O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Nearly 500 people are hospitalized in the St. Louis region with the coronavirus, including 139 requiring ventilators, and the leader of a new pandemic task force is warning that the peak of illnesses isn't expected until later this month.

Dr. Alex Garza, head of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, said Sunday that 468 patients are hospitalized in the St. Louis area, including 164 in intensive care units, the vast majority of whom are on ventilators. The patients have either tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, or are showing symptoms and awaiting test results.

Garza said the number of hospitalized patients is expected to peak in two to three weeks.

“We have every reason to believe that the surge is still coming,” Garza said. “So it is extremely important that we all follow the strategy, which is to stop the spread" through social isolation, frequent hand-washing and other measures.

Monday was the first day Missouri was under a statewide stay-at-home order. Gov. Mike Parson announced the order Friday. It is scheduled to expire on April 24.

Missouri reported 10 more deaths Sunday, bringing the state's total to 34. However, a database operated by Johns Hopkins University shows 47 deaths in Missouri. The discrepancy could be because Missouri had not required that coronavirus deaths be reported within 24 hours until it changed that policy as of Sunday.

The state health department reported 2,367 confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday, up 76 from the 2,291 reported Saturday.

Most infected people develop mild or moderate coronavirus 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.

A suburban St. Louis school district suspended food deliveries to students through this week after the deaths of two bus drivers — one of whom tested positive for the coronavirus and another who had an unrelated illness but showed symptoms of the virus prior to his death.

Ferguson-Florissant Schools Superintendent Joseph Davis said a staff member at the district's McCluer North High School also tested positive for the coronavirus. Davis said it had been more than 14 days since any of the three employees worked.

Schools have been closed in the St. Louis region since mid-March but many districts continue to provide breakfast and lunch for needy students. The Ferguson-Florissant district uses school buses to deliver to 220 locations in the district, which covers part of north St. Louis County.

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Nearly 500 people are hospitalized in the St. Louis region with the coronavirus, including 139 requiring ventilators, and the leader of a new pandemic task force is warning that the peak of illnesses isn't expected until later this month.Dr. Alex Garza, head of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, said Sunday that 468 patients are hospitalized in the St. Louis area, including 164 in intensive care units, the vast majority of whom are on ventilators. The patients have either tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, or are showing symptoms and awaiting test results.Garza said the number of hospitalized patients is expected to peak in two to three weeks.“We have every reason to believe that the surge is still coming,” Garza said. “So it is extremely important that we all follow the strategy, which is to stop the spread" through social isolation, frequent hand-washing and other measures.Monday was the first day Missouri was under a statewide stay-at-home order. Gov. Mike Parson announced the order Friday. It is scheduled to expire on April 24.Missouri reported 10 more deaths Sunday, bringing the state's total to 34. However, a database operated by Johns Hopkins University shows 47 deaths in Missouri. The discrepancy could be because Missouri had not required that coronavirus deaths be reported within 24 hours until it changed that policy as of Sunday.The state health department reported 2,367 confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday, up 76 from the 2,291 reported Saturday.Most infected people develop mild or moderate coronavirus 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.A suburban St. Louis school district suspended food deliveries to students through this week after the deaths of two bus drivers — one of whom tested positive for the coronavirus and another who had an unrelated illness but showed symptoms of the virus prior to his death.Ferguson-Florissant Schools Superintendent Joseph Davis said a staff member at the district's McCluer North High School also tested positive for the coronavirus. Davis said it had been more than 14 days since any of the three employees worked.Schools have been closed in the St. Louis region since mid-March but many districts continue to provide breakfast and lunch for needy students. The Ferguson-Florissant district uses school buses to deliver to 220 locations in the district, which covers part of north St. Louis County.

Doctor: Over 139 virus patients on ventilators in Missouri

Social distancing is currently the most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization and the CDC.

Unacast created an interactive Scoreboard, updated daily, to empower organizations to measure and understand the efficacy of social distancing initiatives at the local level, according to their website.

The most recent report gave Missouri an F and dropped Kansas to a grade of D.&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.unacast.com/covid19/social-distancing-scoreboard">Click here to see the grade for your county.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586172070349.png" alt="Unacast" />
 <figcaption>Unacast</figcaption>
 </figure>Social distancing is currently the most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization and the CDC.Unacast created an interactive Scoreboard, updated daily, to empower organizations to measure and understand the efficacy of social distancing initiatives at the local level, according to their website.The most recent report gave Missouri an F and dropped Kansas to a grade of D.&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.unacast.com/covid19/social-distancing-scoreboard">Click here to see the grade for your county.</a>

Compare your community's social distancing activity

An employee of the Living Community of St. Joseph has tested
positive for COVID-19.

The Living Community made the announcement on its website,
stating the staff member showed no signs of the virus at the beginning of the
shift and only worked on one floor of the building. The staff member worked for
five hours and wore a mask the entire shift, according to the Living Community
website, before becoming ill.

The Living Community says it is tracking the health of
everyone who came into close contract with the staff member. Residents and
employees are being monitored for symptoms.

Living Community officials say visitors can only enter the
facility for essential health care services and compassionate end-of-life care.
Visitors must be screened and free of symptoms before allowed in the building.

Benedictine Health System operates the Living Community of St.
Joseph features 49 independent living apartments, 32 assisted-living
residences, and a 96-bed skilled nursing facility.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn employee of the Living Community of St. Joseph has tested
positive for COVID-19.The Living Community made the announcement on its website,
stating the staff member showed no signs of the virus at the beginning of the
shift and only worked on one floor of the building. The staff member worked for
five hours and wore a mask the entire shift, according to the Living Community
website, before becoming ill.The Living Community says it is tracking the health of
everyone who came into close contract with the staff member. Residents and
employees are being monitored for symptoms.Living Community officials say visitors can only enter the
facility for essential health care services and compassionate end-of-life care.
Visitors must be screened and free of symptoms before allowed in the building.Benedictine Health System operates the Living Community of St.
Joseph features 49 independent living apartments, 32 assisted-living
residences, and a 96-bed skilled nursing facility.

Living Community employee tests positive for COVID-19

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans braced for what the nation’s top doctor warned Sunday would be “the hardest and saddest week” of their lives while Britain assumed the unwelcome mantle of deadliest coronavirus hot spot in Europe after a record 24-hour jump in deaths that surpassed even hard-hit Italy’s.

Britain’s own prime minister, Boris Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/193a0cfe074685144ade169084a68255">was hospitalized</a>, 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19 in what his office described as a “precautionary step.”

Amid the dire news, there were also glimmers of hope some hard-hit areas — the number of people dying appeared to be slowing in New York City, Spain and Italy. The news was cautiously welcomed by leaders, who also noted that any gains could easily be reversed if people did not continue to adhere to strict lockdowns.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams offered a stark warning about the expected wave of virus deaths.

