Chuck's Chat-Welcome to May

Well, I can’t say I was overly enthused with Governor Kelly’s May Day eve address to us, the people of the Great State of Kansas. The “Kansas Plan To Reopen” sounded more like a continuation of the existing status rather than a progressive, comprehensive procedure guiding us on the path to normalcy. Nonetheless, I understand the need for continued caution, and also realize there are uncertain intricacies associated with the Covid-19 virus. Furthermore, I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. But, I do know this; everyone who heard the speech is alive. 129 former Kansans were not so fortunate.

I know there are those hell bent to argue the documented and speculated numbers of positive cases, negative test results, recoveries, deaths, rates, percentages, peaks, curves and trends. There are also those following the numbers with great trepidation, unsure of who is right, what is right, and even why it is right. Or wrong. Which expert is the one to believe? Who doesn’t know what they’re talking about? How do they know what’s best for me and my community?

Small businesses are hurting. Big businesses are hurting. We’re all hurting. But opening up all the stores, restaurants, community centers and gyms at once is not going to solve our problems. KDHE reported 345 new positive cases were identified from this past Wednesday into Thursday, bringing the state’s total positive cases to 4,238. I realize the numbers will increase as the test numbers rise. Even so, social distancing, proper hygiene, and common sense will continue to help defeat the virus. In short, sick people don’t spend to help the overall economy, and dead people spend even less.

Farmers and ranchers of all kinds are hurting. Meat packing plants have either reduced volume or shut down completely. Workers falling victim to the virus cannot be readily replaced with qualified replacements, and speeds have had to be adjusted downward to assist with allowing proper spatial separation. Livestock and poultry ready for harvesting are waiting in their lots and barns, a result of diminished capacities. Folks, if you can, buy from a local source.

Let us not forget all of those that are still working, many sacrificing time and possibly their own health. Thank you to emergency personnel, healthcare workers, extended care staff, doctors, nurses, and so many others on the front lines. Thank you to owners and workers of essential businesses, sometimes being exposed to who knows what on a daily basis. Thank you to the bankers and other financial workers putting in countless hours to assist small businesses with monetary assistance, as well as trying to continue operations on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to provide a service, an item, or other support for those in harm’s way. And, of course, a continued thanks to the agricultural community, whose job is never done, and never done so well, than by those who do it well.

Be smart. Be safe. Stay strong.

God Bless America

Until next month,

Chuck Voelker