Gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers have been given the green light to eligibility to apply for unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The 54 new COVID-19 deaths reported yesterday were by far the largest total of deaths the state has seen in any 24 hour period. Matt Doyle has reaction from the Governor…

Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle ” 

___________________________________________

The District Attorney is now faced with prosecuting Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central for violating the Governor’s Proclamtion. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has given the green light to eligibility for gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers to apply for unemployment assistance.  LWC executive director Ava Dejoie says if someone has recently applied and been denied, for being a 1099 employee, waiter or waitress, or rideshare driver, eligibility will be retroactive.

Cut  4 (10)_ “…of your filing”

Dejoie says the funds aren’t available to pay out to applicants yet as LWC has not received the money from the feds.

Cut 5 (05)  “…no longer working.”

Dejoie says there is no rush for filing as the payments will be retroactive to when employment was halted.

Cut 6 (12) “…process for everyone”

____________________________________________

Louisiana reported its biggest increase in COVID-19 cases and related deaths in a 24 hours period yesterday, evidence that the state has yet to begin flattening the curve. 1,212 new positive tests were reported and 54 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards says for those who haven’t been socially distancing…

Cut 7 (07) “…right now”

Edwards adds that the state has doubled its total number of cases and use of ventilators since March 26^th.

The new numbers put the state above 5,000 total cases. Edwards says the jump in cases and deaths is alarming.

Cut 8 (09) “…gets.”

The New Orleans region is now on pace to run out of ventilators by April 4^th, and hospital beds by April 7^th.

The Governor says these numbers are likely the result of infections that occurred before the statewide stay at home order, so there may be some good news coming soon.

Cut 9 (09) “days″
______________________________________________

Rev Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central was issued a summons Tuesday on six counts of violating of the Governor’s order of large gatherings. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says even though Spell wasn’t taken into custody it serves the same as an arrest.  Moore says when the governor issues such orders violators can be penalized.

Cut 10 (08) “…calls for.”

Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran issued the summons on Tuesday after Rev Spell continued to hold services at the church in which congregation averaged 11-hundred members. Moore explains why Spell received six counts.

Cut 11 (11) “…different days.”

Rev. Spell will be formally charged today but due to the virus the courts are suspended temporarily, and Moore says when a hearing will be held remains to be seen.

Cut 12 (07) “…arraignment”

_________________________________________

There’s widespread frustration about how long it can take to get results back for a coronavirus test, but at the Tulane Medical Center Laboratories tests only take four hours.

Medical Director Dr. Byron Crawford says initially the only FDA approved test was a manual procedure, but the feds recently OK’d a new procedure using equipment Tulane has on-site.

Cut 13 (07) “…hours.”

They run tests in two batches a day for a total of about 200 tests a day for patients who go to University Medical Center or Tulane Medical Center.

Crawford says this kind of equipment is vital because it allows hospitals to quickly process which patients have COVID-19, and which don’t.

Cut 14 (11) “…equipment.”

Crawford says he’s confident this kind of technology will be widely available to other medical centers, and soon.

Cut 15 (08)“…patients”

The project is a joint venture by Tulane, LSU School of Medicine, Children’s Medical Center, and UMC, with the equipment provided by Roche.

Testing will soon begin on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets in combatting COVID-19.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

 Governor Edwards applauds the President’s decision to extend the federal social distancing reccomendations until April 30th. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle ” 

___________________________________________

Some state lawmakers will reconvene today to try and set a new date to get back into session. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________________________

Food stamp recipients who are not currently receiving the maximum total possible on their SNAP cards will now start receiving the max.

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says only 37 percent of recipients currently receive the maximum.

Cut  4 (10)_ “…benefits”

The max for a single individual recipient is $194 a month.

The Department is also waiving redeterminations, interviews, and the work requirements for SNAP. Walters says if you have SNAP, you don’t have to worry about losing it right now.

Cut 5 (05)  “…that.”

Walters says if you’re interested in applying for food stamps, know the call center capacity is limited right now and your best bet is visiting DCFS.LA.GOV/GetSnap, or text get SNAP to 898-211.

Cut 6 (07) “…we do”

____________________________________________

Testing will soon begin in Louisiana on whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to treat COVID-19 patients or if it can be used as a preventive measure for healthcare workers on the frontline. Dean of LSU Health Sciences School of Medicine Dr. Steve Nelson says the drug has been shown in a test tube to kill coronavirus, but there has only been a small number of clinical trials.

