Stories from Wednesday, March 18, 2020

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — An employee of Saint Francis Medical Center who was visiting a daughter out of state has been diagnosed with COVID-19, said the CEO of the health system, Maryann Reese. “She was last in Cape Girardeau on March 6,” Reese said, which is 12 days ago. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms of coronavirus may appear on to 14 days after exposure but the average incubation period is five days.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man in his 40s who recently traveled abroad is the 16th person in Missouri to test positive for the coronavirus, health officials said.The man is doing well and is in isolation at his home, while his family is in quarantine, Jackson County health officials announced late Tuesday. It was the second case in the county that includes Kansas City.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau announced Tuesday the suspension of all public Masses until further notice. “It is with a heavy heart, yet with confidence that this is the correct decision, that I decree that effective at 6 p.m. ...

TORONTO (AP) — The U.S. and Canada have agreed to temporarily close their shared border to nonessential travel, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday as the two nations work to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Both countries are eager to choke off the spread of the virus but also maintain their vital economic relationship. Canada relies on the U.S. for 75% of its exports...

Beginning today, OPAA! Is teaming up with the Portageville School District and will distribute meals to all children ages 18-and-under for free. There will be two pick-up locations available at the following buildings: Portageville High School Cafeteria...

NEW YORK -- Can my children go on a play date? Is it OK if I visit the gym? In this time of coronavirus, once-easy questions have suddenly become complex. Here are some questions and answers about the "social distancing" efforts to slow the epidemic in the U.S...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has announced it has cancelled most public events and programs at its nature centers, shooting ranges, and other locations around the state until April 15. The cancellations are effective immediately and include scheduled hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops...

WASHINGTON (AP) — No one knows how long it will last or how much it will hurt. But the U.S. economy is either sliding into a recession for the first time since 2009 or is already in one — a sudden victim of the coronavirus outbreak. The vast changes deemed necessary to defeat the virus — people and companies no longer engaging with each other — are bringing everyday business to a halt and likely delivering a death blow to the longest economic expansion on record...

Bertrand City Hall has partnered with Charleston R-1 Schools and our Free summer meals program to offer students in our area FREE meals while out of school due to the COVID-19. Meals will be given out at Bertrand City Hall Monday- Friday. Dates are as follows:...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday ordered all local elections scheduled for April 7 to be postponed until June 2 as the number of recorded cases of coronavirus in the state hit 17. Parson's executive order allows already printed ballots to be used for the rescheduled elections. Residents who turn 18 by April 7 will be allowed to vote...

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department wants to start issuing direct payments to Americans by early next month as the centerpiece of a $1 trillion plan to stabilize the economy as the coronavirus epidemic threatens a body slam to taxpayers and businesses...

SIKESTON — The Sikeston Parks and Recreation Department is cancelling or rescheduling all special events planned for the near future. According to a release from Director of Parks and Recreation Dustin Care, the 1K Donut Dash, scheduled for Saturday, has been rescheduled for a future date which will be announced next month. Those that can’t attend the new date will be issued a full refund, unless they want to keep their T-shirt, which is $5...

I went shopping today and discovered the store was almost out of toilet paper. I can understand a shortage of gloves, masks, hand cleaners and disinfectants, but I don’t understand the shortage of toilet paper. Are people wiping their a** more to help prevent coronavirus?

On Wednesday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson ordered all elections scheduled for April 7 to be postponed until June 2 as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country and state. It is a precaution that is well-received locally. “In this serious time of our lives, no one knows what the future holds,” said Rita Milam, Scott County Clerk. ...

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday moved to invoke a federal law that allows the government to marshal the private sector to fight the coronavirus epidemic, as the economic damage mounted with word that Detroit's Big Three automakers agreed to shut down all their factories to protect workers...

By SARAH SKIDMORE SELL and MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Business Writers The Trump administration has announced that most individuals and businesses will be allowed to delay paying their federal tax bills for 90 days as part of an emergency relief plan amid the coronavirus pandemic...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Franna Rose Hammontree, 55, died March 16, 2020, at Southeast Health Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 11, 1964, in St. Louis, to the late Lula Mansfield-Maestas, she was employed as a cook by Luhr Bros. Co. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday announced the first coronavirus death in the state happened in Boone County, without providing further details. Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said the case was travel-related and that the individual is the same person who tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday in Boone County. Treece previously said that individual was in their 60s, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported...