or not.”While most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, about <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/methodology-how-propublica-mapped-hospital-capacity-for-coronavirus" target="_blank">one in five</a>
 people become sick enough for hospitalization. If too many need that 
level of care at once, Kansas would need field hospitals. Facilities 
could have to ration ventilators and other equipment, as has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/15/coronavirus-rationing-us/" target="_blank">happened elsewhere</a>.“Everybody
 has a role to play in terms of slowing the spread,” said Thomas Tsai, a
 professor at the Harvard Global Health Institute, which produced the 
study.But the country’s window of opportunity is closing, he 
added. Strict social distancing is needed to avoid the worst-case 
scenarios and buy time for hospitals that are waiting on equipment and 
protective gear, and training staff on handling COVID-19 patients.There’s
 a big difference, for example, between 20% of the U.S. catching 
COVID-19 over the next 18 months versus 40% in a year or 60% in half a 
year.Harvard’s scenarios took into account likely hospitalization rates and how full hospitals already were.Health
 care facilities in the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas that 
depend on it — what’s known as a hospital referral region — could handle
 only the mildest of Harvard’s scenarios.That’s a situation in 
which the disease hits 20% of the 2.6 million people over the next 
year-and-a-half. Anything beyond that, and the region’s hospitals would 
overflow.The vast Wichita referral region (population 1.3 
million, including west and southeast Kansas) could handle up to a 40% 
infection rate over a year-and-a-half. The Topeka referral region 
(population 460,000) could handle a 20% infection rate over a year or 
year-and-a-half.Kansas didn’t appear ready, according to the researchers’ findings, 
for higher infection rates and swifter spread. Even if hospitals had no 
other patients, there wouldn’t be enough beds in the state for a 40% 
infection rate over six months.Hospitals have tapered down or shuttered <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19" target="_blank">non-emergency care</a>
 to make space and the state’s main population centers are under 
stay-home orders. Kansas health secretary Lee Norman urges the rest of 
the state to shelter in place, too.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421732792.jpeg" alt=" Health secretary Lee Norman talks to reporters about COVID-19. (Press briefings are now less crowded and follow social distancing rules.) Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Health secretary Lee Norman talks to reporters about COVID-19. (Press briefings are now less crowded and follow social distancing rules.) Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas has asked the federal government for 100 more ventilators from
 a national stockpile, Norman said Wednesday, and may turn to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/ventilator-supply-mitigation-strategies-letter-health-care-providers" target="_blank">machines meant for sleep apnea</a>
 to help COVID-19 patients breathe. To address a looming shortage of 
face masks, it’s trying to get ultraviolet lights that would let health 
workers sterilize and reuse the items several times.The state is also scouring options for <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/03/23/coronavirus-and-the-states-governors-plan-field-hospitals-heartland-unemployment-spikes" target="_blank">temporary bed space</a>; in other parts of the U.S., officials are turning to everything from <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/1775827/king-county-field-hospitals-coronavirus/" target="_blank">soccer fields</a> to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-closed-hospitals-college-dorms-meet-coronavirus-demands/story?id=69683447" target="_blank">closed hospitals</a>.Norman
 expected to know more soon about the state’s risks for running out of 
bed space and its options to repurpose existing buildings if needed.“As
 much as it seems like ‘Oh, well, we’ll call in the National Guard and 
set up tents,” he said, “that's hard. We would much rather move into a 
built environment that was built for patient care, that has (ventilator)
 gases and all the safety features.”In Topeka, Stormont Vail 
Health swiftly renovated 16 rooms, adding to 31 that were already 
equipped with the right air systems to handle COVID-19 patients. It may 
renovate another 16 rooms, CEO and physician Robert Kenagy said.His
 hospital is also turning one of its clinics into an acute respiratory 
location to screen and care for suspected COVID-19 patients more 
efficiently and safely.“We believe that we will be able to 
handle what's coming,” Kenagy said, if Kansans take social distancing 
seriously. “It is vitally important. This is our one opportunity to 
dampen the effect of the pandemic.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Even 40% of Kansans getting COVID-19 in 6 months would overwhelm hospitals 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585442341456.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

As a child, I attended weekend classes at our local synagogue to 
learn about Judaism. I remember one lesson above all from those years: 
past Jewish experience of pogroms and the Holocaust demands that Jews 
speak out against authoritarianism in the present and future.

Government interference in Jewish religious life represents one 
common sign of creeping authoritarianism. Historically, when governments
 prohibited Jews from exercising their religious rights, arrests and 
death soon followed. But how should we respond when the government 
imposes restrictions on religion in order to protect life?

That is the question that ran through my head when I saw a video on <a href="https://twitter.com/YiddishNews/status/1240472711249494016" target="_blank">Twitter</a>
 last week of New York City police officers dispersing a crowd of Jews 
in Crown Heights at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters who were gathered 
for evening prayers. Dissenters were <a href="https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nypd-fdny-disperse-orthodox-jewish-groups-amid-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">threatened</a> with arrest. Again I considered the question when I saw <a href="https://collive.com/fdny-disbands-crowd-filled-jewish-wedding-in-williamsburg/" target="_blank">pictures</a> of the New York City Fire Department <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/nyregion/coronavirus-hasidic-weddings-brooklyn.html" target="_blank">disbanding</a> a Jewish wedding in Williamsburg.

Despite the negative visceral reaction I have to those images, and 
despite the reservations I would otherwise have as a religious liberty 
advocate who is grounded in Jewish history, I fully support the 
government’s decision to limit religious gatherings to mitigate the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

Around the world, governments are implementing measures that enforce 
social distancing in order to reduce the spread of the novel 
coronavirus. For example, last week the New York government banned all 
gatherings of 50 or more people. The measure applies to all gatherings, 
religious or not.

Some religious communities have reacted with anger and defiance to 
action taken by towns, states and the federal government. Last week, 
three plaintiffs <a href="https://onenewsnow.com/ap/religion/new-hampshire-ban-on-large-gatherings-challenged-in-court" target="_blank">sued</a>
 New Hampshire’s governor for issuing an order prohibiting gatherings of
 50 people or more. In their complaint, the plaintiffs list disrupted 
activities in which they want to participate in person, including 
Baptist church services and Sunday school. Other religious leaders have 
openly defied state bans on large gatherings. On Twitter, a <a href="https://twitter.com/rhowardbrowne/status/1239295863173910529" target="_blank">video</a> shows Rodney Howard-Browne,
 pastor of The River at Tampa Bay church in Florida, inviting 
congregants to shake hands with one another. “This church will never 
close,” he declared. And in Louisiana, the Rev. Tony Spell brought together hundreds of people in Life Tabernacle Church, <a href="https://apnews.com/21cb04e62aba8144ee0672883dc6eddb" target="_blank">saying</a>, “We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.”

