Louisiana scores a D rating from Unicast’s new community reporting tools that track how much people have been limiting their movement and activity, with Orleans Parish the only parish in Louisiana to score an A rating from the group. Google is also reporting that most people in Louisiana did not start taking the Stay At Home order seriously until late march, about a week after the order was passed. Louisiana’s total number of confirmed cases has now passed 10,000, with 370 total fatalities.
Now the CDC is recommending if you do go out and about to take care of essentials, that you wear a mask, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Governor Edwards says feel free to make a DIY mask, but save the N95s for healthcare workers who need them most.
Most online tutorials say you only need some cloth, like handkerchiefs, and elastic bands to make the most basic DIY mask.
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, Postlethwaite and Netterville Consulting Director, recommends interested small business owners “get in line” to apply for the loans now because there’s a lot of interest.
The loans come in two forms, a disaster loan, and a payroll loan, but Vance says the emphasis is on payroll loans at the moment.
National Federation of Independent Business says if the shutdown lasts much longer then we’re going to see a cascade of failing small businesses, half of whom say can’t make it another two months. State Director Dawn Starns says the leading factor is slower sales as reported by 80% of small businesses.