Stay At Home At 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, a stay-at-home order went into effect for Cole County. Issued by the Cole County Health Department, the stated goal of the order is to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community. This order will stay in effect until 5 p.m. on …
The Capitol has been mostly dark for the past few weeks. The halls are empty. Office doors are locked tight while legislative staff members work from their respective homes during the coronavirus shutdown. Aside from cleaning crews methodically disinfecting the building, there is only one hub of activity in Missouri’s Statehouse: the second-floor offices of …
As the COVID-19 virus continues to dominate headlines, it remains at the center of many of our thoughts and conversations. These are certainly trying times for all of us. As I write this report, there have only been nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the three counties that make up the 32nd Senatorial District. I …
Assisting Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19 For this week’s column, I want to focus on how the COVID-19 situation is affecting small businesses in our state. I believe this pandemic has taken a toll on our state’s business community, and unfortunately, it has even caused people to lose their jobs. Earlier this month, the governor, …
Combating the Coronavirus The COVID-19 virus continues to spread throughout Missouri, and we now have more than 1,300 cases reported statewide, including dozens within the eight counties of the 21st Senatorial District. The State of Missouri and local officials continue to adapt to this rapidly changing public health emergency and enlist all Missourians to do …
What the Federal Coronavirus Relief Bill Means to You Last week, Congress passed a $2 trillion relief package to help combat the pandemic caused by the coronavirus. This bill is massive, but I want to highlight some key details for individuals, small businesses and others throughout our state. For individuals: Unemployment insurance payments will be …
Senator Bill Eigel Announces Extension of Nomination Deadline for Lieutenant Governor’s Senior Service Awards JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, would like to announce the lieutenant governor is postponing the nomination deadline for the 2020 Senior Service Awards due to the COVID-19 virus. He is extending the nomination deadline to May 1, …
Protecting Missourians from Danger As the coronavirus continues to take a toll on our country, Missouri, like many other states, is seeing a growing number of daily confirmed cases of the virus. I believe this increase is a result, in part, of more people being tested for the virus. As we continue to learn more …
Senator Brian Williams’ Weekly COVID-19 Updates for March 30, 2020 The situation concerning the COVID-19 virus is constantly changing in our state. On a nearly daily basis, our governor is providing updates on how the state is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is also providing daily updates …
COVID-19 Information for the Week of March 23, 2020 Update on Coronavirus in Missouri On March 21, the governor directed the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to require social distancing statewide. In accordance with guidelines from the president and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every person in Missouri must …
Independence vs. Collectivism “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – The Apostle Paul, writing to his friend Timothy With daily press briefings and updated Covid-19 case numbers, it seems little else has occupied the press. I trust all of us are paying …
The number of Missourians infected with the COVID-19 virus continues to rise with each passing day. At the moment I prepare this report, no cases have been reported in the eight counties of the 33rd Senatorial District, but I suspect that will change over time. The total number of positive tests for the coronavirus in …
Responding to the Coronavirus According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), there have been several confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Missouri, including here in Jackson County. This is a difficult time for our community, our state and our nation, but it’s important to stay calm and stay informed. If we manage …
Slam on the Spring Brakes! Spring brakes are more of a reality than breaks this year as communities and the nation continue to grapple with the latest news regarding COVID-19. Instead of trips to sunny destinations or a long weekend away, students and workers alike are hitting the brakes on most activities and staying home. …
Missouri Responds to the Virus Nearly two weeks after declaring a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic, the governor is now seeking a federal disaster declaration for Missouri. The governor has requested assistance from the U.S. government as the numbers of infected people in our state continues to rise. As I prepare this …
Senator Karla May Calls for Immediate Action to Combat Coronavirus Spread JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Karla May, D-St. Louis, is calling for the immediate implementation of a 4-point plan to help contain the spread of the coronavirus throughout Missouri. “Two days ago, 31-years-old Jazmond Dixon became the first known, St. Louis City casualty of …
State Leaders Working to Stop the Spread The events of the past month regarding the spread of the virus known as COVID-19 have been shocking to say the least. From the news stories highlighting the shortage of medical supplies, to the stressful trips to the grocery store, to the shutdown of our schools and churches …
Keeping Our Distance On March 21, the governor instructed all Missourians to practice social distancing in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus in our state. Specifically, the governor asks us to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, to take advantage of carry-out and delivery options instead of dining in restaurants or bars, …
Update on the Coronavirus The spread of the coronavirus across the Show-Me State has caused major disruptions in our day-to-day lives. Schools are closed, most churches have suspended services and many mass gatherings are banned. A look around the neighborhood grocery store reveals empty shelves and some worried faces. It’s true we’re facing some difficult …
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Senator Koenig Provides an Update on COVID-19 The events of the past month regarding the spread of the virus known as COVID-19 have been shocking to say the least. Like myself and my family, I’m sure many of you are following the current situation regarding the spread of the virus in …
Making the Best of a Bad Situation There are a lot of advantages to living in rural Missouri. Fortunately, for the most part, many of the stresses that affect people who live in more populated areas are completely unknown to us. However, I believe this has changed, and in an incredibly short amount of time. …
Providing an Update on the State’s Response to COVID-19 Like many of you, I am closely watching our state’s response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These are trying times for all of us. As our state and community leaders work to stop the spread of this pandemic, I wanted to provide you with …
Senator Jill Schupp Requests State Seek CMS Waiver to Save Lives, Maximize Use of Personal Protection Equipment and Slow the Spread of COVID-19 in Missouri Jefferson City – State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in working with hospitals and physicians, has contacted the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services requesting that the state seek …
To Defeat a Virus What a difference a week or two makes. It wasn’t long ago that many Americans had never heard of a coronavirus. Some of us were aware China was battling an infectious respiratory disease, but the danger seemed a world away. Now, the COVID-19 virus has arrived on our shores and everything …
COVID-19 Information for the Week of March 16, 2020 Update on Coronavirus in Missouri On March 13, the governor signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in response to the spread of the coronavirus. This will provide the state more flexibility in responding to the coronavirus and allow the state to access additional …
Commonsense Precautions Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic Although government agencies and federal, state and local officials are implementing various mandatory and voluntary emergency procedures in response to the pandemic, the most important factor in not contracting or spreading COVID-19 is us. The simple truth is you have to come into contact with the virus to …
Working to Stop the Spread The events of the past month regarding the spread of the virus known as COVID-19 have been shocking to say the least. From the news stories, the frantic rushes to the grocery store and the shutdown of our schools and churches, these are certainly trying times for all of us. …
Like many other Missourians I’ve been taken back by the sacrifices Americans are being asked to make to reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Our public health officials tell us that we’re facing a potential crisis unlike anything we’ve seen since the days of polio, smallpox or the great influenza epidemic …
Slowing the Spread The Senate has been in recess this past week as our leadership extended our previously scheduled spring hiatus out of concern for the coronavirus. That means that, like you, I’ve been at home practicing my social distancing skills and trying to learn as much as I can about this global pandemic. The …
Combatting the Coronavirus The first case of the coronavirus in Missouri was identified on March 7, 2020. Since then, several more cases have been confirmed around the state, but there’s no reason to panic. Medical professionals and other officials at the federal, state and local levels are monitoring the situation in an effort to keep …