St. Joseph school officials have informed students and
parents, as well as staff, that students will not be returning to classes.

Alternative education and the distribution of school meals will continue.

The action comes in compliance with an order issued by
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson this afternoon that all state public and charter
schools remain closed through the remainder of the academic year.

The St. Joseph School District released a message to the
school community this afternoon, thanking the staff and families for their
continued support.

“We realize this time has also
been challenging in many ways and we are all looking forward to the opportunity
to see our students and staff come together again. Unfortunately, we learned
this afternoon that, following an announcement from Missouri Governor Mike
Parson, the St. Joseph School District will remain closed through the end of
the school year. There are many questions that remain unanswered at this time.
We will work to gather more information in the coming days and share updates
with you as new plans are developed. We encourage you to continue to monitor
district communications for distance learning resources, information about
meals, updates on major district events, and other important news for our
families and staff.”

According to a news release issued by Gov. Parson’s office,
the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education made the
recommendation to the governor to not reopen schools, which were closed as a
part of the battle against COVID-19. Several school superintendents also
requested the governor to take the action, the news release states.

“Continuing our efforts to slow the spread of
COVID-19, I am ordering all public and charter schools to remain closed through
the remainder of this academic year, with the exception of nutrition and child
care outlined in our Stay Home Missouri Order,” Parson said in a written
statement released by his office.

Alternative education and school meals are
expected to continue through the last day of each district’s school calendar.

State education officials will issue additional
guidelines to districts later.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph school officials have informed students and
parents, as well as staff, that students will not be returning to classes.Alternative education and the distribution of school meals will continue.The action comes in compliance with an order issued by
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson this afternoon that all state public and charter
schools remain closed through the remainder of the academic year.The St. Joseph School District released a message to the
school community this afternoon, thanking the staff and families for their
continued support.“We realize this time has also
been challenging in many ways and we are all looking forward to the opportunity
to see our students and staff come together again. Unfortunately, we learned
this afternoon that, following an announcement from Missouri Governor Mike
Parson, the St. Joseph School District will remain closed through the end of
the school year. There are many questions that remain unanswered at this time.
We will work to gather more information in the coming days and share updates
with you as new plans are developed. We encourage you to continue to monitor
district communications for distance learning resources, information about
meals, updates on major district events, and other important news for our
families and staff.”According to a news release issued by Gov. Parson’s office,
the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education made the
recommendation to the governor to not reopen schools, which were closed as a
part of the battle against COVID-19. Several school superintendents also
requested the governor to take the action, the news release states.“Continuing our efforts to slow the spread of
COVID-19, I am ordering all public and charter schools to remain closed through
the remainder of this academic year, with the exception of nutrition and child
care outlined in our Stay Home Missouri Order,” Parson said in a written
statement released by his office.Alternative education and school meals are
expected to continue through the last day of each district’s school calendar.State education officials will issue additional
guidelines to districts later.

Students will not be returning to school, in St. Joseph and throughout Missouri, for rest of year

Governor Mike Parson announced during his daily press conference Thursday, "We are ordering all Missouri public and charter schools to remain closed through the remainder of the academic year with the exceptions of nutrition services and child care that are outlined in our recent health order."

"This recommendation was made by working together with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MOEducation/?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARDnXahSYdgI8v7JB0Q_R-OAZ4PCqXDaI4ZfiTwGe68yujTDmvFAFPKVy12O7sIOVrsNQMJLRDdwL23H&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA-YMgHTLvWOwoKCR_e-Yi94dj3pfwxXR8LcVHIpVp9Kt5qNr0Mgpas38311ktuABCi7jQ0BP5rGkVYuXfbisejShi5D4YXpguH4_i1el0YjyclfW9TL6tkd5ak2Llxz5tkorkfdujTrTOSjkKkZyJcvD_aHYwLxRW03abyZtPdc8f7vnrsvPy8LQbSpdDFFXG84HuTUq3RRUuv8d-0woi2HNFwaxt9ldcbbEGkhB-RrCEWZOG3BB_WqaVLH3wnpGaMlDKQPL2qPV23wnRZMOTym81h9fTGqFAcw7k-e-t36BMOEaVoefzyfmLCJXam2hGvZbQIKRBhlSfqUajk6AM">Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education</a>&nbsp;and several school superintendents from across the state -- from both urban and rural districts.

Schools should continue remote learning for their students until the end date previously set on their academic calendars."

Governor Mike Parson announced during his daily press conference Thursday, "We are ordering all Missouri public and charter schools to remain closed through the remainder of the academic year with the exceptions of nutrition services and child care that are outlined in our recent health order."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovMikeParson%2Fvideos%2F2497399587033383%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>"This recommendation was made by working together with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MOEducation/?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARDnXahSYdgI8v7JB0Q_R-OAZ4PCqXDaI4ZfiTwGe68yujTDmvFAFPKVy12O7sIOVrsNQMJLRDdwL23H&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA-YMgHTLvWOwoKCR_e-Yi94dj3pfwxXR8LcVHIpVp9Kt5qNr0Mgpas38311ktuABCi7jQ0BP5rGkVYuXfbisejShi5D4YXpguH4_i1el0YjyclfW9TL6tkd5ak2Llxz5tkorkfdujTrTOSjkKkZyJcvD_aHYwLxRW03abyZtPdc8f7vnrsvPy8LQbSpdDFFXG84HuTUq3RRUuv8d-0woi2HNFwaxt9ldcbbEGkhB-RrCEWZOG3BB_WqaVLH3wnpGaMlDKQPL2qPV23wnRZMOTym81h9fTGqFAcw7k-e-t36BMOEaVoefzyfmLCJXam2hGvZbQIKRBhlSfqUajk6AM">Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education</a>&nbsp;and several school superintendents from across the state -- from both urban and rural districts.Schools should continue remote learning for their students until the end date previously set on their academic calendars."

 🎥 Governor: Missouri public and charter schools to remain closed

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A civil rights group asked the Kansas Supreme Court on Thursday to immediately release prisoners who have preexisting medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas filed the class action petition on behalf of seven inmates being housed at Lansing Correctional Facility, the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and the Topeka Correctional Facility. They are seeking an expedited hearing before the state’s highest court on the request by the named plaintiffs and other Kansas inmates in a similar situation.

Rebecca Witte, the spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said the department would comment later on the filing.

“Petitioners are housed in crowded facilities with limited access to adequate medical treatment and sanitation supplies,” according to the petition. “Several petitioners also have preexisting medical conditions that make them uniquely vulnerable to serious complications and death if they contract the COVID-19 virus — which has already infected both staff and individuals housed within Kansas prisons.”

The lawsuit contends that the release would not only prevent harm to the medically vulnerable inmates, but would also sufficiently reduce the population at prison facilities to ensure proper social distancing and reduce transmission of the virus to inmates and the wider public.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A civil rights group asked the Kansas Supreme Court on Thursday to immediately release prisoners who have preexisting medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas filed the class action petition on behalf of seven inmates being housed at Lansing Correctional Facility, the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and the Topeka Correctional Facility. They are seeking an expedited hearing before the state’s highest court on the request by the named plaintiffs and other Kansas inmates in a similar situation.Rebecca Witte, the spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said the department would comment later on the filing.“Petitioners are housed in crowded facilities with limited access to adequate medical treatment and sanitation supplies,” according to the petition. “Several petitioners also have preexisting medical conditions that make them uniquely vulnerable to serious complications and death if they contract the COVID-19 virus — which has already infected both staff and individuals housed within Kansas prisons.”The lawsuit contends that the release would not only prevent harm to the medically vulnerable inmates, but would also sufficiently reduce the population at prison facilities to ensure proper social distancing and reduce transmission of the virus to inmates and the wider public.

ACLU seeks release of Kan. inmates vulnerable to COVID-19

Mosaic Life Care has now tested more than 500 people for the
coronavirus.

