The coronavirus presents new challenges for sheltering those in Ouachita Parish who have lost their homes from the Easter tornado outbreak. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

6,900 Ouachita Parish residents and thousands of other customers were still without power as of 10 AM this morning due to Sunday’s devastating tornadoes. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_____________________________

Families and businesses are picking up the pieces following a tornado outbreak on Easter.  President of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury Shane Smiley says the devastation is widespread.

Cut 3 (11)  “…to their homes.”  

The coronavirus has presented challenges in how people are sheltered following the storm and Smiley says they are taking a new approach to sheltering in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…a permanent location.”

Smiley says two public housing communities took a significant hit, including one about a mile from the airport.

Cut 5 (10)  “…were damaged there.”

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A suspected tornado did an estimated 25-30 million in damages at the Monroe Regional Airport. Congressman Ralph Abraham says he saw debris littered runways, destroyed buildings, and the remains of small jets poking out from under a collapsed hangar.

Cut 6 (08) “repair”

Abraham says they’ve reached out to both state and federal officials to begin the process of getting aid for the airport and other businesses that have been destroyed.

Cut 7 (11) “…supplies”

The airport is closed today and Abraham says it could be some time before it gets back up and running.

Cut 8 (09) “airport“

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Thousands in north Louisiana are without power a day after powerful storms ripped through the region. Entergy Louisiana spokesperson David Freese says at the Sunday afternoon peak 26,500 customers were without power, but that number has come down over the last 24 hours.

Cut 9 (11) “…area″

Entergy reports 200 poles, 450 spans of wire, and 50 transformers will either need to be repaired or replaced. Freese says they’re pulling in emergency workers to get it done.

Cut 10 (09) “state”

Freese warns some customers may not have their power back on until later this week due to the extensive amount of damage to infrastructure.

Cut 11 (09) “…restoration.”

SWEPCO is reporting eight-thousand of its Louisiana customers are without power as well. It may take until Wednesday afternoon before most of their Shreveport customers have electricity.

________________________________________________

The state health department reported 44 more COVID-19 deaths today, bringing the total number of deaths to 884. There are over 21-thousand positive cases. Louisiana does not report on how many people have recovered from the coronavirus. Governor Edwards says capturing that information is difficult

Cut 12 (06) “recovered individual”

Louisiana residents who are receiving unemployment should see a substantial increase in assistance starting today. Edwards says previously unemployed workers were only eligible for up to 247-dollars from the state

Cut 13 (06) “…July 31st”

Edwards says gig workers and 10-99 employees can begin receiving 600-dollars in unemployment assistance starting today. He encourages all Louisiana residents who have lost work or hours to file for unemployment at Louisiana-works-dot-net

Cut 14 (10) “…about this”

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump Administration is looking to implement mass coronavirus immunity testing within the next one to three months. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

_____________________________________

Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick feels that businesses need to open sooner than later and May 1st should be that hard date.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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LSU Health Shreveport is recruiting patients that have recovered from COVID-19 to be plasma donors to help critically ill patients. Brooke Thorington explains.

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

____________________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says the feds are drawing up plans to conduct mass coronavirus immunity testing as one way to expedite a return to normal life. Cassidy says for life to return before a vaccine is created, we need to know who is and is not a potential coronavirus carrier.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…masks”

Immunity is thought to last for at least a year, meaning a person could interact with others without fear of getting sick or getting others sick.

Coronavirus testing kits may be in short supply, but Cassidy says potential nationwide antibody testing is feasible and is being pursued by the Trump Administration.

Cut 5 (09)  “…widespread”

Cassidy says outside of antibody testing it’s likely that in a few months you could begin allowing those under 30 without co-morbidities back out into the world because they rarely have severe symptoms.

Cut 6 (11) “…know it.”

______________________________

Business owners are feeling the pressure of the halted economy. Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick feels that businesses need to open sooner than later.  McCormick says small business owners have reached out to him indicating the state absolutely must start to get back to normal by May 1st.

Cut 7 (11) “…government overreach approach.”

McCormick says he is planning around small businesses reopening by May 1st as he believes they are a vital contributor to the state’s economy.

Cut 8 (11) “…to do something.”

McCormick says the economic recovery has to start soon and it can be done with the public health’s best interests in mind…

Cut 9 (08) “…logic we are following.″

____________________________________

LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali urges those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma so it can be used to treat critically ill patients. Ghali says donors must have tested positive for the virus, but are now symptom-free for two weeks and tested negative, or symptom-free for 28 days.

