A CDC investigation into an incident in Missouri shows the effectiveness of masks. Health officials say two hairstylists tested positive for the coronavirus, but none of their 136 customers and co-workers got the virus, because everyone involved wore a mask. Louisiana Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…masks.”
The two COVID positive workers, who were asymptomatic, were working while awaiting their test results.

Discussions will continue on Capitol Hill this week on whether Congress should approve another coronavirus relief bill. There’s still a lot up in the air as to the details of the next package. Senator John Kennedy says he is confident the one House Democrats crafted, the three trillion dollar HEROES Act, will not hit the President’s desk.
Cut 9 (07) “…virus”

White House Guidelines call for gyms to be closed down in high coronavirus transmission states like Louisiana. Brooke Thorington on how to transition your workout to the home if gyms close again.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor Edwards is asking Louisianians to participate in three days of fasting and prayer during lunchtime starting today. Edwards says he wants everyone to use this time to pray for the sick, the caretakers and the families of those who are grieving over the deaths of loved ones. The state has surpassed 91-thousand cases and 34-hundred deaths.

Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders are expected to discuss this week a 5th coronavirus relief funding bill. Senator John Kennedy says it’s unclear what this round of aid may look like, but he doubts it will be as broad as past COVID stimulus bills.
Cut 7 (08) “…bills.”
Kennedy says he’s concerned about the rate of spending on COVID economic bills and he says the only way for the economy to survive is for Americans to get back to work.

Assistant health secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says a CDC investigation in Missouri involving two hairstylists who tested positive shows the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Billioux says the hairstylists wore masks and none of their 136 customers and co-workers they were in close contact with ended up testing positive…
cut 5 (04) “…evidence”

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the tort reform bill signed by Governor John Bel Edwards will help begin the process of rebuilding Louisiana’s insurance markets. Waguespack says Louisiana has had one of the highest auto insurance rates in the country long enough…
cut 15 (07) “…will change that”
Supporters say the tort reform bill will change the state’s civil litigation system and result in fewer lawsuits filed because of car accidents and reduce the damages awarded.

White House Coronavirus guidelines call for gyms to be closed in high transmission coronavirus states like Louisiana. Governor Edwards has yet to make that decision, but if gyms are ordered closed again, LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Exercise Physiologist Dr. Melinda Southern says there are exercises you can do at home to continue to do to stay in shape.
Cut 10 (08) “stability exercises.”

The governor’s office has announced the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program is temporarily suspended due to overwhelming response. Over 40-thousand renters filled out applications in less than four days and there’s currently only 24-million in federal dollars available, which is only enough to assist about 10-thousand tenants.

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux points to a CDC investigation out of Missouri that shows the effectiveness of masks. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Congress returns to work today and lawmakers will begin discussing another round of coronavirus aid. Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy is concerned about the rate of spending on COVID economic bills and he says the only way for the economy to survive is for Americans to get back to work.
Cut 8 (11) “…careful.”

There are many individuals who are self quarantining for two weeks after they were exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have tested positive and are asymptomatic and still looking to keep their regular workout routine, without going to the gym. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Exercise Physiologist Doctor Melinda Southern says if you don’t have gym equipment at home, use basic furniture…
cut 12 (10) “….the wall”

Senator John Kennedy pushes school districts to resume in-person education once the fall semester begins. Kennedy says science backs up his claim that it’s safe to get kids back into class. He says young people don’t often suffer fatal outcomes when they develop COVID-19.

Cut 10 (10) “…to it.”

Kennedy says the rewards of continuing kids’ social and academic development outweigh the risks of having them more exposed to the virus.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is asking fellow Republicans to reconsider their efforts to revoke Gov. Edwards’ pandemic state of emergency, saying an override would be a “grave decision with potentially dire consequences.” Schexnayder sent a letter to Republican House members discouraging support of Shreveport GOP Rep. Alan Seabaugh petition. Schexnayder’s letter states both Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump administration supports the mask mandate.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will consider the implementation of new White House COVID-19 guidelines.   Louisiana is one of 18 states in the red zone for cases and one of 11 in the red zone for testing positivity.  Edwards feels the state already is covering the most prioritized spread mitigation efforts from the CDC and White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…other things too.”

The recommendations call for red zone states like Louisiana to close gyms, put tighter restrictions on indoor dining capacity to 25%, and limit gatherings to 10 people.

People in need of a hospital procedure can be admitted without fearing the coronavirus according to New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avengo. But Dr. Avengo says it is still vitally important to hospitals that spread mitigation efforts are strictly followed by the public when outside of the home.

Cut 14 (04) “…easily been prevented.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will consider the implementation of new White House COVID-19 guidelines but is not leaning towards implementing them at this time. Edwards says any new spread mitigation mandates will come on the next proclamation.

Cut 5 (12)  “…on the 26th.”

While the federal government requires COVID tests to be free some patients are finding themselves hit with additional costs like lab fees when they get tested in certain facilities.  Ochsner ERs and Urgent Care’s testing is restricted to symptomatic patients. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says Non-symptomatic patients can be tested for free at community testing sites.

Cut 8 (09) “…test”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is pushing the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to support passage of the HEROES Act, a House crafted bill that would among other things increase funding for school health programs aimed at limiting coronavirus spread. Senator John Kennedy responded saying they already authorized 300 million dollars for additional school safety procedures and there’s no way HEROES will pass…

Cut 11 (10) “…manifesto”

The SEC announces that student-athletes who choose to not play sports in the fall due to COVID-19 concerns will not lose their scholarships. According to the statement released Friday, those who sit out will have their scholarships honored and will remain in good standing with their team. LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward also released a statement of support for the announcement and student-athletes’ in their decision if they choose to compete or not.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will consider the implementation of new White House COVID-19 guidelines.  The recommendations call for red zone states like Louisiana to close gyms, put tighter restrictions on indoor dining capacity to 25%, and limit gatherings to 10 people.

