
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — USD 308 Superintendent Mike Folks released a video for parents Tuesday.

The bottom line is USD 308 will go to remote Monday if numbers end up where they are anticipated.

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — USD 308 Superintendent Mike Folks released a video for parents Tuesday.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uspCR-26qnQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The bottom line is USD 308 will go to remote Monday if numbers end up where they are anticipated.

USD 308 Superintendent informs parents of potential changes


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith announced Tuesday that she would be putting through a health order to limit mass gatherings to 100 people, with an exception for businesses that employ more than 100 people and outdoor events where social distancing can be maintained. 

Reno County commission chair Ron Sellers implored the community again to wear masks, wash hands and practice social distancing, as did Commissioner Ron Hirst.

"We're not going to arrest you for not masking," Sellers said. "Don't you just do some things for the good of others? Don't I have a community obligation to do the right thing to help others? That's what we heard from the superintendents is, help the kids stay in school. How hard is it to help to control the spread? I just think that we can do a little bit more and help this percentage that we've got reverse itself."

[Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-119 and K.S.A. 65-202]

This Emergency Public Health Order is effective the 14th day of October, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease COVID 19 pandemic in Reno County, Kansas pursuant to the authority of K.S.A. 65-119 and K.S.A. 65-202 and other applicable laws and regulations.

WHEREAS, the local Health Officer is authorized and required, pursuant to K.S.A. 65-119 and K.S.A. 65-202 to immediately exercise and maintain supervision over known or suspected cases of any infectious or contagious disease during its continuance, and to issue orders seeing that all such cases are properly handled and that the provisions of the Kansas public health laws as to isolation, quarantine and disinfection are duly enforced; and

WHEREAS, the local Health Officer is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and is authorized to prohibit public gatherings when necessary for the control of any and all infectious diseases, pursuant to K.S.A 65-119; and

WHEREAS, on May 26, 2020, the Governor of the State of Kansas declared a STATE OF DISASTER PROCLAMATION in order “to protect Kansas from the economic consequences of COVID-19 and the imminent threat of future outbreaks” and issued Executive Order 20-52 on

July 2, 2020, a statewide Order pertaining to the wearing of masks or other face coverings, which Proclamation and Order have been extended and remain in effect; and

WHEREAS, as of October 12, 2020 there have occurred in Reno County seven (7) confirmed deaths from COVID-19, 1446 positive cases, 321 current active positive cases, 58 total COVID-19 admissions to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and 29 total admissions to its Intensive Care Unit; and

WHEREAS, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Reno County Local Health Officer, all recommend implementation of community mitigation strategies to increase containment of the virus, including restricting large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the Interim Local Health Officer, pursuant to the above authorities, that:

1. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14th, 2020 all public or private mass gatherings as defined below, are prohibited within the border of Reno County.

a. The phrase “mass gathering” as used in this order means any planned or spontaneous, indoor and outdoor, public or private event or convening that will bring together or is likely to bring together 100 or more people in a confined or enclosed space at the same time.

b. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, mass gatherings at auditoriums, theaters, movie theaters, museums, arenas, conference rooms, meeting halls, exhibition centers, taverns, health and fitness centers, recreation centers, and licensed pools.

2. The following activities or facilities are exempt from the prohibition of this order:

a. Operations of the United States Government;

i. Military and National Guard facilities

b. Religious gatherings, as long as attendees engage in appropriate social distancing;

c. Public, private, or charter schools for instructional purposes;

d. Any facility being used as part of a government or community response to a natural disaster;

e. Public buildings where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 ft. of one another for more than 10 minutes;

f. Public and private businesses that employ more than 100 people; provided, reasonable efforts must be made to social distance by 6 feet in work and break areas.

h. Shopping malls and other retail establishments where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 ft. of one another for more than 10 minutes;

i. Arenas where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 ft. of one another for more than 10 minutes, and are able to maintain social distancing when seated by more than 6 ft. when not seated with their family units;

j. Outdoor stadiums where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes and are able to social distance when seated by more than 6 ft. when not seated with their family units.

