Due to the spread of COVID-19 in Missouri, the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City and St. Joseph announced the suspension of all public&nbsp;Masses along with other measures.

According to their website,&nbsp;the measures will take immediate effect until April 3rd. Other measures include the rescheduling of public weddings, particularly those in April, and Confirmation Masses.

For more information on changes, <a href="https://kcsjcatholic.org/coronavirus-updates/">click here</a>.

Due to the spread of COVID-19 in Missouri, the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City and St. Joseph announced the suspension of all public&nbsp;Masses along with other measures.According to their website,&nbsp;the measures will take immediate effect until April 3rd. Other measures include the rescheduling of public weddings, particularly those in April, and Confirmation Masses.For more information on changes, <a href="https://kcsjcatholic.org/coronavirus-updates/">click here</a>.

Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph suspends public masses

St. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray on Monday signed an emergency declaration following the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html">CDC guidelines</a> prohibiting in-person gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks.

“Commencing immediately, all in-person gatherings of fifty people or more within the City of St. Joseph, Missouri, shall be prohibited for eight weeks, except when such gatherings occur in the day-to-day operations of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses.”

McMurray says the CDC did not define businesses and churches can decide on an individual basis whether they are going to continue or suspend services.

"At this point, the exemption for businesses we are deeming to include churches so they don’t have to abide by the 50 rule,” McMurray says. “But of course, as the CDC has told us, the way we stop the transmission of this virus is by avoiding crowds and I hope that everybody will bear that in mind. Wash your hands, avoid crowds and if you’re an older person with an underlying medical condition, stay home as much as possible so we can defeat this virus.”

The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City and St. Joseph announced they will suspend public Masses through at least April 3rd. For more information on this and other changes, visit the <a href="https://kcsjcatholic.org/coronavirus-updates/">Diocese website</a>.

According to the City of St. Joseph's website, a panel discussion regarding COVID-19 will be held Monday. The discussion will include representatives of the health department, Mosaic Life Care, Northwest Health Services, St. Joseph School District, Missouri Western State University and Buchanan County EMS.&nbsp;According to the city's website, a presentation will be made to discuss the current situation, facts surrounding the coronavirus, prevention and treatment, along with other relevant information, followed by a question and answer period.

In an effort to help reduce the spread of virus, this panel discussion will be conducted in a closed setting, meaning there will be no audience in attendance. Residents can watch the discussion live on cable channel 19, stream it live on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/450/Videos">city’s website</a>, or via Facebook live on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjoemo/">city’s page</a>.

Residents can call in questions to the panel during the discussion which starts at 7 p.m. on Monday, by calling any of the following numbers: 364-1579, 364-1377, or 364-1380.&nbsp; &nbsp;

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray on Monday signed an emergency declaration following the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html">CDC guidelines</a> prohibiting in-person gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks.“Commencing immediately, all in-person gatherings of fifty people or more within the City of St. Joseph, Missouri, shall be prohibited for eight weeks, except when such gatherings occur in the day-to-day operations of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses.”McMurray says the CDC did not define businesses and churches can decide on an individual basis whether they are going to continue or suspend services."At this point, the exemption for businesses we are deeming to include churches so they don’t have to abide by the 50 rule,” McMurray says. “But of course, as the CDC has told us, the way we stop the transmission of this virus is by avoiding crowds and I hope that everybody will bear that in mind. Wash your hands, avoid crowds and if you’re an older person with an underlying medical condition, stay home as much as possible so we can defeat this virus.”The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City and St. Joseph announced they will suspend public Masses through at least April 3rd. For more information on this and other changes, visit the <a href="https://kcsjcatholic.org/coronavirus-updates/">Diocese website</a>.According to the City of St. Joseph's website, a panel discussion regarding COVID-19 will be held Monday. The discussion will include representatives of the health department, Mosaic Life Care, Northwest Health Services, St. Joseph School District, Missouri Western State University and Buchanan County EMS.&nbsp;According to the city's website, a presentation will be made to discuss the current situation, facts surrounding the coronavirus, prevention and treatment, along with other relevant information, followed by a question and answer period.In an effort to help reduce the spread of virus, this panel discussion will be conducted in a closed setting, meaning there will be no audience in attendance. Residents can watch the discussion live on cable channel 19, stream it live on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/450/Videos">city’s website</a>, or via Facebook live on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjoemo/">city’s page</a>. Residents can call in questions to the panel during the discussion which starts at 7 p.m. on Monday, by calling any of the following numbers: 364-1579, 364-1377, or 364-1380.&nbsp; &nbsp;

St. Joseph mayor signs emergency declaration prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more people

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court announced Monday that it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus, including fights over subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s financial records.

Other business will go on as planned, including the justices' private conference on Friday and the release of orders in a week's time. Some justices may participate by telephone, the court said in a statement.

Six of the nine justices are 65 and older, at higher risk of getting very sick from the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, and Stephen Breyer, 81, are the oldest members of the court.

There is no new date set for the postponed arguments. the building has been closed to the public since last week.

The only other time the 85-year-old court building was closed for arguments was in October 2001, when anthrax was detected in the court mailroom. That led the justices to hold arguments in the federal courthouse about a half mile from the Supreme Court,

Within a week and after a thorough cleaning, the court reopened.

In 1918, when the court still met inside the Capitol, arguments were postponed for a month because of the flu pandemic. In the nation's early years, in August 1793 and August 1798, adjustments were made because of yellow fever outbreaks, the court said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court announced Monday that it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus, including fights over subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s financial records.Other business will go on as planned, including the justices' private conference on Friday and the release of orders in a week's time. Some justices may participate by telephone, the court said in a statement.Six of the nine justices are 65 and older, at higher risk of getting very sick from the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, and Stephen Breyer, 81, are the oldest members of the court.There is no new date set for the postponed arguments. the building has been closed to the public since last week.The only other time the 85-year-old court building was closed for arguments was in October 2001, when anthrax was detected in the court mailroom. That led the justices to hold arguments in the federal courthouse about a half mile from the Supreme Court,Within a week and after a thorough cleaning, the court reopened.In 1918, when the court still met inside the Capitol, arguments were postponed for a month because of the flu pandemic. In the nation's early years, in August 1793 and August 1798, adjustments were made because of yellow fever outbreaks, the court said.

Supreme Court postpones arguments because of virus outbreak

Northwest Missouri State University has canceled classes on
its Maryville campus, moving all classes to online-only format, beginning next Monday.

Student organization and external events in Maryville are canceled
through Sunday, April 5th, due to concern over coronavirus.

Classes that were already online will resume Monday, March 16th, but in-person classes will start up online on the 23rd and continue for at least two weeks. Northwest's Communication Manager Mark Hornickel says a team meets to reevaluate the situation on a daily basis and will make decisions as to when or if in-person classes will resume this semester.&nbsp;

While Northwest
encourages students to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, students who
have no other option are being allowed to return to the dorms. Campus dining
will offer limited services.

The campus
remains open. University employees are being asked to report to work as usual.

The <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/">Horace Mann Laboratory School</a>
and the <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/leet/index.htm">Phyllis
and Richard Leet Center for Children and Families</a>, located on the Northwest
campus, will open as normal on Monday, March 23, in alignment with the
Maryville R-II School District.

Northwest
officials report no confirmed coronavirus cases. Click <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/alert/coronavirus.htm">here</a>&nbsp;for the NWMSU webpage
with additional information and resources.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthwest Missouri State University has canceled classes on
its Maryville campus, moving all classes to online-only format, beginning next Monday.Student organization and external events in Maryville are canceled
through Sunday, April 5th, due to concern over coronavirus.Classes that were already online will resume Monday, March 16th, but in-person classes will start up online on the 23rd and continue for at least two weeks. Northwest's Communication Manager Mark Hornickel says a team meets to reevaluate the situation on a daily basis and will make decisions as to when or if in-person classes will resume this semester.&nbsp;While Northwest
encourages students to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, students who
have no other option are being allowed to return to the dorms. Campus dining
will offer limited services.The campus
remains open. University employees are being asked to report to work as usual.The <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/">Horace Mann Laboratory School</a>
and the <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/horacemann/leet/index.htm">Phyllis
and Richard Leet Center for Children and Families</a>, located on the Northwest
campus, will open as normal on Monday, March 23, in alignment with the
Maryville R-II School District.Northwest
officials report no confirmed coronavirus cases. Click <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/alert/coronavirus.htm">here</a>&nbsp;for the NWMSU webpage
with additional information and resources.

NWMSU to go all online in response to coronavirus

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Americans to cease hoarding groceries and other supplies, while one of the nation’s most senior public health officials called on the nation to act with more urgency to safeguard their health as the coronavirus outbreak continued to spread across the United States. Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown.

