Health / Medicine Archives

Missouri K-12 community waits its turn to get COVID-19 vaccination

January 15, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The state is not quite there yet in offering the COVID-19 vaccination to Missouri’s K-12 school workers. It is working on a plan to get them vaccinated when it is their turn. During a state Board of Education meeting this week, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Spokeswoman Mallory McGowin said supply continues to be an obstacle.

“The number of vaccines we have gotten into the state has not been what we were hoping at this point,” she said. “And so, that is affecting the timeline obviously for our K-12 audience.”

Missouri K-12 community waits its turn to get COVID-19 vaccination

Member Mary Schrag of southern Missouri’s West Plains said the medical community in rural Missouri is also lacking vaccine.

So far, the immunizations have been offered to Missouri’s health care workers as well as long-term care staff and patients. On Thursday, the state began offering them to first responders and remaining health care workers. Beginning Monday, individuals 65 and older and those with an increased risk of severe illness can get vaccinated.

K-12 school employees are next in line. Some board members, including President Charlie Shields, said the education community should be higher on the priority list.

“The faster we get the education community immunized, the faster we get back to in-person learning, which we have said as a board is a huge priority,” said Shields. “The more kids we have in school, the more parents we have able to re-enter the workforce, the faster the economy recovers.”

School nurses could help to vaccinate fellow employees. Some workers might end up going to a nearby Walgreens or CVS Pharmacy. Shields said hospitals “stand ready to help.”

“What we would do is set up in a large space be it a gymnasium or a cafeteria, have several people doing the immunizations, doing the registration, things like that. Then we need to be able to watch people for 15 minutes to make sure they don’t have a reaction,” he said. “So, it takes a lot of manpower to do these. But when you set them up right, you can do hundreds if not thousands a day. So, you can imagine it wouldn’t take very long to do an entire school district.”

Shields, of northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph, is the CEO of Truman Medical Center in Kansas City and serves on the Missouri Hospital Association Board.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine tracker shows more than 528,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been delivered to Missouri’s hospitals, health care providers, local health departments, or pharmacies. Gov. Mike Parson says Missouri has administered at least 190,000 doses of the immunization.

Missouri House takes coronavirus-induced break

January 14, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The spread of COVID-19 has set in at the Missouri Capitol – one week into the legislative session. A statement from Missouri House Republican leadership says due to the rising number of cases in the building, the lower chamber will not be in session next week.

The Missouri House and Senate convene on January 9, 2019 for a joint session to commemorate the 100th General Assembly (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Speaker Rob Vescovo of Arnold, Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann of O’Fallon, and Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher of St. Louis say the move is out of an abundance of caution to protect members, staff, and visitors.

This week, Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, and Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit, announced they are quarantining after being exposed to someone carrying the deadly virus.

On Tuesday, Missouri House Democrats offered up a proposal to require all members to wear a mask while on the floor because some members, often Republicans, choose not to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. The plan was voted down.

The House is made up of 114 Republicans and 48 Democrats.

Media reports say members of the Senate Republican Majority Caucus are discussing Friday whether to also take a break.

Calling Missouri first responders, other health care workers: next COVID-19 vaccination phase underway

January 14, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri’s first responders and remaining healthcare workers can now get the COVID-19 vaccination. The state has activated its second phase of the vaccine plan, Phase 1B – Tier 1.

In a press release today from Gov. Mike Parson’s Office, it says the federal government has also informed Missouri that the feds plan to “significantly increase” vaccine supply next week to prioritize individuals 65 and older and those with health conditions that put them at higher risk of catching COVID-19.

Calling Missouri first responders, other health care workers: next COVID-19 vaccination phase underway

In response to this news, the state will roll out the next phase of its vaccine plan, , 1B – Tier 2, on Monday. This phase will cover individuals aged 65 and older and any adult with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, or intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, heart conditions, a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, or Type 2 Diabetes.

“We recognize and appreciate that there are a variety of individuals on the frontlines who have a greater risk of exposure each day they go to work,” says Parson. “We are grateful for the tireless and selfless efforts of our health care providers and first responders who risk their own safety to protect the health and well-being of Missourians.”

Missouri’s vaccination team says there are currently not enough vaccines for everyone included in these groups, but more will become available over time.

Individuals in Phase 1A and Phase 1B – Tier 1 should work through their employer and/or association to access the vaccine. Individuals in Phase 1B – Tier 2 should contact their local pharmacy or health care provider or visit MOStopsCovid.com to learn when vaccines may be available and how to receive them.

A list of vaccinators and regional vaccine implementation teams will be made available at MOstopsCovid.com on January 15.

