I get it, I really do; I’m sick of this virus, I am sick of the government trying to tell me what to do. I also understand that some people need the government telling them what to do as they are totally incapable of using common sense, common courtesy or their brains. Chase County, Kansas has a State Park that was packed with people when the fear of catching COVID-19 hit Kansas. The sheriff saw the danger in people packing the park and didn’t want people who carried the virus to spread it to the small county. It was self defense in my opinion. He ordered the people out of the country, closed the park and issued an order if you were from Wichita, Kansas City or other areas heavily hit with the virus you were to be ticketed for loitering in Chase County. I thought it was a good deal, even though it could be considered legally problematic.
I lived in Chase County for many years and have ties there still. I know the county has maybe 3200 residents and most are over the age of 50, which makes them more a target for the virus. While I think we should all get back to business, I don’t think we should deliberately expose people unnecessarily to the virus and this is exactly what people were doing by hiding out at the Lake. Then they would come to town to buy supplies, exposing others to the virus. Where is the logic in this? Chase County is largely agricultural and has a small tourism draw but they have already cancelled the Symphony on the Prairie and many other events in the county. People, just stay away.
In the county I live in now, there are many folks from Wichita who own property here. Every weekend they come to their weekend properties fully exposed to the virus from Wichita. I still find it amazing that we still haven’t had one case here. But these folks aren’t just hanging out in public places, they are on private property away from others. What little contact they have with the locals is getting gas at the station, out in the open. They bring all their supplies from town and they are fine. There is a big difference in these two situations.
I have lost my faith in people. In many ways, they are protesting to go back to work, which is good, yet there are some of those who think they can do around without an regard to people and deliberately endanger some populations because it’s their right to do as they please. This is where common sense, courtesy and logic fly out the window. Sometimes I think that the Old Western Laws should apply to these type of folks. You’re from Kansas City?!? GET A ROPE!!! Or better yet, don’t feed the pigs tonight son, we have fresh meat for them. Yeah, those types of people deserve the best. NOT.
I do hope we can get Kansas opened up with areas that are limited to prevent the spread. But we have to expect those with no regard to expose as many people as possible. I am tired of people ripping into me for going and doing business for my agricultural based business. “You shouldn’t be out and about.” But I am considered necessary, they don’t seem to care. All I know is, I prefer my animals and the further away from civilization the better.
Educated Cowpuncher 