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Gov. Mike Parson has instituted a statewide stay-at-home order — something many of us have been doing for a while now under the guidance of local governments. And while many of us struggle with the changes, the fact is: If you’re sheltering in place - you’re fortunate.

There are people among us who do not have the luxury of staying at home, perhaps because they don’t have a home. Others have suddenly lost jobs.

If you head downtown in Columbia, you’ll find the sidewalks and parking garages are nearly empty, the schools have closed and many of the systems we have in place to care for the most vulnerable in our community are scrambling to meet the needs of those most in need under this new normal.

What is it like for you if you already were struggling before this crisis, or if you’ve now had the rug and your livelihood pulled out from under you?

When my cat, Pip, started sniffling and sneezing a few weeks ago, I didn’t give it much thought. But as the sneezing continued, I started to get worried – both about Pip, of course, and about how I was going to safely get him to the veterinarian during Columbia’s stay-at-home order.

So, I called my vet and found out they had changed the way appointments were handled. Instead of going into the office with my cat, I would call when I was parked outside, hand Pip over in a carrier from my car, and then talk to the vet over the phone about a treatment plan.

A drive-up, hands-off vet clinic.

For today's episode as we head into the weekend, we try to think about how great it would be to simply escape right now -- to head to new horizons, a new place or time, and meet new people.

While actual travel is out of the question for most of us while we shelter-in-place because of the coronavirus pandemic, books can still take us places. They lift us up and take us right out of the anxiety, stress and fear we might be experiencing. 

As COVID-19 cases have gone up in Missouri, more and more stay-at-home orders have gone into effect. But these orders, which are an attempt to reduce transmission, could, in some cases, be increasing the risk of domestic and sexual violence.

Matthew Huffman is the Public Affairs Director for the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and he spoke with KBIA’s Rebecca Smith about how domestic violence programs offering direct services to survivors – things like shelter, counseling, food, and more – are adapting and where people can still turn for help.

This week’s Missouri Health Talks is a collaboration with Vox Magazine.

Hilary and Chad Hardesty have been trying to have a baby for more than seven years now, and while their doctors tell them they’re good candidates for IVF, the enormous price tag on the procedure has been a challenge for the couple.

They spoke with reporter Sarah Hallam about their efforts to raise money for IVF, in part, through their website, https://hardestyhouseinfertility.com.

Before stay-at-home orders were commonplace, Asian Americans in the St. Louis went out into their communities to spread the word about the 2020 Census.

For high school student Katie Xu, the census means representation in her community.

“I feel that without the Asian Americans filling out the census, not only does that represent how we don't care about American politics, but it tells the lawmakers that we don't care,” Xu said.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, life is stressful for many Missourians.

Normal routines have been thrown out the window during stay-at-home orders, people are dealing with sickness or caring for loved ones who may be sick, and some residents are losing jobs. Even things that used to be routine, like sending kids to school or putting away the groceries, have become stress-inducing.

And while many of us are worrying about staying physically healthy during a disease outbreak, many of us are struggling with a different kind of health problem - managing our mental health during this crisis.

A lot of us are at home right now social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus. And many of us are home with kids, teens, family members - all working together on school-work, homework and professional work between the same four walls.

Outside of those walls, there is a crisis unfolding and there’s no way to avoid the stress that comes with that, whether you are impacted personally and dealing with COVID-19 in the house, or whether you’re just being safe and isolating, or some combination of all of that. 

Needless to say, it's a different experience for each household, whether it's teens missing out on high school; kids who can’t go to the playground; or parents who have become teachers and day-care workers on short notice. Or an older person who thinks all that sounds like the sort of chaos you miss, and are isolating alone. 

In this episode, we’ll be talking about how families and individuals are coping with isolation.

As COVID-19 cases have increased exponentially in the U.S., CDC guidelines have led healthcare providers across the country to cancel outpatient procedures and elective surgeries. In rural areas, that's left already struggling clinics and hospitals without a vital source of income. Tim Wolters, director of reimbursement at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar says his health system now has to balance preparing for COVID-19 cases and maintaining staff. 

As COVID-19 cases have increased exponentially in the U.S., CDC guidelines have led healthcare providers across the country to cancel outpatient procedures and elective surgeries. In rural areas, that's left already struggling clinics and hospitals without a vital source of income. Tim Wolters, director of reimbursement at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar says his health system now has to balance preparing for COVID-19 cases and maintaining staff.