With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to push the strain on medical staff locally and nationally, the question is being asked what can be done to help alleviate some of the stress placed on providers?
Lyon County Commissioner Scott Briggs was looking for an answer to that exact question during the commission’s weekly action session Thursday morning. During the monthly COVID-19 update from Lyon County Public Health, Public Health Officer Dr. Ladun Oyenuga detailed the continued strain on staff at Newman Regional Health saying the strain on staff is reaching a critical level.
In response, Briggs asked if it would be possible to allocate tax dollars to help relieve the stress on staff.
Dr. Oyenuga says she can’t speak to what can be done on the financial end, however, she believes it is an avenue worth discussing. As it pertains to bringing in additional staff, Dr. Oyenuga says it’s a good thought, however, it may not be feasible given the notable shortage in nurses which has been ongoing prior to the pandemic.
With the current COVID-19 spike still ongoing, Oyenuga continues to encourage residents to do all they can to help mitigate the spread including wearing masks, social distancing and most importantly getting vaccinated.
In separate business, commissioners approved the finalization of what has been a near four-year-long rebranding effort by Lyon County Area Transportation (LCAT). Commissioners unanimously approved a quote from Mountain Graphics in Houston, TX, for the fabrication and application of nine new wraps for LCAT buses.
LCAT Director Shane Brunner says this is all part of LCAT’s rebranding endeavor which began back in 2018 as LCAT separated from the Lyon County Area Agency on Aging.
Brunner says the new wraps should be applied in the spring when temperatures begin to warm up. Approval of the rebranding materials comes as Brunner says ridership numbers are beginning to increase, however, he says numbers are still a ways off from pre-pandemic levels.
He says once more organizations get back to pre-pandemic operations and workforce numbers pick back up they should see a larger uptick in ridership. Brunner will join KVOE’s Newsmaker Two segment at 8:20 am Monday morning to discuss the new wraps and overall operations in greater depth.
In other matters Thursday, grant administrator Garrett Nordstrom asked commissioners to consider rescinding its support of a Community Development Block Grant for A1 Pump and Jet. Nordstrom’s request comes as the business owners have decided to privately finance their endeavor rather than use the county as a passthrough for state funding.
Commissioners also approved a number of requests from Lyon County Engineer Chip Woods including the purchase of reinforcing steel, metal pipe culverts and galvanized steel bridge decking.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene Wednesday at 11:30 am for the first of four quarterly joint meetings with the Emporia City Commission inside the Lyon County Courthouse. County commissioners will hold their weekly action meeting next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse commission chambers.
