‘It can happen to anyone’: Lee’s Summit mayor announces he has coronavirus
He didn’t have a temperature. He never had a headache.
So when some symptoms came up, Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird thought it was seasonal allergies. Still, as mayor, he thought he should get a COVID-19 test.
“I need to make sure I know, since I’m meeting with people all the time,” Baird said in a video posted on Lee’s Summit’s social media.
The test came back positive: Baird has the coronavirus.
Baird made the announcement on Thursday night. He’s one of the highest profile people, among the 9,471 in the Kansas City who have confirmed cases, to announce it publicly.
Baird said his symptoms also included a loss of smell and taste, as well as pain in his eyes and some shortness of breath.
The mayor of the Jackson County suburb with a population of nearly 100,000 said people should pay heed to what they’re feeling.
“Hey, take care of yourself, take inventory of yourself,” Baird said. “Don’t just think it’s allergies. Pay attention to how your body is feeling and such.”
Baird said he didn’t know where he could have contracted the virus. He said he’s been diligent about wearing a mask in public and business meetings.
“I’ve been trying to protect people from myself,” Baird said. “That’s the whole point of the mask is to protect others from yourself, because you never you know. You may be carrying COVID with you.”
Baird also suggested people be careful over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a time when people are inclined to have large gatherings.
“Keep it outdoors if you can, keep your mom and dad 6 to 10 feet away,” Baird said. “You’ll feel good about the fact that you did if something like this happens to you.”
He added later, “It can happen to anyone.”