“This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment,” he told “Fox News Sunday.”

But President Donald Trump later suggested the hard weeks ahead could foretell the turning of a corner. “We’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Trump said at an evening White House briefing.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09763bcbed9ff417b6eb5886155db66b">New York City, the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic</a>, daily deaths dropped slightly, along with intensive care admissions and the number of patients who needed breathing tubes inserted, but New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned it was “too early to tell” the significance of those numbers.

Italy and Spain also got some encouraging news. Italy registered its lowest day-to-day increase in deaths in more than two weeks — 525, said Angelo Borrelli, the head of the national Civil Protection agency. The pace of infection also seemed to be slowing.

Even so, Borrelli warned, “This good news shouldn’t make us drop our guard.”

Confirmed infections fell in Spain, too, and new deaths declined for the third straight day, dropping to 674 — the first time daily deaths have fallen below 800 in the past week.

The outlook, however, was bleak in Britain, which reported more than 600 deaths Sunday, surpassing Italy’s increase. Italy still has, by far, the world’s highest coronavirus death toll — almost 16,000.

“I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” she said. “And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/faa93f9fde3483bb13a605fa0d400b0c">In a rare televised address</a>, Queen Elizabeth II appealed to Britons to rise the occasion, while acknowledging enormous disruptions, grief and financial difficulties.

Johnson, meanwhile, has been hospitalized, though his office said it was not an emergency and that the 55-year-old Conservative will undergo tests.

There are concerns that Johnson’s government did not take the virus seriously enough at first and that spring weather will tempt Britons and others to break social distancing rules.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the U.K. might even ban outdoor exercise if people still ’’flout the rules.″

“The vast majority of people are following the public health advice, which is absolutely critical, and staying at home,” Hancock told Sky TV. “But there are a small minority of people who are still not doing that — it’s quite unbelievable, frankly, to see that.”

As the numbers of infections rose, Saffron Cordery, the deputy head of Britain’s National Health Service Providers, said the agency needed to focus on quickly increasing ventilator capacity and getting more protective equipment for health care workers.

Italians have not been immune to lure of the good weather, either. Top Italian officials took to national television after photos were published showing huge crowds out shopping.

Health Minister Roberto Speranza told RAI state television that all the sacrifices Italians have made since the nationwide lockdown began risked being reversed.

Restrictions on movement vary from country to country, state to state, locality to locality. Swedes have been advised to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants remain open. In Germany and Britain, residents can get outdoors to exercise and walk their dogs, while in Serbia and South Africa, dog walking is not allowed.

The ACLU filed its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/86171da74e787acf1a3c613a1c516311">lawsuit&nbsp;</a>over coronavirus restrictions, arguing in part that Puerto Rico’s curfew leaves people fearing arrest if they help elderly relatives by letting police determine who belongs in a family. A coastal community’s mayor in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/feecf34f9f49a2436246ef9451a683dc">Georgia</a>&nbsp;fears the governor’s mandate to open beaches will bring crowds to the small island with older residents and no medical facility.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab92b02d9729f12678f667d80abda876">blessed palms for Palm Sunday&nbsp;</a>in a near-empty St. Peter’s Basilica. At a New Orleans church, Rev. Emmanuel Mulenga blessed palm fronds and put them on a back table so people could get them while also observing social distancing.

Worldwide, more than 1.2 million people have been confirmed infected and nearly 70,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, due to limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.

The vast majority of infected people recover from the virus, which is spread by microscopic droplets from coughs or sneezes. For most people, the virus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause pneumonia and lead to death.

The rapid spread of the virus in the United States has prompted a chaotic scramble for medical equipment and protective gear.

An Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">review</a>&nbsp;of purchasing contracts showed that federal agencies largely waited until mid-March — more than two months after the first warnings of a potential pandemic — to begin placing bulk orders of N95 respirator masks, mechanical ventilators and other equipment needed by front-line health care workers.

By that time, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and pleading for shipments from the national stockpile. Now that stockpile is nearly drained just as the numbers of patients requiring critical care is surging.

When asked about the issue, Trump said federal officials and the military had worked “a miracle.”

Rebekah Gee, who heads the Louisiana State University’s health care services division, warned that the private and public sector have been competing with each other, leading to price increases.

Gee said one of her colleagues went on eBay to buy gowns, while equipment her department ordered from China got stalled for weeks in Hong Kong.

“Our whole country is at war with this virus,” said Gee, who once ran the state’s Department of Health. “This needs a coordinated approach, and right now that’s not happening.”

Louisiana and the New Orleans area have been hard hit by the virus, and Gov. John Bel Edwards has repeatedly warned of looming equipment shortages.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he hoped the pace of new infections would plateau soon, but that the virus is unlikely to be eradicated this year.

Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Fauci said the prospect of a resurgence is why the U.S. is working so hard to develop a vaccine and conducting clinical trials on treatments.

