Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.

Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships: <a href="https://t.co/qzKAS4McEI">https://t.co/qzKAS4McEI</a> <a href="https://t.co/G6XreZx35E">pic.twitter.com/G6XreZx35E</a>&mdash; NCAA (@NCAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAA/status/1238197201928667136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

NCAA cancels March Madness, all winter and spring championships

Columbia, Mo.- Upon the recommendation from the Green County Director of Public Health and in consultation with Missouri State University, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) will be making adjustments to the access allowed at this weekend’s Show-Me Showdown.

With a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state and concern for the safety of all who will be working and attending the Show-Me Showdown, each school will be given 150 wristbands to distribute to its fans base. Only fans that have been given a wristband will be allowed in the arena. The distribution of the wristbands will be the responsibility of the school. Only essential school personnel will be allowed access to the arena as well. Any tickets previously purchased are now void. The MSHSAA Office will work with the participating schools on any reimbursements that need to be made.

In addition to the limit on spectators, other elements involved with the Show-Me Showdown have been cancelled. All entertainment groups and recognitions have been cancelled. There  will also be no third-place games played, only the semifinals and championship games.

All games from this weekend will be streamed at www.MSHSAA.tv.

Working media members with previously approved credentials will have access to the games.

“We understand the unexpected hurdles this creates for our schools and fans, and apologize for the inconveniences it has caused. We wish the best of luck to all of our teams and a safe and healthy return home,” said Dr. Kerwin Urhnan, MSHSAA Executive Director.

Columbia, Mo.- Upon the recommendation from the Green County Director of Public Health and in consultation with Missouri State University, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) will be making adjustments to the access allowed at this weekend’s Show-Me Showdown.With a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state and concern for the safety of all who will be working and attending the Show-Me Showdown, each school will be given 150 wristbands to distribute to its fans base. Only fans that have been given a wristband will be allowed in the arena. The distribution of the wristbands will be the responsibility of the school. Only essential school personnel will be allowed access to the arena as well. Any tickets previously purchased are now void. The MSHSAA Office will work with the participating schools on any reimbursements that need to be made.In addition to the limit on spectators, other elements involved with the Show-Me Showdown have been cancelled. All entertainment groups and recognitions have been cancelled. There will also be no third-place games played, only the semifinals and championship games.All games from this weekend will be streamed at www.MSHSAA.tv.Working media members with previously approved credentials will have access to the games.“We understand the unexpected hurdles this creates for our schools and fans, and apologize for the inconveniences it has caused. We wish the best of luck to all of our teams and a safe and healthy return home,” said Dr. Kerwin Urhnan, MSHSAA Executive Director.--- MSHSAA Release ---

MSHSAA to limit spectators allowed at state basketball tournaments

Mosaic Life Care officials in St. Joseph report Thursday morning, there are&nbsp;no confirmed cases of COVID-19.

<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5e685390afae0f4d5f5caf86">On Tuesday</a>, Mosaic officials confirmed that&nbsp;six people had met the criteria to be tested for the coronavirus.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Davin Turner says if you believe you've come in contact with someone who may have coronavirus symptoms to call your health care provider or the health department to discuss it first.

The state Department of Health and Senior Services launched a 24-hour hotline staffed my medical professionals. DHSS said residents and medical providers needing advice on the coronavirus can call 877-435-8411 at any time on any day. It said the phone number became active Wednesday morning.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care officials in St. Joseph report Thursday morning, there are&nbsp;no confirmed cases of COVID-19.<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5e685390afae0f4d5f5caf86">On Tuesday</a>, Mosaic officials confirmed that&nbsp;six people had met the criteria to be tested for the coronavirus.Chief Medical Officer Dr. Davin Turner says if you believe you've come in contact with someone who may have coronavirus symptoms to call your health care provider or the health department to discuss it first.The state Department of Health and Senior Services launched a 24-hour hotline staffed my medical professionals. DHSS said residents and medical providers needing advice on the coronavirus can call 877-435-8411 at any time on any day. It said the phone number became active Wednesday morning.

No confirmed cases of coronavirus at Mosaic

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is urging consumers to use caution against scams involving COVID-19.

“In any unsettled times, whether it be the aftermath of a devastating storm or in this case the spread of a new virus, there are those who choose to take advantage of the public’s apprehension and uncertainty,” Schmidt said in a news release Thursday. “With all the discussion and disruption in reaction to COVID-19, Kansans should be particularly vigilant for scammers and should know that our office is here to help if needed.”

Kansans should be on alert for scams related to the COVID-19 virus, more commonly known as the coronavirus, which originated in the Wuhan province of China and has now spread to the United States. These scams could include bogus products advertised as coronavirus prevention measures or treatments as well as bogus charities purporting to raise money for coronavirus research or to support coronavirus patients. Schmidt said his office has received reports of these sorts of scams circulating in Kansas.

Any Kansans who have problems with scams may file a complaint with the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division at<a href="http://www.inyourcornerkansas.org/">www.InYourCornerKansas.org</a>&nbsp;or call (800) 432-2310 for more information.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583409290272.jpeg" alt="Kansas AG Derek Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Kansas AG Derek Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is urging consumers to use caution against scams involving COVID-19.“In any unsettled times, whether it be the aftermath of a devastating storm or in this case the spread of a new virus, there are those who choose to take advantage of the public’s apprehension and uncertainty,” Schmidt said in a news release Thursday. “With all the discussion and disruption in reaction to COVID-19, Kansans should be particularly vigilant for scammers and should know that our office is here to help if needed.”Kansans should be on alert for scams related to the COVID-19 virus, more commonly known as the coronavirus, which originated in the Wuhan province of China and has now spread to the United States. These scams could include bogus products advertised as coronavirus prevention measures or treatments as well as bogus charities purporting to raise money for coronavirus research or to support coronavirus patients. Schmidt said his office has received reports of these sorts of scams circulating in Kansas.Any Kansans who have problems with scams may file a complaint with the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division at<a href="http://www.inyourcornerkansas.org/">www.InYourCornerKansas.org</a>&nbsp;or call (800) 432-2310 for more information.&nbsp;

Kansas AG warns against coronavirus scams

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is shutting the Capitol and all House and Senate office buildings to the public until April in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak. The House and Senate sergeants at arms said in a statement the closure will begin at 5 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. Lawmakers, aides, journalists and official visitors will be allowed into the buildings. 

The statement says officials are acting “out of concern for the health and safety" of congressional employees and the public. The officials say they're responding to the advice of District of Columbia health officials and of Congress' own doctors. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers are expressing alarm after a private briefing on Capitol Hill with public health officials. Lawmakers are particularly frustrated that U.S. officials have tested relatively few patients suspected to be infected. 

“We’re basically, in my opinion, flying blind," said Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev. Others described the meeting as heated, testy with many lawmakers leaving flooded with graver concerns about the administration's response.

“We should be exuding confidence nationally,” said Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif. “The confusion is damaging.”

The House is expected to vote later Thursday on a multibillion-dollar aid package. It aims to provide free testing for the coronavirus, paid sick leave and strengthened unemployment insurance. Congress has decided to shut the Capitol to the public until April. And White House tours have been temporarily suspended.&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is shutting the Capitol and all House and Senate office buildings to the public until April in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak. The House and Senate sergeants at arms said in a statement the closure will begin at 5 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. Lawmakers, aides, journalists and official visitors will be allowed into the buildings. The statement says officials are acting “out of concern for the health and safety" of congressional employees and the public. The officials say they're responding to the advice of District of Columbia health officials and of Congress' own doctors. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.------------WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers are expressing alarm after a private briefing on Capitol Hill with public health officials. Lawmakers are particularly frustrated that U.S. officials have tested relatively few patients suspected to be infected. “We’re basically, in my opinion, flying blind," said Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev. Others described the meeting as heated, testy with many lawmakers leaving flooded with graver concerns about the administration's response.“We should be exuding confidence nationally,” said Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif. “The confusion is damaging.”The House is expected to vote later Thursday on a multibillion-dollar aid package. It aims to provide free testing for the coronavirus, paid sick leave and strengthened unemployment insurance. Congress has decided to shut the Capitol to the public until April. And White House tours have been temporarily suspended.&nbsp;

White House tours suspended and Capitol to close to public

Kansas State University President Richard B. Myers released the following statement early Thursday&nbsp;

Currently, much of the K-State community is dispersed throughout the nation and globe during spring break. When everyone returns to campus the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus will increase. With careful planning and guidance from public health officials, there are prudent steps we can take to mitigate this risk and protect our campus and local communities.