Trump assured Americans, after speaking with leading grocery chain executives, that grocers would remain open and that the supply chain remained healthy. Vice President Mike Pence urged Americans to only buy the groceries they need for the week ahead.

“You don’t have to buy so much,” Trump said at a news conference. “Take it easy. Just relax.”

The comments from the president after the government’s top infectious disease expert said he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown that would require Americans to hunker down even more to help slow the spread of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus</a>.

Still,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e9d289a802222800a6eeb56e6be28333">Dr. Anthony Fauci</a>&nbsp;said travel restrictions within the United States, such as to and from hard-hit Washington state and California, probably will not be needed anytime soon.

The push by one of the nation’s foremost public health experts for Americans to act with greater urgency came as officials in Washington began preparing for what is expected to be a long-haul effort to try to stem the virus that has upended life around the globe.

At the White House, Trump tuned in to an online evangelical church service on what he designated as a national day of prayer and held a conference call with grocery and supply chain executives on how to keep food and other necessary supplies flowing to Americans.

New protocols were on the way to protect the president and his staff. Starting Monday, those who enter the White House complex will have their temperatures taken, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss protocols not yet announced. This would expand on screenings that began Saturday for those in close proximity to the president and vice president.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Congress had started work on a new aid package after the one just approved by the House early Saturday, which provided direct relief to Americans suffering physically, financially and emotionally from the coronavirus pandemic. It included sick pay and other resources and was pending in Senate.

“We have already begun work to develop a third emergency response package,” Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues.

With the U.S. Capitol among the many iconic landmarks closed to tours, Pelosi also urged lawmakers to have most of their Washington staff telework from home, as health officials urge social distancing. House lawmakers are away on weeklong recess and many have already curtailed office visits at their local offices, as well.

Fauci, the public face of the administration’s messaging during a round of morning TV interviews, said the country should do as much as “we possibly could,” even if officials were criticized for overreacting. He said he raised the issue of measures such as a shutdown with the Trump administration, and said officials were open to his ideas.

“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” said Fauci, a member of the White House task force on combating the spread of coronavirus. He heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he will ask Congress to reinstate powers that were used during the 2008 financial crisis to support the economy as the coronavirus threatens to significantly slow U.S. business activity in the weeks ahead.

Fauci said the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions should already be hunkering down, but other Americans, too, should consider further restricting their outside activity, including teleworking if possible, avoiding travel and skipping meals in restaurants.

“Everything is on the table,” he said. “Right now, myself personally, I wouldn’t go to a restaurant. I just wouldn’t because I don’t want to be in a crowded place. ... I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m going to be all of a sudden self-isolating for 14 days.” The virus has an incubation period of anywhere from two days to 14 days before symptoms emerge.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead. The death toll in the United States is more than 50, while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia.

The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover.

Trump in recent days has imposed sweeping travel restrictions for much of Europe. On Saturday, he added the United Kingdom and Ireland to a list of countries that would face travel restrictions over the next 30 days. The State Department on Sunday said it would allow U.S. personnel to leave their diplomatic or consular posts worldwide if they or family members were medically determined to be at a higher risk of falling very ill if exposed to the virus.

Trump also has pledged broadened U.S. testing for the virus as major employers such as Apple Inc. have sent workers home to telework and several states and big cities, including Los Angeles and Boston, shuttered down schools for a week or more.

Positive tests hit close to Congress and the National Institutes of Health.

On Sunday, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said a former staff member tested positive for COVID-19. That staffer, Daniel Goldman, the attorney who led Democratic questioning during the House impeachment hearings, had left the office 10 days ago and he’s believed to have contracted the virus after his departure.

“We will still be taking additional precautions over the next few days,” Schiff said. “The former staffer is feeling better and no current staff have reported any flu-like symptoms at this time.”

NIH reported Sunday that one of its staff working in its division on arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases had tested positive for COVID-19, its first case. NIH said the person was not involved in patient care and was now quarantined at home and “doing well.”

Trump has suggested that restrictions on travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic could be next. But Fauci on Sunday played down that or having major national lockdowns on the level now seen in European countries such as Italy and Spain.

“We feel that with rather stringent mitigation and containment, without necessarily complete lockdown, we would be able to prevent ourselves from getting to where, unfortunately, Italy is now,” Fauci said.

“With regard to domestic travel bans, we always talk about it, consider everything. But I can tell you that has not been seriously considered, doing travel bans in the country. ... I don’t see that right now or in the immediate future.”

More than the crisis was on Trump’s mind. He tweeted that he was considering a full pardon for Michael Flynn, his disgraced former national security adviser, and he directed barbs at a familiar target, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow expressed confidence that supply lines such as food for stores will be largely unaffected by the virus outbreak.

“I’ve read about some situations where this is a difficulty, but most of our supply lines are working pretty well in the domestic United States,” he said. “I mean, there’s a huge economic challenge here. Do not get me wrong, a huge economic challenge. On the other hand, most of America is still working. ... Factories are not shutting down across the country, at least not yet.”

Trump said he tuned in to services being streamed from the Free Chapel, an evangelical Gainseville, Georgia, church that like many congregations around the country was holding services without churchgoers in the pews.

Fauci spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” CNN’s “State of the Union,” ABC’s “This Week,” “Fox News Sunday,” and CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Kudlow appeared on CBS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584311773705.png" alt="President Trump during Sunday's Caronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during Sunday's Caronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Americans to cease hoarding groceries and other supplies, while one of the nation’s most senior public health officials called on the nation to act with more urgency to safeguard their health as the coronavirus outbreak continued to spread across the United States. Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown.Trump assured Americans, after speaking with leading grocery chain executives, that grocers would remain open and that the supply chain remained healthy. Vice President Mike Pence urged Americans to only buy the groceries they need for the week ahead.“You don’t have to buy so much,” Trump said at a news conference. “Take it easy. Just relax.”The comments from the president after the government’s top infectious disease expert said he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown that would require Americans to hunker down even more to help slow the spread of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus</a>.Still,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e9d289a802222800a6eeb56e6be28333">Dr. Anthony Fauci</a>&nbsp;said travel restrictions within the United States, such as to and from hard-hit Washington state and California, probably will not be needed anytime soon.The push by one of the nation’s foremost public health experts for Americans to act with greater urgency came as officials in Washington began preparing for what is expected to be a long-haul effort to try to stem the virus that has upended life around the globe.At the White House, Trump tuned in to an online evangelical church service on what he designated as a national day of prayer and held a conference call with grocery and supply chain executives on how to keep food and other necessary supplies flowing to Americans.New protocols were on the way to protect the president and his staff. Starting Monday, those who enter the White House complex will have their temperatures taken, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss protocols not yet announced. This would expand on screenings that began Saturday for those in close proximity to the president and vice president.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Congress had started work on a new aid package after the one just approved by the House early Saturday, which provided direct relief to Americans suffering physically, financially and emotionally from the coronavirus pandemic. It included sick pay and other resources and was pending in Senate.“We have already begun work to develop a third emergency response package,” Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues.With the U.S. Capitol among the many iconic landmarks closed to tours, Pelosi also urged lawmakers to have most of their Washington staff telework from home, as health officials urge social distancing. House lawmakers are away on weeklong recess and many have already curtailed office visits at their local offices, as well.Fauci, the public face of the administration’s messaging during a round of morning TV interviews, said the country should do as much as “we possibly could,” even if officials were criticized for overreacting. He said he raised the issue of measures such as a shutdown with the Trump administration, and said officials were open to his ideas.“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” said Fauci, a member of the White House task force on combating the spread of coronavirus. He heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he will ask Congress to reinstate powers that were used during the 2008 financial crisis to support the economy as the coronavirus threatens to significantly slow U.S. business activity in the weeks ahead.Fauci said the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions should already be hunkering down, but other Americans, too, should consider further restricting their outside activity, including teleworking if possible, avoiding travel and skipping meals in restaurants.“Everything is on the table,” he said. “Right now, myself personally, I wouldn’t go to a restaurant. I just wouldn’t because I don’t want to be in a crowded place. ... I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m going to be all of a sudden self-isolating for 14 days.” The virus has an incubation period of anywhere from two days to 14 days before symptoms emerge.For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead. The death toll in the United States is more than 50, while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia.The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover.Trump in recent days has imposed sweeping travel restrictions for much of Europe. On Saturday, he added the United Kingdom and Ireland to a list of countries that would face travel restrictions over the next 30 days. The State Department on Sunday said it would allow U.S. personnel to leave their diplomatic or consular posts worldwide if they or family members were medically determined to be at a higher risk of falling very ill if exposed to the virus.Trump also has pledged broadened U.S. testing for the virus as major employers such as Apple Inc. have sent workers home to telework and several states and big cities, including Los Angeles and Boston, shuttered down schools for a week or more.Positive tests hit close to Congress and the National Institutes of Health.On Sunday, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said a former staff member tested positive for COVID-19. That staffer, Daniel Goldman, the attorney who led Democratic questioning during the House impeachment hearings, had left the office 10 days ago and he’s believed to have contracted the virus after his departure.“We will still be taking additional precautions over the next few days,” Schiff said. “The former staffer is feeling better and no current staff have reported any flu-like symptoms at this time.”NIH reported Sunday that one of its staff working in its division on arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases had tested positive for COVID-19, its first case. NIH said the person was not involved in patient care and was now quarantined at home and “doing well.”Trump has suggested that restrictions on travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic could be next. But Fauci on Sunday played down that or having major national lockdowns on the level now seen in European countries such as Italy and Spain.“We feel that with rather stringent mitigation and containment, without necessarily complete lockdown, we would be able to prevent ourselves from getting to where, unfortunately, Italy is now,” Fauci said.“With regard to domestic travel bans, we always talk about it, consider everything. But I can tell you that has not been seriously considered, doing travel bans in the country. ... I don’t see that right now or in the immediate future.”More than the crisis was on Trump’s mind. He tweeted that he was considering a full pardon for Michael Flynn, his disgraced former national security adviser, and he directed barbs at a familiar target, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York.White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow expressed confidence that supply lines such as food for stores will be largely unaffected by the virus outbreak.“I’ve read about some situations where this is a difficulty, but most of our supply lines are working pretty well in the domestic United States,” he said. “I mean, there’s a huge economic challenge here. Do not get me wrong, a huge economic challenge. On the other hand, most of America is still working. ... Factories are not shutting down across the country, at least not yet.”Trump said he tuned in to services being streamed from the Free Chapel, an evangelical Gainseville, Georgia, church that like many congregations around the country was holding services without churchgoers in the pews.Fauci spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” CNN’s “State of the Union,” ABC’s “This Week,” “Fox News Sunday,” and CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Kudlow appeared on CBS.___