Scientists are still learning about the virus that was first detected in late December in Wuhan, China. In what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the U.S., officials said Sunday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f47b8e4f883579712599690e1752c09">a tiger at the Bronx Zoo had tested positive</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586112457795.png" alt="U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the White House on Friday." />
 <figcaption>U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the White House on Friday.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Americans braced for what the nation’s top doctor warned Sunday would be “the hardest and saddest week” of their lives while Britain assumed the unwelcome mantle of deadliest coronavirus hot spot in Europe after a record 24-hour jump in deaths that surpassed even hard-hit Italy’s.Britain’s own prime minister, Boris Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/193a0cfe074685144ade169084a68255">was hospitalized</a>, 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19 in what his office described as a “precautionary step.”Amid the dire news, there were also glimmers of hope some hard-hit areas — the number of people dying appeared to be slowing in New York City, Spain and Italy. The news was cautiously welcomed by leaders, who also noted that any gains could easily be reversed if people did not continue to adhere to strict lockdowns.U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams offered a stark warning about the expected wave of virus deaths.“This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment,” he told “Fox News Sunday.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586169391337.png" alt="President Trump on Sunday, "We are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel." -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump on Sunday, "We are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel." -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>But President Donald Trump later suggested the hard weeks ahead could foretell the turning of a corner. “We’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Trump said at an evening White House briefing.In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/09763bcbed9ff417b6eb5886155db66b">New York City, the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic</a>, daily deaths dropped slightly, along with intensive care admissions and the number of patients who needed breathing tubes inserted, but New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned it was “too early to tell” the significance of those numbers.Italy and Spain also got some encouraging news. Italy registered its lowest day-to-day increase in deaths in more than two weeks — 525, said Angelo Borrelli, the head of the national Civil Protection agency. The pace of infection also seemed to be slowing.Even so, Borrelli warned, “This good news shouldn’t make us drop our guard.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696207171.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Confirmed infections fell in Spain, too, and new deaths declined for the third straight day, dropping to 674 — the first time daily deaths have fallen below 800 in the past week.The outlook, however, was bleak in Britain, which reported more than 600 deaths Sunday, surpassing Italy’s increase. Italy still has, by far, the world’s highest coronavirus death toll — almost 16,000.“I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” she said. “And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.”<a href="https://apnews.com/faa93f9fde3483bb13a605fa0d400b0c">In a rare televised address</a>, Queen Elizabeth II appealed to Britons to rise the occasion, while acknowledging enormous disruptions, grief and financial difficulties.Johnson, meanwhile, has been hospitalized, though his office said it was not an emergency and that the 55-year-old Conservative will undergo tests.There are concerns that Johnson’s government did not take the virus seriously enough at first and that spring weather will tempt Britons and others to break social distancing rules.Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the U.K. might even ban outdoor exercise if people still ’’flout the rules.″“The vast majority of people are following the public health advice, which is absolutely critical, and staying at home,” Hancock told Sky TV. “But there are a small minority of people who are still not doing that — it’s quite unbelievable, frankly, to see that.”As the numbers of infections rose, Saffron Cordery, the deputy head of Britain’s National Health Service Providers, said the agency needed to focus on quickly increasing ventilator capacity and getting more protective equipment for health care workers.Italians have not been immune to lure of the good weather, either. Top Italian officials took to national television after photos were published showing huge crowds out shopping.Health Minister Roberto Speranza told RAI state television that all the sacrifices Italians have made since the nationwide lockdown began risked being reversed.Restrictions on movement vary from country to country, state to state, locality to locality. Swedes have been advised to practice social distancing, but schools, bars and restaurants remain open. In Germany and Britain, residents can get outdoors to exercise and walk their dogs, while in Serbia and South Africa, dog walking is not allowed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696236815.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>The ACLU filed its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/86171da74e787acf1a3c613a1c516311">lawsuit&nbsp;</a>over coronavirus restrictions, arguing in part that Puerto Rico’s curfew leaves people fearing arrest if they help elderly relatives by letting police determine who belongs in a family. A coastal community’s mayor in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/feecf34f9f49a2436246ef9451a683dc">Georgia</a>&nbsp;fears the governor’s mandate to open beaches will bring crowds to the small island with older residents and no medical facility.At the Vatican, Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab92b02d9729f12678f667d80abda876">blessed palms for Palm Sunday&nbsp;</a>in a near-empty St. Peter’s Basilica. At a New Orleans church, Rev. Emmanuel Mulenga blessed palm fronds and put them on a back table so people could get them while also observing social distancing.Worldwide, more than 1.2 million people have been confirmed infected and nearly 70,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, due to limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.The vast majority of infected people recover from the virus, which is spread by microscopic droplets from coughs or sneezes. For most people, the virus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause pneumonia and lead to death.The rapid spread of the virus in the United States has prompted a chaotic scramble for medical equipment and protective gear.An Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/090600c299a8cf07f5b44d92534856bc">review</a>&nbsp;of purchasing contracts showed that federal agencies largely waited until mid-March — more than two months after the first warnings of a potential pandemic — to begin placing bulk orders of N95 respirator masks, mechanical ventilators and other equipment needed by front-line health care workers.By that time, hospitals in several states were treating thousands of infected patients without adequate equipment and pleading for shipments from the national stockpile. Now that stockpile is nearly drained just as the numbers of patients requiring critical care is surging.When asked about the issue, Trump said federal officials and the military had worked “a miracle.”Rebekah Gee, who heads the Louisiana State University’s health care services division, warned that the private and public sector have been competing with each other, leading to price increases.Gee said one of her colleagues went on eBay to buy gowns, while equipment her department ordered from China got stalled for weeks in Hong Kong.“Our whole country is at war with this virus,” said Gee, who once ran the state’s Department of Health. “This needs a coordinated approach, and right now that’s not happening.”Louisiana and the New Orleans area have been hard hit by the virus, and Gov. John Bel Edwards has repeatedly warned of looming equipment shortages.Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he hoped the pace of new infections would plateau soon, but that the virus is unlikely to be eradicated this year.Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Fauci said the prospect of a resurgence is why the U.S. is working so hard to develop a vaccine and conducting clinical trials on treatments.Scientists are still learning about the virus that was first detected in late December in Wuhan, China. In what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the U.S., officials said Sunday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f47b8e4f883579712599690e1752c09">a tiger at the Bronx Zoo had tested positive</a>.___

Surgeon General: Americans face ‘hardest, saddest’ week of their lives

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April, but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.

The document from the House Ways and Means Committee says the IRS will make about 60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit in mid-April, likely the week of April 13. The IRS has direct deposit information for these individuals from their 2018 or 2019 tax returns.

Then, starting the week of May 4, the IRS will begin issuing paper checks to individuals, the memo says. The paper checks will be issued at a rate of about 5 million per week, which means it could take up to 20 weeks to get all the checks out. That timeline would delay some checks until the week of Aug. 17.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that while he initially pledged to get payments started within three weeks of the law’s adoption, “I’m now committing to two weeks. We’re delivering on our commitments.”

The IRS, which he oversees, will ensure that “within two weeks the first money will be in people’s accounts,” Mnuchin said during a White House briefing.

“This money does people no good if it shows up in four months,” he added.

The memo from the committee’s Democratic majority says the timeline it made public Thursday was based on “extensive conversations with the IRS and the Department of Treasury.″ The timeline is subject to change, given ongoing discussions between Congress and the Trump administration.

“The Committee remains focused on ensuring all eligible Americans receive their payment as quickly as possible,″ the memo says.

The payments are part of the $2.2 trillion rescue package signed into law March 27 by President Donald Trump aimed at combating the economic ravages of the coronavirus outbreak.

Most people don’t need to do anything to get the money.

Reversing an earlier position, the government said this week that Social Security recipients who are not required to file a tax return will not need to file a very simplified tax return to receive their government stimulus check. The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate the $1,200 checks to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.

The checks will be issued in reverse order of adjusted gross income, meaning that people with the lowest income will get payments first.

The committee estimates that there are 150 million to 170 million U.S. taxpayers, which leaves 90 million to 110 million taxpayers who are either filers or nonfilers but about whom the IRS wants information.

The filers will need to receive a paper check unless their direct deposit information can be updated in the IRS portal. Nonfilers may need to file the simple tax return and likely include direct deposit information if they want to receive their rebates quickly. The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file their 2019 returns as soon as possible.

The IRS expects to create a portal in late April or early May that will allow taxpayers to find out the status of their rebate payment and update direct deposit information, the memo says.

Anyone earning up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income and who has a Social Security number will receive a $1,200 payment. That means married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment — $2,400 — if their adjusted gross income, which is what they report on their taxes, is under $150,000.

