What you need to know about COVID-19 in Missouri, Kansas, and the Kansas City metro
Overview
Coronavirus, mask-mandate lawsuits filed by restaurants against Kansas City dropped.
Kansas to make COVID-19 vaccine available to all adults, starting next phase of plan.
As all adults approach vaccine eligibility, Kansas and Missouri confront hesitancy.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, health leaders say after Kansas obit claim.
COVID-19 News
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, health leaders say after Kansas obit claim.
Kansas Legislature grants nursing homes immunity from COVID-19 related lawsuits.
Photos compare Kansas City scenes of pandemic shutdown one year later.
As Gov. Parson praises Arrowhead ‘mega’ event, local backlog remains and frustration simmers.
Conservative push to curb local health department powers fails in Missouri Senate.
Social Distancing, Vaccinations
Kansas to make COVID-19 vaccine available to all adults, starting next phase of plan.
As all adults approach vaccine eligibility, Kansas and Missouri confront hesitancy.
Johnson County opens warehouse to handle demand as Kansas opens vaccines to all adults.
Johnson County requires masks, social distancing through April as more are vaccinated.
Business and facilities
Northeast Kansas City paper publishes blank front page as plea in “desperate” times.
Evictions, shutoffs could resume soon in KC. Here are resources and ways you can help.
Coronavirus, mask-mandate lawsuits filed by restaurants against Kansas City dropped.
Missouri to put more than half of unspent federal aid in unemployment fund.
Events
Springtime in Kansas City: Live, in-person concerts are beginning to sprout.
Grammy nominated Kansas City Chorale is stepping out for spring concert at WWI Museum.
Kansas City actor follows up viral mask video with a ‘Lion King’ COVID vaccine tune.
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra cancels rest of its season because of COVID.
Healthcare status
COVID-19 vaccinations for Hispanic population in Kansas City lags behind other groups.
More than 141,766 people in Kansas City area test positive, 2,092 people have died.
Kansas total cases stands at 302,372; 4,913 deaths.
- Missouri sees cases climb to 489,374; 8,498 deaths.
Schools
Kelly to sign bill requiring KS schools to provide full-time in person classes by March 31.
Kansas City Public Schools teachers get COVID vaccinations as in-person classes resume in district.
COVID lesson: Some kids learn best online, so KC-area districts open virtual schools.
COVID vaccines for Missouri teachers gain priority under federal directive.
How to help
- There are multiple ways to help the estimated 433,470 people in the Kansas City region left food insecure due to COVID-19, including by giving food, time, money or voice to Harvesters.
- A coalition of charitable, business and governmental organizations formed an alliance to raise money for the Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
How to get help
Contact the United Way of Greater Kansas City’s 2-1-1 by visiting its website or calling 211.
For information about unemployment benefits in Kansas, call 913-596-3500 in Kansas City or go online at getkansasbenefits.gov.
For information about unemployment benefits in Missouri, go online uinteract.labor.mo.gov or call 816-889-3101 in Kansas City.
Public transportation
KCATA announces more cuts to RideKC bus services due to COVID-19.
RideKC urges riders to make only essential trips as service cuts loom amid COVID-19 spread.
- Masks are required on RideKC buses and KC Streetcar.
- Let RideKC know if unable to board a bus due to social distancing.
Opinion
It’s too soon to put an end to mask mandates in Kansas City area.
Only Asian American in Kansas House feels the wave of hatred in a Russell sports bar.
Mass vaccination at Arrowhead can’t disguise the continuing COVID-19 mess in Missouri.
“Not a slush fund” — KC can’t go on a spending spree with federal COVID-19 relief.
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 4:20 PM.