“I want to assure you that we are taking all steps necessary to protect the health and safety of Missourians,” Parson said on Thursday. “I want to emphasis that at the end of the day we are all responsible for our own actions. Use common sense. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands. Stay at home if you’re sick. And if you are told to self-quarantine, it is very important to follow those instructions.”

The governor said his administration will continue to evaluate the situation, but he had not made an emergency declaration as of Thursday.

On Friday, state Auditor Nicole Galloway, who is running against Parson for governor, said in a statement Parson “must issue an emergency declaration so that the state can access funds and take additional actions to respond to this growing public health emergency.

“An emergency declaration gives the Governor unique powers that can expand the availability of public health resources and control community spread of the disease," she said.

Democratic governors in Illinois, Kentucky and Kansas have issued emergency declarations, as well as Republican governors in Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Ohio.

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