The Census Bureau says Louisiana continues to lose people to other states, a trend that’s been going on for years.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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Along with state offices requiring face masks indoors, hospitals are beginning to reinstate mask policies. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data. Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures.
Cut 3 (10) “…doing much better.”
Louisiana’s percent of population decline for the year-long period was six-tenths of a percent, sixth highest in the nation.
Rigamer says people are leaving the state by and large in search of bettering their future.
Cut 4 (09) “…a better life.”
He says that some have also left because of the continuing hit by catastrophic hurricanes.
Rigamer agrees that if the trend of Louisiana population loss continues as it has for several years, there runs the possibility of the state losing a seat in Congress.
Cut 5 (05) “..a probability.”
The year-over-year drop in population ending July 1st was just over 27,000, a trend that Rigamer says has continued for at least eight years in a row.
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In addition to state offices returning to indoor masking requirements, Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge is requiring all to wear face masks. Infectious disease specialist at the Lake Dr. Catherine O’Neal says the rapid increase in cases forced them to return to face masks.
Cut 6 (12) “…home for 10 days”
While there are reports that symptoms from the Omicron variant aren’t as bad as Delta and not as many are being hospitalized, however, O’Neal says it’s still too early to know the impacts of the newest variant.
Cut 7 (12) “…everybody has it.”
Another reason O’Neal says we need to mask up again, get vaccinated, and or boosted is that if you do catch the Omicron variant and need to be treated at the hospital there’s a shortage of monoclonal antibody fusion treatments for the new variant.
Cut 8 (09) “…short supply.”
O’Neal highly recommends you get tested for Omicron before you visit with people outside of your immediate home and/or travel.
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As you head out to do your last-minute shopping for Christmas dinner, Mike Strain, Louisiana’s AG Secretary, says you really shouldn’t have much trouble finding what you need, including the right size turkey.
Cut 9 (10) “…food products available.”
The only downside to all this is inflation has pushed up the price of most everything you’ll need for your meal.
He says while turkey is an important part of your Christmas dinner, Strain offers this piece of advice.
Cut 10 (09) “…wonderful Christmas time.”
Strain says the over six-point-eight percent inflation rate is putting a damper on the costs of this year’s Christmas dinner, he’s not expecting prices to come down anytime soon.
Cut 11 (08) “…call input costs.”
Strain says poultry prices are currently up about six to eight percent while beef prices are up a whopping 21 percent.
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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s still waiting on the CDC to provide some guidance on how much protection a person may have from COVID if previously infected by COVID. Cassidy says based on worldwide research there is some natural immunity for those who recover from COVID…
Cut 12 (11) “. some protection.”
It was over a month ago that Cassidy suggested to CDC Director Doctor Rochelle Walensky that the federal health agency should investigate whether natural immunity confers protection against future infections. Walensky says other countries have acknowledged natural immunity…
Cut 13 (11) “..or restaurant.”
Cassidy is not sure why the CDC seems reluctant to look into natural immunity, but the senator, who is also a physician, believes it does provide some protection from future infection…
Cut 14 (11) “..were infected.”