Another COVID variant has made its way into Louisiana as seven Lamba variants have been sequenced in northwest Louisiana. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Microbiology and Immunology Jeremy Kamil says Lambda is not an offshoot of the now-dominant Delta variant.
Cut 9 (08) “…Peru”
Kamil is confident the vaccines available in the U-S can provide protection against the Lambda variant.

Interfor Corporation announces it will invest eight million dollars to revive the idled Georgia Pacific sawmill near DeQuincy. The governor’s office says the project will create 170 new jobs. Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance CEO George Swift says the mill was shut down last May due to the pandemicCut 3 (11) “…in particular.”

Interfor plans to restart operations in the first half of 2022.

Nursing shortages are exacerbating the impact of the Delta surge. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Hundreds of angry parents went to the St. Tammany Parish School Board meeting last night to protest the school system’s policy that calls on all students five years old and up to wear a mask. One parent called the mask mandate communism. Superintendent Frank Jabbia told the anti-maskers that the mandate is not an option and they should make their complaints to the governor’s office.

Over 500 Ochsner Health employees are quarantining after being diagnosed with COVID-19. That’s just adding to the nursing shortage issue as hospitals struggle to care for coronavirus patients. Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee Rooney says beyond the lack of nurses the pandemic has also created a major financial incentive for nurses at regional hospitals to take travel assignments.
Cut 5 (09) “…hospitals”

To entice more people to get vaccinated the city of Shreveport is giving individuals $100 to roll up their sleeve Mayor Adrian Perkins says so far there’s been lots of interest in the Saturday vaccination event since they announced the incentive, and he thinks other cities in the Bayou State will follow their lead.

Cut 9 (08) “…this weekend.”

Go to the City of Shreveport’s Facebook page for more information.

Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force hopes to boost vaccination rates by combating vaccine hesitancy in the Black community. Tulane School of Public Health Dean Dr. Thomas LaVeist says what has happened in the past is a major driver of hesitancy among Blacks

cut 10 (10) “…Americans.”
He says black leaders are trying to fight through the skepticism to get blacks to get the shot.

Since LA Wallet added the Covid Vaccine digital opt-in to the digital license platform earlier this year, more than 200,000 are using it. LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says if your vaccination card won’t pull up visit your physician or visit a parish health unit, anyone with LINKs system access can assist.

Cut 15 (06)“…for you.”

Your name, address, and zip code must match what is on your driver’s license.

The state has reached a milestone in an effort to increase the vaccination rate. The Louisiana Health Department is reporting over two million Louisianans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccine hesitancy can be found among African-Americans. Tulane School of Public Health Dean Doctor Thomas LaVeist says most hesitant Blacks are not anti-vax, they just have unanswered questions. One of the most common concerns is potential long-term impacts, which can be addressed.
Cut 11 (13) “…by now.”

500 residents in Shreveport can earn 100-dollars by getting their first COVID vaccine shot tomorrow. Mayor Adrian Perkins…
cut 8 (07) “….much higher”
There are two community vaccination events tomorrow in Shreveport, the first 250 people at each site will be eligible to receive 100-dollars.

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities face a shortage of nurses, a problem that’s hitting home as the delta variant surge tears through the state. Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-Coy) Rooney says the shortage isn’t a surprise, but the timing is bad.
Cut 4 (09) “..retiring.”
Rooney says they are seeing an increase in nursing students, but that can not help the current situation.

State officials want to remind residents that the LA Wallet app has a feature that can display their vaccination status. Since the feature was launched in the spring, LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says they’ve seen a big increase in users opting in for vaccine status.
Cut 13 (09) “…in the system.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 1:30 today to update Louisiana residents about the state’s response to the ongoing fourth surge of COVID-19 cases. The number of COVID hospitalizations is 2,350, a record high since the pandemic started.

Nursing shortages are exacerbating the impact of the Delta surge. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated, the City of Shreveport is offering 100-bucks to entice you to roll up your sleeve. Mayor Adrian Perkins says they will hold a vaccination event at two community centers tomorrow and the first 250 at each location can pad their wallets.
Cut 7 (11) “…vaccinated.”
Perkins says the city is using money from the American Rescue Act to pay for the vaccine incentive program.