Trump calls on Americans to cease hoarding food, supplies

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;&nbsp;Following new recommendations released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sunday, Governor Mike Parson released the following statement regarding mass gatherings or large community events in Missouri:

“As we are all aware, concerns over COVID-19 continue to grow across the state and the nation. In accordance with CDC recommendations, my administration and I strongly urge the cancellation or suspension of public gatherings of&nbsp;50 individuals or more&nbsp;with the exception of educational institutions, daycare facilities, and business operations,”&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said.&nbsp; “We encourage local governments and health agencies to provide the same guidance. To protect our elderly citizens and those with underlying medical conditions, we would ask them to avoid public gatherings as much as possible.”

“We ask that facilities that attract large concentrations of senior citizens to strongly consider restrictions and closures, in consultation with health authorities, to protect those most vulnerable to this virus,”&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;continued. “We encourage schools to follow CDC guidelines and consult with local health care providers and public health authorities as decisions are made on whether to keep school in session.”&nbsp;

“I want to emphasize that we are all in this together. Missouri continues&nbsp;to work closely with both federal and local officials in order to maximize coordination and tailor our response appropriately.&nbsp;It takes all of us at the local, state, and federal level along with neighbors, families, and fellow citizens to use common sense and personal responsibility to work through these tough times and protect the health and safety of all Missourians,”&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;concluded.

To view the latest CDC guidance on mass gatherings and large community events,&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cdc.gov_coronavirus_2019-2Dncov_community_large-2Devents_mass-2Dgatherings-2Dready-2Dfor-2Dcovid-2D19.html&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=GSntNbUav5AC0JJIyPOufmfQT3u3zI7UKdoVzPd-7og&amp;r=ep_vY_YZvQO4gTTTzhrHgwLWzZKFmXwbuV1ci7zYS-A&amp;m=f1t1wpFrPHee1qbVpkjc6CGY8RidvPKv0nZhhE7lICs&amp;s=fRWa0FqaNP5x5EZy75LYqbZl8F_ocs-jBA_5FuXN-X0&amp;e=" target="_blank">click here</a>.

For more information, visit the CDC’s website at&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cdc.gov_coronavirus_2019-2Dncov_index.html-3FCDC-5FAA-5FrefVal-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fwww.cdc.gov-252Fcoronavirus-252Findex.html&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=GSntNbUav5AC0JJIyPOufmfQT3u3zI7UKdoVzPd-7og&amp;r=ep_vY_YZvQO4gTTTzhrHgwLWzZKFmXwbuV1ci7zYS-A&amp;m=f1t1wpFrPHee1qbVpkjc6CGY8RidvPKv0nZhhE7lICs&amp;s=wBSLptEKFqPWR9zFZx-4cESDWtb6-SIlwdNa3fNZMYQ&amp;e=" target="_blank">www.cdc.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) website at&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/">www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus</a>.&nbsp;

You may also call the DHSS hotline at 877-435-8411 for questions regarding COVID-19 in Missouri.

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;&nbsp;Following new recommendations released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sunday, Governor Mike Parson released the following statement regarding mass gatherings or large community events in Missouri:“As we are all aware, concerns over COVID-19 continue to grow across the state and the nation. In accordance with CDC recommendations, my administration and I strongly urge the cancellation or suspension of public gatherings of&nbsp;50 individuals or more&nbsp;with the exception of educational institutions, daycare facilities, and business operations,”&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said.&nbsp; “We encourage local governments and health agencies to provide the same guidance. To protect our elderly citizens and those with underlying medical conditions, we would ask them to avoid public gatherings as much as possible.”“We ask that facilities that attract large concentrations of senior citizens to strongly consider restrictions and closures, in consultation with health authorities, to protect those most vulnerable to this virus,”&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;continued. “We encourage schools to follow CDC guidelines and consult with local health care providers and public health authorities as decisions are made on whether to keep school in session.”&nbsp;“I want to emphasize that we are all in this together. Missouri continues&nbsp;to work closely with both federal and local officials in order to maximize coordination and tailor our response appropriately.&nbsp;It takes all of us at the local, state, and federal level along with neighbors, families, and fellow citizens to use common sense and personal responsibility to work through these tough times and protect the health and safety of all Missourians,”&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;concluded.To view the latest CDC guidance on mass gatherings and large community events,&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cdc.gov_coronavirus_2019-2Dncov_community_large-2Devents_mass-2Dgatherings-2Dready-2Dfor-2Dcovid-2D19.html&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=GSntNbUav5AC0JJIyPOufmfQT3u3zI7UKdoVzPd-7og&amp;r=ep_vY_YZvQO4gTTTzhrHgwLWzZKFmXwbuV1ci7zYS-A&amp;m=f1t1wpFrPHee1qbVpkjc6CGY8RidvPKv0nZhhE7lICs&amp;s=fRWa0FqaNP5x5EZy75LYqbZl8F_ocs-jBA_5FuXN-X0&amp;e=" target="_blank">click here</a>.For more information, visit the CDC’s website at&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cdc.gov_coronavirus_2019-2Dncov_index.html-3FCDC-5FAA-5FrefVal-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fwww.cdc.gov-252Fcoronavirus-252Findex.html&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=GSntNbUav5AC0JJIyPOufmfQT3u3zI7UKdoVzPd-7og&amp;r=ep_vY_YZvQO4gTTTzhrHgwLWzZKFmXwbuV1ci7zYS-A&amp;m=f1t1wpFrPHee1qbVpkjc6CGY8RidvPKv0nZhhE7lICs&amp;s=wBSLptEKFqPWR9zFZx-4cESDWtb6-SIlwdNa3fNZMYQ&amp;e=" target="_blank">www.cdc.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) website at&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/">www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus</a>.&nbsp;You may also call the DHSS hotline at 877-435-8411 for questions regarding COVID-19 in Missouri.

Governor Parson on CDC recommendations on mass gatherings

CHICAGO (AP) — The CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more in US be canceled or postponed over next eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials across the country curtailed many elements of American life to fight the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, with governors closing restaurants, bars, and schools and a government expert saying a 14-day national shutdown may be needed.

The shutdowns came as the nation sank deeper into chaos over the crisis. Travelers returning home from overseas trips were stuck in line for hours at major airports for screenings, causing them to be crammed into just the kind of crowded spaces that public health officials have been urging people to avoid.

In a sign of the impending economic gloom on the horizon, the Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark interest rate to near zero. President Donald Trump sought to calm a jittery nation by declaring that the government has “tremendous control” over the situation and urging people to stop the panic buying of grocery staples that has depleted the shelves of stores around the country. Gun stores started seeing a similar run on weapons and ammunition as the panic intensified.

