The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says the lifting of several of the coronavirus restrictions on many businesses is great news. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says businesses have done what they can to keep cases down and he hopes customers will visit in person now that capacity limits are lifted.
Louisiana is expecting 300 thousand COVID vaccine doses next week, which is almost double the number the state currently receives. And to help residents with where to get vaccinated the state is establishing a hotline number. Governor Edwards says it won’t cost the state any extra money.
The phone number and hours of operation will be made public soon.
54 percent of those polled by LSU say their own financial situation is the same as it was a year ago, while only 29 percent say it has gotten worse. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Mike Henderson says there is some partisan separation in how people view the state’s economy.
Pfizer says its COVID vaccine protects children as young as 12-years-old from the coronavirus. LSU Health Shreveport pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere says clinical trials for ages 5 to 11 will begin in May.
Pfizer hopes to amend its emergency use with the FDA in time for 12 to 15-year-olds to begin vaccinations in the fall.