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March 25, 2020
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UPSP 213-200 Vol. 154, No.44
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Current guidelines in Missouri for coronavirus by Cheryl Alexander, RN, Admin., Daviess County Health Department
This past Saturday, Gov. Parson presented an official Order for Missouri’s response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. As we know, this situation is constantly changing, but this is the most current information and guidelines we have, to help slow the number of cases in Missouri. Our goal is to help keep the impact to a lower level, so we
don’t overwhelm our medical resources. Being able to provide care for those that have the most severe cases will greatly reduce our mortality rates. These restrictions listed below were thoughtfully put together by Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. He, the Governor, and our local officials, have been taking in what information they can from multiple sources to provide
City of Gallatin in regards to COVID-19 Pandemic (released Monday, Marcy 23, 2020)
Effective immediately and for an indefinite period of time, City Hall is closed to the public. We ask that members of the public please call (660)663-2011 with any questions. Most transactions can be done over the phone and payments can be made by depositing them in the drop box located in the alley west of City Hall. Credit or debit card payments can also be made over the phone. In the rare event that it is required for a citizen to enter the lobby for the transaction of business, it is mandatory that they call first to ensure that the service cannot be delivered remotely. Even with these adapted practices, we remain committed to the delivery of all services at this time. We will evaluate this course of action until April 6 and adjust accordingly at that time. Please understand effective social distancing will require all of our cooperation. The preeminent goal is to slow the spread of the virus. Please do your part and don’t go to work if you are sick, cough or sneeze into your shirt or sleeve, watch out for your older friends and family, avoid large gatherings, keep a buffer of at least 6’ feet between another person, don’t shake hands, wash your hands for 20 seconds, and wash them often. At this time the City of Gallatin will not be putting in a policy to limit business hours nor visitor numbers to the businesses. The government has stated that there shouldn’t be gatherings of more than 10 people and Gallatin will support such a rule. We support all of the decisions of our local businesses in regards to their livelihood and will let each owner make the rules for their own business. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and please know that all decisions are made with the health and wellness of the public and our employees in mind. The situation can change rapidly and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time. Lance Rains, Gallatin City Administrator
the correct steps in slowing this virus’ spread and protecting the medical capacity we have in Missouri. Some jurisdictions, such as the Kansas City area, have added other restrictions that they feel will meet some of the unique needs of their community. Following their lead, we will make determinations about local restrictions that fit our community while taking into consideration how best to protect our residents. This official Order for Missouri became effective at midnight Monday, March 23: Local public health authorities are being directed to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Order by means of civil proceedings. Provisions of this order are outlined below. 1. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people. For purposes of this Order, “social gatherings”
shall mean any planned or spontaneous event or convening that would bring together more than 10 people in a single space at the same time. 2. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, or food courts; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed throughout the duration of this Order. 3. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, people shall not visit nursing homes, longterm care facilities, retirement homes, or assisted living homes unless to provide critical assistance. 4. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, schools shall remain closed. This Order does NOT prohibit
people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, so long as necessary precautions are taken and maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including maintaining at least six feet of distance between all individuals that are not family members. For offices and workplaces that remain open, individuals shall practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COVID-19. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this Order will expire. This Order shall be in effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 6, 2020, unless extended by further order of the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services with said extensions not to exceed the duration of the effective period of Executive Order 20-02 (May 15, 2020).
April municipal elections postponed The Daviess County Election Authority has received notice from the Missouri Governor and the Missouri Secretary of State that the General Municipal Election scheduled for April 7 has been postponed to June 2, due to the ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Absentee voting will continue by mail, email, or curbside at the courthouse until June 1. If you wish to receive a ballot to vote at home please call the county clerk’s office. Candidates may file for openings in the August 4 Primary Election by calling the county clerk’s office to make an appointment. Effective immediately: To be allowed into the Daviess County Courthouse you must have an appointment, pass the health screening, and come through the security scanner. You may reach the Daviess County Election Authority (Ronetta Burton, Daviess County Clerk) at 660-663-3300, ext 5.
Gov. Mike Parson issued the executive order postponing all Missouri municipal elections from April to June on March 18. The executive order declares that ballots already printed for the April 7 election may be used at the postponed date of June 2. Voters who have attained the age of 18 by April 7 will be allowed to cast a ballot. “Given the growing concern surrounding COVID-19 and the large number of people elections attract, postponing Missouri’s municipal elections is a necessary step to help combat the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of Missouri voters,” Governor Parson said. “Postponing an election is not easy, but we are all in this together. We are thankful to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and our 116 election authorities for their leadership, cooperation, and commitment to doing what is best for their communities during this time.” (continued on page 3)
Momentous occasion for area twins The children of Hazel Anderson and Harold Ruoff invite you to wish the twins a happy birthday on their 102nd birthday, March 31. Cards may be sent to Hazel Anderson, 1202 Heartland Road, St. Joseph, MO, 64506, Room L109. “With the world in such an uproar I don’t know how anybody could enjoy a 102nd birthday,” Hazel says. “We just have to make the best of it.” According to family, Harold and Hazel are still in pretty good health at the age of 101 and soon to be 102. They live in separate nursing homes in St. Joseph. “Harold is in good health but he is not holding up as well,” says Hazel. “He gets tired pretty easy.” When the twins were born in 1918, an influenza epidemic was manifesting itself across the globe. Now it’s the Coronavirus. The twins also saw two world wars and a great depression in their lifetimes. “I have a lot of memories and I’ve forgot half of it,” Hazel says. They say their longevity is no mystery. It comes from “hard work on the farm.” The twins were born in Easton. They had two brothers and two sisters. The other four are gone now, but they all lived to be in their eighties and nineties. Hazel lived in Winston for 20 some years, between 1960-1985. She was a mother and housewife. “And a farm hand,” says daughter Carol Cowan of
Gallatin. “Mom drove tractors and milked cows and helped with hay and anything and everything and raised us, too.” “We didn’t know what city life was back then,” Hazel says. “”We all just worked hard on the farm.” Hazel and her husband Elmer have three daughters, all who graduated from Winston, Carol Cowan, Kathleen High, and Dixie Nadine McQuate; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Elmer worked at the sale barn in Gallatin, and also for K.C. Froman. The couple took many trips to Arizona for the winter. “Dad says he’s lived so long because he took care of himself when he was younger,” says daughter Roberta. Harold farmed around Gower and south of St. Joe. He also trucked for people and for Associated Grocers. Harold “Bob” and his wife Claretta “Katie” (Hanway) have four daughters, Roberta “Berta” Ruoff, Margie Funk, Mary Jane Celeslie, and Anna Chamberlain; one son, Harold “Hank” Ruoff; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Hazel is in the Living Community of St. Joseph and Harold is in Vintage Gardens. The twins continued to stay in touch. They call each other a couple of times a week and visit in person when they can.
Harold Ruoff and Hazel Anderson, twin brother and sister [submitted photo]
WINSTON R-6 BOARD VOTES TO INITIATE 4-DAY SCHOOL WEEK FOR 2020-21
See page 7