Parts of the country already look like a ghost town, and others are about to follow as theme parks closed, Florida beaches shooed away spring breakers, Starbucks said it will accept only drive-thru and takeout orders and the governors of Ohio and Illinois ordered bars and restaurants shuttered. California’s governor asked the state’s bars and restaurants to do the same, but didn’t order it. New York City, New Jersey and elsewhere are considering similar measures.

“The time for persuasion and public appeals is over,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. “This is not a joke. No one is immune to this.”

His decision came hours after Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious disease expert, said he would like to see a 14-day national shutdown imposed to prevent the virus’s spread.

There is no indication Trump is considering such a move.

The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 162,000 people and left more than 6,000 dead, with thousands of new cases confirmed each day. The death toll in the United States climbed to 64, while infections passed 3,200.

Meanwhile, harsh criticism rained on Trump and his administration Sunday from state and local officials over long lines of returning international passengers at some U.S. airports that could have turned them into coronavirus carriers as they tried to get home.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lambasted the administration for allowing about 3,000 Americans returning from Europe to be stuck for hours inside the customs area at O’Hare International Airport on Saturday, violating federal recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people practice “social distancing.”

The passengers, many of them rushing home because of fears they would be stuck in Europe, were screened for coronavirus symptoms before they were allowed to leave the airport.

Long lines also formed Saturday in Boston, Dallas and others of the 13 airports that are accepting return flights from Europe.

“People were forced into conditions that are against CDC guidance and are totally unacceptable,” Lightfoot said.

Elizabeth Pulvermacher, a University of Wisconsin student, arrived Saturday at O’Hare from Madrid, where she had been studying and spent hours in line. The customs process made her feel “unsafe,” she said.

“The whole idea is getting rid of the spread of coronavirus, but there were hundreds and hundreds of people in very close proximity,” Pulvermacher said.

Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University, said he was “appalled” by what he saw Saturday at nearby O’Hare.

“If they weren’t exposed to COVID-19 before, they probably are now. From a public health perspective, this is malpractice,” Murphy said in a statement Sunday. “The lack of preparation and concern is unfathomable.”

But the situation improved markedly Sunday at O’Hare and elsewhere. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said wait times are down to 30 minutes after processes have been adjusted to better handle the influx and extra personnel sent to the airports that are “funneling” passengers returning from overseas.

Bailey Miles, a 20-year-old sophomore at Taylor University in Indiana, arrived also from Madrid fearing the worst, but she got through customs and a health screening in about an hour. She said officials seemed to have learned their lesson from Saturday, when some of her friends returned.

“The employees were really helpful, had positive attitudes and had a lot of grace,” she said. She said a woman even passed out snacks.

At Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Amanda Kay said she was asked to keep her distance from other passengers when she arrived from Paris at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

“They wanted 50 people at a time. So the first 50 people got off, and they asked us to keep a large distance between ourselves,” she said. “We showed them the first form and then as we walk there’s a person who has the scan for your temperature. And then you go through Customs and then that was it.”

Going forward, Wolf said he could not rule out a future halt to air travel within the U.S. Fauci said earlier Sunday on television that halting domestic travel had been discussed, though not seriously.

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

And that may have given some people false hope, causing them to venture into crowds that Fauci and others would prefer they avoid. Even if someone doesn’t become visibly ill, they can still carry the disease and spread it to others.

In New Orleans and Chicago, people clad in green for St. Patrick’s Day packed bars and spilled onto crowded sidewalks on Saturday even after the cities canceled their parades.

New York City, which has the nation’s largest public school district, announced that it will be closed starting Monday, joining most of the rest of the country. Mayor Bill de Blasio had originally balked, but under pressure from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others he said Sunday, “I became convinced over the course of today that there is no other choice.”

In Florida, Walt Disney World and Universal-Orlando were closing Sunday night for the rest of the month, joining their California siblings, which already closed. Farther south, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale officials announced that they are closing their beaches, where thousands of college spring breakers from around the world have flocked. The cities also ordered restaurants and bars closed by 10 p.m. and to keep crowds below 250.

“We cannot become a petri dish for a very dangerous virus,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said. “Spring break is over. The party is over.”

Starbucks said Sunday it is closing seating in its cafes and patio areas nationwide, but customers can still order at the counter, at drive-thrus or on the Starbucks app. It will also close or reduce hours in areas where there are a high-number of cases.

But not all government officials were as concerned. Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt tweeted a picture of himself and his children at a crowded metro restaurant Saturday night.

Republican Rep. Devin Nunes had a similar message on Fox News Sunday, encouraging people to go to local restaurants and pubs despite the warnings of health officials.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584319369602.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious disease expert, during Sunday's Caronavirus Task Force media briefings -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious disease expert, during Sunday's Caronavirus Task Force media briefings -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — The CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more in US be canceled or postponed over next eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.Officials across the country curtailed many elements of American life to fight the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, with governors closing restaurants, bars, and schools and a government expert saying a 14-day national shutdown may be needed.The shutdowns came as the nation sank deeper into chaos over the crisis. Travelers returning home from overseas trips were stuck in line for hours at major airports for screenings, causing them to be crammed into just the kind of crowded spaces that public health officials have been urging people to avoid.In a sign of the impending economic gloom on the horizon, the Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark interest rate to near zero. President Donald Trump sought to calm a jittery nation by declaring that the government has “tremendous control” over the situation and urging people to stop the panic buying of grocery staples that has depleted the shelves of stores around the country. Gun stores started seeing a similar run on weapons and ammunition as the panic intensified.Parts of the country already look like a ghost town, and others are about to follow as theme parks closed, Florida beaches shooed away spring breakers, Starbucks said it will accept only drive-thru and takeout orders and the governors of Ohio and Illinois ordered bars and restaurants shuttered. California’s governor asked the state’s bars and restaurants to do the same, but didn’t order it. New York City, New Jersey and elsewhere are considering similar measures.“The time for persuasion and public appeals is over,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. “This is not a joke. No one is immune to this.”His decision came hours after Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious disease expert, said he would like to see a 14-day national shutdown imposed to prevent the virus’s spread.“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” said Fauci, a member of the White House task force on combating the spread of coronavirus. He heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.There is no indication Trump is considering such a move.The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 162,000 people and left more than 6,000 dead, with thousands of new cases confirmed each day. The death toll in the United States climbed to 64, while infections passed 3,200.Meanwhile, harsh criticism rained on Trump and his administration Sunday from state and local officials over long lines of returning international passengers at some U.S. airports that could have turned them into coronavirus carriers as they tried to get home.Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lambasted the administration for allowing about 3,000 Americans returning from Europe to be stuck for hours inside the customs area at O’Hare International Airport on Saturday, violating federal recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people practice “social distancing.”The passengers, many of them rushing home because of fears they would be stuck in Europe, were screened for coronavirus symptoms before they were allowed to leave the airport.Long lines also formed Saturday in Boston, Dallas and others of the 13 airports that are accepting return flights from Europe.“People were forced into conditions that are against CDC guidance and are totally unacceptable,” Lightfoot said.Elizabeth Pulvermacher, a University of Wisconsin student, arrived Saturday at O’Hare from Madrid, where she had been studying and spent hours in line. The customs process made her feel “unsafe,” she said.“The whole idea is getting rid of the spread of coronavirus, but there were hundreds and hundreds of people in very close proximity,” Pulvermacher said.Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University, said he was “appalled” by what he saw Saturday at nearby O’Hare.“If they weren’t exposed to COVID-19 before, they probably are now. From a public health perspective, this is malpractice,” Murphy said in a statement Sunday. “The lack of preparation and concern is unfathomable.”But the situation improved markedly Sunday at O’Hare and elsewhere. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said wait times are down to 30 minutes after processes have been adjusted to better handle the influx and extra personnel sent to the airports that are “funneling” passengers returning from overseas.Bailey Miles, a 20-year-old sophomore at Taylor University in Indiana, arrived also from Madrid fearing the worst, but she got through customs and a health screening in about an hour. She said officials seemed to have learned their lesson from Saturday, when some of her friends returned.“The employees were really helpful, had positive attitudes and had a lot of grace,” she said. She said a woman even passed out snacks.At Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Amanda Kay said she was asked to keep her distance from other passengers when she arrived from Paris at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.“They wanted 50 people at a time. So the first 50 people got off, and they asked us to keep a large distance between ourselves,” she said. “We showed them the first form and then as we walk there’s a person who has the scan for your temperature. And then you go through Customs and then that was it.”Going forward, Wolf said he could not rule out a future halt to air travel within the U.S. Fauci said earlier Sunday on television that halting domestic travel had been discussed, though not seriously.For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.And that may have given some people false hope, causing them to venture into crowds that Fauci and others would prefer they avoid. Even if someone doesn’t become visibly ill, they can still carry the disease and spread it to others.In New Orleans and Chicago, people clad in green for St. Patrick’s Day packed bars and spilled onto crowded sidewalks on Saturday even after the cities canceled their parades.New York City, which has the nation’s largest public school district, announced that it will be closed starting Monday, joining most of the rest of the country. Mayor Bill de Blasio had originally balked, but under pressure from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others he said Sunday, “I became convinced over the course of today that there is no other choice.”In Florida, Walt Disney World and Universal-Orlando were closing Sunday night for the rest of the month, joining their California siblings, which already closed. Farther south, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale officials announced that they are closing their beaches, where thousands of college spring breakers from around the world have flocked. The cities also ordered restaurants and bars closed by 10 p.m. and to keep crowds below 250.“We cannot become a petri dish for a very dangerous virus,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said. “Spring break is over. The party is over.”Starbucks said Sunday it is closing seating in its cafes and patio areas nationwide, but customers can still order at the counter, at drive-thrus or on the Starbucks app. It will also close or reduce hours in areas where there are a high-number of cases.But not all government officials were as concerned. Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt tweeted a picture of himself and his children at a crowded metro restaurant Saturday night.Republican Rep. Devin Nunes had a similar message on Fox News Sunday, encouraging people to go to local restaurants and pubs despite the warnings of health officials.___

