The state reported 60 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday, the largest single-day increase in fatalities yet, but still below the peak daily death total estimated by a White House model for Louisiana. That brings the state’s total to 370 fatalities.
Louisiana now has over 10,000 confirmed cases, and as coronavirus infections worldwide cross the million mark the CDC is now recommending Americans wear face masks in public to slow the spread.
Governor Edwards says there’s certainly a lot of evidence indicating widespread public use of facemasks would be beneficial.
Many Asian countries, which have had far more success than western countries in slowing COVID cases, practice widespread use of public mask-wearing during viral scares.
Businesses with under 500 employees can now apply to receive a Small Business Administration loan from the feds to help cover payroll, and some other expenses for the next two months. CPA Ben Vance says businesses who qualify get a loan amount that is determined by the SBA.
The CPA also warns that this is only a temporary fix and business owners should be preparing for what will happen once the two month period ends.
The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway yesterday to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s the third straight year the flood structure has been utilized. Colonel Stephen Murphy says opening bays on the spillway diverts part of the river’s flow away from New Orleans