John,

We've been through quite a lot over the last two months, but one thing is certain: Kansans are strong and resilient. This pandemic affected us all in different ways. While we still have a long road ahead, I am optimistic that we will prevail.

Which brings me to an important announcement: I am confident we are now entering the "recovery" phase of this crisis.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is confident Kansas will be reaching the "projected" peak of COVID-19, if we haven't already. That means, together, we've done our part and are closer than ever to finally flattening the curve. Now, we'll shift our focus to "boxing in the virus" in four key ways:

1. Increasing wide-scale, rapid testing across the state to prevent any further spread.
2. Protecting the capacity of our hospitals to ensure we remain equipped to provide treatment to Kansans.
3. Ensuring Kansans who have been exposed to the disease have a comfortable place to quarantine to avoid putting others at risk.
4. Recruiting new workers for a robust contact tracing program to help Kansans retrace their steps to properly warn anyone who may have been exposed.

These four cornerstones and continued adherence to personal hygiene and social distancing protocols are key to reopening our economy. This framework is not etched in stone, and I am not suggesting local communities roll back safety measures immediately.

As we slowly begin the steps to reopen our state, I urge everyone to continue practicing social distancing, good hygiene, and continue working remotely if your job allows. Our approach to this process will be slow, gradual, and cautious, and will be divided into three phases to assure we don't increase the spread of COVID-19.

As of Monday, May 4, we are now in Phase One of our plan to reopen the state. There are many specifics on what will happen during this phase, and I urge you all to read my full plan here >> [link removed]

Ad Astra per Aspera,

Laura










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| Paid for by Laura Kelly for Kansas, Kevin McWhorter, Treasurer |
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Laura Kelly for Kansas
P.O. Box 2098
Topeka KS 66601 United States

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