The Barton County Commission will meet as the Board of Health at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Courthouse, 1400 Main St. in Great Bend. Commissioners will address Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s recent executive order mandating the use of face masks statewide to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Although a gubernatorial order, counties can vote to opt out of it, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said. And that will be on the agenda.

Also on the agenda will be the appointment of Karen Winkelman as the county health director. The former Barton County Health Department public health nurse supervisor and deputy local health officer, she has served as interim director since the resignation of Shelly Schneider in March.