Day in and day out, we are working around the clock to respond and adapt to COVID-19 in every way possible.

I am in CONSTANT communication with leaders and medical experts across the state on a daily basis.

As of 2:00 p.m. today, there have been 1,834 positive cases of COVID-19 in Missouri, including 19 deaths.

Like I’ve said, as more and more people are tested each day, these numbers will continue to rise.

Today, I signed our SIXTH Executive Order in response to COVID-19.

This EO suspends late penalties for concealed carry license renewals. This EO not only promotes public health and social distancing, but also frees up local law enforcement officers from administrative tasks.

In addition to six Executive Orders, we have now waived or suspended 276 state statutes and regulations.

We have approved the purchase of tens of millions of dollars worth of PPE and are working rapidly each day to get these shipments out.

We have requested, and been approved for, a federal major disaster declaration in the state of Missouri.

We have mobilized the @Missouri_NG to further assist our efforts and they are working to identify potential Alternate Care Sites, if needed, around the state.

I want Missourians to know that we ARE working extremely hard for the people of this state.

Not just government, but our doctors, nurses, public health professionals, law enforcement, first responders, truck drivers, grocery store workers & ALL Missourians on the frontlines.

We cannot do this alone, and we cannot thank you all enough for your efforts during this challenging time. A tremendous amount of work has already been accomplished and we will continue to exhaust ALL OPTIONS until Missouri overcomes and fully recovers from the COVID-19 crisis!

I want to address some recent concerns regarding unemployment claims. We are very aware of the fact that people are struggling to get through to the Department of Labor ( @MOLabor).

Missourians need to realize that unemployment claims are at un-imagined historic highs. @MOLabor is receiving over 100,000 calls each day. For the week ending March 28, the Department reported over 104,000 initial unemployment claims.

We have prioritized unemployment claims, and over 90 percent of people have been able to file their claims online through U-Interact, which has experienced only one two-hour period of down time.

Many people are also asking questions about the recently passed federal legislation regarding unemployment for the self-employed and the $600 supplement.

We just received news that since Missouri signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor on Saturday, the $600 dollar supplement for those that are unemployed will be effective this week for those filing for unemployment payment.

These monies will be paid retroactively for claims filed on or after March 29 after the federal government issues guidance and releases those funds.

I understand that this is a challenging, uncertain time for Missouri and the nation.

COVID-19 is affecting everyone and it may seem like there is no end in sight. However...

People MUST stay home as much as possible in order to do that. This means staying home unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to get out!

I want to remind everyone that there IS a statewide order that has been in place for almost two weeks now.

On March 21, I ORDERED social distancing across the entire state of Missouri.

This order expires on Monday, April 6, and we will be updating that at tomorrow’s briefing.

The bottom line is, EVERYONE should be staying home as much as possible.

You are NOT “stuck” at home. You are SAFE at home.