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Kansas Is An Example Of Why 'Politics & Pandemics Don't Go Together,' State Health Director Says

By Steve Kraske,

Published July 22, 2020 at 5:31 PM CDT

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Dr. Lee Norman gives a media briefing in March. As of July 22, the state of Kansas has reported 308 deaths due to COVID-19, more than 1,500 hospitalizations and more than 24,100 total infections.

The health secretary has tweeted that Kansas' initial response to the coronavirus was "a shining example of success."

Since Gov. Laura Kelly's reopening plan became guidance — and not a requirement — known cases of the coronavirus have been trending in the wrong direction, said Dr. Lee Norman. He said the mistake is "some counties just (opened) the doors up and said business as usual."

Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment

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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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Luke X. Martin

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