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September 30, 2020

#TOGETHERLS

Welcome to the Covering COVID-19 Community Briefing

This weekly digest of information will help keep you up to date as we work together to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This briefing will provide:

  • state and county health updates and measures the City is taking to keep residents as safe as possible
  • reliable and factual information sources to use when seeking facts about this public health crisis
  • reminders about things happening in our community and ideas to keep you entertained

Tips for All-Day Mask Wearing

As more people are beginning to return to work, wearing a mask for eight plus hours sounds daunting. Let's not mention "masacne." The Jackson County Health Department has provided a few tips to help workers get through the day.

CDC: Key Times to Keep Your Distance at Airports

Take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 when you travel by air:

  • Stay six feet apart from others during your trip, especially when waiting in lines or waiting for luggage.
  • Wear a mask throughout your trip, even when six feet from others.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Age Shift in COVID-19 Cases

At the start of the pandemic, older Americans accounted for the majority of confirmed COVID-19 cases. These numbers have changed according to a report released by the CDC. Young adults between the ages of 20 and 29 accounted for 20% of all cases between June and August.

What's causing the age shift? Young adults work and play in areas of increased risk for COVID-19. These "highly exposed" areas include restaurants, bars and retail spaces.

Public health experts in the Kansas City metro continue to emphasize the importance of testing for those who have had close contact with someone positive for COVID-19. While many people with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, it is still possible to spread the disease to others. A positive test enables people to seek treatment, isolate themselves and reduce the chance they will infect others.

The Jackson County Health Department is now providing five testing events per week in Eastern Jackson County. It easy to make an appointment and testing is quick. Testing people who show symptoms of infection and those who are asymptomatic will play a major role in stopping the pandemic

COVID-19 Dashboards

Mid-America Regional Council COVID-19 Dashboard

How is the Overall Positive Rate Calculated?

The recommended positive rate is 5% or less. As of September 29, the 14-day average positive rate in Eastern Jackson County was 13.4%

The overall percent positive is the proportion of unique individuals who tested positive among all other unique individuals tested.

The 14-day average percent positive is calculated by taking the total number of unique positive cases in a two-week period and dividing it by the number of unique individuals tested in the same two-week period.

Jackson County COVID-19 Dashboard

View cases by demographics and zip code, hospitalizations, testing, deaths, outbreaks and more.

Ordering Takeout?

Stay healthy and protect yourself from food poisoning with these food safety tips:

  • Check restaurant inspection scores before ordering.
  • Pick up your food promptly so it stays at a safe temperature.
  • Wash your hands as soon as you get home and before eating.
  • Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible.

Flu vs. COVID-19

COVID-19 and flu are both viral respiratory illnesses with many similar symptoms, making it hard to tell the difference based on symptoms alone. The CDC has put a list together showing the differences between flu and COVID-19.

Be Royal. Get Your Flu Shot.

The boys in BLUE have an important message about flu shots! It's possible to get both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, which means this year flu vaccinations are more important than ever. Get your flu shot before the end of October.

Ask JCHD

Did you know the Jackson County Health Department will answer your questions about COVID-19 online? Just submit it online! It's fast and easy!

COVID-19 Testing Sites

The Jackson County Health Department is providing free testing. Testing will be done using either an NP swab (nasopharyngeal swab) or nasal swab and collected by a health care professional. This test only detects current infection with COVID-19. You do NOT need to be currently experiencing symptoms to get this test. This is NOT a test to detect if you've ever been exposed to COVID-19.

  • Do not need to be a resident.
  • Clinics run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies last.
  • Questions? Call 816.404.6416.

Thursday, October 1 | Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper St., Blue Springs, MO 64014

Friday, October 2 | Eastern Jackson County Courthouse (parking lot), 308 W Kansas Ave., Independence, MO 64050

Monday, October 5 | Old Fire Station #3, 210 SW Pryor Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64081

Tuesday, October 6 | Metro Christian Fellowship Church, 2217 High Grove Rd., Grandview, MO 64030

Wednesday, October 7 | Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper St., Blue Springs, MO 64014

Council Update

2020 State of the City Address. Mayor Bill Baird gave his third State of the City address during the City Council meeting. In his speech, the mayor discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the community and praised the resiliency of Lee’s Summit residents. The mayor noted that the City continues to move forward with the Ignite Strategic Plan implementation efforts and commended the council, citizens and stakeholders on their dedication to the process despite the pandemic. He discussed how critical the Comprehensive Plan is to the future of Lee’s Summit and the importance of planning for population and development growth.

Cedar Creek Community Improvement District. City Council adopted an ordinance approving a petition for the establishment of the Cedar Creek Community Improvement District (CID). The CID includes certain areas of the Cedar Creek Shopping Center, located near Southwest Third Street and Oldham Parkway. The CID will impose a one percent sales tax within the CID to fund a portion of the improvements to the area, which include exterior renovations and the reconfiguration of the parking lot to allow for additional parking.

City’s Fiscal Situation and Strategies. City Council heard a presentation about possible strategies to create long-term financial sustainability given the uncertain impact of COVID-19. The City has created a repository of fiscal strategies that will be analyzed and given consideration should it become necessary. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is projecting an estimated budget deficit of $5.6 million in the 2021 fiscal year.

Help Shape the Future

Ignite! Fuel Our Future Comprehensive Plan Resources

The City is offering multiple and EASY ways for you to provide input and share your views for Lee's Summit's future.

Make your voice part of the discussion by filling out a survey, commenting in the discussion forum, listening to a podcast or downloading a conversation kit at IgniteOurFuture.net. You play a critical role in shaping the future of Lee’s Summit.

Lee's Summit Fire Department

Now Hiring Firefighter/Paramedic

Do you have what it takes to be a firefighter with the Lee's Summit Fire Department? Apply today and join a department committed to excellence.

Get Out and Explore LS

There’s a trail out there for everyone, whether you want to bike, hike, jog or just leisurely stroll.

Winterset Nature Area – Lee’s Summit, MO

Features: Meandering .6 mile wood chip trail, wood bridges, waterfalls, Missouri native flowers | Size: 10.2 acres

The Greenway Trail System – Lee’s Summit, Grandview, KC

Features: Connections to parks, roadways, stream corridors, and open spaces | Size: 38-mile loop planned, with over 100 miles of neighborhood connector routes

NEW Witches Eve Frequent Flyer Promotion

Downtown Main Street is holding their annual Witches Eve a little differently this year. Enjoy the fun all month long and a 13% discount at participating stores with a purchase of a t-shirt.

Thank You Donors

Shout out to all the donors who participated in the September 28 community blood drive. Our goal was 80 units and we ended the day with a total of 95 units collected!

Get the Scoop in Two Minutes!

Your weekly flash briefing is here. Get a snapshot of what's happening this week in Lee's Summit. Take a listen!

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 information is rapidly changing and we encourage everyone to visit the City's COVID-19 information page.