HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The publicist for Joe Diffie, the country star who was to headline a performance at the NexTech Wireless Grandstand at the Kansas State Fair with Logan Mize September 15, told <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/">Rolling Stone</a> that Diffie died Sunday from COVID-19.&nbsp; His illness was first announced Friday. Diffie was 61.

Diffie won two Grammys, charted 35 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, five of which peaked at No. 1 — “Home,” “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.”

Another 12 songs reached the Top 10, including “John Deere Green,” “So Help Me Girl,” “New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame),” “Is It Cold in Here,” “Ships That Don't Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die).”&nbsp;

Among his albums, 1993’s Honky Tonk Attitude and 1994’s Third Rock from the Sun were certified platinum. Diffie is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 25 years.

Hutch Post plans to contact the Fair for comment Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573754420602.png" alt="joe diffie" />
 <figcaption>joe diffie</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The publicist for Joe Diffie, the country star who was to headline a performance at the NexTech Wireless Grandstand at the Kansas State Fair with Logan Mize September 15, told <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/">Rolling Stone</a> that Diffie died Sunday from COVID-19.&nbsp; His illness was first announced Friday. Diffie was 61.Diffie won two Grammys, charted 35 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, five of which peaked at No. 1 — “Home,” “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.”Another 12 songs reached the Top 10, including “John Deere Green,” “So Help Me Girl,” “New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame),” “Is It Cold in Here,” “Ships That Don't Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die).”&nbsp;Among his albums, 1993’s Honky Tonk Attitude and 1994’s Third Rock from the Sun were certified platinum. Diffie is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 25 years.Hutch Post plans to contact the Fair for comment Monday.

Joe Diffie, scheduled 2020 Kansas State Fair performer, dies from COVID-19

HUTCHINSON, Kan.  — Haven's personal item pickup for students at the school buildings is Monday.  

The pickup day for Haven Grade School will start at 11 a.m. Parents are asked to enter the area from the alley off East 5th Street.

Teachers will go to the gym and retrieve all of the items that belong to those students and bring them to the vehicle. If you have a band instrument, parents can go to the double doors along North Sedgwick Street. Parents will get to enter the building and get band equipment.

Students in Haven Middle School will be able to retrieve their items by appointment starting Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. This will be done in 10-minute slots. They ask that you bring a box or backpack to load up your items. Also, that will be the day students will pick up learning packets if they are needed. Mondays will be the day that packets can be picked up and dropped off for the rest of the academic year.

At Haven High School, items can be picked up by appointment between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Students will be given 10 minutes to retrieve their items or drop off any books or athletic gear they may have.

USD 312 also continues its meal program. Meals are grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts. Serving is from 11 a.m.until 12 p.m. at the old Partridge Grade School, Haven Grade School, Yoder Grade School and the Kids Depot in Mount Hope.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585345243110.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Haven's personal item pickup for students at the school buildings is Monday. The pickup day for Haven Grade School will start at 11 a.m. Parents are asked to enter the area from the alley off East 5th Street.Teachers will go to the gym and retrieve all of the items that belong to those students and bring them to the vehicle. If you have a band instrument, parents can go to the double doors along North Sedgwick Street. Parents will get to enter the building and get band equipment.Students in Haven Middle School will be able to retrieve their items by appointment starting Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. This will be done in 10-minute slots. They ask that you bring a box or backpack to load up your items. Also, that will be the day students will pick up learning packets if they are needed. Mondays will be the day that packets can be picked up and dropped off for the rest of the academic year.At Haven High School, items can be picked up by appointment between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Students will be given 10 minutes to retrieve their items or drop off any books or athletic gear they may have.USD 312 also continues its meal program. Meals are grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts. Serving is from 11 a.m.until 12 p.m. at the old Partridge Grade School, Haven Grade School, Yoder Grade School and the Kids Depot in Mount Hope.

Haven personal item pickup Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  Reno County Commissioners will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday.

The board will take action on an incentive package for Superior Boiler. The Hutchinson company is expanding and will bring its Richmond, Virginia, plant to Hutchinson. The move will bring about 52 new jobs to the area over a four-year period. 

The incentive package totals about $78,000. The City Council recently approved a similar package.

Also, the commission will approve the consent agenda, which includes a letter of support for a cost-sharing grant with KDOT. The grant would be used to help fund the Arlington Road bridge project. The 200-foot span is located on the west side of Arlington and is an important connecting road between K-61 and K-14. 

The estimated cost of the project is $1,250,000. The county is asking KDOT for half of the cost.

Tuesday’s Reno County Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Reno County Courthouse. The meeting can be viewed on <a href="http://renogov.org">renogov.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576875802998.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday.The board will take action on an incentive package for Superior Boiler. The Hutchinson company is expanding and will bring its Richmond, Virginia, plant to Hutchinson. The move will bring about 52 new jobs to the area over a four-year period. The incentive package totals about $78,000. The City Council recently approved a similar package.Also, the commission will approve the consent agenda, which includes a letter of support for a cost-sharing grant with KDOT. The grant would be used to help fund the Arlington Road bridge project. The 200-foot span is located on the west side of Arlington and is an important connecting road between K-61 and K-14. The estimated cost of the project is $1,250,000. The county is asking KDOT for half of the cost.Tuesday’s Reno County Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Reno County Courthouse. The meeting can be viewed on <a href="http://renogov.org">renogov.org</a>.

Commission to take action on Superior Boiler incentives

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An eighth case of COVID-19 was announced as positive Saturday by the Reno County Health Department.

That case is a female in her 60s that is currently in home quarantine. Case contact investigation is underway.

The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.

Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585072596478.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An eighth case of COVID-19 was announced as positive Saturday by the Reno County Health Department.That case is a female in her 60s that is currently in home quarantine. Case contact investigation is underway.The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

COVID-19 positive count at eight confirmed in Reno County

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-governor-issues-statewide-stay-home-order-which-starts-monday#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">A stay-at-home order for the entire state of Kansas </a>will take effect 
at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 30, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Saturday, 
making it one of at least 20 states to ask its residents to conduct only
 essential business.&nbsp;

The executive order, which will last at 
least until April 19, is meant to slow the spread of coronavirus. Kansas
 has surpassed 250 cases of COVID-19 — including two military personnel,
 one from Fort Riley and one from Fort Leavenworth — and has five 
deaths.&nbsp;

Kelly said the order became necessary once projections 
showed confirmed cases of coronavirus could jump to as many as 900 over 
the next week.&nbsp;

“I can’t tell you how much I wish it weren’t 
necessary, but this is our window to ensure Kansas does not suffer the 
terrible fate of other hard-hit states like New York and Missouri,” she 
said at a Statehouse news conference.&nbsp;

More than a dozen counties
 already had stay-at-home orders, covering a large swath of Kansas’ 
population. But Kelly said the “difficult but unavoidable” decision for a
 statewide order was needed to keep from having a network of them, and 
the state order supersedes county orders.&nbsp;

“I left these 
decisions to local health departments for as long as possible,” she 
said. “But the reality is that a patchwork approach is a recipe for 
confusion in our statewide fight to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”

Stay-at-home
 orders mean people by and large should not leave their homes except for
 essential business — work, grocery shopping, seeking medical care or 
taking care of family or friends who are in need. People are allowed to 
exercise outside, but cannot gather in groups larger than 10.

“You can leave your home,” Kelly said. “You can go outside. You’re not under house arrest.”

Kansas’
 neighbors vary when it comes to statewide orders: Colorado’s took 
effect Thursday, while Missouri has left it up to its cities and 
counties, and Nebraska has nothing.&nbsp;

The center of the outbreak 
in Kansas is in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, while so far, the 
western half is largely unaffected. But Kansas officials have said the 
state’s peak in cases may not come until mid- to late April.&nbsp;

Kelly
 said President Donald Trump’s suggestion that life should be allowed to
 return to normal soon in sections of the country where cases remain 
relatively low runs counter to the advice she is receiving from public 
health experts.&nbsp;

“We are making this move now because of what 
we’re seeing here in Kansas and any guidelines from the federal 
government that don’t model this we quite honestly will ignore,” she 
said.&nbsp;

Kelly has been one of the more aggressive governors across the U.S. 
in responding to coronarvirus and was the first to close all K-12 
schools through the end of the 2019-20 school year, moving instruction 
largely online.

Kansas House Republican leadership issued a 
statement Saturday after Kelly’s news conference, saying the Legislative
 Coordinating Council will “carefully assess this executive order and 
the reasons for it.”

“There are no easy decisions in a time like 
this,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and 
Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch said in a statement, “and we must 
diligently work together to strike a balance that is in the best 
interests of all Kansans.”

