The Gateway

More St. Louis region workers are feeling the financial impact of the pandemic. BJC Healthcare says about 10 percent of its staff could be furloughed for roughly 8 weeks. The University of Missouri-St. Louis has announced salary reductions as it reacts to the coronavirus. Also, the pandemic is reviving the popularity of the drive-in movie.

Many stores and restaurants in the region are reporting brisk business after reopening following the coronavirus-related shutdown. Also, for many African Americans, the outbreak is a reminder of the health and economic disparities in the St. Louis area.

Many non-essential businesses in the area can reopen today. They have been shut down for weeks because of the coronavirus. Also, the just-completed Missouri legislative session will be remembered for how it was affected by the pandemic.

Most schools have been forced to shift to online teaching during the pandemic. But many students in Missouri do not have a strong enough internet connection to learn from home. Also, Illinois is forming a task force to examine how students can safely return to colleges and universities in the fall.

First responders including police officers and firefighters are revising how they operate in the age of COVID-19. Part of the focus is making sure they stay safe. Also, some businesses and churches in Madison County are considering options after county officials cleared them to reopen immediately.

Members of the health board in Madison County have voted to restart the area's economy. The decision allows businesses to open sooner than a statewide plan from Governor J.B. Pritzker. Also, many parents are preparing to head back to work and scrambling to find child care during the pandemic. And, it's a landmark day for The Gateway.

Mayor Lyda Krewson is giving some details on how the city will restart its economy on May 18. Employers must provide masks for workers and social distancing will remain in effect. Also, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley wants the federal government to pay a portion of salaries for employees at businesses coping with COVID-19.

The outbreak is causing hospitals to think about the ethical challenges of triage policies. Also, Missouri legislators are starting the final week of this year's session by planning to limit floor time because of coronavirus concerns.

The majority of COVID-19 cases have been in urban areas, but rural hospitals in Missouri are getting ready in case the virus spreads to less populated regions. Those preparations are increasing the financial strain on many hospitals and they may be in danger of closing. Also, the Archdiocese of St. Louis says church services can resume May 18, but is leaving the final decision to each pastor.

Elected officials are providing a glimpse of what life will be like once their economies start to reopen May 18. Mayor Lyda Krewson says bars and restaurants will be allowed to open. County Executive Sam Page says employees will be required to wear masks. Also, theater owners are putting together safety plans as they prepare to reopen.

Elected officials in the St. Louis area are expected to provide specifics this week on the easing of public health restrictions starting May 18th. The new guidelines will include social distancing regulations and call on people to wear masks. Also, a St. Louis University professor discusses the hurdles small businesses are facing as they prepare to reopen.

The first female chief in the 65-year history of the St. Louis County Police Department has moved into the role with the region in the grips of COVID-19. Mary Barton says assuming the leadership position during the outbreak is not as taxing as many would believe. Also, nursing home workers are seeking hazard pay during the pandemic and want paid sick leave if they contract coronavirus.

Governor Mike Parson is allowing a statewide stay-at-home order to expire today. It's is the first phase of his plan to allow businesses in most of Missouri to reopen. Similar restrictions remain in effect for St. Louis city and county. Also, some teachers in Missouri are working on a coronavirus curriculum.

The leader of the region's pandemic task force says officials can start planning to reopen the economy and ease some social restrictions. Dr. Alex Garza says that comes amid a decline in the number of COVID-19 patients at area hospitals. Also, families are worried about their loved ones because of the lack of coronavirus information from officials operating nursing homes.

A nearly $35 billion budget is headed to the Missouri Senate. House members approved the package which reflects a roughly $400 million drop in state revenue related to the coronavirus outbreak. Also, as many states prepare to restart their economies, some restaurant owners in the Metro East are still worried about the future of their businesses.

Many in the region who have recovered from COVID-19 are telling others to take the disease seriously. They say it's unlike any sickness they've ever experienced. Also, some communities in the St. Louis region are planning to follow the state of Missouri's lead in restarting their economies next week. St. Charles County and Eureka are among the locations planning to reopen businesses Monday.

Several states are announcing how their economies will restart during the pandemic. All businesses in Missouri will be able to reopen next week. Governor Mike Parson says social distancing will be in effect and local governments can keep stricter guidelines in place. Also, some school nurses fear stay-at-home orders are stopping them from spotting the warning signs of illness or abuse.

The head of the regional pandemic task force is suggesting the COVID-19 outbreak could be cresting in the area. That detail comes as Missouri lawmakers return to Jefferson City to work on a new state budget based on revenue that has been hammered by the coronavirus. Also, an expert from St. Louis University's Institute for Healing Justice and Equity dives into the information revealed by the outbreak.

Mike Parson will deliver his plan today to restart Missouri’s economy. The governor says he is balancing public safety during the outbreak with the need to reopen businesses. Also, the pandemic is prompting calls to expand access to absentee ballots.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson says most businesses in the state should be able to open May 4. He says social distancing guidelines will remain in place as people head back to work. In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker says reopening in that state will be a slow process. Also, college towns, including Rolla, are taking a hard hit from the pandemic.