Moderna says preliminary data indicates their booster can increase neutralizing antibody levels by 37-fold compared to without a booster and should decrease severe infection from Omicron. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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New Orleans Mardi Gras parades will go on next year, at least Dave Brannen reports that’s the word today from Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
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State police continue to investigate a deadly two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon in Ouachita Parish that left a teen dead and a passenger in his car seriously injured. Trooper Michael Reichardt:
Cut 3 (10) “…Mack dump truck.”
The 17-year-old driver, from Wisner, was not wearing a seatbelt while his passenger was. The truck driver was not hurt. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Reichardt says it’s not clear if Temple would have survived the wreck even if buckled up given the severity of the crash.
Trooper Reichardt says a deadly crash like this involving a child comes at a time that’s supposed to be about celebrating the holidays, not mourning the death of a loved one.
He urges everyone to buckle up and to avoid distractions while traveling during the holidays since the roads will be packed.
State police say 17-year-old Logan Temple of Wisner is dead after driving unrestrained through a stop sign in Ouachita Parish yesterday afternoon near Monroe where his Honda Civic was hit broadside on the driver’s side by a Mack dump truck. A buckled-up passenger in his car suffered serious injuries. The truck driver was not hurt. Trooper Michael Reichardt offers this advice:
Cut 5 (06) “..drink and drive.”
Reichardt says a toxicology sample was obtained from Temple and is being submitted for analysis. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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Preliminary data from Moderna indicates their COVID booster shot increases antibody levels against the Omicron variant. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says while it’s still early data and hasn’t undergone a thorough scientific review…
Lopez says Moderna’s announcement of significant booster protection against Omicron models data released from Pfizer and their booster shot.
Less than 33% of the population in the US is boosted. Lopez says with Omicron sweeping the country and COVID cases and hospitalizations on the uptick in Louisiana more individuals need to prioritize their third shot.
Cut 8 (11) “…advantage of them.”
Lopez also advises if you are gathering outside of your immediate home for the holidays or traveling, to get tested for COVID before, and when you return.
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A reconfirmation today from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell that Mardi Gras 2022 will take place as scheduled with route changes made for some crews, though all crews will roll on their scheduled days. Cantrell offered this example:
Cut 9 (13) “…avenue and Prytania.”
She says public safety will be of utmost concern and that she believes Mardi Gras can be carried off safely despite the flare-up in COVID cases nationwide given that 80 percent of local residents have been vaccinated and by urging others to be tested, vaccinated and to wear masks to protect themselves and other parade-goers.
Police Superintendent Shawn Ferguson said safety was top of mind in resorting to two parade routes during the Mardi Gras season given the all-hands on deck need for police manpower.
Cut 10 (04) “…entire parade route.”
Mayor Cantrell downplayed the need to cancel Mardi Gras 2022 even though COVID appears to be tightening its grip once again on Louisiana and the rest of the nation thanks to the Omicron variant. She says the city has a high-rate of vaccination:
Cut 11 (10) “…our people vaccinated.”
She says no crews have opted to cancel their parades because of COVID.
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Today is the first day of winter and the Climate Prediction Center predicts a warmer and drier than normal winter. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nina climate conditions will bring the Bayou State above-average temperatures and dry conditions through February
Cut 12 (11) “..United States.”
Keim says we’ll experience what should be a mild winter starting with above-normal temperatures this holiday weekend …
Keim says during La Nina winters, Louisiana benefits from warm air coming off the Gulf of Mexico…