The concept of social distancing has been shown to slow a disease outbreak during times of concern with pandemics. This means we reduce the number of times and places that people gather in large numbers or spend extensive time together. By slowing the spread of the disease, medical facilities are better able to handle the demand, which saves lives in the long run.

In order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 after spring break, we are taking these immediate steps:

These social distancing steps are admittedly inconvenient but have proven to be effective in other locations and will help safeguard the greater good for all. I know each of us will act responsibly to help us protect the entire K-State family and the local communities that are home to our campuses. We can meet this challenge with the strength and resiliency our university has demonstrated for over 150 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Please check our website on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/">coronavirus disease (COVID-19)</a>&nbsp;for the latest information. If you have a specific question please email&nbsp;covid19@ksu.edu.

Kansas State University President Richard B. Myers released the following statement early Thursday&nbsp;Dear K-State Community:Currently, much of the K-State community is dispersed throughout the nation and globe during spring break. When everyone returns to campus the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus will increase. With careful planning and guidance from public health officials, there are prudent steps we can take to mitigate this risk and protect our campus and local communities.The concept of social distancing has been shown to slow a disease outbreak during times of concern with pandemics. This means we reduce the number of times and places that people gather in large numbers or spend extensive time together. By slowing the spread of the disease, medical facilities are better able to handle the demand, which saves lives in the long run.In order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 after spring break, we are taking these immediate steps:<ol>
 <li>K-State will suspend in-person classes at all campuses the week March 16-20.&nbsp;Online classes will be held as scheduled.&nbsp;During this time students are strongly encouraged to travel home or remain at home and spend the week there, if possible. For those who cannot go home, our campuses will remain open and services will be available such as student health, residence halls and dining halls. The situation may change very rapidly, based on what we’ve seen in other areas.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Beginning March 23, classes will be taught remotely (not in person) until further notice.&nbsp;The suspension of classes March 16-20 provides time for faculty members to prepare to move classes online or to teach through other alternative methods. While completing classes remotely, students are strongly encouraged to remain at their permanent homes away from campus, unless they cannot return home due to travel restrictions, financial burden, or lack of reliable internet access. We are working to accommodate learning that typically takes place in laboratories and other in-person situations. Our success will depend on the creativity and resourcefulness of our students and faculty, in which we have great faith. &nbsp;We will provide at least one week’s notice before in-person classes resume, per Kansas Board of Regents guidance.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Telecommuting may be an option for some employees.&nbsp;We have published&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/faq.html#telecommute">initial guidance for relaxed policies</a>&nbsp;and ask unit heads to determine who may be eligible to work off-campus.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Visitors are urged to postpone campus visits during this time.&nbsp;We strongly encourage visitors to reschedule planned trips to our campuses and recommend postponing previously scheduled visits. Please keep in mind that international travelers arriving from CDC-designated Level 3 countries are subject to a 14-day quarantine period.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Veterinary medicine students who are involved in clinical rotations or clinical work will receive further guidance from the College of Veterinary Medicine.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Polytechnic students who are involved in flight training or the maintenance program will receive further guidance from the College of Technology and Aviation.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Large campus community events (more than 100 people) will be handled on a case-by-case basis.&nbsp;We strongly encourage campus units to cancel events with more than 100 persons between now and March 30, please be prepared for the situation to change rapidly. Student events occurring between now and March 30 should be postponed or moved to another format. Athletic events will follow Big 12 guidance.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li><a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/travel.html">Travel policies</a>&nbsp;have not changed at this time.&nbsp; All university-sponsored international travel is banned to CDC warning level 3 or U.S. State Department Travel Advisory level 4 countries. There are no mandated restrictions for university-affiliated or sponsored domestic travel at this time, but we ask you to consider the potential risks for you and others and the possibility of trip disruption. As conditions evolve, further restrictions may be added.</li>
 </ol>These social distancing steps are admittedly inconvenient but have proven to be effective in other locations and will help safeguard the greater good for all. I know each of us will act responsibly to help us protect the entire K-State family and the local communities that are home to our campuses. We can meet this challenge with the strength and resiliency our university has demonstrated for over 150 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Please check our website on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/">coronavirus disease (COVID-19)</a>&nbsp;for the latest information. If you have a specific question please email&nbsp;covid19@ksu.edu.

K-State suspends in-person classes starting March 16

KANSAS CITY —Due to rising concerns over coronavirus, organizers&nbsp; made the difficult decision early Thursday to cancel the 2020 Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade, according the parade web site.

"For 48 years, the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a tradition for families, businesses, organizations and so many more. But, with the rapid developments that have occurred over the last 24 hours including the announcement from the World Health Organization and the President’s address to the nation, we feel that the most responsible thing we can do is cancel the parade.

We will spend the next 24 hours regrouping and discussing the plan for moving forward."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584013193851.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Due to rising concerns over coronavirus, organizers&nbsp; made the difficult decision early Thursday to cancel the 2020 Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade, according the parade web site."For 48 years, the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a tradition for families, businesses, organizations and so many more. But, with the rapid developments that have occurred over the last 24 hours including the announcement from the World Health Organization and the President’s address to the nation, we feel that the most responsible thing we can do is cancel the parade.We will spend the next 24 hours regrouping and discussing the plan for moving forward."

Organizers cancel Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade over coronavirus

Northwest
Missouri State University will, in effect, extend spring break.

Northwest
officials have announced they are postponing the resumption of classes on the
Maryville campus as well as on the Northwest-Kansas City campus due to concerns
about COVID-19.

 Northwest plans to resume classes on Monday, March 23rd. &nbsp;&nbsp;Though students are on spring break, the Maryville
campus remains open. University employees have been told to report to work as
usual.

Dorms
will open Sunday afternoon at one o’clock for students who choose to return to
campus. Student cafeterias will offer scaled-back services.

“This is truly a unique situation that, as we have seen, is
evolving in unpredictable ways,” Northwest President John Jasinski said in an
email sent to the Northwest community. “As Bearcats, we will continue to adapt
and ask that you continue to demonstrate what it means to be a Bearcat by
learning, connecting, caring, practicing civility and showing pride in
Northwest.” 

St.
Joseph school officials say students will be sent home after classes today with
instructional materials and district-issued technology in
case the coronavirus causes an extended absence from classes.

Officials
say they are taking the steps as a proactive measure only.

Spring
break begins at the end of the school day today.

St.
Joseph school officials say the district has had a pandemic crisis action plan
in place for 10 years and they update it regularly. The St. Joseph School
District maintenance department has scheduled a deep disinfection of schools
for next week, during the spring break when the buildings will be empty. Apple Bus
Company has planned cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of all of its buses
during the break.

The state launched a
telephone hotline staffed by medical professionals for people seeking guidance
on the new coronavirus. The state health department said people can call
877-435-8411 at any time on any day. 