Mosaic reports it has tested 512 people for COVID-19, with 14
testing positive and 401 testing negative. Results from 97 tests are pending.

Mosaic reports 11 of those who tested positive are being
treated as outpatients; two have been hospitalized in St. Joseph with one
hospitalized in Albany.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care has now tested more than 500 people for the
coronavirus.Mosaic reports it has tested 512 people for COVID-19, with 14
testing positive and 401 testing negative. Results from 97 tests are pending.Mosaic reports 11 of those who tested positive are being
treated as outpatients; two have been hospitalized in St. Joseph with one
hospitalized in Albany.

Mosaic COVID-19 testing tops 500; 14 test positive

Supporting area healthcare workers can be done from home through writing, sewing or donating.

Mosaic Life Care Foundation President Julie Gaddie says the Heroes in Healthcare Recognition Fund was created in response to many people asking how they could support caregivers.

“The Foundation created a fund to provide funding for our caregivers on the front line to provide snacks and meals and essential items to them as they’re working very long hours to serve our communities,” Gaddie says.

Other ways people have been helping include sewing and donating face masks and Gaddie says through the Mosaic Auxiliary, volunteers sent 4,500 handwritten notes to caregivers in St. Joseph, Maryville and Albany.

“It’s very special to our caregivers to know that the community is thinking about them and that they’re here to support them,” Gaddie says.

For drop off locations for notes and face masks and other opportunities to help, go to the Mosaic Life Care Foundation's website at <a href="https://www.mlcfoundation.com/covid-19/">mlcfoundation.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586450706218.jpeg" alt="Volunteers have been writing encouraging notes to healthcare workers. Photo courtesy Mosaic Life Care Foundation." />
 <figcaption>Volunteers have been writing encouraging notes to healthcare workers. Photo courtesy Mosaic Life Care Foundation.</figcaption>
 </figure>by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostSupporting area healthcare workers can be done from home through writing, sewing or donating.Mosaic Life Care Foundation President Julie Gaddie says the Heroes in Healthcare Recognition Fund was created in response to many people asking how they could support caregivers.“The Foundation created a fund to provide funding for our caregivers on the front line to provide snacks and meals and essential items to them as they’re working very long hours to serve our communities,” Gaddie says.Other ways people have been helping include sewing and donating face masks and Gaddie says through the Mosaic Auxiliary, volunteers sent 4,500 handwritten notes to caregivers in St. Joseph, Maryville and Albany.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586451769118.jpeg" alt="A program coordinated through the DeKalb and Clinton County Extension Service provides fabric for making masks to donate to area nursing homes and hospitals. Photo courtesy Yvonne Thomack." />
 <figcaption>A program coordinated through the DeKalb and Clinton County Extension Service provides fabric for making masks to donate to area nursing homes and hospitals. Photo courtesy Yvonne Thomack.</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s very special to our caregivers to know that the community is thinking about them and that they’re here to support them,” Gaddie says.For drop off locations for notes and face masks and other opportunities to help, go to the Mosaic Life Care Foundation's website at <a href="https://www.mlcfoundation.com/covid-19/">mlcfoundation.com</a>.

Volunteers sewing, writing and donating to help healthcare workers

Federal money to offset some of the losses created by
restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus should be coming to the St.
Joseph area soon.

U. S. Sen. Roy Blunt tells a St. Joseph audience money from
the $2.2 trillion emergency package recently approved by Congress has already
started flowing to small businesses.

“The package we passed was the biggest spending bill the Congress
has ever passed at any time for anything and it passed pretty quickly,” Blunt
tells those attending a virtual version of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
Cup of Joe program.

Blunt says Congress had to approve the package in a hurry,
because failure to act just wasn’t an option.

“And our next effort should be to go back and figure out what
we didn’t get quite right with this bill, but we don’t have time here to get
everything right and be sure that everybody is completely happy,” Blunt says. “We’ve
got to get out there, one, in the fight against the virus and, two, in the
fight for the economy.”

Blunt says $360 billion from the Small Business Administration
is going out to businesses with fewer than 500 employees so they can meet
payroll and pay expenses to survive. Congress is likely to add another $250 billion
to meet the demand, perhaps as early as today.

In addition, Blunt says the check is in the mail or, more
accurately, the direct payment from the relief package should be deposited in bank
accounts, starting next week.

Blunt says the IRS has scheduled payments to begin going out
by the middle of this month.

“It doesn’t mean everybody will get theirs in the middle of
April, but a big job for the IRS to get those direct payments out to families,”
Blunt says.

Under the bill, individuals making $75,000 or less a year will
receive $1,200 with couples making $150,000 or less annually will receive
$2,400. Couples with children will receive $500 per child with the average
family of four set to receive a total of $3,400.

Blunt says Washington is considering ways to restart an
economy sidelined by COVID-19. He says the first cases of COVID-19 in the
United States likely cropped up in December with some Americans contracting the
virus, then recovering, providing hope it can be overcome.

“There’s a growing feeling that if you’ve had it, you are
likely immune for a foreseeable &nbsp;future of
not being able to get it again and testing for that I think is one of the ways that
we get people more eager and willing to reconnect again back in the economy,”
according to Blunt.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFederal money to offset some of the losses created by
restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus should be coming to the St.
Joseph area soon.U. S. Sen. Roy Blunt tells a St. Joseph audience money from
the $2.2 trillion emergency package recently approved by Congress has already
started flowing to small businesses.“The package we passed was the biggest spending bill the Congress
has ever passed at any time for anything and it passed pretty quickly,” Blunt
tells those attending a virtual version of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
Cup of Joe program.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcupofjoestjoe%2Fvideos%2F582546545684612%2F&show_text=1&width=560" width="560" height="382" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Blunt says Congress had to approve the package in a hurry,
because failure to act just wasn’t an option.“And our next effort should be to go back and figure out what
we didn’t get quite right with this bill, but we don’t have time here to get
everything right and be sure that everybody is completely happy,” Blunt says. “We’ve
got to get out there, one, in the fight against the virus and, two, in the
fight for the economy.”Blunt says $360 billion from the Small Business Administration
is going out to businesses with fewer than 500 employees so they can meet
payroll and pay expenses to survive. Congress is likely to add another $250 billion
to meet the demand, perhaps as early as today.In addition, Blunt says the check is in the mail or, more
accurately, the direct payment from the relief package should be deposited in bank
accounts, starting next week.Blunt says the IRS has scheduled payments to begin going out
by the middle of this month.“It doesn’t mean everybody will get theirs in the middle of
April, but a big job for the IRS to get those direct payments out to families,”
Blunt says.Under the bill, individuals making $75,000 or less a year will
receive $1,200 with couples making $150,000 or less annually will receive
$2,400. Couples with children will receive $500 per child with the average
family of four set to receive a total of $3,400.Blunt says Washington is considering ways to restart an
economy sidelined by COVID-19. He says the first cases of COVID-19 in the
United States likely cropped up in December with some Americans contracting the
virus, then recovering, providing hope it can be overcome.“There’s a growing feeling that if you’ve had it, you are
likely immune for a foreseeable &nbsp;future of
not being able to get it again and testing for that I think is one of the ways that
we get people more eager and willing to reconnect again back in the economy,”
according to Blunt.

Money from relief package should soon be coming our way

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of the N95 respirators, surgical masks, face, shields, gowns and other medical supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients.

The Department of Health and Human Services told The Associated Press Wednesday that the federal stockpile was in the process of deploying all remaining personal protective equipment in its inventory.

The HHS statement confirms&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6827959-Medical-supplies-distribution.html" target="_blank">federal documents</a>&nbsp;released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee showing that about 90% of the personal protective equipment in the stockpile has been distributed to state and local governments.

