Regional media participated in a joint phone interview with doctors from The University of Kansas Health System. Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control, Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer, and Ashleigh Adams, RN, a nurse on the front lines caring for COVID-19 patients gave an update on COVID-19 and the current risk. They also addressed the following:

• Dr. Stites says “We’re feeling the surge” at the hospital. He says the best way to fight the spread is to stay at home. He also reiterates that COVID-19 doesn’t just reach out and infect you. It spreads by being on a surface that you touch and then touching your face.
• Mask donations: While the community generosity is great, Dr. Hawkinson says to be careful not to rely on cloth masks. When the moisture from your mouth makes the cloth damp …it can actually act like a sponge and attract germs.
• Registered Nurse Ashleigh Adams talks about what it’s like caring for these very sick COVID-19 patients. She says these patients are “exhausted.”

The entire briefing and the reporter questions are in the video.

            Tomorrow, Thursday, March 26 at 11 a.m. (Note the different time), doctors will be available for more questions and to update the current state of the virus and the risk. Also on the panel will be a doctor to answer questions on how telemedicine is making it possible to see your doctor and keep you safe at home.

Telephone dial-in Participants:

Dial: 1-913-588-2222, and enter 50041981# when prompted for the Call ID.