#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
COVID-19 and Seasonal Allergies
COVID-19 and seasonal allergies share many symptoms but there are some key differences between the two. For example, COVID-19 can cause fever, which is not a common symptom of seasonal allergies. Learn more about the differences in COVID-19 and seasonal allergies, and ways to protect your health.
Jackson County COVID-19 Dashboard
View cases by demographics and zip code, hospitalizations, testing, deaths, outbreaks and more.
In the News
Moratorium on Evictions
The Trump administration Tuesday announced a four-month halt on eviction proceedings against cash-strapped renters, invoking federal public health laws out of concern that a national homelessness crisis could worsen the country’s coronavirus outbreak.
The new moratorium seeks to cover families experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic, aiming to help as many as 40 million Americans who are already struggling to pay their monthly housing costs.
How to Keep Glasses from Fogging Up
If you wear glasses, you may have struggled over the last few months with how to wear a mask and see at the same time. If you’re still fighting the fog, these simple solutions are for you.
Adjust Your Glasses. Let’s start with the easiest solution - adjust your glasses! The farther away your lenses are from your mouth, the less likely they are to fog. Simply push your glasses higher up on your nose.
Check the Fit. If your mask has a nose bridge (that little metal piece in your mask), make sure it fits securely over the nose. This will keep the warm air from escaping out the top of your mask, causing your glasses to fog up.
Don’t have a mask with a nose bridge? Get crafty, and sew a pipe cleaner or twist tie into the top of your mask. Another option is to simply tighten the ties of your mask to close the gap.
Professional Tip. Try an easy trick medical professionals use - wear your mask higher up on your nose so that your glasses hold the mask in place.
Soap Solution. Wash your glasses with soapy water and then shake them off. Next, wait for your glasses to air dry or use a soft cloth to wipe them down. The result will be a thin layer of soap that helps prevent fog.
One thing to note: if you have any special coatings on your glasses, be sure to check with your optician prior to trying this!
If All Else Fails…Tape it! It may not be the most sophisticated solution, but using athletic tape along the top of your mask is a good quick fix.
CDC: 94% of COVID-19 Deaths Had Underlying Medical Conditions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data last week about coronavirus-related deaths in the United States that caused some confusion.
According to the CDC report, only 6% of deaths have COVID-19 as the only cause mentioned on death certificates, revealing that 94% of patients who died from coronavirus also had other “health conditions and contributing causes.” This does not mean that only 6% of listed deaths were from COVID-19. According to health experts, this emphasizes what they have been saying since the beginning of the pandemic: people with certain health conditions are more vulnerable to complications from this virus. However, it also can affect people with no underlying medical conditions.
The CDC listed the following as the top underlying medical conditions linked to coronavirus deaths:
- Influenza and pneumonia
- Respiratory failure
- Hypertensive disease
- Diabetes
- Vascular and unspecified dementia
- Cardiac arrest
- Heart failure
- Renal failure
- Intentional and unintentional injury, poisoning and other adverse events
- Other medical conditions
COVID-19 can also lead to other health complications, which would then be listed on the death certificate. It is extremely rare for there to be no contributing causes of death listed on a death certificate. According to the KCMO Health Department, death certificate data over the past five years for Kansas City show there were ZERO records where no contributing causes of death were listed.
The CDC says provisional death counts may not match counts from other sources, such as numbers from county health departments, because death certificates take time to be completed, states report at different rates, it takes officials extra time to code COVID-19 deaths, and because other reporting systems use different definitions or methods for counting deaths.
The organization adds that provisional data is not yet complete, provisional counts are not final and are subject to change, and that death counts should not be compared across states.
COVID-19 Testing Sites
Wednesday, September 9 | Oak Grove Fieldhouse, 1300 E White Rd, Oak Grove, MO
Thursday, September 10 | Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper St., Blue Springs, MO
Friday, September 11 | Raytown EMS, 10020 E 66th Terrace, Raytown, MO
Coronarvirus Relief Fund
The City is currently accepting applications from Lee's Summit qualified nonprofit agencies for Coronavirus Relief Funding. The goal of the Coronavirus Relief Fund is to promote recovery by funding programs and services that support the needs of those impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Jackson County received $122.7 million from the state of Missouri, of which the City received a portion. The City is allocating approximately $335,000 of its funds to qualified Lee's Summit nonprofit agencies to support their COVID-19 response efforts. These funds will be distributed back into our community for expenses incurred responding to or mitigating against the impact of COVID-19.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. on September 8.
