Reopening Johnson County | Lifting Restrictions Reactions | RVs For MDs

By Steve Kraske,

Elizabeth Ruiz, Danie Alexander, Mackenzie Martin, Luke X. Martin

Published April 29, 2020 at 3:47 PM CDT

042820_Amy Abbiatti _AOH.JPG — Business owners like Laura Leiben, of The Culinary Center in Overland Park, Kansas, are struggling with how and when to reopen. A task force in Johnson County has been assembled to provide guidance.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:25: A new task force is meeting to draw down stay-at-home rules.

Johnson County is looking to reopen after weeks under stay-at-home orders, and county leaders have assembled a committee to figure out the safest way of doing so. Members of the group described how they're approaching the decision.

Beccy Yocham, city manager of Lenexa, Kansas
Janee Hanzlick, 4th District commissioner of Johnson County, Kansas
Tracey Osborne Oltjen, president and CEO of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

Segment 2, beginning at 28:50: Are Kansas City metro residents ready for an opening up?

Political leaders are talking more frequently about the need to lift stay-at-home rules. Residents in the Kansas City area told us if they're ready for their towns to reopen, and we heard what role politics play in the debate.

Patrick Miller, political science associate professor at the University of Kansas

Segment 3, beginning at 52:30: Lifting some of the quarantine burden from shoulders of health care providers

Meet a Kansas City medical professional who was the beneficiary of a Facebook group connecting doctors and nurses with RVs in which to quarantine so they can keep their families safe while they fight COVID-19.

Dr. Ashley Olson, third-year chief resident in emergency medicine at Truman Medical Centers

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Up To Date Talk Show Up to Date Coronavirus Kansas City Missouri (KCMO)Johnson County economy public health politics Lenexa Overland Park University Health poll

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Elizabeth Ruiz

As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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