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Truman Med's Winter Preparations | College Life Under Pandemic

A coronavirus tester at Truman Medical Center Lakewood approaches a vehicle in the drive-through testing tent in Lee's Summit on Monday.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
A coronavirus tester at Truman Medical Center Lakewood approaches a vehicle in the drive-through testing tent in Lee's Summit.

How a Kansas City medical facility is preparing for a seasonal surge of coronavirus cases, and what college life is like when pandemic precautions are changing nearly everything.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:55: In October, eight area hospitals have had to divert ambulances due to a high number of COVID-19 patients.

Doctors and hospital administrators are dealing with an incredible amount of uncertainty right now, and current conditions at a hospital could change quickly. How Truman Medical Centers are prepared for an expected surge of coronavirus cases, compounded by the start of flu season.

  • Charlie Shields, president and CEO of Truman Medical Centers
  • Dr. Mark Steele, chief medical officer of Truman Medical Centers

Segment 2, beginning at 30:18: Coping with a college senior year like none other

You could say this is a pretty weird year for college students, especially those on the cusp of graduating and entering the job market. For an honest portrayal of what campus life is like, we asked the people who always know what’s going on on — student journalists.

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 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.
Whether it’s something happening right now or something that happened 100 years ago, some stories don’t fit in the short few minutes of a newscast. As a podcast producer and reporter at KCUR Studios, I help investigate questions and local curiosities in a way that brings listeners along for adventures with plot twists and thought-provoking ideas. Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer in the end – but my hope is that we all leave with a greater understanding of the city we live in. Reach me at mackenzie@kcur.org.