No rules, just rights? Sedgwick County leaders avoid COVID-19 restrictions

There’s good news in Wichita’s battle against COVID-19:

Sedgwick County health officials this week reported a continued decline in active coronavirus cases, and a week with no new hospitalizations for COVID-19.

That merits a virtual high-five for state leaders, health experts and residents who responded to this crisis by following guidelines and taking precautions to limit the spread of the virus.

Our safeguards and sacrifices worked better than expected — or maybe we just got lucky — and Wichita-area hospitals haven’t been overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases.

Unfortunately, the statewide death toll keeps climbing, making it brutally clear that this war isn’t over. And it won’t be for a while, at least not until there’s a reliable vaccine or treatment.

That’s why Sedgwick County public health officer Garold Minns warned county leaders Wednesday that the coronavirus is still here and still dangerous.

“We’ve got to stay on track. We’ve got to make sure we don’t regress,” Minns said. “We need to make sure the public understands (that) just because the numbers look good, we’re not out of the woods yet.”

But the Sedgwick County Commission promptly ignored him.

The commission decided Wednesday to reopen everything, urging residents to follow social distancing guidelines but not placing any rules or limits on businesses or activities. Commissioners recommended that public gatherings be limited to 20 people or fewer through June 8, but then said that’s merely a suggestion and wouldn’t be enforced.

One person’s dangerous free-for-all is another’s utopia.

“I think it comes down to personal responsibility,” County Commissioner Jim Howell said.

“I think for government to continue these restrictive orders doesn’t seem to have a purpose.”

The purpose was clear as recently as last weekend, when large crowds at Lake of the Ozarks, a Missouri tourist destination, ignored social distancing guidelines and prompted a widespread self-quarantine recommendation.

That’s not the kind of normal we’re shooting for.

As more Wichita businesses reopen — a necessary step toward getting people back to work and restoring our flailing economy — it’s crucial that everyone continues to practice the safety measures we know so well:

Wash your hands. Avoid crowds. Maintain safe social distancing. Stay home if you’re sick. And yes, wear a mask.

We must remain careful, responsible and vigilant.

For leaders, that means modeling the advice of public health experts, not blatantly ignoring it.

For residents, it means understanding that restaurants, retailers and other businesses might enact restrictions — such as limiting groups or requiring face masks — aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus and protecting our most vulnerable citizens.

Businesses have a right to put those rules in place. And if some customers don’t like it, they have the right to take their business elsewhere.

Vocal residents protested at Wichita’s City Hall and at the Statehouse in Topeka, pushing for leaders to lift restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19. Thanks to the Kansas Legislature and the Sedgwick County Commission, they got their wish.

Now it’s up to all of us to be responsible, stay safe and not rush too quickly into business as usual.

This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 5:21 PM.