3. Businesses are encouraged to comply with the Governor’s mask and face covering mandate.

This Order shall become effective as of 12:01 A.M. on October 14, 2020 and shall remain in effect until amended or rescinded. This Order may be modified as circumstances dictate.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith announced Tuesday that she would be putting through a health order to limit mass gatherings to 100 people, with an exception for businesses that employ more than 100 people and outdoor events where social distancing can be maintained. Reno County commission chair Ron Sellers implored the community again to wear masks, wash hands and practice social distancing, as did Commissioner Ron Hirst."We're not going to arrest you for not masking," Sellers said. "Don't you just do some things for the good of others? Don't I have a community obligation to do the right thing to help others? That's what we heard from the superintendents is, help the kids stay in school. How hard is it to help to control the spread? I just think that we can do a little bit more and help this percentage that we've got reverse itself."Below is the text of the Order...HEALTH ORDER #20-03[Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-119 and K.S.A. 65-202]This Emergency Public Health Order is effective the 14th day of October, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease COVID 19 pandemic in Reno County, Kansas pursuant to the authority of K.S.A. 65-119 and K.S.A. 65-202 and other applicable laws and regulations.WHEREAS, the local Health Officer is authorized and required, pursuant to K.S.A. 65-119 and K.S.A. 65-202 to immediately exercise and maintain supervision over known or suspected cases of any infectious or contagious disease during its continuance, and to issue orders seeing that all such cases are properly handled and that the provisions of the Kansas public health laws as to isolation, quarantine and disinfection are duly enforced; andWHEREAS, the local Health Officer is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and is authorized to prohibit public gatherings when necessary for the control of any and all infectious diseases, pursuant to K.S.A 65-119; andWHEREAS, on May 26, 2020, the Governor of the State of Kansas declared a STATE OF DISASTER PROCLAMATION in order “to protect Kansas from the economic consequences of COVID-19 and the imminent threat of future outbreaks” and issued Executive Order 20-52 onJuly 2, 2020, a statewide Order pertaining to the wearing of masks or other face coverings, which Proclamation and Order have been extended and remain in effect; andWHEREAS, as of October 12, 2020 there have occurred in Reno County seven (7) confirmed deaths from COVID-19, 1446 positive cases, 321 current active positive cases, 58 total COVID-19 admissions to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and 29 total admissions to its Intensive Care Unit; andWHEREAS, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Reno County Local Health Officer, all recommend implementation of community mitigation strategies to increase containment of the virus, including restricting large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings; andNOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the Interim Local Health Officer, pursuant to the above authorities, that:1. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14th, 2020 all public or private mass gatherings as defined below, are prohibited within the border of Reno County.a. The phrase “mass gathering” as used in this order means any planned or spontaneous, indoor and outdoor, public or private event or convening that will bring together or is likely to bring together 100 or more people in a confined or enclosed space at the same time.b. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, mass gatherings at auditoriums, theaters, movie theaters, museums, arenas, conference rooms, meeting halls, exhibition centers, taverns, health and fitness centers, recreation centers, and licensed pools.2. The following activities or facilities are exempt from the prohibition of this order:a. Operations of the United States Government;i. Military and National Guard facilitiesii. Department of Correctionsiti. Law Enforcementiv. Polling Placesb. Religious gatherings, as long as attendees engage in appropriate social distancing;c. Public, private, or charter schools for instructional purposes;d. Any facility being used as part of a government or community response to a natural disaster;e. Public buildings where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 ft. of one another for more than 10 minutes;f. Public and private businesses that employ more than 100 people; provided, reasonable efforts must be made to social distance by 6 feet in work and break areas.g. Hospitals and medical facilities;i. Long Term Care facilitiesii. Assisted Livingh. Shopping malls and other retail establishments where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 ft. of one another for more than 10 minutes;i. Arenas where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 ft. of one another for more than 10 minutes, and are able to maintain social distancing when seated by more than 6 ft. when not seated with their family units;j. Outdoor stadiums where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes and are able to social distance when seated by more than 6 ft. when not seated with their family units.3. Businesses are encouraged to comply with the Governor’s mask and face covering mandate.This Order shall become effective as of 12:01 A.M. on October 14, 2020 and shall remain in effect until amended or rescinded. This Order may be modified as circumstances dictate.

Order will limit mass gatherings to 100 or less with many exceptions


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Chuck Welch, VP and Chief Business Development Officer with the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System didn't mince words when talking about the effects COVID-19 is having on his staff Tuesday.

"This is the surge that we planned for six months ago," Welch said. "We had the luxury of sort of a dry run, a practice. All the things that we were doing months ago is back on the table and being discussed right now."

Employee fatigue is a huge issue, even with the hospital at COVID-19 patient levels in the low double digits, because each ventilated patient needs such literally intensive care.

"A COVID patient, because they're in ICU, it really takes two nurses to every one COVID patient. It takes a nurse that has to be fully kitted in isolation equipment, mask, glove, gowns, PAPR masks, face shields, to then go into the room, while another nurse stays outside and runs the pumps and does the non-isolation stuff."

The hospital does not want to have to slow or stop other health care to get COVID-19 patients taken care of, but the wildfire of cases is not under control right now.

"There's a national nursing shortage," Welch said. "Nurses, respiratory therapists, they're all in high demand. They are a high-need specialty right now and there's just not enough to go around. Staffing has been an issue even before COVID and its just really come to the forefront now."

Welch, who was a respiratory therapist earlier in his career, is even looking into what it might take to be recertified so he could help, if necessary.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Chuck Welch, VP and Chief Business Development Officer with the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System didn't mince words when talking about the effects COVID-19 is having on his staff Tuesday."This is the surge that we planned for six months ago," Welch said. "We had the luxury of sort of a dry run, a practice. All the things that we were doing months ago is back on the table and being discussed right now."Employee fatigue is a huge issue, even with the hospital at COVID-19 patient levels in the low double digits, because each ventilated patient needs such literally intensive care."A COVID patient, because they're in ICU, it really takes two nurses to every one COVID patient. It takes a nurse that has to be fully kitted in isolation equipment, mask, glove, gowns, PAPR masks, face shields, to then go into the room, while another nurse stays outside and runs the pumps and does the non-isolation stuff."The hospital does not want to have to slow or stop other health care to get COVID-19 patients taken care of, but the wildfire of cases is not under control right now."There's a national nursing shortage," Welch said. "Nurses, respiratory therapists, they're all in high demand. They are a high-need specialty right now and there's just not enough to go around. Staffing has been an issue even before COVID and its just really come to the forefront now."Welch, who was a respiratory therapist earlier in his career, is even looking into what it might take to be recertified so he could help, if necessary.

Welch concerned with nurse fatigue as COVID case count rises

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — A late-stage study of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been paused while the company investigates whether a study participant’s “unexplained illness” is related to the shot.

The company said in a statement Monday evening that illnesses, accidents and other so-called adverse events “are an expected part of any clinical study, especially large studies,” but that its physicians and a safety monitoring panel would try to determine what might have caused the illness.

The pause is at least the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-archive-4239b8c69ba4b3703b2ca8c77810bf07">second such hold</a>&nbsp;to occur among several vaccines that have reached large-scale final tests in the U.S.

The company declined to reveal any more details about the illness, citing the participant’s privacy.

Temporary stoppages of large medical studies are relatively common. Few are made public in typical drug trials, but the work to make a coronavirus vaccine has raised the stakes on these kinds of complications.

Companies are required to investigate any serious or unexpected reaction that occurs during drug testing. Given that such tests are done on tens of thousands of people, some medical problems are a coincidence. In fact, one of the first steps the company said it will take is to determine if the person received the vaccine or a placebo.

The halt was first reported by the health news site STAT.

Final-stage testing of a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine whether an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-archive-82885b32aeeae6c2a0a84cadf55ced90">illness in its trial</a>&nbsp;poses a safety risk. That trial was stopped when a woman developed severe neurological symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord, the company has said. That company’s testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-archive-drug-trials-bc340f0a92d940aff88ee140f2774aee">has restarted</a>&nbsp;elsewhere.

