The discussion over the 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events took the spotlight at a legislative committee this morning. Baton Rouge Republican Rick Edmonds says the inability to attend high school football is detrimental to families who feel it’s a time-honored tradition.
Cut 6 (10) “…of those families.”
Many high schools object to that number and point to the higher capacity that’s allowed inside restaurants and casinos. Assistant state health officer Dr. Joe Kanter defended the current spectator cap by saying it isn’t the social distancing in the stands that is the area of concern.
Cut 7 (10) “…risk of transmission.”
Edmunds asked for health officials to give their attendance policy another look.
State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry warns a Legislative committee there will be another spike in COVID cases during flu season, and the spike will rival the numbers we saw in spring. Guidry says his prediction is based on observations from the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 where a spring wave subsided only to be replaced by a much deadlier late fall outbreak.
Committee members also questioned Guidry about the small number of totals deaths that were solely attributed to COVID. Guidry says that number is misleading because of the nature of COVID, which pushes people with manageable illnesses to death’s door.
Also at the state capitol, Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed legislation to be discussed in the special session that would result in local governments losing state dollars if they reduce their local police department’s budget by 10-percent or more. Harris says the legislature has a duty to intervene in this local budgeting issue.
Cut 9 (11) “…municipality”