The CDC revised face mask guidance Tuesday and now recommends indoor face coverings for all in areas with high community spread. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
___________________________________
The Louisiana Workforce Commission has over six thousand nursing positions available on the help wanted portion of their website, the most job openings for a particular sector in Louisiana right now. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”
_________________________________________
When Simone Biles withdrew from Olympic competition this week for mental health reasons, she set a worldwide example for those suffering from psychiatric issues. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________
The CDC has released new face mask guidelines Tuesday as the fourth surge of COVID cases rages across the country. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the revised guidance that all individuals regardless of vaccine status should use face coverings indoors when there is high community spread is not surprising.
When the CDC previously said vaccinated individuals could not spread the virus earlier this year, Hassig says we weren’t overwhelmed with the highly transmissible Delta variant. In May the CDC guidelines stated that vaccinated individuals didn’t need to wear face coverings. Hassig says the decision was premature.
The CDC now also recommends universal indoor masking for K-12 schools. Hassig says since only ages 12 and up can be vaccinated this leaves half of school-aged children vulnerable and children are contracting the Delta variant of COVID.
Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says individual school systems will determine their own face mask policy this fall.
_____________________
The governor’s office says the most job openings in Louisiana right now are for nurses with over 6,000 positions available on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s website. Dean of LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans Steve Nelson says the need for nurses will only increase…
Cut 7 (10) “…accentuated that problem.”
The pandemic has highlighted the shortage of nurses since patients affected by the virus require intensive care both from nurses and respiratory therapists. Nelson says the health care professionals who have been in the trenches for over a year are feeling burned out.
Cut 8 (11) “…and have low moral.”
Nearly 14-hundred patients in Louisiana are hospitalized with COVID. Nelson says the risks associated with being a healthcare worker have also played a role in the shortage.
_____________________________________
During a conference call, Senator Bill Cassidy said how after a year of having COVID-19 vaccines the risk-benefit rations strongly favors the vaccine. When asked if the vaccine should be mandatory Cassidy said similar mandates for other vaccines already exist…
The death rate from COVID is far higher than the side effects from the vaccine which can be managed. Cassidy said that even if one doesn’t die they could be one of the many “long haulers”…
Cut 11 (12) “… the coronavirus.”
Louisiana still leads the nation in COVID cases with more than 1300 hospitalizations. Cassiday says that speaking to a trusted physician is the best to learn about the benefits of the vaccine…
Cut 12 (11) “…need to be immunized.”
_____________________________________
When U-S gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from Olympic competition this week it was regarded by many as extremely brave because she confessed it was mental health reasons for her exit. Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Rahn Bailey says it was extremely significant that such a high-profile athlete was honest about her condition.
Bailey says Olympic athletes are under immense pressure, especially because the pinnacle competition is only every four years. While many athletes withdraw from competition, Bailey says Biles’ candor about the reason for her exit is rare.
Because mental illness is often stigmatized, Bailey says it often takes an athlete or celebrity to bring about awareness of the disease in order for others to seek assistance and acceptance of their illness.
If you feel you need mental counseling you can call 2-1-1 for assistance.
______________________________
Willie Green has officially been introduced as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Green comes to the Big Easy from Phoenix where he was an assistant under former Hornets head coach Monty Williams. Green actually played in New Orleans back in 2010 and he says it’s good to be back.
Green takes over a team with a lot of young talent, including forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Despite the talent, the Pels missed the playoffs last season but Green calls this team a sleeping giant.
Communication was often an issue for last year’s team which contributed to the struggles on the floor, especially on the defensive end. Green stresses the importance of creating a personal relationship with his players.