Local officials, in an effort to combat a  significant rise in virus cases and hospitalizations in the region, have begun instituting mask mandates and vaccination efforts. In Eastern Jackson County, the 14-day percent positive has tripled since June 6 and case counts have quadrupled.
     Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced July 28th the City will reinstate its indoor mask mandate regardless of vaccination status, effective 12:01am on Monday, August 2nd.
     Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who is running for the open U.S. Senate seat, was quick to announce he would sue to block the mandate. Schmitt filed a lawsuit Monday to block St. Louis area mask mandates.
     Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. announced a new health care mandate that requires all full-time and part-time County staff to show proof of full vaccination or receive weekly COVID-19 testing. The new policy takes effect on September 30.
     “The delta variant we’re fighting now is much more contagious and requires us to act with a sense of urgency,” White said.
     “Science and facts show the vaccine is the absolute best way protect ourselves and others from serious illness or death. Our new policy will help us ensure staff and guests to our facilities remain safe, while also improving our chances of defeating this virus once and for all.”
     Masks will continue to be a requirement in all county buildings and facilities for staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
     The City of Grain Valley has not implemented its own mask mandate, but is watching for news from Jackson County, according to Deputy City Administrator Theresa Osenbaugh.
     “As in the past, the City will watch closely for any health orders released by Jackson County as we fall under their jurisdiction. The City has not implemented our own mask or vaccine requirements. We have ensured all employees have been made aware of how they can obtain the vaccine but have not surveyed staff to identify who has been vaccinated,” Osenbaugh said.
 

     Community Services League and United Way of Greater Kansas City are assisting the Jackson County government in implementing their Emergency Rent Assistance program, which assists households in Jackson County. Funding for the program was made possible through COVID-19 pandemic relief passed in December 2020.
     The fund can assist with past due rent and utilities going back to April 1, 2020.
     This fund cannot assist with mortgage payments or cable/internet bills. Households in a rent-to-own contract are considered in a mortgage, and are unable to receive assistance through this fund.  Applicants are welcome to apply for both rental and utility assistance or just utility assistance if rent is not past due.
    Applicants need to Identify one head of household to be the “Primary Applicant.” The Primary Applicant needs to have an identification to upload into the application. Many types of identification are allowed, including: any State-issued driver license, State-issued ID, military, US or foreign passport, US or foreign birth certificate, US permanent resident, Tribal card, college/university, corporation, Social Security card, work permit, ITIN, Matricula Consular, voter card, or student visa. If an applicant can’t produce one of those types of identification, then a utility bill and a lease that have the same person’s name on them is acceptable.
     Any adult (18+) that is currently employed will need to upload 60 day’s worth of paystubs. If an adult works, but does not receive a paystub (i.e. self-employed or contract worker) then that person can upload a self-declaration of income. If the adult has filed their 2020 federal taxes, then they can simply upload their 1040 or 1040EZ, and do not have to upload any paystubs or other income documentation.
     The applicant will need to upload their signed lease agreement with their landlord. The applicant will also need to upload an invoice from the landlord showing the amount of past due rent. Additionally, the applicant will need to upload an IRS Form W-9 for their landlord.
     Applicants requesting utility assistance will need to upload an invoice from any utility (electric, water, sewer, gas/propane, trash) showing the amount past due.
     Visit the Jackson County ERAP website,
https://www.jacksoncountyerap.org/home,  to learn more about this fund.
 

The Kansas City region hit a major milestone May 4th with 500,000 vaccinations completed, just four weeks after Comeback KC launched the metro-wide Two Million Arms KC campaign.
     “We are in a race to get area adults vaccinated before another COVID-19 surge arrives, fueled by new virus variants and a loosening of public health restrictions,” according to Mark Logan, Communications Director for Comeback KC, which launched the regional education and communications campaign to help with that life-saving effort. 
     The Two Million Arms KC campaign is designed to help the Kansas City region recover from COVID-19 by providing vaccine information and encouragement to help residents protect themselves, their families, and their communities.
      “If we’re going to beat COVID-19, it will take all of us. Getting the vaccine not only protects you, it protects your family, your neighbors, and your community,” Qiana Thomason, President/CEO, Health Forward Foundation said.
 

​     Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. – in consultation with Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Shaffer, MPH and Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Schulte – amended the health order effective April 30th to reflect recent guidance from the CDC.
 