Cut 7 (11) “…a small number.”

Nelson says the biggest hurdle has been getting their hands on the drug for testing, but with a donation of 400-thousand hydroxychloroquine sulfate tables from a pharmaceutical company, they expect trials to begin later this week.  Nelson adds in terms of defining the drug’s effectiveness, a reasonable number of patients, between 500 and 1,000, need to be studied.

Cut 8 (11) “…this virus yet.”

Nelson says the drug is safe and for the vast majority of people it is very well tolerated so there is very little risk, if any, associated with taking this drug.

Cut 9 (06) “…the 1940s.″
______________________________________________

President Trump announces the extension of federal social distancing recommendations through April 30^th as the US becomes the world’s leader in total COVID-19 cases.

Governor Edwards says the declaration is helpful because it sends a message that we are nowhere near over the hump.

Cut 10 (11) “…ARE ON.”

Locally Louisiana remains number 3 in total cases and number two in total deaths per capita.

Governor Edwards warns the state’s trajectory of cases still puts them on track to run out of ventilators in the New Orleans area by April 5^th. He says the state will ultimately need 14,000 more ventilators.

Cut 11 (09) “…Louisiana.”

The Governor’s office says the President committed to sending 150 ventilators, but they’re not sure when they will arrive.

Edwards reiterated his calls for social distancing, but one church in Central refuses to comply having hosted over a thousand people Sunday night. Edwards says he won’t be breaking up those services.

Cut 12 (11) “…comply”

Reportedly residents from five different parishes were bused in for Sunday service at Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in Central.

_________________________________________

Some state lawmakers will reconvene today to try and set a new date to get back into session.  The 2020 session came to a halt three weeks ago over coronavirus concerns.  Senate President Page Cortez says he’s got no definitive date in mind but says Senate committee meeting may actually still take place before the session returns.

Cut 13 (10) “…place is lifted.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says today’s business will not require a full house since they are not voting on any bills adding that although they may be exceeding a congregation of 50 people, they will be practicing social distancing.

Cut 14 (09) “…should be fine.”

Both Cortez and Schexnayder remain optimistic that a special session could be avoided, but that decision hinges on the rapidly changing COVID-19 outbreak.

Cut 15 (11)“…and finish business.”

_______________________________

The F-B-I wiretap that reportedly has LSU basketball coach Will Wade discussing a strong offer made to a recruit is expected to be aired tonight on an H-B-O Documentary titled “The Scheme.” Wade missed the NCAA Tournament because of the FBI wiretap scandal but was reinstated in May. LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau spoke to one of the writers of the documentary

Cut 16  (18)  “…that is new” 

Christian Dawkins was the man at the center of the FBI’s investigation into college basketball corruption. Dawkins has been convicted for helping to funnel thousands of dollars between college basketball programs and recruits. So far Wade and LSU have avoided an NCAA investigation, but Guilbeau says that could change after tonight’s documentary airs…

cut 17  (20) “…court of law 

400,000 hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets have been donated to the state of Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is doing all it can to be prepared for the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

After a two-week break, LSU’s spring semester resumes today, but all classes have been moved online. English Professor Kevin Cope says there will be something lost in the translation to online for all students, but he expects those in traditional liberal arts classes will fare best, while…

Cut 3 (11)  “education”  

The campus has been closed to all but the few students who couldn’t leave and are at the dorms, and essential staff.

Cope says the transition to online learning has gone about well as it could considering the short notice, but LSU was not fully prepared to make the jump.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…subscription.”

Cope says the school has not been able to invest in its online capabilities due to chronic underfunding of state schools.

Cut 5 (12)  “…scramble”

LSU’s campus is currently set to stay closed at least through the end of May.

__________________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces a donation of 400,000 hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets from Amneal Pharmaceuticals to the state. The drug has been identified as a possible treatment for COVID-19, which Landry says has created a high demand.

Cut 6 (11) “…that supply crunch.”

Louisiana has become a COVID-19 hotspot, ranking in the top three locations in the nation for the illness. Landry says LSU’s medical school has received approval to begin clinical testing of the drug.

Cut 7 (06) “…a treatment medicine.”

Landry says it is vital to have this drug on hand for medical professionals, not only to possibly treat patients, but to defend themselves.

Cut 8 (07) “…with this crisis.”

