Alisa Nelson, Author at Missourinet

Parson says fallout of coronavirus means tough Missouri budget cuts ahead

March 30, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Many Missouri businesses temporarily closing to limit the spread of the coronavirus has left thousands of workers without jobs. Last week, more than 42,000 Missourians filed unemployment claims – up from nearly 4,000 filed the previous week. During an interview with Gov. Mike Parson, he says he does not expect the impacts of the coronavirus to create a normal recession.

Gov. Mike Parson

“We think the second quarter is going to be definitely pretty tough to say the least,” Parson tells Missourinet. “I do think there’s a possibility in that third or fourth quarter, depending on how long the virus with us and how much of an impact it does have, that hopefully we can climb out of that. I think once we clear the virus – once we kind of get through that – hopefully the economy is going to be able to come right back and pick right back up. And I believe it will. But we’re just going to have to understand this is going to have a huge impact on the state budget and state income. We’re going to have to make some cuts, we’re going to have to do some things across the state that is going to be pretty tough.”

Last week, the governor said his proposed state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July would have to dramatically change. What changes are ahead is unknown at this time. The Missouri House and Senate are both on hiatus until further notice.

St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard expects the nation’s unemployment rate to climb to 30%. Bullard tells CNBC the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package the president signed into law Friday is about the right amount to deal with the impact of temporarily shutting down many businesses.

The plan includes:

*$150 billion in protective equipment to healthcare workers

* Americans who make $75,000 or less a year get a check for $1,200 – $2,400 for married couples – plus $500 per kid

*An expansion of unemployment insurance

* Delays in student loan payments

*Relief for people with federally backed mortgages

*Low-interest loans for small businesses

* Hundreds of millions in food assistance

At least 838 people test positive for COVID-19 in Missouri – 168 case jump from Friday

March 28, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

On March 7, the state announced its first case of the coronavirus. Today, the latest data verified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services show at least 838 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Missouri. The figure represents an additional 168 positive cases since the state released its Friday case count of 670.

Keep in mind that some counties are listing higher figures than what is reflected in the state’s overall count. The state verifies the county information before it is posted here.

At least 10 people have died in Missouri from the respiratory disease. On Friday, a woman in her 90s at an assisted living center in southwest Missouri’s Springfield died from the virus. She is the fourth coronavirus related death at that facility.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports about 10,750 patients have been tested so far by public and private labs.

Latest COVID-19 count in Missouri: at least 10 dead, 670 people test positive

March 27, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams prepares to testify before a joint legislative committee in Jefferson City on March 10, 2020 (Brian Hauswirth photo)

A resident of a Springfield assisted living center in southwest Missouri is the state’s 10th coronavirus related casualty. The woman in her 90s is the fourth person to die at the facility from the respiratory virus.

Missouri has at least 670 people who have tested positive for the respiratory disease. According to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams, some 7,000 people have been tested in the state for the virus.

“As we see that positivity rate increasing nationally, we’re also seeing that we’ve been quoting 6% to 8%. It’s looking more like 10% now,” says Williams during a Capitol press conference Friday. “Half of the cases in Missouri have been in two areas – St. Louis City and St. Louis County. So we think that following the trend that you’re seeing nationally, you’re seeing more cases in urban areas. Unlike in northern Italy, where it started out in rural areas and went to cities, what you’re seeing around the United States is more urban clusters.”

St Louis County has at least 247 cases and St. Louis City has 72.

State data shows the age range with the most positive cases is 50-54 years old. They have 77 cases. The next age group is 20-24 year olds with 70 cases.

Missouri U.S. House members weigh in on stimulus package signed into law

March 27, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

President Donald Trump has signed into law a coronavirus stimulus plan. Under the plan passed today by the U.S. House, Americans who make $75,000 or less a year would get a check for $1,200 – $2,400 for married couples – plus $500 per kid.

U.S. Capitol dome courtesy of the U.S. House

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat of Kansas City, says the pandemic is ravaging the country and the resulting economic downturn.

“It has driven millions of Americans into unemployment,” says Cleaver. “In this legislation, you will find a massive expansion of unemployment insurance to help Americans weather this storm until they can return to work.”

Cleaver says the plan includes $150 billion to address spending shortages the virus has put on state and local governments.

“Even though this bill is the largest stimulus package in the history of our nation, it will not be enough,” says Cleaver. “The pandemic will outlast these funds and we must be unflinching in our commitment to provide relief.”

The package delays student loan payments, gives relief to people with federally backed mortgages, more than $150 billion in protective equipment to healthcare workers, low-interest loans for small businesses and hundreds of millions in food assistance.

On the House floor, West-central Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler says the legislation gives the nation hope.