CDC recommends no gatherings of 50 or more for 8 weeks

NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has prompted multiple religious faiths to change or cancel services as houses of worship try to help contain the disease. But some church leaders are also tackling another task: communicating a message that elevates both faith and science.

That goal is particularly challenging in a time of sharp political polarization, as partisan scuffles over religion’s influence on policymaking can caricature Christians as skeptical of science. For pastors across Christian denominations, however, rising public anxiety over coronavirus only reinforces the importance of believing in God while heeding the advice of public health experts.

“Science is a wonderful arena of truth and understanding truth. It is an amazing tool that can help human flourishing. We just believe it can’t address all truth that exists,” said D.J. Jenkins, pastor at Anthology Church in Studio City, Calif.

Jenkins, who got his undergraduate degree in biology, acknowledged that “for a lot of folks, it’s probably pretty strange to see” a Christian or other devout person “asking for divine help -- and then also trusting in science and health professionals and doctors. But it’s not strange for me.”

While past natural disasters have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/151633f83b7ed2452ca1c8ab7135af8e">found a few</a>&nbsp;high-profile Christians asserting a link to specific divine punishment, the coronavirus outbreak has generated little if any of that religious rhetoric. Instead, churches are rising to the moment with a mixture of spiritual aid and practical counsel that presents its own challenges, beyond the political tensions kicked up by the virus.

Scott Sauls, senior pastor at Nashville’s Christ Presbyterian Church, said he’s discussing ways to “move toward the pain rather than away from it,” acting on his faith’s edict to love one’s neighbor amid rising anxiety.

But that goal is complicated by the social distancing that’s been recommended as a best practice to slow down the disease, Sauls noted, since “Christians’ responsibility is to, No. 1, not send the irresponsible, unloving message” of downplaying the virus’ risk. He said conversations about how best to help have so far focused on assisting the high-risk elderly and health care workers overtaxed by the crisis.

National Association of Evangelicals President Walter Kim said his guidance to denominations is prioritizing the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and other experts, because “the sense of reassurance we want to give is coupled with prudence in seeking out the best information.”

Citing the high religiosity among early scientific pioneers such as Isaac Newton, Kim said that although friction between faith and science has occurred in the past, “the scientific community and people of faith really should serve as collaborators.”

Religious institutions from coast to coast have upended their service schedules to prevent close contact that could spread coronavirus, with Kentucky’s governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6cf943036e5e71ae85c827a66f4adedf">encouraging&nbsp;</a>churches to cancel their services this week. While not every church in the state plans to fully close, pastors such as Steve Weaver, of Farmdale Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky., said they are keenly aware of both scientific and faith considerations.

“We want to take seriously the health challenges that experts are describing and their prescriptions to address those challenges,” Weaver said by email. “However, we have to balance that by our responsibility to continue our regular expressions of worshiping and gathering, which I believe is commanded of us as Christians.”

In Washington state’s King County, where the outbreak&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e27307edc5b133a67f3ba2036a97dc27">has claimed</a>&nbsp;more than two dozen victims, pastors are already dealing with the spiritual struggles wrought by the pandemic.

“There’s a lot of fear right now, so we have an opportunity to be bearers of hope and peace,” said Andrew Fouché, pastor of Sunset Community Church in Renton, Wash. Fouché added that he resists “pat answers” about prayer providing complete protection.

Aaron Monts, pastor at United Church Seattle, said he’s seen “a tension of fear and faith” among congregants who are not yet directly affected by the virus but facing growing isolation. Last Sunday, Monts said, his church suggested a way for believers to blend worship with doctors’ advice: reciting a 20-second prayer while washing their hands.

“We taught, let’s do something a little more intentional with this space” than the increasingly popular advice to sing 20 seconds of “Happy Birthday,” Monts said.

Yet the act of prayer itself often proves fodder for political division over faith and science, and the government’s response to coronavirus is no exception. When Vice President Mike Pence tweeted a photo of a group prayer before a meeting of the Trump administration’s virus response task force that he leads, one commentator’s online pushback met with&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RepMarkMeadows/status/1234526122014126081?s=20" target="_blank">condemnation from</a>&nbsp;prominent Republicans who accused progressives of maligning religion.

In fact, Pence’s photo sparked a complex reaction from Christians who said prayer is valuable but not the sole solution to a crisis, whether personal or pandemic.

Chris Green, professor of theology at Southeastern University, said he has seen “magical thinking” about the power of prayer among both conservative and liberal Christians, but “that is a minority, very clearly a quieter voice in the conversation.”

“Overwhelmingly, I think the groups I work with would say, pray and work” to solve problems, said Green, who’s also a teaching pastor at Sanctuary Church in Tulsa.

Katelyn Beaty, a former veteran editor at Christianity Today, described the Pence photo as a politicized bid to court conservative Christian support. But she separated that critical response from her view of prayer itself -- as not incompatible with respect for scientific fact.

A majority of Americans pray at least daily, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/frequency-of-prayer/" target="_blank">2014 poll</a>&nbsp;by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. Referring to Muslim and Jewish neighbors who communicate with God, Beaty said that she “would never ... assume that because they pray, they’re also distrustful of science.”

Beaty added that “the ‘divide’ between faith and science is much more about culture wars and the politicization of everything in our common life than it is about what people think and believe.”

Underscoring that point, Pew polling also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2015/10/22/science-and-religion/" target="_blank">has found</a>&nbsp;that while 59% of Americans view religion and science as often in conflict, only 30% said science conflicts with their own personal beliefs.

James Dew Jr., president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, acknowledged what he called the “warfare” theory of faith’s relationship to science but offered an alternate view of religion and science as “dialogue partners.”

