Joplin Citizen Starts Petition To “Force” Stay At Home Order

Some Joplin citizens are so fed up with the mayor that they’ve signed a petition to “force” him to issue a stay at home order amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Nearly 1,800 signatures have been collected on Change.org, which says “Mayor Gary Shaw is not prioritizing the health and well being of Joplin residence. Despite the desperate pleas from the medical community. Please sign the petition demanding he act!”

Despite the language of the petition, no medical professionals have contacted KZRG recommending you stay at home.

Two Coronavirus cases have been reported in Jasper County and three in Newton County.

Currently, you’re banned from gathering in groups larger than 10 in Joplin, and are encouraged to stay at home other than for essential work, or shopping.

During a press conference at Joplin City Hall on Thursday, Mayor Shaw said “Together we can get through this. If we can get through it without a stay-at-home ordinance, we want to do it. We want you to know that we are monitoring that by the hour, not by the day, and we’ll only do that if it’s in the best interest of the health and safety of our community.”

Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis among other large cities that have issued such orders already.