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Missourians should expect delays in some state services, Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday.
"My administration has and will continue to work hard for Missourians," Parson said. "Our citizens depend on their state government, especially in times of need."
The state must keep its prisons, veterans homes and mental institutions operating, he said. It must preserve the public safety, ensure citizens get the support and benefits they need, and support employers.
The state also must continue to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, he said.
Coronaviruses make up a large family of viruses. Some cause illnesses in people, while others infect only animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses have emerged to infect people and can spread between people. This is suspected to have happened for the virus that causes COVID-19. The current virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early infections were widely linked to live animal markets, but the virus is now spreading from person to person.
In Missouri, 28 people have tested positive for the virus. One has died.
Government agencies will continue to operate but follow federal guidance on social distancing, Parson said. To protect the state government workforce, different departments must work in different ways to deliver services, he continued.
"Steps already being taken include alternating shifts and schedules, job-sharing and increased telework," he said. "We have canceled large group training and conferences. Many departments are applying for waivers from the federal government so they can operate in new ways also.
"As we shift our position, our citizens should expect some delays or interruptions in normal services."
Some areas are also seeing increased call volumes.
State operations have to adapt to the situation, Parson said. The state's department heads are on call 24 hours a day, he said.
Officials strongly encourage citizens to follow guidelines to avoid contact with large groups.
That's why Missouri is encouraging citizens - when they need specific state services - to first try accessing them through department websites or call centers.
People should do what they can to avoid going in person to any public office.
They should expect change to be constant as the state adapts to the situation.
"The state government will continue to provide essential services for our citizens and do whatever possible to assist in fighting COVID-19," Parson said.
All public and charter schools in Missouri are temporarily closed, he added. Missouri school administrators and teachers have displayed "strong leadership" in coming to those decisions, he said.
Parson said he is concerned rural schools had to close because they don't have child care service in many of their communities.
"If you shut down a school down there, that creates problems," he said. "Plus, the workplace. The school districts sometimes are the largest employer.
"Eldon, I'll use as an example. There are lot of kids over there that probably don't have any place to go," he said.
You have to consider what that's like across the state, he said.
Sandy Karsten, director of the state Department of Public Safety, said the State Emergency Management Agency warehouse received a delivery of several palates of personal protective equipment (PPE) shortly after noon Thursday. The products are to be added to the strategic national stockpile, she said. Staff are sorting out the PPEs to prepare to meet requests the state has received from hospitals and emergency management service agencies.
So far, 44 EMS agencies and 27 hospitals across the state had requested equipment from the stockpile, Karsten said.
There have been requests from law enforcement and fire departments. That equipment is to be provided next week, as soon as the state receives it, she continued.
Her department is also working with hospitals and providers across Missouri to set up mobile COVID-19 testing sites, she said.
There are 14 private mobile testing sites up and running. A 15th site is being set up at the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. That should be online Saturday.
"As more come online, we will make sure and provide that to the public. We'll make sure to provide maps," Karsten said.
Parson said Americans have dealt with viruses before. It takes time to come up with a treatment for viruses. It takes more time to come up with a vaccine. But, if people will follow simple instructions, they can slow the spread of COVID-19.
"Do I think it's doomsday? No, I don't think it's doomsday. Will people come up and test positive? Yes. Will some people die? Yes, probably so," Parson said. "We can conquer this. We can get through this. It's not going to be a week or two process. I do believe that the short-term outlook is two to three months."