The Kansas Chamber of Commerce, 
however, said it worked with Kelly’s office to “develop this more 
uniform approach,” which says will help “flatten the curve” and provide 
“consistent supply chain operations for the delivery of groceries, 
medical supplies and other vital products.”

Testing has ramped up
 in Kansas, with the state lab handling 175 samples a day and expecting 
to get up to between 700 and 1,000 daily soon, according to Kansas 
health secretary Lee Norman. State testing is only for high-risk groups,
 like nursing home residents and health care workers; many commercial 
labs and hospitals in Kansas now have the capacity to test now, too.&nbsp;

Kansas
 will soon use up its share of the federally provided personal 
protection equipment for health care workers, like gloves, masks and 
gowns.&nbsp;

“The strategic national stockpile is not an endless 
stockpile, unfortunately,” Norman said Friday. “And again, it’s 
something that we don’t control but we try to make sure we get our 
share.”

Kansas has mandated that people who, as of Friday, 
returned from Colorado (which has more than 1,000 cases) or Louisiana 
(more than 2,700 cases) must self-quarantine for 14 days. Illinois, New 
Jersey, California, Florida, New York state and Washington were already 
on the list, as well as cruises and international locations.

The 
majority of people who get coronavirus have mild or moderate symptoms, 
like a fever, cough and shortness of breath; some report losing their 
sense of smell and taste. These people tend to recover in two weeks. 
More severe cases can have up to six weeks’ recovery time, require 
hospitalization and can lead to death.&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">HERE</a> to see the order in its entirety.

Kansas News Service reporters Celia Llopis-Jepsen and Daniel Caudill contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585442211571.jpeg" alt="Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly explains her decision to mandate a statewide stay-at-home order on Saturday. The map shows the counties that have confirmed coronavirus cases.&nbsp; Jim McLean / Kansas News Service &nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly explains her decision to mandate a statewide stay-at-home order on Saturday. The map shows the counties that have confirmed coronavirus cases.&nbsp; Jim McLean / Kansas News Service &nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-governor-issues-statewide-stay-home-order-which-starts-monday#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a><a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">A stay-at-home order for the entire state of Kansas </a>will take effect 
at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 30, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Saturday, 
making it one of at least 20 states to ask its residents to conduct only
 essential business.&nbsp;The executive order, which will last at 
least until April 19, is meant to slow the spread of coronavirus. Kansas
 has surpassed 250 cases of COVID-19 — including two military personnel,
 one from Fort Riley and one from Fort Leavenworth — and has five 
deaths.&nbsp;Kelly said the order became necessary once projections 
showed confirmed cases of coronavirus could jump to as many as 900 over 
the next week.&nbsp;“I can’t tell you how much I wish it weren’t 
necessary, but this is our window to ensure Kansas does not suffer the 
terrible fate of other hard-hit states like New York and Missouri,” she 
said at a Statehouse news conference.&nbsp;More than a dozen counties
 already had stay-at-home orders, covering a large swath of Kansas’ 
population. But Kelly said the “difficult but unavoidable” decision for a
 statewide order was needed to keep from having a network of them, and 
the state order supersedes county orders.&nbsp;“I left these 
decisions to local health departments for as long as possible,” she 
said. “But the reality is that a patchwork approach is a recipe for 
confusion in our statewide fight to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”Stay-at-home
 orders mean people by and large should not leave their homes except for
 essential business — work, grocery shopping, seeking medical care or 
taking care of family or friends who are in need. People are allowed to 
exercise outside, but cannot gather in groups larger than 10.“You can leave your home,” Kelly said. “You can go outside. You’re not under house arrest.”Kansas’
 neighbors vary when it comes to statewide orders: Colorado’s took 
effect Thursday, while Missouri has left it up to its cities and 
counties, and Nebraska has nothing.&nbsp;The center of the outbreak 
in Kansas is in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, while so far, the 
western half is largely unaffected. But Kansas officials have said the 
state’s peak in cases may not come until mid- to late April.&nbsp;Kelly
 said President Donald Trump’s suggestion that life should be allowed to
 return to normal soon in sections of the country where cases remain 
relatively low runs counter to the advice she is receiving from public 
health experts.&nbsp;“We are making this move now because of what 
we’re seeing here in Kansas and any guidelines from the federal 
government that don’t model this we quite honestly will ignore,” she 
said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585442294485.jpeg" alt=" The governor's office is limiting the number of reporters allowed at state briefings. This is what it looked like on Saturday, when the statewide stay-at-home order was announced. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The governor's office is limiting the number of reporters allowed at state briefings. This is what it looked like on Saturday, when the statewide stay-at-home order was announced. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Kelly has been one of the more aggressive governors across the U.S. 
in responding to coronarvirus and was the first to close all K-12 
schools through the end of the 2019-20 school year, moving instruction 
largely online.Kansas House Republican leadership issued a 
statement Saturday after Kelly’s news conference, saying the Legislative
 Coordinating Council will “carefully assess this executive order and 
the reasons for it.”“There are no easy decisions in a time like 
this,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and 
Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch said in a statement, “and we must 
diligently work together to strike a balance that is in the best 
interests of all Kansans.”The Kansas Chamber of Commerce, 
however, said it worked with Kelly’s office to “develop this more 
uniform approach,” which says will help “flatten the curve” and provide 
“consistent supply chain operations for the delivery of groceries, 
medical supplies and other vital products.”Testing has ramped up
 in Kansas, with the state lab handling 175 samples a day and expecting 
to get up to between 700 and 1,000 daily soon, according to Kansas 
health secretary Lee Norman. State testing is only for high-risk groups,
 like nursing home residents and health care workers; many commercial 
labs and hospitals in Kansas now have the capacity to test now, too.&nbsp;Kansas
 will soon use up its share of the federally provided personal 
protection equipment for health care workers, like gloves, masks and 
gowns.&nbsp;“The strategic national stockpile is not an endless 
stockpile, unfortunately,” Norman said Friday. “And again, it’s 
something that we don’t control but we try to make sure we get our 
share.”Kansas has mandated that people who, as of Friday, 
returned from Colorado (which has more than 1,000 cases) or Louisiana 
(more than 2,700 cases) must self-quarantine for 14 days. Illinois, New 
Jersey, California, Florida, New York state and Washington were already 
on the list, as well as cruises and international locations.The 
majority of people who get coronavirus have mild or moderate symptoms, 
like a fever, cough and shortness of breath; some report losing their 
sense of smell and taste. These people tend to recover in two weeks. 
More severe cases can have up to six weeks’ recovery time, require 
hospitalization and can lead to death.&nbsp;Click <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">HERE</a> to see the order in its entirety.Kansas News Service reporters Celia Llopis-Jepsen and Daniel Caudill contributed to this report.&nbsp;Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

Kansas governor issues statewide stay-at-home order


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Representatives from the Hutch Chamber, the United Way and the Hutchinson Community Foundation outlined the basics behind their new Rally Reno County program.

"Last week, when COVID-19 started hitting our community hard, it started hitting our business community just as hard," said Debra Teufel with the Chamber. "Those businesses that rely on foot traffic coming in the door are probably those that are hit the hardest, beside the fact that our hospitals and medical communities work on the front lines of this. We know that those retailers that are missing all that foot traffic want to find a way to connect with their customers. We thought this was an excellent way to help them do that."

Purchase a gift card to your favorite local businesses and the Hutchinson Community Foundation will provide matching funds to provide basic needs assistance in the same amount.

"A dollar spent at Bluebird Books will also be a dollar given to the unmet needs fund through the United Way and the Reno County VOAD," said the United Way's Lisa Gleason.

The Community Foundation is glad to have a donor that is allowing them to help.

"We're in the business of supporting the needs of this community," said Aubrey Patterson with the Community Foundation. "It's usually in philanthropy and charity, but this gives us an opportunity to also touch the business owners who are struggling and to leverage the match for the unmet needs of individuals."

If you're an individual that wants to buy certificates or a business that wants to offer them, check out rallyreno.org for details. You do not have to be a Chamber member to be listed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585236822615.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Representatives from the Hutch Chamber, the United Way and the Hutchinson Community Foundation outlined the basics behind their new Rally Reno County program."Last week, when COVID-19 started hitting our community hard, it started hitting our business community just as hard," said Debra Teufel with the Chamber. "Those businesses that rely on foot traffic coming in the door are probably those that are hit the hardest, beside the fact that our hospitals and medical communities work on the front lines of this. We know that those retailers that are missing all that foot traffic want to find a way to connect with their customers. We thought this was an excellent way to help them do that."Purchase a gift card to your favorite local businesses and the Hutchinson Community Foundation will provide matching funds to provide basic needs assistance in the same amount."A dollar spent at Bluebird Books will also be a dollar given to the unmet needs fund through the United Way and the Reno County VOAD," said the United Way's Lisa Gleason.The Community Foundation is glad to have a donor that is allowing them to help."We're in the business of supporting the needs of this community," said Aubrey Patterson with the Community Foundation. "It's usually in philanthropy and charity, but this gives us an opportunity to also touch the business owners who are struggling and to leverage the match for the unmet needs of individuals."If you're an individual that wants to buy certificates or a business that wants to offer them, check out rallyreno.org for details. You do not have to be a Chamber member to be listed.

