Bloomfield, MO - The Stoddard County Commissioners voted to declare a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. What exactly does this mean?
According to the proclamation, “all public offices and employees of Stoddard County, are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations and directives, state and local."
In addition, “all citizens are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and the Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency’s forces in executing emergency operational plans and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified public officers.”
Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington state that this proclamation will allow Stoddard County to set up emergency operation centers, and it will qualify the county for funds that can be used to pay for sanitizing facilities and help pay employees who are sent home because of COVID-19 if the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency decide to provide that monetary support.
The commissioners, Danny Talkington, Carol Jarral, and Steve Jordan voted 3-0 on Monday, March 23, 2020 to close the government building to the public, effective immediately, although offices will be in operation during regular business hours.
"We didn't decide on this lightly, continued Talkington. "Healthy young people could be carriers and not know it and we wanted to protect our county employees. We also can receive funding for a drive thru testing center which could be about a week away as soon as equipment is available. The testing center will be similar as the one set up in Cape Girardeau. A referral from a doctor may be needed as testing supplies are very limited."
"We did this in 2009 for the ice storm and again in 2011 when we had the flood," stated Talkington. "This will allow us to apply for addition funding thru State and Federal funds."
Many items of business may be resolved over the phone, so contact the appropriate office at the following numbers:
recorder, 573-568-3444 or 573-568-2545;
assessor, 573-568-3163;
collector, 573-568-3327;
public administrator, 573-568-3830;
county clerk, 573-568-3339
prosecuting attorney at 573-568-4640 or 573-568-3150
They are offering a "curb side" service if you need to pay taxes etc. Just call in advance and they will come outside. We have to continue to exhibit social distancing for a while until we can stop the spread of COVID-19. For some having the disease is a walk in the park, for others it's a long road to recovery and painful, and then there are those that don't make it at all, alone in a hospital bed without family. Please stay home unless absolutely necessary to be out. Wear a mask, wash your hand, disinfect your vehicle steering wheel, door hands, etc. It all will help!
