Elizabeth Orosco
Managing Editor

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced a new website, KCPPE.com, that will connect Kansas City businesses with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suppliers.

As businesses launch into the beginning stages of reopening, PPE will continue to be in high demand as health precautions are taken to keep everyone safe.

The new online resource allows Kansas City businesses to purchase PPE such as reusable face masks, hand sanitizer, and other equipment, for their employees while providing direct support to local businesses.

“Throughout this public health crisis, our local businesses have remained agile, serving our community in new and creative ways,” said Mayor Lucas. “I’m tremendously proud of the way our local business community has stepped up during this crisis—many halting or adding to their normal operations to make PPE and sanitary items for our front line workers, our homeless population, and our community at large. As we begin to reopen our community, we must implement sustainable strategies that keep our workforce healthy and support our local businesses. The creation of KCPPE.com will help accomplish both. I encourage all employers looking to purchase PPE for their workforce to shop local.”

“This is why Kansas City is such a great place for entrepreneurs and startups,” said Assistant City Manager Rick Usher. “We work together, work quickly, and solve problems. The City’s #ShopLocalKC initiative is one way we connect makers with buyers in the KCMO marketplace.”

“Made in KC was happy to jump to fill this need,” said Made in KC Co-Founder Tyler Enders. “Working with 250 artists and makers at any given time, we’ve been so proud to see how many Kansas Citians have found ways to help fight this pandemic – many by sewing face masks. As we look to recover and rebuild, it’s so important to consider the impact of our dollars. Kansas City is lucky to have so many creative small business owners and I have no doubt we’ll be able to fill the PPE needs of our business community.”

Kansas City businesses or individuals looking to purchase locally-made PPE can find more information at kcppe.com. Local PPE suppliers can also request to be added to the website at kcppe.com.

Earlier this week, Mayor Lucas announced details of Kansas City’s data-driven 10/10/10 approach to re-opening.

The 10/10/10 Rule specifies that all non-essential Kansas City businesses must limit the number of customers allowed in their establishment at one time to no more than 10 percent of building occupancy or 10 people (whichever is larger), and record the names, contact information, and approximate entry/exit time of all customers who are on premises and seated for more than 10 minutes. Establishments such as grocery stores, medical and dental offices, pharmacies, and other essential businesses are not subject to the 10/10/10 Rule.

This includes:

Requiring all public-facing businesses to provide masks for their employees;

Allowing businesses to refuse entry to any customers who do not wear protective face masks or coverings;

Recommending that all Kansas Citians wear protective face masks or coverings when going out in public.

More information on Kansas City’s data-driven reopening approach can be found at kcmo.gov.

Kansas Citians interested in signing up for text updates from the City of Kansas City regarding COVID-19 should text COVIDKC to 888-777. For more information, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or kcmo.gov/coronavirus. You may also call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hotline at 877-435-8411 for questions regarding COVID-19 in Missouri.