Gov. Laura Kelly asked for our minimal cooperation Monday in an effort to open schools safely come September.
The request for students, teachers and staff to wear face masks, take their temperatures daily and routinely wash their hands are commonly used practices in area plants and factories, offices and institutions.
And if these few actions allow classes to resume, it would appear a win-win.
Silly me.
Within the hour of the Governor’s press conference, Susan Wagle, president of the Kansas Senate, reminded us that this is a political, not health, issue, by urging local governing authorities to regard Kelly’s motives for what they really are — a power grab.
Wagle notwithstanding, others appear amenable to the Governor’s mandate, just as they were with her request to postpone the first day of school until after Labor Day.
The ultimate decision to delay school until Sept. 8 will be decided this morning by members of the State Board of Education.
A good sign: They’ve invited Dr. Lee Norman, secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, to weigh in.
EVEN WITH all the safety protocols in place, we should expect setbacks.
If a student, teacher or staff member contracts COVID-19, anyone who had close contact with the infected individual — within 6 feet for more than 10 minutes — will be required to quarantine for 14 days before returning to school, according to the 1,100-page guide prepared by the Kansas Department of Education.
For small school districts with few substitute teachers, that could create havoc real fast.
In an effort to create social distancing between students, schools are looking at other venues to move classes.
In Wichita, administrators are eyeing churches, community buildings and its Century II performing arts center to help ease overcrowding.
Iola’s longstanding relationship with the Bowlus Fine Arts Center could prove crucial in this case. Once the home of art, music and theater classes, the Bowlus is perfect for helping free up more space at the middle and high schools.
THE STATE’S sharp increase in coronavirus cases has led more parents to ask schools to hold off from opening, Dr. Randy Watson, state education commissioner, said.
By Monday, the number of positive cases had risen to 23,334 and 307 deaths. One month ago, we had just shy of 13,000 cases.
Unions representing Kansas teachers also support Kelly’s request for the delay.