“We need God’s grace more than ever before,” said Dew, who writes extensively on theology and philosophy. “We also need our medical community to do its best work right now.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584278183206.png" alt="Trinity Episcopal in Lawrence, Kansas&nbsp; is among many churches not holding public worship Sunday in light of the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Until after March 29, the church will not be hosting any ministry or group functions, according to it's website- Google image" />
 <figcaption>Trinity Episcopal in Lawrence, Kansas&nbsp; is among many churches not holding public worship Sunday in light of the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Until after March 29, the church will not be hosting any ministry or group functions, according to it's website- Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has prompted multiple religious faiths to change or cancel services as houses of worship try to help contain the disease. But some church leaders are also tackling another task: communicating a message that elevates both faith and science.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/kpaGEAzRZY">https://t.co/kpaGEAzRZY</a>&mdash; Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1239176998045519873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>That goal is particularly challenging in a time of sharp political polarization, as partisan scuffles over religion’s influence on policymaking can caricature Christians as skeptical of science. For pastors across Christian denominations, however, rising public anxiety over coronavirus only reinforces the importance of believing in God while heeding the advice of public health experts.“Science is a wonderful arena of truth and understanding truth. It is an amazing tool that can help human flourishing. We just believe it can’t address all truth that exists,” said D.J. Jenkins, pastor at Anthology Church in Studio City, Calif.Jenkins, who got his undergraduate degree in biology, acknowledged that “for a lot of folks, it’s probably pretty strange to see” a Christian or other devout person “asking for divine help -- and then also trusting in science and health professionals and doctors. But it’s not strange for me.”While past natural disasters have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/151633f83b7ed2452ca1c8ab7135af8e">found a few</a>&nbsp;high-profile Christians asserting a link to specific divine punishment, the coronavirus outbreak has generated little if any of that religious rhetoric. Instead, churches are rising to the moment with a mixture of spiritual aid and practical counsel that presents its own challenges, beyond the political tensions kicked up by the virus.Scott Sauls, senior pastor at Nashville’s Christ Presbyterian Church, said he’s discussing ways to “move toward the pain rather than away from it,” acting on his faith’s edict to love one’s neighbor amid rising anxiety.But that goal is complicated by the social distancing that’s been recommended as a best practice to slow down the disease, Sauls noted, since “Christians’ responsibility is to, No. 1, not send the irresponsible, unloving message” of downplaying the virus’ risk. He said conversations about how best to help have so far focused on assisting the high-risk elderly and health care workers overtaxed by the crisis.National Association of Evangelicals President Walter Kim said his guidance to denominations is prioritizing the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and other experts, because “the sense of reassurance we want to give is coupled with prudence in seeking out the best information.”Citing the high religiosity among early scientific pioneers such as Isaac Newton, Kim said that although friction between faith and science has occurred in the past, “the scientific community and people of faith really should serve as collaborators.”Religious institutions from coast to coast have upended their service schedules to prevent close contact that could spread coronavirus, with Kentucky’s governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6cf943036e5e71ae85c827a66f4adedf">encouraging&nbsp;</a>churches to cancel their services this week. While not every church in the state plans to fully close, pastors such as Steve Weaver, of Farmdale Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky., said they are keenly aware of both scientific and faith considerations.“We want to take seriously the health challenges that experts are describing and their prescriptions to address those challenges,” Weaver said by email. “However, we have to balance that by our responsibility to continue our regular expressions of worshiping and gathering, which I believe is commanded of us as Christians.”In Washington state’s King County, where the outbreak&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e27307edc5b133a67f3ba2036a97dc27">has claimed</a>&nbsp;more than two dozen victims, pastors are already dealing with the spiritual struggles wrought by the pandemic.“There’s a lot of fear right now, so we have an opportunity to be bearers of hope and peace,” said Andrew Fouché, pastor of Sunset Community Church in Renton, Wash. Fouché added that he resists “pat answers” about prayer providing complete protection.Aaron Monts, pastor at United Church Seattle, said he’s seen “a tension of fear and faith” among congregants who are not yet directly affected by the virus but facing growing isolation. Last Sunday, Monts said, his church suggested a way for believers to blend worship with doctors’ advice: reciting a 20-second prayer while washing their hands.“We taught, let’s do something a little more intentional with this space” than the increasingly popular advice to sing 20 seconds of “Happy Birthday,” Monts said.Yet the act of prayer itself often proves fodder for political division over faith and science, and the government’s response to coronavirus is no exception. When Vice President Mike Pence tweeted a photo of a group prayer before a meeting of the Trump administration’s virus response task force that he leads, one commentator’s online pushback met with&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RepMarkMeadows/status/1234526122014126081?s=20" target="_blank">condemnation from</a>&nbsp;prominent Republicans who accused progressives of maligning religion.In fact, Pence’s photo sparked a complex reaction from Christians who said prayer is valuable but not the sole solution to a crisis, whether personal or pandemic.Chris Green, professor of theology at Southeastern University, said he has seen “magical thinking” about the power of prayer among both conservative and liberal Christians, but “that is a minority, very clearly a quieter voice in the conversation.”“Overwhelmingly, I think the groups I work with would say, pray and work” to solve problems, said Green, who’s also a teaching pastor at Sanctuary Church in Tulsa.Katelyn Beaty, a former veteran editor at Christianity Today, described the Pence photo as a politicized bid to court conservative Christian support. But she separated that critical response from her view of prayer itself -- as not incompatible with respect for scientific fact.A majority of Americans pray at least daily, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/frequency-of-prayer/" target="_blank">2014 poll</a>&nbsp;by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. Referring to Muslim and Jewish neighbors who communicate with God, Beaty said that she “would never ... assume that because they pray, they’re also distrustful of science.”Beaty added that “the ‘divide’ between faith and science is much more about culture wars and the politicization of everything in our common life than it is about what people think and believe.”Underscoring that point, Pew polling also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2015/10/22/science-and-religion/" target="_blank">has found</a>&nbsp;that while 59% of Americans view religion and science as often in conflict, only 30% said science conflicts with their own personal beliefs.James Dew Jr., president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, acknowledged what he called the “warfare” theory of faith’s relationship to science but offered an alternate view of religion and science as “dialogue partners.”“We need God’s grace more than ever before,” said Dew, who writes extensively on theology and philosophy. “We also need our medical community to do its best work right now.”___

Pray and wash: Religion joins with science amid virus crisis

LOS ANGELES&nbsp;- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX, International Mail Facility (IMF, intercepted a package containing suspected counterfeit COVID-19 test kits arriving from the United Kingdom, according to a media release from CBP.

On Thursday, CBP officers discovered six plastic bags containing various vials, while conducting an enforcement examination of a parcel manifested as “Purified Water Vials” with a declared value of $196.81. A complete examination of the shipment, led to the finding of vials filled with a white liquid and labeled “Corona Virus 2019nconv (COVID-19)” and “Virus1 Test Kit”.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shipment was turned over to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for analysis.

“Protecting the health and safety of the American people is a top priority for CBP,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “This&nbsp;significant interception, at a time when the U.S. is in the midst of a National Emergency, demonstrates our CBP officers’ vigilance and commitment to ensure dangerous goods are intercepted and not a threat to our communities and our people.”

Authorized diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is conducted in verified state and local public health laboratories across the United States. The American public should be aware of bogus home testing kits for sale either online or in informal direct to consumer settings.

“CBP commits substantial resources to detect, intercept and seize illicit goods arriving in the air package environment,” said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, CBP Port Director at LAX.&nbsp; “Smugglers are constantly attempting to take advantage of consumers by disguising their illicit goods as legitimate shipments.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/u280/Fake%20COVID-19%20Test%20Kits%203.jpg" alt="Photos courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES&nbsp;- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX, International Mail Facility (IMF, intercepted a package containing suspected counterfeit COVID-19 test kits arriving from the United Kingdom, according to a media release from CBP.On Thursday, CBP officers discovered six plastic bags containing various vials, while conducting an enforcement examination of a parcel manifested as “Purified Water Vials” with a declared value of $196.81. A complete examination of the shipment, led to the finding of vials filled with a white liquid and labeled “Corona Virus 2019nconv (COVID-19)” and “Virus1 Test Kit”.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shipment was turned over to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for analysis.“Protecting the health and safety of the American people is a top priority for CBP,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “This&nbsp;significant interception, at a time when the U.S. is in the midst of a National Emergency, demonstrates our CBP officers’ vigilance and commitment to ensure dangerous goods are intercepted and not a threat to our communities and our people.”<figure>
 <img src="https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/u280/Fake%20COVID-19%20Test%20Kits%201.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Authorized diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is conducted in verified state and local public health laboratories across the United States. The American public should be aware of bogus home testing kits for sale either online or in informal direct to consumer settings.“CBP commits substantial resources to detect, intercept and seize illicit goods arriving in the air package environment,” said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, CBP Port Director at LAX.&nbsp; “Smugglers are constantly attempting to take advantage of consumers by disguising their illicit goods as legitimate shipments.”&nbsp;

Officers seize fake coronavirus test kits arriving at U.S. airport

By&nbsp;CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN, Kansas News Service

The first person to die of COVID-19 in Kansas stayed at a long-term care facility in Wyandotte County owned by the national chain with a suburban Seattle facility tied to 22 deaths from the virus.

Friday’s news comes as Wichita reported its first case of the novel coronavirus, involving a man who had taken a Caribbean cruise. That brought the state’s total known cases to six. Two more were reported Saturday.

Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Lee Norman says the Wyandotte County man in his 70s who died Wednesday was staying at Life Care Center of Kansas City. It remains unclear how the virus reached the man, Norman said.

In a statement, the facility's owner said the man arrived there from Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, on Feb. 25. The long-term care facility then sent him to a hospital on March 7 for care “entirely unrelated to symptoms or signs of COVID-19.”

He came back from the emergency room later that day, and on March 10 “became unresponsive in our facility. We called 911 and the patient was transferred back to the hospital.”

The statement said he didn't have symptoms of respiratory illness at that time, but died the next day. Post-mortem testing revealed he had COVID-19.&nbsp;

The company said it quickly isolated other patients who had contact with the man, but so far none have coronavirus symptoms. Its staff follow federal, state and local guidelines for COVID-19, the statement said.

“Every associate is also screened when they arrive for work, including checking temperature,”&nbsp;it said. “If they have a fever over 100.4, we send them home and ask they contact their personal physician.”

One or more health workers from Providence Medical Center are self-quarantining after caring for the man, Norman said.