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthwest
Missouri State University will, in effect, extend spring break.Northwest
officials have announced they are postponing the resumption of classes on the
Maryville campus as well as on the Northwest-Kansas City campus due to concerns
about COVID-19. Northwest plans to resume classes on Monday, March 23rd. &nbsp;&nbsp;Though students are on spring break, the Maryville
campus remains open. University employees have been told to report to work as
usual.Dorms
will open Sunday afternoon at one o’clock for students who choose to return to
campus. Student cafeterias will offer scaled-back services.“This is truly a unique situation that, as we have seen, is
evolving in unpredictable ways,” Northwest President John Jasinski said in an
email sent to the Northwest community. “As Bearcats, we will continue to adapt
and ask that you continue to demonstrate what it means to be a Bearcat by
learning, connecting, caring, practicing civility and showing pride in
Northwest.” St.
Joseph school officials say students will be sent home after classes today with
instructional materials and district-issued technology in
case the coronavirus causes an extended absence from classes.Officials
say they are taking the steps as a proactive measure only.Spring
break begins at the end of the school day today.St.
Joseph school officials say the district has had a pandemic crisis action plan
in place for 10 years and they update it regularly. The St. Joseph School
District maintenance department has scheduled a deep disinfection of schools
for next week, during the spring break when the buildings will be empty. Apple Bus
Company has planned cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of all of its buses
during the break.The state launched a
telephone hotline staffed by medical professionals for people seeking guidance
on the new coronavirus. The state health department said people can call
877-435-8411 at any time on any day. The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Northwest Missouri State extends spring break on COVID-19 concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is suspending all travel between the U.S. and Europe for 30 days beginning Friday as he seeks to combat a viral pandemic.

Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the “foreign virus” and saying U.S. clusters were “seeded” by European travelers.

“We made a lifesaving move with early action on China,” Trump said. “Now we must take the same action with Europe.”

Trump said the restrictions won’t apply to the United Kingdom and the U.S. would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier.

Trump said he was also directing agencies to provide unspecified financial relief for “for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus,” and asked Congress to take action to extend it.

Trump said the U.S. will will defer tax payments for some individual and business filers for three months to lessen the impacts of the virus outbreak. He said the Small Business Administration will also make low-interest loans available to businesses to help them weather the storm.

“This is not a financial crisis,” he said. “This just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome together as a nation and as a world.”

Trump also reiterated his call on Congress to pass a cut to the federal payroll tax in order to stimulate the economy.

Trump said “we are marshaling the full power” of the government and private sector to protect the American people.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583975573611.png" alt="President Trump during Wednesday's Oval Office address -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during Wednesday's Oval Office address -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is suspending all travel between the U.S. and Europe for 30 days beginning Friday as he seeks to combat a viral pandemic.Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the “foreign virus” and saying U.S. clusters were “seeded” by European travelers.“We made a lifesaving move with early action on China,” Trump said. “Now we must take the same action with Europe.”Trump said the restrictions won’t apply to the United Kingdom and the U.S. would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier.Trump said he was also directing agencies to provide unspecified financial relief for “for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus,” and asked Congress to take action to extend it.Trump said the U.S. will will defer tax payments for some individual and business filers for three months to lessen the impacts of the virus outbreak. He said the Small Business Administration will also make low-interest loans available to businesses to help them weather the storm.“This is not a financial crisis,” he said. “This just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome together as a nation and as a world.”Trump also reiterated his call on Congress to pass a cut to the federal payroll tax in order to stimulate the economy.Trump said “we are marshaling the full power” of the government and private sector to protect the American people.

Coronavirus battle: Trump suspends travel between US and Europe

A message from University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod and Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer to students, faculty and staff

KU leaders have been closely monitoring the spread of&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.ku.edu/">COVID-19</a>. We know that some members of the Jayhawk community have been in areas with reported cases, and we don’t expect to be immune from this virus. We have a strong team that is assessing conditions regionally and across the nation and is making recommendations guided by the following principles:

Delayed Resumption of In-person Classes Until March 23

To help protect the health of all members of our community, including those who may be at higher risk of the effects of COVID-19,&nbsp;the resumption of in-person classes will be delayed until March 23.

Next week, March 16-22, we ask that faculty prepare to transition their course content, including lectures, to online instructional platforms, such as Blackboard. Every KU course already has an existing Blackboard shell available for faculty to start the process. Beginning the week of March 23, courses will be taught remotely using online tools. We anticipate needing to stay online for several weeks, however, our team will reassess the need to continue remote-only instruction each week, starting March 28.&nbsp;There will be no schedule change to courses already online.

This approach limits in-person exposure after spring break to align with the estimated COVID-19 incubation period, and allows faculty members a modest amount of time to prepare and begin the transition to online instruction. It also keeps the university functioning and helps students continue toward their educational goals.

We understand moving instruction to a solely online format will be a heavy lift for some faculty. Resources are available so no faculty member needs to make this online transition alone. KU Information Technology’s Ed Tech team, Center for Teaching Excellence, Center for Online and Distance Learning, and Office of Faculty Development and Mentoring are engaged in this process and will be available with guidance, instruction and tutorials. The team has created a new site —&nbsp;<a href="http://remote.ku.edu/">remote.ku.edu</a>&nbsp;— that provides guidance for those who are new to Blackboard, as well as next steps for faculty who are ready to do more. Individual guidance will also be available. Instructors and staff are encouraged to use Skype or Zoom to interact with students for office hours or appointments.

Faculty and instructional staff:&nbsp;You can get help to start online adaptation of courses by contacting KU IT Educational Technology Support,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:itedtech@ku.edu">itedtech@ku.edu</a>, 785-864-2600. The team will assess each faculty member’s situation and either assist with Blackboard migration or refer instructors to more specialized consulting available through the Center for Online and Distance Learning.

Students:&nbsp;In the days ahead, look for a message from your instructors about what you might expect for your courses. If online learning is new to you, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://remote.ku.edu/guide">remote.ku.edu</a>&nbsp;for a basic guide and resources to get you started. Instructors and advisors may also use tech tools, such as Skype or Zoom as an alternative for in-person meetings or office hours.

While we move courses online, it is important to know we are keeping campus open and operating normally so we can continue to provide services to students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders.

All KU Student Housing buildings (residence halls, scholarship halls, apartments) and KU Dining venues will be open. We are encouraging students to stay home as they work on their courses. We recognize some students may need to remain on campus because they are prevented from returning home due to travel restrictions, or they need access to computers and reliable Internet service needed to complete work.

Students,&nbsp;do not return to campus if:

If any of these apply, be sure to inform your instructors of your situation.

Faculty and staff are expected to report to work unless:

Supervisors should exercise judgement and flexibility when considering requests for alternate work schedules or to telecommute, which includes requests from student employees and consideration of required staffing levels.

We notice that many national meetings have already been canceled. Out of an abundance of caution,&nbsp;all university sponsored domestic and international business-related travel and attendance at meetings, conferences, etc., is to be discontinued, effective immediately.&nbsp;Business-related travel in and around Kansas and Missouri is excluded from this restriction. Please do not make new plans for business travel during the next 60 days. Under extreme circumstances, exemptions to the travel restriction will be considered in advance by the provost or her designee. Travel appeals should be sent to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:provost@ku.edu?subject=Travel%20Appeal">provost@ku.edu</a>.

Human Resource Management is preparing concise information to share with you about a variety of topics, including time-off policies, contingency preparations, remote work opportunities and more, which will be posted on the web soon. You should feel free to contact the office directly,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hrdept@ku.edu">hrdept@ku.edu</a>, or 785-864-4946.

Interviewing Prospective Employees/Students

Spring is an important time to hire new faculty and staff as well as to engage with prospective graduate students. We encourage faculty and staff to use Skype, as much as possible, to limit in-person contact and travel as you conduct interviews. Please reach out to KU IT,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:itcsc@ku.edu">itcsc@ku.edu</a>, 785-864-8080, if you need assistance with these technologies.

Effective immediately, university sponsored events will be limited to no more than 50 participants. Mission-critical exemptions to the attendance limit must be approved by the provost or her designee. Appeals should be sent in advance to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:provost@ku.edu?subject=Event%20Attendance%20Appeal">provost@ku.edu</a>.

The Centers for Disease Control has yet to provide guidance on maximum event size, although it offers important&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html">advice to planners</a>. When an event is taking place, planners should communicate to visitors and participants the importance of exercising their personal discretion. Please advise individuals not to attend if they fall into a category recommended for quarantine, they have underlying chronic health conditions, or they are sick. Our Public Health Planning Events Workgroup is continuing to develop plans and will provide more detailed guidance soon.

