Central Standard

Segment 1: Two states, two governors, one pandemic The virus that has descended on the world and a lack of clear guidance from Washington has given residents of Missouri and Kansas an opportunity to see two governors — one Democratic, one Republican — respond differently to the crisis. Dave Helling , editorial writer and columnist at the Kansas City Star Burdett Loomis , political science professor emeritus at the University of Kansas Segment 2, beginning at 31:34: Child care for essential...

Segment 1: Hospitals in the capital city are within their capacity, but some residents bristle at stay-at-home orders. A large number of residents in Topeka are obeying requests to stay at home. Others, the city's mayor said, take offense at the government ordering them to do something they don't want to. She explains some of the hurdles her community is navigating. Michelle De La Isla , Mayor of Topeka, Kansas Segment 2, beginning at 16:50: Social isolation can inflame anxiety and depression. Anxiety is often rooted in a lack of control, and there's a lot people can't control during a global pandemic. Good mental health care can make a big difference, but finding it while you can't leave the house isn't always easy. Susan Lewis , president/CEO of Mental Health America of the Heartland Segment 3, beginning at 33:05: During these times, religious leaders agree worship done at home is no less meaningful. With Passover taking place on Wednesday and Easter on Sunday, Christians and Jews in

Segment 1: How Missouri's 4th Congressional District is weathering the COVID-19 outbreak. Various congressional actions will result in massive amounts of money being divided among individuals, businesses and banks within a couple of weeks. One Missouri congresswoman discussed if another stimulus will be needed, and if health care professionals in her district have the personal protective equipment they need. U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler , R-Missouri Segment 2, beginning at 12:20: Can you enforce stay-at-home orders while maintaining social distance? No one in Kansas City, Missouri, or Overland Park, Kansas, has been jailed due to the current stay-at-home orders — police said they are using gentler methods to encourage safety. That and other concerns about policing in the coronavirus era were addressed. Chief Frank Donchez , Overland Park Police Department Sgt. Jake Becchina , public information officer, Kansas City Police Department Segment 3, beginning at 30:35: Kansas City political

Segment 1: How Missouri's 4th Congressional District is weathering the COVID-19 outbreak. Various congressional actions will result in massive amounts of money being divided among individuals, businesses and banks within a couple of weeks. One Missouri congresswoman discussed if another stimulus will be needed, and if health care professionals in her district have the personal protective equipment they need. U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler , R-Missouri Segment 2, beginning at 12:20: Can you enforce stay-at-home orders while maintaining social distance? No one in Kansas City, Missouri, or Overland Park, Kansas, has been jailed due to the current stay-at-home orders — police said they are using gentler methods to encourage safety. That and other concerns about policing in the coronavirus era were addressed. Chief Frank Donchez , Overland Park Police Department Sgt. Jake Becchina , public information officer, Kansas City Police Department Segment 3, beginning at 30:35: Kansas City political

Segment 1: What we know about COVID-19, and what we don't A lot is unknown about the novel coronavirus currently circulating the globe, giving rise to myths about how it spreads, how to keep it from spreading and how to reduce one's chances of getting infected. We asked an infectious disease specialist to clear up some common misconceptions. Dr. Mary Anne Jackson , professor and interim dean of the UMKC School of Medicine Segment 2, beginning at 16:05: Former President Harry Truman seems to be having a modern-day "moment." The first four months of Truman’s administration saw the Nazi surrender, the liberation of concentration camps, the controversial decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the end of World War II. Can his leadership skills through that turmoil teach us something about navigating times of crisis? A. J. Baime , journalist and author of " The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World " Segment 3, beginning at 32:00: Cooped-up

Segment 1: Tips for talking to children about the ongoing crisis. Parents are under a lot of pressure these days as their kids ask questions about this new world they're living in. It's a lot of change all at once. But respect, honesty and understanding can go a long way when broaching the subject with young minds. Wes Crenshaw , family psychologist and author of " I Always Want to Be Where I'm Not: Succesful Living with ADD and ADHD " Segment 2, beginning at 23:25: Answers to common questions on coronavirus testing and test results We’ve been asking listeners for their questions about COVID-19, and quite a few have come back about the availability of testing, the nature of the novel virus, and just how long we’ll all be social distancing. Gene Olinger , principal science advisor for MRI Global Segment 3, beginning at 27:25: Crimes against Asian Americans are already rising. The United States has a long tradition of racism in times of great crisis, and the current one is proving to be

Segment 1: Public defenders are calling prisons during pandemic ticking time bombs In light of the ongoing COVID-19 scare, individual correctional facilities in Kansas and Missouri have decided to release certain prisoners, but public defenders and advocates say a statewide approach is needed to avoid a crisis behind bars. Tricia Rojo Bushnell , executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project Segment 2, beginning at 12:45: Working out while staying in Body weight training is not the same as using a barbell and walking inside might not match the results of power walking around your neighborhood, but the necessity of staying inside is forcing exercisers to get creative. Cassandra Coffee , local chapter organizer for GirlTrek Jay Ashman , co-owner of Kansas City Barbell Segment 3, beginning at 31:05: College students are adjusting to an inability to learn on-campus. From Kansas City to central China, the springtime back-to-school rigamarole has been thrown into disarray. So how are

