HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioner Mark Steffen went on the offensive when it came to how the Health Department is dealing with the pandemic.
It came during Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. Steffen said he disagrees with the way things are being presented by Interim Health Department Director Karen Hammersmith. During the meeting, Hammersmith urged the county to take extra precautions, including holding meetings remotely as they did during the beginning of the pandemic.
Steffen questioned how that would help. Hammersmith said by not being in a group in such a small area like the commission chambers, the chances of spread would be minimized. But Steffen shot back saying that it would make no difference. Steffen also argued the mortality rate of the pandemic and cited several national studies that showed the mortality rate of less than 2%. Steffen’s comments come as the county has now recorded 24 deaths from COVID with 16 of those in just the past 30 days.
After Hammersmith was done, Commission Chair Ron Sellers asked that Steffen maybe soften his tone with the county official. Steffen pointed his finger at Sellers and stated he had not acted out of line and asked Sellers to go back and look at the video replay of the exchange again to prove his point.
The exchange shows the mounting pressure the pandemic is causing with businesses, schools, government officials and the Health Department all trying to find balance as to how to keep people safe and keep schools and businesses operating.