As coronavirus warnings increase, shoppers keep going to Crown Center and Legends
Even as city, state and federal officials underscored the seriousness of the public health dangers posed by the new coronavirus, some in Kansas City went about their business as usual.
Jazmine Boe was eating ice cream Monday afternoon at Crown Center with three of her friends’ young children.
“I’ve been going everywhere like normal to places that are still open,” she said. “I’m not worried.”
Into the late afternoon, couples, teens and families were perusing items in the shopping center, carrying shopping bags and stopping for a bite to eat at places like Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant.
That was even as some stores were closed and as increasingly strong restrictions came down on everyday activities as preventive measures to slow the spread of the respiratory disease.
About 3,800 people in the U.S. have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 65 have died.
Earlier in the day, gatherings of more than 50 were banned in Kansas. Later Monday night, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas suspended gatherings of more than 10 people, limited restaurants to drive-thru, pickup and delivery service only and announced sweeping school closures.
On Monday, President Donald Trump urged the public to avoid crowds and eating out. Trump also said older Americans should stay at home.
Fatima Khan, a Kansas-based physician, said people should avoid public places with crowds and practice social distancing, which means staying at least six feet away from others.
“It’s so essential,” Khan said. “It’s our lifeline.”
At Crown Center, three seniors who were visiting Kansas City expressed varying degrees of worry over the pandemic.
Gaylene Sherwood, of Iowa City, said she was worried about friends and family with underlying health conditions.
Her friend, however, said at her age, she didn’t care if she fell ill.
Crown Center said on its website that it remains open, but some of its businesses have chosen to close. They have also taken steps to enhance cleaning.
At the Legends shopping center in Kansas City, Kansas, Beaurina Olter exited a store with her husband and six kids and applied hand sanitizer.
Olter said she has been following developments about the coronavirus and that they have been limiting what they do and where they go. But with the kids on spring break and all of their activities canceled, Olter said they needed to get out of their North Kansas City home for a bit Monday.
“It’s a big deal,” she said. “We’re just working on faith right now.”
Kelly Soliman and her family were visiting Kansas City from Nashville. She said their trip was impacted by the coronavirus since places like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art have closed.
“I’m concerned,” she said. “But not panicky concerned.”
The Legends said on its website that it continues to monitor information coming from the Centers for Disease Control.
As of Monday, 11 cases of the virus had been identified in Kansas, including eight in Johnson County. Seven cases have been identified in Missouri.
Experts at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention have said more cases are likely to be found in the coming days.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 8:12 PM.
