Kansas, KC right to declare state of emergency over coronavirus. Why hasn’t Missouri?

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas made the right calls Thursday by declaring states of emergency to address the coronavirus threat.

In an early evening news conference, Kelly said one person had died in Wyandotte County as a result of the virus. Her somber announcement is another reminder — as if we needed one — that COVID-19 is a serious, growing threat.

Kelly’s declaration will give her broad powers to “utilize all available resources ... to cope with the disaster,” in the words of Kansas law. Those powers may become critical in the days ahead.

By Thursday, governors in at least 18 other states had also declared emergencies related to the virus.

That’s why it’s strange that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, in a news conference in Springfield, said he had not declared an emergency, although “all options” are on the table.

Earlier in the day, the governor said government won’t “be able to fix this” — a disturbing declaration.

Individuals will have to do their part, but coronavirus will devastate Missouri if state and local governments dodge their duty to protect community health. Parson should join Kelly and Lucas in declaring an emergency, unlocking additional authority to address this issue.

Lucas now has broader authority to protect the public’s health and welfare. So far, he is using those powers sparingly: He’s banned events with more than 1,000 attendees and prohibited nonessential travel for city workers.

The wildly popular Planet Comicon convention, planned for next weekend at Bartle Hall, has been postponed.

More restrictions, including evacuations and curfews, may be on the way. “We’re not trying to be alarmist,” Lucas said. “What we’re trying to say is: How can we make sure that we don’t see a significant impact, before we can handle it, in Kansas City?”

Truthfully, though, alarm is an understandable reaction to the stunning series of coronavirus decisions and announcements during the past 48 hours:

▪ Three more patients have tested positive for the virus in Johnson County. While there are no known cases in Kansas City, health officials said Thursday they’re confident some residents now have the disease.

▪ Major collegiate sporting events, including the Big 12 basketball tournaments, were canceled. Organizers shut down Kansas City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. The Kansas City Public Library suspended all group activities.

▪ The National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball suspended their games, postponing the Royals’ April home opener.

▪ Colleges and universities across the nation, including some in our region, ended on-campus classes, sent students home or lengthened spring break.

▪ Local school districts are now deciding if they should stay open as the coronavirus threat grows. Churches and synagogues are changing services.

The message is unmistakable. Large gatherings will make more people sick and must be put on hold for now.

The coronavirus crisis will put an enormous strain on systems and institutions that simply are not ready. “We absolutely need more resources,” said Rex Archer, head of Kansas City’s health department.

By some estimates, half of the region’s residents could end up with some form of COVID-19 during the coming months. That’s more than one million people.

Yet the area lacks sufficient coronavirus testing equipment. It may not have enough ventilators or sufficient hospital space for critically sick patients. The health care workforce will face enormous strain. Doctors’ offices, clinics and health departments may be overwhelmed.

Congress is taking steps to address some of these problems. It must do more in the weeks ahead, including helping states and cities pay for the added costs of addressing the virus.

Then attention can be paid to medium-term concerns, such as the lack of paid sick leave and strict employee attendance policies. Twelve states now require some form of paid sick leave for workers; sadly, Kansas and Missouri aren’t on the list. If coronavirus devastates either state, we’ll know one reason why.

Lawmakers should endorse paid sick leave requirements immediately.

Kansas City has entered uncharted territory. We will have to look out for each other, and do whatever it takes to limit the virus while helping neighbors get on their feet. Mayor Lucas and Gov. Kelly’s declarations of a state of emergency are one important step on what will be a difficult path.

This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 4:15 PM.