Stay home? July Fourth gatherings amid COVID-19 surge could threaten KC health, economy
Among the many things you can do to show your patriotism this Fourth of July weekend, keeping your distance from others is, sad to say, right near the top.
We realize that’s a bit of a wet blanket to throw down for a July Fourth picnic. But the coronavirus pandemic is a national security crisis and a local plague. It’s not only killed 130,000 and infected 2.7 million of your fellow Americans already, but cases are spiking in the Kansas City area, with 300 new positives reported in the metro on Wednesday, the largest spike since the start of the pandemic.
Rather than let our guard down, residents in Kansas City, Jackson County and all of Kansas have been ordered to wear masks inside commercial and public buildings, and advised to wear them anywhere there’s a crowd.
It’s a cruel twist that such a trial comes at what should be America’s most festive moment, but that’s the hand we’ve been dealt by fate.
And not just by fate, but by our own actions. Clearly, an economic reopening that’s been less than completely cautious, coupled with COVID-19 cabin fever, followed by massive street protests — however urgent and righteous — have not helped in our fight against the virus.
This weekend could make things even worse if we’re not careful. COVID-19 could blow up like a firecracker in our unmasked faces.
“Independence Day weekend will be a big test of how well Kansas City is doing to prevent COVID-19 spread,” said Dr. Rex Archer, director of health for Kansas City. “Residents need to social distance at those barbecues and picnics and use masks when they cannot socially distance because we have seen family clusters of transmission.
“We have seen cases and deaths increase after Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Memorial Day. We don’t want to see an increase again.”
“Crowded events, poorly ventilated areas and places where people are talking loudly or singing maximize the risk,” warns Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. “The risk is higher in indoor environments, in large gatherings and when physical distancing rules cannot be met. Wearing masks is very important in these situations.”
The heightened risk this weekend isn’t just to health, but to the economy as well. A growing number of states and cities are reinstituting shutdown conditions in response to the surge in cases, with officials warning that a second shutdown could be more injurious than the first, both economically and health-wise.
For his part, Kansas state Sen. Eric Rucker, a Republican from Topeka — echoing David Alvey, mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas — says a second shutdown simply isn’t feasible.
“I honestly just don’t believe that it is possible for the type of lockdown that was employed,” says Rucker, who has reason to know. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, he heard testimony on the shutdown’s impact on lives and livelihoods, stories that haunt him today. The reports from ordinary Kansans included calamitous economic hardship and tales of suicidal thoughts among old and young.
“I don’t believe it’s politically palatable, and I certainly don’t believe that it’s economically wise,” he said.
Yet, you can bet there will be renewed talk of shutdowns if we act as if this is just any other Fourth of July and cases increase even more. This isn’t just any Independence Day. We’re in the middle of a war against a virus that attacks us when we congregate with those outside our small, closed circles.
As for the argument that Americans should be free not to wear masks, here’s what U.S. Surgeon General Dr.Jerome M. Adams tweeted about that: “Some feel face coverings infringe on their freedom of choice — but if more wear them, we’ll have more freedom to go out.”
In short, more independence, not less.
Rucker joined Areola, Archer and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly in urging folks in the strongest possible terms to observe the strictest of cautions this holiday and beyond: Social distance, wash your hands and wear masks in public.
Even to the family barbecue.
If you go at all.
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 9:30 AM.