But religious freedom — like all freedoms — is not absolute. As my colleague Lata Nott <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2020/03/19/in-crisis-times-balancing-safety-and-freedom/" target="_blank">wrote</a>
 last week, rights and government interests must be balanced. The 
government can enact laws that disrupt the free exercise of religion if 
the government can demonstrate a “compelling interest” for doing so. In 
this case, the government has a compelling interest to protect public 
safety and health in the midst of a pandemic by limiting large 
gatherings. The limits apply equally to religious and non-religious 
groups, so they are neutrally applicable — another key religious freedom
 test by courts. And the laws against gatherings are the least 
restrictive option available to the government to ensure public health.

Importantly, the government has not prohibited other types of 
religious activities that do not involve large public gatherings. Many 
houses of worship have chosen to live stream their services so that 
their members can still participate in religious life. For example, last
 week more than 25,000 people watched a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/03/15/dc-churches-open-sunday-coronavirus-outbreak/" target="_blank">live stream</a> of a service at the Washington National Cathedral. And religious groups around the country, including <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/churches-overcome-social-distancing-to-continue-outreach" target="_blank">Methodists</a> and <a href="https://www.jta.org/2020/03/11/united-states/preparing-for-the-worst-case-scenario-jewish-aid-groups-scramble-amid-the-coronavirus-outbreak" target="_blank">Jews</a>, continue to provide critical social services like meal deliveries to the elderly and the food insecure.

In addition, despite handwringing by some religious leaders about 
government restrictions that disrupt gatherings, some religious 
institutions have elected to cancel their own services to protect the 
most vulnerable in their communities. Numerous Catholic dioceses chose 
to <a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/03/19/masses-cancelled-how-can-catholics-practice-their-faith-home" target="_blank">suspend</a> celebrations of the Mass. The ADAMS Center in Virginia — the second-biggest mosque in the country — decided to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/03/13/dilemma-facing-religious-leaders-when-close-doors-during-pandemic/" target="_blank">cancel</a> Friday prayer services. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, often referred to as the Mormon Church, <a href="https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/3/12/21177623/mormon-church-lds-meetings-canceled-worldwide-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">canceled</a> all meetings and activities worldwide. And many Jewish leaders have <a href="https://forward.com/news/441834/at-least-100-test-positive-for-coronavirus-in-hasidic-brooklyn/" target="_blank">called for</a> synagogues and yeshivas to close — and thankfully, communities have begun to <a href="https://thecity.nyc/2020/03/hasidic-leaders-sound-the-alarm-a-fire-is-burning.html" target="_blank">take heed</a>.

Religious liberty advocates should nevertheless pay close attention 
to government action in the coming weeks and months. A pandemic does not
 give the government carte blanche to abridge fundamental rights. 
Thankfully, a number of governmental and civil society organizations are
 serving as watchdogs to ensure that governments do not cross any bright
 lines. For example, the U.S. Commission on International Religious 
Freedom has published a <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2020%20Factsheet%20Covid-19%20and%20FoRB.pdf" target="_blank">fact sheet</a> about the global pandemic and its impact on religious practice and freedom. And a multi-national research group called <a href="https://diresom.net/" target="_blank">DiReSom</a> — Diritto e Religione nelle Società Multiculturali, or Law and Religion in Multicultural Societies — is tracking legal regulations on religion during the COVID-19 outbreak.

But the best way to guard our rights, now as always, is for every 
person to read or watch the news, contact their representatives when 
necessary, and insist that we responsibly balance our individual rights 
and responsibilities to others. COVID-19 will be with us for a long 
time. Religious freedom will survive this pandemic if we are vigilant.