____________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says by the end of this week the New Orleans area could reach its ventilator capacity. The state health department reports about 400 patients are currently using the machines to help COVID-19 patients breathe. Edwards says they are seeking over 12-thousand ventilators

Cut 9 (10) “…several weeks now″

Edwards says the New Orleans area could run out of bed space by April 10th. But a makeshift hospital is going up inside the New Orleans Convention Center. The governor says one-thousand hospital beds will be ready within a week inside the convention center

Cut 10 (11) “discharged home”

Edwards says he’ll likely extend his stay-at-home order beyond April 13th as Louisiana ranks second in the nation in per capita deaths related to COVID-19….

Cut 11 (11) “…as wel know”

________________________________________________

President Donald Trump has extended the nation’s social distancing guidelines that were set to expire today for another month through April 30th. Senator Bill Cassidy says the restrictions will likely extend into May, unless the curve is flatten or scientists discover a treatment

Cut 12 (10) “…my opinion”

The state health department reported an additional 485 coronavirus cases today, bringing the total number of positive cases to just over four-thousand. Over 11-hundred COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. Cassidy says hospitals are doing what they can to keep up with the surge in cases

Cut 13 (09) “…have a problem.”

A two-point-two trillion-dollar economic stimulus package was approved last week, but Cassidy says the federal government will do more if it has to. He’s very concerned about the state’s energy-producing companies

Cut 14 (10) “…price war”

Governor John Bel Edwards has a message for all retired healthcare workers, and students and recent grads in healthcare fields…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

Families who’ve just lost a loved one are now faced with the reality of constrained, socially distant funeral services. Jeff Palermo spoke with the President of Mothe (Mott) Funeral Homes about the situation…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

The Governor is asking healthcare students and recent grads along with retired nurses and doctors to volunteer for the fight against coronavirus, and fast-tracking new licenses to get them into the field. Edwards says in addition to more personal protective equipment and ventilators…

Cut 3 (11)  “professionals”  

The need for additional healthcare workers in New Orleans will likely be acute with the state in the process of opening a 1,120-bed facility at the Morial Convention Center.

Edwards says LSU Health Shreveport was able to accelerate the timeline for getting residents into healthcare facilities, and he wants LSU Health New Orleans to do the same.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…professionals.”

Edwards says having all the beds and equipment in the world doesn’t mean much if you don’t have enough medical workers.

Cut 5 (11)  “…services.”

Volunteers can sign up at COVID-19LAvolunteers.org.

__________________________________________

New Orleans is the new hot spot for the coronavirus with over 1,600 cases in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. The director of the National Institute Allergy and Infectious Diseases was asked on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge  if New Orleans should have put a shelter in place order sooner

Cut 6 (13) “…the perfect setup.”

A shortage of tests has proved to be a hurdle in the initial response to the coronavirus.  Fauci says that’s becoming less of an issue.

Cut 7 (10) “…many more tests.”

Fauci says the summer season may help flatten the curve, but adds there are still many unknowns about this virus.

Cut 8 (13) “…there in Louisiana..”
____________________________________________________

Losing a loved one is never easy, and COVID-19 is making it harder on families and friends of those recently deceased.  Funeral services used to bring people together, but President of Mothe (Mott) Funeral Homes Boyd Mothe Jr. says keeping fewer than ten people in a room is not easy…

Cut 9 (11) “…come in″

Mothe says following the social distancing order is up to the family, and not every family is abiding by it at funerals.

Mothe says funeral homes are no stranger to the emerging lack of PPE…

Cut 10 (11) “daily”

Funeral homes are still carrying out their function of sometimes being the ones to remove the deceased from homes, even potential COVID positive bodies…

Cut 11 (11) “…covering”

And he says funeral homes can no longer offer the usual empathetic personal touch for families at the scene, they have to offer condolences from at least six feet away, or more if the family is quarantined.

Mothe also warns the virus is causing delays in the usual process for burying bodies, and that’s causing a backlog.

Cut 12 (10) “…overflowing”

He adds it’s likely at some point both funeral homes and the coroner’s office will also approach capacity.

__________________________________

Louisiana Economic Development opens a COVID-19 Help Desk that will provide email and hotline support for businesses impacted by the virus.  LED Secretary Don Pierson says businesses can find info online at opportunitylouisiana.com

Cut 13 (12) “…of our state.”

Pierson says if phone support is needed, they’ve setup a number at 1-833-457-0531.

