Each legislative session, we provide Shawnee Mission area legislators the opportunity to share their thoughts about what’s happening in the state capitol. Rep. Nancy Lusk, Rep. Charlotte Esau, and Sen. Barbara Bollier are scheduled to send updates this week. (Rep. Esau did not respond to our invitation to submit a column).

Below the column from State Sen. Barbara Bollier, D-Mission Hills. 

Since my last letter to this paper, things have changed for all of us. I know it’s a frightening time for everyone, and I wanted to make sure you know I am praying for you and our communities. I am also doing my part to keep safe, help slow the spread of this virus, and help families impacted by the economic crisis we are now seeing.

First and foremost, I want to urge people, as a doctor and as a concerned citizen, to continue practicing social distancing, which means staying home and away from other people as much as possible, washing your hands regularly, and avoiding being around groups of people larger than 10 — and if you must be around others, maintain a six-foot distance of separation. If you are able to stay at home and work there, please do so. I know it’s hard — I haven’t left my own house in weeks — but it’s what we need to do. This is how we slow the spread of this virus.

These are recommendations from the CDC and other medical professionals, and we should be listening to their advice and regularly reading updated guidance from experts.

As a state senator, I have the privilege of a job during this crisis — and my job is to try and help as many people as possible. I have had so many Kansans call or email me directly, from incarcerated people, to disabled people, to caretakers and older Kansans, and I have been working tirelessly to find the best ways to make sure they get the help they need.

That’s my role in all of this. To help. That should be the role of every legislator and elected leader. It’s a difficult time, but I am lucky to be able to serve the people of my district and help get some of the resources they need. I was proud that in the Kansas legislature, we passed a state unemployment expansion to up to 26 weeks for Kansans who are out of work. The budget we passed also included $65 million for COVID-19 response.

Good government’s responsibility is to put the safety and security of our people first, and I’ve been glad to see leaders like Gov. Laura Kelly and Secretary Norman do just that. They have made tough choices — including closing schools and implementing a statewide stay-in-place order — that have helped keep our communities safe and flatten this virus’ curve. Now it’s up to all of us to do our own part.

To that end, I want to end this note by thanking our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, custodial staff, emergency response services, service industry workers, farmers, ranchers and others who work in essential industries, who are doing so much to help us all during this time of crisis. Your work is invaluable, and we appreciate all that you are doing.

To those recognizing Passover and Holy Week, I hope that your faith is a balm in this difficult time, as it is for me. And to everyone, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need anything — that’s what I’m here for. Stay safe.