Another step forward has occurred in the gradual reopening of the community. The Geary County Office Building has reopened to the public.

Keith Ascher, County Commission Chairman, said the building will be open but with certain departments you may want to call ahead to learn about their mitigation plan. "For the most part, yes, the building will be open and you will be able to use the south door to enter. The hours are going to be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so that will be a little bit of a change."

&nbsp;For the Register of Deeds Office filing times of documents will go from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with some exceptions. Even though the office is open, the door will be locked to limit the number of customers to four. Knock on the door and staff will assist you. Appointments are recommended.

For customers to enter the Treasurer's Office the hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There may be someone at the entrance of the building to ask appropriate questions.

Once in the office there will be a maximum number of customers in the office that will not exceed 20 people and social distancing requirements will be complied with. Once the office has reached the maximum, customers will be directed to wait in the hallway. If the maximum is reached there, they will be directed to come back later.

Another step forward has occurred in the gradual reopening of the community. The Geary County Office Building has reopened to the public.Keith Ascher, County Commission Chairman, said the building will be open but with certain departments you may want to call ahead to learn about their mitigation plan. "For the most part, yes, the building will be open and you will be able to use the south door to enter. The hours are going to be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so that will be a little bit of a change."&nbsp;For the Register of Deeds Office filing times of documents will go from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with some exceptions. Even though the office is open, the door will be locked to limit the number of customers to four. Knock on the door and staff will assist you. Appointments are recommended.For customers to enter the Treasurer's Office the hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There may be someone at the entrance of the building to ask appropriate questions.Once in the office there will be a maximum number of customers in the office that will not exceed 20 people and social distancing requirements will be complied with. Once the office has reached the maximum, customers will be directed to wait in the hallway. If the maximum is reached there, they will be directed to come back later.

Geary County Office Building is open

Donations for Pack the Pantry fundraising effort in Junction City have exceeded the $15,000 mark. That includes a recent $1,500 donation plus other local donations and $5,000 from the Schmidt Foundation. The funds will support the Food Pantry of Geary County.

Additional donations are accepted at Central National Bank outlets and online at PacktheJCPantry.org.

Sponsors of the effort have included Eagle Radio, the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and Central National Bank.

Donations for Pack the Pantry fundraising effort in Junction City have exceeded the $15,000 mark. That includes a recent $1,500 donation plus other local donations and $5,000 from the Schmidt Foundation. The funds will support the Food Pantry of Geary County.Additional donations are accepted at Central National Bank outlets and online at PacktheJCPantry.org.Sponsors of the effort have included Eagle Radio, the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and Central National Bank.

Pack the JC Pantry Fundraising continues an upward climb

JOHNSON COUNTY — Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, announced Monday it has received a contract from the U.S. government to provide highly specialized viral transport media (VTM) for COVID-19 sample collection. 

According to a media release, the VTM is used during collection of patient samples for proper transport to laboratories that can test for the presence of the virus.

To ensure accuracy of COVID-19 test results, VTM must be manufactured and dispensed into tubes in an aseptic environment.&nbsp;Thermo Fisher&nbsp;currently produces VTM at its site in&nbsp;Lenexa, Kansas, which meets this requirement, and has ramped production from 50,000 to more than one million VTM-filled tubes per week.

Given the significant demand for COVID-19 testing and associated sample collection,&nbsp;Thermo Fisher&nbsp;will expand capacity in&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;with a new&nbsp;$40 million&nbsp;facility dedicated to VTM production and quality control. The added capacity and increased efficiencies will allow the company to scale production to more than eight million VTM-filled tubes per week.

The company plans to complete the new&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;facility in Q3 and expects that it will create approximately 300 new full-time jobs.

"Our production ramp-up in&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;has been impressive and our employees deserve recognition for their ingenuity and dedication to making this happen,"&nbsp;said&nbsp;Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "We have a proven blueprint for high-quality VTM production in&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;and look forward to bringing significant new capacity&nbsp;on line&nbsp;as quickly as possible to continue the necessary testing ramp-up in the U.S."

Casper added, "We're proud of our role in helping customers to battle the pandemic. With our leading scale and depth of capabilities,&nbsp;Thermo Fisher&nbsp;can support virtually every aspect of the COVID-19 response, which demonstrates what it means to be the world leader in serving science."

JOHNSON COUNTY — Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, announced Monday it has received a contract from the U.S. government to provide highly specialized viral transport media (VTM) for COVID-19 sample collection. According to a media release, the VTM is used during collection of patient samples for proper transport to laboratories that can test for the presence of the virus.To ensure accuracy of COVID-19 test results, VTM must be manufactured and dispensed into tubes in an aseptic environment.&nbsp;Thermo Fisher&nbsp;currently produces VTM at its site in&nbsp;Lenexa, Kansas, which meets this requirement, and has ramped production from 50,000 to more than one million VTM-filled tubes per week.Given the significant demand for COVID-19 testing and associated sample collection,&nbsp;Thermo Fisher&nbsp;will expand capacity in&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;with a new&nbsp;$40 million&nbsp;facility dedicated to VTM production and quality control. The added capacity and increased efficiencies will allow the company to scale production to more than eight million VTM-filled tubes per week.The company plans to complete the new&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;facility in Q3 and expects that it will create approximately 300 new full-time jobs."Our production ramp-up in&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;has been impressive and our employees deserve recognition for their ingenuity and dedication to making this happen,"&nbsp;said&nbsp;Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "We have a proven blueprint for high-quality VTM production in&nbsp;Lenexa&nbsp;and look forward to bringing significant new capacity&nbsp;on line&nbsp;as quickly as possible to continue the necessary testing ramp-up in the U.S."Casper added, "We're proud of our role in helping customers to battle the pandemic. With our leading scale and depth of capabilities,&nbsp;Thermo Fisher&nbsp;can support virtually every aspect of the COVID-19 response, which demonstrates what it means to be the world leader in serving science."

Facility in Kan. will create 300 jobs, help COVID-19 testing 

Geary County Health officials were still reporting 14 positive COVID-19 cases Monday afternoon. All 14 patients have recovered. There are six tests still pending.

A total of 400 people in the county have tested negative.

Geary County Health officials were still reporting 14 positive COVID-19 cases Monday afternoon. All 14 patients have recovered. There are six tests still pending.A total of 400 people in the county have tested negative.

 No increases occurred in positive COVID-19 cases in the county Monday

Junction City, KS— 5/18/20 — The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce (JCACC) hopes to recharge the PowerUpJC fund and open a second round of gift card sales for our local businesses.

The JCACC and several partners recently joined forces and found a way to support local business in the Junction City area. Using the JCACC website, gift cards to participating businesses were made available for purchase and a matching gift was made by PowerUpJC, doubling the amount of each gift card purchase. This matching gift offered a valuable incentive to the consumer and infused the business with cash flow.

The $11,000 in matching funds were exhausted in just four hours. “I believe that the speed at which the gift cards sold, shows us how much consumers appreciate a great deal and also that our community wants to support local businesses.” Mickey Fornaro-Dean, JCACC President of Operations explained, “We would love to open a second round of gift card sales and get even more businesses on board to benefit from the program. To make that happen, we need additional community members and/or businesses to step up and help us find more funding.”

Jeff Underhill, Junction City Mayor and current JCACC Board Chairman adds that the request is really a call to action. “If you are in a position to donate to the program and support local business, we want to hear from you. Call the Chamber office at 785-762-2632 or send an email to info@jcacc.org. We have already secured some new donations and I, personally, challenge our community to get involved and help make a difference.”

