KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As COVID-19 spreads, leaders at some of Kansas City's most population attractions, big and small, are trying to make sure their customers keep coming in.
The Kansas City Transportation Authority says its newest tool is 100 times more effective than disinfectant wipes.
Workers currently have two aqueaous ozone misting sanitizers, which they use to disinfect every bus in the fleet at least once a day.
Deputy CEO Jameson Auten said the solution inside the misters is safe for riders.
"It's a clean product, it's actually food grade so there isn't any need for a mask," Auten said. "We want to make sure that our employees that are using this product are safe, we want to make sure that any residue left behind for our public is safe."
KCATA will continue to use the misters even after the novel coronavirus is no longer a threat.
"We get the whole fleet done in less than eight hours so we can easily assimilate that into everyday work practices," Auten said.
The misters are just one part of KCATA's approach. It also placed hand sanitizer on every bus.
The Nelson-Akins Museum of Art is taking safety precautions as well.
Mandy Stone, vice president of earned income and guest services, said the museum is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach.
"We always do multiple cleaning rounds per day, but we've engaged some outside vendors to help us do even more," Stone said. "We have our security staff using Lysol wipes when they get in to wipe down frequently touched surfaces, elevator buttons and things like that."
Safety measures are also being taken at the Warwick Theatre for its upcoming performance of Mother of the Maid, which opens March 19.
Artistic Director Karen Paisley said staff members will use a doorman for performances, switch from glass to plastic or paper at the bar, disinfect the stage and seating area in between shows, and encourage audience members to buy tickets online rather than use cash at the box office.
"There's all sorts of things we've never done before or been trying not to do because they weren't good for the environment or they're wasteful, but in the short term they're better for us," Paisley said.
Paisley recently took part in a webinar put on by the Theatre Communication Group, which works with theatres across the country.
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, experts gave advice to theatre leaders on audience safety.
"We just try to think of every place you're going to engage and what do we need to do to make your engagement with that space safe for you," Paisley said.
Paisley said she is even considering live streaming the theatre's next production if the coronavirus threat continues.
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