Cut 10 (10) “…ill patients.”

Ghali says it’s early, but so far results are encouraging and recruiting donors is vital.

Cut 11 (08) “…months away.”

Ghali says the antibodies counteract the antigens of the virus in the body to keep the body’s immune system from overreacting to fight off the virus.

Cut 12 (11) “…the lungs.”

To participate your physician must complete documents verifying your diagnosis and recovery before donating to a Lifeshare Blood Center.

_________________________________________

A survey of the state’s childcare providers shows that roughly a third of childcare facilities that closed do not see a path to reopening.  Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Libbie Sonnier-Netto says a majority of childcare centers have reported losing revenue.

Cut 13 (07) “…lost $1.7 million.”

Sonnier-Netto says over 90% of childcare providers have indicated that grants to pay employees during the closures would support their responses to the pandemic.

Cut 14 (11) “…retain their workforce.”

She adds that more funding will be needed that goes beyond SBA loans and Payroll Protection in order to ensure the stability of what she says is an important factor in the economy.

Sonnier-Netto remains hopeful the childcare sector can hold on to its current level of funding, and if there is the ability to put more into programs for children, that will be done.

Cut 15 (09)“…of this crisis.”

______________________________________________

If the world had not been hit by COVID-19, LSU football would play a spring game on Saturday. Instead, the players are working out on their own. LSU strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt says for players who do not have weights, they have to be creative to stay in shape

Cut 16  (18)  “…stay busy” 

Moffitt says based on what he can tell 60-percent of the players are doing what they should be doing when it comes to staying in shape, but everyone is falling behind

cut 17  (30) “…that” 

Moffit says as it stands now, the earliest LSU football players could return to campus will be June 1st. He says it would take about a month to get the players ready for the grind of a football season…

Cut 18  (22) “…the key”   

Un and underemployed Louisianans can expect to see a much bigger unemployment insurance payments starting Monday…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

Outdoor plans for Easter Sunday are now in jeopardy due to severe weather in the forecast. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

_____________________________

Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to the unemployment they already receive from the state.

State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says the higher payments should be automatically added to your benefits if you’ve recertified your hours.

Cut 3 (07)  “…Congress”  

State benefits cap out at 247 dollars a week, but the feds are now throwing an extra 600 dollars a week on top of it.

Dejoie says contract workers who did not previously qualify for the state’s unemployment now qualify for the federal benefits…

Cut 4 (10)_ “are.”

Self-employed, gig economy, and workers whose employer’s hadn’t paid into the trust fund will now qualify.

Dejoie says the state received the federal funds this week, and so many recipients will receive two weeks’ worth of benefits on their Monday check.

Cut 5 (06)  “…payment”

__________________________________________

54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away Thursday from COVID-19.

Bagala succeeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says Bagala was an energetic public servant, excited to serve his first term at the Capitol.

Cut 6 (06) “the road”

Gisclair says he doesn’t remember ever seeing Bagala without a smile on his face, and he was known for his distinctive chuckle.

Cut 7 (09) “…guy”

Gisclair says the Republican went into state politics inspired to create higher-paying jobs for Louisianans after his son had to leave the state to find employment.

Cut 8 (10) “leaving”

Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family. He was on a ventilator for more than a week.

___________________________________________________

Be prepared for severe weather on Easter Sunday.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has south Louisiana under an enhanced threat on Sunday and the northern half is under a moderate risk on Sunday.

Cut 9 (13) “…hail and tornadoes.″

Keim says the severe weather threat will materialize late Saturday night and heavy rainfall is possible as well

Cut 10 (09) “…of the coronavirus.”

The Storm Prediction Center only has five risk levels for severe weather, so Keim says for Louisiana to be second from the top indicates a serious situation on Sunday.

Cut 11 (11) “…so brace yourself.”

________________________________________________

Governor Edwards says the state will look at its options for potentially partially reopening Louisiana next month as coronavirus infections continue to level off.

The curve is flattening, but fatalities remain high. Edwards says tough times are still ahead and acknowledged Thursday’s COVID-linked passing of state representative Reggie Bagala.

Cut 12 (13) “right now”

Edwards also saluted the brave medical workers who’ve been pulling incredibly long hours keeping patients alive during the epidemic.

Cut 13 (12) “…Louisiana”

And says the state has been working hard to try and secure as much PPE as possible for those on the frontlines.

