Kansas is underway with Phase one of Governor Laura Kelly's plan to reopen the state's economy and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran says he likes the localized approach with the reopening process but we are still in the early stages. 

 

Senator Moran acknowledged the uncertainty that's out there and he understands the desire of getting the economy going again and that the amount of testing is critical in determining the well-being of our citizens. Moran says there is still a lot of work to be done. 

 

An important issue for Kansas has been the recent struggles with the meatpacking plants that have seen drastic increases in Covid-19 related cases. The problem is for both the producer and the consumer and with the struggles with the meat processing, Moran says it's affecting our livestock prices even more. 

 

Last week, Moran announced $400 million to Kansas hospitals from the Department of Health and Human Services delivered through the Provider Relief Fund established in Phase three of the CARES Act. The first grant was for $18 million distributed to high impact hospitals and the additional $382 million will be distributed among 201 rural healthcare providers.

 

Moran says it's always been hard to keep rural healthcare facilities afloat and even in southeast Kansas. 

 

Kansas is about to receive 100,000 masks from Taiwan as they have designated these masks for the state as part of its third round of international aid to countries that have been impacted by Covid-19. The masks are expected to arrive sometime next week.

 

Moran says he understands the freedom that people want but at the same time he understands the restrictions put in place and it's our responsibility as citizens to be smart and make the right decisions.

 

You can hear the entire interview with Sen. Moran by clicking here. 

 

More information regarding Sen. Moran can be found on his website.