Rally Reno County is collaborative effort

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

Dr. Joe Meier’s hospital in Wilson County has 15 beds, no intensive 
care unit and one ventilator. Two of his neighboring counties in 
southeast Kansas have no hospital at all, and another two have no ICU 
either.

So Meier has a plea to the residents of his region: Stay home.

"It's not a matter of 'if' (COVID-19) is going to hit here,' he said. "It’s a matter of when."

Harvard University researchers looked at&nbsp;<a href="https://globalepidemics.org/2020/03/17/caring-for-covid-19-patients/" target="_blank">nine scenarios</a>&nbsp;for
 how many Americans could catch COVID-19, and how fast. Kansas, it 
turned out, could only handle the milder scenarios. More moderate or 
severe situations would overload the state’s hospitals without dramatic 
steps — such as clearing hospitals of other patients and convincing the 
public to shelter in place.

As of Thursday afternoon, Kansas had 
about 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the true number of people 
carrying the bug is unknown. State officials have said at times that 
they expect to see cases double every three or four days.

Staff at Wilson Medical Center are preparing to run an ad hoc ICU and 
convert spaces used for other purposes into coronavirus wards. The 
hospital is ordering more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/how-ventilators-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-in-saving-people-with-coronavirus" target="_blank">ventilators</a>, which are needed to help severely ill COVID-19 patients breathe, but those could take a month or more to arrive.

“If Wichita becomes full and Topeka becomes full and Kansas City is 
full,” Meier said, “we're going to have to take care of them whether we 
have ICU beds or not.”

While most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, about <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/methodology-how-propublica-mapped-hospital-capacity-for-coronavirus" target="_blank">one in five</a>
 people become sick enough for hospitalization. If too many need that 
level of care at once, Kansas would need field hospitals. Facilities 
could have to ration ventilators and other equipment, as has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/15/coronavirus-rationing-us/" target="_blank">happened elsewhere</a>.

“Everybody
 has a role to play in terms of slowing the spread,” said Thomas Tsai, a
 professor at the Harvard Global Health Institute, which produced the 
study.

But the country’s window of opportunity is closing, he 
added. Strict social distancing is needed to avoid the worst-case 
scenarios and buy time for hospitals that are waiting on equipment and 
protective gear, and training staff on handling COVID-19 patients.

There’s
 a big difference, for example, between 20% of the U.S. catching 
COVID-19 over the next 18 months versus 40% in a year or 60% in half a 
year.

Harvard’s scenarios took into account likely hospitalization rates and how full hospitals already were.

Health
 care facilities in the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas that 
depend on it — what’s known as a hospital referral region — could handle
 only the mildest of Harvard’s scenarios.

That’s a situation in 
which the disease hits 20% of the 2.6 million people over the next 
year-and-a-half. Anything beyond that, and the region’s hospitals would 
overflow.

The vast Wichita referral region (population 1.3 
million, including west and southeast Kansas) could handle up to a 40% 
infection rate over a year-and-a-half. The Topeka referral region 
(population 460,000) could handle a 20% infection rate over a year or 
year-and-a-half.

Kansas didn’t appear ready, according to the researchers’ findings, 
for higher infection rates and swifter spread. Even if hospitals had no 
other patients, there wouldn’t be enough beds in the state for a 40% 
infection rate over six months.

Hospitals have tapered down or shuttered <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19" target="_blank">non-emergency care</a>
 to make space and the state’s main population centers are under 
stay-home orders. Kansas health secretary Lee Norman urges the rest of 
the state to shelter in place, too.

Kansas has asked the federal government for 100 more ventilators from
 a national stockpile, Norman said Wednesday, and may turn to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/ventilator-supply-mitigation-strategies-letter-health-care-providers" target="_blank">machines meant for sleep apnea</a>
 to help COVID-19 patients breathe. To address a looming shortage of 
face masks, it’s trying to get ultraviolet lights that would let health 
workers sterilize and reuse the items several times.

The state is also scouring options for <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/03/23/coronavirus-and-the-states-governors-plan-field-hospitals-heartland-unemployment-spikes" target="_blank">temporary bed space</a>; in other parts of the U.S., officials are turning to everything from <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/1775827/king-county-field-hospitals-coronavirus/" target="_blank">soccer fields</a> to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-closed-hospitals-college-dorms-meet-coronavirus-demands/story?id=69683447" target="_blank">closed hospitals</a>.

Norman
 expected to know more soon about the state’s risks for running out of 
bed space and its options to repurpose existing buildings if needed.

“As
 much as it seems like ‘Oh, well, we’ll call in the National Guard and 
set up tents,” he said, “that's hard. We would much rather move into a 
built environment that was built for patient care, that has (ventilator)
 gases and all the safety features.”

In Topeka, Stormont Vail 
Health swiftly renovated 16 rooms, adding to 31 that were already 
equipped with the right air systems to handle COVID-19 patients. It may 
renovate another 16 rooms, CEO and physician Robert Kenagy said.

His
 hospital is also turning one of its clinics into an acute respiratory 
location to screen and care for suspected COVID-19 patients more 
efficiently and safely.

“We believe that we will be able to 
handle what's coming,” Kenagy said, if Kansans take social distancing 
seriously. “It is vitally important. This is our one opportunity to 
dampen the effect of the pandemic.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421658372.png" alt="Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/even-40-kansans-getting-covid-19-six-months-would-overwhelm-states-hospitals#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>Dr. Joe Meier’s hospital in Wilson County has 15 beds, no intensive 
care unit and one ventilator. Two of his neighboring counties in 
southeast Kansas have no hospital at all, and another two have no ICU 
either.So Meier has a plea to the residents of his region: Stay home."It's not a matter of 'if' (COVID-19) is going to hit here,' he said. "It’s a matter of when."Harvard University researchers looked at&nbsp;<a href="https://globalepidemics.org/2020/03/17/caring-for-covid-19-patients/" target="_blank">nine scenarios</a>&nbsp;for
 how many Americans could catch COVID-19, and how fast. Kansas, it 
turned out, could only handle the milder scenarios. More moderate or 
severe situations would overload the state’s hospitals without dramatic 
steps — such as clearing hospitals of other patients and convincing the 
public to shelter in place.As of Thursday afternoon, Kansas had 
about 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the true number of people 
carrying the bug is unknown. State officials have said at times that 
they expect to see cases double every three or four days.Staff at Wilson Medical Center are preparing to run an ad hoc ICU and 
convert spaces used for other purposes into coronavirus wards. The 
hospital is ordering more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/27/how-ventilators-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-in-saving-people-with-coronavirus" target="_blank">ventilators</a>, which are needed to help severely ill COVID-19 patients breathe, but those could take a month or more to arrive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421697296.jpeg" alt=" Hospitals have tapered off non-emergency care to free up beds. That could help Kansas weather a storm of COVID-19 infections, but experts say only if Kansans also practice social distancing. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Hospitals have tapered off non-emergency care to free up beds. That could help Kansas weather a storm of COVID-19 infections, but experts say only if Kansans also practice social distancing. Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>“If Wichita becomes full and Topeka becomes full and Kansas City is 
full,” Meier said, “we're going to have to take care of them whether we 
have ICU beds or not.”While most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, about <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/methodology-how-propublica-mapped-hospital-capacity-for-coronavirus" target="_blank">one in five</a>
 people become sick enough for hospitalization. If too many need that 
level of care at once, Kansas would need field hospitals. Facilities 
could have to ration ventilators and other equipment, as has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/15/coronavirus-rationing-us/" target="_blank">happened elsewhere</a>.“Everybody
 has a role to play in terms of slowing the spread,” said Thomas Tsai, a
 professor at the Harvard Global Health Institute, which produced the 
study.But the country’s window of opportunity is closing, he 
added. Strict social distancing is needed to avoid the worst-case 
scenarios and buy time for hospitals that are waiting on equipment and 
protective gear, and training staff on handling COVID-19 patients.There’s
 a big difference, for example, between 20% of the U.S. catching 
COVID-19 over the next 18 months versus 40% in a year or 60% in half a 
year.Harvard’s scenarios took into account likely hospitalization rates and how full hospitals already were.Health
 care facilities in the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas that 
depend on it — what’s known as a hospital referral region — could handle
 only the mildest of Harvard’s scenarios.That’s a situation in 
which the disease hits 20% of the 2.6 million people over the next 
year-and-a-half. Anything beyond that, and the region’s hospitals would 
overflow.The vast Wichita referral region (population 1.3 
million, including west and southeast Kansas) could handle up to a 40% 
infection rate over a year-and-a-half. The Topeka referral region 
(population 460,000) could handle a 20% infection rate over a year or 
year-and-a-half.Kansas didn’t appear ready, according to the researchers’ findings, 
for higher infection rates and swifter spread. Even if hospitals had no 
other patients, there wouldn’t be enough beds in the state for a 40% 
infection rate over six months.Hospitals have tapered down or shuttered <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/most-kansas-city-area-hospitals-put-elective-surgeries-prepare-covid-19" target="_blank">non-emergency care</a>
 to make space and the state’s main population centers are under 
stay-home orders. Kansas health secretary Lee Norman urges the rest of 
the state to shelter in place, too.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421732792.jpeg" alt=" Health secretary Lee Norman talks to reporters about COVID-19. (Press briefings are now less crowded and follow social distancing rules.) Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Health secretary Lee Norman talks to reporters about COVID-19. (Press briefings are now less crowded and follow social distancing rules.) Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas has asked the federal government for 100 more ventilators from
 a national stockpile, Norman said Wednesday, and may turn to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/ventilator-supply-mitigation-strategies-letter-health-care-providers" target="_blank">machines meant for sleep apnea</a>
 to help COVID-19 patients breathe. To address a looming shortage of 
face masks, it’s trying to get ultraviolet lights that would let health 
workers sterilize and reuse the items several times.The state is also scouring options for <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/03/23/coronavirus-and-the-states-governors-plan-field-hospitals-heartland-unemployment-spikes" target="_blank">temporary bed space</a>; in other parts of the U.S., officials are turning to everything from <a href="https://mynorthwest.com/1775827/king-county-field-hospitals-coronavirus/" target="_blank">soccer fields</a> to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-closed-hospitals-college-dorms-meet-coronavirus-demands/story?id=69683447" target="_blank">closed hospitals</a>.Norman
 expected to know more soon about the state’s risks for running out of 
bed space and its options to repurpose existing buildings if needed.“As
 much as it seems like ‘Oh, well, we’ll call in the National Guard and 
set up tents,” he said, “that's hard. We would much rather move into a 
built environment that was built for patient care, that has (ventilator)
 gases and all the safety features.”In Topeka, Stormont Vail 
Health swiftly renovated 16 rooms, adding to 31 that were already 
equipped with the right air systems to handle COVID-19 patients. It may 
renovate another 16 rooms, CEO and physician Robert Kenagy said.His
 hospital is also turning one of its clinics into an acute respiratory 
location to screen and care for suspected COVID-19 patients more 
efficiently and safely.“We believe that we will be able to 
handle what's coming,” Kenagy said, if Kansans take social distancing 
seriously. “It is vitally important. This is our one opportunity to 
dampen the effect of the pandemic.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Even 40% of Kansans getting COVID-19 in 6 months would overwhelm hospitals 

