Health Order discusssed during LEPC meeting

The Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) held its weekly meeting via Zoom. Among the topics discussed was interpretation of the County Health Order issued on Wednesday, May 27.
Several counties in Kansas have reopened with no virus restrictions - Sedgwick County (Wichita) and Ellis County (Hays) among them - and others have less restrictions than Cloud County.
LEPC director James Quillen said that the main intention of the Cloud County Health Order was to limit large gatherings for a short period of time. "Our concern is our ability to handle and track an outbreak that would occur at a large gathering of people."
Cloud County Health Department administrator Brandi Bray urged caution for everyone planning to attend any type of large gathering. "Everyone should remember that we're not in the clear on this thing yet. Dr. Norman (Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment) warns that opening too soon almost guarantees an upsurge in cases."
CloudCorp executive director Kim Reynolds expressed concern from local small businesses that if there was an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the county, businesses would be required to shut down again.
Bray said that it was not their plan to close businesses again. "The concern is the county's health care system's ability to handle a surge in positive cases, and being able to track people who may have been exposed at a large gathering. Cloud County doesn't have the resources to perform the kind of tracking that would be necessary."
Another specific issue discussed was clarification on the wearing of masks at hair salons and barber shops.
"Everyone at a hair salon or barber shops - the customers and the employees - should be wearing masks," Bray said.
Amber Knoettgen, Interim President of Cloud County Community College (CCCC) said the school is looking at the option of starting classes early, and exploring options for coronavirus testing of students before they begin classes.
City manager Amy Lange reported that the city will begin filling the swimming pool on Sunday, May 31.