A virtual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration was presented online by the Kansas African-American Commission.
The state MLK celebration included appearances by several state legislators, including State Sen. David Haley, D-4th Dist., of Kansas City, Kansas, who introduced a musical selection.
The keynote address in the program was from Kevin Willmott, filmmaker and professor. Willmott, in his address, encouraged whites to tell the truth and encourage their brothers and sisters to stop believing “the big lie.” If Americans can stop seeing each other as a threat, he said, they can have a multiracial democracy, a beloved community resembling the dream of Dr. King.
Members of the Kansas African-American Commission from the Kansas City area include Mark McCormick, director of strategic communications for the ACLU; and Jonathon Westbrook, formerly with the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, who became a White House Fellow in August 2020.
To view the statewide Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebration, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g9K_CRVISE&feature=youtu.be.
Volunteers with the Rosedale Development Association are reading stories to students at five Rosedale neighborhood schools as a way to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This year the ninth annual Reading Inspiring Stories to Empower is being held virtually.
In a typical year Rosedale volunteers would go to the schools in person to read stories, but this year, because of the risk of COVID-19, the volunteer readers are interacting with classrooms through pre-recorded videos and live Zoom events, according to a spokesman.They are reading books that highlight community change-makers and civil rights leaders.
“We are grateful to have so many options for community members to come together virtually and teach one another,” RDA Executive Director Erin Stryka said in a news release. “RISE is helping us stay connected and support each other in working for change in our community.”
This year’s theme is “Moving for Change” and will encourage students’ to make positive change within and advocate for their communities.
After reading the stories, students will identify and discuss pressing issues, and share ideas on how to improve their community. They will then be invited to write to their elected representatives about their ideas and concerns, channeling their discussion and ideas into an action of change. Through this, students may come to understand that their voices carry importance and that even the smallest of actions can lead to progress, according to a spokesman. As Dr. King Jr. said “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 75 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, Jan. 17, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative 16,137 cases. There was a cumulative total of 209 deaths.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 138,272 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Sunday. There were 1,677 cumulative deaths, and 153 was the daily average of new hospitalizations.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday reported 23,936,773 total cumulative cases in the United States, with 397,600 total deaths nationwide.
Free COVID-19 testing available Tuesday
The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will not be open Sunday and Monday. On Monday, offices will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Testing will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the former Kmart building, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The UG Health Department recently added flu testing to the COVID-19 test at the Kmart building. Only one swab is used for the two tests. The Health Department estimates a two to three day wait for COVID-19 results. For the flu, the department only contacts people if it is positive.
Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. The tests are nasopharyngeal swab tests. The Health Department no longer uses saliva tests.
The tests now are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.
COVID-19 tests will be available Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Pierson Community Center parking lot, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Hours are subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. These tests are through WellHealth Management. The site will be closed Jan. 20 and 21. For more information and to schedule a test, visit www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas.
Cards and letters of encouragement for caregivers at KU Health System may be sent to Share Joy, care of Patient Relations, 4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160. Emails can be sent to [email protected].
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.
