Newton County Sheriff addresses COVID-19 rumors

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

I know that there are a lot of rumors and misinformation going around about the current state of affairs so I will attempt to put out new factual information as I receive it.

Yesterday, I participated in a statewide conference call with Governor Parson. He is having these on a regular basis in order to keep everyone informed. The number of positive cases of the COVID-19 does continue to grow, including one now in Newton County.

However only about 30 cases so far have required ICU hospitalization. The Governor’s staff is working daily to see what state regulations can be relaxed to help with the emergency. 

Please continue to follow social distancing guidelines as I believe it is helping. So far over 4 million sets of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) has been ordered and hopefully will begin arriving soon.

Watch for scams. There have been a lot of reports of people receiving calls offering Virus Test kits. Neither the Federal Government, nor the Missouri State Government will contact anyone asking for money. 

Unfortunately the world is full of unscrupulous people that will try to make a profit on the misery or fears of others. If you receive such a call ignore it or feel free to contact the Sheriff’s Office for guidance.

I have received several messages requesting information about the rumor of a two-week quarantine utilizing the National Guard. This issue was addressed by both the National Sheriff’s Association and the Missouri Sheriff’s Association. The following information was put out by the MSA:

There is a false, debunked rumor that President Trump is calling for a two-week quarantine utilizing the National Guard. This rumor is false. 

President Trump already used the Stafford Act to declare a national emergency on March 13. The Stafford Act does not allow the Federal Government to impose mandatory quarantines. T

he Federal Government is using the Guard for trauma and response purposes. Among many opportunities the President’s national emergency declaration opens up is the ability under Article 10, to activate the National Guard at state levels. 

State level activation remains under the control of state Governors. As a last resort, President Trump could initiate a full “National” activation of the Guard under Title 32.

If that were to happen, I am told the Guard mostly remains under control of state governors with the President retaining control to move them from state to state.

Please feel free to contact myself or my office if you have questions or concerns.”

-Sheriff Chris Jennings