Junction City, KS— 5/18/20 — The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce (JCACC) hopes to recharge the PowerUpJC fund and open a second round of gift card sales for our local businesses.The JCACC and several partners recently joined forces and found a way to support local business in the Junction City area. Using the JCACC website, gift cards to participating businesses were made available for purchase and a matching gift was made by PowerUpJC, doubling the amount of each gift card purchase. This matching gift offered a valuable incentive to the consumer and infused the business with cash flow.The $11,000 in matching funds were exhausted in just four hours. “I believe that the speed at which the gift cards sold, shows us how much consumers appreciate a great deal and also that our community wants to support local businesses.” Mickey Fornaro-Dean, JCACC President of Operations explained, “We would love to open a second round of gift card sales and get even more businesses on board to benefit from the program. To make that happen, we need additional community members and/or businesses to step up and help us find more funding.”Jeff Underhill, Junction City Mayor and current JCACC Board Chairman adds that the request is really a call to action. “If you are in a position to donate to the program and support local business, we want to hear from you. Call the Chamber office at 785-762-2632 or send an email to info@jcacc.org. We have already secured some new donations and I, personally, challenge our community to get involved and help make a difference.”

You can help recharge PowerUpJC

TOPEKA —Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is updating the state's battle against coronavirus.

Governor Kelly is not attending Monday's briefing due to a scheduling conflict.

&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 454 since Friday to a total of 8340, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 173.

TOPEKA —Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is updating the state's battle against coronavirus.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F3313868611956554%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Governor Kelly is not attending Monday's briefing due to a scheduling conflict.&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 454 since Friday to a total of 8340, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 173.

🎥 KDHE Secretary updates battle against coronavirus

The Geary County Veterans Alliance will not be holding their annual Memorial Day program on May 25th due to COVID-19.

Alliance spokesperson Brenda Boyd said they will plan a program for Veteran's Day, if possible.

The Geary County Veterans Alliance will not be holding their annual Memorial Day program on May 25th due to COVID-19.Alliance spokesperson Brenda Boyd said they will plan a program for Veteran's Day, if possible.

Memorial Day ceremony in Junction City is cancelled

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — FedEx has confirmed that workers from its facility in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe have tested positive for COVID-19.

A spokesperson from FedEx Ground said in a statement Friday that it was working cooperatively with county health officials and offering voluntary COVID-19 testing to employees and vendors at the facility.

The positive tests are considered to be the first cluster of coronavirus cases tied to a workplace in Johnson County, which announced nine cases in the cluster Thursday without identifying the name of the affected business.

FedEx said it has been providing hand soap, disinfecting wipes, masks, latex gloves and hand sanitizer to employees. It said it has also implemented temperature checks, symptom screenings and changes to its process to allow for social distancing.

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — FedEx has confirmed that workers from its facility in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe have tested positive for COVID-19.A spokesperson from FedEx Ground said in a statement Friday that it was working cooperatively with county health officials and offering voluntary COVID-19 testing to employees and vendors at the facility.The positive tests are considered to be the first cluster of coronavirus cases tied to a workplace in Johnson County, which announced nine cases in the cluster Thursday without identifying the name of the affected business.FedEx said it has been providing hand soap, disinfecting wipes, masks, latex gloves and hand sanitizer to employees. It said it has also implemented temperature checks, symptom screenings and changes to its process to allow for social distancing.

Coronavirus infects workers at FedEx facility in Kansas

Beginning Monday, May 18, the Estes Road Access Control Point on the west side of Fort Riley will be open to in-bound and out-bound traffic from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. That Access Control Point will be closed on weekends and federal holidays.

Effective Monday appointments are accepted by telephone only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Barber Shop at the Main Exchange, Building 2210. Make a reservation by calling 785-492-2340. Appoints can also be made during those hours at the Barber Shop at the Mini Mall, Building 6914. Call 785-492-2222 for a reservation.

Fitness Centers at units, including WTB and DHOB clamshells, IVARTY HHBN and HHBU facilities, are open effective Tuesday, May 19. There will be a patron limit of 10 per facility. Soldiers will wear cloth face masks and maintain social distancing and there will be equipment sanitization.

In the Outdoor Adventure Park category, beginning Monday Belay Cafe is open for to-go orders only from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Beginning Monday, May 18, the Estes Road Access Control Point on the west side of Fort Riley will be open to in-bound and out-bound traffic from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. That Access Control Point will be closed on weekends and federal holidays.Effective Monday appointments are accepted by telephone only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Barber Shop at the Main Exchange, Building 2210. Make a reservation by calling 785-492-2340. Appoints can also be made during those hours at the Barber Shop at the Mini Mall, Building 6914. Call 785-492-2222 for a reservation.Fitness Centers at units, including WTB and DHOB clamshells, IVARTY HHBN and HHBU facilities, are open effective Tuesday, May 19. There will be a patron limit of 10 per facility. Soldiers will wear cloth face masks and maintain social distancing and there will be equipment sanitization.In the Outdoor Adventure Park category, beginning Monday Belay Cafe is open for to-go orders only from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Fort Riley releases select facility reopening plans

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Health Department authorities are investigating several cases of COVID-19 linked to one or more group events that took place in May at Lake Perry.

 At least 10 people from multiple counties and two states who participated in the event(s) were confirmed as infected, according to&nbsp;Amanda Monhollon with the Shawnee County Health Department.

At least two additional people were infected as a result of having come in contact with the people who gathered at the lake. Over 20 people have been placed on quarantine as a result of having been exposed to the virus through some of the people who attended the lake event. 

It appears that the gatherings at the lake violated the statewide stay-at-home order that was in place at that time, according to Monhollon.

During the investigation, the Shawnee County Health Department was able to unveil a link between some of the people infected at the lake and a recruit officer at the Topeka Police Department Recruit Academy Class who tested positive for the virus and who did not participate at any gatherings at Lake Perry.&nbsp;

The Topeka Police Department was notified Friday afternoon that the recruit officers tested positive for COVID-19, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

The recruit officer first felt ill over the weekend and immediately quarantined themselves at home. The recruit officer has not returned to work since feeling ill. 

The presence of the infected recruit forced the academy to shut down temporarily. All the recruits have been placed on quarantine.

The Shawnee County Health Department urges anyone who visited the public areas (including restrooms) at Lake Perry between May 2 and May 10 who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 disease to contact their health care provider and alert them that they may have been exposed to the virus.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever of 100.4 F or higher, chills rigors, myalgia (muscle pain or aches, malaise, headache sore throat, lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,&nbsp;&nbsp;new olfactory and taste disorders and diarrhea.

“This is a strong reminder of how easy it is to be infected by this virus”, said Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, Shawnee County Health Officer. “It is also an example of how disregarding the orders of public health authorities may result in a cascade of events leading to large disruptions and exposure to the virus for multiple people.” 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582725655069.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Health Department authorities are investigating several cases of COVID-19 linked to one or more group events that took place in May at Lake Perry. At least 10 people from multiple counties and two states who participated in the event(s) were confirmed as infected, according to&nbsp;Amanda Monhollon with the Shawnee County Health Department.At least two additional people were infected as a result of having come in contact with the people who gathered at the lake. Over 20 people have been placed on quarantine as a result of having been exposed to the virus through some of the people who attended the lake event. It appears that the gatherings at the lake violated the statewide stay-at-home order that was in place at that time, according to Monhollon.During the investigation, the Shawnee County Health Department was able to unveil a link between some of the people infected at the lake and a recruit officer at the Topeka Police Department Recruit Academy Class who tested positive for the virus and who did not participate at any gatherings at Lake Perry.&nbsp;The Topeka Police Department was notified Friday afternoon that the recruit officers tested positive for COVID-19, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.The recruit officer first felt ill over the weekend and immediately quarantined themselves at home. The recruit officer has not returned to work since feeling ill. The presence of the infected recruit forced the academy to shut down temporarily. All the recruits have been placed on quarantine.The Shawnee County Health Department urges anyone who visited the public areas (including restrooms) at Lake Perry between May 2 and May 10 who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 disease to contact their health care provider and alert them that they may have been exposed to the virus.Symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever of 100.4 F or higher, chills rigors, myalgia (muscle pain or aches, malaise, headache sore throat, lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,&nbsp;&nbsp;new olfactory and taste disorders and diarrhea.“This is a strong reminder of how easy it is to be infected by this virus”, said Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, Shawnee County Health Officer. “It is also an example of how disregarding the orders of public health authorities may result in a cascade of events leading to large disruptions and exposure to the virus for multiple people.”

