Month: September 2021

KU Health System is third local hospital network requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all workers

The vaccine requirement applies to all employees, affiliated staff and contractors, students and volunteers.

by Dan Margolies, KCUR and Kansas News Service

The University of Kansas Health System is requiring COVID-19 vaccinations of all employees, students, contractors and volunteers, becoming the third area hospital system to do so.

The system, the area’s largest hospital network, said the majority of its physicians and employees have already been vaccinated, “and they strongly encourage our patients and their friends and family to also get vaccinated.”

The system has given affected workers until Dec. 1 to get vaccinated. KU Health System has more than 10,000 employees.

KU’s announcement comes two days after Saint Luke’s Health System announced it would require its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Saint Luke’s announced its decision a little more than a month after Truman Medical Centers-University Health became the first local hospital system to mandate vaccinations for its employees.

Saint Luke’s said its decision followed what it called “a dramatic surge” in cases and hospitalizations across the Kansas City area, overwhelming hospital ICUs.

“Our job is to protect and care for the health of our patients. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and is causing devastating loss,” Dr. Melinda L. Estes, president and CEO of Saint Luke’s, said in a news release. “As healthcare professionals, the most important action each of us can take to end this pandemic is to get vaccinated.”

As is the case with KU, the vaccine requirement applies to all Saint Luke’s employees, affiliated staff and contractors, students and volunteers. Anyone granted an exemption will have to undergo weekly COVID testing and monitoring.

Truman is requiring all members of its workforce to be vaccinated by Sept. 20. Leslie Carto, a spokeswoman for the hospital network, said that about 70% of the staff had been fully vaccinated a month ago.

FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 23 granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of the disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

The vaccine remains available under emergency use authorization for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and as booster shots for immunocompromised individuals.

Moderna has completed its submission for full FDA approval of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Just over 57% of Kansas’ eligible population has received at least one vaccine dose. In Missouri, that figure is nearly 53%.

As of Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 168.4 million Americans were fully vaccinated, or 49.6% of the overall U.S. population. Among those eligible for the vaccine — individuals 12 and older — 58.1% are fully vaccinated.

The overwhelming weight of medical evidence shows that the vaccines are highly effective at protecting against the risks of serious illness, hospitalization and death.

So far, vaccination rates in most parts of the United States are not high enough to confer herd immunity, meaning enough people in a community are protected from getting COVID-19 because they have been vaccinated or have already had the disease.

The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their connection to public policy.
Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished by news media at no cost with proper attribution and a link to ksnewsservice.org.

See more at https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-09-01/saint-lukes-becomes-second-local-hospital-system-to-require-covid-19-vaccinations-for-all-workers

Heavy rain possible tonight, Friday

Photo by Steve Rupert
Thunderstorms are possible tonight through Saturday, with two to three inches of rain. (National Weather Service graphic)
Thunderstorms are possible Thursday and Friday in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

Partly cloudy skies are possible this morning, and a cold front will move through the area tonight, with heavy rains possible, according to the National Weather Service.

During the day Thursday, the weather will be pleasant, with a high near 84, the weather service said.

With the thunderstorms and rain, flash flooding will be possible, according to the weather service. From two to three inches of rain is possible in the Kansas City area.

A few strong storms also are possible Friday into Friday night, the weather service said. Gusty winds, hail and locally heavy rainfall are possible.

Today, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 84 and a southeast wind of 9 to 11 mph, gusting as high as 18 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 69 with a southeast wind of 7 to 9 mph, gusting as high as 20 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday, there is a 70 percent chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 82 with a south wind of 6 to 9 mph. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain are possible.

Friday night, there is a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 68. Between three-quarters and one inch of rain is possible.

Saturday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 80 with a calm wind becoming north northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 62, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 82, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 63, according to the weather service.

Monday, Labor Day, it will be sunny, with a high near 85, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 65, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be sunny, with a high near 85, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 60, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be sunny, with a high near 83, the weather service said.

BPU to start KERA assistance line

The Board of Public Utilities is planning a new program for a KERA application assistance service line.

BPU General Manager Bill Johnson said during the Wednesday night BPU meeting that the BPU would help customers with their applications for the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program, which provides utility funding for Kansas residents who are renters.

He said he was following up on recent board discussions where BPU members suggested more assistance for the program.

KERA is a state program that distributes federal funds that were intended to go toward rental and utility relief for those with hardships caused by COVID-19. At several previous BPU meetings, community activists said the application process was difficult, and some residents did not have access to technology required for it.

Patrice Townsend, director of utility services, will serve as administrator for this new program, Johnson said.

She previously worked with BPU customers on the smart energy program he said.

Johnson said the BPU’s program will set up a dedicated phone line and email address. Customers will have a way to call BPU if there is a need for assistance with the application, he said.

The BPU’s program will first determine if the person qualifies for the program, then assist with getting the application completed, and review a checklist to make sure all proper documentation is included.

There is also discussion that the Unified Government may assign a person to assist with the program, as well, Johnson said.

Some community organizations are KERA-funded partners, and Townsend will reach out to those agencies to coordinate, he said.

Johnson mentioned that the UG Commission recently allocated $1.8 million through American Rescue Plan Act federal funds to housing and utility assistance. The BPU is reaching out to them to ask how many dollars will be allocated to utility assistance programs, he said.

Johnson also said that Townsend and David Mehlhaff, BPU chief communications officer, are working on developing additional marketing messages for this promotion. They are working on new fliers, a news release, social media posts and information for the BPU website, he said. They are also looking for opportunities to speak to community groups about the program.

According to information presented by Johnetta Hinson, BPU executive director of customer service, there were four KERA applications from BPU customers approved in May, 75 in June and 182 in July. The BPU received over $1,400 in May, over $77,000 in June and over $105,000 in July from KERA.

BPU member Tom Groneman said the program will be a benefit for BPU customers. It’s a win-win situation for the utility and customers, he said. They need to look beyond the KERA program for utility assistance the UG is setting aside, coordinate with them and make sure people are being taken care of, he said.

Board member Rose Mulvany Henry said it will make a tremendous difference in the community.

Board member Ryan Eidson also thanked Townsend for stepping up and taking on the KERA project. The BPU needs to take advantage of the program if it can, he said. The BPU has been dealing with the KERA issues for about seven months, he said.

Board member Mary Gonzales offered to work as an advocate for the BPU to get funds coming into the UG.

At this time, the KERA program is for renters. Applications for the KERA program are online at https://kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance/.