Recent research is showing the effectiveness of social distancing in slowing the spread of COVID-19 according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman.
During Governor Laura Kelly’s daily news briefing Friday afternoon, Secretary Norman discussed recent findings from a study conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory in Santa Fe, NM. Dr. Norman says the study, conducted for the Centers for Disease Control, is showing surprising results regarding the infectivity rate of COVID-19.
Dr. Norman continued stating that the infectivity rate with proper social distancing is thought to be 1.4. Dr. Norman says this should “serve as a huge motivator for social distancing.”
This information comes as Governor Kelly may be getting set to extend the state-wide stay-at-home order possibly as soon as next week. A final decision on an extension has yet to be made.
Along with the new information on social distancing Friday, Dr. Norman also spoke on the importance of properly utilizing homemade masks. Dr. Norman says homemade masks are not to be worn for long periods of time, and should not be worn during times where social distancing is an option.
Additionally, Dr. Norman tells Kansans to avoid touching their face with their hands when putting masks on, wash the masks on a daily basis and if possible, to set up a rotation of masks to avoid continuous use of the same mask. For more information on proper mask usage visit www.KDHEks.gov.
Also during Friday’s conference, Governor Kelly updated an incident at the Lansing Correctional Facility on Thursday. According to Governor Kelly, upon returning from their shower time a number of inmates caused a “disturbance” and barricaded themselves in their unit.
Correctional officers vacated the area and Kansas Department of Corrections special response teams from Topeka and Lansing entered and secured the unit around 11 pm. The all-clear was given around 2 am with all inmates being secured and accounted for.
Governor Kelly says two minor medical incidents occurred during the incident, both involving inmates. She says one inmate required stitches for a cut while another inhaled gas used in the securing of the cell block. No staff were harmed during the incident.
Governor Kelly will continue her series of daily press briefings on Monday at 2 pm.