Missouri is not quite there yet on launching Phase 1B Tier 3, which includes the education community and childcare workers. A projected roll out date is up in the air.

“We know one of the most common questions among Missourians right now is when it will be their turn to be vaccinated, and we are greatly encouraged by the interest in the vaccines from the public,” says Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams. “Each day, our team is monitoring the amount of vaccine available and making sure it is distributed so that people can receive the vaccine as quickly as possible. We are so thankful to our hundreds of clinical partners throughout the state who are making that happen.”

Missourians began receiving first doses of COVID-19 vaccines last month. The state says more than 160,000 individuals have received an initial dose, and more than 22,000 have now been fully vaccinated with the 2-dose series.

Based on reporting from providers, the state says at least 27% of Phase 1A has received the first dose of the vaccine. This includes residents and staff of long-term care facilities and health care workers, including dentists, EMS, school nurses, and those working in hospital or clinic settings, among others.

The state says vaccine supply continues to be the rate-limiting factor for vaccine administration throughout the state. State vaccine allocations are determined by Operation Warp Speed – a national effort to launch and distribute the vaccine.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine tracker shows more than 528,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been delivered to Missouri’s hospitals, health care providers, local health departments, or pharmacies. Parson says Missouri has given at least 190,000 doses of the immunization.

Missourians are not required to get the COVID-19 immunization. With that said, health experts say getting the two-dose vaccination is critical in reaching widespread COVID-19 immunity.

NWS: blizzard warning takes effect at midnight for far northwest Missouri (AUDIO)

January 14, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a blizzard warning for far northwest Missouri, saying that accumulating blowing snow and strong winds will make travel extremely hazardous.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued a blizzard warning for far northwest Missouri. It will take effect at midnight on January 15, 2021 (graphic courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

NWS Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer says the blizzard warning takes effect at midnight, and includes Maryville, Tarkio, Bethany and Craig.

“So basically for far northwestern Missouri, travel is going to be very difficult if not impossible,” Temeyer says.

The National Weather Service urges you to avoid any travel north of Highway 36 in northern Missouri from midnight until 6 p.m. on Friday. The blizzard warning area is expected to receive three to four inches of blowing snow, with strong winds.

The blizzard warning area includes heavily-traveled Interstates 29 and 35, which are used by truckers from across the nation.

“We’re looking at wind gusts probably of 40 to 45 miles an hour through at least much of the day tomorrow before that starts to let up. And you combine that with the snow that we’re expecting and it’s really going to make travel very, very difficult,” says Temeyer.

State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews will be working around the clock in northern Missouri, to get roads to mostly clear within a few hours after the blizzard ends. Whiteout conditions are possible.

Northern Missouri’s St. Joseph, Chillicothe and Kirksville are under a winter weather advisory, and those areas should receive two to three inches of snow.

“This is going to be a type of system where if you don’t have to travel, it’s best to get those errands and everything done ahead of time. Because once the snow starts, it’s just going to make visibility very difficult,” Temeyer says.

The NWS says the heaviest snowfall will be between 3 am and 3 pm on Friday.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer, which was recorded on January 14, 2021:

Should Missouri teachers get a bonus for sticking around next school year?

January 12, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri Board of Education President Charlie Shields wants the state to check into whether a bonus can be given to K-12 teachers to help keep them around next school year. During today’s board meeting, Shields says he wants the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to do some “serious” exploring of what measures the agency can take to retain public school teachers.

State Board of Education President Charlie Shields

“I think we have to do something very bold around this or we’re going to start next year in a really bad position when it comes to teachers,” he says.

Last October, Shields made the same request.

Missouri already has a lingering shortage of teachers and COVID-19 has made an even larger dent, in part due to increased teacher workload stress.

“I can tell you, you know in the healthcare world, we are doing the exact same thing with nurses right now,” says Shields, a former Missouri Senate President. “Retention is a big deal and I think to the extent that we can encourage teachers to stay in the profession, to delay retirement or whatever so that we get next year started I think is going to be really important.”

Shields, of northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph, is the CEO of Truman Medical Center in Kansas City.

Kari Monsees, deputy commissioner for finance with DESE, says he will do some more checking on what can be done with federal coronavirus dollars.

Missouri has about 70,000 pre-K-12 public school teachers.

Remote testimony will likely be up to discretion of Missouri House committee chairs this session

January 12, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A Missouri House committee decided Friday that remote testimony via zoom will be up to individual committee chairmen and chairwomen this session.

State Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, who chairs the Missouri House Consent and House Procedures Committee, hands the gavel over to new House Speaker Rob Vescovo on January 6, 2021 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Ben Peters at House Communications)

The Missouri House Consent and House Procedures Committee held about a 90-minute hearing on Friday in Jefferson City, discussing zoom testimony and numerous other rules issues.

