The Governor’s order said all people residing in the state of Missouri should avoid leaving their homes unless necessary. That COVID-19 order  drew anger from residents, as it restricted gatherings across the state to 10 or fewer people, ended in-person school attendance for the rest of the semester, capped occupancy of most businesses at 25% of normal operating capacity, and required social distancing. 

Unhappy as residents were, the order would stay in place until April 24. One thing Governor Mike Parson’s order did not do – which  public health officials had been requesting – was issue a statewide mask mandate. 

COVID-19 dominated Missouri vital statistics in 2020, especially mortality. Total Missouri resident deaths increased by nearly 19 percent in 2020 with 73,883 deaths, or 11,728 more than the 62,155 in 2019.

Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.

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