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department has announced the county's second and third confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Following is a news release from the McPherson County Health Department.

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department has announced the county's second and third confirmed cases of COVID-19.Following is a news release from the McPherson County Health Department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585421146016.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

McPherson County reports 2 more coronavirus cases

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. tonight. The National Weather Service office in Wichita says West winds 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 are expected.

Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Hazardous driving conditions will exist due to low visibility.

Isolated to scattered showers may develop this afternoon across portions of central and south-central Kansas. These showers may be accompanied by wind gusts to 50 miles per hour.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle and secure outdoor objects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585406396280.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
WICHITA,
Kan. — 
A Wind Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. tonight. The National Weather Service office in Wichita says West winds 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 are expected.Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Hazardous driving conditions will exist due to low visibility.Isolated to scattered showers may develop this afternoon across portions of central and south-central Kansas. These showers may be accompanied by wind gusts to 50 miles per hour.Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle and secure outdoor objects.

Wind will howl Saturday across Kansas

NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson schools will return to their meal program on Monday. Every child ages 1-18 will be able to pick up a hot lunch and breakfast at Nickerson High School, South Hutch Elementary School or Nickerson Elementary School. 

Cold grab-and-go lunches can also be picked up at the Westside Villa, 7th Street bus stop and the 5th and Main bus stop in the parking lot of Simply Good Overstocks. All locations will also provide breakfast for the next day. 

The child must be present to receive meals and walk-up children are welcome.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570031878174.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson schools will return to their meal program on Monday. Every child ages 1-18 will be able to pick up a hot lunch and breakfast at Nickerson High School, South Hutch Elementary School or Nickerson Elementary School. Cold grab-and-go lunches can also be picked up at the Westside Villa, 7th Street bus stop and the 5th and Main bus stop in the parking lot of Simply Good Overstocks. All locations will also provide breakfast for the next day. The child must be present to receive meals and walk-up children are welcome.

USD 309 resumes meal program Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  After taking a week off for spring break, Hutchinson USD 308 will resume meal service Monday. A third pickup location is also being offered.  

Pickup will be at McCandless Elementary School at 700 N. Baker, HMS - 7 and HMS - 8.

Meals will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are free for anyone 18 and younger. The student or child must be present in the vehicle. Each child will receive one lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning.

During the first week of the program, USD 308 handed out 7,000 meals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579011979634.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After taking a week off for spring break, Hutchinson USD 308 will resume meal service Monday. A third pickup location is also being offered. Pickup will be at McCandless Elementary School at 700 N. Baker, HMS - 7 and HMS - 8.Meals will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are free for anyone 18 and younger. The student or child must be present in the vehicle. Each child will receive one lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning.During the first week of the program, USD 308 handed out 7,000 meals.

Meal program kicks off again Monday in USD 308

Billy Gillispie hasn’t coached Division I basketball since 2012, but that could be changing.

According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the former coach of Texas A&amp;M and Kentucky is reportedly a candidate to take over as basketball coach at Tarleton State. The Texas-based school will begin playing in the Western Athletic Conference in 2020-21.

Through various Twitter sources as well as the Fort Worth Star Telegram: Billy Gillispie has emerged as a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Tarleton State. Gillispie is the current head coach at Ranger College (JUCO) and the former head coach at Texas Tech, UTEP, and Kentucky.Texans will join the WAC and Division 1 on July 1st.

Tarleton State won’t be eligible for postseason play until 2024-25, but seeing Gillispie’s name back in the news is interesting. At one point, he was one of the hottest coaches in the country. Then came a failed stint at Kentucky, followed by a Texas Tech tenure&nbsp;<a href="https://larrybrownsports.com/college-basketball/billy-gillispie-made-player-cry-in-pain/152915" target="_blank">marred by allegations of player abuse</a>. Since then, he’s found success coaching Ranger College, a junior college. Now he may be tapped to help a school transition into Division I play.

Billy Gillispie hasn’t coached Division I basketball since 2012, but that could be changing.According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the former coach of Texas A&amp;M and Kentucky is reportedly a candidate to take over as basketball coach at Tarleton State. The Texas-based school will begin playing in the Western Athletic Conference in 2020-21.Through various Twitter sources as well as the Fort Worth Star Telegram: Billy Gillispie has emerged as a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Tarleton State. Gillispie is the current head coach at Ranger College (JUCO) and the former head coach at Texas Tech, UTEP, and Kentucky.Texans will join the WAC and Division 1 on July 1st.Tarleton State won’t be eligible for postseason play until 2024-25, but seeing Gillispie’s name back in the news is interesting. At one point, he was one of the hottest coaches in the country. Then came a failed stint at Kentucky, followed by a Texas Tech tenure&nbsp;<a href="https://larrybrownsports.com/college-basketball/billy-gillispie-made-player-cry-in-pain/152915" target="_blank">marred by allegations of player abuse</a>. Since then, he’s found success coaching Ranger College, a junior college. Now he may be tapped to help a school transition into Division I play.

Report: Billy Gillispie could return to Division I coaching with Tarleton State

UNDATED (AP) — Austin Carr played at Notre Dame in an era when prolific scorers dominated the college game. He scored an NCAA Tournament-record 61 points against Ohio in the first round in 1970. Carr was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers the next year. He averaged almost 35 points over his college career and he scored 45 points or more in five of his seven NCAA Tournament games. Carr says he's surprised his record in the tournament continues to stand 50 years later.

DENVER (AP) — A second Colorado Avalanche player has tested positive for COVID-19. The team says it was informed Friday night, and the unidentified player is in self-isolation. A statement from the Avalanche on Saturday says those who came in close contact with the player have been informed and remain isolated. There are now four NHL players known to have tested positive, with the others coming from the Ottawa Senators.

