A White House coronavirus task force recommended to Missouri in mid-August to issue a statewide mask requirement.

According to Missourinet, a task-force report says Missouri is again in the red zone for the number of new cases per capita it recorded in early August and cites high levels of transmission in close to half of Missouri counties.

The Springfield News-Leader obtained a copy of the report dated August 16 recommending a statewide mask order, the state working with communities to ensure high rates of mask usage and Missouri officials identifying measures to assess compliance with local regulations. Governor Mike Parson has previously said he is not anti-mask, he is anti-mandate.

—MISSOURINET