Benjamin P. Marcus is religious literacy specialist at the 
Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute. His email 
address is: <a href="mailto:bmarcus@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">bmarcus@freedomforum.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576172304708.png" alt="Benjamin P. Marcus is religious literacy specialist at the Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute." />
 <figcaption>Benjamin P. Marcus is religious literacy specialist at the Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute.</figcaption>
 </figure>As a child, I attended weekend classes at our local synagogue to 
learn about Judaism. I remember one lesson above all from those years: 
past Jewish experience of pogroms and the Holocaust demands that Jews 
speak out against authoritarianism in the present and future.Government interference in Jewish religious life represents one 
common sign of creeping authoritarianism. Historically, when governments
 prohibited Jews from exercising their religious rights, arrests and 
death soon followed. But how should we respond when the government 
imposes restrictions on religion in order to protect life?That is the question that ran through my head when I saw a video on <a href="https://twitter.com/YiddishNews/status/1240472711249494016" target="_blank">Twitter</a>
 last week of New York City police officers dispersing a crowd of Jews 
in Crown Heights at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters who were gathered 
for evening prayers. Dissenters were <a href="https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nypd-fdny-disperse-orthodox-jewish-groups-amid-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank">threatened</a> with arrest. Again I considered the question when I saw <a href="https://collive.com/fdny-disbands-crowd-filled-jewish-wedding-in-williamsburg/" target="_blank">pictures</a> of the New York City Fire Department <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/nyregion/coronavirus-hasidic-weddings-brooklyn.html" target="_blank">disbanding</a> a Jewish wedding in Williamsburg.Despite the negative visceral reaction I have to those images, and 
despite the reservations I would otherwise have as a religious liberty 
advocate who is grounded in Jewish history, I fully support the 
government’s decision to limit religious gatherings to mitigate the 
COVID-19 pandemic.Around the world, governments are implementing measures that enforce 
social distancing in order to reduce the spread of the novel 
coronavirus. For example, last week the New York government banned all 
gatherings of 50 or more people. The measure applies to all gatherings, 
religious or not.Some religious communities have reacted with anger and defiance to 
action taken by towns, states and the federal government. Last week, 
three plaintiffs <a href="https://onenewsnow.com/ap/religion/new-hampshire-ban-on-large-gatherings-challenged-in-court" target="_blank">sued</a>
 New Hampshire’s governor for issuing an order prohibiting gatherings of
 50 people or more. In their complaint, the plaintiffs list disrupted 
activities in which they want to participate in person, including 
Baptist church services and Sunday school. Other religious leaders have 
openly defied state bans on large gatherings. On Twitter, a <a href="https://twitter.com/rhowardbrowne/status/1239295863173910529" target="_blank">video</a> shows Rodney Howard-Browne,
 pastor of The River at Tampa Bay church in Florida, inviting 
congregants to shake hands with one another. “This church will never 
close,” he declared. And in Louisiana, the Rev. Tony Spell brought together hundreds of people in Life Tabernacle Church, <a href="https://apnews.com/21cb04e62aba8144ee0672883dc6eddb" target="_blank">saying</a>, “We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.”But religious freedom — like all freedoms — is not absolute. As my colleague Lata Nott <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2020/03/19/in-crisis-times-balancing-safety-and-freedom/" target="_blank">wrote</a>
 last week, rights and government interests must be balanced. The 
government can enact laws that disrupt the free exercise of religion if 
the government can demonstrate a “compelling interest” for doing so. In 
this case, the government has a compelling interest to protect public 
safety and health in the midst of a pandemic by limiting large 
gatherings. The limits apply equally to religious and non-religious 
groups, so they are neutrally applicable — another key religious freedom
 test by courts. And the laws against gatherings are the least 
restrictive option available to the government to ensure public health.Importantly, the government has not prohibited other types of 
religious activities that do not involve large public gatherings. Many 
houses of worship have chosen to live stream their services so that 
their members can still participate in religious life. For example, last
 week more than 25,000 people watched a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/03/15/dc-churches-open-sunday-coronavirus-outbreak/" target="_blank">live stream</a> of a service at the Washington National Cathedral. And religious groups around the country, including <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/churches-overcome-social-distancing-to-continue-outreach" target="_blank">Methodists</a> and <a href="https://www.jta.org/2020/03/11/united-states/preparing-for-the-worst-case-scenario-jewish-aid-groups-scramble-amid-the-coronavirus-outbreak" target="_blank">Jews</a>, continue to provide critical social services like meal deliveries to the elderly and the food insecure.In addition, despite handwringing by some religious leaders about 
government restrictions that disrupt gatherings, some religious 
institutions have elected to cancel their own services to protect the 
most vulnerable in their communities. Numerous Catholic dioceses chose 
to <a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/03/19/masses-cancelled-how-can-catholics-practice-their-faith-home" target="_blank">suspend</a> celebrations of the Mass. The ADAMS Center in Virginia — the second-biggest mosque in the country — decided to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/03/13/dilemma-facing-religious-leaders-when-close-doors-during-pandemic/" target="_blank">cancel</a> Friday prayer services. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, often referred to as the Mormon Church, <a href="https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/3/12/21177623/mormon-church-lds-meetings-canceled-worldwide-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">canceled</a> all meetings and activities worldwide. And many Jewish leaders have <a href="https://forward.com/news/441834/at-least-100-test-positive-for-coronavirus-in-hasidic-brooklyn/" target="_blank">called for</a> synagogues and yeshivas to close — and thankfully, communities have begun to <a href="https://thecity.nyc/2020/03/hasidic-leaders-sound-the-alarm-a-fire-is-burning.html" target="_blank">take heed</a>.Religious liberty advocates should nevertheless pay close attention 
to government action in the coming weeks and months. A pandemic does not
 give the government carte blanche to abridge fundamental rights. 
Thankfully, a number of governmental and civil society organizations are
 serving as watchdogs to ensure that governments do not cross any bright
 lines. For example, the U.S. Commission on International Religious 
Freedom has published a <a href="https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2020%20Factsheet%20Covid-19%20and%20FoRB.pdf" target="_blank">fact sheet</a> about the global pandemic and its impact on religious practice and freedom. And a multi-national research group called <a href="https://diresom.net/" target="_blank">DiReSom</a> — Diritto e Religione nelle Società Multiculturali, or Law and Religion in Multicultural Societies — is tracking legal regulations on religion during the COVID-19 outbreak.But the best way to guard our rights, now as always, is for every 
person to read or watch the news, contact their representatives when 
necessary, and insist that we responsibly balance our individual rights 
and responsibilities to others. COVID-19 will be with us for a long 
time. Religious freedom will survive this pandemic if we are vigilant.Benjamin P. Marcus is religious literacy specialist at the 
Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute. His email 
address is: <a href="mailto:bmarcus@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">bmarcus@freedomforum.org</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Can religious freedom survive COVID-19?

Today, Kansas became the 25th state to enter a statewide “stay at home” order. Most Kansans are already living under a local stay at home order and locally we are already doing this to a large extent. Twenty-two Kansas counties have done this and there are now cases in 31 counties across the state. This statewide order begins at 12:01 am on Monday, March 30, 2020 and is in effect until April 19, 2020. It replaces the patchwork of local orders around the state. &nbsp; 

The order can also be amended, allowing some flexibility to adapt as new information about the impact of coronavirus in Kansas emerges.&nbsp; Here is the link:&nbsp; <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf</a>

People will still be able to get outside and go to the grocery store, the doctor or pharmacy, and to work if their job is considered essential. Restaurants can continue to do drive-thru, carry-out and delivery services, and our supply chains for essentials will remain open and fully functional. &nbsp; As more details come available I will share them as they are released.&nbsp; The link that you can reference:&nbsp;

<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf</a>

I voted for HCR 5025, the House Concurrent Resolution that keeps legislative oversight over decisions like these. The members of the committee that keeps check on these decisions is taking careful review to make sure this new order is not overly restrictive and yet does what our medical experts and disaster professionals believe is needed to protect the health of all of Kansas -our families, friends and neighbors.

This decision by the governor can be reviewed and it will be. It may be the right decision, and if it is, I will support it. However, if it goes too far in places or is too limiting, then I will work with other legislators and the executive branch to fix those areas.&nbsp;

My first priority is to keep Kansans safe and healthy. My second priority is to keep our economy strong and allow our businesses and employers to make it through this pandemic. For some, that will be staying open and for others that will be opening up as soon as possible. I will continue to work for that balance that keeps us safe and allows us to come back as soon as danger has passed.&nbsp;

I already supported extending unemployment benefits to help those suffering from layoffs.&nbsp; Kansas has made $5 million available for those businesses in the hospitality industry, and new Small Business Administration disaster loans are making credit available to businesses who need it to get through. I support these measures and encourage you to check out KansasTogether.com for more information about the assistance available to workers and businesses.&nbsp; I am also posting all of this on social media.

I firmly believe that Kansas is stronger than any virus. We are more resilient than any temporary shutdown. We are experienced at getting through troubles, picking each other up and getting back to work. &nbsp; We can do this – we will survive.&nbsp; Follow me on Instagram and twitter @barbwasinger for up-to-date information or on Facebook at Barb for Kanas.&nbsp; Please message me with questions and I will do my best to get answers for you as soon as possible.