Johnson &amp; Johnson was aiming to enroll 60,000 volunteers to prove if its single-dose approach is safe and protects against the coronavirus. Other vaccine candidates in the U.S. require two shots.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602590971875.png" alt="photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — A late-stage study of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been paused while the company investigates whether a study participant’s “unexplained illness” is related to the shot.The company said in a statement Monday evening that illnesses, accidents and other so-called adverse events “are an expected part of any clinical study, especially large studies,” but that its physicians and a safety monitoring panel would try to determine what might have caused the illness.The pause is at least the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-archive-4239b8c69ba4b3703b2ca8c77810bf07">second such hold</a>&nbsp;to occur among several vaccines that have reached large-scale final tests in the U.S.The company declined to reveal any more details about the illness, citing the participant’s privacy.Temporary stoppages of large medical studies are relatively common. Few are made public in typical drug trials, but the work to make a coronavirus vaccine has raised the stakes on these kinds of complications.Companies are required to investigate any serious or unexpected reaction that occurs during drug testing. Given that such tests are done on tens of thousands of people, some medical problems are a coincidence. In fact, one of the first steps the company said it will take is to determine if the person received the vaccine or a placebo.The halt was first reported by the health news site STAT.Final-stage testing of a vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University remains on hold in the U.S. as officials examine whether an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-archive-82885b32aeeae6c2a0a84cadf55ced90">illness in its trial</a>&nbsp;poses a safety risk. That trial was stopped when a woman developed severe neurological symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord, the company has said. That company’s testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-archive-drug-trials-bc340f0a92d940aff88ee140f2774aee">has restarted</a>&nbsp;elsewhere.Johnson &amp; Johnson was aiming to enroll 60,000 volunteers to prove if its single-dose approach is safe and protects against the coronavirus. Other vaccine candidates in the U.S. require two shots.

2nd COVID-19 vaccine trial paused over unexplained illness

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Oct. 12, 2020) approved updated gating criteria that allows spectators at district sporting events even when schools are in the orange and red zones.

Currently, the district is in the orange area of the gating criteria because of the number of cases of COVID-19 in the county and the percent of positive test results. The data, however, is on the high side of the orange currently, nearing the red zone.

In the orange area, classes are held in a hybrid fashion with half the students coming for in-person classes each day Monday through Thursday with the other half learning remotely on those days. All students learning remotely on Fridays.

If the district gets into the red zone, the current criteria would call for all classes to occur remotely.

The motion does allow two spectators per participant at games in both the red and orange zone. The original gating criteria did not allow for spectators in either the orange or red zones.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:

Reviewed first-of-the-year reading and math diagnostic data.

Approved minutes of the Sept. 28, 2020, Board meeting.

Approved iPad purchases for Early Head Start.

Approved the purchase of computer backpacks, iPads and Chromebooks to augment equipment the district currently has.

Approved the purchase of Swivl technology to help with hybrid classes.

Approved three new computer assisted instruction classes for Hutchinson High School – communications, art History and ACT test prep. Each is worth a half credit.

Approved a broadband partnership adoption grant that should bring internet to some district families currently lacking it.

Approved the accounts payable report for September 2020.

Held executive sessions for personnel and negotiations.

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Jeremy Gonsalves, Substitute teacher, District, effective October 1, 2020

Cristina Vazquaz, Lunch Aide, Hutcherson Center, effective October 12, 2020

Raymond Barry, BSS Para, McCandless Elementary, effective October 7, 2020

Quinn Dilbeck, Custodian, Wiley Elementary, effective October 14, 2020

Jacob Miller, Substitute Teacher, District, effective October 12, 2020

Cindy Grumbein, Custodian, McCandless Elementary, effective October 15, 2020

Melissa Seibert, RR Para, Hutchinson High School, effective October 12, 2020

Julie McAllister, BSS Para, McCandless Elementary, effective September 6, 2020

Lorna Pauls, PAT Parent Educator, Avenue A School, effective October 16, 2020

Aaron Bell, Custodian, Avenue A School, effective October 9, 2020

Janna Foss, Nurse, Hutchinson Middle School 8, effective October 16, 2020

Desiree Ross, Lead cook/server, Lincoln Elementary, effective November 20, 2020

Pat Hill, Custodian, Hutchinson Middle School 8, effective October 2, 2020

The Board formally accepted the following gifts and thanked donors.

$2,000 from Randy Hamilton to McCandless Elementary for teacher supplies/student needs

$200 from Wiley PTO to Wiley Elementary for Books for students

$1,628 from Wiley PTO to Wiley for Headphones for All Classrooms

$300 Donation from Jenny Ricker to Wiley for student needs

Goodie bags from Eastwood Church to Wiley to brighten Staff's start

$100 from Wayne’s Printing to HHS for Athletics

$100 from Sheila Metzger to HHS for Athletics

$825 from Advance Termite &amp; Pest Control to HHS for Athletics

$675 from Peoples Bank &amp; Trust to HHS for Athletics

$175 from R &amp; B Drive Inn to HHS for Athletics

$100 from Jonathan &amp; Michele Lane to HHS for Drama

$100 from Ronn &amp; Annie Roehm to HHS for Drama

$200 from Anthony and Amanda Jackson to HHS for Drama

$100 from Herchel Crainer Insurance Agency to HHS for Athletics

$525 from Conklin Cars to HHS for Athletics

$100 from Sheila Metzger Agency to HHS for Athletics

$175 from R-B Drive Inn to HHS for Athletics

$100 from All That Jazz to HHS for Volleyball

$100 from Joe McGuire to HHS for Cross Country

$605 from Jason &amp; Christy West to HHS for Cross Country

$100 from KaAnn Graham to HHS for Volleyball

$100 from Jeff &amp; Cindy Rehlander to HHS for Volleyball

18 books from Deborah Minner to HMS-7 for Library books

3 books from Marcia Hudson to McCandless for Library books

The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 26.

