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Up To Date

Seniors & Social Isolation | Missouri Legislature Wrap-Up | Masks As Art | Weekly Balloon Parade

Two photos. One is a selfie of an healthcare worker wearing protective gear next to the portrait artist Dylan Mortimer created from the photo.
Dylan Mortimer
/
Facebook
When sharing the masked selfie sent to him by an essential healthcare worker side-by-side with the glittery portrait he created, Dylan Mortimer wrote, "I feel like these are war portraits right now."

Segment 1, beginning at 6:22: Seniors citizens can get cut off from family and routine under quarantine.

One of the groups taking extra precautions during the coronavirus pandemic are people over the age of 65. But for older adults living alone at home, there is an increased risk of social isolation.

Segment 2, beginning at 25:15: Highlights of lawmakers' work as the Missouri legislative session comes to a close

Although state legislators have been meeting remotely as part of staying home for the COVID-19, they gathered in Jefferson City for the last week of the session. Hear a review of the actions taken on Clean Missouri, the state budget and a prescription drug monitoring.

Segment 3, beginning at 41:40: A Kansas City artist takes the new normal of wearing face masks as inspiration for his latest series.

Kansas City Art Institute graduate Dylan Mortimer has had the respiratory condition cystic fibrosis all his life. He used his years of wearing face masks as inspiration for a portrait series called "Masked Like Me."

Segment 4, beginning at 51:56: Kansas City's multicolored, balloon-clad, sequin-infused, socially-distant parade
Every Sunday evening a Kansas City performance artist leads a unique parade through one Kansas City neighborhood.

As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
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.
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.
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 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.