HHS spokeswoman Katie McKeogh said the remaining 10% will be kept in reserve to support federal response efforts.

House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/new-document-shows-inadequate-distribution-of-personal-protective-equipment-and" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration is leaving states to scour the open market for scarce supplies, often competing with each other and federal agencies in a chaotic bidding war that drives up prices.

“The President failed to bring in FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) early on, failed to name a national commander for this crisis, and failed to fully utilize the authorities Congress gave him under the Defense Production Act to procure and manage the distribution of critical supplies,” Maloney said. “He must take action now to address these deficiencies.”

For the last month, health care workers across the nation have taken to social media to illustrate the shortages by taking selfies wearing home-sewn masks on their faces and trash bags over their scrubs.

President Donald Trump has faulted the states for not better preparing for the pandemic and has said they should only being relying on the federal stockpile as a last resort.

The AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">reported</a>&nbsp;Sunday that the Trump administration squandered nearly two months after the early January warnings that COVID-19 might ignite a global pandemic, waiting until mid-March to place bulk orders of N95 masks and other medical supplies needed to build up the stockpile. By then, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and were pleading for help.

Trump spent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09985ba2784e553d69c7f194960de94f">first two months</a>&nbsp;of the outbreak playing down the threat from the new virus. He derided warnings of a pandemic as a hoax perpetrated by Democrats and the media, predicting as late as Feb. 26 that the number of U.S. cases would soon drop to zero.

The stockpile was created in 1999 to prevent supply-chain disruptions for the predicted Y2K computer problems. It expanded after 9/11 to prepare for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. Congress provided money in 2006 to prepare for a potential influenza pandemic, though much of that stock was used during the H1N1 flu outbreak three years later.

At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the federal stockpile had about 13 million N95 respirators, masks which filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles and are critical to prevent health care workers from becoming infected. That’s just a small fraction of what hospitals need to protect their workers, who normally would wear a new mask for each patient, but who now are often issued only one to last for days.

Federal contracting records show HHS made an initial bulk order of N95 masks on March 12, followed by larger orders on March 21. But those contracts won’t yield big deliveries to the national stockpile until the end of April, after the White House has projected the pandemic will reach its peak.

For nearly a month, Trump rebuffed calls to use his authority under the Defense Production Act to order companies to increase production of respirators and ventilators, before he relented last week.

Asked about the AP report, the president suggested Sunday the states should be thankful for the shipments of supplies they have gotten.

“FEMA, the military, what they’ve done is a miracle,” Trump said. “What they’ve done is a miracle in getting all of this stuff. What they have done for states is incredible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586430652281.png" alt="PPE distribution on Wednesday in Missouri -photo office of Missouri governor" />
 <figcaption>PPE distribution on Wednesday in Missouri -photo office of Missouri governor</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of the N95 respirators, surgical masks, face, shields, gowns and other medical supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients.The Department of Health and Human Services told The Associated Press Wednesday that the federal stockpile was in the process of deploying all remaining personal protective equipment in its inventory.The HHS statement confirms&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6827959-Medical-supplies-distribution.html" target="_blank">federal documents</a>&nbsp;released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee showing that about 90% of the personal protective equipment in the stockpile has been distributed to state and local governments.HHS spokeswoman Katie McKeogh said the remaining 10% will be kept in reserve to support federal response efforts.House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/new-document-shows-inadequate-distribution-of-personal-protective-equipment-and" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration is leaving states to scour the open market for scarce supplies, often competing with each other and federal agencies in a chaotic bidding war that drives up prices.“The President failed to bring in FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) early on, failed to name a national commander for this crisis, and failed to fully utilize the authorities Congress gave him under the Defense Production Act to procure and manage the distribution of critical supplies,” Maloney said. “He must take action now to address these deficiencies.”For the last month, health care workers across the nation have taken to social media to illustrate the shortages by taking selfies wearing home-sewn masks on their faces and trash bags over their scrubs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586209464100.png" alt="President Trump answering questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answering questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>President Donald Trump has faulted the states for not better preparing for the pandemic and has said they should only being relying on the federal stockpile as a last resort.The AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">reported</a>&nbsp;Sunday that the Trump administration squandered nearly two months after the early January warnings that COVID-19 might ignite a global pandemic, waiting until mid-March to place bulk orders of N95 masks and other medical supplies needed to build up the stockpile. By then, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and were pleading for help.Trump spent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09985ba2784e553d69c7f194960de94f">first two months</a>&nbsp;of the outbreak playing down the threat from the new virus. He derided warnings of a pandemic as a hoax perpetrated by Democrats and the media, predicting as late as Feb. 26 that the number of U.S. cases would soon drop to zero.The stockpile was created in 1999 to prevent supply-chain disruptions for the predicted Y2K computer problems. It expanded after 9/11 to prepare for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. Congress provided money in 2006 to prepare for a potential influenza pandemic, though much of that stock was used during the H1N1 flu outbreak three years later.At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the federal stockpile had about 13 million N95 respirators, masks which filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles and are critical to prevent health care workers from becoming infected. That’s just a small fraction of what hospitals need to protect their workers, who normally would wear a new mask for each patient, but who now are often issued only one to last for days.Federal contracting records show HHS made an initial bulk order of N95 masks on March 12, followed by larger orders on March 21. But those contracts won’t yield big deliveries to the national stockpile until the end of April, after the White House has projected the pandemic will reach its peak.For nearly a month, Trump rebuffed calls to use his authority under the Defense Production Act to order companies to increase production of respirators and ventilators, before he relented last week.Asked about the AP report, the president suggested Sunday the states should be thankful for the shipments of supplies they have gotten.“FEMA, the military, what they’ve done is a miracle,” Trump said. “What they’ve done is a miracle in getting all of this stuff. What they have done for states is incredible.”

HHS: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines for essential workers, such as those in the health care and food supply industries. The guidance is focused on when those workers can return to work after having been exposed to the new coronavirus.

— Do take your temperature before work.

— Do practice social distancing as work duties permit.

— Don’t stay at work if you become sick

— Don’t share headsets or objects used near face.

— Don’t congregate in the break room or other crowded places.

The CDC also issued guidance for employers in essential industries.

— Do increase the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

— Do increase air exchange in the building.

— Do send sick workers home immediately.

— Do test the use of face masks to ensure they don’t interfere with workflow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586391131314.png" alt="Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines for essential workers, such as those in the health care and food supply industries. The guidance is focused on when those workers can return to work after having been exposed to the new coronavirus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586391294022.png" alt="CDC" />
 <figcaption>CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>— Do take your temperature before work.— Do wear a face mask at all times.— Do practice social distancing as work duties permit.— Don’t stay at work if you become sick— Don’t share headsets or objects used near face.— Don’t congregate in the break room or other crowded places.The CDC also issued guidance for employers in essential industries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586391231224.png" alt="CDC" />
 <figcaption>CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>— Do increase the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces.— Do increase air exchange in the building.— Do send sick workers home immediately.— Do test the use of face masks to ensure they don’t interfere with workflow.

New CDC guidance for essential workers, employers during coronavirus

OVERLAND PARK, KAN.&nbsp;(AP) — Officials in Overland Park have announced the suburban&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City community’s farmers market will not open this weekend as planned in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

City officials announced the markets’ postponed opening on Tuesday under pressure from the public, the Kansas City Star reported. The city had been planning to open the market for the season on Saturday, even as other Johnson County cities decided to postpone their own markets.

The city had made several changes in an effort to address health concerns — including canceling children's events and moving the event to a parking lot to give more space between vendors. But the event draws thousands of shoppers, making it difficult to keep people six feet apart and enforce safety protocols.

The city heard from several concerned residents, especially as the number of coronavirus cases rapidly grows in Johnson County, city spokesman Sean Reilly.