Barb Wasinger, Representative, 111th District

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578522379850.jpeg" alt="State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays" />
 <figcaption>State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>Today, Kansas became the 25th state to enter a statewide “stay at home” order. Most Kansans are already living under a local stay at home order and locally we are already doing this to a large extent. Twenty-two Kansas counties have done this and there are now cases in 31 counties across the state. This statewide order begins at 12:01 am on Monday, March 30, 2020 and is in effect until April 19, 2020. It replaces the patchwork of local orders around the state. &nbsp; The order can also be amended, allowing some flexibility to adapt as new information about the impact of coronavirus in Kansas emerges.&nbsp; Here is the link:&nbsp; <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf</a>People will still be able to get outside and go to the grocery store, the doctor or pharmacy, and to work if their job is considered essential. Restaurants can continue to do drive-thru, carry-out and delivery services, and our supply chains for essentials will remain open and fully functional. &nbsp; As more details come available I will share them as they are released.&nbsp; The link that you can reference:&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf</a>I voted for HCR 5025, the House Concurrent Resolution that keeps legislative oversight over decisions like these. The members of the committee that keeps check on these decisions is taking careful review to make sure this new order is not overly restrictive and yet does what our medical experts and disaster professionals believe is needed to protect the health of all of Kansas -our families, friends and neighbors.This decision by the governor can be reviewed and it will be. It may be the right decision, and if it is, I will support it. However, if it goes too far in places or is too limiting, then I will work with other legislators and the executive branch to fix those areas.&nbsp;My first priority is to keep Kansans safe and healthy. My second priority is to keep our economy strong and allow our businesses and employers to make it through this pandemic. For some, that will be staying open and for others that will be opening up as soon as possible. I will continue to work for that balance that keeps us safe and allows us to come back as soon as danger has passed.&nbsp;I already supported extending unemployment benefits to help those suffering from layoffs.&nbsp; Kansas has made $5 million available for those businesses in the hospitality industry, and new Small Business Administration disaster loans are making credit available to businesses who need it to get through. I support these measures and encourage you to check out KansasTogether.com for more information about the assistance available to workers and businesses.&nbsp; I am also posting all of this on social media.I firmly believe that Kansas is stronger than any virus. We are more resilient than any temporary shutdown. We are experienced at getting through troubles, picking each other up and getting back to work. &nbsp; We can do this – we will survive.&nbsp; Follow me on Instagram and twitter @barbwasinger for up-to-date information or on Facebook at Barb for Kanas.&nbsp; Please message me with questions and I will do my best to get answers for you as soon as possible.Proud to serve,Barb Wasinger, Representative, 111th District

Wasinger: Facing the COVID-19 crisis

Hundreds of area residents turned out for the Cruise Night on Friday in downtown Hays.

The event was organized as a way to socialize while maintaining social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19 — a throwback to when cruising Main was common on weekend nights.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e7bab05afae0f4d5f5e222b">Interest in the event started when Patrick Toepfer posted the idea on Facebook and it took off from there.</a>

Watch the video above or view the pictures below to see all the fun from Cruisin' Main.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S4l8CPbDwCU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Video by Jordan Schaeffer</div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostHundreds of area residents turned out for the Cruise Night on Friday in downtown Hays.The event was organized as a way to socialize while maintaining social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19 — a throwback to when cruising Main was common on weekend nights.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e7bab05afae0f4d5f5e222b">Interest in the event started when Patrick Toepfer posted the idea on Facebook and it took off from there.</a>Watch the video above or view the pictures below to see all the fun from Cruisin' Main.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585366879092.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585366934579.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585366969699.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585366995023.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367013645.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367035895.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367057981.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367072606.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367089422.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367103661.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367119311.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367148103.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367172686.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367191558.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367208740.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367230396.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367251331.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367273317.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585367289264.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 Hays turns out for Cruise Night

By RON WILSON, Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Do you like raspberry pie? I do. Today we’ll learn about a different kind of raspberry pie – the kind spelled P-I, as in the mathematical symbol. In this case, Raspberry Pi is the name of a type of computer used by students who are learning to do computer coding.&nbsp;&nbsp;This high-tech project is an initiative of an innovative economic development director in rural Kansas.

Nick Poels is executive director of economic development in Phillips County. He works to build partnerships in various ways to benefit the county as a whole. Phillips County includes the rural communities of Phillipsburg, Logan, Agra, Kirwin, Long Island, Prairie View, Glade, population 86, and Speed, population 35 people. Now, that’s rural.

Nick uses various programs to benefit the county, such as rural opportunity zones, Network Kansas, a commercial revitalization program, and more. In 2018, Nick was in a site council meeting with the Phillipsburg school district when there was discussion about the need to integrate more computer science into education. Forward-looking educators recognized the need for students to have high-tech skills for future careers.

Thanks to Nex-Tech, the local rural telephone company, the community has access to high capacity fiber-optic cable. “Phillipsburg had the benefit of fiber-to-the-premise infrastructure before it reached places like Topeka and Olathe,” Nick said.

He recognized an opportunity to use this capacity and to help students learn high-tech skills. He proposed to his county economic development board that Phillips County Economic Development would partner with the school in a student initiative on computer coding. With the board’s support, PCED bought equipment and online curricula for this project.

At the Fischer Building in downtown Phillipsburg, PCED set up a facility called TechSpace with 25 computer work stations. Nick worked with the school to offer one curriculum for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade and another, more advanced, curriculum for kids in sixth grade through high school.

Among other things, the younger kids were to work with introductory equipment such as Sphero robots and Lego Mindstorm kits. The older kids were to use training computer modules called Raspberry Pi and Arduino, an&nbsp;open-source electronic prototyping software with which users can create interactive electronic devices such as robots.

The program started with the 2019 academic year. “I expected 25 or 30 students,” Nick said. “Now we have 351 students using TechSpace each week.” The school provides busses to take the kids to and from the Fischer Building.

The younger kids are exposed to the basics of computer coding, which is essentially creating digital instructions to direct a computer to carry out a specific task. The older kids’ class time alternates between online classes and hands-on robotics work.

Some kids practice by writing lines of code to direct robots through a maze. Others are building computer games.

Nick’s ultimate goal is to enhance the students’ skills and benefit the workforce and the families of Philips County. He has reached out to people such as Scott DeLoach, head of K-State’s Computer Science department, who has encouraged the project.

