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

Tags

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.

See stories by Steve Kraske

Elizabeth Ruiz

When you listen to Up To Date, I want you to understand decisions being made in the city, feel inspired by community members, and empathize with people who've had different experiences. As an Up To Date producer, I connect you to the news through conversations with community members and elected officials. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

See stories by Elizabeth Ruiz

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.

See stories by Danie Alexander

Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

See stories by Mackenzie Martin

Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

See stories by Luke X. Martin