November 2020
New health order to slow down the spread
(November 3) Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) reported an exponential increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, indicating high community spread. The prior week, Johnson County had 1,251 cases, a 75% increase from the preceding week. The substantial increase pushed schools into the Red Zone.
(November 11) Johnson County held its first-ever virtual Veterans Day event. While the event honored all veterans, with this year marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, its special recognition was for veterans of that war.
(November 13) In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Johnson County Board of Health issued Public Health Order No. 002-20. Overall, this order has provisions about the types of public spaces that will require 6 feet of physical distancing and limits mass gathering to 50 people or 50 percent of capacity allowed by a building’s fire codes (whichever is less). The order prohibits certain types of large-scale events and contains provisions for restaurants and bars, recreational and youth organized sports, and fitness centers/health clubs.
(November 19) The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 108-20, outlining enforcement of Public Health Order No. 002-20, issued by the Board of Health on November 13, 2020. This enforcement resolution provided that Johnson County local health orders could be enforced within Johnson County cities if a city passed a resolution allowing county codes to be enforced within its jurisdiction.
(November 23) Johnson County's Department of Aging and Human Services and Olathe HyVee delivered 670 care packages of food to older adults. The Board of County Commissioners approved the use of CARES Act funds to help this population at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. Also, in November the department hosted a virtual food drive hosted through Amazon. Donations purchased off the Wish List went to Johnson County Multi-Service Center food pantries located in Gardner, Lenexa and Mission.