Coronavirus cases linked to group event at Kan. lake 

Saint Xavier High School conducted&nbsp; commencement Saturday using live stream technology so family and the public could view the event. Due to COVID-19 the ceremony celebrating the end of their high school journey was limited to a maximum of 10 people in attendance at the Saint Xavier Catholic Church, while others watched via the entire event via live stream.

Class member Audrey Lichtensteiger told the audience that over the years her classmates have become more than close friends. "To me you guys have become family. I am so incredibly lucky and blessed to have you in my life."&nbsp;

Lichtensteiger said that Saturday marked the end of their high school journey. "Today we say goodbye to friends we have grown up with and teachers that have watched us grow up, and taught us some of the most valuable lessons we will ever have learned."

The class members include the Valedictorian, Youngmin&nbsp; Jeon, Salutatorian, Nara Moon, plus Audrey Lichtensteiger, Joanna Craig and Griffin Powers.

Three of the five members of the class were able to attend the ceremony at the Saint Xavier Catholic Church, while two of them, Youngmin Jeon and Nara Moon, could not be present. Video presentations recorded by both Jeon and Moon, however,&nbsp; were shown during the commencement ceremony.

Students at Saint Xavier, like other schools in Kansas, have not been able to attend classes in-person since March due to the Governor's order to close schools because of the coronavirus.&nbsp; They have been completing the school year using online learning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589663109732.jpeg" alt="( L-R ) Class members Griffin Powers, Audrey Lichtensteiger and Joanna Craig" />
 <figcaption>( L-R ) Class members Griffin Powers, Audrey Lichtensteiger and Joanna Craig</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostSaint Xavier High School conducted&nbsp; commencement Saturday using live stream technology so family and the public could view the event. Due to COVID-19 the ceremony celebrating the end of their high school journey was limited to a maximum of 10 people in attendance at the Saint Xavier Catholic Church, while others watched via the entire event via live stream.Class member Audrey Lichtensteiger told the audience that over the years her classmates have become more than close friends. "To me you guys have become family. I am so incredibly lucky and blessed to have you in my life."&nbsp;Lichtensteiger said that Saturday marked the end of their high school journey. "Today we say goodbye to friends we have grown up with and teachers that have watched us grow up, and taught us some of the most valuable lessons we will ever have learned."The class members include the Valedictorian, Youngmin&nbsp; Jeon, Salutatorian, Nara Moon, plus Audrey Lichtensteiger, Joanna Craig and Griffin Powers.Three of the five members of the class were able to attend the ceremony at the Saint Xavier Catholic Church, while two of them, Youngmin Jeon and Nara Moon, could not be present. Video presentations recorded by both Jeon and Moon, however,&nbsp; were shown during the commencement ceremony.Students at Saint Xavier, like other schools in Kansas, have not been able to attend classes in-person since March due to the Governor's order to close schools because of the coronavirus.&nbsp; They have been completing the school year using online learning.

Saint Xavier High School celebrates commencement

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges said Friday the Emergency Operation Center group and Health Officer Tammy Von Busch met and decided to go with the guidelines set out by Governor Kelly Phase 1.5 in the COVID-19 recovery.

"We cannot be less restrictive and we could be more restrictive but we decided to follow her, " said Berges. "Anything that's allowed under the Governor's plan will also be allowed under the Geary County plan."

Phase 1.5 begins Monday morning. It does allow some additional businesses ranging from barbershops and hair salons to tattoo parlors to reopen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589594273450.jpeg" alt="Garry Berges" />
 <figcaption>Garry Berges</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostGeary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges said Friday the Emergency Operation Center group and Health Officer Tammy Von Busch met and decided to go with the guidelines set out by Governor Kelly Phase 1.5 in the COVID-19 recovery."We cannot be less restrictive and we could be more restrictive but we decided to follow her, " said Berges. "Anything that's allowed under the Governor's plan will also be allowed under the Geary County plan."Phase 1.5 begins Monday morning. It does allow some additional businesses ranging from barbershops and hair salons to tattoo parlors to reopen.

Geary County will follow Phase 1.5 guidelines set out by the Governor

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats powered a massive $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill through the House on Friday, an election-year measure designed to brace&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e95a6d2d0a721fcffb4efb9435b84f4f">a U.S. economy in free fall</a>&nbsp;and a health care system struggling to contain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8ab8ee4bdac227eb98804d3200d7d9e7">a pandemic still pummeling the country</a>.

The 208-199 vote, over strong Republican opposition, advances what boils down to a campaign-season display of Democratic economic and health-care priorities. It has no chance of becoming law as written, but will likely spark difficult negotiations with the White House and Senate Republicans. Any product would probably be the last major COVID-19 response bill before November’s presidential and congressional elections.

The enormous Democratic measure would cost more than the prior four coronavirus bills combined. It would deliver almost $1 trillion for state and local governments, another round of $1,200 direct payments to individuals and help for the unemployed, renters and homeowners, college debt holders and the struggling Postal Service.

“Not to act now is not only irresponsible in a humanitarian way, it is irresponsible because it’s only going to cost more,” warned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “More in terms of lives, livelihood, cost to the budget, cost to our democracy.”

Republicans mocked the bill as a bloated Democratic wish-list that was dead on arrival in the GOP-led Senate and, for good measure, faced a White House veto threat. Party leaders say they want to assess how $3 trillion approved earlier is working and see if some states’ partial business reopenings would spark an economic revival that would ease the need for more safety net programs.

Republicans are also sorting through internal divisions and awaiting stronger signals from President Donald Trump about what he will support.

“Phase Four is going to happen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, using Washington insider-speak for the measure. “But it’s going to happen in a much better way for the American people.”

Trump and top Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are insisting the next measure should protect reopening businesses from liability lawsuits. The president is also demanding a cut to payroll taxes, but GOP leaders are not yet onboard.

The daylong debate painted a Capitol scene that’s become common in the era of coronavirus, even as it remains disconcerting. The sparsely populated House floor was dotted with lawmakers and aides wearing protective masks and even gloves, though some Republicans lacked them.

Many members looked shaggier and sported beards they had not worn weeks ago. Roll call votes lasted over an hour each because lawmakers were voting in small groups to limit crowding.

To enhance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/95f4b1ce45413f5e6b162221a456894a">the bill’s political impact</a>, Democrats named their measure “The Heroes Act” for the payments it would provide front-line emergency workers. With more than 86,000 Americans dead, 1.4 million confirmed infections and 36 million filing unemployment claims in an frozen economy, Democrats saw GOP opposition as an easy campaign-season target.

“Are you kidding me?” said Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, of Republican assertions that it was time to stop spending more money. “Where do you guys live? Food lines at our food banks around the block? In the United States of America?”

Republicans saw the bill as a Democratic political blunder. They said overly generous unemployment benefits discouraged people from returning to work, and attacked language helping immigrants in the U.S. illegally get federal benefits. They also singled out provisions helping states set up voting by mail and easing the marijuana industry’s access to banks.

“It may help the cannabis industry, but it won’t help Main Street,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Clearly, the bipartisan consensus that produced four previous coronavirus bills is crumbling quickly. Polls show GOP voters are satisfied with the federal response and aren’t agitating for more. Self-branded deficit hawks are citing the massive increase in the spiraling $25 trillion national debt.

Some congressional aides said the Democratic bill’s real price tag could breach $3.5 trillion. A partial estimate of tax provisions alone revealed eye-popping costs: $412 billion to renew $1,200 cash payments to individuals, more than $100 billion to pay health insurance premiums for the unemployed and $164 billion to make an “employee retention” tax credit for businesses more generous.

Republicans leaders faced disunity between conservatives who feel enough has been done and pragmatists who back rescuing the Postal Service from looming insolvency and delivering cash to revenue-starved state and local governments. The huge price tag and a lack of consultation with Republicans by Pelosi cemented GOP opposition.

