Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas
The first coronavirus case made its way into Riley County, Kansas on March 20, 2020. According to the Riley County Health Department on August 6, 2020 there are a total of 465 cases, with 5 deaths. Meanwhile, Kansas' total number of coronavirus cases is at 30,047, with 371 deaths.
In a press conference held in Topeka, Kansas on April, 30, 2020 Governor Laura Kelly presented her framework for a safe re-opening of Kansas' economy and getting the people of Kansas back to work. Her framework, “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas” follows a five week statewide stay-home order that was necessary in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Phase One went into order on Monday, May 4, 2020, because of the statewide stay-home being officially lifted.
From March 20th through the end of August, I worked on the front lines as a photojournalist, documenting the city of Manhattan, equipped with a face mask and gloves everyday. In the wake of a pandemic, some peoples lives came to a halt. For myself and other journalists in my newsroom it has been our job to document Manhattan during these times; showing the hard work of those essential workers who are putting their lives on the line.
“I am incredibly proud of how the people of Kansas met the moment and answered the call to hunker down,” Governor Kelly said. “It has been a difficult time that has taken a painful toll … financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually and professionally on Kansans,” Kelly said. “But because Kansans took this seriously, COVID-19 has inflicted far less devastation on Kansas than it did in other states."
Kimberly Young, a peri-operative nurse at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, stands outside in the hospitals courtyard. Young has been working as a nurse for 32 years. “My main challenge has been making sure to communicate well with the family while their family members are having a surgery because it’s so important when they don’t actually get to physically be here,” said Young. “So, I try and make it feel like they’re here even though they’re not,” she added.
Melinda Campbell, a postal worker at the United Stated Postal Service, stands in the warehouse after scanning packages. Campbell has been a postal worker for 5 years at the Manhattan post office. “We’re incredibly proud of the heroic efforts from all of our employees as we continue to keep the nation and the work connected and moving forward through this crisis,” said Mark Inglett, Strategic Communication Specialist at USPS.
Alison Bjerke-Harvey, part owner of Piccalilli Farm, grabs a bunch of green onions and places them into a bag that is going out for a Farm to Porch delivery order. “We’ve got 120 orders this week and we had 60 last week,” said Alison.
Pastor Paul Barkey leads everyone in prayer outside of Ashland Community Church. Jeff Ruckert, an auctioneer who is out of work because of the coronavirus, let the church use his sound system for their drive in church. This is the sixth week in a row Ashland Community Church has held a drive in service. Each week there are new comers who would rather attend the drive in than watch a live stream of their local church’s Sunday service. “Normally we go to Rock Hills Church but, they are online now,” said Paul Nickel. “We crave being around people on Sunday morning. We miss that fellowship,” added Nickel.
Dee Green, employee at Hy-Vee, stands in the entrance of the store with the carts she’s cleaned. Come August, Green will have been working at Hy-Vee for 6 years. “It’s different you know, there’s a big pandemic right now so I’ve been doing what I can to keep everybody safe by keeping the carts clean,” said Green.
The toilet paper aisle at Dillon’s West Loop has been restocked with Scott and Quilted Northern after shelves were left empty due people stocking up on supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.
From left, Jackie Smith, Eric Lubrano and James Mullins carry their food from the Flint Hills Breadbasket to the bus stop. Smith and Lubrano moved back to Manhattan from West Virginia in February and got jobs at McDonald’s and Early Edition. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Smith and Lubrano have been laid off of their jobs for the time being.
From left, Anthony Upchurch, David Upchurch and Ember Upchurch, a kindergartener, wave as teachers from Bergman Elementary drive by their home.
K-State employees throw away trash that was sitting outside of the Jardine apartment complex where K-State study abroad students from Italy are staying.
Douglas Haverkamp, Market President for Central National Bank’s Manhattan location, looks out the window in the conference room. Haverkamp has been working as the Market President at Central National Bank in Manhattan since 2012. “We’ve been working eight, nine, ten hour days and constantly the phones been ringing off the wall because the local businesses are naturally concerned for what the future holds,” said Haverkamp.
Anthony Allen sits alone in the Manhattan Regional Airport. Allen stated that he is heading home to Tennessee to be with family.
Tallgrass Tap House is currently taking carryout orders and has a deal for $5 off your first online or mobile order of $20 or more.
Kyle Powers uses a straw to drink Corona beer through his face mask while sharing a beer next to James Salyers at O’Malley’s.
