Rock Chalk Science Cautions Kansas City Metro As COVID Mask Mandates Fall

The numbers are on the decline . . .But that isn't comforting to the people who are hooked up to ventilators or pushing up daises become of the global plague.

Here's the word from local health providers who seem justifiably skeptical about "the science" and how the current infection, hospitalization & death numbers translate . . .

"It will be a gradual step by step thing," said Dr. Dana Hawkinson with KU Medical Center. "But, I think those steps are being taken for better or for worse regardless of, maybe, optimal health of medical information and guidance."

Weddings, concerts and other events have returned to full capacity.

"Overall Coronavirus, SARS-COV2 is endemic in our community," Hawkinson said. "It is endemic in our nation and that just means that we will always have to live with some sort of level of disease."

While cases are steeply declining, he's still emphasizing caution.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Doctors in Kansas City urge: 'Omicron is not over'

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) --- Covid-19 cases are the lowest Kansas City has seen in three months. According to the Mid-America Regional Council. at its peak there were an average of 4,300 new cases each week. Those cases have dropped to 610. This new trend towards "normal" has some cities and schools dropping their mandates.

Kansas City Symphony no longer requiring masks during performances, vaccines still mandated

Patrons attending the symphony will no longer need to wear a mask during the performance, should they choose not to.The Kansas City Symphony announced Tuesday that face masks are no longer required during Symphony performances inside Helzberg Hall.Officials with the Symphony said if you desire, you may remove your mask once inside Helzberg Hall; however, mask-wearing is still strongly encouraged.Officials added that while mask-wearing will no longer be required during the performance, the current vaccination policy is still in effect.

Roeland Park leaves mask mandate in place through March 16

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - While many schools and cities are dropping mask requirements, Roeland Park is not. On Feb. 7, Roeland Park leaders voted to extend the mask mandate already in place through March 16. With signs of declining COVID-19 case rates and other jurisdictions ending mask mandates early, leaders met again on Monday to decide if they would follow suit.

Mission will let its indoor mask mandate expire next week

YOU CAN TRACK THE STORM, SEE SNOW TOTALS, AND GET WEATHER ALERTS SENSTT RAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE. SEARCH KMBC IN YOUR APP STORE FOR THE FREE DOWNLOAD. NOW TO THE PANDEMIC, MORE CHANGES ARE ON THE WAY FOR SCHOOLS AND CITIES IN THE METRO, AS COVID-19 CASES START TO DECLINE.

Missouri COVID update: Health officials report 825 new cases, 13 virus deaths

by: Kevin S. Held Posted: / Updated: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Health officials in Missouri updated the state's COVID-19 Dashboard on Wednesday with the latest information on cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the state has recorded 1,120,269 cumulative cases of SARS-CoV-2-an increase of 825 positive cases (PCR testing only)-and 14,907 total deaths as of Wednesday, Feb.

Large COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Kansas City start to wind down

The KC Care Health Center will close its vaccination clinics in Kansas City Public Libraries this week. While the need to vaccinate the community is still there, the demand is not.Person after person passes through the main doors and right past the KC Care Health Clinic registration desk.

KDHE's reports show declining trends in COVID numbers

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reporting declining trends for COVID-19 cases and deaths but, The University of Kansas Health System warns of what could come if efforts are decreased. KDHE reports 1,100 new cases and 81 hospitalizations since Monday's update.

Prairie Village indoor mask mandate to expire next week; Mission's ends Wednesday

Hide Transcript Show Transcript PRAIRIE VILLAGE IS RESCINDING ITS INDOOR MASK MANDATE ON MARCH 1. THE ORIGINAL DATE WAS MARCH 16. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVED THAT CHANGE TONIGHT. THEY ALSO VOTED TO RETN TOUR HYBRID MEETINGS INSTEAD OF ALL VIRTUAL. MISSION'S DOINOR MASK MANDATE RUNS OUT TOMORROW.

'Fauci Can Pound Sand': DeSantis takes on Dr. Fauci in reelection messaging

Gov. Ron DeSantis has a new message to Dr. Anthony Fauci for Republicans to spread across Florida's beaches.

Omicron is on its way out of Kansas City with COVID hospitalization, death numbers dropping

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Hospitalization rates are continuing to decline around the Kansas City area as case rates and death numbers drop. It's unclear if or when the next COVID-19 variant will emerge, but omicron appears to be on its way out. Here's the latest data.

Developing . . .