Cut 14 (10) “…there”

Two abortion clinics have been cited for maintaining operation in the state amidst the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

_____________________________________

Leadership from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent a letter to the Governor supporting such a move by the Governor to close schools for the remainder of the year. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate says the pandemic isn’t impacting the availability of their holiday candy. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

____________________________________________

Governor Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve but warns life is unlikely to go back to normal anytime in the next few months.

Federals projections show a steep drop-off in expected COVID deaths in Louisiana relative to projections at the start of the month, but…

Cut 4 (07)_ “…May.”

Edwards says that’s not an official announcement that the stay at home order is being extended, but a warning that it’s being considered.

The Governor says when the order is lifted, it will be lifted in stages, and the rate of new infections will be closely monitored. If new infections increase too fast, the state will shut down again.

Cut 5 (10)  “…period”

The governor’s current stay at home order lasts until April 30th.

__________________________________

The Attorney General’s Office is investigating reports of elective surgical centers, including abortion clinics, continuing their operations despite the Governor’s stay at home order.

Spokesperson Deanna Fortin says at least two of the state’s three clinics are reported.

Cut 6 (03) “… Rouge.”

An endoscopy center in Shreveport was also reported.

Fortin says the Governor’s order calls for the suspension of all elective and non-emergency medical procedures. She says some cancer surgeries have had to be delayed, and…

Cut 7 (08) “…cancer”

Similar situations in other states have been reported, and advocates argue that abortion is not something you can put off for several weeks.

Fortin says facilities that do not comply with the Governor’s order will be eligible to receive a citation.

Cut 8 (12) “…this.”

____________________________________

Governor Edwards indicates it is likely that school will remain closed for the rest of the school year.  Leadership from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent a letter to the Governor supporting such a move.  BESE president Sandy Holloway says research shows closures would be in the best interest of public health.

Cut 9 (07) “…facilities too soon.″

Holloway says although on-campus operations have halted, the educational process has not.

Cut 10 (13) “…of learning.”

Director of education policy at the Pelican Institute Ethan Melancon says while the fight to contain COVID-19 is an important one, parents need reassurance that their child’s education will not fall victim to the virus.

Cut 11 (10) “…valuable instruction time.”

Melancon says a lack of a clear game plan for the rest of the school year is raising more questions than answers.

Cut 12 (10) “…students are wondering.”
_________________________________________

Easter is different this year, but Easter baskets can be filled with traditional candy favorites. CEO of Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says the Easter Bunny should not experience any disruptions in the supply chain as they got their candies prepped early.

Cut 13 (07) “…back in February.”

Nelson says Easter candy sales have slumped recently with residents focused on shopping for essential items, but he’s optimistic sales will pick up this weekend.

Cut 14 (06) “…and Heavenly Hash.”

The Gold Brick and Heavenly Hash are consistently neck and neck for being the most popular of the brand’s varieties of candy eggs, and is followed closely by Pecan Eggs.

Nelson says over the last week, the company has donated about 15,000 candy eggs to those battling the pandemic.

Cut 15 (06)“…two food banks.”

______________________________________________

The LHSAA’s 2019-20 athletic season is over as executive director Eddie Bonine cancels the seasons for the various spring sports. Baseball, softball, track and field and other sports have been on hold since mid-March. Bonine says they hoped that those seasons could resume, but the continuing spread of the coronavirus left them with no choice but to end high school sports for this school year

Cut 16  (19)  “…the money” 

Bonine feels horrible for the seniors…

cut 17  (19) “…recommendation” 

Bonine hopes the fall sports season will start on time. He says football teams maybe given an extra week of preseason practice, but eligibility issues will have to be addressed…

Cut 18  (14) “…senior year”   

Bonine says the LHSAA’s executive committee will meet again in June to discuss the fall sports seasons.

Crawfish boils have been canceled for Easter due to coronavirus, and Louisiana Crawfish Farmer’s Association says farmers are set to take a devastating hit…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

State health officials reported 50 more COVID-19 deaths the total number of fatalities to 702. Jeff Palermo reports the climbing death toll is why Governor Edwards urges residents to stay away from large gathering this Easter weekend…

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The state health department reports that at least 130 nursing home residents are among the 702 people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19. Office of Public Health director, Doctor Alex Bilioux, says it’s critical that employees at these facilities practice social distancing when they are away from work

Cut 3 (11)  “…that reason”  

COVID-19 cases have been reported in 93 nursing homes in Louisiana. Bilioux says they are working with the C-D-C. He says these facilities where clusters have developed, you have residents who have the virus, those who are suspected of having COVID-19 and those who are free from having the coronavirus

Cut 4 (09)_ “…tight spaces.”