More than 20 people from the Kirkland, Washington, nursing home have died. It is run by Life Care Centers of America. Dozens of others at the center have been infected,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/518de9e8e86303be7e8dc132167b3c60" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported.

<a href="https://lcca.com/locations/" target="_blank">The company operates</a>&nbsp;three locations in the Kansas City area, two in the Wichita metro and three others in rural eastern Kansas towns.

The Kansas City, Kansas, location has the lowest possible overall rating from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, as do its centers in Osawatomie and Burlington, Kansas, and Grandview, Missouri.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html" target="_blank">These scores</a>&nbsp;take into account nursing staff, health inspections and other quality factors.

Meanwhile, state officials say a 72-year-old Butler County man has come down with COVID-19 after taking a cruise in the western Caribbean. He began showing symptoms shortly after his return. Wichita’s Wesley Medical Center said in a news release that it is treating the patient and has isolated him in the hospital.

State health officials said Friday they were working with their local counterparts to reach out to people who had contact with the patient.

COVID-19 usually causes mild to moderate symptoms, like a fever or cough. Most people with mild symptoms recover in two weeks. More severe cases, found in older adults and people with health issues, can have up to six weeks’ recovery time.

State health officials say anyone with fever, coughing or shortness or breath who believes they had contact with a COVID-19 patient should stay home and call their doctor.

Kansas has identified eight COVID-19 cases; in addition to the men from Butler and Wyandotte counties, a Johnson County woman became sick after domestic travel and three Johnson County men tested positive for the virus after attending a conference in Florida.

On Friday, Sedgwick County banned all gatherings with more than 250 people, including at churches. The rule applies until further notice, and doesn’t include grocery stores.

Reporter Stephan Bisaha contributed to this report.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584240336536.png" alt="image by CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>image by CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN, Kansas News ServiceThe first person to die of COVID-19 in Kansas stayed at a long-term care facility in Wyandotte County owned by the national chain with a suburban Seattle facility tied to 22 deaths from the virus.Friday’s news comes as Wichita reported its first case of the novel coronavirus, involving a man who had taken a Caribbean cruise. That brought the state’s total known cases to six. Two more were reported Saturday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584135906321.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Lee Norman during Friday's news conference" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Lee Norman during Friday's news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Lee Norman says the Wyandotte County man in his 70s who died Wednesday was staying at Life Care Center of Kansas City. It remains unclear how the virus reached the man, Norman said.In a statement, the facility's owner said the man arrived there from Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, on Feb. 25. The long-term care facility then sent him to a hospital on March 7 for care “entirely unrelated to symptoms or signs of COVID-19.”He came back from the emergency room later that day, and on March 10 “became unresponsive in our facility. We called 911 and the patient was transferred back to the hospital.”The statement said he didn't have symptoms of respiratory illness at that time, but died the next day. Post-mortem testing revealed he had COVID-19.&nbsp;The company said it quickly isolated other patients who had contact with the man, but so far none have coronavirus symptoms. Its staff follow federal, state and local guidelines for COVID-19, the statement said.“Every associate is also screened when they arrive for work, including checking temperature,”&nbsp;it said. “If they have a fever over 100.4, we send them home and ask they contact their personal physician.”One or more health workers from Providence Medical Center are self-quarantining after caring for the man, Norman said.More than 20 people from the Kirkland, Washington, nursing home have died. It is run by Life Care Centers of America. Dozens of others at the center have been infected,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/518de9e8e86303be7e8dc132167b3c60" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported.<a href="https://lcca.com/locations/" target="_blank">The company operates</a>&nbsp;three locations in the Kansas City area, two in the Wichita metro and three others in rural eastern Kansas towns.The Kansas City, Kansas, location has the lowest possible overall rating from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, as do its centers in Osawatomie and Burlington, Kansas, and Grandview, Missouri.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html" target="_blank">These scores</a>&nbsp;take into account nursing staff, health inspections and other quality factors.Meanwhile, state officials say a 72-year-old Butler County man has come down with COVID-19 after taking a cruise in the western Caribbean. He began showing symptoms shortly after his return. Wichita’s Wesley Medical Center said in a news release that it is treating the patient and has isolated him in the hospital.State health officials said Friday they were working with their local counterparts to reach out to people who had contact with the patient.COVID-19 usually causes mild to moderate symptoms, like a fever or cough. Most people with mild symptoms recover in two weeks. More severe cases, found in older adults and people with health issues, can have up to six weeks’ recovery time.State health officials say anyone with fever, coughing or shortness or breath who believes they had contact with a COVID-19 patient should stay home and call their doctor.Kansas has identified eight COVID-19 cases; in addition to the men from Butler and Wyandotte counties, a Johnson County woman became sick after domestic travel and three Johnson County men tested positive for the virus after attending a conference in Florida.On Friday, Sedgwick County banned all gatherings with more than 250 people, including at churches. The rule applies until further notice, and doesn’t include grocery stores.Reporter Stephan Bisaha contributed to this report.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a>&nbsp;or email her at celia (at) kcur (dot) org.&nbsp;

Update: Kan. virus death involves same nursing home owner as deadly Seattle outbreak

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has tested negative for the new coronavirus, according to the president's personal physician.

The White House released the test results Saturday night after Trump told reporters hours earlier that he had taken the coronavirus test, following days of resisting being screened despite the fact that he had been in recent contact with three people who have tested positive for the virus.

Trump told reporters at a White House briefing on Saturday that he had his temperature taken and it was “totally normal,” shortly before stepping into the room to discuss the government’s efforts to halt the spread of the virus. The pandemic has now infected more than 2,200 people in the U.S. and caused at least 50 deaths.

The president had multiple direct and indirect contacts with people who have since tested positive for the virus, including three people he spent time with last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

The Brazilian Embassy in Washington said late Friday that the country’s chargé d’affaires, Nestor Forster, tested positive after sitting at Trump’s dinner table. So, too, have a top aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who took a photo with Trump and attended a party with him, and another person who attended a campaign fundraiser with the president that Sunday, according to two Republican officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss private health matters.

Trump, after days of insisting that he was not exhibiting symptoms of the virus, relented after being pressed by reporters about his resistance to testing when multiple lawmakers and countless citizens across the country who have had the same degree of exposure have not only tried to get tested, but also chosen to try to avoid potentially infecting others.

WASHINGTON — After days of resistance, President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was tested for the coronavirus and is awaiting his results as the White House stepped up precautions around him following his repeated direct and indirect exposures to COVID-19.

Trump also told reporters at a White House briefing that he had his temperature taken and it was "totally normal" before stepping into the room to discuss the government's efforts to halt the spread of the virus. The pandemic has now infected more than 2,200 people in the U.S. and caused at least 50 deaths.

The President also announced that the United States will broaden its European travel ban, adding Britain and Ireland to its list. And he says he's considering imposing restrictions on travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus spread.

Under the restrictions on European travel, American citizens, green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the U.S., but will be funneled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders. Trump is urging people not to travel unless they have to.

Trump had held out on testing for days — concerned that it would make him appear weak — despite his interactions with at least three people who have since tested positive for COVID-19. Trump had said Friday that he would "most likely" submit to testing "fairly soon," but the White House doctor said in a memo released shortly before midnight that no test was called for, despite the contact, because he wasn't exhibiting symptoms like a fever or cough.

The president said he'd gone ahead with it anyway after repeated questions from reporters at a news conference Friday and would have the results in "a day or two days, whatever it is." Vice President Mike Pence, speaking at the same briefing, said he and his wife, Karen Pence, would also "be more than happy to be tested," despite the doctors' guidance, and would be contacting White House medical staff to arrange it.

Multiple lawmakers and countless citizens across the country who have had the same degree of exposure have not only tried to get tested, but also chosen to quarantine themselves as a precaution and to avoid potentially infecting others.

The president, according to two people close to the White House, had been reluctant to take the test for fear it would project weakness or worry. Trump has wanted to appear in full control during the crisis, and had expressed concerns that taking personal steps could undermine that appearance.

But as the White House grapples with repeated exposures by Trump and multiple senior aides, it has tightened precautions. On Saturday, the White House announced that it is now conducting temperature checks on anyone who is in close contact with Trump and Pence, including reporters who attended the Saturday White House briefing.

To that end, a representative from the White House physician's office took the temperature of members of the media at the briefing, going around and putting the device to their heads. One reporter with a suspected elevated temperature was not allowed in.

Trump, 73, is considered to be at higher risk of complications from the disease because of his age. He has long tried to minimize the threat posed by the virus and continued to engage in behaviors that health officials are warning the public against.

On Friday, Trump shook the hands of multiple officials at his Rose Garden news conference and he has continued to appear at large gatherings despite tweeting Saturday morning that Americans should be practicing "SOCIAL DISTANCING!"

