River outfitters coping with coronavirus impacts, spring floods

Americans emerging from lockdown will be facing difficult decisions about the risks they're willing to tolerate. Here are tips for staying safe. USA TODAY

First the virus, then a weekend of floods.

River outfitters in Missouri and Arkansas are figuring out how to deal with both as the spring paddling season gets under way — though delayed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Flooding over the weekend closed the Buffalo River in Arkansas and the Current and Jacks Fork rivers in Missouri.

But Gene Maggard, owner of Akers Ferry Canoe Rental south of Salem on the Current River, said the river should be good to float by mid-week — with no more rain in the near forecast.

Reserved canoes wait to be…