Bilioux says the state is working with nursing homes and senior care facilities to make sure they have personal protective equipment…

Cut 5 (09)  “…new communities”

__________________________________________

Louisiana Crawfish Farmer’s Association President David Savoy says sales for crawfish are at 40-percent of what they were last year. Savoy says Easter is the industry’s Super Bowl, but this weekend they project a massive drop-off relative to what they would normally sell.

Cut 6 (12) “phone calls”

Savoy says the biggest problem they are facing is the cancellation of major 100-150 bag corporate events, and the reduction of family boils from 12 bag events to three to four bag boils.

Cut 7 (11) “…outside that.”

Many farmers use peeling factories as a buyer of last resort when private sales are down, but Savoy says the peelers are so inundated with crawfish that you can’t sell to them at a profit.

Cut 8 (06) “dollar.”

Savoy says the industry needs federal and state assistance for all struggling farmers, and soon.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says this Easter holiday will not look like other years.  Edwards urges continued social distancing efforts.  The Easter holiday does not create an exemption from mitigation efforts of virus spread.

Cut 9 (10) “…of the virus.″

Edwards has no issues with crawfish boils for families that live together, but it shouldn’t be turning into a block party or a family reunion.

Cut 10 (13) “…can avoid it.”

Despite the lack of traditional holiday gatherings, Edwards recommends finding a meaningful and significant way to worship and celebrate.

Cut 11 (10) “…ten person limit.”

________________________________________________

Zachary police report a tragic double-murder suicide where it’s believed a man shot and killed his two stepchildren the day after his wife, their mother, died.

Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says it appears 77-year-old James Brannon was distraught over the loss of his wife and shot 48-year-olds Deborah Ross and Beverly Watts.

Cut 12 (10) “before”

McDavid says officers reported seeing the family out in their yard during their community policing rounds.

Cut 13 (07) “…area”

McDavid says they’ve had an uptick in mental health-related calls in the past few weeks.

Cut 14 (10) “…worried”

A team from LSU is creating personal protective equipment for healthcare workers from the basic everyday items.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

_____________________________________

Religious congregations face an unprecedented dilemma approaching one of the holiest times of the year for different faiths. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Starting Monday Louisiana will start paying an additional 600 dollars a week in unemployment insurance benefits to those who qualify. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________________________

A team from LSU is creating personal protective equipment for healthcare workers including much needed masks and gowns.  LSU Biomedical Engineering senior Meagan Moore says they’ve been hammering out ways to do field expedient work with base-level materials including cardboard, hot glue, and trashbags.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…protection for physicians.”

Moore says they even got a call from Lamar Advertising, who is donating old billboards to make gowns.

Cut 5 (12)  “…out of it.”

Moore says they have set up a website, onelouisiananow.org, where the public can connect with the team if they believe they’ve got materials to contribute.

Cut 6 (12) “… can help additionally.”

____________________________________________

The COVID-19 lockdown has resulted in an unprecedented dilemma for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations during one of the holiest times of the year.  LSU Associate Professor of Religious Studies and History Michael Pasquier (pass-cay) says some religious communities are more prepared than others for the challenge of conducting services for an audience at home.

Cut 7 (12) “…celebration of Easter.”

Pasquier says a message from religious leaders to congregation members can go a long way in letting them know they are doing the right thing by their faith by staying home.

Cut 8 (10) “…a religious obligation.”

Despite the insistence of scientists, medical professionals, and elected leaders that churches stop congregating to help mitigate the spread of the virus, some are still pushing forward.  Pasquier says the mindset of those that are still going to church is usually set by the pastor.

Cut 9 (08) “…go, it’s church.″
____________________________________

Governor Edwards announces the state has received the federal funding necessary to pay enhanced unemployment benefits to the tune of an extra 600 dollars a week on top of the state’s 247 dollars.

Edwards says the expanded benefits begin Monday and will also include workers who did not previously qualify.

Cut 10 (11) “…yesterday”

The Governor implored people to apply for unemployment at Louisianaworks.net and if possible between the hours of 10 PM and 4 AM to avoid peak traffic.

The cash influx will be a big boon for the hundreds of thousands who’ve filed in the last month. Edwards says between March 1^st and April 4^th there were 277,000 claims filed.

Cut 11 (06) “…thousand.”

Edwards says the Louisiana Workforce Commission Trust Fund is being put to work, paying out 25.5 million dollars in benefits last week, and the federal funds will greatly increase that number.

Cut 12 (09) “…million dollars.”

The enhanced benefits will be available until August.