Please be sure to take care of yourself. Each of us plays an important role in maintaining our personal health, which in turn helps protect our broader community. Please continue to follow CDC recommendations to prevent spread of COVID-19 shared earlier by&nbsp;<a href="https://studenthealth.ku.edu/coronavirus">Watkins Health Services</a>. Taking action that aims to limit exposure of Jayhawks to the virus will help ensure our collective health and safety. Employees who are sick and who lack sufficient paid time off, should contact HR about the potential for using shared leave.

Our Public Health Planning Team continues to evaluate many other important questions, and we will be able to provide answers for those matters in the days ahead. This website will help keep you current.

This is a challenging time for our campus, our families and our community, and it is a time that may require additional bold measures. It will take all of us working together to ensure we emerge stronger. It also will require us to, fundamentally, be empathetic to each other, understanding we are all working through this evolving situation together. We’re confident we have the talent, the resources and the heart to rise to this challenge.

A message from University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod and Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer to students, faculty and staff<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Due to coronavirus concerns, KU is delaying the resumption of in-person classes following spring break. Starting Monday, March 23, all classes will be held online until further notice. Details at <a href="https://t.co/raPttxxz8z">https://t.co/raPttxxz8z</a>.&mdash; The University of Kansas (@UnivOfKansas) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnivOfKansas/status/1237921278532694016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>KU leaders have been closely monitoring the spread of&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.ku.edu/">COVID-19</a>. We know that some members of the Jayhawk community have been in areas with reported cases, and we don’t expect to be immune from this virus. We have a strong team that is assessing conditions regionally and across the nation and is making recommendations guided by the following principles:<ol>
 <li>Keep KU open so it can provide services to the fullest extent possible given unprecedented circumstances.</li><li>Maintain continuity of operations that support the academic and research missions of the university.</li><li>Prevent the spread of the disease at KU and beyond.</li><li>Protect members of the KU community through self-quarantine and social distancing, especially the three groups at greatest risk:those who may have been exposed,those who have chronic health challenges,those who are currently sick.</li><li>those who may have been exposed,</li><li>those who have chronic health challenges,</li><li>those who are currently sick.</li><li>Encourage all members of the KU community to be informed and practice healthy behaviors by following CDC recommendations.</li><li>Protect equity for our most vulnerable employees and students, as much as possible, as we respond to the situation.</li><li>Respond with agility to the fluid and changing nature of the situation.</li><li>Provide clear communications to all members of the KU community.</li><li>Provide exceptions for mission-critical activities on a case-by-case basis.</li>
 </ol><h2>Delayed Resumption of In-person Classes Until March 23</h2>To help protect the health of all members of our community, including those who may be at higher risk of the effects of COVID-19,&nbsp;the resumption of in-person classes will be delayed until March 23.Next week, March 16-22, we ask that faculty prepare to transition their course content, including lectures, to online instructional platforms, such as Blackboard. Every KU course already has an existing Blackboard shell available for faculty to start the process. Beginning the week of March 23, courses will be taught remotely using online tools. We anticipate needing to stay online for several weeks, however, our team will reassess the need to continue remote-only instruction each week, starting March 28.&nbsp;There will be no schedule change to courses already online.This approach limits in-person exposure after spring break to align with the estimated COVID-19 incubation period, and allows faculty members a modest amount of time to prepare and begin the transition to online instruction. It also keeps the university functioning and helps students continue toward their educational goals.We understand moving instruction to a solely online format will be a heavy lift for some faculty. Resources are available so no faculty member needs to make this online transition alone. KU Information Technology’s Ed Tech team, Center for Teaching Excellence, Center for Online and Distance Learning, and Office of Faculty Development and Mentoring are engaged in this process and will be available with guidance, instruction and tutorials. The team has created a new site —&nbsp;<a href="http://remote.ku.edu/">remote.ku.edu</a>&nbsp;— that provides guidance for those who are new to Blackboard, as well as next steps for faculty who are ready to do more. Individual guidance will also be available. Instructors and staff are encouraged to use Skype or Zoom to interact with students for office hours or appointments.Faculty and instructional staff:&nbsp;You can get help to start online adaptation of courses by contacting KU IT Educational Technology Support,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:itedtech@ku.edu">itedtech@ku.edu</a>, 785-864-2600. The team will assess each faculty member’s situation and either assist with Blackboard migration or refer instructors to more specialized consulting available through the Center for Online and Distance Learning.Students:&nbsp;In the days ahead, look for a message from your instructors about what you might expect for your courses. If online learning is new to you, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://remote.ku.edu/guide">remote.ku.edu</a>&nbsp;for a basic guide and resources to get you started. Instructors and advisors may also use tech tools, such as Skype or Zoom as an alternative for in-person meetings or office hours.<h2>Campus Remains Open</h2>While we move courses online, it is important to know we are keeping campus open and operating normally so we can continue to provide services to students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders.All KU Student Housing buildings (residence halls, scholarship halls, apartments) and KU Dining venues will be open. We are encouraging students to stay home as they work on their courses. We recognize some students may need to remain on campus because they are prevented from returning home due to travel restrictions, or they need access to computers and reliable Internet service needed to complete work.Students,&nbsp;do not return to campus if:<ol>
 <li>You are sick.</li><li>You have a chronic health condition that puts you at greater risk of the effects of COVID-19.</li><li>You have traveled internationally or domestically to areas with outbreaks, or have potentially been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If this is the case, please self-isolate or quarantine yourself for 14 days and call your healthcare provider for guidance.</li>
 </ol>If any of these apply, be sure to inform your instructors of your situation.Faculty and staff are expected to report to work unless:<ol>
 <li>You have been advised to self-isolate or quarantine because of travel or potential exposure.</li><li>You have chronic health conditions or are in another at-risk group considered more susceptible to COVID-19.</li><li>You are sick.</li>
 </ol>Supervisors should exercise judgement and flexibility when considering requests for alternate work schedules or to telecommute, which includes requests from student employees and consideration of required staffing levels.<h2>University Sponsored Travel</h2>We notice that many national meetings have already been canceled. Out of an abundance of caution,&nbsp;all university sponsored domestic and international business-related travel and attendance at meetings, conferences, etc., is to be discontinued, effective immediately.&nbsp;Business-related travel in and around Kansas and Missouri is excluded from this restriction. Please do not make new plans for business travel during the next 60 days. Under extreme circumstances, exemptions to the travel restriction will be considered in advance by the provost or her designee. Travel appeals should be sent to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:provost@ku.edu?subject=Travel%20Appeal">provost@ku.edu</a>.<h2>Human Resource Management</h2>Human Resource Management is preparing concise information to share with you about a variety of topics, including time-off policies, contingency preparations, remote work opportunities and more, which will be posted on the web soon. You should feel free to contact the office directly,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hrdept@ku.edu">hrdept@ku.edu</a>, or 785-864-4946.<h2>Interviewing Prospective Employees/Students</h2>Spring is an important time to hire new faculty and staff as well as to engage with prospective graduate students. We encourage faculty and staff to use Skype, as much as possible, to limit in-person contact and travel as you conduct interviews. Please reach out to KU IT,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:itcsc@ku.edu">itcsc@ku.edu</a>, 785-864-8080, if you need assistance with these technologies.<h2>Events and Outreach</h2>Effective immediately, university sponsored events will be limited to no more than 50 participants. Mission-critical exemptions to the attendance limit must be approved by the provost or her designee. Appeals should be sent in advance to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:provost@ku.edu?subject=Event%20Attendance%20Appeal">provost@ku.edu</a>.The Centers for Disease Control has yet to provide guidance on maximum event size, although it offers important&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html">advice to planners</a>. When an event is taking place, planners should communicate to visitors and participants the importance of exercising their personal discretion. Please advise individuals not to attend if they fall into a category recommended for quarantine, they have underlying chronic health conditions, or they are sick. Our Public Health Planning Events Workgroup is continuing to develop plans and will provide more detailed guidance soon.<h2>Stay Healthy</h2>Please be sure to take care of yourself. Each of us plays an important role in maintaining our personal health, which in turn helps protect our broader community. Please continue to follow CDC recommendations to prevent spread of COVID-19 shared earlier by&nbsp;<a href="https://studenthealth.ku.edu/coronavirus">Watkins Health Services</a>. Taking action that aims to limit exposure of Jayhawks to the virus will help ensure our collective health and safety. Employees who are sick and who lack sufficient paid time off, should contact HR about the potential for using shared leave.Our Public Health Planning Team continues to evaluate many other important questions, and we will be able to provide answers for those matters in the days ahead. This website will help keep you current.This is a challenging time for our campus, our families and our community, and it is a time that may require additional bold measures. It will take all of us working together to ensure we emerge stronger. It also will require us to, fundamentally, be empathetic to each other, understanding we are all working through this evolving situation together. We’re confident we have the talent, the resources and the heart to rise to this challenge.Thank you to the&nbsp;

Chancellor: KU will hold all classes online until further notice

MIAMI (AP) — The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league's owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.

Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the presumptive positive test.

MIAMI (AP) — The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice" after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league's owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the presumptive positive test.

NBA suspends season until further notice, over coronavirus

The St. Joseph School District is communicating with staff and families about proactive plans for any potential impact on the school district due to the coronavirus.&nbsp;

There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus or COVID-19 in Buchanan County at this time.

In a message to families, School District Superintendent Doug Van Zyl says for more than 10 years, they have had a pandemic crisis action plan in place which is reviewed and updated regularly.

Van Zyl adds that their maintenance department has scheduled a deep disinfection of schools for next week while the buildings are empty during spring break, in addition to regular cleaning procedures.&nbsp;

Apple Bus Company has a targeted plan for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting buses&nbsp;used to transport students.

As a proactive measure, instructional materials and district-issued technology will be sent home with students at the end of the day Thursday for use only in the event of an extended absence.

Van Zyl says the district is&nbsp;communicating regularly with local and state partners as well as following guidance from the CDC. He encourages families to continue following the same precautions recommended during flu season including frequent hand washing and staying home from school and work when you are sick.

Anyone will questions is encouraged to contact please contact the school district’s Health Services&nbsp;Department at (816) 671-4000.

The St. Joseph School District is communicating with staff and families about proactive plans for any potential impact on the school district due to the coronavirus.&nbsp;There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus or COVID-19 in Buchanan County at this time.In a message to families, School District Superintendent Doug Van Zyl says for more than 10 years, they have had a pandemic crisis action plan in place which is reviewed and updated regularly.Van Zyl adds that their maintenance department has scheduled a deep disinfection of schools for next week while the buildings are empty during spring break, in addition to regular cleaning procedures.&nbsp;Apple Bus Company has a targeted plan for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting buses&nbsp;used to transport students.As a proactive measure, instructional materials and district-issued technology will be sent home with students at the end of the day Thursday for use only in the event of an extended absence.Van Zyl says the district is&nbsp;communicating regularly with local and state partners as well as following guidance from the CDC. He encourages families to continue following the same precautions recommended during flu season including frequent hand washing and staying home from school and work when you are sick.Anyone will questions is encouraged to contact please contact the school district’s Health Services&nbsp;Department at (816) 671-4000.

SJSD details proactive plans in the event of potential coronavirus impact

The following message from the MU Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright, Ph.D.

As we told you earlier today, we have been made aware that a small group of MU faculty and students attended a conference in New Orleans this past weekend where one of the attendees who was not part of the MU group tested “presumptive positive” for the coronavirus.

As we already informed you, it’s important to note there are&nbsp;no known cases of COVID-19&nbsp;on the MU campus.

The University remains open, and faculty and staff are expected to report to work. Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking the following actions:

Additionally, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has activated a statewide public hotline, 877-435-8411, for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.We remain in touch with the Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services and health experts at MU Health Care. These actions are consistent with those taken at other universities and industry around the country.

If you feel sick and think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, please call ahead before visiting your health care provider. This will help the health care provider’s office take steps to keep other people from being exposed. Students who experience symptoms should contact the&nbsp;<a href="https://studenthealth.missouri.edu/" target="_blank">MU Student Health Center</a>&nbsp;to discuss symptoms and travel history. Faculty and staff members who experience symptoms should contact their primary care provider.

For more information about the virus, actions you can take to keep yourself healthy and what MU is doing to prevent the spread of illness, please<a href="https://mualert.missouri.edu/coronavirus/" target="_blank">&nbsp;visit the MU Alert website</a>.

We know this is a challenging time for our campus as well as many other communities. We thank you for supporting each other as we move forward.

Alexander N. Cartwright, Ph.D.MU Chancellor

The following message from the MU Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright, Ph.D.As we told you earlier today, we have been made aware that a small group of MU faculty and students attended a conference in New Orleans this past weekend where one of the attendees who was not part of the MU group tested “presumptive positive” for the coronavirus.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoronavirusUpdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoronavirusUpdate</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> students, parents and employees: The university remains open, and faculty and staff are expected to report to work. Out of an abundance of caution, we have the following announcement: <a href="https://t.co/n4rEC4y8Va">https://t.co/n4rEC4y8Va</a> <a href="https://t.co/JJpUeIRjHr">pic.twitter.com/JJpUeIRjHr</a>&mdash; Mizzou (@Mizzou) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mizzou/status/1237850220890689537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>As we already informed you, it’s important to note there are&nbsp;no known cases of COVID-19&nbsp;on the MU campus.The University remains open, and faculty and staff are expected to report to work. Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking the following actions:<ol>
 <li>We are working to properly address the needs of the students and faculty who attended the conference. None of them are showing symptoms, and their risk of contracting COVID-19 is considered low. These individuals are staying home and following the guidance of public health and medical professionals.</li><li>In-person classes will be suspended beginning at 5 p.m. today, March 11 through Sunday, March 15. During that time, faculty are instructed to put in place their plans to deliver instruction remotely. Existing online classes will continue as originally scheduled.</li><li>During the week of March 16 – 20, classes will be held remotely. Following spring break, we plan to resume in-person classes on Monday, March 30.</li><li>Effective immediately, all university-related non-essential international and domestic travel is suspended until April 12, including previously approved travel. This includes travel connected to university activities or programs for all faculty, staff and students, whether that travel is funded by the university, an external grant, or any other sources. Requests to engage in essential travel must be approved by deans, vice chancellors or vice provosts.</li><li>All nonessential university events will be cancelled until March 29. Necessary small meetings and athletic events will continue until further notice.</li><li>The University will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.</li>
 </ol>Additionally, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has activated a statewide public hotline, 877-435-8411, for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.We remain in touch with the Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services and health experts at MU Health Care. These actions are consistent with those taken at other universities and industry around the country.If you feel sick and think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, please call ahead before visiting your health care provider. This will help the health care provider’s office take steps to keep other people from being exposed. Students who experience symptoms should contact the&nbsp;<a href="https://studenthealth.missouri.edu/" target="_blank">MU Student Health Center</a>&nbsp;to discuss symptoms and travel history. Faculty and staff members who experience symptoms should contact their primary care provider.For more information about the virus, actions you can take to keep yourself healthy and what MU is doing to prevent the spread of illness, please<a href="https://mualert.missouri.edu/coronavirus/" target="_blank">&nbsp;visit the MU Alert website</a>.We know this is a challenging time for our campus as well as many other communities. We thank you for supporting each other as we move forward.Alexander N. Cartwright, Ph.D.MU Chancellor

University of Missouri suspends classes due to coronavirus

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers on Tuesday urged citizens to avoid the Capitol unless they're directly participating in legislative business amid concerns about the novel coronavirus.

Lawmakers closed public access to the House chamber and some other public spaces, including the House Lounge.