Committee members in both parties agree that COVID continues to be a concern, but the GOP-led committee is giving discretion to Missouri House committee chairs. State Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, chairs the committee.

Remote testimony happened in mid-December, when former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani testified via zoom before the Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight. There were some technical issues with Giuliani’s computer that night, and at one point, he was upside down in the screen that Missouri lawmakers were facing.

As for the Consent and House Procedures Committee, they also voted down a proposed amendment Friday from ranking Democratic State Rep. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette. She says House committees should not hold a hearing on bills and vote the same day, saying lawmakers need more time to study any bill.

McCreery also wants to see masks required in the Missouri House, particularly during committee hearings.

House Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, testified before the committee on Friday. The committee approved one of his proposals, which would allow Missouri House committees to meet without a quorum. That can be an issue when there is snow and/or ice in Jefferson City.

The committee also discussed the importance of subpoena enforcement for Missouri House committees.

Missouri Governor Parson says sunny days are ahead

January 11, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor talked about unity and working for all residents, during his inaugural address Monday afternoon at the Statehouse in Jefferson City.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson is sworn in by Jackson County Circuit Judge Sarah Castle on January 11, 2021 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Under the Missouri Constitution, Governor Mike Parson was sworn-in at high noon, after 12 bells rang at nearby St. Peter Catholic Church downtown.

Governor Parson was sworn-in by Jackson County Circuit Judge Sarah Castle, who is the only judge to be appointed twice by the governor.

The Bible used by the governor during Monday’s swearing-in ceremony was a gift given to him by First Lady Teresa Parson.

“I will care for the unborn to the elderly to the rich to the poor, regardless of the color of your skin,” says Governor Parson.

About 2,000 people attended Monday’s inauguration ceremonies, which kicked off the historic celebration of 200 years of Missouri history. The morning started with cloudy skies and 35 degree temperatures, but sunshine appeared just before noon.

The ceremony on the Capitol lawn began at 11:07 am, which Bicentennial remarks from Gary Kremer of the State Historical Society of Missouri. Kramer outlined the history of Missouri’s Bicentennial.

The oaths of office were administered first to Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R), State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick (R), Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R).

Governor Parson’s inaugural address was brief, and he noted Missouri’s diversity.

“When I travel across Missouri, I meet so many different people but regardless of where we come from, we all want what is best for our families and for our state,” Parson says.

State Sen. Barbara Washington, D-Kansas City, appeared live on Missourinet after the governor’s speech, saying she liked his focus on unity.

The governor also focused on the future, saying sunny days are ahead.

The 135th Missouri Army National Guard Band performed on the Capitol lawn, and the Missouri State University chorale also performed.

A B-2 bomber flew just over the Missouri Capitol after the inaugural address, and there was also a 19-gun salute from the Missouri National Guard.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, issued a statement which says the governor’s inaugural speech ignored last week’s deaths at the U.S. Capitol.

“In setting the tone for his coming term, Governor Parson could have used his inaugural speech to forcefully denounce the members of his political party who helped encourage and incite the insurrectionist mob that assaulted the U.S. Capitol last week. He instead pretended the events that have shaken the very foundation of American democracy didn’t happen and ignored his party’s complicity in them,’ Leader Quade says, in a written statement.

Quade says Missouri needs leaders “who will unequivocally and vocally oppose domestic terrorism.”

Parson defeated Democratic Auditor Nicole Galloway by about 500,000 votes in November’s gubernatorial election. Galloway attended the inaugural ceremonies, as did former Governors Jay Nixon (D) and John Ashcroft (R).

Former Lt. Governor Peter Kinder (R) also attended, as did U.S. Reps. Billy Long, R-Springfield, Jason Smith, R-Salem, Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, and Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth.

Monday’s inauguration in Jefferson City kicks off celebration of 200 years of Missouri history

January 10, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

About 2,000 people are expected to attend Monday’s inauguration ceremonies at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. The festivities will help kick off the historic celebration of 200 years of Missouri history.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson attend a legislative prayer service in Jefferson City on January 6, 2021 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

State Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, plans to bring his children to the 2021 Bicentennial inauguration ceremony.

“That’s one of the exciting things about being a part of this, not just for myself but my family. I have two young boys and for them to be parts of history and things and then learn about it, this is just an amazing experience,” Hicks says.

James Harris of Jefferson City, who co-chairs the inaugural committee, tells Missourinet that he expects about 2,000 people to attend. The ceremony on the Capitol lawn will start Monday morning at 11:07, with Bicentennial remarks from Gary Kremer of the State Historical Society of Missouri.