“This bill is nothing more than the Democratic policy agenda masquerading as a response to the coronavirus crisis,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. He said the bill is “going nowhere, and is going nowhere fast.”

Pelosi overcame party divisions of her own. Some moderate Democrats opposed the package for its price tag and politically fraught provisions like assisting marijuana businesses. A few progressive Democrats were upset because it did not do more, such as guaranteeing workers’ salaries and bolstering their health insurance coverage.

Those for whom the vote was most politically risky were the 30, mostly freshmen, from House districts that backed Trump in 2016. One, Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, labeled the measure “bloated” and said she’d vote no.

Liberal Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., told reporters that she’d also oppose the bill. She said if constituents ask her if the bill would put money in their pockets or preserve their health care, “I can’t tell them yes.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589593696332.png" alt="Moments after the U.S. House passed a new $3 trillion coronavirus aid package, which includes money for state and local governments, coronavirus testing, and cash payments to individuals. Members will also take up a House rules change to allow proxy voting-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Moments after the U.S. House passed a new $3 trillion coronavirus aid package, which includes money for state and local governments, coronavirus testing, and cash payments to individuals. Members will also take up a House rules change to allow proxy voting-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats powered a massive $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill through the House on Friday, an election-year measure designed to brace&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e95a6d2d0a721fcffb4efb9435b84f4f">a U.S. economy in free fall</a>&nbsp;and a health care system struggling to contain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8ab8ee4bdac227eb98804d3200d7d9e7">a pandemic still pummeling the country</a>.The 208-199 vote, over strong Republican opposition, advances what boils down to a campaign-season display of Democratic economic and health-care priorities. It has no chance of becoming law as written, but will likely spark difficult negotiations with the White House and Senate Republicans. Any product would probably be the last major COVID-19 response bill before November’s presidential and congressional elections.The enormous Democratic measure would cost more than the prior four coronavirus bills combined. It would deliver almost $1 trillion for state and local governments, another round of $1,200 direct payments to individuals and help for the unemployed, renters and homeowners, college debt holders and the struggling Postal Service.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589593817267.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her news conference Thursday" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her news conference Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>“Not to act now is not only irresponsible in a humanitarian way, it is irresponsible because it’s only going to cost more,” warned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “More in terms of lives, livelihood, cost to the budget, cost to our democracy.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m in Washington to vote against Speaker Pelosi’s $3 trillion spending bill. This is a partisan attempt to take advantage of a crisis to pass a socialist wish list &amp; reckless spending. Instead, Congress needs to work together on meaningful legislation for Kansans and Americans. <a href="https://t.co/eTl3QiKMWw">pic.twitter.com/eTl3QiKMWw</a>&mdash; Rep. Ron Estes (@RepRonEstes) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonEstes/status/1261414271788826624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republicans mocked the bill as a bloated Democratic wish-list that was dead on arrival in the GOP-led Senate and, for good measure, faced a White House veto threat. Party leaders say they want to assess how $3 trillion approved earlier is working and see if some states’ partial business reopenings would spark an economic revival that would ease the need for more safety net programs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerPelosi</a>’s 1,800 page, $3 trillion boondoggle: -Funds Planned Parenthood -Bails out fiscally irresponsible states -Hands out millions to the “arts” -Discourages people from going back to work This socialist wish list is a sham, and a waste of time.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1261378054900920321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republicans are also sorting through internal divisions and awaiting stronger signals from President Donald Trump about what he will support.“Phase Four is going to happen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, using Washington insider-speak for the measure. “But it’s going to happen in a much better way for the American people.”Trump and top Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are insisting the next measure should protect reopening businesses from liability lawsuits. The president is also demanding a cut to payroll taxes, but GOP leaders are not yet onboard.The daylong debate painted a Capitol scene that’s become common in the era of coronavirus, even as it remains disconcerting. The sparsely populated House floor was dotted with lawmakers and aides wearing protective masks and even gloves, though some Republicans lacked them.Many members looked shaggier and sported beards they had not worn weeks ago. Roll call votes lasted over an hour each because lawmakers were voting in small groups to limit crowding.To enhance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/95f4b1ce45413f5e6b162221a456894a">the bill’s political impact</a>, Democrats named their measure “The Heroes Act” for the payments it would provide front-line emergency workers. With more than 86,000 Americans dead, 1.4 million confirmed infections and 36 million filing unemployment claims in an frozen economy, Democrats saw GOP opposition as an easy campaign-season target.“Are you kidding me?” said Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, of Republican assertions that it was time to stop spending more money. “Where do you guys live? Food lines at our food banks around the block? In the United States of America?”Republicans saw the bill as a Democratic political blunder. They said overly generous unemployment benefits discouraged people from returning to work, and attacked language helping immigrants in the U.S. illegally get federal benefits. They also singled out provisions helping states set up voting by mail and easing the marijuana industry’s access to banks.“It may help the cannabis industry, but it won’t help Main Street,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.Clearly, the bipartisan consensus that produced four previous coronavirus bills is crumbling quickly. Polls show GOP voters are satisfied with the federal response and aren’t agitating for more. Self-branded deficit hawks are citing the massive increase in the spiraling $25 trillion national debt.Some congressional aides said the Democratic bill’s real price tag could breach $3.5 trillion. A partial estimate of tax provisions alone revealed eye-popping costs: $412 billion to renew $1,200 cash payments to individuals, more than $100 billion to pay health insurance premiums for the unemployed and $164 billion to make an “employee retention” tax credit for businesses more generous.Republicans leaders faced disunity between conservatives who feel enough has been done and pragmatists who back rescuing the Postal Service from looming insolvency and delivering cash to revenue-starved state and local governments. The huge price tag and a lack of consultation with Republicans by Pelosi cemented GOP opposition.“This bill is nothing more than the Democratic policy agenda masquerading as a response to the coronavirus crisis,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. He said the bill is “going nowhere, and is going nowhere fast.”Pelosi overcame party divisions of her own. Some moderate Democrats opposed the package for its price tag and politically fraught provisions like assisting marijuana businesses. A few progressive Democrats were upset because it did not do more, such as guaranteeing workers’ salaries and bolstering their health insurance coverage.Those for whom the vote was most politically risky were the 30, mostly freshmen, from House districts that backed Trump in 2016. One, Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, labeled the measure “bloated” and said she’d vote no.Liberal Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., told reporters that she’d also oppose the bill. She said if constituents ask her if the bill would put money in their pockets or preserve their health care, “I can’t tell them yes.”

House approves new $3T coronavirus relief bill

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — The state Department of Corrections says all inmates at a work release facility in downtown Wichita have been moved to another Kansas facility after 38 of them tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Department spokeswoman Rebecca Witte says about 100 inmates at the Wichita Work Release Facility were moved Thursday to the Lansing Correctional Facility, where 88 staff members and 750 inmates have tested positive for the virus. 

Witte said the dormitory set-up at the Wichita facility doesn't allow for the separation of the sick and healthy, but that Lansing is better able to quarantine and isolate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589573025096.png" alt="Inmates during the relocation from Wichita on Thursday -photo by Nolan Roth&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kake.com/story/42131508/all-wichita-work-release-inmates-moved-to-lansing-after-discovery-of-covid-19-cluster">courtesy KAKE</a>" />
 <figcaption>Inmates during the relocation from Wichita on Thursday -photo by Nolan Roth&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kake.com/story/42131508/all-wichita-work-release-inmates-moved-to-lansing-after-discovery-of-covid-19-cluster">courtesy KAKE</a></figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — The state Department of Corrections says all inmates at a work release facility in downtown Wichita have been moved to another Kansas facility after 38 of them tested positive for the coronavirus. Department spokeswoman Rebecca Witte says about 100 inmates at the Wichita Work Release Facility were moved Thursday to the Lansing Correctional Facility, where 88 staff members and 750 inmates have tested positive for the virus. Witte said the dormitory set-up at the Wichita facility doesn't allow for the separation of the sick and healthy, but that Lansing is better able to quarantine and isolate.

