By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Senator Ed Berger believes that more of the decisions with regard to reopening the state's economy should have been left to the local level.
"Every county is different," Berger said. "If you look at Ford County, Ford County has upwards of almost 700 cases out there. That's a lot different than a Reno County and a Kingman County that has no cases. Every county is different. Every county commission can make those decisions, make those recommendations and I think decisions are best made at the local level."
Reno County's approach has been a model for other counties in the state.
"Our health department, our county commission, has done a great job taking a look at the parameters that are part of the Governor's plan and seeing how well we can work within that and how soon we can get back to business in Reno County," Berger said.
Reopening does need to be measured and that's why local control would be best in this case.
"I'm not suggesting at all that we toss caution to the wind and don't take into consideration health issues," Berger said. "That's certainly something that has to be a priority and I think many of those at-risk populations will still have that stay at home feel and rightly so. They should be staying at home if they are one of those at-risk populations. I think, no one wants to risk life, but everybody also understands the importance of jobs and the economy as well. It's a delicate balance between the two."
The State of Kansas is still in Phase One of its reopening plan. Phase Two will not begin before May 18th and could be delayed depending on infection data.