<figure>
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 </figure>Release from Hutchinson USD 308HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Oct. 12, 2020) approved updated gating criteria that allows spectators at district sporting events even when schools are in the orange and red zones.Currently, the district is in the orange area of the gating criteria because of the number of cases of COVID-19 in the county and the percent of positive test results. The data, however, is on the high side of the orange currently, nearing the red zone.In the orange area, classes are held in a hybrid fashion with half the students coming for in-person classes each day Monday through Thursday with the other half learning remotely on those days. All students learning remotely on Fridays.If the district gets into the red zone, the current criteria would call for all classes to occur remotely.The motion does allow two spectators per participant at games in both the red and orange zone. The original gating criteria did not allow for spectators in either the orange or red zones.Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:Reviewed first-of-the-year reading and math diagnostic data.Approved minutes of the Sept. 28, 2020, Board meeting.Approved iPad purchases for Early Head Start.Approved the purchase of computer backpacks, iPads and Chromebooks to augment equipment the district currently has.Approved the purchase of Swivl technology to help with hybrid classes.Approved three new computer assisted instruction classes for Hutchinson High School – communications, art History and ACT test prep. Each is worth a half credit.Approved a broadband partnership adoption grant that should bring internet to some district families currently lacking it.Approved the accounts payable report for September 2020.Held executive sessions for personnel and negotiations.Personnel ReportThe Board approved the following personnel changes.HiredJeremy Gonsalves, Substitute teacher, District, effective October 1, 2020Cristina Vazquaz, Lunch Aide, Hutcherson Center, effective October 12, 2020Raymond Barry, BSS Para, McCandless Elementary, effective October 7, 2020Quinn Dilbeck, Custodian, Wiley Elementary, effective October 14, 2020Jacob Miller, Substitute Teacher, District, effective October 12, 2020Cindy Grumbein, Custodian, McCandless Elementary, effective October 15, 2020Melissa Seibert, RR Para, Hutchinson High School, effective October 12, 2020ResignationsJulie McAllister, BSS Para, McCandless Elementary, effective September 6, 2020Lorna Pauls, PAT Parent Educator, Avenue A School, effective October 16, 2020Aaron Bell, Custodian, Avenue A School, effective October 9, 2020Janna Foss, Nurse, Hutchinson Middle School 8, effective October 16, 2020RetirementsDesiree Ross, Lead cook/server, Lincoln Elementary, effective November 20, 2020Pat Hill, Custodian, Hutchinson Middle School 8, effective October 2, 2020Gifts to SchoolsThe Board formally accepted the following gifts and thanked donors.$2,000 from Randy Hamilton to McCandless Elementary for teacher supplies/student needs$200 from Wiley PTO to Wiley Elementary for Books for students$1,628 from Wiley PTO to Wiley for Headphones for All Classrooms$300 Donation from Jenny Ricker to Wiley for student needsGoodie bags from Eastwood Church to Wiley to brighten Staff's start$100 from Wayne’s Printing to HHS for Athletics$100 from Sheila Metzger to HHS for Athletics$825 from Advance Termite &amp; Pest Control to HHS for Athletics$675 from Peoples Bank &amp; Trust to HHS for Athletics$175 from R &amp; B Drive Inn to HHS for Athletics$100 from Jonathan &amp; Michele Lane to HHS for Drama$100 from Ronn &amp; Annie Roehm to HHS for Drama$200 from Anthony and Amanda Jackson to HHS for Drama$200 from Doris Sutton to HHS for Drama$100 from Herchel Crainer Insurance Agency to HHS for Athletics$525 from Conklin Cars to HHS for Athletics$100 from Sheila Metzger Agency to HHS for Athletics$175 from R-B Drive Inn to HHS for Athletics$100 from All That Jazz to HHS for Volleyball$100 from Joe McGuire to HHS for Cross Country$605 from Jason &amp; Christy West to HHS for Cross Country$100 from KaAnn Graham to HHS for Volleyball$100 from Jeff &amp; Cindy Rehlander to HHS for Volleyball18 books from Deborah Minner to HMS-7 for Library books3 books from Marcia Hudson to McCandless for Library booksNext meetingThe next regular meeting of the Board will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 26.

USD 308 board approves limited fans at games even if in red zone


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Reno County, Hutch Rec announces the following community events are canceled:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;October Third Thursday: Salt City Music Showcase on Thursday, October 15

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dillon Nature Center’s SpookWalk on Friday, October 16 &amp; Saturday, October 17

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hutch Rec Race Series Trail &amp; Treat 5K/3K events at Sand Hills State Park on Saturday, October 24

Dillon Nature Center staff will refund those individuals who purchased tickets in advance to the SpookWalk event. Individuals must bring their tickets to the nature center for a refund. Contact DNC at (620) 663-7411 for more details.

Participants who registered for the Trail &amp; Treat 5K/3K events will receive a full refund and be contacted by event staff this week.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Reno County, Hutch Rec announces the following community events are canceled:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;October Third Thursday: Salt City Music Showcase on Thursday, October 15·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dillon Nature Center’s SpookWalk on Friday, October 16 &amp; Saturday, October 17·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hutch Rec Race Series Trail &amp; Treat 5K/3K events at Sand Hills State Park on Saturday, October 24Dillon Nature Center staff will refund those individuals who purchased tickets in advance to the SpookWalk event. Individuals must bring their tickets to the nature center for a refund. Contact DNC at (620) 663-7411 for more details.Participants who registered for the Trail &amp; Treat 5K/3K events will receive a full refund and be contacted by event staff this week.

Hutch Rec announces cancellation of upcoming community events


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Barbara Lilyhorn, Reno County Public Transportation Director, announced Monday that effective at 7 a.m. on October 13, Rcat will reinstate social distancing for seating passengers on all vehicles. This is due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Reno County. Fixed Routes vehicles will be limited to 6 passengers and will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

"We will limit the capacity on the buses to six," Lilyhorn said. "We will have the seats cordoned off."

Rcat will operate four Fixed routes on the following schedule: 1 North hourly, 1 South hourly, 2 East will operate at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., 2 Northwest will operate at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Route 3 will operate hourly.

Paratransit vehicles will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

County On Demand will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"When they come on the bus there will only be certain seats that are available," Lilyhorn said. "When we have six people on the bus, that's capacity. That's going to be a change. We had been doing that from March until July, when the mask order went in."

Passengers are required to wear a mask and are asked to observe good hygiene with frequent handwashing and responsible respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into their elbow bend and limiting physical contact with drivers and other passengers. Hand sanitizer is available on all vehicles.