UNDATED (AP) — A deal negotiated by Major League Baseball and the players doesn’t include details of what a reconfigured schedule would look like. The agreement calls for play to resume “as soon as is practicable” with a goal of completing “the fullest 2020 championship season and postseason that is economically feasible.” It also says there must be no legal restrictions on mass gathering and travel. The two sides agreed to consider playing past the usual end of the postseason in late October, even if it involves using neutral sites and domes.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte has confirmed that basketball coach Shaka Smart will be back for a sixth season with the team, telling the Austin American-Statesman, “Shaka's our coach.” The Longhorns have reached the NCAA Tournament twice in four tries under Smart. Texas went 19-12 this past season without any seniors in the lineup. But the team is just 40-50 in the Big 12 under Smart, who is 90-78 overall with the Longhorns.

NEW YORK (AP) — St. John's wing LJ Figueroa has declared for the NBA draft. School officials say he hasn't hired an agent and still has the option to return to school. Figueroa can return to school for his final season of eligibility if he withdraws from the draft pool by June 3. Figueroa started 32 games in each of his two seasons with the Red Storm, averaging 14.5 points and 5.4 rebounds.

MIAMI (AP) — Tiz the Law ran away in the stretch to easily win the Florida Derby and wrap up a spot in the Kentucky Derby field. The win at Gulfstream Park was worth 100 points, far more than what will be needed for a chance to run at Churchill Downs if the rescheduled Kentucky Derby goes off as planned in early September. Shivaree was second after going off at 80-1. Shivaree picked up 50 points to likely clinch a spot in the Derby field.

UNDATED (AP) — Austin Carr played at Notre Dame in an era when prolific scorers dominated the college game. He scored an NCAA Tournament-record 61 points against Ohio in the first round in 1970. Carr was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers the next year. He averaged almost 35 points over his college career and he scored 45 points or more in five of his seven NCAA Tournament games. Carr says he's surprised his record in the tournament continues to stand 50 years later.DENVER (AP) — A second Colorado Avalanche player has tested positive for COVID-19. The team says it was informed Friday night, and the unidentified player is in self-isolation. A statement from the Avalanche on Saturday says those who came in close contact with the player have been informed and remain isolated. There are now four NHL players known to have tested positive, with the others coming from the Ottawa Senators.UNDATED (AP) — A deal negotiated by Major League Baseball and the players doesn’t include details of what a reconfigured schedule would look like. The agreement calls for play to resume “as soon as is practicable” with a goal of completing “the fullest 2020 championship season and postseason that is economically feasible.” It also says there must be no legal restrictions on mass gathering and travel. The two sides agreed to consider playing past the usual end of the postseason in late October, even if it involves using neutral sites and domes.AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte has confirmed that basketball coach Shaka Smart will be back for a sixth season with the team, telling the Austin American-Statesman, “Shaka's our coach.” The Longhorns have reached the NCAA Tournament twice in four tries under Smart. Texas went 19-12 this past season without any seniors in the lineup. But the team is just 40-50 in the Big 12 under Smart, who is 90-78 overall with the Longhorns.NEW YORK (AP) — St. John's wing LJ Figueroa has declared for the NBA draft. School officials say he hasn't hired an agent and still has the option to return to school. Figueroa can return to school for his final season of eligibility if he withdraws from the draft pool by June 3. Figueroa started 32 games in each of his two seasons with the Red Storm, averaging 14.5 points and 5.4 rebounds.MIAMI (AP) — Tiz the Law ran away in the stretch to easily win the Florida Derby and wrap up a spot in the Kentucky Derby field. The win at Gulfstream Park was worth 100 points, far more than what will be needed for a chance to run at Churchill Downs if the rescheduled Kentucky Derby goes off as planned in early September. Shivaree was second after going off at 80-1. Shivaree picked up 50 points to likely clinch a spot in the Derby field.

Sunday Sports Headlines

LARAMIE, Wyoming - University of Wyoming head basketball coach Jeff Linder announced Wednesday the addition of Wyoming native Sundance Wicks to the Cowboy coaching staff.&nbsp; He joins former HutchCC Blue Dragon and Quarterback Club Hall of Famer, Shaun Vandiver on Jeff Linder's Staff. He has spent the last two seasons as head coach at Missouri Western.

“To have the opportunity to bring someone who dreamed of being a Cowboy and embodies all the characteristics of what it means to be a Cowboy back to his home state like Coach Wicks is a special deal,” Linder said. “His passion and JUICE for the game of basketball will be felt the day he steps foot on campus. He has experienced every level of basketball and has thrived at every stop along the way. He’s a proven winner who finalizes an assistant coaching staff that will work tirelessly for our players, the state of Wyoming, and the University of Wyoming. I want to give a big Cowboy welcome to Coach Wicks and his family!”&nbsp;

A native of Gillette, Wyo., Wicks led the Griffons to 18 wins in 2019-20, as it was the most by the program in 10 years. In his first season at the helm of the program his team doubled their win total from the prior campaign. In his two seasons, Wick helped mentor six All-MIAA players and an NABC All-District selection.

“There is a dream job for everyone and for me being at the University of Wyoming with a coach like Jeff Linder is mine,” Wicks said. “Coach Linder is regarded to be one of the smartest coaches in college basketball and his vision as a coach has made himself and his teams very successful everywhere he has been. I’m honored to be a part of his staff here in my home state.”

Prior to his time at Missouri Western, Wick spent time at his alma mater Northern State University, where he was associate head coach during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. In 2017-18, Wicks helped lead Northern State&nbsp;to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season and postseason championships. Northern State also claimed the central region championship en route to the program’s first-ever appearance in the national championship game.

Wicks has been an assistant coach at the Division II and Division I levels.&nbsp;After lettering four years as a student-athlete at Northern State from 1999-2003, Wicks held assistant coaching positions at Northern State, Colorado (2006-07), Northern Illinois (2007-11) and San Francisco (2015-16).

He also built the Arizona Power Basketball Academy, serving as a skill instructor and director from 2011-15. Prior to launching the APBA, he spent five months training NBA pre-draft prospects at the Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas. Wicks’ draft class trainees included Kawhi Leonard, Alec Burks and Isaiah Thomas.

Wicks began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northern State under the legendary Don Meyer.

As a student-athlete, Wicks was twice named first team All-NSIC, scoring 1,174 points and pulling down 665 rebounds in his career. He was also a two-time All-NSIC performer in the 400-meter hurdles at Northern State. After graduation, Wicks played for the Sodertalje Kings in Sweden. He led the team in points and rebounding.

Wicks graduated from Campbell County High School in 1999, where he lettered in football, basketball and track and field. In 1999, he was named the Millward Simpson Athlete of the Year. Wicks was a part of two high school basketball championships (1996-97 and 1998-99), and in his senior season, won a trio of state championships in football, basketball and track and field, where he captured the individual state title in the 300-meter hurdles, and was the state runner-up in the 110-meter high hurdles.

“To be able to go back to your home state, where you were raised in a place where the whole state gets behind you is special,” Wicks said. Wyoming is a place that is dear to my heart and my family’s heart. This truly is a dream come true.

Wicks received a bachelor’s degree in international business from Northern State in 2003 and a master’s degree in health, physical education and coaching from Northern State in 2006.



