As other states cancel fairs, new coronavirus numbers aren’t derailing Missouri plans – STLtoday.com

“The fair will look different this year, but we’re going to do everything we can to safely make it happen and keep tradition going and alive,” Parson told reporters in the Capitol. “We have to get focused back on the economy.”

His comment came an hour after the Department of Health and Senior Services reported 283 new cases of COVID-19, which was the second highest increase since June 4.

The statewide death toll from the coronavirus inched closer to 1,000, with 37 deaths reported Thursday, leaving the tally at 946 dead. Two days after Parson heralded the lifting of restrictions as a way to jump-start the economy, an outbreak is underway in southwest Missouri, where counties with meat processors have seen case numbers quadruple.

DHSS Director Randall Williams said public health officials are attempting to “box in” the virus through testing and quarantines. Next week, the Missouri National Guard is going to the region to assist with testing in the communities.

“We are very much working with our partners boxing it in there,” Williams said.

Other Midwestern states have pulled the plug on their fairs over concerns about spreading the deadly virus through the normal course of a fair, where people gather in crowds, stand in lines and share carnival rides and picnic tables.

Among states canceling their fairs are Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Since the Missouri State Fair first began in 1901, it has only been canceled once.

“I don’t want to be the governor that makes it the second time,” Parson said.

“We see the continuation of the state fair as part of Gov. Parson’s plan to reopen the state,” Chris Chinn, director of the Department of Agriculture.

Fair planners have canceled concerts, but that is primarily because many bands have stopped touring during the global pandemic.

Events that draw crowds, including auto racing, rodeos, tractor pulls and a cow-chip throwing contest are still on the schedule for the 11-day event, which starts Aug. 13.

“It goes without saying we are stepping up our game on our cleaning efforts to make sure we do everything we can to protect the public,” Chinn said. “We’ve purchased additional hand sanitizing stations.”

Typically, about 340,000 people attend the fair each year, depending on the weather.

Chinn said one factor to consider is Sedalia and its location. In other states, the fairs are in larger, more densely populated urban areas.

“I think that is a very different situation than what other states are seeing,” Chinn said.

Parson said spikes like the one reported Thursday, as well as the hot spot in Jasper, Newton and McDonald counties are not a surprise.

“We knew that when we opened it up,” Parson said.

He said he plans to attend the fair and participate in events such as the Governor’s Ham Breakfast.

“We’re thinking of ways we can maybe control the crowd size for that,” Parson said.

“Hopefully by that time things are much, much better than they are today,” Parson said. “We’ve got to focus on moving ahead and being optimistic.”