Segment 1: Health care workers continue to work in unsafe environments. A lack of protective gear and the silent nature of COVID-19 are just two new concerns piled on top of existing ones Kansas City health care providers deal with during the pandemic. Many are already coming to terms with the idea they will likely contract the virus. Dr. Allison Edwards , owner of Kansas City Direct Primary Care Heidi Lucas , state director of Missouri Nurses Association Segment 2, beginning at 35:45: Getting house work done while working from home Has the work-from-home nature of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic changed the division of labor when it comes to household chores or child care? We explored the implications of such a shift, and whether they stand to persist after work-arrangements return to normal. Francine Deutsch , author of " Halving it All: How Equally Shared Parenting Works ," and professor emerita of psychology at Mt. Holyoke College KCUR wants to hear stories of what’s helping you

Segment 1: "No one is immune" to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, said Mayor Carson Ross. The spread of the new coronavirus has already delayed local elections in Blue Springs, Missouri, but the full extent of the damage is yet to be known. It will undoubtedly include hits to public health, residents' wallets, tax revenue and more, says the suburb's mayor. Carson Ross , mayor of Blue Springs, Missouri Segment 2, beginning at 15:00: Decisive action now is required to protect the economy. In times of crisis, Kansas City's Federal Reserve Bank president said the role of her institution is to aggressively protect the health of the economy, which means taking precautions at levels local through global. Unwinding those measures can be worked out post-pandemic. Esther George , president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Segment 3, beginning at 28:25: Mayor Quinton Lucas takes listener questions. Kansas City's mayor isn't just learning lessons for fighting the COVID-19

Segment 1: How the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the least fortunate among us. One advocate for people experiencing homelessness says that population is always in crisis. When you add a worldwide pandemic to the mix, the stakes are even higher for them and the organizations that work to provide them the resources to survive. Stephanie Boyer , CEO of reStart Precious Stargell Cushman , CEO of Community LINC Segment 2, beginning at 33:00: Many grocery store clerks, plumbers and laundromat attendants are reporting to work like normal. What or who qualifies as an essential business or worker? The question is gaining new importance as states, counties and cities throughout the metro consider how to enforce stay-at-home orders and stemming the spread of COVID-19. Ray Dlugolecki , community health division manager for the Jackson County Health Department Nia Richardson , manager of KC BizCare KCUR wants to hear stories of what’s helping you get through these tough times. We want to hear

Segment 1: North Kansas City responds to the coronavirus pandemic. An immediate concern for this Northland municipality is warm weather attracting still too many people to public parks. In the medium- and long-term, local businesses will be hit hard — a revenue loss that will undoubtedly make a dent in the small city's budget. Bryant Delong , North Kansas City mayor pro tem Segment 2, beginning at 14:20: Physical public libraries are closed, but offerings online continue. From online Friday family fun nights to virtual business classes, libary systems in the region are adapting to the new inability to open the doors and let the public in to their physical structures. Some of those practices could stick around after COVID-19 recedes. Debbie Siragusa , Kansas City Public Library interim director Steve Potter , Mid-Continent Public Library director Sean Casserley , Johnson County librarian Segment 3, beginning at 30:50: The coronavirus pandemic will have profound impacts on the regional

Segment 1: Adapting Kansas counties, businesses, schools and employees to coronavirus Gov. Laura Kelly has signed a series of executive orders aimed at safeguarding the health of Kansans during the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked her about criticism that the measures went too far, and whether she’s considering a statewide stay-at-home order. Gov. Laura Kelly , D-Kansas Segment 2, beginning at 21:15: Officials in the Johnson County, Kansas, seat are working to connect residents to available resources. County health departments are taking the lead in Kansas' response to the coronavirus pandemic, and elected officials in Olathe are focused on being their effective supporting players. That includes getting the word out to diverse communities about the dangers posed by COVID-19, and the resources available to people taking a hit because of it. Tim Danneberg , director of communications and customer services, Olathe, Kansas Segment 3, beginning at 32:10: Pandemic gives rise to unique personal

Segment 1: Kansas City, Kansas, family stuck in Peru His wife and daughter have been in Lima, Peru, since January, and Brian Copeland felt like spending some vacation time hanging out with them there. He didn't expect he'd end up spending weeks on lockdown in a three-bedroom apartment with six other people. Brian Copeland , Kansas City, Kansas, resident Segment 2, beginning at 15:59: Kansas public schools, in the days of coronavirus Kansas' public schools were the first in the nation to close statewide in light of the spread of COVID-19. The decision was made to help defend the health of everyone in Kansas, but it came with major implications for students, teachers, staff and parents. Charles Foust , Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools superintendent Randy Watson , Kansas commissioner of education Segment 3, beginning at 37:35: Missouri superintendents adjust to pandemic Missouri's education commissioner said we're in truly uncharted territory, so planning for a pandemic like this was

