By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The chair of the Board of Reno County Commissioners is encouraging citizens to support their healthcare workers first by wearing a mask and socially distancing and following proper respiratory etiquette.
"We can argue about whether masks are 40% effective or 50% effective or what percentage effective, but its just common sense to think that if people are using masks and then social distancing and staying in smaller groups, that we're going to have less spread of the virus," Sellers said. "That's the important thing, is to cut down on spread."
Sellers is asking the community to hear the cries of the healthcare workers to give them a hand by keeping up the mitigating measures.
"We should be listening to the people that are trying to keep us safe," Sellers said. "They know the medications to use. We've had other medications brought up to the public and so forth, but I think about that the doctors know best for us. I have total confidence in the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and their executive staff and their organization for this crisis."
It's time to continue to encourage them, as well, as long as you can do so safely.
"If you have a friend in the medical service in Reno County, send them a thank you note," Sellers said. "Make them a family dinner. This is the time for the best of our community to come out. We need to see the community taking care of our dedicated medical providers. Friday, staff at the hospital was telling me that they had at least 57 people out and 23 under observation. Obviously, they are short of staff, just as every other business is. The better job that we can do staying apart from each other to cut down on the number of cases helps the hospital and helps our medical care be better."
Hutchinson Regional has around 900 employees.