This week, Johnson County Library is hosting an online course on sewing masks.

If you have never used a sewing machine, or just want to brush up on your skills, this is the perfect workshop to develop/refresh basic machine sewing knowledge. Participants will learn to sew a seam, hem and cut a basic pattern to create a cloth mask.

The program will be hosted using the meeting software, Zoom. A Johnson County Library staff member will contact registrants by the email address you use to register for the class.

The class will be held from 2 - 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11. Register for the class.

National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 6-12) is a call to all Americans 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine if they have not already.

Since COVID-19 and flu could spread simultaneously this winter, this week reminds people that there is still time to get a flu vaccine to protect against flu illness and serious flu complications, such as worsening of chronic conditions or pneumonia, for example.

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment offers flu shots at their walk-in immunization clinic, Monday-Friday. Learn more about flu shots.

The state of Kansas is hoping to double the amount of testing in Kansas by the end of 2020. Additional testing opportunities are available in Johnson County

At GoGetTested.com/Kansas, you can search by zip code, to see available testing locations. At that link, you can see times and days that are open for free testing. You can also book your appointment.

Visit the website to learn more about the process and how to get your results.

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is partnering with local organizations and the Mid-America Regional Council to provide expanded testing opportunities.

No pop-up community events are currently scheduled in Johnson County. Check back often for updates.

JCDHE is now offering more slots for testing at its drive-thru clinic in Olathe. APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED for JCDHE testing. you are encouraged to get tested if you have symptoms, if you you've been exposed to someone with the virus or if you've been in a large crowd.

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.

Please note the following changes in testing availability during some holidays:

Get additional information about JCDHE COVID-19 testing.

Keeping the public informed of the county's response to COVID-19 is a high priority. In addition to this e-newsletter, be sure to also follow our local media outlets for additional information.

See below for a featured story of the day:

On Monday, Dec. 7, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment provided the following data:

Get additional statewide COVID-19 data.

The University of Kansas Health System provides daily updates on how COVID-19 is impacting our health care system and community. Chief Medical Officer Steve Stites, MD, and Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, with The University of Kansas Health System and special guests talk about the fight against COVID-19.

Tune in at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday, on Facebook.

On the Monday, Dec. 7 edition, a weeklong in-depth discussion on COVID-19 vaccines began today. The panel discussed research and side-effects and effectiveness and distribution. Guests included Matthias Salathe, MD, chair of internal medicine, and Kevin Ault, MD, OBGYN and member of the CDC Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.

Highlights from the briefing include:

A new emergency public health order went into effect, beginning 12:01 a.m., Monday, Nov. 16. Read frequently asked questions about the order. If you have further questions about Johnson County's public health order, call the Johnson County call center at 913-715-5000, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, TDD: 800-766-3777.

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment released on Oct. 1, public health recommendations for K-12 schools to help families and school districts make decisions about the reopening of schools in Johnson County. Read the recommendations. Read school reopening FAQs.

COVID-19 in the Workplace: A guide for employers includes steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at work, concentrating on the rules of infection control and what to do when a case of COVID-19 occurs in the workplace.

If you are seeking enforcement of the Governor's mask order, contact the consumer fraud hotline at the District Attorney's Office, 913-715-3003. DO NOT CALL 911.

Anyone who wishes to report a concern may do so by calling the county’s Call Center at 913-715-5000 or email Covid19@jocogov.org. DO NOT CALL 911.

Get information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on the use of masks.

Get guidance from the CDC.

Call the Johnson County COVID-19 hotline at 913-715-CV19 (2819), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Spanish language available through same number. You can also call the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317, after business hours. You can email questions to covid-19@ks.gov or use a chat bot at kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

Visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Travel & Exposure Related Isolation/Quarantine webpage.

We have a webpage for the common questions surrounding COVID-19.