The COVID vaccines are getting all the headlines, but state health officials say do not forget about getting your annual flu shots. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Drugmaker Merck says it’s produced a pill that can help keep people sick with COVID-19 out of the hospital. Dave Brannen has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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Owning a restaurant in Louisiana that’s been slammed by hurricanes and a continuing Covid pandemic is a tough go. Dave Brannen reports.
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State health officials are urging folks to not forget about getting an annual flu vaccine shot, as well as the COVID vaccine. LDH resident flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says last year saw a record low number of Louisiana flu cases, and coronavirus precautions were a big contributor…:
Cut 4 (o7) “…when they were sick.”
(However, he says flu has NOT gone away and we should be sure to get immunized)
Dr. Welch says flu shots are needed every signal year to minimize the chances of catching flu, transmitting it to others, or getting very sick if you do catch it. He say the reason for annual shots is the flu viruses have a tendency to frequently mutate…:
Cut 5 (05) “…best protection.”
The flu vaccine is readily available at most doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics, pharmacies and parish health centers. Welch says in a normal year thousands can die from common influenza, and some groups are more susceptible to the virus than others…:
Cut 6 (09) “…diabetes, obesity…”
(Welch says pregnant women are especially at risk from flu, and should be sure to get their flu shot.)
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The Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans is weighing in on a Covid-19 pill that manufacturer Merck says will reduce hospitalizations and cut in half the number of deaths in people recently infected with the coronavirus. Dr. Julio Figueroa:
Cut 7 (12) “…the hospital yet.”
But, Figueroa says the impact of using the pill to address Covid will first be subjected to an emergency use authorization for further study that could then lead to FDA approval of the drug as an alternative medicine for treating the virus.
Dr. Figueroa says when it comes to treatment for Covid-19, the Merck experimental pill will likely be more successful the earlier it’s ingested after the virus is discovered.
Cut 8 (06) “…the most effect.”
Figueroa says the experimentation results being touted by Merck about the anti-Covid 19 pill that’s taken eight times a day for five days can’t be ignored, but have to be proven further.
Cut 9 (07) “…that’s substantial.”
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Louisiana’s restaurant industry continues to face hardships from a lack of business because of the continuing Covid pandemic. Stan Harris heads up the state’s restaurant association and tells us, Big Easy eateries continue to suffer financially..
Harris says most restaurants surveyed in the state don’t expect to ever return to the pre-pandemic normal.
Harris says when it comes to the bottom line, restaurants in Louisiana aren’t drawing in the business they need.
Cut 11 (08) “…their more profitable.”
Harris says there’s a lot of pressure on restaurant businesses across Louisiana to succeed.
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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is unhappy with huge premium increases coming for those on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA’s Risk Rate 2.0 – which took effect October 1st – will mean huge increases in the cost of flood coverage for those who live closest to water, and for many who do not. Cassidy says the hikes are unrealistic and about 20% of those covered under NFIP just cannot afford it…:
Cut 13 (08) “…dropping their coverage.”
Cassidy says some will see flood insurance increases of 100-percent or more. He says the result will be fewer NFIP holders at lower risk to spread costs over, meaning those at higher risk pay even more and quite likely drop the coverage. He says it’s the law of diminishing returns…:
Cut 14 (07) “…becomes non-sustainable.”
The senator says NFIP has been criticized as “federally subsidized insurance for millionaires’ beach homes”, which he says is far from the truth. Cassidy says NFIP data shows the majority of covered homes range in value from $220-thousand to $400-thousand. He says the cost increases are injurious to homeowners and impractical…:
Cut 15 (11) “…actuarial death spiral.”
(Cassidy and other Senate Republicans brought legislation to delay the NFIP hikes for a year, but it failed to gain traction)
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For the first time since 1999 LSU has lost a home football game to Auburn. The Fighting Tigers let a 13-point lead slip away and lost to the War Eagles on Saturday night 24-19. A nonexistent running game is one reason why the Tigers failed to preserve the lead as Ed Orgeron’s team rushed for just 29 yards
Auburn started its rally in the second quarter when quarterback Bo Nix scrambled around for several seconds, avoiding a sack on multiple occasions, and threw a touchdown pass touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown. LSU linebacker Damone Clark…
Cut 17 (14) “…missed tackles.”
LSU also burned multiple time-outs on offense as they were trying to audible before the play clock hit zero. Orgeron says the coaches have to do a better job of getting the plays in…
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The Saints squandered an 11-point fourth-quarter lead and lost to the previously winless New York Giants 27-21 in overtime. The frustrating loss drops New Orleans record to 2-and-2. Coach Sean Payton hopes they learn from this tough loss
Cut 19 (19) “…those emotions.”
The Saints had 405 yards of total offense, but it was the Black and Gold defense that struggled in this one as they allowed Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to throw for 402 yards. A 54-yard touchdown pass to Saquon Barkley started the rally. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says they allowed too many chunk plays……