Harvard study outlines readiness for Topeka area

“Flattening the curve” is a term we’re constantly hearing about almost every day now, but how will it actually play out in the end?
“We are going to continue to have more cases until we peak out and then it will slow down,” said Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman.
A new study from Harvard University breaks down a few possible scenarios for areas all over the country, including the Topeka area.
It’s worth pointing out that this study bases the finding on a very high infection rate, one that is much higher than what is currently projected.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T09:11:09-05:00March 31, 2020|News|

Hospitals in rural Kansas challenged as coronavirus cases increase

Hospitals across the country are facing challenges while treating coronavirus patients: a limited amount of tests, personal protection equipment and bed space.
Out of the 105 counties in Kansas, 37 have confirmed cases of coronavirus. Those with no reports are mainly in rural parts of the state, but healthcare staff in those areas are still preparing for an influx of patients.
“We could be potentially looking at 935 people in our county needing to be hospitalized from this. There’s no way we can handle those numbers,” said Cloud County Health Officer Dorothy Breault.
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T09:13:08-05:00March 31, 2020|News|

Main Streets around Kansas are packed as residents take part in a Social Distancing Cruise

While the state of Kansas is limiting gatherings to no more than 10 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a gathering Friday evening in Garden City’s downtown area far surpassed that number — sort of.
A Social Distancing Cruise, organized by Rosie Rodriguez-Swick and friends on Facebook, brought locals out for a Friday evening of cruising Main Street through the downtown area, while keeping the safe social distance from each other by staying in their vehicles.
“I saw surrounding communities doing this, so I ask a few friends and could we do this,” Swick said. “I created a Facebook event along with some friends and invited 40 friends and boom. Somehow it went viral.”
Indeed.
Vehicles filled with individuals, friends and families, waving at passing motorists, filled Main Street in both directions, bumper to bumper, on the slow cruise from Fulton Street to Kansas Avenue.
Some, when stopped at stop lights, would jump out and do fire drills around the vehicle. Others carried signs with words of encouragement to passing motorists.
(Read more: GC Telegram)

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T09:33:20-05:00March 31, 2020|News|

With over 100 coronavirus cases, Johnson County poised to spend $400,000 for tests

The Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Monday agreed to allocate $400,000 to purchase thousands of coronavirus tests — despite a shortage of testing supplies creating a major hurdle.
At least 116 people in Johnson County have now tested positive for COVID-19, the most of any county in Kansas, according to statistics released Monday by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. Two have died. Statewide, the total number of cases was 368.
Because of statewide shortages, the Kansas health department is only testing Johnson County residents who are high-risk and need to be hospitalized. But county health officials argue limiting testing will make it more difficult to get a clear picture of how the virus is spreading in the community.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T08:21:51-05:00March 30, 2020|News|

CARES Act & Local Government

Your government may have heard that the US Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Perhaps you are interested in what this means for your state and local government and why you should care.
Relevant to State and Local Governments, the CARES Act provided $150 million toward the Coronavirus Relief Fund. After carve outs for outlying territories and tribal entities, $139 million is left to State and Local Governments.
The distribution is based on the latest Census data available, with a $1.25 billion small state minimum. The United State Treasury administers the funds to the State Governments. If your local government is 500,000 or greater, you may petition the Treasury for a direct payment. Direct payments to local governments is capped at 45% of the State allocation. The State’s receive the remainder of the allocation (55%) which may also be used for local payments as well.
(Read more: ELGL)

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T08:23:17-05:00March 30, 2020|News|

How’s Kansas doing with social distancing? Not very well, data say

As the coronavirus continues to spread, Kansas isn’t doing a good enough job social distancing to flatten the curve, data show.
Human mobility company Unacast uses anonymous data from cellphones to determine the average distance people are traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the average distance they traveled prior to the outbreak. The data is entered into a color-coded map that is updated daily.
Kansas earned a D ranking. The United States as a whole garnered a C, as of Monday morning.
(Read more: Kansas City Breaking News, Crime & Sports |)

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T08:23:42-05:00March 30, 2020|News|

Goessel City Council encourages census count

The Goessel city council met on March 16 and heard from city clerk Jennifer Bliss that it is important for city residents to fill out the census form and send it in. She said the census affects how much grant money the city can receive.
Turning their attention to another matter, the council mentioned the Coronavirus situation. The council will monitor the situation and make decisions accordingly.
The city is asking residents to take precautions, to prepare for what might come to ensure each household’s health and well-being, and that of the community.
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T08:21:40-05:00March 30, 2020|News|

City of Lawrence will continue to pay all employees, but some will be assigned new duties

The City of Lawrence employs more than 800 people, all of whom will be getting paychecks regardless of whether they’ve been able to work their full hours or perform their usual duties.
Though the coronavirus pandemic has led to the closure of city buildings, cancellation of recreational functions, suspension of most municipal court dockets and a hiatus for parking enforcement, the paychecks for city employees will keep flowing for at least the next couple of months.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T09:02:19-05:00March 30, 2020|News|

Lawrence’s resident survey shows increased dissatisfaction with infrastructure, diminished perceptions of downtown

As Lawrence residents filled out the city’s recent citizen satisfaction survey, streets and utility infrastructure seemed to be on their minds, and many were not happy.
Though a large majority of respondents to the city’s 2019 survey said they were satisfied with city services overall, only 37% said they were satisfied with the maintenance of streets and utilities. Since the 2015 citizen survey, satisfaction with the timeliness of street maintenance repairs and the condition of streets also significantly decreased. Another area that saw a significant decreases in ratings since the last survey was perceptions of downtown Lawrence.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-03-31T09:01:33-05:00March 30, 2020|News|

Trump approves Kansas disaster request, allowing state to receive federal funding

President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Kansas, a move that will make federal assistance available to the state as it fights the new coronavirus.
The White House announced Monday that Trump approved the declaration on Sunday. The decision comes as hundreds of additional Kansas cases are expected in the coming days.
The White House statement said Trump declared a “major disaster” exists in Kansas. The declaration means that federal funding will be available to the state government, along with tribal governments, local governments and certain non-profit organizations “for emergency protective measures” for all areas impacted by COVID-19.
Read more: Wichita Eagle.

Ranson Financial2020-03-30T08:41:57-05:00March 30, 2020|News|