Another $100M is Headed our Way. Should we Leap or Weep?
As far as I know, I have never met a drunken sailor. I have heard that they have quite a vocabulary and are known for wasting a lot of money. What is meant by that phrase ‘like a drunken sailor’? A quick google search clarifies that this idiom means to spend a lot of money in an unrestrained, feckless, and frivolous manner.
One of the principles I embrace is ‘personal responsibility’. This principle is nicely coupled with ‘limited government’. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing with the American Rescue Plan reminds me of this idiom which is completely opposite those values.
Why should the federal government print or borrow such massive amounts of money to spread across the country for unidentified purposes? Do we really believe it makes sense for taxpayers across the entire country to entrust our enormous unrestrained federal government to hand out trillions of dollars (entirely new debt) to bail out the entire country?
Like a shell game, we need to follow the money. Remember, the feds don’t actually have money unless they create it out of thin air or take it from the people. So, why do we celebrate this plan? Are they really solving local problems or just making things worse? Do we want the feds to take our money and then give a sliver back? Shouldn’t people solve these problems at the lowest levels of government rather than the highest? It seems we have completely forgotten our principles.
Let’s be clear. Every single municipality will be glad to take “their fair share”. Not one will turn it down…and they shouldn’t turn it down. Yes, Sedgwick County will be accepting another $100M into our budget and the new challenge is how shall we spend this massive infusion of ‘help’.
Every taxpayer deserves their leaders to fight for them and do everything in their power to serve them. Nevertheless, I must ask, why does this country consider this a win? Why should such a program of reckless spending be embraced by the masses? Do we not realize the fiscal burden is real and many future generations will be laden with this unparalleled and deliberate irresponsibility?
I’m not celebrating. Instead, it saddens me that the federal government is acting like a drunken sailor.
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COVID-19 Report for April 30, 2021 |
Comparing case counts from Monday to today:
- The United States of America case count increased from 32,199,796 to 32,315,363 (+ 0.36 percent).
- Today, the State of Kansas case count increased from 308,510 to 309,130 (+ 0.20 percent).
- In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 47,122 to 47,217 (+ 0.20 percent).
The Sedgwick County Health Department offers no-cost sampling at Sunflower Shelter at Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st Street. Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Monday through Friday. Please enter off 13th Street.
The Health Department takes a nasal, oral, or saliva sample to send to a lab for COVID-19 PCR testing. Results are generally available within 18 to 36 hours. The results of the virus test show whether a person has a current infection. This is not an antibody test.
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County’s Vaccine Clinic to Begin Taking Walk-ins |
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Did you know… that of the 70 people currently admitted to the two regional hospitals including the 29 patients in Intensive Care (ICU), none of these of these patients had received the COVID vaccine? The average duration of hospitalization is 8 days and the average cost of hospital care for COVID-19 ranges from $51,000 to $78,000, based on age. If you are on the fence about whether to get a free COVID vaccination, please consider this as well. While it is true that you may suffer a few minor symptoms from receiving the vaccination, most people do not. Regardless, the risk of hospitalization (including ICU care), ventilation, and death is obviously much higher than the acute risk of receiving a COVID vaccine. Knowing this, I chose to get the shot. I hope you will too.
On April 26, Sedgwick County Health Department began taking walk-ins and no appointment is necessary for a COVID-19 vaccine at the community vaccine clinic, 223 S. Main. Residents can still make appointments for the vaccine if they prefer. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
So far, Sedgwick County has provided more than 206,833 doses of the vaccine to residents.
Starting April 27, the Sedgwick County Health Department resumed Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccination by appointment. Appointments will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 6. People 18 and older can receive the J&J vaccine.
If a person with a severe medical risk has received medical advice to not go to a large vaccine clinic, such as the community vaccination site at 223 S. Main, please call SCHD at (316) 660-1029 to schedule an appointment for the drive-thru clinic.
Appointments are available at the following locations Monday through Saturday.
- 223 S. Main | Former Wichita Central Library | Clinic for eligible people aged 16 and older
- 777 E. Waterman | Wichita Transit Operations | Drive-thru clinic for eligible people aged 16 and older and who received medical advice to not to go to a large vaccine clinic or who have mobility difficulties
Vaccine Questions:
Contact your medical provider prior to receiving the vaccine if you have questions about how the vaccine may interact with your medical condition and medications you take.
Please continue to direct general questions about the COVID-19 vaccine to (316) 660-1022; this line is not for scheduling appointments.
County Pledge:
As more vaccine is received, the Sedgwick County Health Department will vaccinate more people while following guidance from CDC, KDHE, and Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns. The vaccination schedule is designed to assure that all who want to be vaccinated will have that opportunity. The implementation of the vaccination schedule is dependent on the manufacturing and distribution schedule from vaccine providers. The County will not schedule more appointments than the vaccine available. Updated information is available at https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine-information/.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Survey - Round 2 |
We are seeking feedback! Sedgwick County residents (and those located in south-central Kansas) are asked to complete an anonymous survey about COVID-19 vaccination. Complete the five to ten-minute online survey here.
Survey responses will help the Sedgwick County Health Department plan COVID-19 vaccine activities. The Health Department partnered with KU School of Medicine – Wichita to create the survey. Regional and county-specific results will be analyzed by the KU School of Medicine – Wichita.
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FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19 Related Deaths |
COVID-19 claimed the lives of many people – maybe some of your own loved ones. To help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic, FEMA will provide financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 related to COVID-19 deaths.
There are a number of eligibility qualifications for those interested in applying for funding (link below). People should also be prepared to provide an official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19and funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.).
Additional details (including eligibility and documentation requirements) and the application for
funding can be found here. People may also call 844-684-6333 for application assistance.
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Bridge Replacements on 71st between Old Spring Road and Greenwich
- Closed to traffic during construction
- Work began November 30, 2020
- Expected to reopen in Summer 2021
Pathway Construction from Cumberland Way to MacArthur
- Work began February 2, 2021
- Expected to be complete in May 2021
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Emergency Management Plans Large Scale Exercise for First Responders, Public Safety |
On April 13, Sedgwick County Emergency Management in cooperation with the Sedgwick County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) ended a grant funded exercise series with a full-scale multi-agency disaster scenario involving a simulated chlorine leak and mass casualty bus accident. The exercise series took place over the last six months starting with a table-top exercise followed by a functional exercise and then the full-scale. The exercise series is designed to apply stress to our emergency plans so we can identify areas of improvement.
The exercise was hosted at the Union Pacific Rail Yard and supported by more than 100 volunteers as well as Wichita Police and Fire, Sedgwick County Fire District 1, Sedgwick County EMS, Sedgwick County Sheriff, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications, Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center, ICT Airport Fire, Valley Center PD, KS National Guard, and our hospital system Via Christi and Wesley. Special thanks to Derby High School Drama Department.
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The deadline to make your second half property tax payment is May 10. Payments can be mailed in (P.O. Box 2961, Wichita, KS 67201), made online (www.sedgwickcounty.org), or dropped in our Dropbox located just inside the entrance of the Main Courthouse. |
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Animal Control Euthanasia Rate |
The first responders to animal situations – Our Animal Control Officers have a special love for pets. They are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of the community, by providing healthy pet education to schools, community groups, and businesses while ensuring the proper care and safety of animals.
Over the past few years the Animal Control team has been working diligently to lower their euthanasia rate by partnering with Rescue Centers. This has been a lot of work during the pandemic,
but Animal Control team have dedicated themselves to this effort and it shows.
Thank you to the Animal Control Officers for their hard work and dedication!
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County |
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