© 2025 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Up To Date

Contact Tracing | Safe Return To Work | Kansas City's Best Takeout | Listener Voicemails

Hand with painted nails hovering over a lit-up smartphone.
Rob Hampson
/
Unsplash
People's phones could be a powerful tool for contact tracers and case investigators. For now, it remains a labor intensive process.

Segment 1, beginning at 3:15: Contact tracing is critical to slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Johnson County, Kansas, has trained about 30 staff in its Department of Health and Environment to help with COVID-19 case investigations and contact tracing. The county is also trying to leverage technology "to reduce the burden on human resources," said epidemiologist Elizabeth Holzschuh.

Segment 2, beginning at 25:10: Whether employees are return to an office or out in the field, protecting their health, and that of their customers, should be top of mind.

"Things are going to be changing," said one business owner, including getting used to safe distancing from coworkers. And if there are tasks employees can still do from home, managers should strongly consider having them do that.

Segment 3, beginning at 36:45: A rundown of the best takeout food in Kansas City

With the onset of the coronavirus, restaurants throughout the metro came to rely on their takeout menus, or quickly realized the need to develop one. The Food Critics offered a variety of eateries where you can get a great meal to go.

Segment 4, beginning at 54:15: Some advice, poetry and gratitude amid a pandemic

We asked listeners to leave us messages of how they are getting through this time of the coronavirus, and wanted to share these three touching responses to our new reality.

We want to hear what’s helping you get through these tough times.

Whether it’s a random act of kindness or a personal ritual, let us know. Leave a voicemail at 816-398-8207 ‬with your brief story, name and where you live. You can also email your voice memo to KCUR producer Mackenzie Martin at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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.
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.
Michelle is a reporter covering race, identity and culture and is an assistant talk show producer.
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.
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.