Latest COVID news: Kansas City area county rejects masks; schools bringing them back
Here’s the latest on COVID-19 in the Kansas City region:
Reversing course, KU to require masks indoors regardless of vaccination status
All students and staff at the University of Kansas must wear masks indoors on campus starting Monday.
Chancellor Douglas Girod announced the new policy in a message Friday morning, citing Centers for Disease Control guidance and the rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19.
“The variant has continued to spread nationally and is now putting significant strain on healthcare systems throughout Kansas and neighboring states,” Girod wrote.
“This mask mandate is an important and hopefully short-lived step that will enable us to prioritize health and safety while maintaining our commitment to a full on-campus experience for students this fall.”
Friday’s announcement is a reversal of course after the university said last week it would encourage but not require mask use indoors.
School districts weigh mask mandates
Four Kansas City area school districts approved mask mandates as many schoolchildren prepare to head back to classes this month.
Fresh mandates were issued in Lee’s Summit, Olathe and Blue Valley school districts. Shawnee Mission changed its earlier mask mandate to cover kids of all grade levels in the school system.
Many parents packed meeting halls Thursday night, upset about the prospect of sending their kids to school with protective masks. Split decisions were made in each of the school districts as debates involving district leaders and parents grew contentious at times.
Platte County rejects mask mandate
As many other local health orders are being put in place for Kansas City requiring masks, Platte County took its own route despite a recommendation from the director of its public health department.
The Platte County Health Department Board of Trustees decided instead to recommend masks be worn in some public settings based on personal choice. Health leaders there also say they are encouraging people to get the vaccine.
The decision, which affects the parts of Platte County outside of Kansas City, came after Mary Jo Vernon, director of the Platte County Health Department, advocated for masks during a public hearing as a way to counter the rising number of regional cases. She called on neighbors and leaders to band together despite differences of opinion.
“We want the exact same outcome,” Vernon said. “We want this pandemic to be over. We want all citizens to be healthy and return to normal. We want children to be able to attend in-person school, and we want schools to be able to stay open.
“This is not about giving up our freedoms. It’s about standing together to fight this pandemic.”
Masks make a comeback in Kansas City, Kansas
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday night approved mandatory mask-wearing for most residents over the age of 5.
Commissioners passed the health order by a vote of 8-2 . But they amended the one originally presented to them by excluding the communities of Bonner Springs and Edwardsville.
The rules, proposed by Wyandotte County Health Officer Allen Greiner, apply to everyone regardless of vaccination status. The decision came after a demonstration outside City Hall where many opposed to the mandate gathered in defense of their civil liberties.
KC Zoo to vaccinate its great apes, big cats against COVID-19
The Kansas City Zoo will begin vaccinating its great apes and big cats against COVID-19 to protect the animals and caregivers against the disease as its variants continue to spread in the metro area, the zoo announced Thursday.
The animals that will be receiving the shot — chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, lions, tigers, cheetahs and leopards — are among the species most susceptible to the virus.
The zoo will use the Zoetis vaccine which was specifically developed for animals and will not affect supplies of the vaccine used on humans.
The zoo’s veterinarians will continue to review research as it becomes available to determine whether to vaccinate other animals.
The Star’s Bill Lukitsch, Robert A. Cronkleton, Aaron Torres, Katie Bernard and Sarah Ritter contributed to this report.
This story was originally published August 6, 2021 at 7:33 AM.
