Kansas is preparing for the next step in the vaccination effort. Hutchinson Regional Health Care leaders are getting ready for their next shipment of vaccines. Vice president for Hutchinson Regional Health Care, Chuck Welch says they have already vaccinated all 256 frontline workers in their facility. Their next step is looking at those who will need the vaccine first. At this point Hutchinson health has received doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. Last week they received a dose of 850 Moderna vaccine. Welch says he hopes by the end of the month they will be able to start vaccinating people 65 and older. “So now we will move to the 65 and older and the folks who are the most vulnerable if they are exposed and their life expectancies are not necessarily great with them,” said Welch.
Source: KSN-TV

As some Kansans continue to face financial hurdles, Dr. Donna Ginther, an economic and social policy researcher at the University of Kansas, said she fears the worst is yet to come. “January is going to be bleak in a number of ways,” Ginther said in an interview Thursday. The unemployment rate in Kansas is back on the rise at 5.6%, leading to many frustrated claimants. This has led to more food and housing insecurity, with more than one-third of Kansas households with children not being able to make rent, Ginther said. Without some forbearance on foreclosures and evictions, the state may see a homeless crisis, according to Ginther. She noted that part of that is linked to the end of the economic stimulus programs. A new stimulus bill is needed to get people the help they need, she said.
Source: KSN-TV

As vaccines continue to roll out, the Sedgwick County Jail is asking when will they see a shipment? “We’re getting no direction from them whatsoever in fact we’re having a hard time even communicate with them they don’t return a lot of emails,” said Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter. He says his staff has spent the last month and a half asking KDHE for an update for the COVID-19 vaccines. “The fact of the matter is inside the jail is a lot different environment than anywhere else,” Sheriff Easter explained
Source: KSN-TV