The payment steadily declines for those who make more. Those earning more than $99,000, or $198,000 for joint filers, are not eligible. The thresholds are slightly different for those who file as a head of household.

Parents will also receive $500 for each qualifying child.

The IRS did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585875071611.png" alt="President signed the virus-relief package March 27" />
 <figcaption>President signed the virus-relief package March 27</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April, but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.The document from the House Ways and Means Committee says the IRS will make about 60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit in mid-April, likely the week of April 13. The IRS has direct deposit information for these individuals from their 2018 or 2019 tax returns.Then, starting the week of May 4, the IRS will begin issuing paper checks to individuals, the memo says. The paper checks will be issued at a rate of about 5 million per week, which means it could take up to 20 weeks to get all the checks out. That timeline would delay some checks until the week of Aug. 17.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585864355430.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin answered questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-White House image" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin answered questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that while he initially pledged to get payments started within three weeks of the law’s adoption, “I’m now committing to two weeks. We’re delivering on our commitments.”The IRS, which he oversees, will ensure that “within two weeks the first money will be in people’s accounts,” Mnuchin said during a White House briefing.“This money does people no good if it shows up in four months,” he added.The memo from the committee’s Democratic majority says the timeline it made public Thursday was based on “extensive conversations with the IRS and the Department of Treasury.″ The timeline is subject to change, given ongoing discussions between Congress and the Trump administration.“The Committee remains focused on ensuring all eligible Americans receive their payment as quickly as possible,″ the memo says.The payments are part of the $2.2 trillion rescue package signed into law March 27 by President Donald Trump aimed at combating the economic ravages of the coronavirus outbreak.Most people don’t need to do anything to get the money.Reversing an earlier position, the government said this week that Social Security recipients who are not required to file a tax return will not need to file a very simplified tax return to receive their government stimulus check. The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate the $1,200 checks to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.The checks will be issued in reverse order of adjusted gross income, meaning that people with the lowest income will get payments first.The committee estimates that there are 150 million to 170 million U.S. taxpayers, which leaves 90 million to 110 million taxpayers who are either filers or nonfilers but about whom the IRS wants information.The filers will need to receive a paper check unless their direct deposit information can be updated in the IRS portal. Nonfilers may need to file the simple tax return and likely include direct deposit information if they want to receive their rebates quickly. The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file their 2019 returns as soon as possible.The IRS expects to create a portal in late April or early May that will allow taxpayers to find out the status of their rebate payment and update direct deposit information, the memo says.Anyone earning up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income and who has a Social Security number will receive a $1,200 payment. That means married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment — $2,400 — if their adjusted gross income, which is what they report on their taxes, is under $150,000.The payment steadily declines for those who make more. Those earning more than $99,000, or $198,000 for joint filers, are not eligible. The thresholds are slightly different for those who file as a head of household.Parents will also receive $500 for each qualifying child.The IRS did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.___

Why some won't receive virus stimulus checks until August

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Sunday.

<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData">Click here for additi</a>onal details.

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Sunday.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData">Click here for additi</a>onal details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586108768239.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas; 22 deaths

The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting some uncharted waters for businesses to navigate, but there is a lifeline through a disaster loan program.

Rebecca Lobina is the Regional Director at the Small Business Development Center at Northwest Missouri State University.

Lobina says the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program was approved for businesses to apply for on March 21st. Lobina adds there have been disaster loans through the SBA in the past.

“But they’ve always been for very localized disasters like a flood or a hurricane or a tornado,” Lobina  tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “This is very different because this is our first nationwide declared disaster.”

Lobina says the disaster loan funds are intended to be used for operating capital such as rent, payroll or marketing.&nbsp;

“Any of the expenses that are listed on your Profit and Loss Statement, you can use these monies for,” Lobina says. “They are not intended to be used for purchasing assets, but they are very much so intended to keep you afloat during this time with COVID-19.”

For profit businesses and non-profit organizations can apply except for casinos, gambling establishments, charities or religious organizations.&nbsp;

Lobina says businesses can apply through the <a href="https://www.sba.gov/">SBA website</a> and she encourages anyone with questions about the process to contact her through the <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/services/sbdc/contact.htm">Small Business Development Center</a> at (816) 364-4105 or lobina@nwmissouri.edu.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostThe COVID-19 pandemic is presenting some uncharted waters for businesses to navigate, but there is a lifeline through a disaster loan program.Rebecca Lobina is the Regional Director at the Small Business Development Center at Northwest Missouri State University.Lobina says the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program was approved for businesses to apply for on March 21st. Lobina adds there have been disaster loans through the SBA in the past.“But they’ve always been for very localized disasters like a flood or a hurricane or a tornado,” Lobina tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “This is very different because this is our first nationwide declared disaster.”Lobina says the disaster loan funds are intended to be used for operating capital such as rent, payroll or marketing.&nbsp;“Any of the expenses that are listed on your Profit and Loss Statement, you can use these monies for,” Lobina says. “They are not intended to be used for purchasing assets, but they are very much so intended to keep you afloat during this time with COVID-19.”For profit businesses and non-profit organizations can apply except for casinos, gambling establishments, charities or religious organizations.&nbsp;Lobina says businesses can apply through the <a href="https://www.sba.gov/">SBA website</a> and she encourages anyone with questions about the process to contact her through the <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/services/sbdc/contact.htm">Small Business Development Center</a> at (816) 364-4105 or lobina@nwmissouri.edu.

Economic Injury Loan Program offers a lifeline for small businesses

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Saturday that a modified operational schedule has been implemented at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) after a fourth staff member, and the first resident,&nbsp; tested positive for COVID-19 virus. This schedule began with the 2 to 10 p.m. shift on Saturday April 4, 2020.&nbsp;

According to a media release from the KDOC, the staff member is a male over the age of 20 and the resident is a male over age 50. In order to protect the identity of each, no other information will be released.

As with the cases on March 31, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. Additional steps taken today include:

“The additional steps today illustrate our continued effort to follow all guidelines issued by public health officials,” Zmuda said. “We appreciate the continued support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Laura Kelly, as we conduct our work in these challenging times.”

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Saturday that a modified operational schedule has been implemented at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) after a fourth staff member, and the first resident,&nbsp; tested positive for COVID-19 virus. This schedule began with the 2 to 10 p.m. shift on Saturday April 4, 2020.&nbsp;According to a media release from the KDOC, the staff member is a male over the age of 20 and the resident is a male over age 50. In order to protect the identity of each, no other information will be released.As with the cases on March 31, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. Additional steps taken today include:<ol>
 <li>Reduced movement of residents so that they will remain in their units, but are not locked down in cells&nbsp;</li><li>Necessary movement to recreation or jobs will occur primarily in groups, or cohorts, from the same unit</li><li>Staffing has been modified due to increased absences</li>
 </ol>“The additional steps today illustrate our continued effort to follow all guidelines issued by public health officials,” Zmuda said. “We appreciate the continued support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Laura Kelly, as we conduct our work in these challenging times.”