“Hope that we will get through this by supporting our healthcare workers, enabling businesses to stay open, and sending Americans funds needed to get them through,” says Hartzler.

Hartzler says the plan will support healthcare workers, help businesses to stay open and help get Americans by.

“While this bill is far from perfect and the price tag is sobering, I believe we are in an unprecedented battle and it is imperative that we win this war,” says Hartzler.

Congressman Lacy Clay, a Democrat from St. Louis, applauds passage of the legislation and says Missouri is estimated to get $2.38 billion in funds to benefit residents.

East-central Missouri Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer supports the bill.

provides the badly-needed resources and supplies for hospitals and the medical community who are working around the clock to keep people safe. It gives relief for families who need help to make ends meet and supports businesses to make sure they can stay afloat and continue to provide their employees with paychecks. As President Trump has said, we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. While far from perfect, this is a good bill and its passage was critical to getting this country the relief it so desperately needs and through this crisis.”

Trump wants to get stimulus checks out by April 6 but be prepared for them to take a few weeks.

Parson mobilizes National Guard in Missouri’s fight against coronavirus

March 27, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson has signed an executive order to begin having Missouri National Guard members aid in the state’s battle against COVID-19. In a press release, Parson says soldiers will help to provide more immediate resources to Missourians and enhance the state’s ability to overcome the global pandemic.

Parson mobilizes National Guard in Missouri’s fight against coronavirus

Parson made the decision after conferring with some state department leaders.

“The COVID-19 crisis is constantly developing and changing, but we are taking steps each and every day to slow the spread and protect public health and safety,” says Parson. “Mobilizing the National Guard will help us provide more immediate resources to our citizens and enhance Missouri’s ability to overcome this global pandemic.”

During a Capitol press conference, Parson says he has signed an executive order to call on guard members to help.

“But I want to be perfectly clear, this is not about putting Missouri under martial law,” says Parson. “This is a planning stage operation to provide more assistance to Missourians and increase our capacity to deploy resources quickly. “The Guard will play a major role in supporting state and local communities, including the potential support of COVID-19 testing and transporting equipment and supplies – just as we did during the floods last year.”

Adjutant General Levon Cumpton says the Guard is providing specialized health and safety training to all personnel being mobilized in addition to guidance already received from the federal government.

“The National Guard is ready and poised to assist local and state civilian authorities in response to COVID-19,” Brigadier General Levon Cumpton says. “The Guard has flexibility in utilizing resources and deploying them around the state where they are most appropriate.”

According to National Guard Col. Anna Friederich-Maggard, 75 full-time members have been mobilized at this time.

Here’s the executive order: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MOGOV/2020/03/26/file_attachments/1412149/EO%2020-06%20MONG.pdf

Highlights from today’s press briefing about COVID-19 in Missouri

March 26, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

At least 502 people in Missouri have tested positive for the coronavirus, compared to yesterday’s count of 356. The latest state data shows the age range with the most cases is 50 to 59-year-olds. They have 114, compared to the next leading age group of 20 to 29-year-olds having 88 cases.

During a press conference today, State Health Director Randall Williams says Missouri continues to make changes to better monitor the outbreak.

“We do track negatives. We changed our regulations so that we know we that we have done more than 6,000 tests here in Missouri,” says Williams.

Missouri is currently only testing nursing home and assisted living center residents who show signs of the respiratory disease. Gov. Mike Parson says he would be willing to get everyone in the facilities tested if that was possible.

“As much as I would like to help everyone that could be able to be tested today that wants to be tested, the reality of it is we don’t have the tests,” says Parson. “They don’t have it nationally. So, we have to prioritize who we are going to test and who we are not.”

Parson says priority goes to those out on the front lines, especially healthcare workers, first responders and those with symptoms of the virus.

Missouri has relaxed some requirements to make it easier for truck drivers to deliver essential goods during the coronavirus outbreak. State Transportation Department Director Patrick McKenna says the agency will continue to look for ways to ease the challenges facing its transportation partners during this critical time.

“We’ve relaxed the hours of operation for motor carriers, to give them more flexibility for transporting goods,” says McKenna. “We’ve eased restrictions to allow for heavier than normal truckloads of emergency supplies and equipment to travel on all Missouri highways, including interstates.”

To ensure the continued transportation of essential supplies, equipment, and individuals, the Missouri Department of Revenue has also issued the following extensions in coordination with MoDOT:

• Sixty-day extension of driving privileges: This extension applies to individuals with CDL or non-CDL license expiration dates of March 1, 2020, through April 30, 2020. For example, an individual with a CDL expiring March 1, 2020, will have until May 1, 2020, to complete the required license renewal in their local license office.