Kan. inmates relocated after coronavirus cases increase

Governor Laura Kelly will hold a&nbsp;press briefing Friday afternoon to answer questions on her decision to slow the reopening of the Kansas economy.

Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will also answer questions.

Governor Laura Kelly will hold a&nbsp;press briefing Friday afternoon to answer questions on her decision to slow the reopening of the Kansas economy.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F280569762984055%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will also answer questions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589490713721.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 Governor on Phase 1.5 of plan to reopen Kansas

Geary County officials have announced that the Public Works,Noxious Weed and Household Hazardous Waste offices at 310 East 8th Street will reopen to the public on Monday ( May 18th ). Only one customer at a time is permitted in the building.

Recycling drop off bins will be open on a limited basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but closed on Thursday and Friday. Recycling bins will not be available at the Transfer Station until further notice.

If you have questions call 785-238-4600. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. County staff will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as needed.

Geary County officials have announced that the Public Works,Noxious Weed and Household Hazardous Waste offices at 310 East 8th Street will reopen to the public on Monday ( May 18th ). Only one customer at a time is permitted in the building.Recycling drop off bins will be open on a limited basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but closed on Thursday and Friday. Recycling bins will not be available at the Transfer Station until further notice.If you have questions call 785-238-4600. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. County staff will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as needed.

County announces office reopening plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump named a former pharmaceutical executive to lead his administration’s all-out effort to produce and distribute a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year.

Moncef Slaoui, a former GlaxoSmithKline executive, will lead “Operation Warp Speed,” Trump’s push to accelerate the vaccine development process for COVID-19.

Slaoui is to serve in a volunteer capacity, and will be assisted by Army Gen. Gustave Perna, the commander of United States Army Materiel Command. 

The move comes as the president and White House aides hope to produce vaccines for the coronavirus faster than what many scientists believe is realistic.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump named a former pharmaceutical executive to lead his administration’s all-out effort to produce and distribute a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Operation Warp Speed is &quot;a massive scientific, industrial, and logistical endeavor unlike anything our country has seen since the Manhattan Project.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/dkfU3vPnnA">pic.twitter.com/dkfU3vPnnA</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1261354450259763200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Moncef Slaoui, a former GlaxoSmithKline executive, will lead “Operation Warp Speed,” Trump’s push to accelerate the vaccine development process for COVID-19.Slaoui is to serve in a volunteer capacity, and will be assisted by Army Gen. Gustave Perna, the commander of United States Army Materiel Command. The move comes as the president and White House aides hope to produce vaccines for the coronavirus faster than what many scientists believe is realistic.

🎥 Trump names virus vaccine development team

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday slowed<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-adds-new-phase-to-ad-astra-plan/"> down the reopening</a> of Kansas’ economy, ordering bars and bowling alleys to remain closed through the end of the month and keeping some coronavirus-inspired restrictions in place until near the end of June.

Top Republican legislators already have moved aggressively to take control of the reopening by extending a disaster declaration Kelly issued only through Memorial Day, May 25, to give lawmakers a chance to rewrite their own law guiding the process. State law gives Kelly broad power under an emergency declaration, and she had wanted the current one extended into mid-June.

The governor had expected to <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopen-Kansas-Framework-v5-2.pdf">lift some restrictions Monday, </a>but her new order modifies that plan to reflect her administration’s concern that the spread of the novel coronavirus is not yet decreasing. A limit on public gatherings of 10 or fewer people will remain in place, rather than being increased to 30 on Monday.

<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-adds-new-phase-to-ad-astra-plan/">Kelly’s new order</a> will allow barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlors, tanning salons, gyms and fitness centers to reopen as planned Monday. Owners of such businesses had been among the loudest critics of Kelly’s reopening plan, saying they could resume operations safely with deep cleaning and social distancing.

Under the governor’s new order, salons still will have to take customers by appointment only, while gym and fitness centers won’t be allowed to have group classes or use their locker rooms for anything other than bathroom facilities.

Bars, night clubs, bowling alleys would remain closed until at least June 1 under Kelly’s new order, and summer camps, fairs and festivals would not be allowed until at least June 15.

The governor is allowing high school and college graduations to go forward, but only if indoor ceremonies are limited to 10 people at a time. Outdoor ceremonies are allowed, either with people 6 feet apart in a large space or as “drive-through” events in which families drive up to a stage, the graduate gets out, walks across and gets back into a car.

The changes mean that public gatherings of up to 30 people won’t be allowed until June 1, and gatherings of up to 90 people won’t be allowed until June 15. The last restrictions wouldn’t be lifted until June 29 — two weeks later than previously planned.

Meanwhile, an eastern Kansas county is defending a policy that directs business owners to collect information about their customers as an effort to help trace the contacts of infected people.

Attorneys for Linn County, its county commission and its health director filed a response Thursday to a federal lawsuit from two business operators. The county’s attorneys said a May 1 order by the local health director does not violate rights against unreasonable searches that are protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The county said in its filing that the business operators wrongly suggest that the county would make blanket demands for information when the local health department would ask only for data about specific customers in contact with infected people over the previous month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589486982029.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly during her press briefing Wednesday in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly during her press briefing Wednesday in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday slowed<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-adds-new-phase-to-ad-astra-plan/"> down the reopening</a> of Kansas’ economy, ordering bars and bowling alleys to remain closed through the end of the month and keeping some coronavirus-inspired restrictions in place until near the end of June.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589490713721.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Top Republican legislators already have moved aggressively to take control of the reopening by extending a disaster declaration Kelly issued only through Memorial Day, May 25, to give lawmakers a chance to rewrite their own law guiding the process. State law gives Kelly broad power under an emergency declaration, and she had wanted the current one extended into mid-June.The governor had expected to <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopen-Kansas-Framework-v5-2.pdf">lift some restrictions Monday, </a>but her new order modifies that plan to reflect her administration’s concern that the spread of the novel coronavirus is not yet decreasing. A limit on public gatherings of 10 or fewer people will remain in place, rather than being increased to 30 on Monday.<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-adds-new-phase-to-ad-astra-plan/">Kelly’s new order</a> will allow barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlors, tanning salons, gyms and fitness centers to reopen as planned Monday. Owners of such businesses had been among the loudest critics of Kelly’s reopening plan, saying they could resume operations safely with deep cleaning and social distancing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588354883549.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Under the governor’s new order, salons still will have to take customers by appointment only, while gym and fitness centers won’t be allowed to have group classes or use their locker rooms for anything other than bathroom facilities.Bars, night clubs, bowling alleys would remain closed until at least June 1 under Kelly’s new order, and summer camps, fairs and festivals would not be allowed until at least June 15.The governor is allowing high school and college graduations to go forward, but only if indoor ceremonies are limited to 10 people at a time. Outdoor ceremonies are allowed, either with people 6 feet apart in a large space or as “drive-through” events in which families drive up to a stage, the graduate gets out, walks across and gets back into a car.The changes mean that public gatherings of up to 30 people won’t be allowed until June 1, and gatherings of up to 90 people won’t be allowed until June 15. The last restrictions wouldn’t be lifted until June 29 — two weeks later than previously planned.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588354966337.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Meanwhile, an eastern Kansas county is defending a policy that directs business owners to collect information about their customers as an effort to help trace the contacts of infected people.Attorneys for Linn County, its county commission and its health director filed a response Thursday to a federal lawsuit from two business operators. The county’s attorneys said a May 1 order by the local health director does not violate rights against unreasonable searches that are protected by the U.S. Constitution.The county said in its filing that the business operators wrongly suggest that the county would make blanket demands for information when the local health department would ask only for data about specific customers in contact with infected people over the previous month.___

Kansas governor slows reopening; limits to go into late June

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials on Thursday released some of their long-delayed guidance that schools, businesses and other organizations can use as states reopen from coronavirus shutdowns.