Tulane School of Public Health Dean and co-chair of Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Thomas LaVeist is working to end the vaccine hesitancy seen among African-Americans. LaVeist says skepticism is the result of a documented history of medical racism…
cut 12 (10) “…distrust”

Over 23-hundred people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana, a record high since the pandemic started. A month ago, 338 people were hospitalized. But the state is also seeing an increase in vaccinations. Over 54-thousand doses have been administered since Monday.

So, what would it take to convince you to get a COVID vaccine if you haven’t already? How about 100-dollars? Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Over 500 Ochsner Health employees are quarantining after being diagnosed with COVID-19. That’s just adding to the nursing shortage issue as hospitals struggle to care for coronavirus patients. Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee Rooney says beyond the lack of nurses the pandemic has also created a major financial incentive for nurses at regional hospitals to take travel assignments.
Cut 5 (09) “…hospitals”

You can possess a digital version of your vaccination card through the LA Wallett app. LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says when an LA Wallet user opts in to add their vaccination status it pulls data from the LINKS system with the department of health. It must match the name, birth date, and zip code on your driver’s license.
Cut 14 (07) “…logo.”
If you can not pull up a digital version of your vaccine status on LA Wallet, Kelley says contact your physician or your parish health unit.

2,350 people are hospitalized due to COVID symptoms. That’s the highest number since the pandemic started and 258 of those patients are on a ventilator, according to the state health department. As hospitals deal with a huge surge of patients, there’s also a shortage of nurses. Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-coy) Rooney…
cut 6 (11) “….gap”

Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force hopes to boost vaccination rates by combating vaccine hesitancy in the Black community. Tulane School of Public Health Dean Dr. Thomas LaVeist says what has happened in the past is a major driver of hesitancy among Blacks
cut 10 (10) “…Americans.”
LaVeist says black leaders are trying to fight through the skepticism to get blacks to get the shot.

As more places begin to ask for proof of vaccination, Louisiana is one of the few states where it can be as easy as pulling out your phone. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Nursing shortages are exacerbating the impact of the Delta surge. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

___________________________________

So, what would it take to convince you to get a COVID vaccine if you haven’t already? Would a 100-bucks do it? Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

As more places are beginning to ask for proof of vaccination, Louisiana is one of the few states where is can be as easy as pulling out your phone. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_______________________________

Hospitals and other health care facilities are facing a shortage of nurses, a problem that’s really hitting home as Delta surge tears through the state.

Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-Coy) Rooney says the shortage isn’t surprising, but the timing couldn’t be worse.

Cut 4 (09) “..retiring.”

Rooney says beyond the lack of nurses the pandemic has also created a major financial incentive for nurses at regional hospitals to take travel assignments.

Cut 5 (09) “…hospitals”

In a strange twist Rooney says many of those nurses taking travel assignments end up back at their original hospital doing the same work for a lot more money.

Rooney says the lack of nurses has led to some patients receiving poorer quality care than they would have received should the facility be fully staffed.

Cut 6 (11) “…gap.”

_____________________

If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated, the City of Shreveport is offering 100-bucks to entice you to roll up your sleeve. Mayor Adrian Perkins says they will hold a vaccination event at two community centers Saturday and the first 250 at each location can pad their wallets.

Cut 7 (11) “…vaccinated.”

Funding for the vaccine incentive is part of the American Rescue Act. Perkins says due to the low vaccination rate in Region Seven which includes Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana he wanted to persuade individuals to prioritize their health.

Cut 8 (07) “…much higher.” 

So far Perkins says there’s been lots of interest in the event since they announced the $100 incentive, and he thinks other cities in the Bayou State will follow their lead.

Cut 9 (08) “…this weekend.”

The Pfizer vaccine will be administered by LSU Health Shreveport Saturday from 10 am until 2 pm at AB Palmer Community Center and David Raines Community Center. The second dose will be given on August 28^th. You must be 12 and older and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

_____________________________________

Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force is hoping to boost vaccination rates by combating vaccine hesitancy in the Black community.

Tulane School of Public Health Dean Dr. Thomas LaVeist says a major driver of hesitancy amongst Blacks is the long, documented history of medical racism in the US.

Cut 10 (10) “…Americans.”

One of the most commonly cited examples of historic racism against Blacks by the American health care system is the Tuskegee Experiment in 1932. During that experiment Blacks were enrolled by the U.S. Public Health Service in a syphilis study, but were not informed they had syphilis only that they had “bad blood”. Instead of being given treatment, they were instead given placebos, blocked from receiving care elsewhere, and had their painful physical deterioration studied and documented.