Rcat is first come first served general public transportation funded in part by the KDOT Public Transportation Program.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Barbara Lilyhorn, Reno County Public Transportation Director, announced Monday that effective at 7 a.m. on October 13, Rcat will reinstate social distancing for seating passengers on all vehicles. This is due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Reno County. Fixed Routes vehicles will be limited to 6 passengers and will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays."We will limit the capacity on the buses to six," Lilyhorn said. "We will have the seats cordoned off."Rcat will operate four Fixed routes on the following schedule: 1 North hourly, 1 South hourly, 2 East will operate at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., 2 Northwest will operate at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Route 3 will operate hourly.Paratransit vehicles will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.County On Demand will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday."When they come on the bus there will only be certain seats that are available," Lilyhorn said. "When we have six people on the bus, that's capacity. That's going to be a change. We had been doing that from March until July, when the mask order went in."Passengers are required to wear a mask and are asked to observe good hygiene with frequent handwashing and responsible respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into their elbow bend and limiting physical contact with drivers and other passengers. Hand sanitizer is available on all vehicles.Rcat is first come first served general public transportation funded in part by the KDOT Public Transportation Program.

Reno County Public Transportation announces change in bus capacity due to COVID-19


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The active COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 306 as of Sunday evening.

The county is in a Moderate Alert level or orange overall. That's also where the schools are for this week.

Nine people are in the hospital. Of the 58 hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic, half have required intensive care and eight have required intubation. Seven people have died.

Testing in the county has broken the 10,000 mark, with 10,618 tests administered. 9,192 tests were negative, for an overall positive test rate of 13.43% and a community positive test rate of 9.53%. 16.89% of the population has been tested.

There are nine active clusters. Four of those have cases. Hutchinson Correctional Facility has 111 cases. Mennonite Friendship Communities cluster has 62 active cases and two of the deaths have been attributed to that cluster. Fourteen cases are still active in the Hutchinson Community College cluster. There is also a workplace cluster with three active cases currently.

The next community testing date for Reno County residents is at Salt City Splash on Tuesday, October 13th from 4 pm to 7 pm.  All residents of Reno County are eligible for free testing regardless of if you have symptoms or not. Call the Reno County Health Department at 844-834-3657 today to schedule your appointment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595202434504.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The active COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 306 as of Sunday evening.The county is in a Moderate Alert level or orange overall. That's also where the schools are for this week.Nine people are in the hospital. Of the 58 hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic, half have required intensive care and eight have required intubation. Seven people have died.Testing in the county has broken the 10,000 mark, with 10,618 tests administered. 9,192 tests were negative, for an overall positive test rate of 13.43% and a community positive test rate of 9.53%. 16.89% of the population has been tested.There are nine active clusters. Four of those have cases. Hutchinson Correctional Facility has 111 cases. Mennonite Friendship Communities cluster has 62 active cases and two of the deaths have been attributed to that cluster. Fourteen cases are still active in the Hutchinson Community College cluster. There is also a workplace cluster with three active cases currently.The next community testing date for Reno County residents is at Salt City Splash on Tuesday, October 13th from 4 pm to 7 pm. All residents of Reno County are eligible for free testing regardless of if you have symptoms or not. Call the Reno County Health Department at 844-834-3657 today to schedule your appointment.

Active case count in Reno County at 306 as of Sunday evening


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Buhler USD 313 has modified its gating criteria in preparation for the potential that the county will end up in the red zone in the coming weeks.

"What does that look like, can you completely cohort a class?" asked Superintendent Cindy Couchman and her admin team. "Can you reduce it and get six feet distance? We feel like in grades 6 through 12, we've been successful with the six foot distancing and keeping them in class and we can only achieve that right now by doing the hybrid mode. Otherwise, we just have too many bodies in the building. Pre-K to 5, we feel like we can really concentrate on this cohort."

That means that elementary school students will likely do most everything with just their single class, not even with their whole grade.

"Make sure that they get their recess alone and then wait a few minutes and send the next class out, that way, those cohort groups aren't mixing," said Kyle McClure, Director of Innovation. "Lunch might be held in the classroom. Go grab your lunch and bring it back to the classroom. Maybe the specials teachers will come to the classes, so that they aren't sharing that air space in the gym or in the music class."

They are still working on the specifics of that, but they are also asking parents to consider where possible, transporting their own kids to school if we get into the red.

"If you are able to transport your child at this time, to try to go ahead and do that on your own," said Shane Hecox, Director of Finance. "That would allow our numbers on our buses to go down, to hopefully ensure that we can stay in school."

Much of the adjustment is designed to allow for less need to quarantine if a positive case is found and to limit the spread overall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602291420542.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Buhler USD 313 has modified its gating criteria in preparation for the potential that the county will end up in the red zone in the coming weeks."What does that look like, can you completely cohort a class?" asked Superintendent Cindy Couchman and her admin team. "Can you reduce it and get six feet distance? We feel like in grades 6 through 12, we've been successful with the six foot distancing and keeping them in class and we can only achieve that right now by doing the hybrid mode. Otherwise, we just have too many bodies in the building. Pre-K to 5, we feel like we can really concentrate on this cohort."That means that elementary school students will likely do most everything with just their single class, not even with their whole grade."Make sure that they get their recess alone and then wait a few minutes and send the next class out, that way, those cohort groups aren't mixing," said Kyle McClure, Director of Innovation. "Lunch might be held in the classroom. Go grab your lunch and bring it back to the classroom. Maybe the specials teachers will come to the classes, so that they aren't sharing that air space in the gym or in the music class."They are still working on the specifics of that, but they are also asking parents to consider where possible, transporting their own kids to school if we get into the red."If you are able to transport your child at this time, to try to go ahead and do that on your own," said Shane Hecox, Director of Finance. "That would allow our numbers on our buses to go down, to hopefully ensure that we can stay in school."Much of the adjustment is designed to allow for less need to quarantine if a positive case is found and to limit the spread overall.

Buhler USD 313 preparing for red zone with gating adjustments


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The goal of keeping Reno County schools open is going to take a community effort.