LARAMIE, Wyoming - University of Wyoming head basketball coach Jeff Linder announced Wednesday the addition of Wyoming native Sundance Wicks to the Cowboy coaching staff.&nbsp; He joins former HutchCC Blue Dragon and Quarterback Club Hall of Famer, Shaun Vandiver on Jeff Linder's Staff. He has spent the last two seasons as head coach at Missouri Western.“To have the opportunity to bring someone who dreamed of being a Cowboy and embodies all the characteristics of what it means to be a Cowboy back to his home state like Coach Wicks is a special deal,” Linder said. “His passion and JUICE for the game of basketball will be felt the day he steps foot on campus. He has experienced every level of basketball and has thrived at every stop along the way. He’s a proven winner who finalizes an assistant coaching staff that will work tirelessly for our players, the state of Wyoming, and the University of Wyoming. I want to give a big Cowboy welcome to Coach Wicks and his family!”&nbsp;A native of Gillette, Wyo., Wicks led the Griffons to 18 wins in 2019-20, as it was the most by the program in 10 years. In his first season at the helm of the program his team doubled their win total from the prior campaign. In his two seasons, Wick helped mentor six All-MIAA players and an NABC All-District selection.“There is a dream job for everyone and for me being at the University of Wyoming with a coach like Jeff Linder is mine,” Wicks said. “Coach Linder is regarded to be one of the smartest coaches in college basketball and his vision as a coach has made himself and his teams very successful everywhere he has been. I’m honored to be a part of his staff here in my home state.”Prior to his time at Missouri Western, Wick spent time at his alma mater Northern State University, where he was associate head coach during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. In 2017-18, Wicks helped lead Northern State&nbsp;to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season and postseason championships. Northern State also claimed the central region championship en route to the program’s first-ever appearance in the national championship game.Wicks has been an assistant coach at the Division II and Division I levels.&nbsp;After lettering four years as a student-athlete at Northern State from 1999-2003, Wicks held assistant coaching positions at Northern State, Colorado (2006-07), Northern Illinois (2007-11) and San Francisco (2015-16).He also built the Arizona Power Basketball Academy, serving as a skill instructor and director from 2011-15. Prior to launching the APBA, he spent five months training NBA pre-draft prospects at the Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas. Wicks’ draft class trainees included Kawhi Leonard, Alec Burks and Isaiah Thomas.Wicks began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northern State under the legendary Don Meyer.As a student-athlete, Wicks was twice named first team All-NSIC, scoring 1,174 points and pulling down 665 rebounds in his career. He was also a two-time All-NSIC performer in the 400-meter hurdles at Northern State. After graduation, Wicks played for the Sodertalje Kings in Sweden. He led the team in points and rebounding.Wicks graduated from Campbell County High School in 1999, where he lettered in football, basketball and track and field. In 1999, he was named the Millward Simpson Athlete of the Year. Wicks was a part of two high school basketball championships (1996-97 and 1998-99), and in his senior season, won a trio of state championships in football, basketball and track and field, where he captured the individual state title in the 300-meter hurdles, and was the state runner-up in the 110-meter high hurdles.“To be able to go back to your home state, where you were raised in a place where the whole state gets behind you is special,” Wicks said. Wyoming is a place that is dear to my heart and my family’s heart. This truly is a dream come true.Wicks received a bachelor’s degree in international business from Northern State in 2003 and a master’s degree in health, physical education and coaching from Northern State in 2006.

Sundance Wicks named Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Wyoming

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -It’s been a very strange month for Iowa Western Community College Athletics and their men’s basketball team…

Hoopdirt.com, a national Junior College information source reported the following.&nbsp; 

At the end of February, head men’s basketball coach Michael Johnette (former HutchCC assistant coach)&nbsp;<a href="https://hoopdirt.com/juco-dirt-johnette-resigns-at-iowa-western/">resigned</a>&nbsp;after four years on the job (90-36). IWCC (Iowa Western Community College) then began a very aggressive search which led to this final group:

Former Iona assistant Tra Arnold,Troy assistant Mike Worley, Southwest Mississippi CC head coach Bryan Bender, Des Moines Area CC head coach Josh Sash, Iowa Western assistant Chad Van Riessen, and former USC Salk (and new Dodge City head coach) Jake Williams. This group was narrowed to three at the beginning of this week, and that’s when things started to get interesting.

On Monday, hoopdirt.com got word that Director of Athletics Jeremy Capo had resigned after nearly four years at IWCC.&nbsp; Hoopdirt.com then heard that the three final candidates (who were supposed to interview late this week) were all contacted by the outgoing President, and told that the search was being “canceled.” At that point, either suspending athletics, or dropping to NJCAA D2 were both on the table according to multiple sources.

It now sounds like the decision has been made to drop down to D2, which is not an easy decision for a school that has won National Championships in football (2012), baseball (2010, 2012, 2014), women’s soccer (2013), men’s soccer (2013), and women’s volleyball (2006). It is not clear if this will be a permanent move, or one that may be reversed after a new president is hired.

On the basketball side, hoopdirt.com heard from multiple people that current assistant coach Chad Van Riessen will be elevated to head coach. He had been on Johnette’s staff for the past four seasons, and previously worked at Missouri State University-West Plains and Northwest Missouri State. I have heard that the official announcement here will be made shortly.

HoopDirt.com&nbsp;will continue to provide updates on this situation as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585400851274.jpeg" alt="Information provided via hoopdirt.com web page and twitter" />
 <figcaption>Information provided via hoopdirt.com web page and twitter</figcaption>
 </figure>COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -It’s been a very strange month for Iowa Western Community College Athletics and their men’s basketball team…Hoopdirt.com, a national Junior College information source reported the following.&nbsp; At the end of February, head men’s basketball coach Michael Johnette (former HutchCC assistant coach)&nbsp;<a href="https://hoopdirt.com/juco-dirt-johnette-resigns-at-iowa-western/">resigned</a>&nbsp;after four years on the job (90-36). IWCC (Iowa Western Community College) then began a very aggressive search which led to this final group:Former Iona assistant Tra Arnold,Troy assistant Mike Worley, Southwest Mississippi CC head coach Bryan Bender, Des Moines Area CC head coach Josh Sash, Iowa Western assistant Chad Van Riessen, and former USC Salk (and new Dodge City head coach) Jake Williams. This group was narrowed to three at the beginning of this week, and that’s when things started to get interesting.On Monday, hoopdirt.com got word that Director of Athletics Jeremy Capo had resigned after nearly four years at IWCC.&nbsp; Hoopdirt.com then heard that the three final candidates (who were supposed to interview late this week) were all contacted by the outgoing President, and told that the search was being “canceled.” At that point, either suspending athletics, or dropping to NJCAA D2 were both on the table according to multiple sources.It now sounds like the decision has been made to drop down to D2, which is not an easy decision for a school that has won National Championships in football (2012), baseball (2010, 2012, 2014), women’s soccer (2013), men’s soccer (2013), and women’s volleyball (2006). It is not clear if this will be a permanent move, or one that may be reversed after a new president is hired.On the basketball side, hoopdirt.com heard from multiple people that current assistant coach Chad Van Riessen will be elevated to head coach. He had been on Johnette’s staff for the past four seasons, and previously worked at Missouri State University-West Plains and Northwest Missouri State. I have heard that the official announcement here will be made shortly.HoopDirt.com&nbsp;will continue to provide updates on this situation as they become available.

Athletics up in the air at Iowa Western

GARDEN CITY, Kan-Cole Dewey had already laid footprints in Garden City nearly eight years ago. And in just one season as an assistant with the Broncbusters, he left an indelible mark on the entire community.

Less than a decade later, he's back, only this time, he's the man in charge.

On Monday, following a nationwide search, Dewey was named the next men's basketball coach at Garden City Community College. He replaces Interim Coach Silas Mills who took over following Patrick Nee's departure at the end of Feb.

"We had some great candidates for this position," Director of Athletics Greg McVey said. "But the one thing about Cole is he checked all the boxes. He immediately rose to the top because he had the right balance of basketball knowledge, student success and being a community pillar."

College President, Dr. Ryan Ruda, feels the committee hit a home run.

"I am extremely excited to be bringing Cole Dewey back to Buster nation," he said. "I was very pleased with the quality of candidates that we had, which is truly representative of the respect that Garden City Community College has as an institution. We were looking for a candidate who exhibits high character and will demonstrate and present a team that excels in the classroom, community and on the court. I am excited to welcome Cole back and excited for the future of men's basketball under his leadership."

Dewey, 31, brings a wealth of experience back to Garden City. He spent the past two years revitalizing the program at Otero, winning 45 games including a 25-7 campaign in 2019-2020. The Rattlers were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation and finished second in the region standings.

"When the job opened, it immediately sparked my interest because I coached there before," Dewey said. "I know people in the community. It's a place my wife and I plan to start a family. And they have the resources that will enable us to compete for a National Championship."

Before landing the job at Otero, Dewey spent three seasons working as an assistant under Hank Plona at powerhouse Indian Hills. There, the Warriors made three straight trips to the National Tournament and won 91 games. They were 33-0 entering the 2018 NJCAA Tournament before being upset by a Cinderella-Barton squad.&nbsp;

"Cole is a winner," McVey added. "He's won everywhere he's been. And his teams have been solid in the classroom. Being a basketball coach at this level is more than x's and o's, and Cole fully understands that. He's been a part of some really great programs."

Prior to his run at Indian Hills, Dewey coached the 2014-2015 season at South Plains, where the Texans made it all the way to the National Championship Game as the No. 8 seed before dropping a heartbreaker in overtime to Northwest Florida State. The year before that, he was an assistant under Brady Trenkle in Garden City-propelling the Broncbusters to a 22-9 record and a third-place finish in the Jayhawk Conference. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Campbell University.

"I've been very fortunate to work under some really great people," Dewey explained. "Working for Steve Green at South Plains and playing in the National Championship Game was an unbelievable moment. Hank was a tremendous leader at Indian Hills. These guys are all respected in the Junior College world. I learned so much from them, and I've built some really great relationships along the way."

