"What are you thinking?"Ĭommissioner Craig Chamberlin said that is a "moot point" because the county does not have the authority to do so. A lot of people are very scared," Hicken said. I'm the only one here willing to ask you these questions. "A lot of people in our community are asking these questions. She asked commissioners if they would make a COVID-19 vaccine mandatory (when one is developed) for "kids going to go to school" or for "people to shop in our stores." "There's a lot of divisive things going on," she said. Hicken added that people who question decisions face a lot of negativity which is not helpful. We understand at a gut level that freedom is more important than safety," she said, explaining that when it comes to humans, the tendency is to prioritize safety and longevity of life over freedom.
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Hicken told commissioners that she, like most people, enjoys seeing animals in the zoo and loves to see dolphins at an aquarium, but she would rather see a dolphin be free than cooped up in a small area. He knows there are a number of concerns, including the isolation many nursing home residents are experiencing and he also understands the confusion children may be experiencing. Peterson represents the county on the CKMH board. Would you enlighten us on that?" Hicken asked.Ĭommission Chairman Lynn Peterson said the mental health of people has been a main topic of discussion during Central Kansas Mental Health Center board meetings. "Are you just looking at the body of health or are you talking about the spiritual and physical well-being in health? I know that's a question many of us are asking. She knows virtual learning is difficult for teachers and students because she has taught virtually and feels the "back and forth" caused by being in school for a time then being pulled out to learn remotely is hard for kids. Hicken said she had pulled her children out of school - not because she was worried about the coronavirus which she said has a "99.998 percent survival rate for kids under 20" - but because she worries about their "psychological well-being." Hicken said she decided to visit the county commission again after visiting by email with Abilene City Commissioner Trevor Witt who suggested that people with constructive ideas should talk to elected officials. She also questioned whether the county would require residents to be inoculated once a vaccine is developed.Īfter about 25 minutes of commentary and discussion, Hicken said she was relieved to learn county leaders are taking social, emotional and mental health factors into account and heard the county will not require vaccinations and, moreover, does not have the authority to do so. When she attended Thursday's commission meeting Hicken asked them if they were considering people's social, emotional and mental health when making COVID-19 related decisions or if they were only considering "physical" health.
Laura Kelly's mask mandate by opting out - which they did not do. 22 county commission meeting where members faced questions from two county residents regarding policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.īack in July, rural Abilene resident Kylie Hicken asked Dickinson County Commissioners to reconsider Gov.
27-Note: This is the second of a two-part story regarding the Oct. Add To Favorites County questioned on emotional, mental health concerns
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