The adhering to is a records of a meeting with Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas that broadcast Sunday, January 16, 2022, on "Face the Country."
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go currently to the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Quinton Lucas. He joins us from our CBS associate KCTV. Greetings to you, Mr. Mayor.
KANSAS CITY MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS: Greetings.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Omicron is rising hospital stays in your city up 25% in the recently, are medical facilities needing to delay surgical procedures, are they in danger of being bewildered?
MAYOR LUCAS: They are overloaded today in Kansas City, actually considering that the Xmas period, we have actually seen extraordinary difficulties in our healthcare network, also obtaining staff members that are operating in our EMS solutions, fire division and also in public security. It is a significant worry. It's why we have actually restored a variety of various demands, consisting of a mask need in our colleges with a wonderful degree of debate to see to it that federal government can remain to operate, colleges can remain open, our medical facilities can remain open. As well as we're doing all we can from a city government degree to react to our difficulties.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You have actually stated you would certainly take into consideration a citywide mask required if fatalities and also hospital stays got to a specific factor. Do you have a limit there? What's holding you back?
MAYOR LUCAS: Today, what's holding us back is, somehow, the political obstacle that we got from the state of Missouri. There have actually been countless suits submitted by the Chief law officer of Missouri, that is competing the USA Us Senate, a Republican politician that has actually looked for mask requireds and also called them points that are difficulties to flexibility. He's called them difficulties and also tyranny, those type of points that we deal with every single time we release a brand-new mask need. The Missouri state treasurer has actually butted in. Yet what we're actually attempting to concentrate on is a lot more inoculation. What we're seeing is despite the fact that Omicron is spreading out 80 to 90% of individuals that remain in our ICU are those that have actually not been immunized. We're dealing with difficulties due to the fact that there is a significant quantity of false information out in the general public concerning if inoculation is very important, if it's great, if it's complimentary, what it does to you. So, we're actually combating, I believe, a fight on 2 various fronts. One is from my political right and also those that are attempting to claim that this simply isn't that huge of a bargain and after that constantly attempting to combat the details side to see to it that we obtain individuals immunized and also risk-free.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yet to that factor, we have brand-new CBS ballot out today that actually mistakes the management itself for puzzling messaging around COVID. The head of state's authorization ranking for his handling goes to the most affordable factor, two-thirds of those surveyed pointed out complication concerning COVID details and also assistance. Is the federal government action right here also complex? Is it also reduce?
MAYOR LUCAS: You recognize, I believe those surveys show a minute of aggravation in America, definitely aggravation in Kansas City time after time, and also everyone in America understands this, every couple of months we believed that this would certainly more than. I believe what we identify is since COVID will certainly be with us for time, that we might remain to see brand-new versions. Yet I do believe that there is a duty not simply for the federal government, but also for state federal governments to really be practical, ideal? We have actually seen in a variety of various states, mine consisted of sometimes where there has actually not been the degree helpful when we're seeking that intermediate action, that can really provide that screening to us in the cities, towns also. That can really see to it that colleges can remain open? I do not believe that those are government issues and also those aren't at the feet of the head of state. I believe a lot of that is exactly how can our whole federal government system from city government as much as the government side see to it that we're reacting in an energetic method? I simply believe the head of state's face gets on any type of variety of points, therefore he'll remain to be criticized. Yet appearance, what I desire in Kansas City are a lot more registered nurses, even more health center employees, even more personnel and also even more examinations. I do not care that they originate from, whether they originate from our state resources, whether they originate from federal government. I believe that's what individuals of America desire on the ground.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You stated among individuals that is testing your requireds is a person competing Us senate in your state. I wish to ask you, I recognize you're competing re-election as mayor, yet you are reported to likewise be thinking about an Us senate run. What are nationwide Democrats missing on the ground in states like your own? Do you believe a Democrat could really win a statewide government political election in Missouri?
MAYOR LUCAS: I definitely believe a Democrat might win a statewide political election in Missouri. I believe, firstly, due to the fact that what you see today is that we're attempting to react to a situation of the minute. We're attempting to see to it we're addressing COVID problems, attempting to see to it that individuals are returning right into work and also discussing points that are liable and also sensible, not recalling over the last 4 years, not attempting to press what I believe is incorrect details, whether it be associated with COVID, whether it be associated with the economic situation or anything imaginable. I do believe, certainly, there's an interaction obstacle that we deal with, the Democratic Celebration is a huge camping tent. As well as I do definitely believe that even more nationwide voices that are stating, look, Democrats are doing points that make standard feeling currently, attempting to deal with supply chain problems, attempting to see to it individuals have actually COVID screening. As well as essentially making certain that we're watching out for individuals of Kansas City and also America. You recognize, a couple of weeks back, my family members fell victim to COVID, and after that the most difficult component, I have a nine-month-old infant, was seeing him unwell. I do not believe that there's any type of American that intends to see that injury to their children, to their infants, to their family members. That's what I see a great deal of mayors seeking to, Democrats, modest Republicans and also others. Which's why I believe the general public would certainly be responsive to messages from people that get on the political left.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You would certainly need to submit by the end of March. Are you mosting likely to run?
MAYOR LUCAS: I- I have actually currently stated that I'll be competing mayor of Kansas City once more,--
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
MAYOR LUCAS:-- I'm delighted to be mayor. I deal with various other mayors around the nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right. I was inquiring about Us senate, which you're staying clear of, yet allow's ask you concerning policing. I recognize you're coming right here to Washington. You have actually obtained a surging murder price in Kansas City. I recognize it's the- the state that manages the authorities division, yet when you come right here to Washington, just what are you mosting likely to ask the Justice Division to do for you? We- we understand the Biden management has actually stated exec orders are coming. They have actually been stating that considering that Nov. What do you require?
MAYOR LUCAS: You recognize, there I believe there are a couple of various points that everyone settles on, one is making certain that we have police officers, yet having sufficient law enforcement agent that operate in the neighborhood. Among the fights that I believe we enter in Kansas City and also various other areas is not concerning the completeness of authorities financing, yet where are you investing it? Are you investing it on rank-and-file police officers in our areas, on our roads that are dealing with neighborhood companies? Are you working with neighborhood outreach programs? We require even more of that in Kansas City and also cities around America. I did a ride-along with the Los Angeles Authorities Division a while back, dealing with gang treatment systems. That's the type of job that we require, which's what we're seeking in assistance from federal government. What we do not require are soldiers being available in without the demand of mayors, yet we do not require as a rehash of Procedure Tale in the late Trump management. I believe that while it brought us a great deal of boots on the ground, we still had our highest possible murder document ever before in Kansas City really that year. We wish to have actually maintained programmatic initiatives and also reactions. Which's what I listen to all mayors requesting for.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Mayor, thanks for your time. Best of luck with the rise. We'll be right back.