LaVeist says most hesitant Blacks aren’t anti-vax, they just have unanswered questions. One of the most common concerns is potential long-term impacts, which can be addressed.

Cut 11 (13) “…by now.”

LaVeist says another common concern is related to misinformation that the vaccine creation process was rushed. He attributed that in part to Operation Warp Speed’s success in quickly manufacturing a safe and effective vaccine, but the program’s failure to educate the public in how it was done.

LaVeist says to persuade more African Americans to take the shot leaders will have to acknowledge the roots of this skepticism and explain why, in spite of those concerns, getting vaccinated is still a good idea.

Cut 12 (10) “…distrust.” 

The percentage of Blacks in the state who are vaccinated sits in the mid-30s per LDH data, nearly identical to the percentage among whites.

_____________________________________

If you’re asked to show proof of your vaccination status instead of carrying around your vaccine card you can just pull out your phone and use LA Wallet. Since the feature was launched in the spring, LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says they’ve seen quite the increase in users opting in for vaccine status.

Cut 13 (09) “…in the system.”

Kelley said when an LA Wallet user opts in to add their vaccination status it pulls data from the LINKS system with the department of health. It must match the name, birth date, and zip code on your driver’s license.

Cut 14 (07) “…logo.”

If for some reason you’re not able to pull up a digital version of your vaccine status on LA Wallet Kelley says to contact your physicians or visit a parish health department. She says any healthcare provider that has access to the LINKS system can assist.

Cut 15 (06)“…for you.”

Louisiana is the first state in the country to provide residents digital access to their vaccination status. Users must opt-in on the smartphone app for access.

______________________________

Louisiana native Peyton Manning will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Sunday. Manning threw for nearly 72-thousand yards and 539 touchdowns during his NFL career and won two Super Bowls, one with the Colts and one with the Broncos….
Cut 16 (15) “…I am.”

Manning’s ability to dissect opposing defenses and quick decision-making helped him transform the quarterback position. He turned the Colts into a winning franchise and helped Denver win its third Super Bowl in franchise history. The New Orleans native says he had a lot of support during his Hall of Fame career…
Cut 17 (15) “…with them.” 

Saints Hall of Famer Archie Manning will present his son Peyton during Sunday’s induction ceremonies. Archie is a proud father and has spent time reflecting on Peyton’s journey…

Cut  18 (19)”…great players.”

_______________________________________________________

Fresh off a ten-win season, the Ragin Cajuns return to the practice field today for the start of preseason camp. U-L Lafayette returns 20 starters including quarterback Levi Lewis. Coach Billy Napier says they’ll use this time as an opportunity to improve the starters and the backups…

Cut 19 (19)  “…observe.” 

The Cajuns return a number of starters on defense, including safety Bralen Trahan, who intercepted a team-high four passes last season. The former Acadiana Wreckin Ram on how he can become a better player

Cut 20 (15)  “…this fall.” 

LSU students won’t have to vaccinate to attend in person classes. LSU Board Chairman Robert Dampf says they determined that because the vaccines are under emergency use authorization they cannot, as a public university under current law, mandate it. Even if they could, there’s still a loophole…

Cut 7 (09) “…reasons” 

Students who are not vaccinated will have to submit to monthly COVID tests.

Moderna joins Pfizer in asking permission to give third “booster” shots to already vaccinated individuals, a move the World Health Organization calls selfish in the face of vaccine shortages in developing nations. Tulane School of Public Health Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says there’s really not enough data to support boosters yet anyway, so if you’re vaccinated and want more protection…

Cut 14 (08) “…mask”

LSU QB Myles Brennan’s dad Owen confirms that a tragic fishing trip mishap is what resulted in his son’s broken arm. That mishap has potentially robbed Brennan of his final year at LSU, leaving Max Johnson to take over the lead role. Owen says Max’s dad Brad was one of the first calls he received about Myles.

Cut  11 (11) “…dad to dad.”  

Even with the statewide mask mandate back in effect, Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says he doesn’t see hospitalizations letting up anytime soon. Thomas says it’s still too early to tell but, in the past, their symptom tracking system, which communicates with COVID patients recovering at home, has shown mask usage curbs case numbers.

Cut 4 (11) “…that yet.”