Cut 14 (11) “…them to us.”

Pierson is anticipating a wave of inquiries from businesses on what the federal $2 trillion emergency relief bill means for them.

Cut 15 (07)“…information as well.”

You can still buy a lottery ticket, but winners should know they won’t be able to claim any prizes over 600 dollars at the moment. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Lincoln Parish deputies are showing up to residents’ homes with groceries instead of warrants. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart ” 

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Governor Edwards continues to show a grim forecast for COVID-19’s impact on Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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COVID-19 is impacting lottery sales to the point where the next time the Powerball jackpot is won and the jackpot resets, it’ll start at 20 million dollars as opposed to 40 million.

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says, for example, their March 11^th Powerball Wednesday night drawing generated 265,000 dollars…

Cut 4 (11)_ “…expected.”

35 percent of sales generated by the lotto are used to fund K-12 education.

The governor’s order to close all state offices includes lotto offices, and Chopin says if you were one of Wednesday’s lucky 10,000 dollar winners, you can’t claim your money, yet.

Cut 5 (08)  “…can.”

They’ve also extended the expiration deadline for claiming prizes on all previous winning tickets by 90 days.

Scratch-off players take note, Chopin says they won’t be able to ship any more scratch-offs until state offices reopen.

Cut 6 (10) “…weeks”

____________________________________________

The Lincoln Parish Sherriff’s deputies are paying visits to homes in their community, not because they have a warrant, but because they have groceries.  Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Matthew Henderson says they started doing grocery pickup for the elderly this week and have expanded to helping others that are at-risk.

Cut 7 (07) “…Ruston as well.”

Residents place their orders online, then call deputies telling them which store and the order number.  Henderson says they just launched the delivery service on Monday and it has taken off.

Cut 8 (10) “…more coming in.”

Henderson says although none of the deputies ever thought they’d be in delivering groceries in law enforcement, they are finding the experience to be very rewarding.

Cut 9 (08) “…thing for everybody.″

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83 people are dead from the state’s 2,305 confirmed COVID-19 cases.  The latest fatalities include the state’s first juvenile to die from the virus, a 17 year old from New Orleans.  Governor Edwards says it is a reminder that everyone is at risk.

Cut 10 (11) “…it doesn’t discriminate.”

Edwards continues the stress the importance of minimize contact with others and says Louisiana is tied for second in the nation for per capita COVID infections.

Cut 11 (10) “…as April 2nd.”

Current projections show New Orleans running out of hospital bed space by April 7^th.  The Governor says his office is in the process of signing contracts to stage a makeshift hospital at the Morial convention center is planned to have 120 beds ready by end of the weekend, with 1120 in total sometime next week.

Edwards says just because someone may live outside of the New Orleans area does not mean COVID-19 isn’t any issue.  The Governor referenced the recent uptick in numbers in Northwest Louisiana parishes as evidence.

Cut 12 (10) “…a statewide problem.”

Edwards says the focus remains on flattening the curve and calls on citizens to do better with social distancing and continue to avoid mass gatherings.

Cut 13 (11) “…not to go.”

_________________________________________

Parts of the state could see record highs today, and that’s led some armchair virologists to speculate that the state could see a dip in COVID-19 cases as a result.

Our Lady of the Lake infectious disease specialist Catherine O’Neal says that’s a dubious claim that’s not supported by research.

Cut 14 (12) “…its own.”

Some of the misinformation about potential dips in COVID rates over the summer likely stems from false assumptions that it behaves like Influenza. O’Neal says that’s not the case.

Cut 15 (08)“…winter.”

That means we’re unlikely to be bailed out of this pandemic just because of a change in seasons. O’Neal says we’re still at a point where we don’t know when life can return to normal.

Cut 16  (10)  “…longer” 

_________________________________

The Pelicans are trying to adjust to life under the threat of COVID-19 and maintain the momentum that had them challenging for the 8^th seed before the season was suspended.

Pelicans VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin says things were going well until the NBA closed all practice facilities last Thursday.

cut 17  (19) “…abruptly” 

Griffin expects the Pelicans haven’t played their last game this year and says he hopes fans get to see the conclusion of what’s been an encouraging first season with the new-look team.

Cut 18  (25) “…is.”   