In all, Dewey has been a part of four conference championships while coaching 31 All-Conference players and three league players' of the year. 51 of his student-athletes have signed to play at Division-I schools and his players have a 100-percent graduation rate.

"I've been recruiting for the last two weeks," Dewey admitted. "Now I get to tell all of those guys that they're going to Garden City. We want to make a run at the National Championship."

Dewey grew up in Willow Spring, N.C. where he played for his father, David at South Johnston High School. There, he was a three-time all-conference performer, averaging 16 points, four rebounds and eight assists as a senior. He finished his prep career with 1,196 points and a school-record 520 assists. After graduation, he signed at Campbell University where he played for four years. He has a Master's Degree in Business Administration.

He comes to Garden City with his wife, Kristina, who's a registered nurse.

South Plains Junior College (Assistant Coach)

Garden City Community College (Assistant Coach)

GARDEN CITY, Kan-Cole Dewey had already laid footprints in Garden City nearly eight years ago. And in just one season as an assistant with the Broncbusters, he left an indelible mark on the entire community.Less than a decade later, he's back, only this time, he's the man in charge.On Monday, following a nationwide search, Dewey was named the next men's basketball coach at Garden City Community College. He replaces Interim Coach Silas Mills who took over following Patrick Nee's departure at the end of Feb."We had some great candidates for this position," Director of Athletics Greg McVey said. "But the one thing about Cole is he checked all the boxes. He immediately rose to the top because he had the right balance of basketball knowledge, student success and being a community pillar."College President, Dr. Ryan Ruda, feels the committee hit a home run."I am extremely excited to be bringing Cole Dewey back to Buster nation," he said. "I was very pleased with the quality of candidates that we had, which is truly representative of the respect that Garden City Community College has as an institution. We were looking for a candidate who exhibits high character and will demonstrate and present a team that excels in the classroom, community and on the court. I am excited to welcome Cole back and excited for the future of men's basketball under his leadership."Dewey, 31, brings a wealth of experience back to Garden City. He spent the past two years revitalizing the program at Otero, winning 45 games including a 25-7 campaign in 2019-2020. The Rattlers were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation and finished second in the region standings."When the job opened, it immediately sparked my interest because I coached there before," Dewey said. "I know people in the community. It's a place my wife and I plan to start a family. And they have the resources that will enable us to compete for a National Championship."Before landing the job at Otero, Dewey spent three seasons working as an assistant under Hank Plona at powerhouse Indian Hills. There, the Warriors made three straight trips to the National Tournament and won 91 games. They were 33-0 entering the 2018 NJCAA Tournament before being upset by a Cinderella-Barton squad.&nbsp;"Cole is a winner," McVey added. "He's won everywhere he's been. And his teams have been solid in the classroom. Being a basketball coach at this level is more than x's and o's, and Cole fully understands that. He's been a part of some really great programs."Prior to his run at Indian Hills, Dewey coached the 2014-2015 season at South Plains, where the Texans made it all the way to the National Championship Game as the No. 8 seed before dropping a heartbreaker in overtime to Northwest Florida State. The year before that, he was an assistant under Brady Trenkle in Garden City-propelling the Broncbusters to a 22-9 record and a third-place finish in the Jayhawk Conference. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Campbell University."I've been very fortunate to work under some really great people," Dewey explained. "Working for Steve Green at South Plains and playing in the National Championship Game was an unbelievable moment. Hank was a tremendous leader at Indian Hills. These guys are all respected in the Junior College world. I learned so much from them, and I've built some really great relationships along the way."In all, Dewey has been a part of four conference championships while coaching 31 All-Conference players and three league players' of the year. 51 of his student-athletes have signed to play at Division-I schools and his players have a 100-percent graduation rate."I've been recruiting for the last two weeks," Dewey admitted. "Now I get to tell all of those guys that they're going to Garden City. We want to make a run at the National Championship."Dewey grew up in Willow Spring, N.C. where he played for his father, David at South Johnston High School. There, he was a three-time all-conference performer, averaging 16 points, four rebounds and eight assists as a senior. He finished his prep career with 1,196 points and a school-record 520 assists. After graduation, he signed at Campbell University where he played for four years. He has a Master's Degree in Business Administration.He comes to Garden City with his wife, Kristina, who's a registered nurse.The Dewey FileOtero (Head Coach)2019-2020: 25-72018-2019: 20-10Indian Hills (Assistant Coach)2017-2018: 33-12016-2017: 29-52015-2016: 29-5South Plains Junior College (Assistant Coach)2014-2015: 29-7 (National Runner-up)Garden City Community College (Assistant Coach)2013-2014: 22-9)Campbell University (Graduate Assistant)2011-2012: 17-152012-2013: 13-20

Former Garden City Broncbuster assistant, Cole Dewey, named men's basketball coach

UNDATED (AP) — Coaches and players live tweeting replays of epic NCAA Tournament games are giving fans a hoops fix in a time of fear and isolation. March Madness may have been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak but the live tweeting of replays adds insight and a dash of humor to games where the outcome is already known. Kansas coach Bill Self and multiple players from Villanova's 2016 national championship team have joined in the live tweeting so far.&nbsp;

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's top lawyer is appealing a judge's decision to throw out burglary and assault convictions against a man whose case has been championed by WNBA star Maya Moore. Jonathon Irons is a family friend of Moore. She has helped draw attention to his attorneys' efforts to get the case another look.&nbsp;A judge agreed there is enough evidence to prove he was wrongfully convicted in the 1997 non-fatal shooting of a homeowner in the St. Louis area.&nbsp;But state Attorney General Eric Schmitt's office this week appealed, saying the lower court judge abused his discretion in tossing out the convictions.&nbsp;

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions have agreed to contracts with linebackers Reggie Ragland and Elijah Lee. Ragland started 32 games over the past three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Ragland played 14 games last season for the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, making seven starts. He had two sacks. Lee comes to Detroit from the other participant in last season's Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers. He started one game last season. Detroit has overhauled its defense this offseason, and the linebacking unit is no exception. The Lions previously cut Devon Kennard and added Jamie Collins.

UNDATED (AP) — Coaches and players live tweeting replays of epic NCAA Tournament games are giving fans a hoops fix in a time of fear and isolation. March Madness may have been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak but the live tweeting of replays adds insight and a dash of humor to games where the outcome is already known. Kansas coach Bill Self and multiple players from Villanova's 2016 national championship team have joined in the live tweeting so far.&nbsp;JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's top lawyer is appealing a judge's decision to throw out burglary and assault convictions against a man whose case has been championed by WNBA star Maya Moore. Jonathon Irons is a family friend of Moore. She has helped draw attention to his attorneys' efforts to get the case another look.&nbsp;A judge agreed there is enough evidence to prove he was wrongfully convicted in the 1997 non-fatal shooting of a homeowner in the St. Louis area.&nbsp;But state Attorney General Eric Schmitt's office this week appealed, saying the lower court judge abused his discretion in tossing out the convictions.&nbsp;DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions have agreed to contracts with linebackers Reggie Ragland and Elijah Lee. Ragland started 32 games over the past three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Ragland played 14 games last season for the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, making seven starts. He had two sacks. Lee comes to Detroit from the other participant in last season's Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers. He started one game last season. Detroit has overhauled its defense this offseason, and the linebacking unit is no exception. The Lions previously cut Devon Kennard and added Jamie Collins.

Saturday Sports Headlines

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A woman has been charged with fatally shooting a man as they met in the parking lot of a Kansas City police station to exchange children.

Twenty-seven-year-old Deshonia Diamond is jailed on $100,000 bond on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action and a misdemeanor charge of failing to report a shooting in the Feb. 28 killing of 34-year-old Devon Nolan.

A witness told police that Diamond put the children in Nolan's vehicle, she remarked that he had repaired the windows that she had shot out, according to the probable cause statement. The witness said Diamond then drove to an exit and Nolan pulled his vehicle next to hers and got out of it. That’s when the witness said Diamond shot him.

Officers found Nolan stumbling toward the police station. Before he died, he told officers that Diamond shot him with a pink gun and described the vehicle she left in, the statement said.

Police heard screams from inside Nolan’s vehicle and found three uninjured children.

Using a search warrant, police found a pink and black gun at an apartment associated with Diamond.

