Fellow Residents:
I am amazed it has been almost a month since my last update. Part of me had felt as if we had settled into a “new normal” with the virus still with us, but at bay. That was a false sense of security.
Four updates for you tonight:
1) Today Governor Kelly announced a state-wide mask order for indoor AND outdoor spaces. While her final language has not been announced, there are two points I took from her press conference today that I hope you will all heed:
a. The pandemic is far from over. Kansas is neither Florida, nor Arizona, nor New York 60 days ago, but Johnson County is not immune. Please be smart and safe.
b. Beginning Friday, July 3rd, face coverings/masks will be REQUIRED in all public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Does this mean you need to wear a mask on your morning walk through our City? No.
Does this mean you need to wear a mask in the Hen House in Prairie Village? Yes.
Please be smart about wearing a mask. Your mask protects others from you. We sometimes do not know about the health situations of those around us.
The most current information about face coverings/masks can be found here:
https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-announces-masks-must-be-worn-statewide/
2) Our public safety teams continue to function well, and I thank them for their service.
3) A week ago, the Governor announced the State would stay in Phase 3 of the “Ad Astra” re-opening plan. This continuance will last until at least July 6th. The full text of her release can be found here:
https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-recommends-kansas-stay-in-phase-3-of-ad-astra-plan/#:~:text=PPE%20Procurement-,Governor%20Laura%20Kelly%20Recommends%20Kansas%20Stay,3%20of%20%E2%80%9CAd%20Astra%E2%80%9D%20Plan&text=%E2%80%9CThough%20many%20Kansans%20and%20communities,spread%2C%E2%80%9D%20Governor%20Kelly%20said.
4) The City continues to operate in our emergency mode with meetings being virtual. We will continue this until we can have a high level of confidence in our ability to put staff and residents in City Hall safety. Thank you for your patience as we work through this.
Your continued feedback is appreciated! Please stay safe as we move through the summer. As always, if you have questions or comments, feel free to call City Hall at 913-362-9620 or email info@missionhillsks.gov. You are always welcome to email me directly at mayor@missionhillsks.gov.
And I debated whether to open or close with this quote. Bono is the lead singer of the Irish band U2. This quote felt appropriate for our current situation, as well as the 4th of July holiday:
“Anyway, it’s not a right/left issue. It’s a right/wrong issue, and America has constantly been on the side of what’s right. Because when it comes down to it, this is about keeping faith with the idea of America. Because America’s an idea, isn’t it? I mean, Ireland’s a great country, but it’s not an idea. Great Britain’s a great country, it’s not an idea. That’s how we see you around the world, as one of the greatest ideas in human history, right up there with the Renaissance, right up there with crop rotations and the Beatles’ White album.”
Be safe, healthy and well. Thank you again.
P.S. The full Bono quote can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg3Xzh2cXD8