Springfield Democrat: More than 400 Missourians have died from COVID-19 and some legislators are joking about it

(Friday evening, Democratic Minority Floor Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, posted an update on this week's legislative session describing the lack of seriousness with which some members of the majority party were taking the COVID-19 crisis.)

A lot happened this week in Jefferson City. More important are the things that didn’t happen.

There were next to no masks worn and zero social distancing practiced. We didn’t really discuss helping small businesses, we didn’t talk about our healthcare system, we didn’t talk about extending unemployment, Wayfair, or ensuring safe elections.

Oh but there were definitely lots of jokes.

For instance two Republicans were talking about elections and brought me into their conversation. 

R1- “I bet Crystal supports mail in voting” me- “yes I do. If it’s good enough for our Congresspeople to do it should be good enough for everyone else. They aren’t any more special than the rest of us.” 

R2- “I’m gonna say something but you’ll hate me. If it was only for Republicans I’d support it.” (Cue laughs.)

Or on the House floor when instead of discussing the over 400 Missouri deaths we’ve had from the virus, one member gifts a six pack of Corona to another. A six pack of beer on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives, cardboard covered with a face mask with a dollar bill on it, during legislative session.

There is one week left. Every piece of me wants this institution to be honored, for the leaders in that building to take this seriously, and to care enough to try to protect each other and our citizens. Send your thoughts and prayers. Oh, and maybe your phone calls and emails too.