“Research from K-State suggests that last year, 600,000 computer science jobs were available in the U.S., with 1 million projected in 2020,” Nick said. “However, the U.S. is only graduating 49,000 computer science graduates a year.”&nbsp;

“This is something totally new for (the students, and they love the challenge,” one teacher said.

“This project has worked so much better than we could have ever expected,” Nick said.&nbsp;

Other communities have expressed interest in this initiative also. “It is with small steps such as this, that we could collectively work toward positioning the state of Kansas as the most computer-literate state in the union,” Nick said.

For more information on Phillips County, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.phillipscountyks.org/">www.phillipscountyks.org</a>.

Do you like raspberry pie? I like the kind from the kitchen. I’m also glad that these students in rural Kansas are using the electronic version. We commend Nick Poels and all those involved with Phillips County Economic Development for making a difference with this futuristic initiative to build high-tech skills. I think the results are delicious.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585143541469.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON, Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentDo you like raspberry pie? I do. Today we’ll learn about a different kind of raspberry pie – the kind spelled P-I, as in the mathematical symbol. In this case, Raspberry Pi is the name of a type of computer used by students who are learning to do computer coding.&nbsp;&nbsp;This high-tech project is an initiative of an innovative economic development director in rural Kansas.Nick Poels is executive director of economic development in Phillips County. He works to build partnerships in various ways to benefit the county as a whole. Phillips County includes the rural communities of Phillipsburg, Logan, Agra, Kirwin, Long Island, Prairie View, Glade, population 86, and Speed, population 35 people. Now, that’s rural.Nick uses various programs to benefit the county, such as rural opportunity zones, Network Kansas, a commercial revitalization program, and more. In 2018, Nick was in a site council meeting with the Phillipsburg school district when there was discussion about the need to integrate more computer science into education. Forward-looking educators recognized the need for students to have high-tech skills for future careers.Thanks to Nex-Tech, the local rural telephone company, the community has access to high capacity fiber-optic cable. “Phillipsburg had the benefit of fiber-to-the-premise infrastructure before it reached places like Topeka and Olathe,” Nick said.He recognized an opportunity to use this capacity and to help students learn high-tech skills. He proposed to his county economic development board that Phillips County Economic Development would partner with the school in a student initiative on computer coding. With the board’s support, PCED bought equipment and online curricula for this project.At the Fischer Building in downtown Phillipsburg, PCED set up a facility called TechSpace with 25 computer work stations. Nick worked with the school to offer one curriculum for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade and another, more advanced, curriculum for kids in sixth grade through high school.Among other things, the younger kids were to work with introductory equipment such as Sphero robots and Lego Mindstorm kits. The older kids were to use training computer modules called Raspberry Pi and Arduino, an&nbsp;open-source electronic prototyping software with which users can create interactive electronic devices such as robots.The program started with the 2019 academic year. “I expected 25 or 30 students,” Nick said. “Now we have 351 students using TechSpace each week.” The school provides busses to take the kids to and from the Fischer Building.The younger kids are exposed to the basics of computer coding, which is essentially creating digital instructions to direct a computer to carry out a specific task. The older kids’ class time alternates between online classes and hands-on robotics work.Some kids practice by writing lines of code to direct robots through a maze. Others are building computer games.Nick’s ultimate goal is to enhance the students’ skills and benefit the workforce and the families of Philips County. He has reached out to people such as Scott DeLoach, head of K-State’s Computer Science department, who has encouraged the project.“Research from K-State suggests that last year, 600,000 computer science jobs were available in the U.S., with 1 million projected in 2020,” Nick said. “However, the U.S. is only graduating 49,000 computer science graduates a year.”&nbsp;“This is something totally new for (the students, and they love the challenge,” one teacher said.“This project has worked so much better than we could have ever expected,” Nick said.&nbsp;Other communities have expressed interest in this initiative also. “It is with small steps such as this, that we could collectively work toward positioning the state of Kansas as the most computer-literate state in the union,” Nick said.For more information on Phillips County, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.phillipscountyks.org/">www.phillipscountyks.org</a>.Do you like raspberry pie? I like the kind from the kitchen. I’m also glad that these students in rural Kansas are using the electronic version. We commend Nick Poels and all those involved with Phillips County Economic Development for making a difference with this futuristic initiative to build high-tech skills. I think the results are delicious.

Now That’s Rural: Nick Poels, Phillips County coding

Kansas needs to start voting by mail immediately. Our democracy may hang in the balance.

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of subsiding, elections may become very complicated this August and November. Turnout may be low. Seven states have already responded to the pandemic by postponing their Presidential primaries, while others are making changes such as abolishing in-person caucusing. The Kansas primary election is scheduled for August 4. The general election will be held November 3. Both should be held by mail. This will require a change to Kansas law, initiated by the Legislature immediately.

Kansas Democrats decided earlier to make voting by mail an option in their Presidential primary this year. On the other hand, Kansas Republicans are not holding a Presidential primary this year—a deeply troubling precedent which we must not follow. Not to be confused with the Presidential primary, the primary election is held in August. It is the one in which voters choose party nominees for other offices. Those include this year’s hotly contested races for Congress, U.S. Senate, and the balance of power in both houses of the Kansas Legislature.&nbsp;

Washington, Oregon, and Colorado already hold elections by mail. Kansans can study the lessons learned by trial-and-error from these early adopters. In general, those three states have experienced few problems and little in the way of voter fraud, due to their strict signature verification requirements. They also have higher turnout. Drop boxes are available for those who prefer to hand-deliver their ballots instead of mailing them. Ballots meeting all other requirements are considered valid if postmarked or placed in an official drop box by Election Day. The non-rushed quality of ballot counting promises more accurate results, and there is always a paper trail if a recount is necessary. The contemporary design of these ballots further ensures that there will be none of the notorious chads—hanging, pregnant, and so forth—that created so many headaches in the 2000 Florida recount.

Downsides are few. Because ballots are still arriving and being counted for several days afterwards, close races cannot be “called” on election night. This infuriates reporters and pundits, but most Kansans probably do not mind. Political campaigns have to adapt because many voters will have already voted long before last-week “ad blitzes” and Election Day canvassing, but the popularity of early voting has already been forcing them to do this.&nbsp;

If voting can be done by mail, why not online? In a word, the answer is security. The Mueller Report and impeachment process hardly settled disagreements about the Trump Presidency, but they have shown us conclusively that the Russian government interfered with the 2016 Presidential Election. It is unlikely that this changed the results, but the simple fact that interference occurred, in and of itself, should be a compelling reason to avoid connecting any voting equipment to the Internet. It is fine to post instructions for voters, a link for requesting a ballot, unofficial election results, and analysis online. Machinery like optical scan readers can be used to count paper ballots, just not online. However, voting and vote-counting themselves need to be Internet-free. No matter how seemingly secure, any connection creates a window for others to alter our elections data.

