Coronavirus/COVID-19 news

Faculty and staff members at Alma Schrader Elementary School did not let social distancing stop them from celebrating Alma Schrader Day on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. The event featured 1950's music and fashion in recognition of the Cape Girardeau elementary school's founding in 1959.

In accordance with federal and state regulations and suggested precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Cape Bible Chapel held its inaugural broadcast of a Sunday service March 22, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Pastor Eric Coher said the church was already in the process of acquiring a system to provide its services via a live-streamed broadcast, but recently expedited the process of installing the system.

Staff members and school administrators from Jefferson Elementary School travel through their students' various Cape Girardeau neighborhoods Sunday afternoon, March 22, 2020, for a local parade of teachers in cars. The parade began at the school going east on Jefferson Avenue and took the following turns: south onto South Sprigg Street, west onto Maple Street, south onto South Ellis Street, west onto Hackberry Street, north onto South Pacific Street, west onto Maple Street again, south onto South Benton Street, through Hackberry Apartments and continuing to LighthouseCape, then west onto Southern Expressway and north onto South West End Boulevard with one last lap through Brenda Kay Court before concluding back at the school.

Cape Girardeau School District started providing meals to children Wednesday, March 18, 2020, while schools are closed due to concerns over COVID-19. Kristin Tallent, communications director for Cape Girardeau Public Schools, said there are five locations (all of the elementary schools) operating from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Tallent said the food, for any kids 18 years old and younger, consists of a hot lunch and a breakfast item to take home for the next day. “We know that so many of our families depend on us to provide meals for their children and so we want to make sure we continue that even though we’re not, you know, able to be back in school right now,” Tallent said. In an email after the first day of the service, Tallent said 636 children were served Wednesday from the five locations. Tallent said the plan is to provide the service as long as school is out. “And hopefully we’ll be able to continue to provide it,” she said. Tallent said the service is available for any children 18 and younger not just students of Cape Girardeau Public Schools.

In an effort to provide senior shoppers with easier access to groceries amid coronavirus-related supply shortages, Schnucks made its first hour of business limited to customers of ages 60 and older beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The grocery store has also implemented reduced operating hours with daily closures from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. to allow staff members to restock shelves and perform additional cleaning measures.