Health & Medicine

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guide

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Case Counts & Statistics | General Information | Medical Advice & Help | Information for Parents & Child Care Providers | Assistance

Local Ordinances & Mandates

On Monday, July 6, 2020, the Columbia City Council passed a mask ordinance in a 6-1 emergency vote. Under the ordinance, everyone 10 years of age and older that is within Columbia city limits will be required to wear a mask when around people who are not household members. The ordinance goes into effect on Friday, July 10 at 5 p.m. This ordinance is in place for 90 days unless otherwise rescinded or extended.
Mask Ordinance FAQ
Ordinance No. 024284
Press Release

On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Director Stephanie Browning issued Public Health Order 2020-15.1(c), which incorporates a countywide mask mandate that will go into effect at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2020 unless extended, rescinded or modified. Under the order, everyone 10 years of age and older that is within Boone County outside of Columbia city limits will be required to wear a mask when around people who are not household members. This is similar to the mask requirement that was put into place within the city limits of Columbia on July 10, 2020.
Press Release

Beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 1, face coverings will be required when indoors in the City of Fulton. The Fulton City Council passed the emergency ordinance by a 6-2 margin during their Nov. 24 meeting.
Ordinance and Information

Case Counts & Statistics

  • Boone County, MO COVID-19 Information Hub
    A clearinghouse of up to date COVID-19 case counts, statistics and hospital status for Boone County.
  • Callaway County COVID-19 Update
    A joint effort by Callaway County and the City of Fulton to keep Callaway County citizens informed about COVID-19, including regular updates on case numbers.
  • Columbia Public Schools 14-Day Tracker Information
    Tracks the 14-day case rate per 10,000 people in the portions of Boone County served by Columbia Public Schools. This is a significant benchmark Columbia Public Schools is using to determine changes to in-person learning.
  • Coronavirus Tracker
    Resource for accurate and updated numbers on this global pandemic.
  • Maps & Visuals
    A collection of links to different maps and data visualizations of the evolving pandemic from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
  • Missouri Public Health Dashboard
    Statewide COVID-19 information for Missouri- Definitions, statistics, case counts, hospital status and other up to date information can be found here.
  • Student cases at Mizzou
    Source for the number of MU students who test positive for COVID-19. Figures are updated on a weekly basis.

General Information

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Information from the leading national public health institute of the United States.
  • Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services
    Up-to-date information on emergency preparedness and downloadable signs for workplaces and schools.
  • How to “Flatten the Curve”
    Excellent explainer from the Washington Post about how social distancing can slow the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
    Missouri news related to the outbreak and a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus). Call the hotline at 877-435-8411.
  • The Path to Zero: Key Metrics for COVID Suppression
    A collaboration of top scientists at institutions around the country, lead by the Harvard Global Health Institute, who have joined forces to create a unified set of metrics for the coronavirus pandemic, including a shared definition of risk levels — and tools for communities to fight the virus.
  • Reopening Metrics from Propublica
    The nonprofit, investigative journalism organization Propublica created this tool to track the trajectory of cases in each state. The tracking metrics are derived from a set of guidelines published by the White House for states to achieve before loosening restrictions.
  • World Health Organization
    Health topic page from the World Health Organization (WHO), an agency of the United Nations that focuses on world public health. Includes a “myth busters” page that addresses COVID-19 rumors.
  • Your pets and COVID-19
    Information on the health and welfare of domestic animals, including pets, during the COVID-19 pandemic from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Medical Advice & Help

  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hotline: 877-435-8411
    The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • COVID-19 Testing Sites
    List of locations, including their contact information, where COVID-19 testing is available in the state of Missouri.
  • Boone Hospital Center Coronavirus (COVID-19) Page
    Information on screening and testing through Boone Hospital Center.
  • MU Health Care Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Page
    Information about what to do if you’re sick and how to get tested through MU Health Care.
  • Columbia/Boone County COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Survey
    Information on vaccine, including a survey from Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services that residents can fill out to receive updates on the vaccine distribution.

Information for Parents & Child Care Providers

Assistance

  • Ameren Missouri COVID-19 Clean Slate Program
    Multiple community partners and agencies will participate in administering this program and determining income eligibility. Once the agency determines your eligibility, the program can help you clear the remaining balance on your account after you make a down payment of 25% of your current balance owed.
  • COMO Crisis Shelter
    The temporary website for Columbia, Missouri’s Covid-19 Crisis Shelter for the unhoused. There are opportunities to volunteer or donate supplies.
  • CoMoHelps
    CoMoHelps is a joint effort of Heart of Missouri United Way, City of Columbia, Boone County and Community Foundation of Central Missouri, offering assistance to those who are struggling in the COVID-19 pandemic and to those who wish to help.
  • COVID-19 FAQs for Businesses and Workers
    Coronavirus information from the Missouri Department of Labor. Includes information about unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation and discrimination.
  • Get Help (COVID-19)
    The City of Columbia and Boone County are coordinating the community’s mass care and human services response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here you can find up to date information about social service and healthcare resources for residents of Boone County.
  • Mental Health for Essential Workers
    Boone County residents who are teachers, childcare providers, caseworkers, social workers, counselors, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who are in the healing field and dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for no-cost mental health services through HeartSpace Clinic. funded through the Boone County Community Health & Medical Fund.
  • Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
    COVID-19 resources from the Small Business Administration.
  • Student Loan Forbearance
    To provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, federal student loan borrowers can be placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment.
  • Tax Relief
    Special section of the IRS website focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.