“Schools, advocacy groups, and the public at large should strongly consider the reality that a large and diverse population travels to and from the Capitol on a daily basis,” Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz said in a statement. “Most people will not be at risk but, as with any other infectious disease, we need to remain vigilant because populations we may come in contact with, such as the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, are at risk.”

For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr in a statement said lawmakers are acting out of an abundance of caution and will continue to conduct business as usual.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers on Tuesday urged citizens to avoid the Capitol unless they're directly participating in legislative business amid concerns about the novel coronavirus.Lawmakers closed public access to the House chamber and some other public spaces, including the House Lounge.“Schools, advocacy groups, and the public at large should strongly consider the reality that a large and diverse population travels to and from the Capitol on a daily basis,” Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz said in a statement. “Most people will not be at risk but, as with any other infectious disease, we need to remain vigilant because populations we may come in contact with, such as the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, are at risk.”For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.House Speaker Elijah Haahr in a statement said lawmakers are acting out of an abundance of caution and will continue to conduct business as usual.———

Missouri lawmakers say avoid Capitol over caronavirus concerns

Mosaic Life Care officials say they are prepared to meet the needs of the community as the coronavirus spreads and they learn more about it.&nbsp;

According to Mosaic, six people have met the criteria to be tested for COVID-19 and they are awaiting the results.

As of Tuesday evening, there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in patients in Mosaic’s health care system.&nbsp;

Mosaic’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Laney says Mosaic in St. Joseph is in close contact with the Missouri Department of Health and the CDC as they screen local patients for coronavirus.&nbsp;

“In the past 10 or 12 days, we have screened a number of patients that have either presented to a clinic or to our emergency department with a suspected case," Laney says. "We have the ability to talk to those patients, examine them, having them in the appropriate environment, and then talk with the state health department about whether they are an appropriate candidate for the actual test.”

Laney says Buchanan County was allocated five test kits through the local Health Department and the CDC and the state health department then make the decisions on who needs a test.&nbsp;

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Davin Turner says if you have travel history or believe you've come in contact with someone who may have coronavirus symptoms to call your health care provider or the health department to discuss it first.

“Our first case, I really appreciate the way they handled this," Turner says. "They called in advance, we knew they were coming, we were able to direct them to a secure area and direct them into our facility to limit the exposure to our caregivers… we can also protect anybody here in our facility who is waiting, they’re here seeing a loved one or maybe they’re here getting care.”

While there is no medical treatment or vaccine yet, Turner says Mosaic can offer supportive care.

“For a patient that was to test positive, many patients will have symptoms similar to the cold, maybe more severe, maybe even more like the flu, however, they will not require hospitalization and for those patients, we will be recommending that they are at home in isolation, along with their family,” Turner says. “Obviously, if their condition worsens, they can return. It’s only for the sickest of the sick, that we would be placing them in the hospital, those that need supportive care that can be provided here.”

Mosaic does have a special containment area if things were to progress. Turner says there are 24 beds ready, just in case.

As everyone hears more and learns more about COVID-19, Laney encourages preparation over panic.

“There’s nothing that happens that panic helps,” Laney says. “We are very prepared to meet the needs of our community and the story will be told as things evolve. If this virus acts like most flus or most coronaviruses, it’s likely that as the weather warms up and people get outside and are less close together, that we would see a dip in the number of infections at least through the summer months. That would be great timing for America if that’s what happens.” 

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care officials say they are prepared to meet the needs of the community as the coronavirus spreads and they learn more about it.&nbsp;According to Mosaic, six people have met the criteria to be tested for COVID-19 and they are awaiting the results.As of Tuesday evening, there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in patients in Mosaic’s health care system.&nbsp;Mosaic’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Laney says Mosaic in St. Joseph is in close contact with the Missouri Department of Health and the CDC as they screen local patients for coronavirus.&nbsp;“In the past 10 or 12 days, we have screened a number of patients that have either presented to a clinic or to our emergency department with a suspected case," Laney says. "We have the ability to talk to those patients, examine them, having them in the appropriate environment, and then talk with the state health department about whether they are an appropriate candidate for the actual test.”Laney says Buchanan County was allocated five test kits through the local Health Department and the CDC and the state health department then make the decisions on who needs a test.&nbsp;Chief Medical Officer Dr. Davin Turner says if you have travel history or believe you've come in contact with someone who may have coronavirus symptoms to call your health care provider or the health department to discuss it first.“Our first case, I really appreciate the way they handled this," Turner says. "They called in advance, we knew they were coming, we were able to direct them to a secure area and direct them into our facility to limit the exposure to our caregivers… we can also protect anybody here in our facility who is waiting, they’re here seeing a loved one or maybe they’re here getting care.”While there is no medical treatment or vaccine yet, Turner says Mosaic can offer supportive care.“For a patient that was to test positive, many patients will have symptoms similar to the cold, maybe more severe, maybe even more like the flu, however, they will not require hospitalization and for those patients, we will be recommending that they are at home in isolation, along with their family,” Turner says. “Obviously, if their condition worsens, they can return. It’s only for the sickest of the sick, that we would be placing them in the hospital, those that need supportive care that can be provided here.”Mosaic does have a special containment area if things were to progress. Turner says there are 24 beds ready, just in case.As everyone hears more and learns more about COVID-19, Laney encourages preparation over panic.“There’s nothing that happens that panic helps,” Laney says. “We are very prepared to meet the needs of our community and the story will be told as things evolve. If this virus acts like most flus or most coronaviruses, it’s likely that as the weather warms up and people get outside and are less close together, that we would see a dip in the number of infections at least through the summer months. That would be great timing for America if that’s what happens.”

Six being tested for coronavirus; Mosaic details process, prep

CREVE COEUR, Mo. (AP) — The German agribusiness giant Bayer AG has temporarily closed two locations in Missouri and two in New Jersey due to concerns that an employee may have contracted the new coronavirus.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/bayer-closing-creve-coeur-campus-over-concerns-employee-may-have/article_3f95bde5-867f-5a9f-81a5-d845d5c4a2e8.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">reports&nbsp;</a>that Bayer learned on Sunday that an employee in Creve Coeur, Missouri, was “considered a person under investigation for coronavirus infection,” and sent an email to employees that night. The case remains unconfirmed.

Cleaning is underway at the Creve Coeur campus, which is Bayer's North American headquarters for its Crop Science Division, as well as at the nearby downtown St. Louis office of its tech-focused subsidiary, The Climate Corporation. In New Jersey, the closures are affecting Bayer's campuses in Whippany, which is the company’s U.S. headquarters for all of its divisions, and in Morristown.

Bayer said Monday that its Creve Coeur site will remain closed until further notice, and provided no information on how long any of the other campuses will be shuttered.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.

Bayer described the closures as a “proactive measure, out of an abundance of caution.” The company didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment from The Associated Press.

So far, Missouri has one confirmed case.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/296e9e0b327e11404fc25453a02ba500">A woman in her 20s&nbsp;</a>who had been studying in Italy tested positive for the coronavirus after returning home to the area, St. Louis County officials announced Saturday.

CREVE COEUR, Mo. (AP) — The German agribusiness giant Bayer AG has temporarily closed two locations in Missouri and two in New Jersey due to concerns that an employee may have contracted the new coronavirus.The St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/bayer-closing-creve-coeur-campus-over-concerns-employee-may-have/article_3f95bde5-867f-5a9f-81a5-d845d5c4a2e8.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">reports&nbsp;</a>that Bayer learned on Sunday that an employee in Creve Coeur, Missouri, was “considered a person under investigation for coronavirus infection,” and sent an email to employees that night. The case remains unconfirmed.Cleaning is underway at the Creve Coeur campus, which is Bayer's North American headquarters for its Crop Science Division, as well as at the nearby downtown St. Louis office of its tech-focused subsidiary, The Climate Corporation. In New Jersey, the closures are affecting Bayer's campuses in Whippany, which is the company’s U.S. headquarters for all of its divisions, and in Morristown.Bayer said Monday that its Creve Coeur site will remain closed until further notice, and provided no information on how long any of the other campuses will be shuttered.For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.Bayer described the closures as a “proactive measure, out of an abundance of caution.” The company didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment from The Associated Press.So far, Missouri has one confirmed case.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/296e9e0b327e11404fc25453a02ba500">A woman in her 20s&nbsp;</a>who had been studying in Italy tested positive for the coronavirus after returning home to the area, St. Louis County officials announced Saturday.___

Bayer closes Missouri campus due to coronavirus concerns

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — The 20-something college student didn’t know she had the new coronavirus as she flew home from a study abroad program in Italy, landing at one of the nation’s busiest airports. She took a train to a St. Louis station shared by Amtrak and the Greyhound bus service. Her father, who was exposed to her but shows no signs of illness, went to a coffee shop and took another daughter to a father-daughter dance at a hotel and a house party.

