COVID-19 news: KC delays funding help for those facing evictions; dentists reopening
The Kansas City City Council won’t decide until June whether it will fund more legal services for low-income tenants, despite a warning that hundreds could face eviction by the end of May.
A City Council committee was set on Wednesday to consider a $65,000 contract with the Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom to provide free legal services to low-income tenants facing eviction. It would have funded a third attorney.
The committee kicked the legislation to the full council without a recommendation. And it did not “advance” it to be heard Thursday. The issue won’t come back up until the council’s next meeting in June. The council won’t meet next week because of Memorial Day.
For weeks, residents unable to make their rent payments were shielded from losing their homes by moratoriums or the fact that courthouses were operating in a limited manner. But with businesses and government buildings reopening, cases are proceeding.
Mayor Quinton Lucas’ general counsel, Jane Brown, said Jackson County Circuit Court had resumed landlord-tenant cases and could hear “a couple hundred cases” by the end of May. Social-distancing requirements have limited attorneys who represent tenants for free from providing information outside the courtroom the way they normally do.
“People who are going to be evicted won’t have a chance to get representation if we delay this too much further,” said John Wood, director of the city’s Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department.
Wyandotte County adopts Kansas’ next phase for reopening
The Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County said it would adopt Kansas’ next phase for reopening, aligning it with the state’s timing.
Citing progress in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, Wyandotte County said restrictions will be relaxed as prescribed in the state’s second phase of its reopening.
Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer of the Unified Government Public Health Department, said in a statement Wednesday that local businesses and residents have “made significant progress in reducing transmission of COVID-19 and flattening the curve.”
“The local data supports further re-opening of our community, and the Governor’s Phase 2 plan strikes the appropriate balance between public health and economic activity at this time,” Greiner said. “To keep things under control, we urge everyone to wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently.”
Legality of Gov. Kelly’s disaster declaration questioned
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in an opinion dated Wednesday that Gov. Laura Kelly was on legally shaky ground when she issued a disaster declaration at the beginning of May after an earlier one expired.
Schmidt, a Republican, suggested a governor cannot issue “rolling proclamations” of emergency for the same event. He said the legality of the disaster declaration granting her broad emergency powers is “doubtful.”
“The plain language of (state law) authorizes the governor to proclaim only one state of disaster emergency arising from the same continuing disaster,” Schmidt wrote.
Kelly has relied on the declaration to enforce her phased-in plan to reopen Kansas, a process that will last well into June. An executive order is governing when businesses and activities, like summer camp, can resume.
Next dentist visit to look different
Your next dentist appointment will be vastly different thanks to safety precautions put in place because of COVID-19.
Plan on answering screening questions when you make your appointment and then waiting in your car when you arrive for someone to take your temperature. You’ll stay in the car until the dentist is ready. And expect to see your dentist and hygienists wearing personal protective equipment.
When the Missouri Dental Association surveyed its members earlier this month to find out what they need as they reopen, N95 masks topped the list.
“It’s no different from any health care entity that’s out there,” said Vicki Wilbers, executive director of the group. “Everybody’s dealing with the lack and shortage of PPE across the board.”
When his practice slowed down in March, “we had a pretty good supply of PPE at that time,” said Dr. Jeremy Bowen at Dental Arts in Independence.
“As far as getting them now? Most of our orders are back-ordered. So when I’m trying to order through different companies I’m seeing that the ship date is unknown.”
Platte County reports first COVID-19 related death
A woman in her 70s died of COVID-19 in Platte County, marking the first death from the coronavirus in the county, health officials announced Wednesday.
The woman tested positive for the disease on May 7 and had underlying health conditions, officials said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones,” Platte County Health Director Mary Jo Vernon said. “Our deepest sympathy is extended to her family and all who knew her.”