“Despite the efforts we’ve gone through with the safety and health protocols, we still heard from people who were concerned about the health of the public and vendors,” Reilly said. “So we heard them, listened to them and decided we would go ahead and close it.”

Reilly said the farmers market will open after Kansas' stay-at-home order is lifted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586358248415.png" alt="Image courtesy Overland Park Farmers Market" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Overland Park Farmers Market</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, KAN.&nbsp;(AP) — Officials in Overland Park have announced the suburban&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City community’s farmers market will not open this weekend as planned in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.City officials announced the markets’ postponed opening on Tuesday under pressure from the public, the Kansas City Star reported. The city had been planning to open the market for the season on Saturday, even as other Johnson County cities decided to postpone their own markets.The city had made several changes in an effort to address health concerns — including canceling children's events and moving the event to a parking lot to give more space between vendors. But the event draws thousands of shoppers, making it difficult to keep people six feet apart and enforce safety protocols.The city heard from several concerned residents, especially as the number of coronavirus cases rapidly grows in Johnson County, city spokesman Sean Reilly.“Despite the efforts we’ve gone through with the safety and health protocols, we still heard from people who were concerned about the health of the public and vendors,” Reilly said. “So we heard them, listened to them and decided we would go ahead and close it.”Reilly said the farmers market will open after Kansas' stay-at-home order is lifted.

Coronavirus response varied among Kansas farmers markets

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak has been overturned after the state’s top prosecutor said it likely violates the state constitution.

The Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to undo the order that limited in-person religious services and funerals to 10 people. The move came after Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said that while the order was “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow,” he was discouraging law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.

Governor Laura Kelly during Tuesday's news conference

With Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order Tuesday because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings. Dr. Lee Norman, the state health department’s head, said 165 had been sickened in those outbreaks.

“In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order,” wrote Schmidt, adding that Kansas statutory and constitutional law provide substantially more protection for religious freedoms than does federal law.

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Wednesday to 1,008, up from 900 Tuesday, with 38 deaths.

The sickened include 56 patients and staff members at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation in Kansas City, Kansas. Six have died and seven are hospitalized, health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday.

State health officials are monitoring the outbreak. Previously that state’s largest outbreak had been at the Life Care Center of Burlington, where 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive. One resident at that facility has died.

Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.

By STEPHEN KORANDA &amp; CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-lawmakers-wiped-out-gov-laura-kellys-covid-19-ban-big-church-gatherings#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Kansas Republican leadership 
seemingly had enough of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive orders, 
with a limit on church gatherings marking the final straw.

The 
Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to strip the state 
of any ban on the number of people who could gather at one time to stop 
the spread of the coronavirus.

No more than 10 people have been 
allowed to gather for a while, but on Tuesday, Kelly specified that it 
would apply to churches and funerals. Kansas officials have said three 
clusters of coronavirus have been directly tied to church services, 
leading to 165 illnesses and 12 deaths.

Plus, Easter is this Sunday, and the decision rankled Republican leadership.

“I
 can’t approve this,” said Senate President Susan Wagle, who often 
clashes with Kelly. “We did take an oath to uphold (religious freedoms 
in the constitution).”

It is now up to Kelly whether to establish
 another order that limits gatherings. She delayed an afternoon news 
conference as soon as the LCC’s vote happened.

Kansas House 
Speaker Pro Tem Finch said he hoped everyone will stay home, adding that
 it isn’t worth the risk to go to a church service this weekend and 
thanked church leaders for holding online services.

Those who 
voted to overturn the executive order, via conference call, were Wagle, 
Finch, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, House Speaker Ron Ryckman and
 House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins. The two Democrats, Sen. Anthony 
Hensley and House Rep. Tom Sawyer, wanted to keep the order.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda">@kprkoranda</a>.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTHKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak has been overturned after the state’s top prosecutor said it likely violates the state constitution.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/pHrW7sAiqY">pic.twitter.com/pHrW7sAiqY</a>&mdash; Speaker Ryckman (@RonRyckman) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonRyckman/status/1247989645973032960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to undo the order that limited in-person religious services and funerals to 10 people. The move came after Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said that while the order was “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow,” he was discouraging law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586287905649.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Governor Laura Kelly during Tuesday's news conferenceWith Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order Tuesday because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings. Dr. Lee Norman, the state health department’s head, said 165 had been sickened in those outbreaks.“In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order,” wrote Schmidt, adding that Kansas statutory and constitutional law provide substantially more protection for religious freedoms than does federal law.Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Wednesday to 1,008, up from 900 Tuesday, with 38 deaths.The sickened include 56 patients and staff members at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation in Kansas City, Kansas. Six have died and seven are hospitalized, health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday.State health officials are monitoring the outbreak. Previously that state’s largest outbreak had been at the Life Care Center of Burlington, where 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive. One resident at that facility has died.Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.----------By STEPHEN KORANDA &amp; CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-lawmakers-wiped-out-gov-laura-kellys-covid-19-ban-big-church-gatherings#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Kansas Republican leadership 
seemingly had enough of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive orders, 
with a limit on church gatherings marking the final straw.The 
Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to strip the state 
of any ban on the number of people who could gather at one time to stop 
the spread of the coronavirus.No more than 10 people have been 
allowed to gather for a while, but on Tuesday, Kelly specified that it 
would apply to churches and funerals. Kansas officials have said three 
clusters of coronavirus have been directly tied to church services, 
leading to 165 illnesses and 12 deaths.Plus, Easter is this Sunday, and the decision rankled Republican leadership.“I
 can’t approve this,” said Senate President Susan Wagle, who often 
clashes with Kelly. “We did take an oath to uphold (religious freedoms 
in the constitution).”It is now up to Kelly whether to establish
 another order that limits gatherings. She delayed an afternoon news 
conference as soon as the LCC’s vote happened.Kansas House 
Speaker Pro Tem Finch said he hoped everyone will stay home, adding that
 it isn’t worth the risk to go to a church service this weekend and 
thanked church leaders for holding online services.Those who 
voted to overturn the executive order, via conference call, were Wagle, 
Finch, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, House Speaker Ron Ryckman and
 House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins. The two Democrats, Sen. Anthony 
Hensley and House Rep. Tom Sawyer, wanted to keep the order.This is a breaking news story and will be updated.Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda">@kprkoranda</a>.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Update: Kan. lawmakers wipe out Gov.'s ban on church gatherings 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top prosecutor says a new executive order from Gov. Laura Kelly restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak likely violates the state constitution.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said in a news release Wednesday that limiting religious services and funerals to 10 people is “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow” but discouraged law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.

According to the media release, “The Office of Attorney General strongly encourages all Kansans participating in religious services or activities to voluntarily comply with the new restrictions on religious mass gatherings in order to protect public health.” Schmidt wrote in a memorandum to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide. “Nevertheless, … we also strongly discourage law enforcement from attempting to enforce the requirements of EO 20-18 as violations of the criminal law. In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order.”

Wednesday's memorandum is the second Schmidt has provided to assist law enforcement and prosecutors statewide in navigating the legally uncertain world of enforcing emergency orders during the current COVID-19 crisis. He said today’s further guidance was necessary because the new executive order singles out for additional regulation the exercise of a fundamental freedom expressly protected by the Kansas Constitution and by state statute. Schmidt noted that Section 7 of the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights, as well as the state’s Preservation for Religious Freedom Act, both set strict limits on the authority of any state or local government authority, including the governor, to restrict the religious freedoms of Kansans.

With Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order&nbsp; because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings.&nbsp;

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/addendum-1-to-law-enforcement-duties-and-authorities-memo.pdf?sfvrsn=7a60ac1a_2">Click here to read</a> a copy of the attorney general’s memorandum&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586286859667.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly issued the executive order during her news conference Tuesday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly issued the executive order during her news conference Tuesday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top prosecutor says a new executive order from Gov. Laura Kelly restricting the size of religious gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak likely violates the state constitution.Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said in a news release Wednesday that limiting religious services and funerals to 10 people is “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow” but discouraged law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements.According to the media release, “The Office of Attorney General strongly encourages all Kansans participating in religious services or activities to voluntarily comply with the new restrictions on religious mass gatherings in order to protect public health.” Schmidt wrote in a memorandum to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide. “Nevertheless, … we also strongly discourage law enforcement from attempting to enforce the requirements of EO 20-18 as violations of the criminal law. In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order.”Wednesday's memorandum is the second Schmidt has provided to assist law enforcement and prosecutors statewide in navigating the legally uncertain world of enforcing emergency orders during the current COVID-19 crisis. He said today’s further guidance was necessary because the new executive order singles out for additional regulation the exercise of a fundamental freedom expressly protected by the Kansas Constitution and by state statute. Schmidt noted that Section 7 of the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights, as well as the state’s Preservation for Religious Freedom Act, both set strict limits on the authority of any state or local government authority, including the governor, to restrict the religious freedoms of Kansans.With Easter approaching, Kelly, a Democrat, issued the order&nbsp; because of three outbreaks that had been connected to religious gatherings.&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/addendum-1-to-law-enforcement-duties-and-authorities-memo.pdf?sfvrsn=7a60ac1a_2">Click here to read</a> a copy of the attorney general’s memorandum&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. AG tells police not to enforce Gov's order on religious gatherings

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The number dead after a coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City, Kansas, rehabilitation facility has grown to six with another 50 patients and staff testing positive.

Health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday that seven of the sickened residents of Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation are hospitalized.

Wyandotte County’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Greiner, blamed the high number of COVID-19 cases on “a confluence of bad circumstances,” including a lag in testing results. KCUR reports that Greiner also said Tuesday that the close interactions required at a rehab facility helped fuel the spread. Greiner said it appears it was caused by a staff member three weeks ago, although he stressed that officials are “not 100%” certain.

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by 6.5% Tuesday to 900.

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A rehabilitation facility in Kansas City, Kansas, where four people have died of COVID-19 is one of a few group living facilities in the state that’s dealing with coronavirus outbreaks among their vulnerable residents.

Health officials for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, said Monday that the people who died at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation Center were among 37 who were sickened there. Only four were staff members; the rest were patients.

Meanwhile, three staff members and a resident at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center for people with intellectual disabilities have tested positive, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services said in a news release. The sickened resident has been isolated.

At the Life Care Center of Burlington — the site of the state’s largest outbreak — 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive, Coffey County health officials said. One resident died.

Life Care Centers of America also owns a Seattle area nursing home where 40 died and another in Kansas City, Kansas, where one resident died.

The cases at group living facilities are among 900 that state officials reported Tuesday in 57 counties, up from 845 Monday. Twenty-seven people have died.

Also Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Corrections said an outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility had grown to eight inmates and seven staff members.

Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said several of the state’s other 11 coronavirus clusters have been tied to nursing homes. And three are tied to church gatherings in Wyandotte County.

Updated projections from the University of Washington show hospital use is expected to peak in Kansas on April 19, eight days earlier previous projections, with deaths expected to peak at 10 per day on April 23.

The model predicts the states’ health care systems will not be as stressed as first expected. Kansas will ultimately need 94 intensive care unit beds; it has 278.

The head of Ascension Via Christi, which operates hospitals and other medical facilities in Wichita, Manhattan, Wamego, Pittsburg and Fort Scott, said Tuesday that the primary concern is staffing.

“The people that are operating the ventilators in a state like Kansas, where people are more precious than products, is a different situation than New York, where people are plentiful and product was scarce. We have a little bit of the reverse situation in Kansas,” said Don King, senior vice president of Ascension and ministry market executive for Kansas.

A respiratory therapist or other caregiver can be responsible for operating as many as eight respirators during an outbreak, and if you have one worker out sick it could impact as many as eight ventilators in a pressing situation, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586045672182.png" alt="Photo courtesy Riverbend&nbsp;Post Acute Rehabilitation Center" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Riverbend&nbsp;Post Acute Rehabilitation Center</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The number dead after a coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City, Kansas, rehabilitation facility has grown to six with another 50 patients and staff testing positive.Health officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said Wednesday that seven of the sickened residents of Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation are hospitalized.Wyandotte County’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Greiner, blamed the high number of COVID-19 cases on “a confluence of bad circumstances,” including a lag in testing results. KCUR reports that Greiner also said Tuesday that the close interactions required at a rehab facility helped fuel the spread. Greiner said it appears it was caused by a staff member three weeks ago, although he stressed that officials are “not 100%” certain.State health officials are monitoring the outbreak. Previously that state’s largest outbreak had been at the Life Care Center of Burlington, where 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive. One resident at that facility has died.Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by 6.5% Tuesday to 900.-------MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A rehabilitation facility in Kansas City, Kansas, where four people have died of COVID-19 is one of a few group living facilities in the state that’s dealing with coronavirus outbreaks among their vulnerable residents.Health officials for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, said Monday that the people who died at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation Center were among 37 who were sickened there. Only four were staff members; the rest were patients.Meanwhile, three staff members and a resident at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center for people with intellectual disabilities have tested positive, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services said in a news release. The sickened resident has been isolated.At the Life Care Center of Burlington — the site of the state’s largest outbreak — 41 residents and one staff member have tested positive, Coffey County health officials said. One resident died.Life Care Centers of America also owns a Seattle area nursing home where 40 died and another in Kansas City, Kansas, where one resident died.The cases at group living facilities are among 900 that state officials reported Tuesday in 57 counties, up from 845 Monday. Twenty-seven people have died.Also Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Corrections said an outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility had grown to eight inmates and seven staff members.Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said several of the state’s other 11 coronavirus clusters have been tied to nursing homes. And three are tied to church gatherings in Wyandotte County.Most infected people develop mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks, such as fever and cough. But older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.Updated projections from the University of Washington show hospital use is expected to peak in Kansas on April 19, eight days earlier previous projections, with deaths expected to peak at 10 per day on April 23.The model predicts the states’ health care systems will not be as stressed as first expected. Kansas will ultimately need 94 intensive care unit beds; it has 278.The head of Ascension Via Christi, which operates hospitals and other medical facilities in Wichita, Manhattan, Wamego, Pittsburg and Fort Scott, said Tuesday that the primary concern is staffing.“The people that are operating the ventilators in a state like Kansas, where people are more precious than products, is a different situation than New York, where people are plentiful and product was scarce. We have a little bit of the reverse situation in Kansas,” said Don King, senior vice president of Ascension and ministry market executive for Kansas.A respiratory therapist or other caregiver can be responsible for operating as many as eight respirators during an outbreak, and if you have one worker out sick it could impact as many as eight ventilators in a pressing situation, he said.___

Update: Virus deaths at Kan. rehab facility grow to 6

Missouri lawmakers have returned to the state Capitol in
Jefferson City, a Capitol which is much quieter than usual due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville says lawmakers need to meet
to authorize Governor Mike Parson to shift $180 million in withholdings to the
fight against the coronavirus.

“So, the governor needs authorization from the legislature in
order to move that money and spend it elsewhere,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph
Post.

Also, Missouri expects to receive roughly $2.2 billion in
federal money from the emergency relief package passed by Congress.

“In order for the governor to spend that money it must first
be appropriated by the legislature and so that’s why it’s so important and so
critical that we got in here fast is because the governor doesn’t have
authority absent action of the legislature to actually spend this money,” Luetkemeyer
says.

Luetkemeyer says the legislature needs to act quickly on the $5.8
billion supplemental budget, so Missouri can afford critical medical needs in
the fight against COVID-19.