No attorney was listed for Diamond in online court records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585338458512.png" alt="Diamond " />
 <figcaption>Diamond </figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A woman has been charged with fatally shooting a man as they met in the parking lot of a Kansas City police station to exchange children.Twenty-seven-year-old Deshonia Diamond is jailed on $100,000 bond on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action and a misdemeanor charge of failing to report a shooting in the Feb. 28 killing of 34-year-old Devon Nolan.A witness told police that Diamond put the children in Nolan's vehicle, she remarked that he had repaired the windows that she had shot out, according to the probable cause statement. The witness said Diamond then drove to an exit and Nolan pulled his vehicle next to hers and got out of it. That’s when the witness said Diamond shot him.Officers found Nolan stumbling toward the police station. Before he died, he told officers that Diamond shot him with a pink gun and described the vehicle she left in, the statement said.Police heard screams from inside Nolan’s vehicle and found three uninjured children.Using a search warrant, police found a pink and black gun at an apartment associated with Diamond.No attorney was listed for Diamond in online court records.

KC woman charged in fatal shooting after custody exchange

NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak could kill 100,000 to 200,000 Americans, the U.S. government’s top infectious-disease expert warned on Sunday as smoldering hot spots in nursing homes and a growing list of stricken cities heightened the sense of dread across the country.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made the dire prediction of fatalities on CNN, adding that millions in the U.S. could become infected.

By evening, the U.S. had over 135,000 infections and 2,400 deaths, according to the running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University, though the true number of cases is thought to be considerably higher because of testing shortages and mild illnesses that have gone unreported.

Worldwide, more than 710,000 infections were reported, and deaths topped 33,000, half of them in Italy and Spain, where hospitals are swamped and the health system is at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ec91dc45d8d7c2ea86b0a97446a303a">breaking point</a>.

New York state — where the death toll closed in on 1,000, up by more than 200 from the day before — remained the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, with the vast majority of the deaths in New York City. But spikes in infections were recorded around the country, not only in metropolitan areas but in Midwestern towns and Rocky Mountain ski havens.

“This is not going to get better soon,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

The virus is moving fast through nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other places that house elderly or otherwise&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4310cabee8397f9af442660b37f430e4">vulnerable people</a>, spreading “like fire through dry grass,” Cuomo said.

Since the U.S. saw its first major outbreak of the coronavirus earlier this month — centered at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington — a stream of facilities have battled infections among residents and staff.

A week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 147 nursing homes in 27 states had patients with COVID-19. The problem has only worsened since.

In Woodbridge, New Jersey, an entire nursing home relocated its residents after two dozen were confirmed infected and the rest were presumed to be. In Louisiana, at least 11 nursing homes, largely in the New Orleans area, have reported cases. In Mount Airy, Maryland, a death linked to the virus was recorded in a home where 66 people were confirmed infected.

Residents’ loved ones are being kept away to try to slow the spread of the virus.

“I have a feeling that I very likely may never see my mother again,” said James Preller, whose 94-year-old mother, Ann Preller, is a resident at Peconic Landing, a retirement community near Greenport on New York’s Long Island where seven have died in the past two weeks.

Brian Lee of Families for Better Care, an advocacy group for those living in long-term care facilities, said in a nursing home, “when we see an outbreak that’s uncontrolled, it’s practically a death sentence.” But he also said the way residents are being walled off from the outside world is as much of a concern as the virus itself.

In New York, the virus is overwhelming some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, with data showing high rates of infection in densely packed areas with big non-English-speaking populations.

Dr. Craig Smith, who heads the surgery department at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, said the hospital will probably be forced into “apocalyptic scenarios” in the coming weeks in which ventilators and intensive care unit beds will need to be rationed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585496965542.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci visits with Vice President Mike Pence prior to Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci visits with Vice President Mike Pence prior to Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak could kill 100,000 to 200,000 Americans, the U.S. government’s top infectious-disease expert warned on Sunday as smoldering hot spots in nursing homes and a growing list of stricken cities heightened the sense of dread across the country.Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made the dire prediction of fatalities on CNN, adding that millions in the U.S. could become infected.By evening, the U.S. had over 135,000 infections and 2,400 deaths, according to the running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University, though the true number of cases is thought to be considerably higher because of testing shortages and mild illnesses that have gone unreported.Worldwide, more than 710,000 infections were reported, and deaths topped 33,000, half of them in Italy and Spain, where hospitals are swamped and the health system is at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ec91dc45d8d7c2ea86b0a97446a303a">breaking point</a>.New York state — where the death toll closed in on 1,000, up by more than 200 from the day before — remained the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, with the vast majority of the deaths in New York City. But spikes in infections were recorded around the country, not only in metropolitan areas but in Midwestern towns and Rocky Mountain ski havens.“This is not going to get better soon,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.The virus is moving fast through nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other places that house elderly or otherwise&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4310cabee8397f9af442660b37f430e4">vulnerable people</a>, spreading “like fire through dry grass,” Cuomo said.Since the U.S. saw its first major outbreak of the coronavirus earlier this month — centered at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington — a stream of facilities have battled infections among residents and staff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585521942640.png" alt="Dr. Fauci during Sunday Coronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Fauci during Sunday Coronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>A week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 147 nursing homes in 27 states had patients with COVID-19. The problem has only worsened since.In Woodbridge, New Jersey, an entire nursing home relocated its residents after two dozen were confirmed infected and the rest were presumed to be. In Louisiana, at least 11 nursing homes, largely in the New Orleans area, have reported cases. In Mount Airy, Maryland, a death linked to the virus was recorded in a home where 66 people were confirmed infected.Residents’ loved ones are being kept away to try to slow the spread of the virus.“I have a feeling that I very likely may never see my mother again,” said James Preller, whose 94-year-old mother, Ann Preller, is a resident at Peconic Landing, a retirement community near Greenport on New York’s Long Island where seven have died in the past two weeks.Brian Lee of Families for Better Care, an advocacy group for those living in long-term care facilities, said in a nursing home, “when we see an outbreak that’s uncontrolled, it’s practically a death sentence.” But he also said the way residents are being walled off from the outside world is as much of a concern as the virus itself.In New York, the virus is overwhelming some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, with data showing high rates of infection in densely packed areas with big non-English-speaking populations.Dr. Craig Smith, who heads the surgery department at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, said the hospital will probably be forced into “apocalyptic scenarios” in the coming weeks in which ventilators and intensive care unit beds will need to be rationed.“Yesterday tried my soul,” he wrote in an online posting.Worry for the poorest was being echoed around the world.In India, a lockdown covering the country’s 1.3 billion people has put untold numbers out of work and left many families struggling to feed themselves. Tens of thousands in New Delhi were forced to flee their homes, with no way to pay the rent, journeying back to their native villages. Women in saris held babies on their hips. Others toted their belongings in bags normally used for cement.Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized for the hardships that the lockdown brought but said, “These tough measures were needed to win this battle.”Though the U.S. leads the world in reported cases, five other countries have higher death tolls: Italy, Spain, China, Iran and France.Italy reported more than 750 new fatalities Sunday, bringing the country’s total to nearly 10,800. But the number of new infections showed signs of easing, with officials expressing cautious optimism that the most severe shutdown in the industrialized West is showing results.Italy’s civil protection agency said more than 5,200 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, the lowest number in four days, for a total of almost 98,000 infections.Spain moved to tighten its lockdown and ban all nonessential work as it hit another daily record of almost 840 dead. The country’s overall official toll was more than 6,500.Spain’s health emergencies chief, Fernando Simón, said the number of people in intensive care units keeps rising and hospitals are at their limits in several regions.“That is why we have to strictly apply the control measures,” he said.Egypt shut its beaches as cases in the Mideast surpassed 50,000. Police in the Philippines stepped up arrests of quarantine violators, and more tourists were evacuated from Mount Everest and the Indonesian island of Bali.Poland is considering delaying its May 10 presidential election. Russia ordered borders to close on Monday, Moscow all but confined its 12 million residents to their homes, and the head of the Russian Orthodox called on believers to stay away from churches and pray at home instead.A prominent French politician with the virus died, the country’s first death of a senior official.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and lead to death.About 150,000 people have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins.President Donald Trump on Saturday backtracked on a proposal to quarantine New York and neighboring states amid criticism and questions about the legality of such a move. But the CDC issued a travel advisory urging all residents of New York City and others in New York state, New Jersey and Connecticut to avoid all nonessential travel for 14 days.Shocking as that is, it stopped short of the restrictions imposed in Europe or elsewhere. Parisians are fined if they try to leave the city, South Africans can’t buy liquor, and Serbians are upset over a ban on walking their dogs. In Italy, burials are being held with only one family member.Some U.S. states began to try to limit exposure from visitors from harder-hit areas. Rhode Island National Guard troops went door to door in coastal communities to find New Yorkers. Florida is setting up checkpoints to screen visitors from Louisiana.As others tightened controls, China continued to ease its restrictions, following the ruling Communist Party’s declaration of victory over the coronavirus. Flights from Hubei province at the epicenter of the country’s outbreak resumed Sunday.___

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