The Kansas Legislature, Governor Kelly, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, and county elections officials must act immediately to ensure that our democracy stays intact during troubled times.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579108824567.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas needs to start voting by mail immediately. Our democracy may hang in the balance.With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of subsiding, elections may become very complicated this August and November. Turnout may be low. Seven states have already responded to the pandemic by postponing their Presidential primaries, while others are making changes such as abolishing in-person caucusing. The Kansas primary election is scheduled for August 4. The general election will be held November 3. Both should be held by mail. This will require a change to Kansas law, initiated by the Legislature immediately.Kansas Democrats decided earlier to make voting by mail an option in their Presidential primary this year. On the other hand, Kansas Republicans are not holding a Presidential primary this year—a deeply troubling precedent which we must not follow. Not to be confused with the Presidential primary, the primary election is held in August. It is the one in which voters choose party nominees for other offices. Those include this year’s hotly contested races for Congress, U.S. Senate, and the balance of power in both houses of the Kansas Legislature.&nbsp;Washington, Oregon, and Colorado already hold elections by mail. Kansans can study the lessons learned by trial-and-error from these early adopters. In general, those three states have experienced few problems and little in the way of voter fraud, due to their strict signature verification requirements. They also have higher turnout. Drop boxes are available for those who prefer to hand-deliver their ballots instead of mailing them. Ballots meeting all other requirements are considered valid if postmarked or placed in an official drop box by Election Day. The non-rushed quality of ballot counting promises more accurate results, and there is always a paper trail if a recount is necessary. The contemporary design of these ballots further ensures that there will be none of the notorious chads—hanging, pregnant, and so forth—that created so many headaches in the 2000 Florida recount.Downsides are few. Because ballots are still arriving and being counted for several days afterwards, close races cannot be “called” on election night. This infuriates reporters and pundits, but most Kansans probably do not mind. Political campaigns have to adapt because many voters will have already voted long before last-week “ad blitzes” and Election Day canvassing, but the popularity of early voting has already been forcing them to do this.&nbsp;If voting can be done by mail, why not online? In a word, the answer is security. The Mueller Report and impeachment process hardly settled disagreements about the Trump Presidency, but they have shown us conclusively that the Russian government interfered with the 2016 Presidential Election. It is unlikely that this changed the results, but the simple fact that interference occurred, in and of itself, should be a compelling reason to avoid connecting any voting equipment to the Internet. It is fine to post instructions for voters, a link for requesting a ballot, unofficial election results, and analysis online. Machinery like optical scan readers can be used to count paper ballots, just not online. However, voting and vote-counting themselves need to be Internet-free. No matter how seemingly secure, any connection creates a window for others to alter our elections data.The Kansas Legislature, Governor Kelly, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, and county elections officials must act immediately to ensure that our democracy stays intact during troubled times.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Voting by mail — the time is now

Food provides opportunities for fun, reassurance at home

MANHATTAN – In normal times, most consumers don’t think twice about a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up a few items.

But these are not normal times. With the threat of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, hanging over most of the country, “social distancing” has become a commonly understood term, one that makes planning trips to the grocery more important.

“In our home, the new object of the game is to see if we can put off a trip to the store,” said Sandy Procter, a nutrition specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “We are challenging ourselves to not make the quick, short trip, if that’s still possible, and to wait until we have a more complete&nbsp;list. It’s our way of trying to minimize those trips and the (social) connections that we are supposed to avoid right now.”

Procter said “it makes more sense than ever&nbsp;to have a plan” when shopping for a quarantine or during a time when we should avoid being around others.

“And then we need to follow that plan and utilize what we have on hand before we make what used to be a second-natured, quick trip to the grocery store,” she said. “We need to be a little more intentional in how we shop; do some work ahead of time to plan meals, then use what we have on hand so that we can keep our distance until things get better.”

Planning a week’s worth of meals isn’t always easy for some. “I have friends who write day-to-day menus in their normal life, and that works well for them,” Procter said.

“But for others – and especially those of us who may have multiple people in our homes for meals that we don’t normally serve – it’s going to take some adapting on the fly.”

Procter offered a few tips for planning meals:

“All of this may be a little hard to adjust to,” Procter said, “and you’re probably going to have some cabin fever setting in soon, if it hasn’t already. But think of family activities that are going to be welcome and reassuring, like cooking or baking or cleaning up together after you’ve had a food experiment or activity.”

Planning meals will also help consumers use common sense and avoid the temptation to hoard goods: “Don’t purposely clear out a shelf in the grocery store of something you need,” she said. “If there are six on the shelf, and you need just one or two, don’t take all six. Leave some there for the next guy.”

“Take what you need, use it, plan well, incorporate everything you have into those menus and be smart about using all of our resources now.”

For more information, visit the K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety">food nutrition and safety webpage</a>.

K-State Research and Extension has compiled numerous publications and other information to help people take care of themselves and others during times of crisis. See the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/about-us/covid-19-extension.html">complete list of resources online.</a>