Kansas prison modifies operation due to new coronavirus cases

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A cluster of COVID-19 cases has been found at a rehabilitation center in Kansas City, Kansas, where 17 residents and two staff members have tested positive for the virus.

Six of those 17 residents at the Riverbend Post Acute Care Center have been hospitalized, said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The facility has 135 residents.

Riverbend executive director Cory Schulte told&nbsp;The Kansas City Star&nbsp;that patients who remain at the facility are receiving care from its clinical team.

Kansas health officials on Saturday reported 21 coronavirus deaths as the number of confirmed cases in the state increased to 698, up 78 from a day earlier.

The greatest number of cases are in the Kansas City area, with 185 cases in Johnson County and 149 in Wyandotte County. But the outbreak continues to spread across Kansas with 49 of the state’s 105 counties now having a confirmed case.

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.

Kansas officials said they have received some medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile. Starting this weekend, the Kansas National Guard and Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol are distributing masks, face shields, surgical gowns and gloves to all 105 counties, based on each county’s population. The supplies are being coordinated through county emergency managers who are distributing them.

Wichita State University also announced it has decided to move this summer’s classes to an online or remote format. Provost Rick Muma said in a letter to students and faculty that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution.

“As our lives, both on campus and off, continue to be disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, our priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our entire campus community. While we had hoped to be able to return to some sense of normal by the summer months, the situation remains uncertain,” he wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586045672182.png" alt="Image courtesy Riverbend Post Acute Care Center" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Riverbend Post Acute Care Center</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A cluster of COVID-19 cases has been found at a rehabilitation center in Kansas City, Kansas, where 17 residents and two staff members have tested positive for the virus.Six of those 17 residents at the Riverbend Post Acute Care Center have been hospitalized, said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The facility has 135 residents.Riverbend executive director Cory Schulte told&nbsp;The Kansas City Star&nbsp;that patients who remain at the facility are receiving care from its clinical team.Kansas health officials on Saturday reported 21 coronavirus deaths as the number of confirmed cases in the state increased to 698, up 78 from a day earlier.The greatest number of cases are in the Kansas City area, with 185 cases in Johnson County and 149 in Wyandotte County. But the outbreak continues to spread across Kansas with 49 of the state’s 105 counties now having a confirmed case.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.Kansas officials said they have received some medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile. Starting this weekend, the Kansas National Guard and Kansas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol are distributing masks, face shields, surgical gowns and gloves to all 105 counties, based on each county’s population. The supplies are being coordinated through county emergency managers who are distributing them.Wichita State University also announced it has decided to move this summer’s classes to an online or remote format. Provost Rick Muma said in a letter to students and faculty that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution.“As our lives, both on campus and off, continue to be disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, our priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our entire campus community. While we had hoped to be able to return to some sense of normal by the summer months, the situation remains uncertain,” he wrote.

Coronavirus cluster found at Kansas rehabilitation center

WASHINGTON — The White House is stepping up precautions to protect the president and vice president from contracting the new coronavirus.

Starting Friday, anyone who is expected to be in “close proximity” to either President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be given a quick COVID-19 test “to evaluate for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers status to limit inadvertent transmission.”

That’s according to White House spokesman Judd Deere.

All visitors to the White House complex already have their temperatures taken when entering the building and if they will be in close proximity to either Trump or Pence.

Trump took the new COVID-19 test on Thursday and the White House doctor said results were back in 15 minutes. He tested negative.

A first look at recent U.S. death certificate data confirms that most of the initial American coronavirus deaths were people age 65 and older. But it also notes that about 1 in 5 were middle-aged.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the data online Friday. It reflects 1,150 U.S. coronavirus deaths that occurred through the last week of March. That tally is several hundreds deaths lower than other totals reported for the same period, because it relies on death certificate information which can come in weeks after other kinds of reports.

The new data says 56% of deaths were people 75 and older, and another 23% were people in their late 60s and early 70s. But another 17% were ages 45 to 64, and 3% were 35 to 44. The statistics were smaller for younger adults. One child died

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585949419593.png" alt="President Trump and Vice President Pence during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Vice President Pence during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The White House is stepping up precautions to protect the president and vice president from contracting the new coronavirus.Starting Friday, anyone who is expected to be in “close proximity” to either President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be given a quick COVID-19 test “to evaluate for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers status to limit inadvertent transmission.”That’s according to White House spokesman Judd Deere.All visitors to the White House complex already have their temperatures taken when entering the building and if they will be in close proximity to either Trump or Pence.Trump took the new COVID-19 test on Thursday and the White House doctor said results were back in 15 minutes. He tested negative.___A first look at recent U.S. death certificate data confirms that most of the initial American coronavirus deaths were people age 65 and older. But it also notes that about 1 in 5 were middle-aged.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the data online Friday. It reflects 1,150 U.S. coronavirus deaths that occurred through the last week of March. That tally is several hundreds deaths lower than other totals reported for the same period, because it relies on death certificate information which can come in weeks after other kinds of reports.The new data says 56% of deaths were people 75 and older, and another 23% were people in their late 60s and early 70s. But another 17% were ages 45 to 64, and 3% were 35 to 44. The statistics were smaller for younger adults. One child died

US stepping up protection of Trump, Pence

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">CDC</a> now recommends wearing cloth face masks in public places.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tPx1yqvJgf4"></iframe>
 <figcaption>U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams demonstrates how to make low-tech face masks using what you have at home.</figcaption>
 </figure>CDCWASHINGTON, D.C. - The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">CDC</a> now recommends wearing cloth face masks in public places.<h2>Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others</h2><ol>
 <li>You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.</li><li>Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.</li><li>Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.</li><li>The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.</li><li>Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.</li><li>Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.</li>
 </ol>

🎥 CDC: How to make a face mask in 45 seconds

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest report on coronavirus in Kansas Saturday.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData"> Click here </a>for additional details.

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest report on coronavirus in Kansas Saturday.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData"> Click here </a>for additional details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586020138546.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas; 21 deaths

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas could run out of personal protective equipment for medical personnel and others dealing directly with the coronavirus pandemic by the middle of next week, Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday, as the state saw its largest spike in the number of COVID-19-related deaths since the outbreak began.

The Democratic governor’s warning came a day after she sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s administration as unprepared. She said Kansas received a shipment of personal protective equipment from the federal government, including masks and gloves, late Thursday, but that six requests for more equipment have yet to be filled.

Kelly and the state Department of Health and Environment didn’t say how much equipment Kansas had received or how much more it was requesting. But the governor said supplies will last only until Tuesday.

