TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020

Osage County Health Department Director Susan Long announced the fourth COVID-19 case in the county is still active. The patient has no symptoms, but has yet to test negative. Meanwhile, a fifth case is now being investigated. Long won't release anything until all contacts have been notified and tested. "We'll have more information later," she said.

She noted the protests against the "stay at home order," and went so far as to express sympathy for the protesters' sentiments. However, she observed, "The stay at home order is working. We are not out of the woods." She definitely does not want to see a reversal to progress by relaxing restrictions too soon.

Her order for the county will expire before Gov. Mike Parson's similar order; and she will change it to match his.

Long has received many calls complaining about businesses still being open. However, her follow up shows they all are "essential" under the "stay at home" guidelines. "People just aren't getting the connection," she observed. "We're continuing to do what we need to do.”

Adding to strenuous work caused by the emergency, her staff attends to regular duties, too.

The department is now monitoring a few tick-borne illnesses with the onset of spring. "Please wear mosquito and tick repellent," she exhorted. She's very concerned about an insect-borne illness paired with COVID-19. Double whammies like that would be a nightmare.

No funds have "trickled down" to local health departments from government appropriations. She's keeping track of all her extra expenses, urging other departments to do the same. Long fears they will have to make a specific claim for reimbursement.

Looking ahead, Long expects mass vaccination once an inoculation becomes available. Then, the county will have to hire some extra help. It would be next to impossible to garner enough qualified volunteers. "We'll have to vaccinate an awful lot of people in the county," she said.

* Osage County Road & Bridge Foreman Ron Kempker and his crew have enjoyed the recent good weather. "We're making some progress," he said. He's also noticed the upside of the COVID-19 shutdown, observing, "There's not quite as much traffic on the road as there used to be."

His current focus right now is repairing potholes, including the asphalt roads.

* Kempker inquired whether Westphalia has signed the CR 511 maintenance contract yet. He wants it known: there will be time between finalization and starting on the stretch's rehabilitation phase. "It'll take us a little bit of time to prepare," he concluded.

* Osage County Second District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes circulated a rough draft of the new private drive culvert policy. Kempker suggested only minor adjustments; but Osage County First District Commissioner John Glavin asked for a major change around land owner responsibility for culvert replacement. The policy calls for owners to be responsible for replacement "due to normal deterioration." Glavin would like to drop the phrase, suggesting they be responsible for any replacement. Kliethermes observed not all accidents would be the owner's fault; especially damage caused by county equipment. The commission will do further research.

* Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin announced the trash pick up by Immaculate Conception elementary students in Loose Creek would take place later this week, weather permitting. Kempker stands ready to provide materials, signage, and full bag retrieval. "She's watching the weather, " said Griffin, referring to the teacher in charge of the project, Ann Luebbert.

* Glavin asked about expanding a low-water slab on CR 623. It's only 12 feet wide, and several farm chemical trailers routinely use it. He'd like to see it widened, noting an accident with such a vehicle would be a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) situation. "I think it does have priority," he said.

* Kempker also asked for maintenance attention for a hill on CR 275; gravel left too loose on CR 313; a low water slab on CR 235; and more material needed around a slab on CR 317.

* Glavin has looked again at a stake in the road bed on CR 319. It's definitely not a survey marker. Evidently, a local resident drove it to warn against a dangerous spot on the road.

* The trees downed near Shawnee Creek on CR 274A need to be removed. They were felled in preparation for a new bridge to built there, but the construction project will be at least temporarily delayed. It was assumed the contractor would remove them as part of the site preparation; but they will be a hazard should there be flooding before then. Kempker said he would try to get permission to burn it nearby. Maybe landowners and employees will take firewood.

* Kempker finished by having Griffin sign a credit application to MHC Kenworth in Columbia. The company delivers parts to area shops; and Kempker wants to use the service to get parts for the county's diesel equipment.

* Rock has been hauled on CRs 313, 516, and 524; a culvert has been replaced on CR 516; erosion has been repaired around a culvert on CR 423; private drive culverts have been installed on CRs 516 and 524; Low water slabs have been repaired on Crs 271, 317, and 319; shoulders have been repaired on CRs 313 and 521; and grader operators have been active on CRs 241, 242, 313, 314, 401, 421, 431, 432, 502, 514, 521, 522, 526, 531, 607, 703, 704, 705, 724, 725, 725A, 801, 802, 803, 805, 806, 808, 809, 810, and 811.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020

Long provided an update on the county's fifth corona virus case. In her Smart 911 update Wednesday, April 22, she wrote; "The case and the contacts are quarantining as directed. This person was exposed at the place of employment."

