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Missouri now has 903 confirmed COVID-19 cases

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Missouri health officials have announced that there are now 903 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri, in addition to 12 deaths.

Governor Mike Parson delivers his State of the State Address to Missouri lawmakers in Jefferson City on January 15, 2020, as House Speaker Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) looks on (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased from 838 on Saturday. The number was 73 on March 20.

Governor Mike Parson has warned that those numbers will rise.

The first case in Missouri to test presumptive positive happened on March 7 in St. Louis County.

Governor Parson signed a March 13 executive order declaring a state of emergency in Missouri, and he signed another executive order on Friday to start mobilizing the Missouri National Guard to assist with COVID-19 response.

The governor also says the state is working to acquire more personal protective equipment for hospitals, law enforcement, first responders and other emergency services.

Parson says the Missouri Strategic National Stockpile has shipped 42,624 face shields, 5,000 gloves, 2,717 cases of masks and 908 cases of surgical gowns.

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

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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.

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Missouri grocers working with attorney general to prevent gouging during pandemic (AUDIO)

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Missouri’s attorney general is teaming up with the Missouri Grocers Association (MGA), to protect you from any potential price-gouging during the COVID-19 outbreak.

State Rep. Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on March 2, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, heads the 1,300 member MGA. He told the attorney general’s office last week that there will be upward price pressure on some commodities, due to the rapid sale of them.

“We’re (the attorney general’s office and MGA) working together to make sure, one, to protect the consumers of the state, to make sure they’re getting a fair deal on their food,” Shaul says. “But also making sure that the businesses in Missouri aren’t subject to frivolous complaints.”

Shaul notes egg prices are continuing to rise, and he expects some relief on that next week.

He tells Missourinet the aim of the partnership with Schmitt’s office is to provide you with food at a reasonable price, and to protect retailers from “bad actors.”

“Anytime you have a crisis like this, the majority of the grocery industry in Missouri is acting properly, and doing what they can to meet the needs of the citizens of Missouri,” says Shaul.

He says the grocery industry is working tirelessly to serve their communities, during the pandemic. Shaul says Missouri’s grocery workers and retailers have answered the call from Missourians for food.

But he also agrees with Schmitt’s position that “there are a few bad actors that may cast Missouri’s hardworking grocers in a bad light.”

Consumers who see price gouging at their stores can call Schmitt’s office at 1-800-392-8222.

Missouri’s governor says many residents have seen empty grocery store shelves, and emphasizes this is a demand issue and not a supply one. Governor Mike Parson says Missouri’s food supply remains strong, adding that the state’s farmers, ranchers and grocers are working hard to restock shelves quickly.

Click here to listen to the full six-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Missouri Grocers Association President Dan Shaul, which was recorded on March 26, 2020:

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

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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.

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Missouri lawmaker says SBA disaster loan portal is slow, shuts down (Includes tips for applicants)

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Rep. Wes Rogers, Clay County

Clay County Representative Wes Rogers, D-District 18, has been trying to apply for an SBA disaster loan online since Tuesday.

The coronavirus has immediately damaged his fulltime job, his family’s business selling commercial dishwashers to the hospitality industry and nursing homes.  Johnson laid off most of his 20 employees so that they could get unemployment benefits.

Rogers says he is “appalled” at what he calls a lack of planning for helping businesses being shut down.

“We need to take this pandemic incredibly seriously, that said the government should have had an economic plan for when we need to shut things down,” he told Missourinet. “There’s been very little in terms of support for small businesses, I think it’s getting better now that they realize how much harm has been caused.”

The Small Business Administration now offers disaster loans to Missouri businesses, but the many are struggling with the web portal to submit, including Rogers.  He says he’s been sharing information with constituents.

“The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that the web site is timing out and the government was not prepared for a mass rush on loans like this. I have no sympathy or understanding for how the government would plan without expecting high volumes on the web site. I’m doing what I can to help people while at the same time being frankly critical of the government’s response with this.”

Rogers tells constituents that even when the loans go smoothly and money moves quickly, “it’s the tip of the iceberg as far as true stimulus to get us back on track.”

These loans are capped at 3.75 percent interest and 2.75 percent for nonprofits over 36 months, with even better loan terms in some cases.

TIPS FOR FILING FOR SBA DISASTER LOANS

Missourinet found some helpful information about filing for an SBA disaster loan from The Loop Community Improvement District website http://theloopcomo.com,  The Loop is based out of Columbia, but provides regular public updates.

Keep trying the online system and they recommend you:

  • Submit your application during off-hours
  • Hit the save button often
  • Shift from using Chrome to using Microsoft Edge as your browser

Online submissions are still recommended because you will receive a confirmation of the application and be assigned an application number that will allow you to sign in to the system to get real-time status updates on the application.

Although it is still recommended that applicants keep trying to apply through the SBA Disaster loan portal, this may not be possible for some due to the high volume of traffic.  You can also print the paper forms and mail them in or upload them electronically.

