During a House Health and Welfare meeting at the state capitol, this morning things got off to a tense start when the audience was told they had to wear a mask and some who refused were then removed by security. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds asked the governor’s chief lawyer Matthew Block if the state might impose a vaccine mandate in order to enter a restaurant, bar, gym or venue but Block says that’s not under consideration
Starting today, New Orleans is requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test to enter most businesses.
The state broke another record today for hospitalizations with 2,956 the highest number since the pandemic began. The Louisiana Department of Health reports that 90-percent of the COVID patients are unvaccinated. 65 COVID fatalities were also reported, and more than 13-thousand new cases were added since Friday.
There are three separate storm systems in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic but as of now, none appear to be any threat to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the third system, which should form into Tropical Storm Henri (on-ree) later today, is forecasted to noodle around in the Atlantic and not make landfall in the US. Keim says it may be peak hurricane season but we’re in the clear, for now…
The Department of Revenue is now accepting grant applications for the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program to support charities and small businesses that are providing COVID support and relief efforts. Secretary of Revenue Kimberly Lewis says each grant is up to $25,000. Cut 10 (12) “…development activity.”
Visit Revenue-dot-Louisiana-dot-gov for more info.