Category: COVID-19

DA: Be aware of possible price gouging, scams

Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree is warning residents to be aware of possible price gouging and of potential scams.

Dupree’s warning is in conjunction with the Kansas attorney general’s effort to raise awareness of the possibility of scams and price gouging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the district attorney’s office.

Kansas law takes effect during the state of emergency, and prohibits a 25 percent increase in the price of goods or services, according to the officials. There is a penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.

So far, the Wyandotte County district attorney’s office has not received any complaints of price gouging in connection with the COVID-19, according to the spokesman.

The district attorney also stated in a news release that residents should be aware of scams related to COVID-19, including the sale of survival guides, natural remedies or unapproved medical treatments. Scams may also include fraudulent charities claiming to raise money for coronavirus research or to support coronavirus patients.

Dupree encouraged residents who have observed a significant increase in pricing or who believe they were victimized by a scam since the emergency was declared to file a complaint with the Kansas attorney general’s consumer protection division at www.InYourCornerKansas.org; or call 800-432-2310 for more information; or contact the Wyandotte County district attorney’s office consumer protection division at 913-573-2851.

Doctors advising residents to stay home, unless symptoms worsen

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment announced there is evidence of person-to-person spread of COVID-19, meaning six out of the 11 cases in the county were acquired locally and not through travel. So what now?

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System and Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Control and Prevention at The University of Kansas Health System, say the emphasis is shifting from containment to mitigation.

That means they are trying to stop the spread of the virus from one person to another in the community, Dr. Hawkinson said, to minimize the number of people who will need intensive care.

The majority of the COVID-19 infections are mild and won’t require medical care, according to the doctors. Eighty percent of people will be able to manage their symptoms at home with fever reducers like Tylenol, plus fluids and rest, according to health officials.
Those who feel their symptoms are worsening, such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, may call their doctors, he said.

Dr. Hawkinson described the symptoms that would require you to call your doctor. Those who feel their symptoms are worsening, such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, may call their doctors, he said.

It’s important not to just show up unannounced at the doctor’s office or emergency department, according to Dr. Hawkinson. Call ahead so you can be shown into an area away from others, and can be evaluated and treated.

They remind us that it’s a small percentage of those infected who develop severe disease, those 70 and older and those with existing health problems, such as heart disease, lung disease and other compromising diseases.

The doctors said social distancing takes commitment, but the best thing you can do is wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and stay home and stay safe.

The Unified Government has a COVID-19 website at Wycokck.org/COVID-19.

KDHE has a website for more information on COVID-19, at https://govstatus.egov.com/coronavirus.

The CDC also has a COVID-19 website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/.

Governor temporarily prohibits evictions and foreclosures

Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced Executive Order No. 20-06 to temporarily prohibit evictions and foreclosures across the state in an effort to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

Because of negative economic impacts of COVID-19, Gov. Kelly and her administration decided to take steps to support Kansans who may miss mortgage or rent payments as a result of lost wages and other income, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

“We understand that this pandemic is creating unprecedented challenges for people across the state,” Gov. Kelly said in the news release. “Kansas families need our support, and my administration is committed to doing everything it can to make sure Kansans can stay in their homes and businesses. It’s a necessary step to further protect Kansans’ health and safety.”

The executive order temporarily prohibits all financial institutions operating in Kansas from initiating any mortgage foreclosure efforts or judicial proceedings, and any commercial or residential eviction efforts or judicial proceedings until May 1, 2020.

This order comes after a State of Disaster Emergency for the state of Kansas was proclaimed by Gov. Kelly on March 12, 2020.