BELTON, Mo. — After several stay-at-home orders in the Kansas City metro were amended, officials say reopening should not be viewed as a return to normal.
“For the most part, we are looking at reopening quite a few things, but not everything," said Andrew Warlen, director of the Cass County Health Department.
This week, Cass County, Clay County and North Kansas City all announced their local stay-at-home orders would be lifted on May 3. Warlen told 41 Action News many factors went into that decision.
“Surge capacity, our case count, what’s going on in the region and what’s going on in the state," Warlen said.
As Missouri's daily COVID-19 numbers climb, Warlen said Cass County's are not, although testing has not been made available to everyone who wants it.
“I will admit it’s still limited, but it seems as though people who are sick are being treated and the capacity for our hospitals is keeping up," Warlen said.
Some residents of Cass County feel reopening would be reckless.
“I couldn’t live with myself if I made someone very sick or worse," said Lara Rutledge, a stylist at Salon K in Belton.
While she's eager to see her clients again, Rutledge told 41 Action News she's also trying to be cautious.
"They want their hair done and I want my hair done too, hence the headband, but you know, lives are at stake here," Rutledge said.
Rutledge said she feels the salon industry is lacking clear instructions about safely reopening.
“When I thought about going back to work next week, my stomach hurt because I don’t think we can do it safely. I have a son with asthma," Rutledge said.
While her salon is working on a plan to reopen, Rutledge said she feels salons will only spread the virus.
“We all know we need to get back to work, but this is a new situation. This is different than anything we’ve ever dealt with," Rutledge said.
The Cass County Health Department says it is working on specific guidelines and a plan for the May 3 reopening. Warlen said those details should be released sometime next week.
