Parson says he’s reviewing extension of stay-at-home order
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Gov. Mike Parson during his daily COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday said he is considering whether to extend the statewide stay-at-home order.
Parson's order went into effect April 6 as COVID-19 cases continued to grow around the state. The order is set to expire April 24.
You can watch a replay of the news conference in the media player below.
"We're in the process of working on that order now," Parson said in response to a question from a reporter, saying he expected the public to have more information soon.
Parson later tweeted that he would address the extension Thursday after talking with other governors and local officials.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly extended her state's order through May 3 on Wednesday and said she has spoken with Parson about Missouri's order.
Parson during the briefing confirmed he had spoken with Kelly about Missouri's order, saying coordination between neighboring states is important. He said he expects Missouri's order to remain in place for at least two more weeks and that the actions of Missourians in the next two weeks will help determine how long the order stays in place.
Boone County remains under a stay-at-home order until April 24. Cole County extended its initial order to continue until April 25.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said the state added about 200 new cases of novel coronavirus Wednesday. The health department said 4,895 people have tested positive in Missouri.
Health officials say 14 more people have also died from COVID-19, it brings the total to 147.
Education money
Parson also highlighted federal money for education totaling more than $260 milllion.
Parson said the state is receiving $208 million under the federal COVID-19 stimulus law known as the CARES Act, and another $54.6 million in funds authorized by the act.
The funds were announced this week by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt's office.
The money can go to K-12 and higher education, Parson said.
Missouri Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven said the money will help address the digital divide between wealthier districts and their poorer counterparts. The money will be distributed through the federal Title I program, meaning schools with fewer resources will get money first, she said.
Vandeven highlighted the changes education in Missouri has gone through since the final school buildings closed March 19. Parson has ordered school buildings closed through the end of the academic year.
"For most in education, and for most of our families at home, this is a new way of doing business," Vandeven said. And the new way has financial costs, she said.
Vandeven said the state is also working with local districts on when summer school could start and what re-entry into school buildings might look like.
Lawmakers' return to work
Parson said in response to a question that he hopes lawmakers will get back to work but do so in a way that doesn't endanger anyone.
The state legislature has been out of session since last month except for votes to pass a supplemental budget loaded with federal funding. Lawmakers are in discussions about returning to the capital, possibly by April 27, Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) tweeted this week.
"I hope they can figure that out and I hope they do because there’s still work to be done every day here at the state," Parson said.
The Missouri Constitution requires lawmakers to pass the fiscal 2021 budget by May 8.
Recalled masks
Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten elaborated during the briefing on why the state recalled 48,000 KN95 masks sent this month to first responders. Karsten said the masks were determined to not fit correctly.
Karsten did not go into detail, citing "pending litigation."
The state is trying to find ways to recoup the money that was put up to order the masks, Karsten said. She said Tuesday that the masks came from three factories in China.