Local K-State Research and Extension agents are still on the job during this time of closures and confinement. They, too, are practicing social distancing. Email is the best way to reach them, but call forwarding and voicemail allow for closed local offices to be reached by phone as well (some responses could be delayed).&nbsp;To find out how to reach your local agents, visit the K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;county and district directory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585063079571.jpeg" alt="Photo by Scott Warman on Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Scott Warman on Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>Food provides opportunities for fun, reassurance at homeMANHATTAN – In normal times, most consumers don’t think twice about a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up a few items.But these are not normal times. With the threat of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, hanging over most of the country, “social distancing” has become a commonly understood term, one that makes planning trips to the grocery more important.“In our home, the new object of the game is to see if we can put off a trip to the store,” said Sandy Procter, a nutrition specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “We are challenging ourselves to not make the quick, short trip, if that’s still possible, and to wait until we have a more complete&nbsp;list. It’s our way of trying to minimize those trips and the (social) connections that we are supposed to avoid right now.”Procter said “it makes more sense than ever&nbsp;to have a plan” when shopping for a quarantine or during a time when we should avoid being around others.“And then we need to follow that plan and utilize what we have on hand before we make what used to be a second-natured, quick trip to the grocery store,” she said. “We need to be a little more intentional in how we shop; do some work ahead of time to plan meals, then use what we have on hand so that we can keep our distance until things get better.”Planning a week’s worth of meals isn’t always easy for some. “I have friends who write day-to-day menus in their normal life, and that works well for them,” Procter said.“But for others – and especially those of us who may have multiple people in our homes for meals that we don’t normally serve – it’s going to take some adapting on the fly.”Procter offered a few tips for planning meals:<ol>
 <li>Buy items in bulk.&nbsp;Instead of buying grab-and-go breakfast bars, buy a box of bulk oatmeal instead. You can provide a lot of servings at once, and it’s often less expensive.</li><li>Start with the basics,&nbsp;such as sugar, flour or other items that help you make food from scratch. “Quick meals are maybe not as important right now as much as having enough variety on hand to make flexibility a key part of menu planning,” Procter said.</li><li>Buy shelf-stable foods.&nbsp;Fresh produce is great, but to avoid multiple trips to the store during the week, be sure to buy canned goods too. “Foods that are in cans or frozen are packed at their peak of nutritional value, so we know that those are healthy foods,” Procter said. “Use the fresh items first, then incorporate those that will keep longer.”</li><li>Include kids in meal planning.&nbsp;“They will probably have some good ideas, and there are lessons that can be shared, too,” Procter said. It’s one of those times that we will think back on and you’ll appreciate having the time to hang out with the kids and teaching them to cook.”</li>
 </ol>“All of this may be a little hard to adjust to,” Procter said, “and you’re probably going to have some cabin fever setting in soon, if it hasn’t already. But think of family activities that are going to be welcome and reassuring, like cooking or baking or cleaning up together after you’ve had a food experiment or activity.”Planning meals will also help consumers use common sense and avoid the temptation to hoard goods: “Don’t purposely clear out a shelf in the grocery store of something you need,” she said. “If there are six on the shelf, and you need just one or two, don’t take all six. Leave some there for the next guy.”“Take what you need, use it, plan well, incorporate everything you have into those menus and be smart about using all of our resources now.”For more information, visit the K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety">food nutrition and safety webpage</a>.K-State Research and Extension has compiled numerous publications and other information to help people take care of themselves and others during times of crisis. See the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/about-us/covid-19-extension.html">complete list of resources online.</a>Local K-State Research and Extension agents are still on the job during this time of closures and confinement. They, too, are practicing social distancing. Email is the best way to reach them, but call forwarding and voicemail allow for closed local offices to be reached by phone as well (some responses could be delayed).&nbsp;To find out how to reach your local agents, visit the K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;county and district directory.

Plan meals before shopping during a quarantine, expert says

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585339066445.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

A new Facebook page is chronicling the way communities, groups and individuals are helping during the pandemic crisis.

See the page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansasresponds/">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585144713642.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A new Facebook page is chronicling the way communities, groups and individuals are helping during the pandemic crisis.See the page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansasresponds/">HERE</a>.

Facebook group looking for stories about Kan. responses to crisis

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Hays city government talks COVID-19 at commission meeting" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/hwfs3-d76e00?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

🎤Post Podcast: Hays leaders share COVID-19 information

On Friday, Rooks County joined the list of counties in Kansas that has issued a stay at home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;

The order goes into effect at 1 p.m. Saturday, will last 30 days and restricts residents to essential activities.

The full order from the Rooks County Health Officer can be seen below.

On Friday, Rooks County joined the list of counties in Kansas that has issued a stay at home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;The order goes into effect at 1 p.m. Saturday, will last 30 days and restricts residents to essential activities.The full order from the Rooks County Health Officer can be seen below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585343528778.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585343834789.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585343512765.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585343492189.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585343453290.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Rooks County issues 30-day stay-at-home order

U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said help is on they way to Kansas families and businesses after the House approved a $2 trillion coronavirus aid package Friday.

"No. 1 we want to protect Kansans' lives," he said, "so there is significant funding for our hospitals and the doctors and nurses to make sure they get the equipment they need to protect themselves and do their jobs."

The bill provides $100 billion in direct assistance to health care providers.

The legislation will increase reimbursement percentages to Critical Access Hospitals, most of which are in rural areas. If CAC hospitals do have patients with coronavirus, they will receive increased funding.&nbsp;

Marshall noted many small CAC hospitals do not have ventilators or the respiratory staff to use them. The CACs will need to refer patients with more critical needs to hospitals such as HaysMed.

"We need to make sure that HaysMed has what they need," Marshall said. "Today, I spoke with the Kansas Department of Health making sure they have stockpiles ready to go."

Marshall added, "The No. 1 thing we can do right now is stop the spread of this virus. If it becomes an epidemic across Kansas, there is not enough ventilators in the world to take care of people.

"The onerous is on each community to contain this virus. That is what is so important right now is containing the virus."

Marshall noted President Trump has been frustrated with the CDC in getting people tested for the virus.

However, Marshall said he believes everyone who needed to be tested in Kansas has received a test.

"I think we have turned a corner there, and there is much more testing throughout the state," Marshall said noting private labs have taken on the bulk of the coronavirus testing in Kansas.

Marshall next highlighted direct payments provide for in the bill to individuals — $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples plus $500 per dependent.

The bill also extends unemployment insurance benefits from 26 to 39 weeks and increases each check by $600.

"With the oil and gas industry, I am afraid some people will be getting laid off from their jobs," he said.&nbsp;

Marhsall called small businesses the "backbone of rural America" as he described the bill's aid package for small businesses as well as farmers and ranchers.

If the businesses keep staff on board during the crisis, they are eligible for forgivable loans from the Small Business Administration.

