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KSMU is dedicated to broadcasting critically important information as our community experiences the COVID-19 pandemic. Below, you'll find our ongoing coverage.

City, County Working On Stricter Orders As COVID-19 Cases Rise

Michele Skalicky

Springfield-Greene County Health Department director, Clay Goddard, is encouraging citizens to stay home if at all possible as city and county officials decide what steps to take next.

In a message sent Monday, Goddard said they’re “actively in conversations with local and area county officials to map out” the next step.

There’s already a county-wide order, according to Goddard, which closely mirrors shelter in place orders that went into effect Saturday in St. Louis and Kansas City.

“City and county leaders are working right now to craft stricter orders that will provide stricter guidance for the closure of additional non-essential businesses,” he said.

In the message, he encourages people to push for “statewide approaches.”

Goddard pointed out that Springfield’s healthcare facilities receive patients from a large area, so “it’s critical that we look at this regionally.”

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.