The average gas price in Louisiana has dropped to $1.85 a gallon. Brooke Thorington talks to a Petroleum Analyst on the outlook for the Bayou State.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________

Congressman Ralph Abraham backs the use of experimental, or off-label treatments for COVID-19. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________

As the coronavirus forces the economy into a freefall, oil and gas prices continue to drop. Patrick DeHann, Head of Petroleum Analyst with Gas Buddy says prices at the pump for the month of March continue to drop and oil prices are the lowest we’ve seen in eighteen years. DeHaan gives an update on Louisiana.

Cut 3 (09)  “…a year ago.”  

DeHaan says even with $1.85 being the statewide average they have seen prices far lower than that in certain parts of the state.

Cut 4 (07)_ “…Baton Rouge.”

DeHaan says while some might see a reduction at the pump as a relief while their personal income has been reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic, however…

Cut 5 (08)  “…low prices.”

__________________________________________

Four people are dead, including a 2-year-old, following crash on Progress Road in Baton Rouge.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says last night around 9:30, a driver and two passengers were in an Oldsmobile traveling at a high rate of speed when control of the vehicle was lost.

Cut 6 (06) “…a residence.”

56-year-old Patrick Dunn, an occupant of the home, and front passenger 22-year-old Destiny Nelson both died at the scene.  The driver, 28-year-old Jamarcus Brown and 2-year-old passenger Jamarcus Brown Jr. died after being transported to the hospital.

Coppola says he’s not sure why the three were out on the roads during the Governor’s shelter-in-place order.

Cut 7 (09) “…get through this.”

The investigators continue to search for answers.  Coppola says the massive loss of life compounds the already tragic situation.

Cut 8 (06) “…you had four.”

____________________________________________________

There are currently no FDA approved treatments for COVID-19, but there’s a growing number of people advocating for the expanded use of experimental treatments for the disease.

Congressman Ralph Abraham is one of those advocates. He says when a situation is serious enough, patients should be allowed to take off-label treatments.

Cut 9 (10) “…decision″

The President has touted what he says are good results from the use of an anti-malarial drug called Hydroxychloroquine. The treatment does not have FDA backing, but Abraham says anecdotally…

Cut 10 (08) “others.”

Small scale studies of hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients have yielded mixed results, and a Kaiser Family Foundation director labeled it a “drug of last resort” due to its side effects.

Abraham says even though these experimental drugs don’t have FDA approval and may have side effects, some patients don’t have other options.

Cut 11 (11) “…with”

_________________________________

Saints QB Drew Brees commits $5 million dollars to help feed Louisiana residents who are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Second Harvest Food Bank is one of the recipients of this generous donation, and President and CEO Natalie Jayroe calls Brees a true leader.

Cut 12 (09) “…can’t be understated.”

Brees says he’s also working with Oschnser Health System, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Small Sliders and Waitr to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana.

Jayroe says this will help with feeding those that have lost employment and seniors whose ability to access food may now be challenged.

Cut 13 (10) “…meals as schools.”

Second Harvest currently has the ability to crank out 2,000 meals per day and the contribution will help to increase that number.

Cut 14 (07) “…that is hunger.”

Brees made the announcement on Instagram.  The exact size of the allocation to Second Harvest has not been released.

COVID-19 is resulting in a shortage of masks needed for the protection of medical professionals on the frontline of treatment, but a social media challenge hopes to fill that void.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

Senator John Kennedy broke down some of the allocations of the two-trillion dollar emergency funding bill. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart ” 

___________________________________________

Governor Edwards presented some dire news about the state’s current growth in cases, and the ventillator situation in the New Orleans area. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…Jeff Palermo”  

____________________________________________

With COVID-19 patients pushing hospitals closer to exceeding capacity and front line personnel running short on masks, seamstresses and hobbyists are volunteering their talents toward filling those voids as part of what has been deemed by sewing circles as the million mask challenge.  Philomena Martrain grew up in Baton Rouge and was visiting her parents when the shelter in place order came down.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…things I have.”

The masks are used to cover and extend the usage of workers’ personal protection equipment. Martrain picked up some of the techniques from YouTube tutorials and says she’s scrounging together the materials for production, including repurposing elastic headbands found at a dollar store.

Cut 5 (11)  “…I sew it.”

Martrain now lives in the Florida Panhandle and helped with the recovery of Hurricane Michael and had previously come back to her native Baton Rouge to assist following the 2016 floods.  Martrain says the calling to help one of the hardest-hit areas just comes naturally.