"This isn't just a nursing home problem, it's a community problem," said Reno County Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith. "We have a 14.7% positive test rate. That's including all of the community testing that we've done with asymptomatic. If we didn't do that community testing, we would be at a much higher rate. We would be in the red already. We have bought time with the community testing. We still need to do that."

There is community testing Saturday at the Hutchinson Clinic at the 2107 building.

"That is from 9:00 in the morning until 11:30," Hammersmith said. "That's for asymptomatic patients. That's just a drive up. We also have community testing going on. I know they have one in Turon. They took appointments for that."

The Turon testing is at the City Maintenance Building from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

"We have community spread," Hammersmith said. "This is a community problem. We need to do all the things that we have mentioned throughout this entire process. We have to social distance. We have to wear a mask. We have to wash hands, all the same things that we've been saying."

The public is being encouraged to get tested whether you have symptoms or not. You can schedule an appointment for one of the testing sites in the coming days. 

There will be community testing of both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals on Tuesday at Salt City Splash from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena West Parking Lot from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

In order to have enough supplies, they need you to call ahead for an appointment to 844-834-3657.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595202434504.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The goal of keeping Reno County schools open is going to take a community effort."This isn't just a nursing home problem, it's a community problem," said Reno County Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith. "We have a 14.7% positive test rate. That's including all of the community testing that we've done with asymptomatic. If we didn't do that community testing, we would be at a much higher rate. We would be in the red already. We have bought time with the community testing. We still need to do that."There is community testing Saturday at the Hutchinson Clinic at the 2107 building."That is from 9:00 in the morning until 11:30," Hammersmith said. "That's for asymptomatic patients. That's just a drive up. We also have community testing going on. I know they have one in Turon. They took appointments for that."The Turon testing is at the City Maintenance Building from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m."We have community spread," Hammersmith said. "This is a community problem. We need to do all the things that we have mentioned throughout this entire process. We have to social distance. We have to wear a mask. We have to wash hands, all the same things that we've been saying."The public is being encouraged to get tested whether you have symptoms or not. You can schedule an appointment for one of the testing sites in the coming days. There will be community testing of both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals on Tuesday at Salt City Splash from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena West Parking Lot from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In order to have enough supplies, they need you to call ahead for an appointment to 844-834-3657.

Interim health officer calls on county to keep up hygiene, get tested

Release from Reno County Health Department

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — With an average of 15 new positive COVID-19 cases confirmed per day in the past week, 13 hospitalizations, and news of three deaths since yesterday, Reno County health officials are highly concerned about an accelerating level of COVID-19 in Reno County. 

The county is now solidly in the “Moderate Level” orange alert, defined as “many cases with community spread and undetected cases likely.”

As of noon on Friday, Oct. 9, Reno County had 245 active cases, of which 91 are associated with Hutchinson Correctional Facility, including both inmates and employees. There are seven additional active clusters.

Forty-three cases are associated with long-term care facilities, including both staff and residents. “It’s a misconception that cases are happening only among our elderly population in long-term care,” Hammersmith said.

The 14-day positive test rate excluding inmates is reported at 14.7 percent, keeping schools in the orange zone for at least another week. Data is trending toward moving to the red zone next week, which would involve fully remote learning for most students.

“The actions people take today have a direct impact two weeks from now,” said Karen Hammersmith, Reno County Health Officer and Health Department Interim Co-Director. “Our increasing number of positive cases is a problem in Reno County, and everyone needs to take personal responsibility to solve it.”

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center reports a record thirteen COVID-19 cases in their census, with 2 positive cases on ventilators. “This week we have seen the highest number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients since the pandemic began. It’s a serious community problem,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602284879877.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Release from Reno County Health DepartmentHUTCHINSON,
Kan. — With an average of 15 new positive COVID-19 cases confirmed per day in the past week, 13 hospitalizations, and news of three deaths since yesterday, Reno County health officials are highly concerned about an accelerating level of COVID-19 in Reno County. The county is now solidly in the “Moderate Level” orange alert, defined as “many cases with community spread and undetected cases likely.”As of noon on Friday, Oct. 9, Reno County had 245 active cases, of which 91 are associated with Hutchinson Correctional Facility, including both inmates and employees. There are seven additional active clusters.Forty-three cases are associated with long-term care facilities, including both staff and residents. “It’s a misconception that cases are happening only among our elderly population in long-term care,” Hammersmith said.The 14-day positive test rate excluding inmates is reported at 14.7 percent, keeping schools in the orange zone for at least another week. Data is trending toward moving to the red zone next week, which would involve fully remote learning for most students.“The actions people take today have a direct impact two weeks from now,” said Karen Hammersmith, Reno County Health Officer and Health Department Interim Co-Director. “Our increasing number of positive cases is a problem in Reno County, and everyone needs to take personal responsibility to solve it.”Hutchinson Regional Medical Center reports a record thirteen COVID-19 cases in their census, with 2 positive cases on ventilators. “This week we have seen the highest number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients since the pandemic began. It’s a serious community problem,” she said.

Reno County in the Orange: Health Department alarmed at case count increase

REPUBLIC COUNTY —The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local public health, are advising people who attended an auction in Republic County on September 26 that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, as six of cases have been connected to the event to date, according to a media release from KDHE.

 The auction was held at 208 Bedford Street in Cuba, Kansas on September 26 from about 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This auction had attendees from other communities in Kansas as well as those from out of state.

Anyone who attended this event should be aware of symptoms of COVID which can develop up to 14 days after exposure. Those symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. If symptoms develop, please stay home and contact your health care provider or local health department for guidance on testing. In an emergency please call 911 and notify first responders that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 and, if possible, wear a cloth face mask before they arrive.

REPUBLIC COUNTY —The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local public health, are advising people who attended an auction in Republic County on September 26 that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, as six of cases have been connected to the event to date, according to a media release from KDHE. The auction was held at 208 Bedford Street in Cuba, Kansas on September 26 from about 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This auction had attendees from other communities in Kansas as well as those from out of state.Anyone who attended this event should be aware of symptoms of COVID which can develop up to 14 days after exposure. Those symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. If symptoms develop, please stay home and contact your health care provider or local health department for guidance on testing. In an emergency please call 911 and notify first responders that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 and, if possible, wear a cloth face mask before they arrive.