Segment 1: Wife's Facebook post seen by hundreds meant one more hospital visit with her husband before he died Five days after he was diagnosed, Dennis Wilson became Johnson County's first death caused by COVID-19. His wife, Joanna Wilson, explained how after being sent home from the hospital where Dennis had been admitted, she took to Facebook to update friends and family on her husband's condition. She related how, despite hospital visitation restrictions at this time, she was able to visit Dennis before he died thanks to the efforts of hospital staff who saw her post. Joanna Wilson , widow of Dennis Wilson Segment 2, beginning at 19:21: City officials in smaller municipalities also feeling the brunt of the coronavirus Although considerably smaller than Kansas City, Gladstone, Missouri is facing many of the same problems presented by the coronavirus, but with a fraction of the resources of its larger neighbor. Gladstone mayor Carol Suter gave us an update on how her city is getting

Segment 1, beginning at 4:12: Current Washington debates revolve around who should get a bailout due to the COVID-19 crisis. Congress seems willing to shell out massive amounts of cash to make up for lost economic activity, but lawmakers can't yet agree on who should get checks and for how much. Kansas City's congressman said his proposals are aimed at the least-advantaged — those making less than $50,000 annually. He also gave updates on his own attempts to get back to Washington to vote, the availability of test kits and misinformation about the new coronavirus. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver , D-Kansas City Segment 2, beginning at 16:17: Fallout from the spread of the new coronavirus is creating unprecedented legal conundrums. Employment (and unemployment) technicalities, evictions and so many more legal processes are seemingly unclear because of the ongoing pandemic. Though they couldn't offer specific legal advice, we asked legal experts to address common concerns that have arisen from

Segment 1: "I'm going to continue to work really hard, I'm just going to do it from home," said U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids. Despite deciding to self-quarantine after potential exposure to the novel coronavirus, Kansas' U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said she's still working to ensure any stimulus package out of the Capitol prioritizes people who need it most. She also emphasized the importance of practicing social distancing, listening to public health officials and taking the coronavirus situation seriously. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids , D-Kansas Segment 2, beginning at 15:13: How to practice social distancing without social isolation To stem the spread of coronavirus, people have been told to physically distance themselves. It means friends and neighbors have had to get creative about connecting with others while heeding the recommended six feet of distance. Katie Kriegshauser , psychologist and director of the Kansas City Center for Anxiety Treatment Segment 3, beginning at 33:08: The arts

Segment 1: What Washington lawmakers are working on in response to the spread of COVID-19. The federal response to the spread of coronavirus had "a clunky start," said Missouri's senior U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt . Since then federal decision-makers have enabled state leaders, he said, and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has enabled county and local leaders to get things done. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Missouri Segment 2, beginning at 16:35: Mayor Lucas said drastic measures are needed in the fight against coronavirus. The added complications of working from home have already wreaked havoc on one Kansas City Council committee meeting . We asked the mayor about that incident, the importance of ongoing budget proceedings, and the city's response to more COVID-19 cases in the metro. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas Segment 3, beginning at 31:51: The consequences of a new coronavirus are introducing new financial dilemmas. Many people in Kansas City and around the country are finding themselves newly

Answers to coronavirus questions, and resources available in the Kansas City area As part of special coverage of the novel coronavirus, KCUR opened the phone lines to answer your questions. From hospital preparedness to mental health to where to find social services, our panel of experts fielded questions from around the metro, including one senior who wanted to know if the drive-thru at the bank could put her at risk. Dr. Mary Anne Jackson , professor and interim dean at the UMKC School of Medicine Katie Kriegshauser , psychologist and director of the Kansas City Center for Anxiety Treatment Jim MacDonald , chief community investment officer for the United Way of Greater Kansas City David Smith , CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers To support the efforts of the United Way of Greater Kansas City during the novel coronavirus health crisis, text 'KCRelief2020' to 41444 or donate at . All funds will remain in the Kansas City area and support UWGKC’s partner agencies and programs.

Segment 1: How sports journalists are adapting to a lack of sporting events. The coronavirus has proven to be a huge disruption in the world of athletics. Aside from professional teams suspending seasons (to the dismay of thousands), sports journalists are also facing a major shift in how they find and report stories. Marleah Campbell , sports director for WIBW-TV Greg Echlin , sports contributor for KCUR Vahe Gregorian , sports columnist for the Kansas City Star Segment 2, beginning at 29:39: Social distancing without the internet Schools are closing and many businesses are asking employees to work from home. What about those without adequate internet, laptops or phones, though? We're starting to see the digital divide separate the haves and have-nots in ways that are specific to this outbreak. Katie Boody , founder and CEO of LEANLAB Tom Esselman , CEO of Connecting For Good Linda Poon , staff writer for CityLab

Segment 1: What Washington lawmakers are working on in response to the spread of COVID-19. The federal response to the spread of coronavirus had "a clunky start," said Missouri's senior U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt . Since then federal decision-makers have enabled state leaders, he said, and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has enabled county and local leaders to get things done. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri Segment 2, beginning at 16:15: Mayor Lucas said drastic measures are needed in the fight against...