For the sake of everyone’s health and well-being —

For the sake of our economy that would suffer severely if we are are forced again to shut down —

Masks, say the Kansas City area’s top public health directors, must become the “new normal.” Social distancing remains critical. Limiting interactions — staying home — will save lives.

“We are extremely concerned that hospitalizations will continue to escalate in the coming weeks and months, and that the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 will lead to increasing ventilator use and deaths,” they warned in a joint plea this week.

Free mask giveaways

Jackson County and the Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office are giving away masks at the following times and locations:

July 29: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Connection Point Church Raytown 10500 E State Rte 350 Raytown.

July 30: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Cable Dahmer Arena 19100 E Valley View Pkwy Independence.

July 31: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Blue Springs High School 2000 NW Ashton Dr. Blue Springs.

See more information at jacksongov.org

“If we do not act quickly as a community and region, future shutdowns will be inevitable.”

And a shutdown will distribute more economic pain across the region — also endangering lives.

The seven health officials, representing Kansas City and Jackson County in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, warned that “We are now again losing the battle with COVID-19.”

The struggle for public health safety has been difficult, they said.

The rocketing rise in coronavirus cases is overwhelming the region’s ability to complete disease investigation, contact tracing, and educational support for those affected by COVID-19.

The number of patients admitted for complications from the virus is at an all-time high, they said. The number of hospitalized patients is higher than the numbers reported in the KC area in March and April.

A change requiring hospitalization data to go through a new federal system is further hobbling efforts to gather information and respond quickly, they said.

“We must work together and encourage all of our communities to make maskwearing indoors, and when social distancing cannot be guaranteed, the ‘new normal,’” they said. “This is our best option right now for protecting our friends, families, neighbors, and the economy.”

The health officials offered several recommendations to help stave off future shutdowns that still may be inevitable.

“It may be important in the coming days to limit the interactions of individuals in bars, restaurants, and other indoor shopping venues – particularly where masks cannot be worn when eating and drinking,” they said. “We prefer these businesses provide patrons with curbside or outdoor service whenever and wherever possible as they have done before. We support creative ideas such as serving patrons in new outdoor spaces such as car-side in parking lots, or on sidewalks wherever possible.”

“By being sensible and working together,” they said, “we will save lives and build new models for ensuring the future health of our community, while preserving the people and things we hold most dear.

The health officials who signed the statement were:

• Rex Archer, MD, MPH Director of Health Kansas City, Missouri

• Sanmi Areola, PhD Director, Department of Health and Environment Johnson County

• Erin Corriveau, MD, MPH Deputy Health Officer, Public Health Department Wyandotte County

• Allen Greiner, MD, MPH Health Officer, Public Health Department Wyandotte County

• Joseph LeMaster, MD, MPH Health Officer, Public Health Department Johnson County

• Bridgette Shaffer, MPH Health Director Jackson County

• Juliann VanLiew, MPH Director, Public Health Department Wyandotte County