_________________________________________

Senator John Kennedy anticipates Congress will authorize additional funding for a Small Business Administration loan program designed to prop up companies during the coronavirus shutdown. The 349-billion dollar Paycheck Protection Program is so popular that Kennedy says more dollars are needed…

Cut 13 (09) “…relief”

Companies that qualify the loan can have it partially, or fully forgiven if it is used mostly to maintain payroll.

The Senate isn’t scheduled to meet again for several weeks, but Kennedy says this legislation could get passed by “unanimous consent” so that Congress could abide by social distancing guidelines.

Cut 14 (07) “job.”

Kennedy says it’s a lot of money to throw around but it’s vital it be done so that the economy can be saved. He says COVID-19 kills, but so does poverty.

Cut 15 (07)“…shut down.”

______________________________________________

The question is being asked more and more, will there be a college football season in the fall. College football insider Brett McMurphy at the Stadium Network has surveyed the 130 F-B-S athletic directors and he believes the best option is a football season starting in the spring

Cut 16  (20)  “…the fall” 

McMurphy says if they don’t play football until the spring, it could result in some of the top players in the game not playing…

cut 17  (20) “…NFL draft” 

McMurphy says an option will be to play games in the fall without fans, but he believes A-D’s would prefer to wait until the spring so they can sell tickets

Cut 18  (25) “…do it”   

Drivers are staying home, and that’s saving auto insurance companies a lot of money. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon spoke with Matt Doyle about getting those saving passed on to customers…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association projects over 23-thousand jobs are at immediate risk if oil prices remain low and no immediate action from federal and state governments. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

_____________________________

State health officials are encouraged to see the number of COVID-19 patients who require ventilation has gone down, four days in a row. Assistant Secretary of the Office of Public Health Alex Billioux credits I-C-U doctors who are learning better methods in treating the virus.

Cut 3 (10)  “…Bi-pap”  

A Bipap pushes air into a person’s lungs and works much like a C-Pap machine.

Billioux credits social distancing and an uptick in good hygiene habits as a major contributing factor.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…next coming days.”

Billioux says we are seeing now the results of public behaviors that started two weeks ago and while the trend is promising…

Cut 5 (10)  “…we have already.”

490  COVID-19 patients are on ventilators today, down from 519 yesterday.

__________________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon expects other car insurers in Louisiana to follow Allstate’s lead and offer rebates for premiums paid during the stay at home order. Allstate is paying back customers in the state 13 million dollars in rebates. Donelon says its because the company is saving a lot of money right now.

Cut 6 (10) “America”

Donelon says the company is paying back roughly 600 million dollars to policyholders in the US and is a rebate for the months of April and May. 

The Commissioner also noted a few other changes to statewide insurance policy, including…

Cut 7 (13) “…11th.”

Donelon says Allstate has added another perk besides just rebates.

Cut 8 (09) “accsess.”

____________________________________________________

The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Farm Bureau are surveying crawfish producers to determine the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says the information collected will be turned over to the U-S-D-A in an effort to get assistance for the industry

Cut 9 (12) “…economic impact.″

Crawfish producers have been hurt by a glut of crawfish because restaurants can only offer carryout or delivery service. Guidry says they are hoping to get responses from crawfish farmers by the end of the week…

Cut 10 (11) “…are made”

Guidry is asking crawfish farmers to turn in their completed surveys to him or call his cell phone at (225) 281-5948

Cut 11 (13) “…through USDA”

________________________________________________

A Louisiana Oil and Gas Association survey projects more than 23-thousand jobs in the industry are at immediate risk. LOGA President Gifford Briggs says the coronavirus pandemic and an oil glut has dropped the price of oil 66-percent since January first

Cut 12 (10) “…through the industry”

Briggs says there are over 33-thousand oil and gas wells operating in the state and half of those could be shut-in. He says prices need to recover about 40-dollars a barrel for oil by June first or we will see massive job losses…

Cut 13 (08) “…global economy”

What can be done to help the oil and gas industry? Briggs calls for the suspension of state severance tax collections for one year, oil and gas storage capacity expanded and legislation to end government-led coastal lawsuits

Cut 14 (08) “…or investment”

Could your pets get sick from COVID-19 exposure? Brooke Thorington has the details.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_____________________________________

Governor Edwards says new data appears to show the state’s stay at home order is working to flatten the curve, but now is no time for residents to get complacent…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

School systems are doing their best to keep students engaged while outside of the classroom setting.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

____________________________________________

With the recent news that a tiger in the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19, concern about transmitting the virus from humans to pets has grown.  State public health veterinarian Dr. Gary Balsamo says it’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes animals can get sick from exposure.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…the animal directly.”

