JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri became the 42nd state to issue a stay-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19. Gov. Mike Parson issued the statewide order April 3. The order became effective three days later, April 6. Parson, a Republican, seeks election to the office he took upon the resignation of former Gov. Eric Greitens. Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway, a Democrat who plans to face Parson in November, called March 31 for Parson to issue the stay-home order – six days before the order went into effect. “Public health experts are providing clear guidance on what our state needs to do to flatten the curve. While I certainly wish it had been issued earlier, a statewide order was the right decision,” Galloway told this newspaper Tuesday. “I hope the governor will continue to listen to the guidance of experts as we all work together to overcome this unprecedented health emergency.” Other late holdouts – Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi – issued stay-home orders…