• Extension of CDL medical certificates: This extension applies to individuals holding a CDL or CLP with a current medical certificate that has been issued for a period of 90 days or more and has an expiration date of March 1, 2020, through April 30, 2020. These individuals have been granted an extension of their medical certification until June 30, 2020. This relief will give Missouri’s commercial drivers additional time to complete the required medical exam and to submit an updated medical certificate to their local license office so their Missouri driver record can be updated.

• Both of these extensions have been applied automatically, so no additional action is required by eligible drivers to qualify.

McKenna says rest areas around the state are also being cleaned and disinfected on a more frequent basis.

Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) Director Mark Stringer says the agency serves people of all ages with mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Department helps about 170,000 people a year through both institutions and community programs.

To ensure the department’s services continue with as little disruption as possible, it has worked with partners across state government to make it possible for community providers to do much of their work by telephone, rather than the traditional face-to-face requirement. Service providers have also dramatically increased their use of telehealth, and the agency is exploring ways to stay in touch with people who cannot afford cell phones or extra minutes.

For psychiatric hospitals and rehabilitation centers, DMH has worked with other state departments to share best practices, policies, and procedures during times of crisis. Public visitation is temporarily suspended at all DMH facilities and offices statewide.

Stringer says the Federal Disaster Distress Help Line was created for times like the current coronavirus outbreak. Stringer encouraged citizens struggling to cope with the health crisis to contact the 24/7 hotline.

“It is staffed with mental health professionals who can talk with you and if you need more help than they can provide, they can connect you with services here in Missouri,” says Stringer. “Specially, they can connect you with our Access Crisis Intervention System or ACI.”

Stringer says the ACI, which is free and confidential, is staffed with professionals linked to state certified mental health and substance misuse services.

Click here for the Federal Disaster Distress Help Line. Click here for the Access Crisis Intervention System.

Parson expects more cases of coronavirus could pop up in Missouri prisons

March 26, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Last week, the state Department of Corrections reported an inmate at the St. Joseph prison in northwest Missouri tested positive for COVID-19. During an interview today with Gov. Mike Parson, he says it might not be the last one within Missouri’s prison system.

Parson expects more cases of coronavirus could pop up in Missouri prisons

“We knew that the prisons, the nursing homes, your seniors are the most vulnerable people here to get this virus,” says Parson. “So we were somewhat prepared for that. So as soon as we got that, they were isolation. They were taken to isolation and are figuring out who they had been around.”

Parson says prevention is key.

“This is a virus,” says Parson. “So we know, no matter where you’re at, people are going to get the virus, no matter whether you live in rural Missouri, urban Missouri, whether you’re in prison, whether you’re in a normal daily life environment.”

The St. Joseph prisoner is the first reported case of COVID-19 among MODOC offenders. There are no reported cases of COVID-19 among staff. The department says medical and custody staff followed all safety protocols to minimize exposure.

Parson says the state is trying to find out how the prisoner got the virus.

The governor says he’s not aware of any others within Missouri’s prisons testing positive for the respiratory disease. The state operates 21 prisons with about 26,000 offenders.

(AUDIO) Governor answers several burning questions about Missouri’s response to COVID-19

March 26, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson visited with Missourinet today about the state’s response efforts to COVID-19. Here’s the full interview:

In one week, Missouri receives nearly 30% of total unemployment claims filed in 2019

March 25, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The number of Missourians filing for unemployment has escalated this month. During a Capitol press briefing, Gov. Mike Parson says COVID-19 is taking its toll on the state’s workforce.

In one week, Missouri receives nearly 30% of total unemployment claims filed in 2019

“In just the past week, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, has received nearly 30% of the total number of unemployment claims filed in 2019,” says Parson.

State Labor data shows that Missouri had a total of about 180,000 claims filed last year.

Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Anna Hui says she expects the number of claims filed weekly to continue to grow.

“But please know we are actively monitoring the web-based system 24/7,” says Hui. “We have added capacity. We have added staff.”

Hui says the most efficient way to file an unemployment claim is on the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations website.

COVID-19 count in Missouri: at least 8 deaths, 356 infected people

March 25, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The latest Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services data shows at least eight people have died and 356 people in the state have tested positive for COVID-19. The number of positive cases represents a 101 jump from yesterday.

COVID-19 count in Missouri: at least 8 deaths, 356 infected people

Some counties are listing higher figures than what is reflected in the state’s county by county breakdown.

On Tuesday, two residents of an assisted-living center in southwest Missouri’s Springfield died from the coronavirus.

On Monday, Missouri had three COVID-19 associated deaths – a woman in her 80s who also lived at the Springfield assisted living center, a woman in her 30s in St. Louis and an elderly man in St. Charles County.

Last Friday, two people died – one in St. Louis County and another in western Missouri’s Jackson County. Last Wednesday, a person in mid-Missouri’s Boone County also died.

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