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html">Click here</a> to read the guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted six one-page “decision tool” documents that use traffic signs and other graphics to tell organizations what they should consider before reopening.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html" target="_blank">tools</a>&nbsp;are for schools, workplaces, camps, childcare centers, mass transit systems, and bars and restaurants. The CDC originally also authored a document for churches and other religious facilities, but that wasn’t posted Thursday. The agency declined to say why.

Early versions of the documents included detailed information for churches wanting to restart in-person services, with suggestions including maintaining distance between parishioners and limiting the size of gatherings. The faith-related guidance was taken out after the White House raised concerns about the recommended restrictions, according to government emails obtained by The Associated Press and a person inside the agency who didn’t have permission to talk with reporters and spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Thursday, a Trump administration official also speaking on condition of anonymity said there were concerns about the propriety of the government making specific dictates to places of worship.

And Roger Severino, director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services, said “protections against religious discrimination aren’t suspended during an emergency. This means the federal government cannot single out religious conduct as somehow being more dangerous or worthy of scrutiny than comparable secular behavior.”

President Donald Trump has championed religious freedom as a way to connect with conservative evangelical voters and has shown eagerness for in-person religious services to restart. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/97d56433ec9ece3f8a74ec8ab2b32abf">consulted</a>&nbsp;interfaith leaders last month for suggestions on how to reopen and said on a recent Fox News town hall that “we have to get our people back to churches, and we’re going to start doing it soon.”

The CDC drafted the reopening guidance more than a month ago and it was initially shelved by the administration, the AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7a00d5fba3249e573d2ead4bd323a4d4">reported</a>&nbsp;last week.

The agency also had prepared even more extensive guidance — about 57 pages of it — that has not been posted.

That&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6889330-Guidance-for-Opening-Up-America-Again-Framework.html" target="_blank">longer document</a>, which the AP obtained, would give different organizations specifics about how to reopen while still limiting spread of the virus, including by spacing workers or students 6 feet apart and closing break rooms and cafeterias to limit gatherings. Many of the suggestions already appear on federal websites but they haven’t been presented as reopening advice.

Some health experts and politicians have been pushing for the CDC to release as much guidance as possible to help businesses and organizations decide how to proceed.

“They want to be able to tell their own employees the guidance of the federal government,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University, said at a congressional hearing Wednesday. “They want to be able to tell their customers, ‘We’ve done everything that’s been asked of us.’”

The guidance relates to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/" target="_blank">another document</a>&nbsp;released by the Trump administration on April 17. That phased-in reopening plan broadly outlines how to move away from stay-at-home orders, school closures and other measures designed to stop the spread of the new coronavirus that has caused more than 1.3 million reported U.S. illnesses and more than 80,000 deaths.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Wednesday offered a resolution — blocked by Republicans — to encourage release of all the documents.

“America needs and must have the candid guidance of our best scientists unfiltered, unedited, uncensored by president Trump or his political minions. The CDC report on reopening the country is an important piece of that guidance,” Schumer said.

The decision tools have been undergoing review by different federal officials, and they’ve been edited from earlier versions.

For example, an earlier draft of the one-page document on camps obtained by the AP asked organizers if their program would limit attendance to people who live nearby. If the answer was no, the camp was advised not to reopen. That local attendance limitation was dropped and was not in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/Camps-Decision-Tree.pdf" target="_blank">the version</a>&nbsp;posted Thursday.

And in that document and others, language has been dropped that asked if the organization is in a community that is still requiring significant disease mitigation. If the answer was yes, the organization was advised not to reopen.

Many of the changes provide more wiggle room than what was in the initial versions.

For example, in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/Childcare-Decision-Tree.pdf" target="_blank">document</a>&nbsp;for people who run child care centers, the older version obtained by the AP stated that CDC recommended “checking for signs and symptoms of children and staff.” The new guidelines add “as feasible” to the end.

Similar new language about feasibility appears in sections about promoting healthy hygiene such as hand washing and employees wearing cloth masks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589540522116.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials on Thursday released some of their long-delayed guidance that schools, businesses and other organizations can use as states reopen from coronavirus shutdowns.<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html">Click here</a> to read the guidelinesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted six one-page “decision tool” documents that use traffic signs and other graphics to tell organizations what they should consider before reopening.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html" target="_blank">tools</a>&nbsp;are for schools, workplaces, camps, childcare centers, mass transit systems, and bars and restaurants. The CDC originally also authored a document for churches and other religious facilities, but that wasn’t posted Thursday. The agency declined to say why.Early versions of the documents included detailed information for churches wanting to restart in-person services, with suggestions including maintaining distance between parishioners and limiting the size of gatherings. The faith-related guidance was taken out after the White House raised concerns about the recommended restrictions, according to government emails obtained by The Associated Press and a person inside the agency who didn’t have permission to talk with reporters and spoke on condition of anonymity.On Thursday, a Trump administration official also speaking on condition of anonymity said there were concerns about the propriety of the government making specific dictates to places of worship.And Roger Severino, director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services, said “protections against religious discrimination aren’t suspended during an emergency. This means the federal government cannot single out religious conduct as somehow being more dangerous or worthy of scrutiny than comparable secular behavior.”President Donald Trump has championed religious freedom as a way to connect with conservative evangelical voters and has shown eagerness for in-person religious services to restart. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/97d56433ec9ece3f8a74ec8ab2b32abf">consulted</a>&nbsp;interfaith leaders last month for suggestions on how to reopen and said on a recent Fox News town hall that “we have to get our people back to churches, and we’re going to start doing it soon.”The CDC drafted the reopening guidance more than a month ago and it was initially shelved by the administration, the AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7a00d5fba3249e573d2ead4bd323a4d4">reported</a>&nbsp;last week.The agency also had prepared even more extensive guidance — about 57 pages of it — that has not been posted.That&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6889330-Guidance-for-Opening-Up-America-Again-Framework.html" target="_blank">longer document</a>, which the AP obtained, would give different organizations specifics about how to reopen while still limiting spread of the virus, including by spacing workers or students 6 feet apart and closing break rooms and cafeterias to limit gatherings. Many of the suggestions already appear on federal websites but they haven’t been presented as reopening advice.Some health experts and politicians have been pushing for the CDC to release as much guidance as possible to help businesses and organizations decide how to proceed.“They want to be able to tell their own employees the guidance of the federal government,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University, said at a congressional hearing Wednesday. “They want to be able to tell their customers, ‘We’ve done everything that’s been asked of us.’”The guidance relates to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/" target="_blank">another document</a>&nbsp;released by the Trump administration on April 17. That phased-in reopening plan broadly outlines how to move away from stay-at-home orders, school closures and other measures designed to stop the spread of the new coronavirus that has caused more than 1.3 million reported U.S. illnesses and more than 80,000 deaths.U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, on Wednesday offered a resolution — blocked by Republicans — to encourage release of all the documents.“America needs and must have the candid guidance of our best scientists unfiltered, unedited, uncensored by president Trump or his political minions. The CDC report on reopening the country is an important piece of that guidance,” Schumer said.The decision tools have been undergoing review by different federal officials, and they’ve been edited from earlier versions.For example, an earlier draft of the one-page document on camps obtained by the AP asked organizers if their program would limit attendance to people who live nearby. If the answer was no, the camp was advised not to reopen. That local attendance limitation was dropped and was not in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/Camps-Decision-Tree.pdf" target="_blank">the version</a>&nbsp;posted Thursday.And in that document and others, language has been dropped that asked if the organization is in a community that is still requiring significant disease mitigation. If the answer was yes, the organization was advised not to reopen.Many of the changes provide more wiggle room than what was in the initial versions.For example, in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/Childcare-Decision-Tree.pdf" target="_blank">document</a>&nbsp;for people who run child care centers, the older version obtained by the AP stated that CDC recommended “checking for signs and symptoms of children and staff.” The new guidelines add “as feasible” to the end.Similar new language about feasibility appears in sections about promoting healthy hygiene such as hand washing and employees wearing cloth masks.___

U.S. officials release edited coronavirus reopening guidance

Governor Kelly has announced that on Monday Kansas will enter Phase 1.5 in the COVID-19 reopening of the state. That's less than a Phase II level initially targeted for possible beginning on May 18.