The response triggered from transit to schools to workplaces by the possibility that hundreds of people were potentially exposed to COVID-19 by just one family explains why it is generating so much fear; schools are closing, athletes are participating in sporting events at empty arenas, and the stock market has bottomed out.

For most, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness get better in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.

The young woman, an Indiana University student from St. Louis County, didn't know she was infected when she returned home from a study abroad program in Italy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3ff579e06d07428f0bc993c0a98c001d">which has been hit hard&nbsp;</a>by the virus. She landed March 2 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, through which more than 230,000 travelers pass daily.

After staying with a friend, the young woman took an Amtrak train to St. Louis on Wednesday. A city spokesman said it’s unclear how many people she would have come in contact with at the Gateway Transportation Center, but another Amtrak train would have passed through at roughly the same time, and the hub also serves Greyhound bus passengers.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said about 169 customers who purchased tickets for the same train — Amtrak 303 — have been contacted about the patient’s test result and encouraged to monitor their health.

Amtrak canceled one round-trip on the Chicago to St. Louis route on Sunday. The train had returned to normal service by Monday, and the stations in Chicago and St. Louis were being cleaned.

St. Louis County spokesman Doug Moore said the young woman contacted the St. Louis County Health Department on Thursday to say she was feeling ill. She apparently stayed home and avoided contact with anyone until she was instructed to go to Mercy Hospital for testing on Friday. Meanwhile, County Executive Sam Page said, her family was told to self-quarantine at their home in Ladue.

Health officials learned Saturday that the woman tested positive for COVID-19.

Officials said earlier Monday that the woman's father apparently failed to heed the self-quarantine warning, going to a coffee shop on his own and to a house party and a school dance with another daughter.

County officials said the father and the younger daughter on Saturday night attended a father-daughter dance for students at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School, private Catholic schools that share a campus with a combined 431 students. It's unclear how many people attended but it would have included students, parents, staff and workers.

An attorney for the family, Neil Bruntrager, told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the family was not told to quarantine themselves up until the diagnosis was confirmed Saturday.

Page responded Monday that county health officials used the same protocol they have used for years when working with people with communicable diseases. He said he was “disappointed” the family didn't understand or receive those instructions but that it was time for everyone to learn lessons from this first coronavirus case and move on.

Page noted that the family has been criticized on social media, and now police are patrolling their neighborhood. He said “there has been a bit of panic” surrounding this case and the family now clearly understands the protocol they should follow.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Clayton, which hosted the dance, said in a statement it was undertaking "enhanced cleaning of hotel areas where the event was hosted."

Villa, an all-girls school for seventh- to 12th-graders, and Oak Hill, which serves coed preschoolers through sixth-graders, advised students and parents who attended the dance to be attentive to symptoms. The schools will remain closed this week and through next week’s spring break.

The father and daughter also went to a party at the home of a family whose children attend Villa and another private school, John Burroughs. Andy Abbott, the head of John Burroughs, said in a note to parents that a “handful” of Burroughs seniors later went to the home and that they won't be allowed to return to school for two weeks, even though they had no direct exposure.

County and state health officials have not said where else the family went when they were supposed to be quarantined, but workers at Deer Creek Coffee in Ladue called health officials and started cleaning after the family called to say that the father had been there Saturday morning.

“Disinfectant and bleach, a thorough cleaning,” Kent McCarty, owner of Deer Creek Coffee, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “There is no cleaner surface right now than at Deer Creek Coffee. I can promise you that.”

Meanwhile, St. Louis County health officials are still determining who else needs to be notified, checked for symptoms or tested.

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — The 20-something college student didn’t know she had the new coronavirus as she flew home from a study abroad program in Italy, landing at one of the nation’s busiest airports. She took a train to a St. Louis station shared by Amtrak and the Greyhound bus service. Her father, who was exposed to her but shows no signs of illness, went to a coffee shop and took another daughter to a father-daughter dance at a hotel and a house party.The response triggered from transit to schools to workplaces by the possibility that hundreds of people were potentially exposed to COVID-19 by just one family explains why it is generating so much fear; schools are closing, athletes are participating in sporting events at empty arenas, and the stock market has bottomed out.For most, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.The vast majority of people recover.According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness get better in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.The young woman, an Indiana University student from St. Louis County, didn't know she was infected when she returned home from a study abroad program in Italy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3ff579e06d07428f0bc993c0a98c001d">which has been hit hard&nbsp;</a>by the virus. She landed March 2 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, through which more than 230,000 travelers pass daily.After staying with a friend, the young woman took an Amtrak train to St. Louis on Wednesday. A city spokesman said it’s unclear how many people she would have come in contact with at the Gateway Transportation Center, but another Amtrak train would have passed through at roughly the same time, and the hub also serves Greyhound bus passengers.Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said about 169 customers who purchased tickets for the same train — Amtrak 303 — have been contacted about the patient’s test result and encouraged to monitor their health.Amtrak canceled one round-trip on the Chicago to St. Louis route on Sunday. The train had returned to normal service by Monday, and the stations in Chicago and St. Louis were being cleaned.St. Louis County spokesman Doug Moore said the young woman contacted the St. Louis County Health Department on Thursday to say she was feeling ill. She apparently stayed home and avoided contact with anyone until she was instructed to go to Mercy Hospital for testing on Friday. Meanwhile, County Executive Sam Page said, her family was told to self-quarantine at their home in Ladue.Health officials learned Saturday that the woman tested positive for COVID-19.Officials said earlier Monday that the woman's father apparently failed to heed the self-quarantine warning, going to a coffee shop on his own and to a house party and a school dance with another daughter.County officials said the father and the younger daughter on Saturday night attended a father-daughter dance for students at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School, private Catholic schools that share a campus with a combined 431 students. It's unclear how many people attended but it would have included students, parents, staff and workers.An attorney for the family, Neil Bruntrager, told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the family was not told to quarantine themselves up until the diagnosis was confirmed Saturday.Page responded Monday that county health officials used the same protocol they have used for years when working with people with communicable diseases. He said he was “disappointed” the family didn't understand or receive those instructions but that it was time for everyone to learn lessons from this first coronavirus case and move on.Page noted that the family has been criticized on social media, and now police are patrolling their neighborhood. He said “there has been a bit of panic” surrounding this case and the family now clearly understands the protocol they should follow.The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Clayton, which hosted the dance, said in a statement it was undertaking "enhanced cleaning of hotel areas where the event was hosted."Villa, an all-girls school for seventh- to 12th-graders, and Oak Hill, which serves coed preschoolers through sixth-graders, advised students and parents who attended the dance to be attentive to symptoms. The schools will remain closed this week and through next week’s spring break.The father and daughter also went to a party at the home of a family whose children attend Villa and another private school, John Burroughs. Andy Abbott, the head of John Burroughs, said in a note to parents that a “handful” of Burroughs seniors later went to the home and that they won't be allowed to return to school for two weeks, even though they had no direct exposure.County and state health officials have not said where else the family went when they were supposed to be quarantined, but workers at Deer Creek Coffee in Ladue called health officials and started cleaning after the family called to say that the father had been there Saturday morning.“Disinfectant and bleach, a thorough cleaning,” Kent McCarty, owner of Deer Creek Coffee, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “There is no cleaner surface right now than at Deer Creek Coffee. I can promise you that.”Meanwhile, St. Louis County health officials are still determining who else needs to be notified, checked for symptoms or tested.___

Missouri coronavirus case shows 1 exposure can mean major response

The University of Kansas Hospital says it has admitted a patient with COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

The patient is in a specially-equipped area to prevent the spread of the virus to other patients, staff, physicians and visitors, according to a news release.