August will be the 200th anniversary of Missouri’s statehood.

After a performance from the Missouri State University Chorale, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, will convene a rare joint session of the Legislature, on the Capitol lawn.

The oaths of office will be administered at 11:40 a.m. to Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R), State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick (R), Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R).

Missouri Supreme Court Justice Mary R. Russell will swear Lt. Governor Kehoe in, and Governor Parson will be sworn-in by Jackson County Circuit Judge Sarah Castle, who is disabled.

Governor Parson appointed Judge Castle to her position in October.

Secretary Ashcroft will be sworn-in by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem, and Treasurer Fitzpatrick will be sworn-in by Judge Johnnie Cox from Missouri’s 39th Circuit in Monett.

Attorney General Schmitt will be sworn-in by Judge Thomas Albers.

Governor Parson will be sworn-in at high noon, after the bells ring at the nearby St. Peter Catholic Church. He will deliver his inaugural address at 12:04, and it’s expected to be a 16-minute speech.

Parson defeated Democratic Auditor Nicole Galloway by about 500,000 votes in November’s gubernatorial election.

Representative Hicks expects hope and safety to be two of the themes in the governor’s inaugural address. Hicks says COVID remains a major issue.

“I think the people (Missourians) are wanting to hear him (Governor Parson) say that we’re secure, we’re going to be safe. We’ve got viruses, we’re implementing them. He does have a great (vaccine) plan for it. I’ve read it, I’ve seen it,” says Hicks.

In addition to the joint session of the Legislature, several members of Missouri’s congressional delegation are expected to attend. Former Missouri Governors Jay Nixon (D) and John Ashcroft (R) are also expected to attend.

Our live Missourinet inauguration coverage begins Monday morning at 10:30, with Brian Hauswirth, Alisa Nelson and Bob Priddy at the Capitol.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s two-minute interview with State Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, which was recorded at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on January 8, 2021:

Fauci to Washington University: Some U.S. regions reaching the ‘unimaginable’ in COVID-19 pandemic

January 8, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The nation’s top infectious disease expert spoke virtually to a group of faculty and students Thursday at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Anthony Fauci says the nation’s COVID-19 infection count, death toll, and number of hospitalizations are stunning.

Photo courtesy of Washington University

“The number are so extraordinary that we have become numb to them,” he says. “As of yesterday, there are 360,000 deaths. We have had a situation where we are now averaging between 200,000 and 300,000 new infections per day and between 2,000 and 3,000 deaths per day.”

He says every day is a new reckon for the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus.

“There are some regions of the country that are really getting to the point of what we consider the unimaginable – where you actually have to triage and determine who is going to get take care of and who is not,” Fauci says.

Missouri reports today 416,758 coronavirus cases since March, 5,912 COVID-19 deaths, and 2,841 people in a Missouri hospital getting treated for the virus.

Fauci says the pandemic will get worse before it gets better due to recent holiday gatherings. But he says vaccinations will be the real gateway to life going back to normal.

According to Fauci, the most unexpected obstacle during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the lack of a uniform response. He says public health has been emersed in a divisive society during the pandemic – something he says he has not experienced before.

“There are regions of the country where hospitals are filled with people in intensive care units who are dying,” he says. “And the people in the community still feel it’s fake news, it’s a hoax, and it’s a conspiracy. That to me is unimaginable.”

He says the response has been as unimaginable as the rioters this week at the U.S. Capitol.

Missouri’s governor releases $127 million; says state is in top ten in recovery efforts

January 7, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Citing the improving economy and Missouri’s 4.4 percent unemployment rate, Governor Mike Parson has released about $127 million in previously restricted funds.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on January 6, 2021 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

“Thanks to our Show-Me strong recovery plan, we continue to outpace our economic recovery forecast, which is why we are able to release these funds today,” Parson says.

The governor tells Capitol reporters that 67 percent of the jobs lost during the pandemic have been recovered.

The funding released by Governor Parson on Wednesday includes $26 million for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, $8.5 million for Missouri’s Division of Tourism, $120,000 for the meat and poultry inspection program and $50,000 for the food, beverage and forest products initiative.

Click here to see the full list of the funding that’s been released.

“Right now, the revenues look good in the state,” says Parson. “We’ve been so fortunate here in this state, I mean a 4.4 (percent) unemployment rate, I think we’re in the top ten in the recovery efforts.”

In October, Governor Parson released $40 million in general revenue and also allocated $95 million in CARES Act funding for critical services. When he made that October announcement, he also noted that Missouri’s unemployment rate had improved and that state revenues had outpaced expectations.