Phase 1.5 does permit some businesses such as barbershops and hair salons to reopen but others such as theaters and bowling alleys cannot. Gyms can open but bars and nightclubs cannot.&nbsp; The order by the Governor delays the phase level under which local baseball and softball teams can practice and play.

Geary County Health Officer Tammy Von Busch said after seeing the Governor's Order there is still an increase in the number of cases ( statewide ). "And so that's kind of why what the goal is with some of these is, is to minimize spread of disease so she's kind of slowed down the reopening. She's sticking with mass gatherings of no more than ten."

Geary County has not seen an increase of positive COVID-19 cases in recent days, with the county total remaining at 14.&nbsp;

Governor Kelly has announced that on Monday Kansas will enter Phase 1.5 in the COVID-19 reopening of the state. That's less than a Phase II level initially targeted for possible beginning on May 18.Phase 1.5 does permit some businesses such as barbershops and hair salons to reopen but others such as theaters and bowling alleys cannot. Gyms can open but bars and nightclubs cannot.&nbsp; The order by the Governor delays the phase level under which local baseball and softball teams can practice and play.Geary County Health Officer Tammy Von Busch said after seeing the Governor's Order there is still an increase in the number of cases ( statewide ). "And so that's kind of why what the goal is with some of these is, is to minimize spread of disease so she's kind of slowed down the reopening. She's sticking with mass gatherings of no more than ten."Geary County has not seen an increase of positive COVID-19 cases in recent days, with the county total remaining at 14.&nbsp;

Geary County Health Officer discusses Phase 1.5

In an effort to improve patient access to Geary Community Hospital and clinics, GCH will open a second entrance beginning Monday, May 18th. In addition to the Emergency Room entrance, patients can also access the Medical Arts Building II from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Emergency Room entrance will be staffed 24/7. Employees will continue to use the employee-only door.

According to Communication Director Ashley King, for the health and safety of everyone, GCH will continue its visitor restrictions that were earlier set forth. Only patients with appointments or an emergency are permitted with the exception of labor and delivery, a minor under 18 and end of life care. In each of those cases a patient may bring one adult companion.

The hospital will continue to require other restrictions including a formal check-in and check-out process for everyone using the ER door and the MA II door, including the use of visitor badges. If a patient or vendor does not have a badge they will be escorted out of the buildings immediately.&nbsp;

All patients, vendors and staff are to wear a mask at all times while in the hospital. If a patient does not have mask then one will be provided.

Loitering, social visits and public access to the cafeteria will not be allowed during this time.

Every person must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the hospital, with no exceptions.

All vendors an contractors must access through the same point of entrance or exit, unless other plans have been approved and authorized by GCH personnel.

Security personnel will be enhanced during this time to protect citizens' safety and to assist in enforcing these temporary rules.

In an effort to improve patient access to Geary Community Hospital and clinics, GCH will open a second entrance beginning Monday, May 18th. In addition to the Emergency Room entrance, patients can also access the Medical Arts Building II from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Emergency Room entrance will be staffed 24/7. Employees will continue to use the employee-only door.According to Communication Director Ashley King, for the health and safety of everyone, GCH will continue its visitor restrictions that were earlier set forth. Only patients with appointments or an emergency are permitted with the exception of labor and delivery, a minor under 18 and end of life care. In each of those cases a patient may bring one adult companion.The hospital will continue to require other restrictions including a formal check-in and check-out process for everyone using the ER door and the MA II door, including the use of visitor badges. If a patient or vendor does not have a badge they will be escorted out of the buildings immediately.&nbsp;All patients, vendors and staff are to wear a mask at all times while in the hospital. If a patient does not have mask then one will be provided.Loitering, social visits and public access to the cafeteria will not be allowed during this time.Every person must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the hospital, with no exceptions.All vendors an contractors must access through the same point of entrance or exit, unless other plans have been approved and authorized by GCH personnel.Security personnel will be enhanced during this time to protect citizens' safety and to assist in enforcing these temporary rules.

Geary Community Hospital will open a second entrance

Tallahassee, Fla. (AP) — Republican attorneys general in 14 states asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to form a state-federal partnership to hold China accountable for damages caused by the spread of the new coronavirus.

The letter to the president says “the Chinese communist government” may have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bf685dcf52125be54e030834ab7062a8">failed to provide information or provided misinformation&nbsp;</a>about the virus that led to its spread.

“The spread of COVID-19 has grievously harmed each of our States. Many of our citizens have suffered and died from this virus. Our economies have been effectively shut down. Businesses, big and small, have been devastated to the point that many will not reopen,” the letter said.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson are taking the lead on the coalition. The letter is also signed by attorneys general in Kansas, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia.

While the coalition is made up of Republicans, Moody said in a phone interview that she wants to add more attorneys generals, including Democrats, as part of an effort to make China pay in some way for the pandemic.

“I don’t see this as a partisan issue. Holding a country accountable for misinformation or lack of action that could have mitigated the spread of this devastating virus is something of concern to all of us regardless of party,” she said. “Seeking damages is of concern to all of us.”

The letter is part of a growing call among state elected officials pointing blame at China for economic loss and deaths caused by the coronavirus, joining dozens of patients and businesses looking to sue China over the outbreak that has killed more than 83,000 people in the United States.

Trump is clearly not happy with China’s role in the spread of the virus. While not a response to the attorneys general letter, he criticized the country on Twitter on Wednesday, saying the virus began spreading just after the U.S. and China reached a trade deal.

“The ink was barely dry, and the World was hit by the Plague from China. 100 Trade Deals wouldn’t make up the difference - and all those innocent lives lost!,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1260578860992737285" target="_blank">tweeted.</a>

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis began calling for China to be held accountable in March, saying, “How Americans view them will never be the same. They’ve never been terribly popular as a country here, but I think that we have got to hold China accountable.”

Since then, he has almost weekly criticized China and called for less U.S. reliance on the country for goods, particularly medical equipment.

Moody said the attorneys generals are examining state and federal laws to determine the best course of action against China and whether steps need to be modified to be more successful in their pursuit of accountability.

“What is the mechanism that we may utilize based on the facts that we have and based on the laws that exist or as they are modified ... that we could see success at true accountability from China?” Moody said.

The letter to Trump says state and federal governments need to look at legal, economic, diplomatic and security measures that could be taken against China.

“This will allow us to share information and resources and ensure that any remedy sought takes into consideration our legal capabilities and the devastating impact the virus has had on our States,” it said.

China informed the World Health Organization of the outbreak on Dec. 31 of last year. It contacted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on Jan. 3 and publicly identified the pathogen as a novel coronavirus on Jan. 8.