“We will absolutely clear it out,” Kelly said during a daily coronavirus briefing at the Statehouse. “Everything will go down to our local county health officials for distribution to their health facilities, so that’s got to get restocked.”

COVID-19-related deaths reported in Kansas jumped by five Friday to 18. Three of those deaths were in Johnson County, two men in their 80s and a woman in her 70s, and one was in neighboring Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area. Leavenworth County also reported its first, a woman in her 50s.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases grew in a single day to 620, up 68, or 12%. Forty-five of the state’s 105 counties have a confirmed case.

Kansas has turned to private companies to help restock its protective equipment supplies, but Kelly said the state has seen orders diverted to other states or the federal government.

“We’re hoping though that at least some of that will reach Kansas by Tuesday, before we’re completely out,” she said.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Friday that state and local agencies have filed some of the roughly dozen complaints alleging price-gouging by providers of emergency supplies. State law limits price increases for necessary goods and services during an emergency.

Schmidt said his office has received more than 160 complaints since March 12, when Kelly declared a state of emergency. He said many came from consumers upset over retail prices.

Meanwhile, several groups, including the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Midwest Innocence Project, urged Kansas to release medically fragile and older adult inmates from prison, to make social distancing easier and to protect inmates who have underlying health conditions.

Three staff members at the state prison in Lansing have tested positive for the coronavirus, and about 15 inmates are in isolation. A detention deputy at the Sedgwick County jail also has the virus.

The state has no plans to release inmates early, an option Schmidt described as “a last resort.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585941832643.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during a Friday news conference." />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during a Friday news conference.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas could run out of personal protective equipment for medical personnel and others dealing directly with the coronavirus pandemic by the middle of next week, Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday, as the state saw its largest spike in the number of COVID-19-related deaths since the outbreak began.The Democratic governor’s warning came a day after she sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s administration as unprepared. She said Kansas received a shipment of personal protective equipment from the federal government, including masks and gloves, late Thursday, but that six requests for more equipment have yet to be filled.Kelly and the state Department of Health and Environment didn’t say how much equipment Kansas had received or how much more it was requesting. But the governor said supplies will last only until Tuesday.“We will absolutely clear it out,” Kelly said during a daily coronavirus briefing at the Statehouse. “Everything will go down to our local county health officials for distribution to their health facilities, so that’s got to get restocked.”COVID-19-related deaths reported in Kansas jumped by five Friday to 18. Three of those deaths were in Johnson County, two men in their 80s and a woman in her 70s, and one was in neighboring Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area. Leavenworth County also reported its first, a woman in her 50s.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases grew in a single day to 620, up 68, or 12%. Forty-five of the state’s 105 counties have a confirmed case.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.Kansas has turned to private companies to help restock its protective equipment supplies, but Kelly said the state has seen orders diverted to other states or the federal government.“We’re hoping though that at least some of that will reach Kansas by Tuesday, before we’re completely out,” she said.Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Friday that state and local agencies have filed some of the roughly dozen complaints alleging price-gouging by providers of emergency supplies. State law limits price increases for necessary goods and services during an emergency.Schmidt said his office has received more than 160 complaints since March 12, when Kelly declared a state of emergency. He said many came from consumers upset over retail prices.Meanwhile, several groups, including the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Midwest Innocence Project, urged Kansas to release medically fragile and older adult inmates from prison, to make social distancing easier and to protect inmates who have underlying health conditions.Three staff members at the state prison in Lansing have tested positive for the coronavirus, and about 15 inmates are in isolation. A detention deputy at the Sedgwick County jail also has the virus.The state has no plans to release inmates early, an option Schmidt described as “a last resort.”___

Coronavirus crisis: Kan. could exhaust protective gear next week

SCOTT COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a second man in connection with alleged criminal threat involving coronavirus in Scott County.

Just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday, police with the assistance of the Scott County Sheriff's Office arrested Dominic Daniel Edson, 19, with Conspiracy to commit terrorism, criminal threat and assault.

This arrest was due to his involvement at the incident on March 31, at Dollar General involving a man telling an 11-year-old girl he was going to give her corona and coughed in her face, according to Police Chief David Post.

Just before 11p.m.&nbsp; Monday, officers arrested Chance Archie Seamans, 31, Scott City for Terrorism and Criminal Threat.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Edson and Seamans remain jailed in Scott County. Edson is being held on a bond of $100,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585969636955.png" alt="Edson -photo Scott Co." />
 <figcaption>Edson -photo Scott Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTT COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a second man in connection with alleged criminal threat involving coronavirus in Scott County.Just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday, police with the assistance of the Scott County Sheriff's Office arrested Dominic Daniel Edson, 19, with Conspiracy to commit terrorism, criminal threat and assault.This arrest was due to his involvement at the incident on March 31, at Dollar General involving a man telling an 11-year-old girl he was going to give her corona and coughed in her face, according to Police Chief David Post.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585749576027.png" alt="Seamans photo Scott County" />
 <figcaption>Seamans photo Scott County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 11p.m.&nbsp; Monday, officers arrested Chance Archie Seamans, 31, Scott City for Terrorism and Criminal Threat.&nbsp;&nbsp;Edson and Seamans remain jailed in Scott County. Edson is being held on a bond of $100,000.

2nd Kan. man jailed in threat to spread coronavirus to 11-year-old

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced new federal guidelines Friday recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The president immediately said he had no intention of following the advice himself, saying, “I’m choosing not to do it.”

The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people, especially in areas hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus, to use rudimentary coverings like T-shirts, bandannas and non-medical masks to cover their faces while outdoors.

The president exempted himself from his administration’s own guidelines, saying he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders.

“It’s a recommendation, they recommend it,” Trump said. “I just don’t want to wear one myself.”

The new guidance, announced at a time when states are bracing for critical shortfalls like those that other parts of the world have experienced, raises concern that it could cause a sudden run on masks if Americans turn to private industry to meet the expected surge in demand.

Trump and other administration officials sought to minimize any burden by stressing the recommendations did not amount to requirements and a variety of homemade coverings were perfectly acceptable. Federal officials stressed that surgical masks and N95 respirators should be left for those on the front lines of fighting the spread of the infection.

Friday’s announcement capped an evolution in messaging from the White House that officials acknowledged has at times been confusing.

First lady Melania Trump embodied the ever-changing messaging with a tweet saying, “As the weekend approaches I ask that everyone take social distancing &amp; wearing a mask/face covering seriously.”

The administration has said states should have done more to stockpile medical supplies, but it’s not clear if anyone is prepared for the potential rush that could ensue if people try to obtain medical masks for themselves.

In rural Florida, Okeechobee Discount Drugs has been sold out of face masks for almost two weeks, and “we don’t know where you can find any masks at this point,” said Stacey Nelson, one of the pharmacy’s owners.