     The revised protocols include:
 
     Masking and social distancing are no longer required outdoors, although masking is recommended with medium to large gatherings.
     Small gatherings, indoor and outdoor, of fully vaccinated individuals are permitted without restriction. Large gatherings are still discouraged at this time.
     All persons, including those who are vaccinated, must still wear masks in public indoor settings.
     Social distancing is no longer required indoors, although distancing is still recommended wherever possible.
      “We are slowly restoring some normalcy in our daily lives by doing activities we love and enjoy without restrictions,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.
     “With the science-based guidance of our health department, I am proud of the progress we have made together, as a community, to reach this point. Moving forward, we must remain vigilant in protecting one another from the virus, and we know the most effective way to do that is by getting vaccinated.”
     “We thank the community for the sacrifices they’ve made over this past year to help control the spread of COVID-19 and keep each other safe,” Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Shaffer, MPH, said.
     “The COVID-19 vaccines offer hope, but we are not out of the pandemic yet. We must continue to wear masks, avoid crowds, get tested when sick, and get vaccinated."
 
     To sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Jackson County Health Department website at https://jacohd.org/covid-vaccines.
     Jackson County residents and businesses can find additional resources and information online at www.jacohd.org/coronavirus, by phone at (816) 404-6415, or via email at COVID19@tmcmed.org.
 

     Jackson County has announced plans to modify protocols to the current health order, particularly when it comes to those relating to capacity restrictions.
     County Executive Frank White , Jr. stressed that while some of these restrictions are being eased, the mask mandate and social distancing protocols remain in effect.                  
     The new order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2021, the same day Phase 3 of the state’s vaccination plan is activated, which opens vaccine eligibility to all Missouri adults.
     “Over the past year, we have made tremendous strides to combat this pandemic and we don’t want to lose the progress that we’ve made,” White said. 
     “In order to do that, we must continue to wear face coverings and maintain our distance from others when in public spaces out of respect for those in our community who are waiting to be vaccinated. If we remain diligent in our prevention efforts, we will be one step closer to getting back some normalcy in our daily lives.”
      “Our health department is focused on increasing education of the vaccines that are available, providing access to them, signing up as many residents as possible and getting vaccines in arms,” Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Schaffer, MPH, said.
     “We look forward to receiving increased vaccine supply in the coming weeks to continue our commitment to public health and safety.”
      The protocols that will be revised beginning April 9 include:
     All essential and non-essential businesses, including gyms, fitness and recreation centers, can open at full capacity. Mask wearing and social distancing are required.
     Restaurants, bars and taverns can operate at full capacity to serve food and alcohol. Mask wearing and social distancing are required.
     There are no capacity limits on gatherings. Mask wearing and social distancing are required.
     To sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Jackson County Health Department website at https://jacohd.org/covid-vaccines.
     Jackson County residents and businesses can find additional resources and information online at www.jacohd.org/coronavirus, by phone at (816) 404-6415, or via email at COVID19@tmcmed.org.
 

  The Jackson County Legislature passed an ordinance March 22nd to help families throughout Jackson County who were evicted from their homes as of February 3, 2021 as adjudicated in cases by the 16th Circuit Court.
     These households were unable to pay current and past due rent and utility bills as part of the ongoing crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     The amount of $387,946.84 will immediately assist 152 people, with portions to help 87 people with Court costs and help 65 families to keep possession of their homes. These families may also qualify to get further assistance as there will be additional funds made available from the State of Missouri for rental assistance.
     These funds are part of the $11.5 million grant issued to Jackson County as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which established a $25 billion Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program for state, county and municipal governments. 
     In a press release, the County Legislature stated it “feels a duty to be responsive to the needs of all citizens of Jackson County and will continue to do so. During these times when there continues to be incredible amounts of suffering by families, friends, neighbors, schools and businesses, by no fault of their own, their is light at the end of the tunnel. That light comes in the form of the COVID-19 numbers coming down along with the number of hospitalizations and deaths associated with this pandemic.”
     We also have at least 136 million additional federal dollars to help get our lives, schools and economy heading in the right direction that has just come into Jackson County with this last aid package.”
     The County legislature approved an ordinance on March 22nd, authorizing  
the use of $11,550,205 in grant monies the County received from the federal government to launch an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The program would provide financial assistance and housing stability services to Eastern Jackson County families struggling financially. Households facing imminent eviction would receive priority assistance.
     The Community Services League and United Way of Greater Kansas City have formed a collaborative partnership to implement and administer the County’s program.
     “Many families are in dire need of help and this is our opportunity to provide a lifeline to them during these challenging times,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. 
     “I am grateful for our local partners who share our commitment of housing stability and will assist us in getting these critical dollars to those in need as quickly as possible.”
     Eligible households include renters who demonstrate a risk of experiencing housing instability, have seen their income reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and earn a household income at or below 80% of the county median income. Once approved, eligible individuals may receive up to 12 months of assistance. Rental and utility assistance payments are made directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of the tenant.
     More information about the program including eligibility requirements, an application checklist and to sign-up to be notified when the application portal is open, can be found at www.jacksoncountyerap.org. Detailed program information is also readily available for Spanish-speaking families at www.jacksoncountyerap.org/espanol.
     The $11.5 million grant is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which established a $25 billion Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program for state, county and municipal governments. The amount of funding received is based on the County’s population, excluding the City of Kansas City, MO.
 

