It may not be an inoculation to the coronavirus, but could a vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella help prevent the most severe complications of COVID-19? Kevin Barnhart explains.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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An analysis by housing advocates warns 69,000 to 1332,000 renter households could be evicted in the coming months once federal benefits end July 31st. Matt Doyle has more.
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The state Department of Education says school bus capacity will be capped at 50 percent if the state remains in Phase Two when classes resume in August. Matt Doyle has more.
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A common childhood vaccine might help prevent severe lung inflammation and sepsis if a person is infected with COVID-19. LSU Health New Orleans researcher Dr. Paul Fidel suggests that live attenuated vaccines such as MMR can help boost an adult’s immune system to mount a more effective defense.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…the severe complications.”
The MMR vaccine protects children from getting measles, mumps, and rubella. Fidel says the antibodies generated from the MMR vaccine could be a reason why only a few children have suffered from severe COVIID complications. He says using the MMR vaccine on adults is a low risk and high reward preventive measure.
Cut 5 (09) “…potentially helping people”
LSU Health New Orleans is partnering with Tulane University on researching this theory. Fidel says they plan to give the MMR vaccination to adult primates to see if it can prevent severe complications of COVID-19 and humans as well
Cut 6 (08) “…get the vaccination.”
A similar concept is being tested in other countries with a tuberculosis vaccine.
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Housing advocates warn Louisiana is likely to suffer a substantial wave of evictions after enhanced federal assistance for rent and unemployment ends July 31st.
Center for Planning Excellence CEO Camille Manning-Broome says due to Louisiana’s service-based economy they estimate 69,000 to 132,000 renter households are at risk once benefits end.
Nationally that number is estimated to be nearly seven million.
Urban Footprint CEO Joe DiStefano says compared to other states Louisiana has the third-highest risk of evictions. He says due to the COVID economy…
Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, Lafayette, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Calcasieu, Ouachita, and Bossier are the parishes listed as most vulnerable.
DiStefano says a wave of evictions at this scale would destabilize communities and drastically strain state services.
Urban Footprint and CPEX are calling on the Louisianan Congressional delegation to back the 100 billion dollar Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020 to head off the crisis.
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If Louisiana is still in Phase Two when schools reopen in August then students who rely on busses could be in a bit of a bind, with busses limited to 50 percent occupancy.
State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says districts are working on solutions to the school bus capacity limit. He says systems will be reaching out to parents…
The state will remain in Phase Two for another 27 days due to the recent spike in cases.
Brumley says Phase Two school bus limitations and other restrictions mean students may be doing a split of distance and congregate learning should schools reopen without moving to Phase Three.
Groups at the school would be limited to no more than 25 people under Phase Two. That number increases to 50 under Phase Three.
Brumley indicated K-12 educators are hoping the state will no longer be in Phase Two when classes resume due to these kinds of difficulties.
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Legislation that would provide grocery store workers, bus drivers, law enforcement personnel, and healthcare workers with a 250-dollar check is nearing final legislative passage. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says these individuals put their health at risk by showing up to work during the first few weeks of the pandemic
The legislation needs House approval on Senate changes before it heads to the governor’s desk. It passed out of the Senate on a 38-0 vote. Monroe Senator Jay Morris says federal coronavirus relief dollars will pay for the tax credit…
Front line or essential workers will be eligible for this 250-dollar check if they make less than 50-thousand dollars a year. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter wishes they could do more…
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