“It’s very hard to get these products, but people want them,” Nelson said. “They’ve been getting mixed messages and people aren’t sure if they should be wearing masks in our daily lives. It’s very confusing. Wear them, or don’t wear them?”

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585952762163.png" alt="President Trump answered questions about face masks during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing- White House courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answered questions about face masks during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing- White House courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced new federal guidelines Friday recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The president immediately said he had no intention of following the advice himself, saying, “I’m choosing not to do it.”The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people, especially in areas hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus, to use rudimentary coverings like T-shirts, bandannas and non-medical masks to cover their faces while outdoors.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As the weekend approaches I ask that everyone take social distancing &amp; wearing a mask/face covering seriously. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> is a virus that can spread to anyone - we can stop this together.&mdash; Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1246192228491558916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The president exempted himself from his administration’s own guidelines, saying he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders.“It’s a recommendation, they recommend it,” Trump said. “I just don’t want to wear one myself.”The new guidance, announced at a time when states are bracing for critical shortfalls like those that other parts of the world have experienced, raises concern that it could cause a sudden run on masks if Americans turn to private industry to meet the expected surge in demand.Trump and other administration officials sought to minimize any burden by stressing the recommendations did not amount to requirements and a variety of homemade coverings were perfectly acceptable. Federal officials stressed that surgical masks and N95 respirators should be left for those on the front lines of fighting the spread of the infection.Friday’s announcement capped an evolution in messaging from the White House that officials acknowledged has at times been confusing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584894001370.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First lady Melania Trump embodied the ever-changing messaging with a tweet saying, “As the weekend approaches I ask that everyone take social distancing &amp; wearing a mask/face covering seriously.”The administration has said states should have done more to stockpile medical supplies, but it’s not clear if anyone is prepared for the potential rush that could ensue if people try to obtain medical masks for themselves.In rural Florida, Okeechobee Discount Drugs has been sold out of face masks for almost two weeks, and “we don’t know where you can find any masks at this point,” said Stacey Nelson, one of the pharmacy’s owners.“It’s very hard to get these products, but people want them,” Nelson said. “They’ve been getting mixed messages and people aren’t sure if they should be wearing masks in our daily lives. It’s very confusing. Wear them, or don’t wear them?”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.

First Lady: Take social distancing, wearing a mask seriously

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments on Friday related to the global economy, the work place and the spread of the virus.

CROWD CONTROL: Walmart still wants customers, just fewer of them at a time. The nation’s largest retailer said it will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly about 20% of the average store’s capacity. To oversee the restriction, workers will mark a queue at a single-entry door, and direct arriving customers there, where they’ll be admitted one by one. Walmart joins Target and others in trying to limit the number of customers in the store to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Hobby Lobby announced in a new release Friday they will, after careful consideration, close the remainder of its stores, and furlough nearly all store employees and a large portion of corporate and distribution employees, effective Friday, April 3rd, at 8:00 p.m. The stores will remain closed until further notice.

AIRLINES: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest and JetBlue said they applied Friday for their share of $25 billion in federal grants designed to cover airline payrolls for the next six months. None disclosed the amount they are seeking.

The grant money was part of $2.2 trillion relief bill approved last week. Delta’s CEO says his airline is burning more than $60 million cash per day, and United’s president puts it at $100 million a day. Airline revenue has cratered during the coronavirus outbreak. Delta carried 38,000 passengers last Saturday. On a normal Saturday in late March it flies 600,000.

The number of travelers screened Thursday at airports nationwide was 124,000, a 95% drop from the same day last year.

And the global airline industry passed a milestone Friday: Half of all passenger jets are now grounded as airlines cut flights sharply. Aviation-data firm Cirium said that with another 530 parked since Thursday, there are now 12,635 jets in service and 13,655 grounded. The number of commercial flights is down 75%, according to tracking service

The Transportation Department, meanwhile, said it is getting more complaints from consumers who say airlines are giving travel vouchers instead of refunds after canceling flights. The department says vouchers aren’t easy to use because airlines are cutting so many flights due to the coronavirus outbreak. Airlines can offer vouchers — and usually do, even in normal times — but the Transportation Department said it is reminding carriers of a longstanding requirement to issue prompt refunds to passengers who want them.

COSTS MOUNT: The pandemic will cost the global economy as much as $4.1 trillion, or nearly 5% of all economic activity, according to new estimates from the Asian Development Bank.

The head of the International Monetary Fund said the recession sparked by the coronavirus pandemic is “way worse” than the 2008 global recession. At a press briefing in Geneva on Friday, IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva described the situation as “a crisis like no other.”

SMALL BUSINESS: More than $875 million in loan applications had been processed through the new small business loan program, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said via&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/stevenmnuchin1/status/1246100166026936322" target="_blank">Twitter,&nbsp;</a>“almost all from community banks!” Mnuchin said in that tweet that big banks were also taking applications and would be submitting them shortly. However, there were signs that the program is off to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/edf614822fa34d70520b35e000f3b3ce">rough start</a>.

HEAVY INDUSTRY: Toyota is halting production at five of its 18 plants in Japan as sales evaporate. The stoppage will last three days for most of the plants, but one plant will close until mid-April.

The affected plants produce vehicles for export, including Lexus luxury models and the Prius hybrid. Other Japanese automakers, such as Honda Motor Co., have also suspended production.

The U.S. auto industry is completely shut down.

CORONA SIDELINED BY CORONAVIRUS: The coronavirus pandemic is even closing the taps on Corona beer — along with most other brews across Mexico.

Major breweries announced Friday they are suspending operations in response to government orders for non-essential businesses to keep their workers at home.

Grupo Modelo, maker of Corona among other popular brands, said it will suspend its operations at plants around the country by Sunday. The company pointed out in a statement that thousands of farmers depend on it buying their grain. It said it has a plan that would allow it to continue production with 75% of its workforce at home if the government decides to allow it to continue operating.

Some Mexican states have also imposed dry laws that restrict the sale of alcohol during the health crisis.

MARKETS: U.S. stocks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/62144c864d3f7c3ef08f270e0b809c2d">fell&nbsp;</a>Friday, leaving the S&amp;P 500 down 26.5% since its record set in February.

The losses came after the government reported that U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/996e9504177861cb29dd77dadec5d873">employers cut 701,000 jobs</a>&nbsp;in March, the monthly decline in nearly a decade. Because of the timing of the spread of COVID-19, the March report did not capture the extend of the damage. Economists are warning policy makers to brace for worse.

ROUNDING IT OUT: The U.S. typically has a unique response to crisis, and the coronavirus is no different.

Firearm sales spiked 85% last month compared with the March last year, according an analysis of the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System by Small Arms Analytics and Forecasting.

The laws of supply and demand also apply to arming up, of course, and the cost of adding guns the the shopping list will cost you.