Mail completed forms to:
U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

Email forms to:  disasterloans@sba.gov

Here’s a link to the forms:
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/PaperForms

Other  instructions for filling out the application available to download.

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

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

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BREAKING: U.S. Senate approves $2 trillion stimulus package; Missouri’s Blunt pleased with bill (AUDIO)

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(The story has been updated to include the vote count … Brian)

In a historic vote, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously late Wednesday night to approve the largest emergency relief bill in American history, a $2 trillion economic stimulus package. It’s in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Missouri’s senior senator had predicted a “big, bipartisan vote” in his chamber. The vote was 96-0, and a House vote is expected on Friday.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, who chairs the Senate Appropriations health subcommittee, says the bill is crucial for hospitals.

“I think we’ve got a good package that will help hospitals, will help local health departments, will help others who are trying to address this need,” Blunt says.

The “Washington Post” reports the bill would provide $130 billion to hospitals.

Blunt, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, says the $2 trillion economic stimulus package will provide individuals and families with immediate relief. Blunt tells Missourinet that the bill would provide $1,200 in direct assistance to most adults and $500 to children.

“And that means most Missourians would get a check, most Missourians that file a tax return would get a check, others may have other ways to get that check,” says Blunt.

The payments are phased out for those with higher incomes, such as individuals who earn $75,000 or more.

Blunt also says the package would help Missouri farmers and ranchers, and American agriculture in general. He says the bill increases the Commodity Credit Corporation by $14 billion.

“This is a place where farming families and other farming entities can go and get credit,” Blunt says.

Agriculture remains Missouri’s top industry. Blunt says the bill provides $9.5 billion in emergency aid to agricultural producers who’ve been impacted by COVID-19, including livestock producers who export overseas.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full five-minute interview with U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, which was recorded on March 25, 2020:

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

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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.

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Parson opposes classifying grocery, pharmacy workers as emergency first responders

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Missouri’s largest union is calling on the governor to classify all grocery and pharmacy employees statewide as emergency first responders. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655, which represents about 9,500 workers in 46 eastern Missouri counties, says the move would give the workers guarantees like priority testing for the coronavirus.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson speaks to the Capitol Press Corps after being sworn-in on June 1, 2018 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

During a Capitol press briefing today, Gov. Mike Parson says he opposes the request.

“Not to take anything away from somebody in the grocery store, in a convenience store, or farmers across this state, but the reality is first responders are classified for a reason. They have to answer the calls,” says Parson.

The union says grocery clerks and pharmacy technicians are putting their health on the line, to ensure the public has food supplies during the crisis – a sentiment shared by Representative Martha Stevens, D-Columbia.

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Missouri Senator Hawley hopeful that stimulus package will pass soon (AUDIO)

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Missouri’s junior senator is hopeful that a bipartisan agreement can be reached soon on a $2 trillion economic stimulus package, in response to the coronavirus crisis.

The “Washington Post” reported Tuesday night that lawmakers were reviewing final language on Capitol Hill.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) says the bill would provide direct assistance to individuals and families in Missouri who need it the most.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s official portrait (2020 photo courtesy of Senator Hawley’s press office)

“$1,200 for every individual who needs it, every adult,” Hawley says. “$500 for every child, so the bigger the family, the more assistance that you get.”

He says that phases out for those with higher incomes: couples who earn more than $150,000 and singles who make $75,000 or more.

Senator Hawley tells Missourinet he fought to ensure that the working poor receive the full benefit.

He also says the bill should have been voted on days ago, saying that Democrats on Capitol Hill “put up roadblocks.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) tweeted Tuesday that Senate Democrats are “fighting to make sure there are no bailouts without strict conditions that put people and workers first.”

As for Hawley, he says the bill includes small business relief.

“Small business will be able to cover 100 percent of their payroll with federal assistance under this plan, 100 percent. The idea is that they won’t have to lay off anybody,” says Hawley.

Hawley, who serves on the Senate Small Business Committee, says small businesses will be able to keep their doors open, keep payrolls going and pay their health care costs, under the bill.

Missouri’s governor has warned that thousands of Missourians will lose their jobs, because of the coronavirus.

Hawley is aware of Governor Mike Parson’s warning. Senator Hawley says the bill would boost unemployment benefits for Missourians.

“This bill would triple unemployment insurance available to Missourians, up $600 a week in the state of Missouri,” Hawley says. “That’s vital.”

During an interview with Missourinet, Hawley also praises President Trump for invoking the Defense Production Act.

Hawley also says the FDA has been slow in getting personal protective equipment out to Missouri hospitals, urban and rural. Hawley says every Missouri hospital he’s spoken to needs more tests and masks. He also says they’ll need more ventilators.

Click here to listen to the full three-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, which was recorded on March 24, 2020. Senator Hawley was on Capitol Hill.

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