The special session is in the rearview mirror, but what do lawmakers feel were the highlights? Kevin Barnhart has the details.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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An in-depth survey of the level of COVID antibodies and mortality rates in the state’s first pandemic epicenters of Jefferson and Orleans Parishes reveals some shocking information about the virus. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Looking back on the special session, House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez feels there are plenty of accomplishments to be proud of. Miguez says most notably would be the use of CARES Act funding to help the business community and taking the proper first steps in lowering auto insurance rates.
Miguez says he is disappointed that the timing of breaking away from the regular session along with coming back for the special session put a hurdle in the way of improving the litigation environment for the oil and gas industry with coastal and legacy lawsuits.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…don’t invest in Louisiana.”
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins believes one of the highlights of the special session was getting passage of legislation to get one-time $250 checks in the hands of critical workers.
Cut 5 (10) “…something that happens.”
Jenkins says the session did have its drawbacks.
Cut 6 (08) “…down the line.”
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An Ochsner COVID-19 study of 25,000 Jefferson and Orleans Parish residents finds an estimated seven percent had coronavirus antibodies in mid-May.
The work also studied how likely people were to die if they were to be infected. Research scientist Dr. Amy Feehan says the infection fatality rate was 1.63 percent.
The test was conducted from May 11th to May 15th.
The study showed black residents are nearly twice as likely to get infected than white residents, but once infected are just about as likely to suffer a fatal outcome. Feehan also adds…
About 6 percent of whites and 11 percent of blacks are believed to have been exposed to COVID-19 and have antibodies as of mid-May.
Feehan says they discovered that those who were asymptomatic were still highly contagious, and shedding a lot of virus.
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TV viewers who use the antenna in certain parts of the state will need to rescan their television sets so they will we able to receive local channels. FCC Chair Jean Kiddo explains why.
TV consumers who use the antenna in Shreveport and Monroe will need to rescan their TV sets so they can receive all their local channels. If you have cable or satellite you do not have to do anything.
Kiddo explains how TVs that use the antenna need to be set up in order to receive local channels.
To rescan your TV set go to the menu button on your remote control and under antenna use the autotune or auto program setting. If you need assistance you can also reach out to the FCC for guidance. Kiddo recommends this for all antenna users in the state, not just the Shreveport and Monroe markets.
For more information, you can go to fcc.gov/rescan or call 1-888-CALL-FCC for assistance.
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Governor Edwards continues to stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While some parishes have put a mask mandate into place while in public, Edwards says he currently has no plans to make a similar statewide mandate.
Cut 13 (12) “…the situations dictate.”
Edwards says government officials are stepping up enforcement of mask use and other mitigation efforts at businesses, but calls on the public to do their part in not going to those businesses.
Cut 14 (12) “…whatever is required.”
Edwards insists mask usage is vital to moving Louisiana forward and says if we don’t get off of the current trajectory, even more restrictions will have to be put into place.
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