Grandview Archives - Missourinet

Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium will be mega vaccination site for two-day event

March 12, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor announced Thursday in Jefferson City that the state will be hosting a mega vaccination site at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium next Friday and Saturday, March 19 and 20th.

State Sen. Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City) briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on March 11, 2021, about the Arrowhead Stadium mega vaccinations (photo courtesy of Missouri Governor Parson’s Flickr page)

Governor Mike Parson tells Capitol reporters that his administration is working as quickly as possible to meet the higher vaccine interest in urban populations, while keeping vaccine distribution equitable across the state.

“Two (Missouri) National Guard teams will be on the grounds Friday and Saturday (March 19 and 20) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to vaccinate an expected total of six to 7,000 eligible Missourians,” Parson says.

The COVID vaccinations will be administered in Arrowhead Stadium’s parking lot, and not on the Chiefs football field.

“Names of the eligible Missourians will be chosen from a list of those who have previously signed up to receive the vaccine with the Jackson County health department,” says Parson.

The governor says those selected will be notified of their appointment date and time, along with further instructions.

State Sen. Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City), who joined the governor at Thursday’s Jefferson City press conference, is also helping to organize the event. She notes the Arrowhead event is just for Jackson County residents, which includes Kansas City, Raytown and Grandview.

Washington says organizers are working with the Urban League and are also reaching out to the most vulnerable. She notes you must have an appointment.

Senator Washington, who serves on the Senate Health and Pensions Committee, says tents will be set up in Arrowhead Stadium’s parking lot, and says nurses will administer some shots on buses.

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jackson County health officials, Truman Medical Center, KCATA and state lawmakers like Washington and Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo (D-Independence) are all helping to organize the two-day event.

During the Statehouse press conference, Governor Parson also discussed COVID numbers and says we are winning the fight against COVID. The governor says the numbers continue to trend in the right direction, and he’s emphasizing the state’s balanced approach.

“Missouri is still leading the nation at second-lowest of average daily cases. Our seven-day (COVID) positivity is 4.5, and hospitalizations have dropped below 900,” Parson says.

Missouri vaccinators have now administered more than 1.6 million shots, which includes the first and second doses. That’s 17.5 percent of Missouri’s population.

The state Department of Health and Senior Services’ (DHSS) COVID dashboard says Missouri vaccinators are now administering about 33,000 doses per day.

Missouri lawmaker who battled COVID-19 described as a “trifecta guy”; receives bipartisan standing ovation

May 18, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

A veteran Missouri lawmaker who has recovered from the coronavirus received a bipartisan standing ovation from the House on Friday in Jefferson City. His colleagues praise his courage, work ethic and his dedication.

State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, stands on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 11, 2020 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, is in his eighth and final year in the Missouri House, due to term limits. After battling COVID-19, being hospitalized and then recovering at home, Runions returned to the Statehouse last week.

State Rep. Rory Rowland, D-Independence, describes Runions as a voice of reason, who looks out for his community.

“Every time I’ve had a conversation with him, he always asks the question ‘how will this impact Grandview?’ That truly is the essence of a public servant,” Rowland tells colleagues.

Representative Runions was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, and was hospitalized at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City. He spent part of that time on a ventilator.

Rowland says the 79-year-old Runions is stable, dependable and knowledgeable. Rowland describes him as a “trifecta guy.”

“Do I like them, do I trust them and do I admire them? The gentleman from Jackson, Representative Runions, is a trifecta guy in my book,” says Rowland.

Rowland says Runions didn’t speak on the House floor often, but that when he did, “this body listened.”

While hospitalized in March at St. Joseph’s, Runions and Governor Mike Parson (R) spoke on the phone. Runions urged Governor Parson to do everything in his power to prevent Missouri hospitals from becoming overwhelmed during the pandemic.

Runions told the governor that his doctors at St. Joseph Hospital asked him to seek the governor’s assistance on personal protective equipment (PPE), because they were worried they would run out of vital supplies.

Runions, who was elected to the House in 2012, is the ranking Democrat on the Missouri House Transportation Committee. He’s also the top Democrat on the Local Government Committee.

Parson: COVID-19 is not a political issue; Governor talks to legislative leaders in both parties

March 22, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor is emphasizing that the coronavirus is not a political issue. Governor Mike Parson made his comments to Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on Friday afternoon, after he spoke on the phone to legislative leaders from both parties.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson addresses Capitol reporters in Jefferson City, after he declared a state of emergency in Missouri for coronavirus (March 13, 2020 file photo courtesy of the Governor’s office)

“And I hope people do not try to make it a political issue,” Parson says. “This is about everyday Missourians, is what this is about. It’s about all of us should be working together.”

The governor says he urged lawmakers in both parties to come together and to put Missourians first.

“All sides agreed to do just that, and I believe everyone believes right now it is about the sake of Missourians, and the safety of the people of this state and the health care of the people of this state,” says Parson.

Governor Parson also spoke to veteran State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, on the phone on Sunday. The 79-year-old Runions has tested positive for the coronavirus, and remains hospitalized in Kansas City.

Representative Runions is asking the governor to do anything he can to expedite the availability of testing kits.

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced Sunday night that there are now 106 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Missouri.

Governor Parson has also announced that his daily press briefings will now be virtual-only, in accordance with his directive to avoid social gatherings of more than ten people.