City Manager Mitchell to discuss Covid preparedness plan with community leaders

City Manager Mark Mitchell is looking to be as proactive as possible when it comes to coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness.

Mitchell and several community leaders, including Mayor George Knox, are slated to discuss the latest Covid-19 developments during a private conference call today. Also potentially included in the call will be Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) CEO Steve Branstetter, as well as a high-ranking Cottey College official.

"We're going to talk about where we're at as a community, and kind of talk about what all the other communities around us are doing," Mitchell told the Daily Mail on Thursday. "And, honestly, get a plan together, to see what direction we can go. Or ,what needs to be done if we really start getting more of a spike or an outbreak. We really need to talk about it, so we're meeting as community leaders to have a discussion."

Mitchell said a previous community conference call two weeks ago resulted in a city-backed NRMC coronavirus education campaign.

"They put out some social media information," Mitchell explained. "And, so, we're all kind of just sitting down again together and see where that is, and if we can improve that, and get that information out to the public."

Joplin, located an hour south, has made national headlines of late, and is considered a major Covid-19 hot spot with its recent spike in cases.

"Definitely, it's concerning to me," Mitchell said of Joplin's Covid hot spot. "The number of cases, in such close proximity to us. Even in Barton County, they had no cases a few months ago. And now, I think they're above our level. So it is concerning to me, it's a real threat. And is something we really need to take a hard look at, and see what we can do to protect ourselves — and all the citizens of Vernon County, and the City of Nevada."

A topic that is not necessarily on the agenda, but that Mitchell anticipates being discussed, is a possible mask ordinance for Vernon County. Joplin passed an ordinance this week that makes mask-wearing mandatory when in public spaces. Mitchell said he foresees challenges to any such ordinance.

"It's just a different culture here," Mitchell noted. "My son lives in Overland Park (Kan.), and up there (mask-wearing) is just part of everyday life. When we go up there, we wear a mask anywhere, even before it was required. Just because of the amount of people. Getting people educated is the biggest thing we can do now. And we're working with community leaders to educate our public on Covid-19 safety precautions."

Mitchell said there could come a point in time where a mask ordinance is inevitable.

"I think since the communities around us are doing it, I don't know how Governor Parson stands on it — but there could come a time, like the state of Kansas, they make a state-wide mask order," he said. "That might come in the future."

For Nevada, this is the single busiest week of the entire calendar year. Despite the global health crisis, the annual Youth Fair elected to go forward as planned. Droves of people, including many traveling from out-of-state, have been on hand for the week-long event. Tulsa for example, has experienced a Covid surge this week, which has been attributed by health experts to a pair of large events held two weeks ago.

When asked if the Youth Fair could put Nevada in those same crosshairs, Mitchell replied "It's a good question I need to be thinking about."

Mitchell, however, said he and his wife had breakfast Thursday morning at the Fairgrounds diner, and was pleased with what he witnessed.

"People were social distancing in the line," he began. "Everybody was keeping spaced out, and the tables were spaced out. So even with the large gathering, people were still taking precautions. I think as long as people take their own personal responsibility, large gatherings can be accomplished safely — in my opinion."

Despite the glossy review, the fact remains that virtually nobody at the Fairgrounds has donned any sort of protective face gear this week.