By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Congressman Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said last week there are many reasons to be hopeful amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, including lower projected cases and successful implementation of relief programs.
"Based on the models we are seeing this week, we are expecting half the amount of coronavirus that we have been expecting, so the social distancing is working," Marshall said. "Kansans are doing a great job, so let's keep up the good work."
With the current projections, he said that it appears now that health care resources will meet demand, including ICU beds and ventilators.
The peak projection of cases in Kansas, he said has also been moved up to April 18.
Within a month of the peak, he said we could see people returning to work, with some social distancing measures still in place and larger returns to normal by June.
Part of this effort relies on private labs testing for the virus and even faster testing on the way.
He said the new test allows for almost instant results which can help to identify "hotspots," in turn leading to better isolation measures where needed — rather than the current blanket approach.
The new antibody test that will identify people who have recovered from the virus, perhaps without even knowing they were carriers, will also allow people that carry immunity to the virus to get back to work sooner.
"The testing is very important going forward, and we need every hospital and health department set up so they can do this quick testing," Marshall said.
Phase three of the federal government Coronavirus relief package is beginning to come online, he said, with most direct payments to citizens set to arrive this week, and Small Business Administration Loans also becoming available.
"Over half of the jobs in Kansas are dependent upon small businesses," Marshall said, "so when we get through this crisis, which by the way we are going to get through this quicker than anyone is thinking right now, that there are jobs for people to go back to."
The loans through the SBA will be forgivable if staff levels are maintained, he said.
"It has been very successful so far," Marshall said.
Local banks are issuing the loans, and Marshall said he is happy with the rollout so far.
He said one local bank in Great Bend issued over 100 loans for the programs as of last week.
The newest iteration of the program also includes loans for non-profits, contractors, sole proprietors and ag producers.
"Regardless of what type of business you own, you may want to reach out to your local banker and ask about these SBA loans," Marshall said.
"We have a listing of all of the connections, whether it is the USDA, the Treasury Department, or through the SBA as well," Marshall said. "We are trying to be a one-stop website."