Health & Medicine Guide

Jump to:
Affordable Care Act & the Health Insurance Marketplace | Medical Information | Alternative Medicine | Drug Information | Organizations | Local Medical Facilities

Affordable Care Act & the Health Insurance Marketplace

Medical Information

  • Consumer Health Complete
    Provides content from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
  • MEDLINE
    Provides authoritative citations from over 5,400 journals on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system and much more.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Provides information on everything from health conditions and emergency preparedness to travelers’ health.
  • Healthfinder.gov
    Find government and nonprofit medical and health services.
  • Health Literacy Media
    HLM aims to bridge the gap between complexity, understanding, and action by building and operating programs that embrace health literacy best practices. 
  • KidsHealth
    A wide array of topics about medical, emotional and developmental issues for children, parents and teens.
  • MedlinePlus
    Authoritative information from the National Institutes of Health.
  • Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

Alternative Medicine

Drug Information

Organizations

Local Medical Facilities

Boone County
Callaway County

Health Insurance Marketplace Guide

Jump to:
What is the Health Insurance Marketplace? | How to Enroll Online | Other Ways to Enroll | Getting Help | Forms and More Information

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace is a website created as part of the Affordable Care Act where you can compare health insurance plans and buy the plan that is right for you. Here you can shop for plans, compare options, see if you qualify for financial assistance and enroll for coverage. The Open Enrollment Period for 2021 coverage is November 1, 2020 to December 15, 2020. In some cases (loss of coverage, major life event), you may be qualified for a Special Enrollment Period.

How to Enroll Online

  • Open enrollment begins November 1.
  • Visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov
  • Create an account
  • Fill out the application. You will need:
    • Address
    • Name, birth dates, age and Social Security Number for anyone applying
    • Income information for anyone applying
    • Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering household members
    • Information about any employer-offered coverage, even if you have opted out
  • Compare plan options
  • Pick the plan that best meets your needs

Other Ways to Enroll

Getting Help

Get help from local organizations’ trained staff who can answer questions and help you fill out your application.

At Library Locations

Primaris Foundation, the organization that has coordinated in-person help at both our Columbia and Callaway library branches during the fall/winter, do not have the volunteer or staff capacity to offer in-person sign-up help at our libraries this year due to COVID-19.

You can call to make an appointment for free, one-on-one help in one of these ways:
  • Mid-Missouri: 573-817-8338
  • Throughout Missouri, contact Cover Missouri: 800-466-3213
Boone County
  • Aging Best
    1121 Business Loop 70 East, Suite 2A, Columbia, MO
    Call 573-443-5823 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance. Persons do not need to be 60 and older. This service is open to all uninsured individuals and families.
  • Central Missouri Community Action
    Call 573-443-8706 toll free for assistance.
  • Family Health Center
    1001 W. Worley, Columbia, MO
    Call 573-214-2314 or  877-677-4342 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance.
  • Missouri Kidney Program
    2800 Maguire Blvd. Suite B110, Columbia, MO
    Call 573-882-2506 or 800-733-7345 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance.
  • Primaris Foundation
    4215 Philips Farm Road, Ste. 101-A, Columbia, MO
    Call (573) 817-8300 or (800) 735-6776 to schedule individual assistance.
  • Spectrum Health Care
    1123 Wilkes Boulevard, Suite 100, Columbia, MO
    Call 573-875-8687 to schedule individual assistance.
Callaway County

Forms and More Information

MEDLINE

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides authoritative citations from over 4,800 journals on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system and much more.

Mental Health Guide

Jump to:
Hotlines | Reading Lists & Resources | Evaluation, Counseling & Treatment | Local Resources & Support Organizations | National Resources & Information

Crisis Hotlines

  • Mental Health Crisis Hotline (Burrell Behavioral Health)
    1-800-395-2132
  • Mid-Missouri Crisis Line
    1-888-761-4357
    Columbia: 573-445-5035
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline
    1-800-273-8255
  • Vet2Vet: Veteran’s Crisis Hotline
    1-800-273-8255
  • United Way 211
    From a cell phone dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-427-4626

Select Reading Lists & Library Resources

  • Consumer Health Complete
    Provides content from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
  • Mental Health To-Go Kits

Evaluation, Counseling & Treatment

  • Arthur Center
    Provides outpatient behavioral health services and crisis intervention for youth and adults of east central Missouri (including Callaway County).
  • Burrell Behavioral Health
    Burrell is a private, not for profit organization that provides a wide range of mental health services for individuals and families.
  • Compass Health Network
    Not-for-profit center serving 45 Missouri counties that provides a full continuum of behavioral health services and supports.
  • Family Counseling Center of Missouri, Inc.
    Not-for-profit mental health service organization with both outpatient clinics and residential treatment centers in mid-Missouri.
  • Fulton State Hospital
    A regional long-term adult inpatient facility serving 31 counties in central and northern Missouri and providing “Maximum Security and Intermediate Security Forensic mental health services for the entire state of Missouri.”
  • Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
    Find information on Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), counseling and other support services for veterans, families and caregivers.
  • Missouri Psychiatric Center (Formerly Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center)
    Treatment services for “adults, adolescents, children and their families who are in crisis or who need a comprehensive diagnosis evaluation in an inpatient setting.”
  • New Horizons
    Not-for-profit mental health program providing adult psychiatric services, assistance with medication, drop-in rehabilitation, structured substance abuse treatment programs and support for transition from homelessness.
  • Phoenix Programs, Inc.
    A behavioral health center focusing on individuals and their families who seek long term recovery from substance use disorders and enhancement of mental and physical wellness. Programs include residential treatment for adult men and outpatient treatment for men, women and adolescents.
  • University of Missouri Psychological Services Clinic
    Through the university’s Department of Psychological Services, the clinic provides outpatient counseling and therapy for children and adults in the Columbia area.

Local Resources & Support Organizations

National Resources & Information