Kansas Newspaper's Post: Parallel Between Mask Mandate, Holocaust
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A weekly Kansas newspaper has posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the governor’s order requiring people to wear masks in public to the murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust. The Anderson County Review's editor and publisher is chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party . The cartoon posted Friday depicts Governor Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it, next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars. Its caption ends with, “step onto the cattle car.” Kelly called it ”deeply offensive." Publisher Dane Hicks defended the cartoon as commentary on Kelly's actions.
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Mask Opponents Protest at Wichita Mayor's Home
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A handful of protesters who oppose a city ordinance requiring that masks be worn in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have gathered outside Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple’s home. The Wichita City Council voted Friday to require masks in public. The Wichita Eagle reports the ordinance requires people to wear masks where 6-foot social distancing is not possible. About eight protesters Saturday didn’t wear masks and didn’t meet the 6-feet social distancing guideline, which means they could have been fined $25. A nearby officer said police are choosing education over enforcement for now. Others around Wichita also weren’t wearing masks.
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Kansas Sees Worst 2-week COVID-19 Spike
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has reported another big increase in new coronavirus cases that capped its worst two-week spike since the pandemic began. The state health department released its latest figures Friday as a statewide mask mandate from the governor took effect. The Department of Health and Environment reported that Kansas has had 15,919 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, up 929, or 6.2% since only Wednesday. Kansas also has reported 277 COVID-19-related deaths, up five in two days. Kansas reported an average of 276 new coronavirus cases a day over the past two weeks — the largest 14-day average since the state confirmed its first case March 7th.