Chinese officials muffled doctors who warned about the virus early on and repeatedly downplayed the threat of the outbreak. However, many of the Chinese government’s missteps appear to have been due to bureaucratic hurdles, tight controls on information and officials hesitant to report bad news.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589452633094.png" alt="President Trump during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing last month in the Rose Garden -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing last month in the Rose Garden -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Tallahassee, Fla. (AP) — Republican attorneys general in 14 states asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to form a state-federal partnership to hold China accountable for damages caused by the spread of the new coronavirus.The letter to the president says “the Chinese communist government” may have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bf685dcf52125be54e030834ab7062a8">failed to provide information or provided misinformation&nbsp;</a>about the virus that led to its spread.“The spread of COVID-19 has grievously harmed each of our States. Many of our citizens have suffered and died from this virus. Our economies have been effectively shut down. Businesses, big and small, have been devastated to the point that many will not reopen,” the letter said.Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson are taking the lead on the coalition. The letter is also signed by attorneys general in Kansas, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia.While the coalition is made up of Republicans, Moody said in a phone interview that she wants to add more attorneys generals, including Democrats, as part of an effort to make China pay in some way for the pandemic.“I don’t see this as a partisan issue. Holding a country accountable for misinformation or lack of action that could have mitigated the spread of this devastating virus is something of concern to all of us regardless of party,” she said. “Seeking damages is of concern to all of us.”The letter is part of a growing call among state elected officials pointing blame at China for economic loss and deaths caused by the coronavirus, joining dozens of patients and businesses looking to sue China over the outbreak that has killed more than 83,000 people in the United States.Trump is clearly not happy with China’s role in the spread of the virus. While not a response to the attorneys general letter, he criticized the country on Twitter on Wednesday, saying the virus began spreading just after the U.S. and China reached a trade deal.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As I have said for a long time, dealing with China is a very expensive thing to do. We just made a great Trade Deal, the ink was barely dry, and the World was hit by the Plague from China. 100 Trade Deals wouldn’t make up the difference - and all those innocent lives lost!&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1260578860992737285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The ink was barely dry, and the World was hit by the Plague from China. 100 Trade Deals wouldn’t make up the difference - and all those innocent lives lost!,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1260578860992737285" target="_blank">tweeted.</a>Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis began calling for China to be held accountable in March, saying, “How Americans view them will never be the same. They’ve never been terribly popular as a country here, but I think that we have got to hold China accountable.”Since then, he has almost weekly criticized China and called for less U.S. reliance on the country for goods, particularly medical equipment.Moody said the attorneys generals are examining state and federal laws to determine the best course of action against China and whether steps need to be modified to be more successful in their pursuit of accountability.“What is the mechanism that we may utilize based on the facts that we have and based on the laws that exist or as they are modified ... that we could see success at true accountability from China?” Moody said.The letter to Trump says state and federal governments need to look at legal, economic, diplomatic and security measures that could be taken against China.“This will allow us to share information and resources and ensure that any remedy sought takes into consideration our legal capabilities and the devastating impact the virus has had on our States,” it said.China informed the World Health Organization of the outbreak on Dec. 31 of last year. It contacted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on Jan. 3 and publicly identified the pathogen as a novel coronavirus on Jan. 8.Chinese officials muffled doctors who warned about the virus early on and repeatedly downplayed the threat of the outbreak. However, many of the Chinese government’s missteps appear to have been due to bureaucratic hurdles, tight controls on information and officials hesitant to report bad news.___

AG in Kansas, 13 other states to Trump: Let's hold China accountable

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas are joining a broader effort to shield doctors, hospitals and businesses from lawsuits stemming from the coronavirus, with business and medical groups pushing them to act quickly.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ZhwJRwvbg">Click here to watch</a> Wednesday's Kansas House judiciary committee hearing on the issue. It begins at 3:30p.m.

The effort faces strong opposition from labor unions, trial lawyers and some Democrats. They fear that such measures could be too broad and keep patients, consumers and employees from using the court system to hold businesses and medical providers accountable for negligence or misconduct.

Similar efforts are underway&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/349c07ce4b3e6321b0d5f1c2a706a67c">in Congress,</a>&nbsp;with Derek Schmidt of Kansas joining other GOP state attorneys general in calling for legislation to head off “frivolous” lawsuits. Legislators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2e91a7747f673558df1abf8e9e802d1a">in multiple states,</a>&nbsp;including Mississippi, North Carolina and Utah, are considering their own laws.

In Kansas, the state House Judiciary Committee planned to have the first of three Zoom meetings on the issue on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ZhwJRwvbg">Click here to watch</a> and listen to the meeting that begins at 3:30p.m.

The Senate counterpart is expected to meet on the topic next week. 

The full GOP-controlled Legislature plans to meet May 21 for its last remaining day in session this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589403059623.png" alt="Members of the House Judiciary committee meet online Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Members of the House Judiciary committee meet online Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas are joining a broader effort to shield doctors, hospitals and businesses from lawsuits stemming from the coronavirus, with business and medical groups pushing them to act quickly.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ZhwJRwvbg">Click here to watch</a> Wednesday's Kansas House judiciary committee hearing on the issue. It begins at 3:30p.m.The effort faces strong opposition from labor unions, trial lawyers and some Democrats. They fear that such measures could be too broad and keep patients, consumers and employees from using the court system to hold businesses and medical providers accountable for negligence or misconduct.Similar efforts are underway&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/349c07ce4b3e6321b0d5f1c2a706a67c">in Congress,</a>&nbsp;with Derek Schmidt of Kansas joining other GOP state attorneys general in calling for legislation to head off “frivolous” lawsuits. Legislators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2e91a7747f673558df1abf8e9e802d1a">in multiple states,</a>&nbsp;including Mississippi, North Carolina and Utah, are considering their own laws.In Kansas, the state House Judiciary Committee planned to have the first of three Zoom meetings on the issue on Wednesday.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ZhwJRwvbg">Click here to watch</a> and listen to the meeting that begins at 3:30p.m.The Senate counterpart is expected to meet on the topic next week. The full GOP-controlled Legislature plans to meet May 21 for its last remaining day in session this year.“What about a company who re-purposes their facilities because they’re closed as nonessential but they have the equipment to manufacture masks?” said Eric Stafford, a Kansas Chamber of Commerce lobbyist. “Somebody who’s trying to do a good deed, should they be punished, for liability for failure to prevent someone from getting sick?”Groups pushing for quick legislative action said they fear businesses that reopened after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9892bd95f6f6179dc01c4769adbab428">lifted a statewide stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;on May 4 will face lawsuits if customers or employees get sick, or that customers or employees will sue businesses that were deemed essential and remained open while others closed.Stafford said the chamber wants to ensure that businesses are protected if they followed health officials’ guidelines for operating safely.The debate also comes after President Donald Trump directed meatpacking plants to stay open despite the spread of the coronavirus among workers. Kansas has seen seven large outbreaks at such plants, accounting for nearly 1,300 confirmed cases, or 18% of the state’s total, with two COVID-19-related deaths.Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician in Rooks County in northwestern Kansas, said she thinks businesses should face legal liability if, for example, they won’t provide proper protective equipment for employees. But, she said, it could be “a bad precedent” to allow lawsuits when one customer of a business following health guidelines gets the virus from another customer.She also said in nursing homes, even with aggressive steps to contain the virus if there’s one case, “It’s going to be exceptionally difficult to prevent the spread of any cases.”Health care providers worry that they could face lawsuits if a patient’s health declined or a patient dies after providers delayed surgeries or other care because of concerns about spreading the virus.Chad Austin, the Kansas Hospital Association’s executive vice president, said the group wants to protect medical providers “who did what they were asked to do” by focusing on combating the coronavirus.“They were focused probably where they were instructed to be focused for sure, but you never know, there could be somebody forgoing care at that time who ended up having an issue,” added Cindy Samuelson, the association’s membership vice president.David Morantz, a Leawood attorney and the Kansas Trial Lawyers’ Association president, said medical providers already aren’t subject to paying damages for injuries if they can show they followed generally accepted standards of care. He said adhering to government recommendations or directives to cancel elective surgeries because of the pandemic would qualify.While Kelly has been open to proposals for protecting medical professionals, Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat and key ally of the governor’s, said the issue is too big, too complex and too contentious for lawmakers to tackle before adjourning May 21.And labor unions have been quick to object to the proposals to prevent lawsuits, both in Kansas and nationally. The Working Kansas Alliance, a coalition of union groups, called it a “dangerous agenda” that would put workers at risk for “saving a buck on the corporate balance sheet.”Morantz said he fears that any new law could be “pushed beyond what anybody ever intended” to cover actions or cases not directly involving the coronavirus. He also said shielding businesses from lawsuits will give them an incentive not to be as safe and would make consumers wary.“If it’s safe reopen the economy, why is immunity needed?” Morantz said. “If immunity’s there, it’s going to make people scared and it’s going to delay rebooting the economy.”___

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