“Much of the industry’s inventory will have been depleted, so that we anticipate that weapons and ammunition prices increased as well,” said Jurgen Brauer, SAAF’s chief economist.

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments on Friday related to the global economy, the work place and the spread of the virus.CROWD CONTROL: Walmart still wants customers, just fewer of them at a time. The nation’s largest retailer said it will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly about 20% of the average store’s capacity. To oversee the restriction, workers will mark a queue at a single-entry door, and direct arriving customers there, where they’ll be admitted one by one. Walmart joins Target and others in trying to limit the number of customers in the store to curb the spread of the coronavirus.Hobby Lobby announced in a new release Friday they will, after careful consideration, close the remainder of its stores, and furlough nearly all store employees and a large portion of corporate and distribution employees, effective Friday, April 3rd, at 8:00 p.m. The stores will remain closed until further notice.AIRLINES: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest and JetBlue said they applied Friday for their share of $25 billion in federal grants designed to cover airline payrolls for the next six months. None disclosed the amount they are seeking.The grant money was part of $2.2 trillion relief bill approved last week. Delta’s CEO says his airline is burning more than $60 million cash per day, and United’s president puts it at $100 million a day. Airline revenue has cratered during the coronavirus outbreak. Delta carried 38,000 passengers last Saturday. On a normal Saturday in late March it flies 600,000.The number of travelers screened Thursday at airports nationwide was 124,000, a 95% drop from the same day last year.And the global airline industry passed a milestone Friday: Half of all passenger jets are now grounded as airlines cut flights sharply. Aviation-data firm Cirium said that with another 530 parked since Thursday, there are now 12,635 jets in service and 13,655 grounded. The number of commercial flights is down 75%, according to tracking serviceThe Transportation Department, meanwhile, said it is getting more complaints from consumers who say airlines are giving travel vouchers instead of refunds after canceling flights. The department says vouchers aren’t easy to use because airlines are cutting so many flights due to the coronavirus outbreak. Airlines can offer vouchers — and usually do, even in normal times — but the Transportation Department said it is reminding carriers of a longstanding requirement to issue prompt refunds to passengers who want them.COSTS MOUNT: The pandemic will cost the global economy as much as $4.1 trillion, or nearly 5% of all economic activity, according to new estimates from the Asian Development Bank.The head of the International Monetary Fund said the recession sparked by the coronavirus pandemic is “way worse” than the 2008 global recession. At a press briefing in Geneva on Friday, IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva described the situation as “a crisis like no other.”SMALL BUSINESS: More than $875 million in loan applications had been processed through the new small business loan program, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said via&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/stevenmnuchin1/status/1246100166026936322" target="_blank">Twitter,&nbsp;</a>“almost all from community banks!” Mnuchin said in that tweet that big banks were also taking applications and would be submitting them shortly. However, there were signs that the program is off to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/edf614822fa34d70520b35e000f3b3ce">rough start</a>.HEAVY INDUSTRY: Toyota is halting production at five of its 18 plants in Japan as sales evaporate. The stoppage will last three days for most of the plants, but one plant will close until mid-April.The affected plants produce vehicles for export, including Lexus luxury models and the Prius hybrid. Other Japanese automakers, such as Honda Motor Co., have also suspended production.The U.S. auto industry is completely shut down.CORONA SIDELINED BY CORONAVIRUS: The coronavirus pandemic is even closing the taps on Corona beer — along with most other brews across Mexico.Major breweries announced Friday they are suspending operations in response to government orders for non-essential businesses to keep their workers at home.Grupo Modelo, maker of Corona among other popular brands, said it will suspend its operations at plants around the country by Sunday. The company pointed out in a statement that thousands of farmers depend on it buying their grain. It said it has a plan that would allow it to continue production with 75% of its workforce at home if the government decides to allow it to continue operating.Some Mexican states have also imposed dry laws that restrict the sale of alcohol during the health crisis.MARKETS: U.S. stocks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/62144c864d3f7c3ef08f270e0b809c2d">fell&nbsp;</a>Friday, leaving the S&amp;P 500 down 26.5% since its record set in February.The losses came after the government reported that U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/996e9504177861cb29dd77dadec5d873">employers cut 701,000 jobs</a>&nbsp;in March, the monthly decline in nearly a decade. Because of the timing of the spread of COVID-19, the March report did not capture the extend of the damage. Economists are warning policy makers to brace for worse.ROUNDING IT OUT: The U.S. typically has a unique response to crisis, and the coronavirus is no different.Firearm sales spiked 85% last month compared with the March last year, according an analysis of the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System by Small Arms Analytics and Forecasting.The laws of supply and demand also apply to arming up, of course, and the cost of adding guns the the shopping list will cost you.“Much of the industry’s inventory will have been depleted, so that we anticipate that weapons and ammunition prices increased as well,” said Jurgen Brauer, SAAF’s chief economist.Data on prices will be released soon.

Virus crowd control: Walmart limits store access

The Kansas National Guard is working to dispel a rumor that is being shared on social media platforms.

According to a media release from the Adjutant General's Department, there is a letter circulating&nbsp; that falsely claims the Department of Homeland Security will mobilize the National Guard to enforce a national quarantine.  

The Department of Homeland Security does not have the authority to mobilize the National Guard as described in the graphic.  Additionally, there is no discussion of a nation-wide quarantine.

You may see National Guard men and women working in your communities. There are 72 Guardsmen on State Active Duty status currently supporting the COVID-19 response conducting warehouse operations, commodity distribution, planning, access control, mailroom support, and manning the State Emergency Operations Center with interagency partners. 

Members of the Kansas National Guard live, work and raise families in the communities they serve. It truly is neighbors helping neighbors. Any help you can provide in dispelling unfounded rumors would be helpful to all of us as we battle COVID-19 together.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585948342359.png" alt="Copy of the letter -image courtesy the Kansas Adjutant General's Department" />
 <figcaption>Copy of the letter -image courtesy the Kansas Adjutant General's Department</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas National Guard is working to dispel a rumor that is being shared on social media platforms.According to a media release from the Adjutant General's Department, there is a letter circulating&nbsp; that falsely claims the Department of Homeland Security will mobilize the National Guard to enforce a national quarantine. The Department of Homeland Security does not have the authority to mobilize the National Guard as described in the graphic. Additionally, there is no discussion of a nation-wide quarantine.You may see National Guard men and women working in your communities. There are 72 Guardsmen on State Active Duty status currently supporting the COVID-19 response conducting warehouse operations, commodity distribution, planning, access control, mailroom support, and manning the State Emergency Operations Center with interagency partners. Members of the Kansas National Guard live, work and raise families in the communities they serve. It truly is neighbors helping neighbors. Any help you can provide in dispelling unfounded rumors would be helpful to all of us as we battle COVID-19 together.

Coronavirus Update