Another week of social distancing, teleworking and e-learning/teaching has passed. Two months ago, nobody even used or knew these three terms, and now they are as ordinary in household conversations as “What’s for dinner?” I hope that you are starting to feel some financial relief from the stimulus checks, padded unemployment insurance payments and small business loan opportunities that have trickled down from the federal government. I believe we still have some big challenges to face with this pandemic, but I am ready to move cautiously forward on this journey to recovery.
Show-Me Strong Recovery
The state’s stay-at-home order expires May 3, a day that I hope will officially mark the beginning of Missouri’s reopening and rebuilding. The governor’s plan, “Show Me Strong Recovery”, frames a four-tiered approach to phase the state back into normalcy while safeguarding residents from further exposure to the virus. The plan’s objectives include: expand and expedite testing; accelerate the public and private sectors’ production of personal protective equipment to improve access; monitor health care systems and hospitals and adjust where needed; and improve our public health’s outbreak prevention techniques. It is going to take fervor and tenacity to rebuild, but I believe this plan’s foundation is solid and that Missourians are up to the challenge.
Several other state departments continue to receive new funding from the federal CARES Act to help Missourians deal with the effects of the COVID-19 virus. The Missouri Department of Transportation received a $67 million federal grant to help fund the operating and capital expenses for 30 Missouri rural agencies, like OATS Inc., which serves senior citizens in 87 of our state’s counties. Click here for a detailed list of public transportation apportionments and allocations. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has also been allocated $208 million to help public K-12 schools adapt to the growing technology needs of remote teaching and learning.
Connecting the Dots between Supply and Demand
One of my favorite things about Missourians is their ability to find solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems. I believe a perfect example of this is the Missouri Food Finder tool. It virtually connects food suppliers with buyers. Farmers and local suppliers “register” their food business on an interactive map that consumers can navigate to source local foods. I love a win-win solution like this!
Take Care of Yourself, Literally!
We are hearing about the topic of self-care more and more on the news and in our social media feeds. Our homes are chaotic, our children are out of their routines, our kitchen tables double as work/school zones, businesses are in flux and many of our go-to entertainment distractions are closed. We all could use some help! The Department of Mental Health offers fact sheets for coping with disasters and several methods to connect with counseling services. Please call the distress helpline at 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 if you need some added emotional or mental support during these troubling times.
Help Commemorate Missouri’s Bicentennial
On a much lighter note, I am happy to share some information about a poster contest that is underway to celebrate our state’s upcoming 200th birthday. Students in grades 3-12 can put their spare time and creativity to good use and submit an entry for Missouri’s upcoming bicentennial celebration. The theme, “Sharing Missouri’s Stories: Past, Present and Future” should be woven into the 8.5” by 11” poster, and the deadline to enter is October 31.
Winners will be announced by December 15, and their designs will be included in statewide promotional campaigns. All entries will appear on the Missouri 2021 website and social media channels throughout the commemorative year.
I am looking forward to returning to my legislative post in Jefferson City next week. The General Assembly’s only constitutional requirement is to pass a balanced budget for fiscal year 2021, but I am hopeful that at least a handful of bills will make it to the finish line before the session adjourns.
