The governor of Missouri has stated that he feels no personal responsibility for his state’s increase in Covid-19 cases, according to The Kansas City Star.

• Gov. Mike Parson has been stressing the importance of personal responsibility for months, and when asked directly by a reporter about his thoughts on his own involvement, he said:

“I don’t even know where you come up with that question of personal responsibility as governor of the state of Missouri when you’re talking about a virus. That’s no different than the flu virus or do I feel guilty because we have car accidents and people die everyday. No, I don’t feel guilty about that.”

• Following Parson’s decision to not extend the stay-at-home order, the number of Covid-19 cases in Missouri has increased, particularly in regions with food processing plants.
• According to the report, “Missouri has had 1,954 confirmed cases and 81 deaths since June 16.”
• The Missouri Democratic Party spokesperson Kevin Donohoe issued an email statement criticizing the governor for insulting the 966 Missourians who had died for Covid-19:

“The governor’s refusal to take any responsibility for the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his decision to compare COVID-19 deaths to the flu and car crashes is deeply offensive and represents a stunning lack of compassion.”

Parson has decried claims of a second wave hitting Missouri and doesn’t see shutting down the state again as a legitimate possibility.

Read the full report.