Coping with COVID: Birx visits KCK Saturday, meets with state officials to discuss coronavirus

White House top coronavirus adviser Dr. Deborah Birx visited Kansas City, Kan. this past Saturday, meeting with Gov. Laura Kelly and health officials in the state to address the virus’ urban and rural impact.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s top coronavirus adviser used a visit to Kansas to urge people to wear masks regardless of where they live.

Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said Saturday, that the epidemic is both urban and rural.

She was in Kansas City, Kansas, for a meeting with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, as well as community and state health officials at KU Medical Center.

She also stressed that people should socially distance and not have gatherings.

Birx said when communities start seeing a rise in positive cases, leaders need to close the bars, restrict indoor dining, and ensure there’s a mask mandate.