The hospital will hold a news conference at noon Monday to answer questions about the protocols for care but said in a statement it would not provide any details about the patient’s identity.

Over the weekend, Kansas health officials announced that a Johnson County woman was the state’s first case of the new coronavirus. She appears to have contracted her illness while traveling in the northeast United States. More than 80 other people in Kansas are being monitored for the infection because they have traveled to countries where the virus is spreading rapidly.

It is unclear if the patient admitted to KU is the woman confirmed to have the new coronavirus over the weekend.

People who are experiencing symptoms – which include fever, coughing and shortness of breath – should contact their local health department. Most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, and patients can self-isolate at home. More serious cases can require hospitalization.

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">COVID-19 Update <a href="https://t.co/UgRtmYfmNY">https://t.co/UgRtmYfmNY</a>&mdash; KU Hospital News (@KUHospitalNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHospitalNews/status/1237060461977190401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The University of Kansas Hospital says it has admitted a patient with COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.The patient is in a specially-equipped area to prevent the spread of the virus to other patients, staff, physicians and visitors, according to a news release.The hospital will hold a news conference at noon Monday to answer questions about the protocols for care but said in a statement it would not provide any details about the patient’s identity.Over the weekend, Kansas health officials announced that a Johnson County woman was the state’s first case of the new coronavirus. She appears to have contracted her illness while traveling in the northeast United States. More than 80 other people in Kansas are being monitored for the infection because they have traveled to countries where the virus is spreading rapidly.It is unclear if the patient admitted to KU is the woman confirmed to have the new coronavirus over the weekend.People who are experiencing symptoms – which include fever, coughing and shortness of breath – should contact their local health department. Most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, and patients can self-isolate at home. More serious cases can require hospitalization.

🎥 University of Kansas Hospital in KC admits cononavirus patient

LADEU, Mo. (AP) — Two Catholic schools in suburban St. Louis have temporarily closed and some students at a third school have been told to stay home after the father of the first person in Missouri to become ill with the coronavirus attended a dance with another child.

Amtrak also is cleaning a train the ill woman took to Missouri from Chicago.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said at a news conference Sunday that the patient’s family was told on Thursday to self quarantine at their home in Ladue but didn't follow health department instructions, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/family-of-missouri-s-first-coronavirus-patient-broke-self-quarantine/article_94fe6bf6-f679-5b88-870c-18c5f79d019b.html">reports</a>.

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School in Frontenac said in a message to parents that the father and sister of the infected patient attended the father-daughter dance Saturday night at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. They also apparently attended a pre-dance gathering at the house of a Villa student.

Page said health officials have told the man that “that he must remain in his home or they will issue a formal quarantine that will require him and the rest of his family to stay in their home by the force of law,”

His daughter, who is in her 20s, tested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2e97e57301f2a4e57d927f6b87510e0d">positive&nbsp;</a>for coronavirus after returning home from Italy, which has been the epicenter of Europe's outbreak of the virus that causes COVID-19. The woman attends an out-of-state school and had been studying abroad.

The message from Villa, an all-girls school for seventh- to 12th-graders, and Oak Hill, which serves coed preschoolers through sixth-graders, advises students and parents who attended the dance to be attentive to symptoms.

Meanwhile, John Burroughs School head Andy Abbott said in an email that a “handful” of high school seniors who gathered at the house where the pre-dance event had been held were asked not to attend the private school in Ladeu until more information is available. The family who lives at that house that hosted the event includes children who attend Villa and Burroughs.

Abbott, however, stressed that the likelihood of any students from the school contracting the virus was “extraordinarily low."

Before seeking treatment, the Missouri woman with the positive test flew into Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Monday, stayed with a friend, then took an Amtrak train home to St. Louis on Wednesday, according to Doug Moore, spokesman for Page.

Amtrak said in a news release that is notifying passengers and employees who were on Amtrak train 303 with the woman. The release said that as a precaution, the train also has been taken out of service for comprehensive cleaning. The train stations in Chicago and St. Louis also are being cleaned.

The process of determining who needs to be notified, checked for symptoms and tested is unfolding, said Spring Schmidt, acting co-director of the county health department.

LADEU, Mo. (AP) — Two Catholic schools in suburban St. Louis have temporarily closed and some students at a third school have been told to stay home after the father of the first person in Missouri to become ill with the coronavirus attended a dance with another child.Amtrak also is cleaning a train the ill woman took to Missouri from Chicago.St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said at a news conference Sunday that the patient’s family was told on Thursday to self quarantine at their home in Ladue but didn't follow health department instructions, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/family-of-missouri-s-first-coronavirus-patient-broke-self-quarantine/article_94fe6bf6-f679-5b88-870c-18c5f79d019b.html">reports</a>.Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School in Frontenac said in a message to parents that the father and sister of the infected patient attended the father-daughter dance Saturday night at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. They also apparently attended a pre-dance gathering at the house of a Villa student.Page said health officials have told the man that “that he must remain in his home or they will issue a formal quarantine that will require him and the rest of his family to stay in their home by the force of law,”His daughter, who is in her 20s, tested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2e97e57301f2a4e57d927f6b87510e0d">positive&nbsp;</a>for coronavirus after returning home from Italy, which has been the epicenter of Europe's outbreak of the virus that causes COVID-19. The woman attends an out-of-state school and had been studying abroad.The message from Villa, an all-girls school for seventh- to 12th-graders, and Oak Hill, which serves coed preschoolers through sixth-graders, advises students and parents who attended the dance to be attentive to symptoms.Meanwhile, John Burroughs School head Andy Abbott said in an email that a “handful” of high school seniors who gathered at the house where the pre-dance event had been held were asked not to attend the private school in Ladeu until more information is available. The family who lives at that house that hosted the event includes children who attend Villa and Burroughs.Abbott, however, stressed that the likelihood of any students from the school contracting the virus was “extraordinarily low."Before seeking treatment, the Missouri woman with the positive test flew into Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Monday, stayed with a friend, then took an Amtrak train home to St. Louis on Wednesday, according to Doug Moore, spokesman for Page.Amtrak said in a news release that is notifying passengers and employees who were on Amtrak train 303 with the woman. The release said that as a precaution, the train also has been taken out of service for comprehensive cleaning. The train stations in Chicago and St. Louis also are being cleaned.The process of determining who needs to be notified, checked for symptoms and tested is unfolding, said Spring Schmidt, acting co-director of the county health department.

Missouri coronavirus quarantine violation closes schools

TOPEKA —Officials confirmed Saturday that a Kansas City-area woman is the first case of coronavirus in Kansas.&nbsp;

The state is prepared, but knows everyone has questions. If you have questions about coronavirus disease, the state has a phone bank open to help.

Give the KDHE a call at 866-534-3463, email: COVID-19@ks.gov or check the COVID-19 Online Resource<a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm"> Center here.</a>

The phone bank is open Sunday March 8, from 9 a.m - 5 p.m. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583681783905.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Officials confirmed Saturday that a Kansas City-area woman is the first case of coronavirus in Kansas.&nbsp;The state is prepared, but knows everyone has questions. If you have questions about coronavirus disease, the state has a phone bank open to help. Give the KDHE a call at 866-534-3463, email: COVID-19@ks.gov or check the COVID-19 Online Resource<a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm"> Center here.</a>The phone bank is open Sunday March 8, from 9 a.m - 5 p.m. You can also find answers in the COVID-19 <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm">Online Resource Center:&nbsp;</a>