KDHE: COVID-19 cases linked to Republic Co. auction

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-08/clues-from-the-blood-of-kansans-suggest-the-coronavirus-pandemic-could-stick-around-for-a-long-time">Kansas News Service</a>

Perhaps two in every 50 Kansans have <a href="https://www.livescience.com/antibodies.html" target="_blank">antibodies</a> swimming in their bloodstream that show they’ve had COVID-19.

That relatively low number — based on the assumption that <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">blood donors</a>
 reflect the broader population — suggests a gloomy reality. Kansas is 
still in the early days of this pandemic and it's looking at a future 
likely to bring many more cases than it has so far seen.

“Absolutely,”
 said Roger Shapiro, an immunologist at Harvard University’s School of 
Public Health. “When you look at these figures, you realize how far we 
are from herd immunity.”

The overwhelming number of Kansans, perhaps more than 95%, haven’t yet experienced the virus that has killed more than <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality" target="_blank">200,000 Americans</a>.

So
 medical pros say the only thing to do is sit tight, keep your masks on 
and stay away from other people, until we have a vaccine.

“This
 is not the time to play a guessing game of, ‘Do I have the flu or do I 
have COVID?’” said Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins’ 
Center for Health Security.

Many people still can’t get fast 
coronavirus tests that would let them isolate in time to stop the 
disease from spreading further, and hospitals remain at risk of getting 
overwhelmed by coronavirus and flu cases this fall.

The
 human body produces antibodies when exposed to a disease, to fend it 
off. And those microscopic defenders can stick around after recovery.

So the American Red Cross screens blood donations for antibodies against <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it" target="_blank">SARS-CoV-2</a>, the virus behind COVID-19. It then sends <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&amp;ContentID=37" target="_blank">plasma</a>
 with the specialized proteins to hospitals treating coronavirus 
patients, and it reports how often it detects the antibodies to state 
health agencies trying to piece together the bigger picture.

Nationally, the <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">Red Cross</a> has tested about 1.2 million blood donations for the antibodies.

From
 mid-June to mid-September, it found them in about 2% of donations 
nationally. The same was true for Kansas donors. It’s not known how well
 that statistic might reflect the broader population.

Weekly 
tallies suggest the number of people carrying the antibodies has ticked 
upward in Kansas, as elsewhere. In recent weeks, the Red Cross reported 
antibodies in 4% to 5% of Kansas donations.

Could someone with 
antibodies catch the virus again a year from now and get seriously sick?
 How about two years from now? Or could they catch it, not show any 
symptoms, and spread the virus anyway? Scientists can’t yet say.

“This
 is not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” Gronvall said. If a test shows you
 have antibodies, she said, you should still wear a mask and follow 
social distancing rules.

Recent reports of a few patients catching the novel coronavirus <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/28/covid-19-reinfection-implications/" target="_blank">more than once</a>
 in a relatively short time may not signal what to expect for most 
people, but leave open the possibility that one infection doesn’t 
protect you against another.

The Red Cross reported in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2770771" target="_blank">a medical journal</a>
 last month that blood donations from people of color test positive for 
the antibodies at a higher rate than blood from white donors.

That matches <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-infection-by-race/faq-20488802" target="_blank">other research</a>
 that shows communities of color bearing the brunt of the pandemic. It 
likely reflects broader social and economic disparities, such as lower 
incomes and a greater likelihood of working high-risk jobs that involve 
in-person contact with many customers or colleagues in a single day.

The virus spread fast in crowded Kansas <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/emails-show-kansas-agencies-helped-keep-meatpacking-plants-open-despite-concerns-about" target="_blank">meatpacking plants</a>, for example, that rely heavily on the labor of people of color in southwest Kansas.

Some
 studies and modeling point to higher antibody rates nationally and 
globally than the Red Cross has seen among blood donors, but still don’t
 offer good news.

“The (World Health Organization) just came out with an estimate that maybe <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/10-worlds-people-infected-virus-73427817" target="_blank">up to 10%</a>
 of the world has been infected,” Shapiro said. “But even at that 
number, we’re still so far from achieving herd immunity. … We really 
need to create immunity with a vaccine.”

Vaccines <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf" target="_blank">mimic natural infections</a>. They kick a person’s immune system into gear so that it churns out antibodies and stores viral information in <a href="https://askabiologist.asu.edu/memory-b-cell" target="_blank">memory cells</a>
 that could defend us even after those antibodies fade. (Researchers 
have found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies triggered by natural infection two or 
even three months after infection, and say it varies from person to 
person.)

Ongoing coronavirus vaccine trials aim to check how 
protective these immune responses will prove long-term, and whether 
people will need booster shots over time to keep their defenses up.

Part
 of the benefit from vaccines will ultimately come from the sheer number
 of people who would gain some level of protection at once.

“As we
 get to high enough vaccine levels, the herd immunity will actually just
 lower the amount of virus that’s circulating,” Shapiro said. “There 
will be just less virus around. This is our hope.”

The Red Cross’ free antibody tests serve three functions.

They
 gather the information that helps public health experts studying the 
virus’ spread, and they allow the Red Cross to flag plasma with 
antibodies for hospitals.

Scientists <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/513405-science-inconclusive-on-use-of-convalescent-plasma-in-covid-19-patients" target="_blank">still can’t say</a> whether the donated plasma works for treating COVID-19. A separate, <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/provocative-results-boost-hopes-antibody-treatment-covid-19" target="_blank">lab-based approach</a>, may prove more effective.