Kyle Powers tips his Corona beer while on the “It’s the End of The World St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl” hosted by Jamie Coones, owner of Poo Squad.
Chris Siegle, Manager at Arlan's Fine Wines and Spirits, takes inventory while sitting behind the counter. Siegle has been manager at Arlan’s for 6 months. “Where we’re located, just being here nestled in with the hotels, we’ve lost a lot of the hotel business,” said Siegle.
Hunter Carter, a gas station attendant at Shell, cleans and disinfects the pumps. Carter has been working at Shell on Bluemont Avenue for 1 year. “It (coronavirus) gives me a little bit of anxiety just because anyone can really have it and I’m put on the front lines. I’m a little more vulnerable than most people,” said Carter.
Seth Trojcak, employee at O &S Cleaning Solutions, agitates the surface of the carts that have been washed with sodium hypochlorite.
Pastor JahVelle Rhone read a passage from the Bible, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners.”
Jessica Malia, an employee with Laundry Love, talks to Mike Jones while sitting behind the sign in table outside of Suds Y’r Duds. Laundry Love takes place on the second Tuesday of every month. The extended hours from 3-9 pm on Tuesday was to try and spread out the laundromat customers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
From left, Nicole Helms and Sonia Mareno watch as Alyssa Jones, Baylee Hogan, Taylor Vandeloo, Brooklin Stoddard, Baylee Hogan and Courtney Kipp talk to reporters outside of Ascension Via Christi Hospital.
Michelle Vassar dances to “Little Red Corvette” in her car while Jackie Tweed puts hamburger buns in her passenger seat at the Harvesters Community Food Drive.
Brooke Snyder gives Corabelle Stamey (middle) to-go lunches while Iris Stamey (middle right) wraps her arms around Corabelle outside of Woodrow Wilson Elementary School.
Lisa Fang and Jacob Stone watch the delivery truck driver move a pallet of rice into the Asian Market.
Mackenzie Klebe hands Joan Jones a bag of produce from Britt's Garden Acres at the Farmers Market. “I haven’t been out at all,” said Jones. “I figured since this is outside, it would be safe to go out at 8 a.m.,” Jones added.
Zoe Abner (left) and Jamie Abner (right) sit on the couch in their home wearing masks they’ve made. Jamie, 45, and Zoe, 20, of Riley and Manhattan, respectively, started My Madre and Me, a small homemade craft business, more than five years ago when they found a space at Eclectic Charm on Fort Riley Boulevard.
Joe Gerken, owner of Flint Hills Moving, drops off a Flint Hills Moving Box, instructions, coloring pages, crayons and a MakeDo Saw, ScruDriver and Screws from ieDiscoveries for people that have signed up for the program.
Jill Mason, Executive Director of Midwest Car Dream Collection, captures the parade on Poyntz Avenue. “Around 320 cars showed up. It’s our last night of freedom,” said Mason.
Harvey rests his head in the window of Dave Nelson’s truck outside of Midwest Dream Car Collection before the cruise around Manhattan.
Elijah Bradfield, 12, looks for Easter eggs around his backyard on William Drive in Ogden that were left by Pauline Johnson.
Arlo Biere prays alongside his wife Diane Biere in the trunk of their vehicle at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Arlo and Diane have been attending church at Trinity Presbyterian since 1969.
Lirui Zhao plants peanuts while her husband Lanfei Zhao plays with their daughter Danna Zhao in the Jardine Community Garden on Tuesday. “Each plot is usually five dollars but currently it is free because we can’t collect money in person,” said Kassie Sprecher, the Community Coordinator for West End.
Lirui Zhao plants peanuts in her plot. There are a total of 90 plots in the Jardine Community Garden.
Customers stands six feet apart from one another while waiting in line at On The Hook Fish and Chips Food Truck in the AutoZone parking lot on Fort Riley Boulevard.
Joslyn Nixon, dressed as a minion from Despicable Me, strikes a pose for Anna DeJesus at the Farm to Table Boxes pickup at A & H Farm.
Alex Vanuelos puts on Juan Vanuelos’ mask while he holds their daughter, Ximena Vanuelos, 4, after he tried some honey at the RemeBees vendor booth during the Farmer’s Market.
Health care workers gather outside of Geary Community Hospital on the helicopter pad before three U.S. Army HH-60M Medical Evacuation Black Hawks fly over the hospital.