Mike Parson: Show Me Strong Recovery is a blueprint to move Missouri past coronavirus

“Unprecedented” is the term I’ve heard most commonly to describe the COVID-19 pandemic. As for me, I would describe it as a storm at sea. Lengthy and ferocious. Uncontrollable. Frightening. All-pervading.

As the state’s captain, it has been my heart and responsibility to adjust our sails to navigate through this storm as smoothly as possible.

This boat? It will not sink.

In times like this, the heartbeat of our state continues to pump strong. We have been faced with sacrifice, uncertainty and even tragedy. But with each moment of darkness, hope seems to return tenfold.

In the midst of choppy waters, Missourians are fearless. Missourians are family. I’ve seen creativity, compassion, teamwork and courage, just to name a few showings of their strength.

Educators bringing lunches to their students. Customers supporting local businesses. Churches gathering online. Health care workers courageously tending to the front lines. First responders answering their call to duty. Truck drivers delivering supplies. Grocery store workers stocking shelves. People visiting loved ones, separated by a thin sheet of glass.

We hear and see messages nearly every second from across the world. Some shout across our state without even saying a word. It is sidewalk chalk chanting, “We will shine on, Missouri.” It is a window sign reading, “We love our neighbors.” It is a 5-year-old writing, “I am praying for you, Governor Parson.”

The spirit of our state is composed, positive and uplifting. It is alive, and it is well.

But it hasn’t been easy. There have been many difficult decisions. They are not based on fear; they are driven by facts — Missouri facts. Difficult decisions will continue to be made.

With that, there come decisions that may be disappointing for all of us. I’ve experienced some disappointment, too. For instance, my granddaughter calling in tears about her high school graduation being canceled. My daughter, a middle school educator, not being able to see her students for the rest of the year. My father-in-law walking into the hospital alone for heart surgery. As a father and grandpa, the heartache is especially strong.

We must remind each other that disappointment is temporary, but health is ongoing and important to everyone. We need healthy people to have a flourishing community, economy and way of living.

With favorable Missouri data and approval from state health officials, we are ready to take another step forward in our state’s recovery. We are able to roll out the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan on Monday because of the work done by all leaders and residents of the state.

The recovery plan, available at showmestrong.mo.gov, rests on four essential pillars designed to give Missouri a benchmark for moving forward. It is intended to protect those most at risk of exposure to COVID-19 while returning Missouri to a new normal:

▪ It expands testing capacity and volume in the state.

▪ It expands reserves of personal protective equipment by opening public and private supply chains.

▪ It continues to monitor and, if necessary, expand hospital and health care system capacity, including isolation and alternate care facilities for those who cannot self-quarantine at home.

▪ It improves our ability to predict potential outbreaks using statewide public health data.

Because Missouri took aggressive actions to combat COVID-19 from the start, we are in a good place with each of these pillars, and we are confident we are ready to move forward into the recovery process. I want to encourage all Missourians to make wise decisions, love your neighbors and support each other in every way you can.

Sunny days are ahead of us, Missouri. We are in this together, and I am confident we will shine on.

Mike Parson is governor of Missouri.