Coronavirus impacting many local events and services

SIKESTON — While there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19, otherwise known as coronavirus, in the immediate area, local events and services are being impacted.

On Monday, the Trump administration called on Americans not to gather in groups of more than 10 and advised older people to stay home. That followed Sunday’s statement from federal officials recommending all in-person events involving 50 people or more be called off for the next eight weeks.

“CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next eight weeks, organizers ... cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States,” it said. “Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.”

Following that directive, the Sikeston Regional Chamber postponed the 2020 Awards Banquet scheduled for March 26. In a statement from the Chamber, the Banquet will likely be postponed until the fall.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and are working with the Banquet Committee and SRC Board of Directors to determine what is best,” the statement said.

Also the Chamber’s membership luncheon, scheduled for Friday, has been cancelled.

The Sikeston Jaycees instead will announce the entertainment lineup for this year’s Rodeo virtually on their Facebook page.

The Sikeston Regional Chamber office will also be closed through the month of March.

The Kenny Rogers Children’s Center cancelled all remaining Telethon events scheduled for March 21. Those events include the pancake breakfast, the 5K walk/run, the blood drive and the live telethon streaming event. Refunds for the 5K will be available.

“Please know that these are difficult times and our decision was based on keeping our patients and staff safe,” the statement from the Center said. “We are still asking that everyone continue their fundraising efforts. We are extending our Telethon fundraising until April 3. It is more important than ever that we reach our goal of raising $350,000.”

The Center is asking that teams bring in any donations and pledges that they have collected this week to allow them to get an accurate total.

Sikeston City Hall is remaining open, but City Staff is encouraging residents to call first before coming in to pay taxes and fines, apply for permits or ask questions. The City is also currently assessing other operations and events for opportunities to limit person-to-person contact.

The Supreme Court of Missouri has suspended all in-person proceedings in municipal division court, subject to certain exceptions. The suspension will last from Tuesday through April 3 and may be extended by order of this Court as circumstances may warrant.

The Sikeston Municipal Court is urging all defendants with citations with a court date of March 26 through April 9 to contact the court to see if their citation is payable. The court office phone number is 573-475-3705. Business hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Municipal Court website is located on www.sikeston.org under the “Departments” tab to pay online.

All trials for March 26 have been postponed indefinitely.

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival, which was originally scheduled for March 14 but delayed a week because of the threat of weather, has now been postponed until a date later in the year.

The coronavirus is also impacting the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. In a statement released by Sikeston DPS Monday, officers are modifying responses to calls for police services.

“If non-emergency police services are requested the department will assign an officer to obtain the information for the police report over the telephone instead of providing a physical response by a police officer. This criteria applies to crimes that previously occurred, where a suspect is no longer present and there is no imminent threat to personal safety.,” according to the statement

The public is encouraged to avoid traveling to Sikeston DPS and instead to report incidents by telephone. The police department can be reached at 573-471-6200 for non-emergency assistance and 911 remains available for all emergency calls.

“Officers will still respond to all calls where there is a crime in progress and when life is in danger. Callers are encouraged to inform 911 operators if they believe they or someone at the scene of the incident is experiencing flu or COVID-19 symptoms so that officers can take appropriate precautions when responding,” the statement said.

The police department is also suspending non-criminal fingerprinting services.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Department is also modifying its law enforcement response and business practices. In a release issued Tuesday afternoon, the Department will take reports for all non-emergency calls over the telephone instead of a physical response.

Deputies will still respond to emergency calls where a crime is in progress and when personal safety is in danger.

Citizens of Scott County are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office instead of physically coming into the Sheriff’s Office. The phone number to the Sheriff’s Office is 573-545-3525/573-471-3530 for non-emergencies.

Like Sikeston DPS, the Sheriff’s Department is encouraging to tell dispatchers if they believe they, or someone else at the scene or residence are experience flu or COVID-19 symptoms.

Also, the business office of the Sheriff’s Office will be closed to the general public. Anyone in need of a Concealed Carry Permit or to complete sex offender registration can call the Sheriff’s Office to make an appointment. All group tours, public meetings and any non-criminal fingerprinting services are also suspended and jail visits will be suspended until further notice except for legal counsel purposes.

The YMCA of Southeast Missouri is also being impacted by COVID-19. Brandy Johnson, member and program experience director with the YMCA, said in a release Monday night that the YMCA facility will close beginning Wednesday and all programs will be cancelled through at least March 31.

“We will re-evaluate an opening date prior to March 31 as we continue to take into consideration the future recommendations of the CDC,” Johnson said. “We know this is a difficult time for all of us. Please know that Y staff are praying for our members, our community, and our nation during this challenging situation.”

The Sikeston Public Library also announced it will be closed beginning Wednesday and will reopen April 6. Also, AARP tax aide volunteers will be suspending their service indefinitely at the Sikeston Public Library.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is also suspending all driver road testing at all locations in Missouri through March 31.

“The Patrol is monitoring the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and will update the public on testing after March 31 as more information becomes available,” said Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the MSHP. “Written testing services will continue, but the Patrol will restrict the number of applicants allowed in each facility at one time to ensure recommended social distancing measures are followed. The location of services is subject to change due to building closures in some jurisdictions.”

A final town hall on the Sikeston R-6 school bond issue will be online only with Facebook Live at 5:30 p.m. March 24 from Wing Elementary. There will be access through the R-6 website at sikestonr6.org.

The SEMO Shriners will still host a fish fry from 5-7 p.m. March 20 at the SEMO Shrine Building, Garwood Avenue (behind the VFW Ball Park) in Sikeston. However, all the following fish fries planned by the SEMO Shriners will be postponed.

All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday.

“This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are still able to provide critical services,” said Mark Hinkle, acting press officer for the Social Security Administration.

Social Security’s secure and convenient online services remain available at www.socialsecurity.gov, Hinkle said. Local offices will also continue to provide critical services over the phone.

“We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local governments, and other experts to monitor COVID-19 and will let you know as soon as we can resume in-person service,” Hinkle said.

If individuals need help from Social Security:

• First, use the secure online services available at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. They can apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and much more – from anywhere and from any of your devices. There is also a wealth of information to answer most of Social Security questions online, without having to speak with a Social Security representative in person or by phone, Hinkle said. Please visit the online Frequently Asked Questions at www.socialsecurity.gov/ask.

• If individuals cannot conduct their Social Security business online, check the online field office locator for specific information about how to directly contact their local office. Their local office still will be able to provide critical services to help you apply for benefits, answer your questions, and provide other services over the phone.

• If individuals already have an in-office appointment scheduled, they will call them to handle their appointment over the phone instead. If a hearing is scheduled, Social Security will call them to discuss alternatives for continuing with the hearing, including offering a telephonic hearing. “Our call may come from a PRIVATE number and not from a U.S. Government phone. Please remember that our employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment,” Hinkle said.

• If individuals cannot complete their Social Security business online, call the National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). The National 800 Number has many automated service options they can use without waiting to speak with a telephone representative. A list of automated telephone services is available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact/phone.html.