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations March 22nd—26th:
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316536914856
 
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316088814857
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
 This is not a drive thru clinic
Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325011127840
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
 This is a drive-thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316182714851
 
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325192814853
 

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations March 15-19:
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210315751714852  
 
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316422714848
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
 This is not a drive thru clinic
Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325345327852
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
 This is a drive-thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210315681414851
 
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210324580814853
 

     Governor Parson has announced the state will move into Phase 1-B Tier 3 of Missouri’s priority phases as of March 15th. Phase I-B Tier 3 includes the following groups:
     Education: Teachers, faculty, and staff in public, private, and nonprofit pre K – 12.
     Childcare: Faculty and staff in a DHSS or DSS -licensed facility providing basic care to children.
     Communications Sector: Employees at public, private, or nonprofit organizations that provide communications services.
     Dams Sector: Employees at public, private, or nonprofit organizations that provide services in the dams sector related to critical water retention and control services.
     Energy Sector: Employees at public, private, or nonprofit organizations that provide energy services, regardless of the energy source.
     Food/Agriculture Sector – initial: Employees of certain food production and processing facilities, and related operations, prioritizing mass food production, distribution, transportation, wholesale and retail sales, including grocery and convenience stores where groceries are sold; includes veterinary services.
     Government: Elected officials in any branch of government at the state, county, and/or municipal levels required for the continuity of government; members of the judiciary at the federal, state, and/or local levels required for the continuity of government; employees designated by the federal government that fall within the state’s vaccine allocation responsibilities; other designated government personnel required for the continuity of government.
     Information Technology
Sector: Employees at public, private, or nonprofit organizations that provide IT services.
     Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector: Employees at public, private, or nonprofit organizations that work in this sector.
     Transportation Systems
Sector: Employees in the transportation systems sector including aviation, highway and motor carriers, maritime transportation systems, mass transit and passenger rail, pipeline systems, freight rail, and postal shipping.
     Water and Wastewater Systems Sector: Employees at public, private, and/or nonprofit organizations that provide drinking or wastewater services.
     Grain Valley Schools will survey all employees this week to collect the names of those who intend to get vaccinated this month, according to Dr. Brad Welle, Deputy Superintendent, Student and Community Services.
     “We will use this list to schedule vaccination sessions with at least two regional providers,” Welle said.
     Those in each of the eligible priority phases may seek out the vaccine through a number of providers, including:
    Missouri COVID-19 Vaccine Navigator:
Register online at www.mostopscovid.com or call 877-435-8411.
     Register with Jackson County Health Department at www.jacohd.org/covid-vaccines.
     Truman Medical Centers: You can register online or call (816)404-CARE to sign up for TMC’s vaccine waiting list. You must be a Missouri resident and meet eligibility.
     Selected retail pharmacies such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Health Mart are now providing vaccines to eligible persons through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19. This program allows individuals to get vaccinated at any location regardless of residency.
     To assist seniors in the metro area who need assistance navigating the system, Mid-America Regional Council Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may be contacted by phone at 1-800-593-7948. 
     Your local AAA can help you:
     Register for a vaccine, if you have not 
     yet registered;
     Coordinate round-trip transportation;      
     Be reminded when it’s time for your
     second dose.
 

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations March 8-12:
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316176114848
 
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316436014846
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
 This is not a drive thru clinic
Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210324781527857
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
 This is a drive-thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210315678014853
 
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210324435314847