ELAINE G. HERSHLEY
Violet Dawn (Galbreath) Goodpastor
Michael Wesley Masoner
Want to Help? Get out your Sewing Machine and make a Mask
All School Sports Events are cancelled or postponed for at least two weeks
Unemployment claims up as COVID-19 cases in Missouri rise above 300
Claire Colby
Missouri News Network
A day after requesting help from the federal government to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Mike Parson shared details about the state’s response.
Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services has confirmed 356 cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon.
In Wednesday’s briefing, Parson touched on unemployment, agriculture, federal response and personal protective equipment.
In the past week, the number of unemployment claims filed with the state reached 30% of the total number of claims made in all of 2019, Missouri Department of Labor Director Anna Hui said. Hui said the department would work with employers to help process mass unemployment claims.
Parson also addressed farmers, truck drivers, restaurant and grocery store employees and others involved with food production across Missouri.
"I want everyone in or involved in the food industry to know that your work has never been more important," he said. "Obviously, employee safety and public safety is our first priority. If you're sick, stay at home. However, if you're able to work, we need you at your farm, your truck, grocery store and everywhere else to keep doing your jobs and keep our products on American shelves."
After announcing Tuesday that Missouri would move $18 million to cover personal protective equipment for first responders, Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten announced that the State Emergency Management Agency had sent out equipment to 100 first responder agencies and long-term care facilities across the state.
Parson also mentioned the request he sent to President Donald Trump on Tuesday that would declare Missouri to be in a "major disaster." The declaration would unlock Federal Emergency Management Agency funds and relief, which Parson said would go to several key priorities.
In the request, Parson asked for two programs statewide: Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Crisis Counseling under FEMA's individual assistance program.
Parson also requested FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to assist local governments and nonprofits with emergency response expenses. He also asked for FEMA help with debris removal expenses if needed for the disposal of waste related to COVID-19, according to the statement.
"Although it is continuing to develop, it’s already clear the COVID-19 pandemic will have a more sweeping impact on the entire state of Missouri than any other previous disaster that has affected our citizens," Parson said in a statement. "There is an urgent need for federal assistance to help Missouri families meet today’s challenges and the many more that we will face."
In Wednesday’s news conference, Parson also said he had spoke with officials at Missouri State University about potentially using dorms to house first responders and doctors who had been exposed to the virus.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a devastating effect on the state of Missouri, straining hospitals, health care facilities and nursing homes, businesses large and small, schools, and tens of thousands of Missourians who have been forced out of their jobs," Parson said in the statement.
If approved, Missouri would join Iowa, California, Washington, Louisiana and New York as states with a federally recognized major disaster status.
On March 13, Parson declared a state of emergency in Missouri. Several cities across the state, including Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City have already adopted stay-at-home orders.
For more COVID-19 related news, see our section dedicated to COVID-19 updates.
Weston • Platte County • Missouri
Lori Mathews is making masks for health care workers - she started last week and has made 200! Here are her instructions. Say goodbye to your high thread count sheets...
Use fabric that is100% cotton that is tightly woven needs to be used for for comfort as well as protection. I am placing a 3rd layer inside that is 300 count. (This would be like a high quality sheet).
The 3 fabrics are cut at 6x9 and then two strips that are cut at 1.5 inches wide by width of fabric (which is 41-42 inches)for the two straps.
Be sure to include three pleats on each side of he mask
The straps needed to be folded to the center and folded again to secure any raw edges and stitched to the side of the mask. Elastic is in short supply and will not hold up to the repeated washings so the straps are necessary.
One side should be light and the other side darker(or different) so if the mask is taken off they will be able to determine which side was on the outside. These are currently CDC compliant but should be placed over a N95 mask if possible. Contact Lori at lori.mathews4@gmail.com
Check out a few of the stories in this week's Weston Chronicle!
West Platte Hires New Coaches
School Feeding Kids
Tami Weaver Hired as new City Clerk
Three more city workers hired
UPDATES
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