Author: Mary Rupert

New COVID variants pose threat for seniors

A new COVID variant poses a threat for senior citizens, according to doctors at the University of Kansas Health System.


Doctors heard at Friday’s news conference that there had been an upswing of COVID patients recently at the health system, with the numbers of COVID patients in the 60s last week. The number of COVID patients was 53 on Monday.


On Friday, doctors heard from Dr. Gregory Poland, vaccinologist at the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, that the COVID bivalent booster is working to prevent 40 to 50 percent of infection, and its real value is it prevents severe disease, hospitalization and death. That’s the reason to get the vaccine, Dr. Poland said.


He said the Mayo Clinic had seen a 30 percent increase in COVID cases in the past 10 days, along with hospitalizations and admission to the intensive care unit. It was post-Thanksgiving as the Christmas season is starting.


Dr. Poland was concerned they would not be able to offer the best medical care because of all the illness filling up the hospitals, including COVID, flu and RSV.


He was also concerned about a new variant XBB, called the most immune—evasive variant seen to date.


It’s possible some people today may get this COVID variant by Christmas and not be able to enjoy the holidays with their families, instead being hospitalized, he felt.


“So it’s really important that people sort of shake off this COVID fatigue and lethargy and take action to protect themselves. We are not helpless here,” he said.


Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at KU Health, said senior citizens make up more than 90 percent of the COVID deaths. People need to take precautions when traveling to see grandparents, he added.


The number of COVID deaths for people who are vaccinated has gone up in the fall of 2021, Dr. Stites noted. Three in 10 adults vaccinated and boosted still died of COVID, he added. The number jumped to six in 10 in April.


Only one-third of the people over age 65 have received the bivalent boosters, according to Dr. Stites.


Dr. Jessica Kalendar-Rich, geriatrician at KU Health System, said there is definitely a higher risk for older adults. How people are moving and healthy they are overall are going to affect outcomes, she added.


Older adults are in need of socialization, meeting with their families, and keeping communication going to enhance better mental health, according to Dr. Kalendar-Rich.


In other COVID news, FDA recently approved COVID Omicron vaccinations for children 6 months and older, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson of the KU Health System.


See more at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/2920465108096873.

  • Information from KU Health System

$56 million added to food assistance for children

Gov. Laura Kelly today announced that approximately 189,000 Kansas children are eligible to receive a supplemental benefit through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program (P-EBT) totaling $56 million.


The program provides a one-time benefit of $391 on a Kansas Benefits Card for each school-aged child who was eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals at a school through the National School Lunch Program during the 2020-2021 school year.


The P-EBT program is administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) in collaboration with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).


“Food insecurity should be the last thing Kansas children face right now, especially during the holiday season,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to the partnership of DCF and KSDE the state will be able to expedite payments to many eligible families to help ensure they have food on the table over the winter break.”


Children eligible for free and reduced priced lunches during the school year 2021-2022 will also receive the $391 benefit. The program also provides a benefit to eligible Kansas children for the summer months of June, July, and August of 2022.


Children who attend a Head Start program and were enrolled in free or reduced-price meals program for the 2021-2022 school year also are eligible.
Nearly 80 percent, or 144,000 children, eligible for the Supplemental P-EBT benefit will be auto-issued their payment beginning Dec. 12. Auto-issuance is staggered based on the last name of the child and will be completed by Dec. 21.


In some cases, auto-issuance is not possible. Parents and guardians who believe their children are eligible are encouraged to apply for the Supplemental P-EBT through the DCF Self-Service Portal from Jan. 1 – 31, 2023.


More detailed information and a list of frequently asked questions can be found at www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/P-EBT.aspx .

  • Information from Gov. Kelly’s office

Today’s public meetings

T-Bones Uncommitted Recreation Fund Committee to meet


The Unified Government’s T-Bones Uncommitted Recreation Fund Committee will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12.

The meeting is available for viewing on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85041651403


The meeting ID: 850 4165 1403.


To join by phone, use the toll-free number 877-853 5257.


Arts, economic development committee meets today


A Unified Government’s Arts, Culture and Economic Development Committee will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, in a virtual format.


The meeting may be viewed in person in the fifth floor conference room of City Hall, 701 N. 7th, Kansas City, Kansas, or virtually on Zoom.


To be discussed are the Bloomberg Public Art Challenge and combining resources.


To join the Zoom meeting, visit https://brrarch.zoom.us/j/9169932443


The meeting ID is 916 9932 4430. The password is 486424.


To join by phone, call 1 669 900 6833.


UG Public Works and Safety Committee to meet


The Unified Government Public Works and Safety Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at in the fifth floor conference room, Suite 515, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.


The meeting will be on Zoom. To join Zoom, visit
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8459667256


The passcode is 480483


Call toll-free 877 853 5257 to join the meeting.


On the PWS agenda are a resolution declaring the improvements to Garland Park to be necessary and allowing the project to acquire property for it.


Also on the agenda is an agreement between the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, the UG and the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department to administer a 911 call taker training program.


There also will be the public works quarterly report and an update on right-of-way maintenance throughout Kansas City, Kansas.


UG Administration and Human Services Committee to meet


The UG’s Administration and Human Services Committee will meet after the PWS meeting.


The hybrid meeting will be in the fifth floor conference room, Suite 515, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. It also will be on Zoom.


The public may join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84596672561


The passcode is 480483.


On the agenda are an update on the UG’s remote work policy and a presentation on short-term rentals. The UG currently is developing a new short-term rental ordinance.


To connect to the Zoom meeting, visit
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84596672561…
The passcode is 480483.