TOPEKA — Social distancing by deliberately increasing the physical space between people is the best way anyone can help "flatten the curve" and stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Kansas Department of Health Secretary Dr. Lee Norman compares the curve in Kansas with other states and is pleased with what he sees and the decisions state officials made.
Like weather forecasters tracking big storms, he uses the statistical models to predict the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and to protect as many in Kansas as possible.
During his Monday press briefing, Dr. Norman referred to statistical models on coronavirus patients in Kansas, Missouri and New York. Kansas has the flattest curve. "In the case of New York the flattest curve by a great deal, he said.
And the primary factor that has pushed the curve in Kansas and other states down, according to Norman, "the states that closed their education facilities have the lowest peak. So kudos for good vision on the part of the Kelly administration for making that popular in some people's minds and unpopular in other people's minds (decision.)"
The peak virus outbreak in Kansas is expected approximately April 24, according to Norman. He also said it would not be wise for Kansas legislators to return to work April 27.
“It would be highly unlikely that we would want to have people congregating in that manner that soon after the peak,” he said.
The KDHE reported 428 cases in Kansas Tuesday afternoon.