"It almost becomes a habit," Trump said when asked why he continues to shake hands contrary to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

"People come up to me, they shake hands, they put their hand out, it's sort of a natural reflex.," he said. "We're all getting out of it. All of us have that problem." He added: "Shaking hands is not a great thing to be doing right now, I agree."

Trump has now had multiple direct and indirect contacts with people who have since tested positive for the virus, including three people he spent time with last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club on Florida.

The Brazilian Embassy in Washington said late Friday that the country's chargé d'affaires, Nestor Forster, tested positive after sitting at Trump's dinner table. So, too, have a top aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who took a photo with Trump and attended a party with him, and another person who attended a campaign fundraiser with the president that Sunday, according to two Republican officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss private health matters.

Several top administration officials, including Attorney General William Barr and Trump's daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, also met last week with an Australian Cabinet minister who on Friday was confirmed positive.

The White House has been saying, citing CDC guidelines, that the president and other White House officials don't need to be tested or isolate themselves unless they are exhibiting symptoms, even though that advice is contradicted by many health professionals who note that the virus can be spread even by people who are asymptomatic.

The reporter who was not allowed into the White House briefing Saturday had a temperature above the 100.4-degree guidelines in three checks over 15 minutes, tweeted Pence's spokeswoman, Katie Miller, citing the White House Medical Unit.

Public health officials say that people with a cough and elevated temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher are deemed concerning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584230146036.png" alt="President Trump during Saturday's press briefing -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during Saturday's press briefing -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has tested negative for the new coronavirus, according to the president's personal physician.The White House released the test results Saturday night after Trump told reporters hours earlier that he had taken the coronavirus test, following days of resisting being screened despite the fact that he had been in recent contact with three people who have tested positive for the virus.Trump told reporters at a White House briefing on Saturday that he had his temperature taken and it was “totally normal,” shortly before stepping into the room to discuss the government’s efforts to halt the spread of the virus. The pandemic has now infected more than 2,200 people in the U.S. and caused at least 50 deaths.The president had multiple direct and indirect contacts with people who have since tested positive for the virus, including three people he spent time with last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.The Brazilian Embassy in Washington said late Friday that the country’s chargé d’affaires, Nestor Forster, tested positive after sitting at Trump’s dinner table. So, too, have a top aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who took a photo with Trump and attended a party with him, and another person who attended a campaign fundraiser with the president that Sunday, according to two Republican officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss private health matters.Trump, after days of insisting that he was not exhibiting symptoms of the virus, relented after being pressed by reporters about his resistance to testing when multiple lawmakers and countless citizens across the country who have had the same degree of exposure have not only tried to get tested, but also chosen to try to avoid potentially infecting others.------------WASHINGTON — After days of resistance, President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was tested for the coronavirus and is awaiting his results as the White House stepped up precautions around him following his repeated direct and indirect exposures to COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584212056629.png" alt="President Trump with members of the coronavirus task force during Saturday's announcement- image courtesy White House " />
 <figcaption>President Trump with members of the coronavirus task force during Saturday's announcement- image courtesy White House </figcaption>
 </figure>Trump also told reporters at a White House briefing that he had his temperature taken and it was "totally normal" before stepping into the room to discuss the government's efforts to halt the spread of the virus. The pandemic has now infected more than 2,200 people in the U.S. and caused at least 50 deaths.The President also announced that the United States will broaden its European travel ban, adding Britain and Ireland to its list. And he says he's considering imposing restrictions on travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus spread.Under the restrictions on European travel, American citizens, green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the U.S., but will be funneled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders. Trump is urging people not to travel unless they have to.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584211964216.png" alt="President Trump confirmed Saturday he had been tested for COVID-19- image courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>President Trump confirmed Saturday he had been tested for COVID-19- image courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump had held out on testing for days — concerned that it would make him appear weak — despite his interactions with at least three people who have since tested positive for COVID-19. Trump had said Friday that he would "most likely" submit to testing "fairly soon," but the White House doctor said in a memo released shortly before midnight that no test was called for, despite the contact, because he wasn't exhibiting symptoms like a fever or cough.The president said he'd gone ahead with it anyway after repeated questions from reporters at a news conference Friday and would have the results in "a day or two days, whatever it is." Vice President Mike Pence, speaking at the same briefing, said he and his wife, Karen Pence, would also "be more than happy to be tested," despite the doctors' guidance, and would be contacting White House medical staff to arrange it.Multiple lawmakers and countless citizens across the country who have had the same degree of exposure have not only tried to get tested, but also chosen to quarantine themselves as a precaution and to avoid potentially infecting others.The president, according to two people close to the White House, had been reluctant to take the test for fear it would project weakness or worry. Trump has wanted to appear in full control during the crisis, and had expressed concerns that taking personal steps could undermine that appearance.But as the White House grapples with repeated exposures by Trump and multiple senior aides, it has tightened precautions. On Saturday, the White House announced that it is now conducting temperature checks on anyone who is in close contact with Trump and Pence, including reporters who attended the Saturday White House briefing.To that end, a representative from the White House physician's office took the temperature of members of the media at the briefing, going around and putting the device to their heads. One reporter with a suspected elevated temperature was not allowed in.Trump, 73, is considered to be at higher risk of complications from the disease because of his age. He has long tried to minimize the threat posed by the virus and continued to engage in behaviors that health officials are warning the public against.On Friday, Trump shook the hands of multiple officials at his Rose Garden news conference and he has continued to appear at large gatherings despite tweeting Saturday morning that Americans should be practicing "SOCIAL DISTANCING!""It almost becomes a habit," Trump said when asked why he continues to shake hands contrary to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines."People come up to me, they shake hands, they put their hand out, it's sort of a natural reflex.," he said. "We're all getting out of it. All of us have that problem." He added: "Shaking hands is not a great thing to be doing right now, I agree."Trump has now had multiple direct and indirect contacts with people who have since tested positive for the virus, including three people he spent time with last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club on Florida.The Brazilian Embassy in Washington said late Friday that the country's chargé d'affaires, Nestor Forster, tested positive after sitting at Trump's dinner table. So, too, have a top aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who took a photo with Trump and attended a party with him, and another person who attended a campaign fundraiser with the president that Sunday, according to two Republican officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss private health matters.Several top administration officials, including Attorney General William Barr and Trump's daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, also met last week with an Australian Cabinet minister who on Friday was confirmed positive.The White House has been saying, citing CDC guidelines, that the president and other White House officials don't need to be tested or isolate themselves unless they are exhibiting symptoms, even though that advice is contradicted by many health professionals who note that the virus can be spread even by people who are asymptomatic.The reporter who was not allowed into the White House briefing Saturday had a temperature above the 100.4-degree guidelines in three checks over 15 minutes, tweeted Pence's spokeswoman, Katie Miller, citing the White House Medical Unit.Public health officials say that people with a cough and elevated temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher are deemed concerning.---------

The Latest: President Trump tests negative for coronavirus

JOHNSON COUNTY —Health officials in northeastern Kansas have confirmed the state's seventh and eighth cases of COVID-19. The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said in a news release Saturday that the presumptive positive case is a woman in her 50s associated with Johnson County Community College.

The department says it's the region's first known case to have been contracted locally.&nbsp;The  woman is hospitalized and “doing well." Her family members have been quarantined, and those who may have been exposed by contact with the woman are being contacted by the health department.

The other case is a man in Franklin County, according to the KDHE.

Officials in Franklin County have released no additional details on their patient. The county health department recommended that all inside events with over 100 people be cancelled.&nbsp; Franklin County is located in eastern Kansas south of Lawrence. It is the fourth county in Kansas with a positive case of caronavirus along with Butler, Wyandotte and Johnson County, according to the KDHE.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584111668151.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Health officials in northeastern Kansas have confirmed the state's seventh and eighth cases of COVID-19. The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said in a news release Saturday that the presumptive positive case is a woman in her 50s associated with Johnson County Community College.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Be Aware. Prepare. Act. <a href="https://twitter.com/KDHE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KDHE</a> <a href="https://t.co/vfrGtntx5P">pic.twitter.com/vfrGtntx5P</a>&mdash; KDEM (@KansasEmergency) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasEmergency/status/1238922084031569921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The department says it's the region's first known case to have been contracted locally.&nbsp;The woman is hospitalized and “doing well." Her family members have been quarantined, and those who may have been exposed by contact with the woman are being contacted by the health department.The other case is a man in Franklin County, according to the KDHE.Officials in Franklin County have released no additional details on their patient. The county health department recommended that all inside events with over 100 people be cancelled.&nbsp; Franklin County is located in eastern Kansas south of Lawrence. It is the fourth county in Kansas with a positive case of caronavirus along with Butler, Wyandotte and Johnson County, according to the KDHE.

Coronavirus Update