MOScout Daily Update: Case Count Climbs - MO's Response Too Timid? - UAW Hearts House Dems - Legalize IP Hurt by C-Virus and more...
Case Count Climbs
When I wrote last Monday, there were 106 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri. This morning there are 903.
· So far, former Sen. Rob Schaaf has been accurate in his gloomy assessment. Missouri’s cases are doubling every 3 or so days.
· And as many have pointed out, the number of positives is constrained by the number of testing. Anecdotal evidence abounds of a scarcity of tests.
Is Parson Blowing It?
Is Missouri’s response to the coronavirus too timid? If voters decide it is, there could be serious political consequences in November.
The statistics right now show Missouri performing worse than other states.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent global health research center at the University of Washington which the White House has mentioned in their briefings, has put their outbreak modeling online. See it here.
· They project (within a broad range) Missouri’s Covid-19 deaths to total nearly 3,000 by August.
· That’s more than Illinois’ projected 2,350. Illinois has twice Missouri’s population.
· Similarly, Indiana, Maryland, Wisconsin – all states with our population size – are looking at roughly half the estimated number of deaths.
Critics point to Governor Mike Parson’s decision not to issue a “stay-at-home” order despite pleadings from the Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Nurses Association, the Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners, and the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Some could argue that a statewide order is not necessary considering the urban areas have experienced the brunt of the outbreak. That’s like driving by looking in the rearview mirror. And although any specific county may only have 1, 2, or 3 cases, you add up those cases across a hundred rural counties and it’s real. And the rural hospital system is especially ill-equipped for this crisis.
Yesterday, the governor’s office released a summary of their actions during the month of March. But if the trajectory of the numbers doesn’t change, most of these actions be judged as far too weak…
March 11 – DHSS set up a 24/7 hotline to take questions regarding COVID-19
March 12 – The Missouri Department of Corrections announced suspension of visitors at state correctional facilities for the next 30 days
March 13 – Governor Parson signed Executive Order 20-02 declaring a state of emergency in Missouri
March 15 – Governor Parson released a statement regarding CDC guidelines on mass gatherings larger than 50 people
March 16 – Governor Parson held first daily press briefing to give updates regarding COVID-19 in Missouri
March 17 – Governor Parson announced that Missouri casinos will be closed through March 30 in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
And
Missteps, like this, will seem less comic and more tragic. The state of Missouri published Spanish and Vietnamese translations of CDC advice on #coronavirus. One problem: It borrowed the translations from the state of Washington, including the phone numbers that sent callers to another state.
UAW $100K to House Dems
The House Democratic Campaign Committee received a $100,000 check from the UAW late last week. It’s a big boost for House Dems.
· That sum is greater than the amount HDCC reported in cash on their January report, $91,997.
· And it comes at a time when it’s not easy to raise money.
This Week
· Filing for the August primaries closes tomorrow at 5PM.
· The legislature remains on an extended break. But this week may bring some clarity about a roadmap to finishing the session. The next step is passing a supplemental budget to receive the emergency federal funds. That could start with Senate Appropriations coming in next week, or perhaps the following week, depending how events unfold.
· And nationally, Wall Street Journal characterizes this week as “make-or-break” for the American economy. With the new month will come a new set of bills – rent bills, auto bills, credit card bills – and it could trigger a domino effect of defaults. See it here.
Legalize It IP Hirt by C-Virus
Columbia Tribune reports that “the future of an effort to get full ‘adult use,’ or recreational marijuana, onto Missouri’s November 2020 ballot is ‘unclear,’ according to a statement circulated early Saturday by Missouri attorney and cannabis activist Dan Viets… But it’s not looking good, and that’s because of the current pandemic. ‘It is, of course, virtually impossible to effectively gather signatures on petitions given the response to the coronavirus pandemic,’ Viets said in the statement…. The campaign, backed by New Approach, was announced in January…”
Conservative Apparel
BizBuy lists a conservative apparel brand in Missouri for sale (asking $2.5 million). See it here.
For sale is a strong conservative brand with a loyal and passionate fanbase and three years of history. The business specializes in uniquely designed apparel for the more conservative markets of politics, 2nd amendment advocates, first responder services (such as military, police and fire fighters), sports and religion. Each of these areas are highly correlated so the business gets many customers who buy across all niches. With the upcoming 2020 US election, this business is poised to either grow naturally…
New Committees
Jamie Gragg formed a candidate committee (Friends to Elect Gragg) to run in House 140 as a Republican.
Clinton County Democratic Central Committee was formed. Its treasurer is Regina 'Gina' Zapien Thompson.
$5K+Contributions
Missourians for a New Approach - $15,000 from New Approach PAC.
Wentzville Schools Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Hoener Associates, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays Wes Shoemyer, David Pearce, Jeff Roorda, and Anne Schweitzer.