The $180 million in withholdings has created financial
uncertainty for many state agencies and hits Missouri colleges and universities
particularly hard.

Luetkemeyer, though, expects federal help to offset much of
the withheld funds.

“Like most Missouri families, we’re going to have to tighten
our belts here at the state level, because unlike the feds, we don’t, we can’t,
deficit spend, which is a good thing,” Luetkemeyer says. “But we’re going to
have to make some tough budgetary decisions. But I do believe in a short term
that a lot of the withholds that we saw from the governor are going to be
backfilled with a lot of the federal dollars that are going to be coming in.”

Luetkemeyer says Missouri needs the help Congress is providing
through the COVID-19 relief package.

“So, if you look at some of the largest line items in Missouri’s
budget, you’re talking about primary education, you’re talking about higher
education, you’re talking about funding for Medicaid,” Luetkemeyer says. “Already
we’re starting to see large sums of money coming from the federal government to
help in some of those critical areas with the state’s budget.”

Luetkemeyer says the state expects about $1 billion in federal
money to pay for the eventual re-opening of public schools, as well as $350 million
for the state’s colleges and another $350 million for the Missouri Medicaid
program.

It is almost an eerie atmosphere at the Capitol in Jefferson
City.

Few staff members are in attendance. The public has been
discouraged from coming to the Capitol for debate and, instead, is being
encouraged to watch debate which is being screened on the legislature’s <a href="https://www.mo.gov/government/legislative-branch/">webpage</a>.
Senators will vote in blocks of six to maintain social distancing.

Any one entering the Capitol is being checked for symptoms of
COVID-19.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri lawmakers have returned to the state Capitol in
Jefferson City, a Capitol which is much quieter than usual due to COVID-19 restrictions.Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville says lawmakers need to meet
to authorize Governor Mike Parson to shift $180 million in withholdings to the
fight against the coronavirus.“So, the governor needs authorization from the legislature in
order to move that money and spend it elsewhere,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph
Post.Also, Missouri expects to receive roughly $2.2 billion in
federal money from the emergency relief package passed by Congress.“In order for the governor to spend that money it must first
be appropriated by the legislature and so that’s why it’s so important and so
critical that we got in here fast is because the governor doesn’t have
authority absent action of the legislature to actually spend this money,” Luetkemeyer
says.Luetkemeyer says the legislature needs to act quickly on the $5.8
billion supplemental budget, so Missouri can afford critical medical needs in
the fight against COVID-19.The $180 million in withholdings has created financial
uncertainty for many state agencies and hits Missouri colleges and universities
particularly hard.Luetkemeyer, though, expects federal help to offset much of
the withheld funds.“Like most Missouri families, we’re going to have to tighten
our belts here at the state level, because unlike the feds, we don’t, we can’t,
deficit spend, which is a good thing,” Luetkemeyer says. “But we’re going to
have to make some tough budgetary decisions. But I do believe in a short term
that a lot of the withholds that we saw from the governor are going to be
backfilled with a lot of the federal dollars that are going to be coming in.”Luetkemeyer says Missouri needs the help Congress is providing
through the COVID-19 relief package.“So, if you look at some of the largest line items in Missouri’s
budget, you’re talking about primary education, you’re talking about higher
education, you’re talking about funding for Medicaid,” Luetkemeyer says. “Already
we’re starting to see large sums of money coming from the federal government to
help in some of those critical areas with the state’s budget.”Luetkemeyer says the state expects about $1 billion in federal
money to pay for the eventual re-opening of public schools, as well as $350 million
for the state’s colleges and another $350 million for the Missouri Medicaid
program.It is almost an eerie atmosphere at the Capitol in Jefferson
City.Few staff members are in attendance. The public has been
discouraged from coming to the Capitol for debate and, instead, is being
encouraged to watch debate which is being screened on the legislature’s <a href="https://www.mo.gov/government/legislative-branch/">webpage</a>.
Senators will vote in blocks of six to maintain social distancing.Any one entering the Capitol is being checked for symptoms of
COVID-19.

Missouri lawmakers return to Capitol to consider COVID-19 funding

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering changing its guidelines for self-isolation to make it easier for those who have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus to return to work if they are asymptomatic.

The public health agency, in conjunction with the White House coronavirus task force, is considering an announcement as soon as Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday.

Under the proposed guidance, people who are exposed to someone infected would be allowed back on the job if they are asymptomatic, test their temperature twice a day and wear a face mask, said a person familiar with the proposal under consideration. The person described the proposal on the condition of anonymity because the draft had not been finalized.

The new policy is aimed in particular at workers in critical jobs. But it also comes as the Trump administration is eyeing what it calls a “stabilization” in infection rates and looks toward rolling back some of the restrictive social-distancing guidelines and restarting the nation’s stalled economy.

The proposed guidance would follow recommendations made by the CDC that eased self-isolation requirements for front-line medical workers who were exposed to the virus. Under CDC guidance, medical workers who have been exposed to the virus without protective equipment but who have no symptoms can return to work with a mask and temperature checks after 14 days.

Pence on Tuesday said the White House is focusing on the “point of need” for the current situation but is also operating on another track to consider future recommendations for the public.

“Some of the best minds here at the White House are beginning to think about what recommendations will look like that we give to businesses, that we give to states, but it will all, I promise you, be informed on putting the health and well-being of the American people first,” Pence said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

In fashioning the recommendations, the administration appeared to be trying to balance political concerns about wanting to preserve as much normalcy as possible with public health concerns that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586341574111.png" alt="Vice President Mike Pence answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Mike Pence answers questions during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering changing its guidelines for self-isolation to make it easier for those who have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus to return to work if they are asymptomatic.The public health agency, in conjunction with the White House coronavirus task force, is considering an announcement as soon as Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday.Under the proposed guidance, people who are exposed to someone infected would be allowed back on the job if they are asymptomatic, test their temperature twice a day and wear a face mask, said a person familiar with the proposal under consideration. The person described the proposal on the condition of anonymity because the draft had not been finalized.The new policy is aimed in particular at workers in critical jobs. But it also comes as the Trump administration is eyeing what it calls a “stabilization” in infection rates and looks toward rolling back some of the restrictive social-distancing guidelines and restarting the nation’s stalled economy.The proposed guidance would follow recommendations made by the CDC that eased self-isolation requirements for front-line medical workers who were exposed to the virus. Under CDC guidance, medical workers who have been exposed to the virus without protective equipment but who have no symptoms can return to work with a mask and temperature checks after 14 days.Pence on Tuesday said the White House is focusing on the “point of need” for the current situation but is also operating on another track to consider future recommendations for the public.“Some of the best minds here at the White House are beginning to think about what recommendations will look like that we give to businesses, that we give to states, but it will all, I promise you, be informed on putting the health and well-being of the American people first,” Pence said.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.In fashioning the recommendations, the administration appeared to be trying to balance political concerns about wanting to preserve as much normalcy as possible with public health concerns that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy.

CDC weighs loosening guidelines for some exposed to virus

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — If Wisconsin was a test case for voting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">in the age of the coronavirus</a>, it did not go well for many voters.

Thousands were forced to congregate for hours in long lines on Tuesday with no protective gear. Thousands more stayed home, unwilling to risk their health and unable to be counted because requested absentee ballots never arrived.

Voters reported being afraid, angry and embarrassed by the state’s unwillingness to postpone their presidential primary elections as more than a dozen other states have already done. Neither&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d5c415b99a6945dbbecf60d57bcf68cb">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;nor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fe9a5d1194c24ca7a826652f0c63187e">Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;will be declared a winner at least until next Monday in accordance with one of several court orders that shaped the contest.

And there was evidence that minority voters were disproportionately impacted by widespread poll closures in their communities. Michael Claus, 66, wore a protective mask and a Tuskegee Airmen cap, as he waited to vote.

