“As leaders we need to project to people that everything is going to end up working out. Try to help calm the fears as best we can.” -- Howard County Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Kunze”

The Fayette City Council is doing its part to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. During its regular meeting Tuesday night bottles of hand sanitizer were laid out on the meeting table and a large pump bottle sat on the front counter for visitors.

The council heard from Bill John and Bryan Kunze, local city and county emergency management coordinators, who detailed the response plan currently in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus. “Since 8:00 this morning we’ve had 54 emails from the state and a conference call from the governor,” John said. As of Tuesday’s meeting, Missouri had 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19, two of which are in Mid-Missouri. “So far there has been no positive tests in Howard County,” he said.

John explained that by April 1 the state is expected to have the ability to perform 10,000 tests per day. Several places throughout the state will be set up to conduct these tests, including a drive through facility in Columbia, where one positive test was confirmed. “They will test you right in your vehicle,” he said. “If you’re positive they will direct you on to the hospital. If you’re not you will be sent home.”

Perhaps the most relieving information John told the council is that there is no food shortage. He said that while people are seeing empty shelves in grocery stores, it’s simply a matter of workers not being able to re-stock quickly enough. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

John reported that so far Missouri Governor Mike Parson has no plans to order restaurants to be closed, although he has encouraged them to go to a carry-out service.

There has been difficulty getting out personal protective equipment to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical service personnel. John said right now there are about 25 complete sets here in Howard County. By the first week in April, the state should be able to make more available.

FEMA has announced public assisted grants will become available. That means that any costs by city or county services to combat the virus will be reimbursed up to 70 percent. If the local fire department has to go out and assist the ambulance with somebody, costs associated with equipment and vehicles will be reimbursed, he said. Additionally, President Donald Trump has waived the roughly $9 million threshold the state must meet for damages. The county threshold was waived as well.

Individually, John said people should wash hands frequently. Any hand sanitizers used should have at least 60 percent alcohol to adequately kill viruses. He recommended city office personnel wipe down surfaces and doorknobs several times a day and should avoid sharing items such as ink pens. He also advised against people touching their faces and eyes and to sneeze into their arms or facial tissues, rather than into handkerchiefs.

The council discussed further procedures for City Hall to limit person-to-person contact between city employees and members of the public. The door to City Hall will likely be locked starting Monday to anyone deemed non-essential. East ward alderwoman and mayoral candidate Stephanie Ford suggested as much business as possible be conducted by email or phone. The city already accepts online payments for utilities through its newly-launched website. Other payments could be made through the city’s drop box or through the mail. 

Council members are also trying to formulate plans in the event a city employee contracts the coronavirus.

In addition, further city council meetings could be physically closed to the public, but instead broadcast over the internet.

John also recommended people practice what has become known as “social distancing,” standing or sitting at least three to six feet apart from one another.

“The biggest thing with this virus is the fear,” Kunze said. “Right now that’s almost worse than the disease.” He advised the council to let people know the city is prepared to take on whatever comes. “As leaders we need to project to people that everything is going to end up working out. Try to help calm the fears as best we can.”

He called the situation “uncharted waters.” 

“We’ve practiced for tornadoes and floods and ice storms, but nobody ever practiced for this,” said Kunze. He said protocols for the fire department and 911 service are in place should anyone call about COVID-19.

The city council will hold an emergency meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday night. It will likely use the internet to conduct the meeting so that there will be a quorum. The Fayette Advertiser will publish more information as it becomes available.