Cut 6 (07) “…I was raised.”

____________________________________________

Senator John Kennedy broke down some of the allocations of the two-trillion dollar emergency funding bill, outside of the money that will provide cash to most Americans.  The state is expected to receive $1.8 billion. Kennedy says the legislation stacks more federal dollars onto Louisiana’s unemployment maximum benefit of $247 a week.

Cut 7 (07) “…that’s per week.”

Kennedy says some of the dollars will be put into the Small Business Administration for SBA loan up to $10 million to provide help for eight weeks.  That money could ultimately end up in workers’ pockets.

Cut 8 (09) “…loan is forgivable.”

Another $500 billion will go towards what is being deemed the exchange stabilization fund for large businesses.  Kennedy says $75 billion of that will go to direct loans to airlines and other businesses essential to national security.

Cut 9 (13) “…rate of interest.″
Kennedy adds there is $100 billion dollars allocated for hospitals to cover operating costs, lost profits.  Plus there is $11 billion for vaccines and therapeutics.

______________________________________________

Governor Edwards says the rising number of new COVID-19 cases in Louisiana is alarming, and it appears the state has not yet begun to flatten the curve.  

Edwards says the state is going to have to stick with the shelter in place measures as long as it takes to make them pay off because right now the situation is not improving. 

Cut 10 (07) “…people.”

Edwards says the ventilator situation is concerning because many patients already rely on ventilators for other respiratory issues… 

Cut 11 (12) “…alarming.”

The Governor estimates at the current pace, we could surpass the New Orleans capacity for ventilators by early April.  

300 new ventilators are expected to be in New Orleans by early next week, but Edwards says assuming those ventilators do arrive… 

Cut 12 (10) “…as well.”

____________________________

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson’s teams may be shut down, but she’s busy raising funds for those impacted by COVID-19 through the Community Assistance Fund.  

Benson contributed one million dollars to the fund to get it up and running and says she’s been inspired by how much charity and solidarity she’s seeing in New Orleans. 

Cut 13 (09) “…come back.”

Part of the fund will go towards helping gig economy workers who’ve lost their jobs in crisis.  

Benson highlighted the generosity of Pels rookie sensation Zion Williamson, who volunteered to cover 30 days of Smoothie King Center worker’s salaries… 

Cut 14 (12) “…young man.”

Benson is asking anyone who can to donate to charitable causes in the city during this trying time, and… 

Cut 15 (05) “…guidelines.”

Ochsner Health answers about their current status in meeting the demand for COVID-19 patients. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________

Northwest Louisiana is now home to what will be one of the most prolific COVID-19 testing labs in the region thanks to LSU Health Shreveport. Jeff Palermo has more… 

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

Officials with Ochsner says they are treating 271 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 300 more patients who potentially have the virus. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they are redeploying some of their personnel

Cut 3 (10)  “…these patients.”  

Hart says they do have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment right now but they have asked staff to use them conservatively.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…normally do.”

Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says not only are they seeing more COVID-19 patients but their stay in the hospital is more extended.

Cut 5 (11)  “…in the ICU.”

__________________________________________

LSU Health Shreveport opens a COVID-19 test processing lab that at peak capacity will be able to process 1,000 tests a day with a turnaround of only 24-48 hours.  

Pathology Professor Dr. Chris Kevil says the lab is vital because one of the key ways to combat coronavirus is to test, test, test… 

Cut 6 (11) “…the chain”

The lab will not gather samples on-site, it has samples shipped to them from other locations.  

Chief Innovation Officer Drew Mouton says two weeks ago they drew up plans for a facility that uses viral RNA extraction to generate tests that are among the most accurate in the world. 

Cut 7 (09) “…yesterday.”

The center estimates it will be about another two weeks before they’re at peak capacity, but they should be testing hundreds of samples by the end of the week. 

Mouton says the team has been pulling 18 to 20-hour days to get the facility online, and… 

Cut 8 (09) “…the mouth.”

____________________________________________________

Schools have been shut down for a week and a half and will remain that way through at least April 13. Governor John Bel Edwards says they are looking at different options on when kids could go back to school, but for the time being

Cut 9 (10) “…instructional materials″

Many parents are wondering if their child will be able to advance to the next grade level or graduate from high school if classes do not resume or if the school calendar is shortened. Edwards says the department of education is developing a plan…

Cut 10 (07) “…hopefully soon.”

