Despite coronavirus, Missouri lawmakers will reconvene. Anyone heard of videoconferences?

The Missouri legislature is expected to reconvene next Wednesday to tackle the state’s spending blueprint for the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s a dangerous time. The crisis has threatened lives in every corner of the state, and lawmakers are not immune. One state representative, Joe Runions of Grandview, is still recovering from COVID-19.

But there is work to do. The state is considering a massive supplemental spending bill to cover the costs of the coronavirus. Later this month, legislators will need to pass a state budget.

“We’re going to have to go back and pass the supplemental, whether it’s safe or not,” state Rep. Greg Razer of Kansas City said in a message. “Same for FY21 budget.”

Leaders from both parties, in both the state House and Senate, are working to make their chambers secure. A House resolution now under consideration would limit the number of members in the room, require temperature screening at the Capitol door and allow members to vote only when called individually to the chamber.

The idea? Pass the supplemental spending bill Wednesday, then get out of town.

Leaders are working to keep their chambers open to the press and the public. While reasonable restrictions are understandable, lawmakers must guarantee their work is visible to taxpayers and voters. There is never a good time to do the public’s business in secret, but the coronavirus disaster makes transparency all the more important.

Yet it must be said: Gathering in Jefferson City, even for this emergency, is a risk.

That’s why Missouri lawmakers, like their counterparts in other states, must accelerate discussions about arranging virtual meetings and votes so that lawmakers can stay at home.

During this calamity, thousands of workers have found creative ways to navigate the intricacies of Zoom and Google Hangouts as they convened meetings and tackled group projects. Legislators should consider similar work-arounds.

This week, Kentucky lawmakers texted remote pictures of their votes to their leadership.

Any such approach would be tricky, as one lawmaker told The Star Editorial Board. Allowing legislators to meet away from the Capitol could be a path to potential mischief — the majority party could meet in a secret place without telling the minority. That’s why the state constitution requires a quorum to “do business.”

Nevertheless, in the days ahead, lawmakers should consider permanent rule changes that could allow for remote debate and voting in crisis situations. An amendment to the state’s constitution may be necessary, which would require a statewide vote.

The lives and health of legislators aren’t the only issue here. At least some staff members will also be at work in the Missouri Capitol, exposing themselves to sickness. They need protection, too.

The coronavirus nightmare isn’t over. In the weeks ahead, lawmakers will have to tackle horrifically difficult issues such as emergency spending and plummeting tax revenues. They will need a way to adjust course if circumstances require that, and should not be worried about their safety while working on those problems.

A special session appears likely, perhaps late in the summer. Lawmakers should use the time between now and then to consider a framework for working at a distance.

No one should be forced to risk serious illness to participate in representative government.