Data, not dates, that is the central theme of which Governor Laura Kelly’s new phase 1.5 of the state’s Ad Astra recovery plan has been based on.
The governor reiterated this sentiment and dove into greater detail regarding exactly how specific data is helping to drive the state’s efforts through the reopening process during her regular news briefing Friday. Governor Kelly stated that the Ad Astra plan as a whole is meant to provide local communities and businesses a means of planning for the future, however, until a vaccine is developed, manufactured and widely distributed “our future will remain subject to the whims of this virus.”
According to Governor Kelly, the state is operating on data that lags roughly one week behind current events. With that being said, Governor Kelly says before the Ad Astra plan began the state observed a “sustained downward trajectory” in new cases by onset date and felt confident in their ability to manage existing outbreaks as testing and contact tracing capacity increased.
Kelly continued, stating that there is an abundance of examples across the world which illustrate the risks associated with attempting to reopen an economy too swiftly or aggressively stating it has the ability to set back all of the progress made in mitigative efforts up to this point.
In the coming weeks, the state will continue to evaluate state health trends to help determine whether or not to proceed into the next phase of the Ad Astra recovery plan. In the meantime, Governor Kelly encourages residents to continue to adhere to proper hygiene and social distancing protocols including washing hands, remaining home when sick and following all guidelines and orders issued from state and local health officials.
Phase 1.5 is set to go into effect on Monday. More information on phase 1.5 is available online at KVOE.com.
Governor Laura Kelly is scheduled to continue her regular news briefings at 2 pm Monday. You can tune into the broadcast on KVOE 1400 am, 96.9 fm and KVOE.com.