The federal government has already granted the state’s request to suspend end-of-year testing and school and district performance scores. The governor says it’s upsetting that kids are not in school, but keeping children at home will help slow the spread of the coronavirus

Cut 11 (09) “…population”

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The White House and Senate leaders have agreed on a two-trillion dollar emergency funding bill that will provide cash to most Americans. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the legislation calls for adults who make less than $75k annually to receive $1,200 check and each child will receive $500.

Cut 12 (11) “…eligible for this”

Married couples with a household income under $150,000 will receive $2,400.

The money has various allocations for the Small Business Administration and bailouts for various industries with a total price tag of $2 trillion.  Graves says it is deficit spending that results in the tab being picked up by future generations.

Cut 13 (12) “…are worth it.”

This particular legislation only calls for a one-time payment to citizens, but Graves says he isn’t ruling out the possibility of another payment in the future..

Cut 14 (11) “…going to take.”

As COVID-19 takes a toll on our mental health a Clinical Psychologist from LSU Health New Orleans offers some coping skills.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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A housing crisis may be coming in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo ” 

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 The escalating number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Louisiana has led Governor Edwards to request a federal disaster declaration for the state, just as the President indicates he wants the country to go back to work by Easter… 

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Louisiana residents are prepared for hunkering down for flooding and hurricanes, but staying at home through April 13th can still feel like a daunting tasking to prepare for. LSU AgCenter registered dietitian Sandra May says it is important to stock with nonperishables, but also ingredients to make things you may run out of.

Cut 4 (13)_ “…from the shelves.”

While it’s a good idea to have some snacks, May says it’s important not to go crazy with junk food.

Cut 5 (10)  “…things like that.”

May says it is vital to have a balanced diet making up the supplies in an effort to keep the immune system at peak performance.

Cut 6 (07) “…feel easy about.”

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COVID-19 is also having an impact mental health as we try to cope with stress and anxiety from the pandemic. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans says whenever we are told to do something out of the norm we can react with a greater degree of anxiety or depression.

Cut 7 (09) “…also intensify.”

Moore says don’t ignore a change in behavior and seek professional help if you have trouble coping on your own. She offers some suggestions on how to cope with the current crisis.

Cut 8 (12) “…that’s happening.”

She also suggests using your phone as we social distance and to stay in contact with family and friends. Moore says focusing on the positive in your life daily and keeping a gratitude diary and can help during the pandemic.

A majority of workers in the state are working from home and some find themselves unemployed and/or caring for children at home now as schools are closed. Moore says as we undergo huge life changes, we must learn to be flexible during this uncertain time.

Cut 9 (08) “…unnaturally″

If you feel you need counseling, you can call the Louisiana Department of Health’s Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-888-310-7977

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Evictions and foreclosures may be on hold in Louisiana due to the shutdown of courts, but that situation doesn’t get tenants off the hook when it comes to paying rent or a mortgage. Spokesperson for the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Maxwell Ciardullo says the future seems dire without housing assistance from the federal relief bill being negotiated.

Cut 10 (11) “…open back up.”

Statewide, courts are closed until at least April 13^th.
Ciardullo says focus needs to also be put on getting the homeless of the streets and in a public health emergency, stable housing is one of the best defenses.

Cut 11 (09) “…overwhelmed more quickly.”

Ciardullo expects that tenants could owe as much as double the rent money when the courts reopen, and with many workers being without a paycheck that’s going to cause an issue. Ciardullo hopes landlords will work with tenants.

Cut 12 (11) “…much as possible.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards requests a major disaster declaration for Louisiana from the feds, citing numbers showing the state has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita.  

Edwards says new projections indicate the New Orleans area will run out of healthcare capacity by April 4th, and… 

Cut 13 (08) “…timeframe on that.”

The number of cases in the state sits at 1,388 with 46 deaths. There are 271 patients in hospital beds with confirmed cases and another 981 in beds who are awaiting results.  

President Trump has indicated he wants to get Americans out of their homes and working again by Easter, but Edwards says the only timelines he will follow are those given by the medical community.  

Cut 14 (09) “…to do here.”

Louisiana has spent 71 million dollars so far on direct COVID-19 responses.

Edwards reiterated his calls for “flattening the curve”, and says he’s encouraged by how serious the public has taken his call to stay home and limit interpersonal contact… 

Cut 15 (12) “…people to comply.”