But either way, donations remain as critical as ever to the nation’s blood supply.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602251360190.png" alt=" Photo illustration by Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Photo illustration by Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-08/clues-from-the-blood-of-kansans-suggest-the-coronavirus-pandemic-could-stick-around-for-a-long-time">Kansas News Service</a>Perhaps two in every 50 Kansans have <a href="https://www.livescience.com/antibodies.html" target="_blank">antibodies</a> swimming in their bloodstream that show they’ve had COVID-19.That relatively low number — based on the assumption that <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">blood donors</a>
 reflect the broader population — suggests a gloomy reality. Kansas is 
still in the early days of this pandemic and it's looking at a future 
likely to bring many more cases than it has so far seen.“Absolutely,”
 said Roger Shapiro, an immunologist at Harvard University’s School of 
Public Health. “When you look at these figures, you realize how far we 
are from herd immunity.”The overwhelming number of Kansans, perhaps more than 95%, haven’t yet experienced the virus that has killed more than <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality" target="_blank">200,000 Americans</a>.So
 medical pros say the only thing to do is sit tight, keep your masks on 
and stay away from other people, until we have a vaccine.That, and get a flu shot.“This
 is not the time to play a guessing game of, ‘Do I have the flu or do I 
have COVID?’” said Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins’ 
Center for Health Security.Many people still can’t get fast 
coronavirus tests that would let them isolate in time to stop the 
disease from spreading further, and hospitals remain at risk of getting 
overwhelmed by coronavirus and flu cases this fall.<h2>Clues in the blood</h2>The
 human body produces antibodies when exposed to a disease, to fend it 
off. And those microscopic defenders can stick around after recovery.So the American Red Cross screens blood donations for antibodies against <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it" target="_blank">SARS-CoV-2</a>, the virus behind COVID-19. It then sends <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&amp;ContentID=37" target="_blank">plasma</a>
 with the specialized proteins to hospitals treating coronavirus 
patients, and it reports how often it detects the antibodies to state 
health agencies trying to piece together the bigger picture.Nationally, the <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">Red Cross</a> has tested about 1.2 million blood donations for the antibodies.From
 mid-June to mid-September, it found them in about 2% of donations 
nationally. The same was true for Kansas donors. It’s not known how well
 that statistic might reflect the broader population.Weekly 
tallies suggest the number of people carrying the antibodies has ticked 
upward in Kansas, as elsewhere. In recent weeks, the Red Cross reported 
antibodies in 4% to 5% of Kansas donations.Could someone with 
antibodies catch the virus again a year from now and get seriously sick?
 How about two years from now? Or could they catch it, not show any 
symptoms, and spread the virus anyway? Scientists can’t yet say.“This
 is not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” Gronvall said. If a test shows you
 have antibodies, she said, you should still wear a mask and follow 
social distancing rules.Recent reports of a few patients catching the novel coronavirus <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/28/covid-19-reinfection-implications/" target="_blank">more than once</a>
 in a relatively short time may not signal what to expect for most 
people, but leave open the possibility that one infection doesn’t 
protect you against another.<h2>Greater risk</h2>The Red Cross reported in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2770771" target="_blank">a medical journal</a>
 last month that blood donations from people of color test positive for 
the antibodies at a higher rate than blood from white donors.That matches <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-infection-by-race/faq-20488802" target="_blank">other research</a>
 that shows communities of color bearing the brunt of the pandemic. It 
likely reflects broader social and economic disparities, such as lower 
incomes and a greater likelihood of working high-risk jobs that involve 
in-person contact with many customers or colleagues in a single day.The virus spread fast in crowded Kansas <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/emails-show-kansas-agencies-helped-keep-meatpacking-plants-open-despite-concerns-about" target="_blank">meatpacking plants</a>, for example, that rely heavily on the labor of people of color in southwest Kansas.<h2>The need for a vaccine</h2>Some
 studies and modeling point to higher antibody rates nationally and 
globally than the Red Cross has seen among blood donors, but still don’t
 offer good news.“The (World Health Organization) just came out with an estimate that maybe <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/10-worlds-people-infected-virus-73427817" target="_blank">up to 10%</a>
 of the world has been infected,” Shapiro said. “But even at that 
number, we’re still so far from achieving herd immunity. … We really 
need to create immunity with a vaccine.”Vaccines <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf" target="_blank">mimic natural infections</a>. They kick a person’s immune system into gear so that it churns out antibodies and stores viral information in <a href="https://askabiologist.asu.edu/memory-b-cell" target="_blank">memory cells</a>
 that could defend us even after those antibodies fade. (Researchers 
have found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies triggered by natural infection two or 
even three months after infection, and say it varies from person to 
person.)Ongoing coronavirus vaccine trials aim to check how 
protective these immune responses will prove long-term, and whether 
people will need booster shots over time to keep their defenses up.Part
 of the benefit from vaccines will ultimately come from the sheer number
 of people who would gain some level of protection at once.“As we
 get to high enough vaccine levels, the herd immunity will actually just
 lower the amount of virus that’s circulating,” Shapiro said. “There 
will be just less virus around. This is our hope.”<h2>Should you get an antibody test?</h2>The Red Cross’ free antibody tests serve three functions.They
 gather the information that helps public health experts studying the 
virus’ spread, and they allow the Red Cross to flag plasma with 
antibodies for hospitals.Scientists <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/513405-science-inconclusive-on-use-of-convalescent-plasma-in-covid-19-patients" target="_blank">still can’t say</a> whether the donated plasma works for treating COVID-19. A separate, <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/provocative-results-boost-hopes-antibody-treatment-covid-19" target="_blank">lab-based approach</a>, may prove more effective.But either way, donations remain as critical as ever to the nation’s blood supply.And that’s a third reason for offering antibody tests. They attract people to <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">keep donating</a> amid the pandemic.The
 Red Cross uses respected tests, and when a blood sample proves positive
 for antibodies, it double-checks with a second, high-quality process.For
 people who had respiratory symptoms in recent months — but couldn’t get
 checked for COVID-19 because of the nationwide shortage of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing-overview.html" target="_blank">viral tests</a> — that may satisfy their curiosity.And
 that could help keep donations flowing as the pandemic hampers 
traditional blood drives, such as a major annual effort that would have 
attracted thousands of donors next week.“The biggest blood
 drive the Red Cross does across the country is at the University of 
Missouri in Columbia,” said Joe Zydlo, a regional communications manager
 in St. Louis. “And that has been canceled.”Meanwhile, Gronvall 
advises against buying an antibody test somewhere. After all, the 
information won’t help you medically, she said, and many products are 
unreliable anyway.“There’s just been so many bad tests out there,” she said. “Right now I would not spend money on it.”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.

Coronavirus Update