COVID BRIEFING for April 6: Cloth masks recommended for food workers in Butler County

Monday, April 6, 2020

By BRIAN ROSENER

Daily a.m.erican Republic

COVID BRIEFING:

Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day.

The Butler County Health Department sent out a letter Monday to restaurants and all food preparers recommending everyone wear gloves and masks when handling food.

Emily Goodin, administrator of the Butler County Health Department, said her office has received calls from business in need of those items.

"We need to get that happening to make it as safe for everyone that's consuming food from our restaurants, which we encourage people to utilize," said Butler County EMA Director Robbie Myers. "We need to work with them to help them make sure it's done in a safe and healthy manner."

Butler County EMA currently has two drop-off locations for anyone making cloth masks, at Bread + Butter and Jen's Diner.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone wear cloth face coverings in public settings while also practicing social distancing.

"We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms ("asymptomatic") and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (:pre-symptomatic") can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms," the CDC said.

"This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking, coughing or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms."

Cloth face coverings that are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators are recommended by the CDC because those are critical supplies reserved for health care workers and medical first responders.

The CDC says face coverings should be washed or cleaned regularly, depending on the frequency of use, in a washing machine. Instructions for making a mask, with and without sewing, can be found here.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley said his officers have masks available to them if needed and are following social distancing guidelines.

During his daily briefing in Jefferson City, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he is not wearing a mask when asked by a reporter. But, he added, things change daily.

"We've took every precaution here at the governor's office," Parson said. "We're limited to how many people can even come in the office, we know who comes in here and every day and, again, it goes back to I'm trying to practice the same thing I'm asking the people in Missouri when it comes back to social distancing."

'STAY HOME MISSOURI' ORDER

On Monday, Gov. Parson's statewide stay-at-home order started. It will last through Friday, April 24.

Read the order here.

Some answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

"The bottom line is this, everyone should be staying and reducing public contact as much as possible," Parson said. "However, this does not mean you should remain in your home and never come out. That is not healthy for anyone. It's OK to go outside, get some fresh air. Take a walk in your neighborhood. You can still go to the store or pharmacy to get the essential foods and supplies. But you must abide by the social distancing guidelines in the oder."

ALSO

• The Butler County Health Department is suspending testing for TB and STD, as well as immunizations due to COVID-19.


COVID COVERAGE:

A look at stories you might have missed from the DAR:

• Region sees first death from COVID-19
• Fourth Butler County resident tests positive for COVID-19
• State recruiting medical personnel to boost response across Missouri


3 THINGS FROM THE AP:

A look at three stories from the Associated Press:

• Faint glimmers of hope as virus deaths appear to be holding
• Debat heats up over using an anti-malaria drug for COVID-19
• US 'wasted' months before preparing for coronavirus pandemic
• As cases surge, 3 in 4 US hospitals already facing COVID-19
Latest coverage from AP.


LATEST NUMBERS

As of 2 p.m. Monday, April 6:

US DEATHS: 10,389
Mo. Deaths: 39
Mo. Cases: 2,722

Cases by area county:

Butler County: 4
Carter: 3 (1 death)
Dunklin: 8
Stoddard: 7
Reynolds: 2
Ripley: 2
Wayne: 0

Perry: 28
Cape: 20
St. Francois: 17
Scott: 10
Pemiscot: 3
New Madrid: 2
Madison: 1
Bollinger: 1


WHAT IS COVID-19?

From the AP: For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.

Here are the symptoms of the virus compared with the common flu.

One of the best ways to prevent spread of the virus is washing your hands with soap and water. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends first washing with warm or cold water and then lathering soap for 20 seconds to get it on the backs of hands, between fingers and under fingernails before rinsing off.

You should wash your phone, too. Here’s how.

The Missouri coronavirus information hotline is 877-435-8411.


PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

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