Tulane researchers uncover evidence that coronavirus particles can suspend in the air and remain infectious for up to 16 hours once expelled. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The Pelicans depart for the NBA bubble in Orlando today with some players a bit uneasy about resuming play. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields requests BESE suspend fall sports for K-12 schools, but it isn’t sitting well with everyone. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
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Tulane researchers discover SARS-Covid-2 can be exhaled on tiny droplets that occur naturally when breathing, suspend itself in the air, and remain infectious for over half a day.
Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says they tested the infectious droplets in a highly controlled setting.
That controlled setting did not account for the effects of sunlight, wind, or other naturally occurring things that could impact the particle.
Roy says that level of staying power is unusual for a coronavirus.
While it is concerning to know that the virus can be spread by more than just coughing, Roy says the good news is those droplets can still be stopped by a mask.
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The Pelicans depart for the NBA Bubble in Orlando today with a few players having mixed feelings about the restart of the NBA season.
Forward Brandon Ingram was asked if he was confident about the bubble experiment working out and the season actually finishing. He says he’s not confident about that.
Florida has seen an explosion of COVID cases recently, with Orlando being one of the state’s hotspots.
Guard Lonzo Ball has been active in George Floyd protests in his native Los Angeles since the season was paused. He says there’s just so much more going on right now that’s more important than the game.
The NBA has committed to painting black lives matter on the Orlando courts and allowing players to wear other BLM messaging on their jerseys.
Veteran Guard JJ Reddick says all of the outside distractions will weigh heavily on players, and the winning teams may not be the ones that just had the most talent.
The Pels start the season July 30th against the Jazz and are 3.5 games back of the 8th seed with eight games to be played.
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Federal wildlife managers have agreed to study if rare freshwater turtles found only in Louisiana and Mississippi should receive endangered species protections. Jason Totoiu (Two-toy) Sr. Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity says the Pearl River and Pascagoula turtles have been on the decline due to a threat of their habitats and…
Cut 10 (12) “…medicinial markets.”
Totoiou says if the Feds decide to grant endangered species protections for the two freshwater turtles’, the Fish and Wildlife Service will have to enter in consultations with other federal agencies.
In addition to cooperation with other federal agencies, Totoiou says the designation would also secure funding dedicated to preserving the species.
Cut 12 (08) “…and restoration.”
The turtles, which can live 30 years, are considered some of the least-studied reptiles in North America.
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Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has asked BESE to suspend fall sports for K-12 schools because of COVID-19. Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says the request caught him and many others by surprise, adding that it feels like a knee-jerk reaction.
Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities with student in-person participation in a group setting such as conditioning, practice, and team meetings.
Fertitta’s football program has only seen three players test positive for COVID-19 and he feels that the proper precautions have been taken without a massive outbreak. Fertitta says the LHSAA has yet to issue guidance but does not blame them since the whole situation feels like a big waiting game.
Cut 14 (07) “…football in phase 2.”
Fertitta says he doesn’t have the answer at this point but continues to stress the importance of embracing each day to his players.
Cut 15 (07) “…what happens tomorrow.”
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