Kansas City area 'doesn't have appetite for mask mandate.' Is a mask advisory enough? Robert A. Cronkleton, The Kansas City Star Jul. 19—Kansas City area health officials are hoping that last week's joint health advisory again recommending members of the public wear masks will serve as a wake-up call for people to protect themselves from COVID-19. They wanted the advisory to give clear guidance on how people should protect themselves and people around them. "The data continues to support that the best way to protect yourself from severe COVID disease is to become fully vaccinated," said Janell Friesen, a spokeswoman for the Unified Government's Public Health Department. "Therefore, we strongly urge those who are not vaccinated to do so immediately."