The African American man said he tried to vote absentee and requested a ballot in March but it never showed up. His only option was to vote in person. He blamed the Republican-controlled state legislature.

“They could have delayed the election with no problem,” Claus said. “They decided if they can suppress the vote in Milwaukee and Madison, where you have a large minority presence, you can get people elected you want elected. And that’s sad.”

The chaos in Wisconsin, a premiere general election battleground, was expected to reverberate across states that still have primaries ahead. Alaska, Wyoming and Ohio are conducting contests by mail this month, and other states, including Georgia, are slated to hold in-person voting in May.

Election experts warned that Wisconsin was an example of what not to do. And the experience added immediate context to the broader debate about protecting voting rights this November.

“We have moved forward with an election, but we have not moved forward with democracy in the state of Wisconsin,” warned Neil Albrecht, executive director of Milwaukee’s election commission.

With results not coming until next week, the state did not offer Biden the knockout blow he hoped for in his presidential nomination fight against Sanders. The candidates spoke out late Tuesday on separate livestreams from the safety of their homes hundreds of miles (kilometers) away but had little to say about the Wisconsin contest.

Sanders didn’t say a word about the election on Tuesday after warning the night before that the holding the election was “dangerous” and “may prove deadly.” Biden, too, said in-person voting shouldn’t have taken place.

Democrats in and out of Wisconsin had pushed for the contestto be postponed, yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/97db30e6564b9b5eedfc300234ea6630">Republicans — and the conservative-majority state Supreme Court — would not give in</a>. The fight over whether to postpone the election was influenced by a state Supreme Court election also being held Tuesday. A lower turnout was thought to benefit the conservative candidate.

Lest there be any doubt about the GOP’s motivation, President Donald Trump on Tuesday broke from health experts who have encouraged all Americans to stay home by calling on his supporters to “get out and vote NOW” for the conservative judicial candidate.

The election was unlike virtually any other in recent memory. Milwaukee, the state’s largest city, opened just five of its 180 traditional polling places, forced to downsize after hundreds of poll workers stepped down because of health risks. The ensuing logjam forced voters to wait together in lines spanning several blocks in some cases. Many did not have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/34b6b5c689c8c6993cb21475b017baa4">facial coverings</a>.

As of Tuesday night, Wisconsin reported more than 2,500 coronavirus infections and 92 related deaths — 49 of them in Milwaukee County, where the voting lines were longest.

Milwaukee is home to the state’s largest concentration of black voters,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b52e4e9a63d64e3a25109f09010508b6">a community that has been hit harder than others</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic. Reduced minority turnout would benefit Republicans in a series of state and local elections.

The unprecedented challenge created chaotic scenes across the state — and a variety of health risks for voters and the elected officials who fought to keep polls open.

They included Robin Vos, the Republican speaker of the state Assembly, who joined more than 2,500 National Guard troops dispatched to help staff voting stations. While many voters stranded in lines for more than an hour did not have any protective equipment, Vos donned a face mask, safety glasses, gloves and a full protective gown.

In Madison, city workers erected Plexiglas barriers to protect poll workers, and voters were encouraged to bring their own pens to mark the ballots.

Tens of thousands of voters who received absentee ballots had not returned them as of Tuesday, Albrecht said. He noted that his office received hundreds of calls from people who didn’t get an absentee ballot or were concerned theirs hadn’t been delivered to election officials.

Milwaukee resident Megan Nakkula, 30, was forced to vote in person after requesting an absentee ballot but never receiving it.

“It’s been a very emotional day thinking about what the outcome of this could be,” she said, holding back tears. “It just doesn’t feel like it was the safest decision to do. I saw a lot of elderly voters, people who were high risk and everyone is taking as many precautions as they could. We were 6 feet apart, but you know, we don’t know what we don’t know about this virus at this point in time, and it’s really scary.”

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — If Wisconsin was a test case for voting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">in the age of the coronavirus</a>, it did not go well for many voters.Thousands were forced to congregate for hours in long lines on Tuesday with no protective gear. Thousands more stayed home, unwilling to risk their health and unable to be counted because requested absentee ballots never arrived.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This feels like an era-defining image <a href="https://t.co/rgEwnhmk8O">pic.twitter.com/rgEwnhmk8O</a>&mdash; Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/donmoyn/status/1247581715511627776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Voters reported being afraid, angry and embarrassed by the state’s unwillingness to postpone their presidential primary elections as more than a dozen other states have already done. Neither&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d5c415b99a6945dbbecf60d57bcf68cb">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;nor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fe9a5d1194c24ca7a826652f0c63187e">Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;will be declared a winner at least until next Monday in accordance with one of several court orders that shaped the contest.And there was evidence that minority voters were disproportionately impacted by widespread poll closures in their communities. Michael Claus, 66, wore a protective mask and a Tuskegee Airmen cap, as he waited to vote.The African American man said he tried to vote absentee and requested a ballot in March but it never showed up. His only option was to vote in person. He blamed the Republican-controlled state legislature.“They could have delayed the election with no problem,” Claus said. “They decided if they can suppress the vote in Milwaukee and Madison, where you have a large minority presence, you can get people elected you want elected. And that’s sad.”The chaos in Wisconsin, a premiere general election battleground, was expected to reverberate across states that still have primaries ahead. Alaska, Wyoming and Ohio are conducting contests by mail this month, and other states, including Georgia, are slated to hold in-person voting in May.Election experts warned that Wisconsin was an example of what not to do. And the experience added immediate context to the broader debate about protecting voting rights this November.“We have moved forward with an election, but we have not moved forward with democracy in the state of Wisconsin,” warned Neil Albrecht, executive director of Milwaukee’s election commission.With results not coming until next week, the state did not offer Biden the knockout blow he hoped for in his presidential nomination fight against Sanders. The candidates spoke out late Tuesday on separate livestreams from the safety of their homes hundreds of miles (kilometers) away but had little to say about the Wisconsin contest.Sanders didn’t say a word about the election on Tuesday after warning the night before that the holding the election was “dangerous” and “may prove deadly.” Biden, too, said in-person voting shouldn’t have taken place.Democrats in and out of Wisconsin had pushed for the contestto be postponed, yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/97db30e6564b9b5eedfc300234ea6630">Republicans — and the conservative-majority state Supreme Court — would not give in</a>. The fight over whether to postpone the election was influenced by a state Supreme Court election also being held Tuesday. A lower turnout was thought to benefit the conservative candidate.Lest there be any doubt about the GOP’s motivation, President Donald Trump on Tuesday broke from health experts who have encouraged all Americans to stay home by calling on his supporters to “get out and vote NOW” for the conservative judicial candidate.The election was unlike virtually any other in recent memory. Milwaukee, the state’s largest city, opened just five of its 180 traditional polling places, forced to downsize after hundreds of poll workers stepped down because of health risks. The ensuing logjam forced voters to wait together in lines spanning several blocks in some cases. Many did not have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/34b6b5c689c8c6993cb21475b017baa4">facial coverings</a>.As of Tuesday night, Wisconsin reported more than 2,500 coronavirus infections and 92 related deaths — 49 of them in Milwaukee County, where the voting lines were longest.Milwaukee is home to the state’s largest concentration of black voters,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b52e4e9a63d64e3a25109f09010508b6">a community that has been hit harder than others</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic. Reduced minority turnout would benefit Republicans in a series of state and local elections.The unprecedented challenge created chaotic scenes across the state — and a variety of health risks for voters and the elected officials who fought to keep polls open.They included Robin Vos, the Republican speaker of the state Assembly, who joined more than 2,500 National Guard troops dispatched to help staff voting stations. While many voters stranded in lines for more than an hour did not have any protective equipment, Vos donned a face mask, safety glasses, gloves and a full protective gown.In Madison, city workers erected Plexiglas barriers to protect poll workers, and voters were encouraged to bring their own pens to mark the ballots.Tens of thousands of voters who received absentee ballots had not returned them as of Tuesday, Albrecht said. He noted that his office received hundreds of calls from people who didn’t get an absentee ballot or were concerned theirs hadn’t been delivered to election officials.Milwaukee resident Megan Nakkula, 30, was forced to vote in person after requesting an absentee ballot but never receiving it.“It’s been a very emotional day thinking about what the outcome of this could be,” she said, holding back tears. “It just doesn’t feel like it was the safest decision to do. I saw a lot of elderly voters, people who were high risk and everyone is taking as many precautions as they could. We were 6 feet apart, but you know, we don’t know what we don’t know about this virus at this point in time, and it’s really scary.”___

Voters forced to choose between health, democracy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is racing to craft the next coronavirus rescue package, but President Donald Trump’s sudden request Tuesday to pump $250 billion more into a just-launched payroll program for small businesses may hit roadblocks. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says more money is needed. 

