Despite masks, city staff under COVID-19 quarantine
In noting that there are about a dozen Great Bend city personnel quarantined due to COVID-19, City Administrator Kendal Francis Tuesday night told the City Council that no plan is foolproof. He was referring to the mask-wearing mandate for city staff.
“I just kind of wanted to clarify what I know surrounding the wearing of masks and how it has not prevented a mass quarantine of a department,” which was one of the reasons the city instituted a mask requirement in the first place, he said. “We were under the false impression that if everyone was wearing a mask when they were exposed to a positive case that it would prevent you from being quarantined.”
However, “we’re finding out that is not 100% correct, not even 50% correct,” he said.
Cloth masks are not considered personal protective equipment, he said. The only the only types of masks that fall within that category are medical-grade surgical masks, or the M95 masks.
“As a result, we have had approximately 12 employees who have been quarantined because of exposure,” Francis said.
From what he understands in talking with the Barton County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the best way to prevent the quarantine is social distancing, keeping the 6-foot distance. 
“When they’re doing their epidemiology, they’re looking at a few factors,” he said. 
Was the length of contact greater than 10 minutes? 
Was the person wearing a mask of some type? 
And, a big factor, is the person who tested positive symptomatic or asymptomatic? “That appears to be a large factor in deciding who will be quarantined after an exposure.”
The mask guidelines seem to keep changing and “are as clear as mud,” Francis said. “I know we’re not the only ones that are facing these types of questions.”
The council chamber at City Hall is a little cramped. “But the addition of the protective shields (installed between council member seats) does add a measure of protection that is factored into when they’re looking at the epidemiology,” he said.
“All the things together help reduce the risk,” he said. “There’s just nothing that 100% removes the risk other than the social distancing aspect.”
“KDHE changed the rules (regarding mask usage and guidelines) and didn’t notify anybody,” Councilwoman Jolene Biggs said. “If you went to their website as of yesterday, it didn’t indicate anything.”
“You have to be pretty deep on their website to find it,” Francis said. “You have to know where to look to find the update.”
According to the state epidemiologist, the changes are intended to apply to everyone, but their focus was for health-care professionals and first responders. Still, they cover everybody.
However, Biggs said the new guidelines are confusing and not well worded.
Francis said he has met with Barton County Health Director Karen Winkelmann and County Administrator Phil Hathcock. “I think they do try their hardest to put all these factors together when they’re looking at an exposure.”
Regardless, “I have instructed staff that we will continue to wear face masks,” he said. “We will continue to encourage an even stronger push for social distancing,” including conducting meetings virtually, both within in the city and with outside entities. 
When it comes to wearing a mask, something is better than nothing. “It reduces the risk, it does not eliminate it.”
So, city personnel will continue to wear masks “and do our best to eliminate factors that are going to land more mass quarantines so we can continue to be here and serve the public,” Francis said.
The bottom line? “One thing I will say is that we continue to preach to staff is, ‘if you’re sick, stay home.’”  

Drive-through COVID-19 testing still offered
The Barton County Health Department is still offering drive-through COVID-19 testing, Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis said Tuesday night. It is offered from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the north side of the Sheriff’s Office, 1416 Kansas Ave.
One does have to be symptomatic to be tested, he said, and they want folks to call ahead and make an appointment. One can still call the day of and still be tested.
The Health Department number is 620-793-1902.

North Main drainage issues delayed by weather 
During an update to the City Council Tuesday night, Great Bend City Assistant Public Works Director Jason Cauley said work on drainage issues on North Main Street at 24th street has stalled. The work, which started in May, will eventually continue eastward along 24th and the U.S. 281 bypass to help alleviate some of the flooding in the area.
“We were going to start on it this week,” he said, noting the weather forced a postponement. “It will probably be put off until next week when things clear off a little bit.
“We’ve just been busy with other things,” he said. With the street resurfacing project coming up, they’ve had patching to do, the emergency Frey Street repairs arose and other things have happened.
But, now, “we’re planning on getting back on it,” Cauley said. Once they get going, he said they plan to stick with it until it is completed.
Street Department crews cleaned out culverts and regraded ditches. Culvert replacements are also in the plan.
 
Hayden offers first eco devo report
Great Bend Economic Development Inc.’s new President Sara Hayden had her first chance to address the City Council Tuesday night since taking the job in August.
“I am a month in so far and my primary focus has really been meeting with as many people as possible just to promote collaboration and open communication,” she said during her inaugural monthly economic development report. “Just to better quantify what that looks like, I have met with 55 people so far,” she said. “I feel like it’s really helped me to find direction while really keeping in mind the community’s thoughts and recommendations as we move forward.”
These contacts have included several economic development directors from other cities. “And I have to tell you that has been very helpful, and the information they provided and the contacts they provided I know will be beneficial in our economic development program as we move forward,” Hayden said.
Moving on to some of the projects, one that is underway is a “re-imagining” of the GBED website. They are adding all of the relevant information and data that a prospective business would want to look into as it decides where it wants to relocate.
“Along with this, I found a system that I’ll pass along to our local real estate brokers to ensure that we’re promoting all of our commercial properties on a much larger stage,” she said. 
In addition, “I have been working side by side with the Golden Belt Community Foundation to help promote their reverse scholarship program,” she said of the program that offers student debt assistance to local young professionals who have moved to other areas if they return. “I’m doing this in hopes that we’re going to be able to bring back some of our city’s young professionals and integrate them back into our workforce.”
She said she has also been collaborating with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce to bring an educational business competition to town. “We’re really going to challenge our youth and help them to better prepare for a successful future,” she said.
She will have more information on that the next council meeting. “We’re still getting our feet off the ground on that, but we are very excited about the potential.”

GBEC mission statement sums up eco devo efforts
In her first economic development report to the Great Bend City Council Tuesday night, new Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden said it would be beneficial if she read aloud the organization’s recently developed mission statement.
“The reason I do this is that I feel like, as I come and report to you in the coming months, it’s really going to provide clarity on what we’re doing and why we’re doing it,” she said. It reads “our mission is to improve the economic quality of life for the working families of the community. We’ll do this by creating jobs through retention recruitment expansion of businesses, strengthening our workforce through recruitment education and training, improving and increasing the number of living wage jobs. And lastly, expanding the tax base through increased capital investment.”
“So, as I share that, I think it’s so important to note that economic development is so much more than just seeking new businesses,” Hayden said. “Yes, recruiting will always be a mission, or part of the mission that the goal is really helping existing businesses to realize their potential to expand and to add new jobs, while also seeking ways for local citizens to create new ventures as well.”
She said she’s been impressed with the conversations she’s had with many local business owners. “I’m excited to continue that,” she said.