Not only can farmers and ranchers access assistance through the SBA, Marshall said the legislation increased funds to the Commodity Credit Corporation.&nbsp;

Agriculture Secretary Sunny Perdue has been authorized for an additional $14 billion to replenish the CCC to address low commodity prices and trade disruptions for those producers who have been affected by COVID-19. These funds will include payment to cattle producers.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostU.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said help is on they way to Kansas families and businesses after the House approved a $2 trillion coronavirus aid package Friday."No. 1 we want to protect Kansans' lives," he said, "so there is significant funding for our hospitals and the doctors and nurses to make sure they get the equipment they need to protect themselves and do their jobs."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584054346770.jpeg" alt="U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>The bill provides $100 billion in direct assistance to health care providers.The legislation will increase reimbursement percentages to Critical Access Hospitals, most of which are in rural areas. If CAC hospitals do have patients with coronavirus, they will receive increased funding.&nbsp;Marshall noted many small CAC hospitals do not have ventilators or the respiratory staff to use them. The CACs will need to refer patients with more critical needs to hospitals such as HaysMed."We need to make sure that HaysMed has what they need," Marshall said. "Today, I spoke with the Kansas Department of Health making sure they have stockpiles ready to go."Marshall added, "The No. 1 thing we can do right now is stop the spread of this virus. If it becomes an epidemic across Kansas, there is not enough ventilators in the world to take care of people."The onerous is on each community to contain this virus. That is what is so important right now is containing the virus."Marshall noted President Trump has been frustrated with the CDC in getting people tested for the virus.However, Marshall said he believes everyone who needed to be tested in Kansas has received a test."I think we have turned a corner there, and there is much more testing throughout the state," Marshall said noting private labs have taken on the bulk of the coronavirus testing in Kansas.Marshall next highlighted direct payments provide for in the bill to individuals — $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples plus $500 per dependent.The bill also extends unemployment insurance benefits from 26 to 39 weeks and increases each check by $600."With the oil and gas industry, I am afraid some people will be getting laid off from their jobs," he said.&nbsp;Marhsall called small businesses the "backbone of rural America" as he described the bill's aid package for small businesses as well as farmers and ranchers.If the businesses keep staff on board during the crisis, they are eligible for forgivable loans from the Small Business Administration.Not only can farmers and ranchers access assistance through the SBA, Marshall said the legislation increased funds to the Commodity Credit Corporation.&nbsp;Agriculture Secretary Sunny Perdue has been authorized for an additional $14 billion to replenish the CCC to address low commodity prices and trade disruptions for those producers who have been affected by COVID-19. These funds will include payment to cattle producers."We tried to protect Kansans' health, protect families and their income and protect their jobs. That is our hope right now," Marshall said of the legislation.President Trump has said he would like to see Americans start going back to work by Easter, but he has drawn sharp criticism from some health professionals who argue that will be too soon.Marshall, who is a physician, said he also thought by Easter some Americans would be returning to work."I think it is a great goal," he said. "It is a lofty goal. The only way that happens is if we contain the virus, if communities lock down and isolate the virus."He said he hoped anti-body testing could start soon and people who have already had the virus could go back to work."It will be different for each state and each community on when we go back," he said. "Right now, there seems to be a big difference between what is going on in Kansas City versus Wichita versus Hays."He said he hopes that soon communities would be able to do random testing to determine how much virus is in communities."There is so much fear mongering going out there," he said. "You can choose to live in fear or you can choose to live in faith. Our country has been through tougher times, and there are tougher times ahead of us. We are going to get through this one, and we are going to do just fine."Read a press release from Marshall with more details on the stimulus plan below:Marshall Statement on Passage of Phase III COVID-19 Relief PackageWASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D., returned to Capitol Hill to vote yes on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 748 – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which will put emergency cash into the hands of American families and workers, while also delivering desperate relief to agriculture producers, ranchers, small businesses, and provide needed funding for health care workers and hospitals. During the debate,&nbsp;<a href="https://dispatch.revily.com/t/r-l-jhhtcly-l-y/">Dr. Marshall made remarks from the floor</a>, and after the vote he released the following statement:"Last Sunday, the U.S. Senate announced a bipartisan framework to help individuals and small businesses through the Chinese coronavirus crisis. Then, Speaker Pelosi entered the fray. In the five&nbsp;days that have followed, coronavirus has cost hundreds of Americans their lives, over 40,000 have been infected, and millions of jobs have been lost.Thank goodness, cooler heads have now prevailed. This is not a perfect bill by any means, and there’s a lot I wish I could take out myself, but the reality is this compromise has a lot that the American people and their small businesses need right now. I want to thank our President for his leadership, for halting travel from China, which saved hundreds of lives, and for reaching out early to private enterprise to work toward solving the testing challenges. Unlike the political garbage we’ve seen this week, these decisions actually saved lives.As a physician, I remind Americans to follow the President's 15-day guidelines. Let’s flatten the curve. Let’s not let up. Let’s ignore the petty political games from the Speaker. And as one nation under God, this exceptional nation will get through this."The bill includes funding for the following:Resources for Health Care Providers:&nbsp;Provides $100 billion in direct assistance to health care providers on the front lines of the crisis.Funding for a Cure: Provides $11 billion for producing a vaccine and other therapies that will prevent the virus from spreading and help treat it.Resources for Critical Medical Supplies:&nbsp;Provides $16 billion&nbsp;to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE, ventilators, and other critical medical supplies.Funding for Centers for Disease Control:&nbsp;Provides $4.3 billion to the CDC for public health preparedness and response.Supports Americans with direct payments:&nbsp;Up to $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per married couple, and $500 per dependent, based on 2018 tax filing, if 2019 tax filing is not available.Flexibility for Small Business Loans:&nbsp;Increases the number of eligible businesses, nonprofits, and lenders that can participate in the SBA’s 7(a) loan program, providing temporary flexibility in the use of the loan, and allows for loan forgiveness measures to keep employees on the payroll during this uncertain time.Support for Farmers and Ranchers:&nbsp;Provides $9.5 billion for Secretary Perdue to provide support to farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19 including livestock producers; and includes an additional $14 billion to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to address low commodity prices and trade disruptions.Treatment for Veterans:&nbsp;Provides for the VA $19 billion to treat COVID-19, acquire test kits and Personal Protective Equipment and support veterans during this pandemic.Support for Manufacturers:&nbsp;Provides $50 million of increased funding to NIST’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, which provides direct support to small and mid-sized manufacturers, with none of the funding subject to the cost share requirement that is a normal requirement for this program.Increased Food Access: Provides $450 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks stay stocked and ready to serve those in need.Support for Small Airports:&nbsp;Provides $100 million for general aviation airports and $56 million for Essential Air Service (EAS, keeping small and regional airports operational during the crisis.Support for Schools:&nbsp;Provides $31 billion to support K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to help our students continue to learn.Support for Cities and Towns:&nbsp;Provides $5 billion for Community Development Block Grants that help our cities and towns across Kansas remain strong.Relief for Community Banks:&nbsp;Will help banks quickly provide loans to those who need them by lowering the Community Bank Leverage Ratio, enabling banks to dip further into their capital reserves for increased lending during these times of stress.Support for Rural Development:&nbsp;Provides additional resources for USDA’s Business &amp; Industry Loan Program, USDA’s Distance, Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program and the USDA’s ReConnect Program to expand broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved areas.