Governor says no to mask order but recommends wearing masks

Governor mike parson extended missouri's state of emergency today.

Parson saying this will help free up funding and regulations for our overwhelmed healthcare system as we head into winter.

But what he wasn't will to do?

Enact a statewide mask mandate.

Here's kq2's madeline mcclain with why.

<<kq2's madeline mcclain reporting -- despite a surge in hospitalizations, cases and deaths... gov.

Mike parson, r- missouri: all tell you this virus is everywhere.

It's in our communities, it's in our families, it's in our businesses."the governor is not budging -- no statewide mask mandate is coming.gov.

Mike parson, r-missouri: "i have been very clear on that from the beginning and that has not changed."governor parson digging his heels in as week after the state hospital association joined the state nursing association and medical association's call for a missouri-wide order.

Gov.

Mike parson, r-missouri: "if you look at it from a medical perspective they have a different view than what i do as governor."according to the white house coronavirus task force -- 97 percent of missourians live in a red zone -- the most severe rating.gov.

Mike parson, r-missouri: "we do believe that mask is a factor in how we curb this virus but again i think that is much more on the local levels that needs to decide what is best for their communities and i firmly believe that people should have a voice in that decision."

Cities and counties doing that -- often taking heat for it.

Maryville, st.

Joseph, and the latest to issue an order -- livingston county.

Sherry wheldon, livingston county health department: an executive from hedrick medical center requesting that we consider a mandate in our county since the state was not.

It was due to the fact that they are at capacity and they also not able to transfer out patients to kansas city."

The executive order goes into effect friday.sherry wheldon, livingston county health department: we are more focused on the awareness and the education than we are about citations and fines.

I personally can't go out and enforce this."sherry wheldon with the local health center says they know not everyone is going to get on board -- and that's fine because it's not the point.sherry wheldon, livingston county health department: "the whole point i think is that we want to make people aware that this is a dire situation now in our country as well as the governor echoed this same dire warning -- saying people should rethink how they will celebrate thanksgiving.

Missouri: "my in-laws are in their 80s.

They all have conditions and i am not going to expose won't expose them to the possibility of covid-19 where we don't have to.

I suggest each and every one of you does the same thing."once again -- a suggestion -- not an order.gov.

Mike parson, r- missouri: "the holidays are coming and as the governor of the state of missouri, i am not going to mandate who goes in the front door of your home."reporting in madeline mcclain kq2 news.

Missouri's state of emergency is now in effect until march 31, 2021.