Federal CARES Act Funding for School Districts
Jackson County Executive Frank White proposed a funding package that would distribute $5,000,000 of federal CARES Act dollars received by Jackson County to local K-12 school districts within the county. The one-time funding would help elementary and secondary schools address immediate needs of students and teachers, including but not limited to, enhanced wireless internet services, improved education technology, mental health services, COVID-19 testing and nutrition programs.
White's proposed funding plan which allocates $645,496 to the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, must be approved by the Jackson County Legislature.
Council Update
Ignite! Your Ideas. Our Future.City Council heard a presentation detailing the implementation plan for the strategic plan Ignite! Your Ideas. Our Future. The strategic plan identified seven critical success factors for the City to achieve its vision, which is a vibrant community ensuring the finest quality of life for generations to come. Those seven critical success factors were City services and infrastructure; collaborative relations with education partners; community health and wellbeing; cultural and recreational amenities; community engagement; strategic economic development; and strong neighborhoods with housing choices.
C4 committees – comprised of citizens, City Council, community partners and the City – were then established to identify strategies and action items to achieve those critical success factors. The implementation plan details those strategies. City Council plans to vote on a resolution adopting the implementation plan at a future meeting.
Paragon Star. City Council gave initial approval to an amendment to the Paragon Star tax increment financing (TIF) plan. The amendment includes the addition of about 24 acres to the redevelopment area and increases the TIF reimbursement amount from $13.1 million to $32 million. The developer also requested the issuance of revenue bonds to construct the sports complex, which would be repayable only from TIF and CID revenues.
Diversity and Inclusion Commission. City Council discussed the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Commission. The goal of the commission is to develop a framework with achievable actions to improve diversity and inclusion in Lee’s Summit. City Council wanted more time to clarify the scope of the commission and review potential commission members before voting on the resolution.
Wings 4 Water Day.Mayor Bill Baird issued a proclamation recognizing September 10 as Wings 4 Water Day. Wings 4 Water is an annual event, which raises money to provide access to clean water to people around the world.
Celebrating Labor Day
While most Labor Day events won’t take place in a traditional setting this year, there are plenty of opportunities to stay connected and revisit a few of the highlights.
With a redesigned “Fest Where You Are” format, the Kansas City Irish Fest allows you to take part in the annual cultural celebration however you choose. Enjoy special Irish cuisine or attend the outdoor benefit concert at Crown Center, where a limited number of tables are available for purchase.
You’ll still be able to visit with your favorite makers from Independence’s Santa-Cali-Gon Days thanks to the festival’s new virtual platform. Browse products, speak directly to crafters and place online orders, seamlessly supporting small businesses from the safety of your own home.
Open daily through Labor Day, the National WWI Museum and Memorial promises stellar city views and intriguing historical insights.
Reflections of Character Award Nominations
Do you know someone who demonstrates outstanding strength of character? Nominate them for Lee’s Summit CARES Reflections of Character Award and share their inspiring story with our entire community. The 12 deserving winners will be honored at the Mayor's Character Breakfast in January. Deadline to nominate is September 30.
Ignite! Fuel Our Future Comprehensive Plan
Don't Be Surprised by the Future! HELP SHAPE IT!
We know you are busy, but we also know how passionate our citizens are about the future of our great city. We urge you to take part (virtually!) in the community's comprehensive plan. What is a comprehensive plan? Watch this short video.
The City is offering multiple and EASY ways for you to provide input and share your views for Lee's Summit's future.
Join the Online Discussion. We bet you have a lot of ideas about what the City should do to prepare for the future. Scooters? More bike paths? Technology? What's needed for a good quality of life? Leave your comments in the online forum discussion.
Surveys. Take a brief survey to share your views on each of the essential elements of the comprehensive plan.
Kiosks. Kiosks are provided at the following locations enabling residents to respond to surveys or to leave feedback in the online discussion forum.
- City Hall Lobby, 220 SE Green St.
- Longview Community Center, 3801 SW Longview Rd.
- Lovell Community Center at Legacy Park, 901 NE Bluestem Dr.
Conversation Kits. We've got the cure for panboredom! Gather the people in your bubble or organize a Zoom get together to help shape our community. Lee’s Summit is counting on you and your friends to fuel our future! And, we have a fun and interactive way for you to engage in the Ignite Comprehensive Plan process. Download a Conversation Kit and get started!
Green Street Beat Podcasts. For each element of the plan, the City is releasing a podcast that goes more in-depth on the topic. It's a great way to learn more about the different elements and why they are important for the future of Lee's Summit. Take a listen.
Community Blood Drive
The City of Lee’s Summit has partnered with the Community Blood Center for community blood drive on Monday, September 28 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the ballroom of the Gamber Community Center.
Community members are urged to make an appointment to donate. Appointments are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED; walk-ins will only be accepted as capacity allows.
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!
