“Health department stops ‘all COVID-19 related work’ after Missouri AG threat. It will no longer investigate COVID cases, contact-trace, issue directives for exposed residents to quarantine themselves or make public announcements of case numbers and deaths. The department pointed residents to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their personal doctors for directions on what to do about a COVID diagnosis. “'While this is a huge concern for our agency, we have no other options but to follow the orders of the Missouri Attorney General at this time,’ the department announced.” The Kansas City Star

“The department said it was awaiting guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, ‘but we have no timeline or expectations that this ruling will be changed.’ Health officials also said, ‘While our agency remains determined to protect the health of our residents, it should be understood that this ruling greatly affects how we will be able to proceed with ALL highly communicable diseases in the future.’" Springfield News Leader

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“Several Kansas City area school districts are reporting record COVID-19 cases, sparking fears as more schools make masks optional and cases spike among children. Some report record numbers of cases since the pandemic began, according to each district’s COVID-19 dashboard.” Kansas City Star

vs

“One day after sending letters to health departments and public school districts across the state about a recent ruling on local health orders, Missouri’s attorney general is appealing to parents. Eric Schmitt wants families to report schools that he says are violating the ruling by continuing to enforce mask mandates and quarantine orders. His office set up an email that parents are encouraged to use to send their concerns, photos and videos: illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov

Is the AG's goal to help COVID spread even faster???

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“COVID-19 cases are rising sharply again across Missouri, prompting renewed concerns about overcrowding at hospitals and long waits for emergency services and hospital beds.” Associated Press

“Case rates and COVID-19 hospitalizations throughout the metro are increasing rapidly. Some hospitals that are at capacity for ICU beds.” Kansascity.com/news

‘“We are really close to the maximum [number] and I don’t think we are at the peak yet. So I think this will be the highest we’ve ever seen with COVID,’ Dr. Ragu Adiga, Chief Medical Officer at Liberty Hospital, said during an update provided by the University of Kansas Health System on Tuesday. Leaders from a number of area hospitals said COVID-19 cases are spiking, and it’s happening even before the more-contagious omicron variant widely arrives in the area.” FOX News

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The only winners here seem to be COVID and the politicians trying to make a name for themselves.