COVID-19 news: Two congresswomen self-quarantine, 8 new cases found in Kansas
Two members of Congress from Kansas and Missouri, and a Kansas City-area church group, have seen their plans upended by the new coronavirus, joining millions of people across the U.S. who have had to change their daily habits to help prevent the spread of the disease.
On Thursday, Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, announced she was self-quarantining after being in contact with a member of Congress who has the coronavirus.
Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and Utah Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams have both tested positive for the virus.
Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Missouri, is also self-quarantining after meeting last week with a colleague who has since tested positive for COVID-19.
“While I feel fine and am not exhibiting any symptoms, I will follow the advice of the Attending Physician until cleared,” Wagner said in statement. “In the meantime I will continue to work remotely through teleconference as Congress works to provide a strong and effective response for everyone impacted by this virus.”
Additional cases of COVID-19 were identified in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, two of the hardest hit counties in Kansas, officials announced Thursday. Morris and Jackson counties reported their first cases, bringing Kansas’ total to 31.
In Missouri, 25 cases have been found. The Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center said Thursday it had found its second coronavirus patient.
One man in Kansas and another person in Missouri have died from the disease.
Congress is preparing its third major coronavirus relief bill, a stimulus package which could include direct payments to help Americans hurt by the economic impact of the pandemic.
Members of Missouri’s congressional delegation have also been tasked with finding a solution for a group of 14 local teens and four adults on a mission trip who are stranded in Guatemala.
The Central American country grounded incoming and outgoing flights in response to the spread of the coronavirus, leaving the Platte Woods United Methodist Church group without a way to get home.
While the coronavirus has provoked uncertainty and apprehension, it has also inspired acts of kindness.
Actor and Kansas City, Kansas, native Eric Stonestreet said he was donating 200,000 meals to Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City to help those in need during the coronavirus outbreak.
Stonestreet encouraged others to donate to the organization, which serves 26 counties in northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas.
“Lindsay and I love our hometown and want to help do what we can. I’m only posting this to maybe motivate you to do what you can, when you can, if you can, to help vulnerable families in our community during this time,” Stonestreet said on social media.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:12 PM.
