The number of COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System is slightly higher today. Seven people with the active virus are being treated, up from six yesterday and up from a low of two on Tuesday. Of those patients, two are in the ICU, the same as yesterday. Zero patients are on a ventilator, the same as yesterday. The number of recovering patients, those still in the hospital but out of the active infectious phase, is seven, up from six yesterday. That’s 14 total patients, up from 12 yesterday. HaysMed has two active patients with one recovering, up from one active and one recovering yesterday.
On today’s Morning Media Update, Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, was joined by Amanda Cackler, director of Quality and Safety, to answer media and community questions. Isaac Riffel, senior director of Ballpark Operations with the Kansas City Royals, joined to talk about full attendance at the stadium. Also, Janell Friesen (freeze-in), public information officer for the Unified Government Public Health Department, had details of a fun vaccination and testing event happening at the Speedway.
Before getting to community questions, Isaac Riffel described what it’s like at Kauffman Stadium now that it’s opened to full capacity. He says fans have felt very safe, even with mask use way down. Most of them put one on if standing in line at the concession stand. The staff, he says, is about 50 percent vaccinated, and spend a lot more time cleaning than ever before. He says wipes and hand sanitizers are all over the stadium for easy access by fans. The only areas not yet open are the two dugout suites, located right next to the team dugouts, which have been used by the players to spread out a bit more. But he says with more teams being vaccinated, they are planning on opening the dugout suites to fans soon. He says fans should feel very safe coming to see the Royals.
Janell Friesen said Wyandotte County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state, and they want to do something about that. They’re hosting an event called Race To End COVID at the Kansas Speedway this weekend, and there’s a real treat for those who come to get vaccinated or tested. You get to drive your own car twice around the track, just like the NASCAR drivers. They will also have a raffle for gift cards and tickets to the NASCAR race in October. The free event goes from 5-8 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. No registration is necessary and it’s open to anyone, no matter where you live. Those 16 and 17 must have a parent or guardian with them. They’ll be offering the Pfizer vaccine, which is available for those 12 and older, and will require a second dose somewhere else. People can also choose the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which needs only one dose.
Here are the media and community questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. Time code for the question is in parentheses. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- (15:00) Can fully vaccinated patients end up in the hospital? Yes, but having the vaccination significantly lowers the risk of severe illness and death.
- (16:40) What are your thoughts about myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) in teens after getting the vaccine? It’s being investigated, but those events are extremely rare. Teens are at much higher risk of myocarditis from the COVID-19 virus itself.
- (18:00) People think that with all of the restrictions being lifted the pandemic is over. Is it? Definitely not. It’s still very real, especially in countries outside the U.S. There is still very wide community onset and not nearly enough people are vaccinated.
- (20:00) What do I say to my boss who refuses to get vaccinated or wear a mask? I'm vaccinated but feel uncomfortable getting within six feet of him. Our workplace has said it's okay to unmask if vaccinated, but no one is enforcing or checking on people. It’s a little touchier if it’s your boss, but you may have to wear a mask and keep six feet apart from him.
- (22:05) What is the number one reason people are telling you they don't want to be vaccinated? Most common reasons are “I’m immune because I already had it.” (see next question and answer.) Also “The vaccine is too new, and I don’t want to be a Guinea pig,” which is not true.
- (23:20) If I had COVID-19 last November, do I have natural immunity? What would the vaccine do or how would it help benefit me? Your immunity will most likely have worn off by now, and natural immunity provides no protection from variants, like the vaccine does.
- (25:20) I'm vaccinated, but our young children are not. Should we mask in solidarity? It’s a personal decision for you and your family, but if you are vaccinated, the likelihood of transmitting or getting the disease is limited.
- (25:40) I’ve heard lots of people say the mask doesn’t keep you from getting the virus but only keeps you from spreading it. Can you clarify? Over time, we have learned that a mask does both very well.
- (27:05) We're starting to hike more as a family. I'm worried about ticks and other insects. Can they spread COVID-19? I also heard Lyme Disease is bad this year. Is that true? COVID-19 is not spread by ticks or mosquitos. Lyme Disease is very rare in the Midwest, but other tick-borne illnesses like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Heartland Virus are common. Best protection on a hike is to wear long pants and use a repellent with Deet.
- (29:25) My daughter-in-law is pregnant. Her doctor has said the end of the second trimester is the perfect time to get the vaccine. If true, why is that the perfect time? There is no “perfect time.” The best time is any time you can get the vaccine.
- (30:15) When talking herd immunity, are you counting just those people vaccinated or does it include people who have had COVID-19? If natural immunity is not as strong as the vaccine, will we truly reach herd immunity? Herd immunity includes the whole population. We will only reach it through vaccination.
- (32:40) The COVID-19 vaccine gave me the most severe case of tinnitus ever and I'm still struggling after more than seven weeks. I can't imagine having COVID-19 could be worse than this. Will it go away? There is no evidence this is caused by the vaccine. Trials show there is no difference in the number of tinnitus cases between the general population and those vaccinated.
- (34:10) I read a story on CNN.com that explored reasons for vaccinated people to continue masking and distancing because it would significantly reduce infections and death. Did you see the study? Do you agree? The biggest takeaways from the article are that there are true benefits in masking and social distancing and the importance of vaccinating until we reach herd immunity.
- (36:15) What could be causing the huge spike of COVID-19 in Livingston County, MO? It was recently rated the second hottest spot in the United States. It’s not surprising given that rural areas often have some of the lowest vaccination rates.
Monday, June 7 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. You may recall a lot of work being done earlier this spring by area schools to prep for proms and graduations, but then the CDC relaxed masking and distancing guidelines. Kenny Southwick, Executive Director, Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City is back to talk about what happened next, plus, he peers into the future for summer sports and getting back to school in the fall. We'll also hear from students at Ruskin High School in the Hickman Mills School District on what they're thinking and feeling about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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