The $350 billion program took off last Friday but was quickly overrun. Companies jumped at the chance to tap up to $10 million in forgivable loans to keep paychecks flowing while workers stay home. Mnuchin requested the funds in private calls to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Democrats largely support it. But McConnell wants to swiftly jam it through Congress this week, making the outcome uncertain. The action is set for Thursday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders are jolting ahead with another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>rescue package as President Donald Trump indicated that Americans will need more aid during the stark pandemic and economic shutdown.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said another $1 trillion is needed, beyond the just-passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f7927456d58b4c29c843252506685e02">$2.2 trillion effort</a>. She wants another round of direct payments to Americans and more money for companies to keep making payroll. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ade6f4a0853ceb4c3500a8238ad6cd7f">said in recent days&nbsp;</a>that health care should top the list, signaling his intent to get to work on a new bill.

“We’re going to take good care of our people,” Trump said Monday at his daily White House briefing. “It was not their fault.”

It’s a rare sign of emerging consensus as Washington responds to the public health emergency and severe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0aa967875547c5d63f22575dd2cf1aaa">economic fallout&nbsp;</a>that is ransacking communities nationwide, a crisis on par with a war effort or the Great Depression.

The contours of the package are still being debated and any votes in Congress remain a logistical conundrum. The House and Senate adjourned for most of the month, as part of strict stay-at-home orders from public health officials to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus.

On an afternoon conference call with House Democrats, Pelosi told lawmakers at least another $1 trillion would be needed, according to a person unauthorized to discuss the call and granted anonymity.

The California Democrat has vowed to put the next package together in time for a House vote this month.

Former Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen joined the private call and warned Democrats the economic fallout will depend on the public health response to the pandemic, the person said. As businesses shutter to stop the virus’ spread, it has hurled the U.S. economy toward a recession.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586299015045.png" alt="President Trump opening Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump opening Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is racing to craft the next coronavirus rescue package, but President Donald Trump’s sudden request Tuesday to pump $250 billion more into a just-launched payroll program for small businesses may hit roadblocks. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says more money is needed. The $350 billion program took off last Friday but was quickly overrun. Companies jumped at the chance to tap up to $10 million in forgivable loans to keep paychecks flowing while workers stay home. Mnuchin requested the funds in private calls to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Democrats largely support it. But McConnell wants to swiftly jam it through Congress this week, making the outcome uncertain. The action is set for Thursday.------WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders are jolting ahead with another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>rescue package as President Donald Trump indicated that Americans will need more aid during the stark pandemic and economic shutdown.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said another $1 trillion is needed, beyond the just-passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f7927456d58b4c29c843252506685e02">$2.2 trillion effort</a>. She wants another round of direct payments to Americans and more money for companies to keep making payroll. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ade6f4a0853ceb4c3500a8238ad6cd7f">said in recent days&nbsp;</a>that health care should top the list, signaling his intent to get to work on a new bill.“We’re going to take good care of our people,” Trump said Monday at his daily White House briefing. “It was not their fault.”It’s a rare sign of emerging consensus as Washington responds to the public health emergency and severe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0aa967875547c5d63f22575dd2cf1aaa">economic fallout&nbsp;</a>that is ransacking communities nationwide, a crisis on par with a war effort or the Great Depression.The contours of the package are still being debated and any votes in Congress remain a logistical conundrum. The House and Senate adjourned for most of the month, as part of strict stay-at-home orders from public health officials to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus.On an afternoon conference call with House Democrats, Pelosi told lawmakers at least another $1 trillion would be needed, according to a person unauthorized to discuss the call and granted anonymity.The California Democrat has vowed to put the next package together in time for a House vote this month.Former Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen joined the private call and warned Democrats the economic fallout will depend on the public health response to the pandemic, the person said. As businesses shutter to stop the virus’ spread, it has hurled the U.S. economy toward a recession.Yellen said it was impossible to know how deep and long the recession would be, and added that it would depend on the health response.The former Fed chair also told them the nation’s unemployment rate is now at least 13% and this week’s jobless report will show higher numbers than last week’s.Yellen said she expects a 30 percent contraction of GDP this year, but has seen models as high as 50 percent, according to a Democratic aide unauthorized to discuss the call and granted anonymity.The earlier relief package, approved in late March, included one-time $1,200 direct payments to Americans, along with forgivable small business loans for companies to keep making payroll. It also included a boost of unemployment pay, money for hospitals and a $500 billion fund for bigger corporations and industries.Pelosi told Democrats said the $1,200 direct payments to Americans and the paycheck protection program for small businesses are not enough and more needs to be done, the person said.She also said there needs to be more aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps.Trump has favored direct checks to Americans, and gave a nod to another round in the next package.“It is absolutely under serious consideration,” he said.The shifts from the political leaders are stark amid what officials warn could be one of the toughest weeks for the country, as the number of confirmed cases and deaths climbs.McConnell told The Associated Press on Friday that there will be another package and health care must be at the “top of the list.”McConnell, R-Ky., said Congress should focus on correcting any shortcomings in the earlier $2.2 trillion aid bill and rely on health care experts for solutions to “wipe out” the virus.Pelosi, D-Calif., last week also backed off her more sweeping proposals for an infrastructure package to put people back to work, focusing on the more immediate health care and economic needs.As governors plead for federal intervention to provide hard-hit hospitals in New York and elsewhere with vital medical ventilators, equipment and supplies, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for a better-coordinated effort to care for the many sick people.Schumer told reporters on a conference call Monday that he’s urging the White House to appoint a single, well-qualified “czar” to handle both the production and distribution of medical supplies and equipment to fight the pandemic.Right now, Schumer said, governors and other officials have no choice but to search out materials helter-skelter.“Everyone’s hunting and pecking for the equipment and the supplies they need,” he said. “It’s just not working. It’s like a scavenger hunt for their lives.”Schumer, D-N.Y., said he spoke to both Vice President Mike Pence and new White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and suggested three potential candidates for the job: two former vice chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Air Force Gen. Paul Selva and retired Adm. James A. Winnefield, and retired Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek, former director of the Defense Logistics Agency.Trump, displeased with Schumer’s effort, accused the senator of being overtly political.This would be the fourth package from Congress since the start of the virus outbreak. Two initial efforts were followed by the third last month, which was by far the largest, the most ambitious of its kind in U.S. history. With so much federal aid expected to be pushed so quickly to the public, Congress is also trying to swiftly stand up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/91bbb26d8557c7d697f757b931089611">oversight panels</a>.Pelosi late last week announced the formation of a House select committee with subpoena power to monitor the decision-making and cash flow.A broader oversight board is being formed to track the Treasury Department’s dispersal of the aid to businesses, particularly the more than $500 billion in corporate and industry aid under Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s discretion.Schumer named a top economic adviser to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Bharat Ramamurti, as his choice for the pandemic response accountabilty committee established by recently passed legislation.___

Coronavirus Update