She mentioned a sixth case, but the victim lives in Cole County. There are Osage County connections; but in the end, it will not be classified as an Osage County case.

* Long has written a new order to coincide with Gov. Parson's order valid through May 4. She presented the draft to the commissioners who reviewed it, voted on, and signed it Tuesday, April 28.

She expects the state policy after May 4 to be different by region. Osage County is in Region F, a group of 13 counties. It includes Miller, Cole, Callaway, and Gasconade counties, but not Maries. She expects news about  what the region may do by the end of next week. Long expects an official announcement Wednesday, April 29.

"A lot of people are confused because [counties] started the 'stay at home' orders," said 911/EMA Director Andi Rice. "The state trumps the counties."

This has been aggravated to an extent in neighboring Cole County. There, officials canceled their "stay at home order." However, they were free to do so, because the governor's "stay at home" order is still in effect.

"We can put more stringent restrictions in place," said Long, "but we can't have less."

Her intention is to avoid the confusion to which Rice was referring. She simply intends to match the governor's order.

* Long said she expects expanded testing, but nothing yet is clearly in place. "We will be prepared when (that happens),” said Long.

* She commented on some of the "open up" protests which are taking place. She feels most people still support being careful. There are, however, some Osage County residents who sympathize with the protests.

* Long laments the lack of specific funding by the state. County health departments must deal with the emergency. "We still have concerns about the lack of a line item," she said. "Frankly, Osage County has been last in line for getting anything. We're going to have to compete for this."

She understands why funds are flowing to hot spots like St. Louis; but should Osage County turn into a hot spot, she'd like to prepare finances. Meanwhile, she can’t purchase things like syringes, gloves, alcohol pads, hand sanitizer, etc. It looks like that will be unlikely to be ahead of the curve.

"I'll find out and see if I can help," said Griffin. He intends to call local state legislatures about the problem.

Rice addressed seeking reimbursement for COVID-19 expenses incurred in county offices. "I would be responsible for seeking reimbursement," she said. "They have to make sure they're documenting all their expenses." Any county office might have some bills due specific to the emergency; but she expects the Emergency Operations Center, the Health Department, and the Sheriff's Office to have the most.

* Long reminisced about the recent Ebola scare. Nothing materialized in Osage County, but she wanted to be ready when it looked like it could be an emergency. Region F was allocated $20,000 for the 13 counties. "It was almost a slap in the face," she said.

* Osage County has yet to receive near enough N95 surgical masks. Not only that, those masks should be fit tested before being issued. Long is currently applying for a grant to assist with this fitting. "We aren't fit testing these people," she said, referring to individuals now in possession of the masks. "Hopefully, we'll get the grant."

* Long continues to believe the disease is more widespread than testing has revealed. "A lot more people have had it [than have been tested]," she asserted.

"Herd immunity," the population developing resistance won't occur without a vaccine, in Long's opinion. She doesn't seem to believe it will occur naturally.

* At the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), "We're taking our temperatures every day before we come to work," Rice said, adding she's been especially sensitive to the effect on her dispatchers and call-takers.

* She presented a draft agreement with incoming Osage County 911 Advisory Committee Medical Director Dr. Joseph Rakestraw. It calls for him to be paid the same as outgoing Dr. Michael Steenbergen, as sum of $1,500 annually. Commissioners intend to have it on the agenda for Tuesday, April 28, at which time they will vote on it.

* The EOC has received one new radio, but Rice has not ordered more laptop computers yet. She wanted those to be part of a grant, which she has put off writing. New phones have been requested, but haven’t yet been delivered. Anticipating reduced revenues due to COVID-19, she may not apply for the grant. It involves matching funds, and she doesn't want to put the county on the line for money which may not come in. "I'm holding off on that," she said.

* Commissioners approved one personnel transaction, and reviewed and approved county employee time sheets.

* The Municipal General Election is scheduled Tuesday, June 2. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Wednesday, May 20.