Cut 3 (12)  “…points in time.”  

People in need of a hospital procedure can be admitted without fearing the coronavirus according to New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avengo.  Dr. Avengo says healthcare providers have found better ways of balancing the intake of patients, but there is a danger that comes with hospitals getting full again.

Cut 13 (12) “…in deaths again.” 

While the federal government requires COVID tests to be free some patients are finding themselves hit with additional costs like lab fees when they get tested in certain facilities. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says all community testing sites are completely free of any charges but what happens you are uninsured and end up in the ER due to COVID-19?

Cut 7 (07) “off”

Baton Rouge Rep. Ted James announces his candidacy for chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Current party Chair Karen Carter Peterson, a state senator from New Orleans, says she will not seek reelection. James said the Democratic Party must speak for those who “feel invisible to the politics of today” to energize the party.  Katie Bernhardt, a Lafayette small business owner, previously announced her candidacy. The chair is elected by party leadership and will be chosen August 29^th.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is asking fellow republicans to reconsider their efforts to revoke Gov. Edwards’ pandemic state of emergency, saying an override would be a “grave decision with potentially dire consequences.” Schexnayder sent letter to Republican House members discouraging support of Shreveport GOP Rep. Alan Seabaugh petition. Schexnayder’s letter states both Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump administration supports of the mask mandate.

Governor Edwards is considering the implementations of new White House coronavirus guidelines.  Kevin Barnhart explains.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

People in need of a hospital procedure can be admitted without fearing the coronavirus according to New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avengo.  Dr. Avengo says she does not want anyone to defer a medical procedure they desperately need.

Cut 12 (11) “…to the hospital.”

Avengo says it is still vitally important that spread mitigation efforts are strictly followed by the public to prevent overcrowding.

Senator John Kennedy pushes school districts to resume in-person education once the fall semester begins. Kennedy says the rewards of continuing kids’ social and academic development outweigh the risks of having them more exposed to the virus and name-checked a series of other countries that have returned to the classroom.

Cut 9 (12) “can too.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will consider the implementations of new White House COVID guidelines.  The recommendations call for red zone states like Louisiana to close gyms, put tighter restrictions on indoor dining capacity to 25%, and limit gatherings to 10 people.

Cut 3 (12)  “…points in time.”  

The state added almost another 2,200 cases today.

While the federal government requires COVID tests to be free some patients are finding themselves hit with additional costs like lab fees when they get tested in certain facilities. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says all community testing sites are completely free of any charges but what happens you are uninsured and end up in the ER due to COVID-19?

Cut 7 (07) “off”

Senator John Kennedy pushes school districts to resume in-person education once the fall semester begins. Kennedy says science backs up his claim that it’s safe to get kids back into class. He says young people don’t often suffer fatal outcomes when they develop COVID-19.

Cut 10 (10) “…to it.”

Kennedy says the rewards of continuing kids’ social and academic development outweigh the risks of having them more exposed to the virus.

People in need of a hospital procedure can be admitted without fearing the coronavirus according to New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avengo.  Dr. Avengo says healthcare providers have found better ways of balancing the intake of patients, but there is a danger that comes with hospitals getting full again.

Cut 13 (12) “…in deaths again.” 

Saints All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordon ruffled some dirty bird feathers yesterday when asked about the possibility that crowd sizes could be restricted for NFL games next season. Jordon told reporters at a charity event he was attending that Domefield Advantage was real, and losing it would certainly hurt.

He said That’s the energy you feel knowing that the whole city is riding with you. Now we’re just going to know that everyone is tuned in on TV, I guess? I don’t know. To have to treat a home game like an away game? Awkward.”

He also told reporters that playing in a half-empty stadium would be like playing in Atlanta. 

The SEC announces that players who opt to sit out the season due to coronavirus concerns will not lose their scholarships. While the SEC did not address how the decision would impact eligibility, but in a release, they did say “it is important for student-athletes and their families to know the financial support committed to them by their institutions will not be at risk because of health concerns.”

The Pelicans are adjusting to life with Zion in Orlando after the rookie star had to make an abrupt departure to attend to a family medical emergency. Coach Alvin Gentry says they’re moving ahead with preparing to field a team without their keystone player for a series of scrimmages that begin Wednesday.

30

The scrimmage schedule sees the Pels play Brooklyn Wednesday, Denver on July 25^th and Milwaukee July 27^th

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is pushing the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to support passage of the HEROES Act, a House crafted bill that would among other things increase funding for school health programs aimed at limiting coronavirus spread. Senator John Kennedy responded saying they already authorized 300 million dollars for additional school safety procedures and there’s no way HEROES will pass…

Cut 11 (10) “…manifesto”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will consider the implementation of new White House COVID-19 guidelines, but is not leaning towards implementing them at this time. Edwards says any new spread mitigation mandates will come on the next proclamation.

Cut 5 (12)  “…on the 26th.”

While the federal government requires COVID tests to be free some patients are finding themselves hit with additional costs like lab fees when they get tested in certain facilities. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says all community testing sites are completely free of any charges, but in their urgent cares or if you get tested in the ER…

Cut 6 (08) “…COVID Testing”

Testing at Ochsner ERs and Urgent Cares is being restricted to symptomatic patients. Thomas says Non-symptomatic patients can be tested at community testing sites.

People in need of a hospital procedure can be admitted without fearing the coronavirus according to New Orleans Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avengo.  Dr. Avengo says she does not want anyone to defer a medical procedure they desperately need.

Cut 12 (11) “…to the hospital.”