Balsamo says the virus survives best on smooth surfaces such as stainless steel, so it is a relatively low threat for animals to carry the virus in their fur.

Cut 5 (09)  “…they’re porous surfaces.”

Balsamo says there are steps to reduce the risk of pets becoming ill from exposure.

Cut 6 (08) “… a lot.”

____________________________________________

It’s been just over two weeks since the state’s stay at home order was implemented and Governor Edwards says it appears the order has resulted in a recent flattening of the curve.

At Tuesday’s press conference the Governor hinted at the fact that the order may have been even more effective at slowing the spread than they planned for, and that’s great news for the state.

Cut 7 (09) “curve”

Tuesday saw the state’s highest reported death total at 70, but Edwards noted that ventilator use is down, and the number of new hospitalizations is slowing.

Edwards says current measures are working, but if people take this news as a sign that they can start slacking on social distancing it’ll all be for naught.

Cut 8 (12) “…we were.”

The Governor noted in a previous press conference that other countries have experienced “waves” of infection where a relaxing of mitigation measures prematurely led to a spike in new cases.

Edwards thanked healthcare workers for developing more efficient treatments and credited the state’s aggressive testing policy for bending the curve.

Cut 9 (08) “…tests″

He noted that the New Orleans region is now no longer projected to run out of ventilator capacity or hospital beds.

____________________________________

Questions still remain about how the remainder of the school year will be handled, but much of the determination is left in the hands of each district.  Executive Director for the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Michael Faulk says some districts are making the effort to engage students through technology.

Cut 10 (13) “…the state standards.”

Faulk says rural broadband availability has been a hurdle for some districts, so they have resorted to other methods of getting educational content to students.

Cut 11 (12) “…students the packets.”

Faulk says having a personal interaction with teachers inside a classroom setting it is an important element to a child’s educational experience and districts.

Cut 12 (13) “…to the teachers.”

_________________________________________

The LA Wallet app, Louisiana’s digital driver’s license, now allows you to renew your driver’s license in the app itself and have an updated digital result in just 24 hours.

The app was designed by Envoc and President Calvin Fabre (fay-bree) says the next time you log into the app you’ll notice a new button that says “check for renewal” that checks your renewal eligibility.

Cut 13 (07) “…address.”

He adds you do need to make sure your app is up to date first.

Fabre says if you renew through the app you’ll have your up to date license available for use at participating vendors in less than a day.

Cut 14 (07) “license.”

App users will not be charged any additional fees that wouldn’t be charged to those using the standard online renewal process.

OMV offices are closed as long as the stay at home order is in effect so Fabre says now is a good time to try the app, especially considering it is free.

Cut 15 (05)“…right now.”

Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but knowing your legal protections from retaliation is important.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

70 percent of those killed by COVID-19 in Louisiana are African Americans, who only make up 32 percent of the population. Matt Doyle asked a medical expert why that is…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_____________________________

Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but that does not excuse someone from paying rent.  Staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hannah Adams says tenants have legal protection from a landlord’s retaliation for not paying rent.

Cut 3 (11)  “…from the home.”  

A landlord might threaten to call police to have a tenant removed, but Adams says that is not within police jurisdiction.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…they can handle.”

Adams says it is important to have some sort of documentation on hand, whether it is a lease, a utility bill, or a piece of mail showing that you reside at the address in the event that you are accused of not being a tenant.

Cut 5 (12)  “…you live there.”

On the federal level, the CARES Act prevents landlords from evicting tenants and/or charging late fees through July 25th for tenants with Section 8 vouchers, Rural Development vouchers, or if a landlord has a HUD, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac mortgage.

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70 percent of the people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 were African Americans, a group that only makes up about 32 percent of the state’s population.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Dr. Jim Diaz says there are three likely reasons for that. The first is that the virus is most prevalent in the New Orleans area.

Cut 6 (08) “pandemic”

African Americans make up 60 percent of the city’s population per Census estimates.

Diaz says the second reason is that COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for patients who have co-morbidities.

Cut 7 (12) “…conditions.”

Diaz says the third reason why African Americans are more likely to die of COVID than other groups is that relative to other groups they are underinsured.

Cut 8 (10) “…health insurance.”

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Real Reform Louisiana praises Allstate Insurance for offering “Shelter in Place Paybacks” for their car insurance customers due to the number of reduced drivers on the roads. Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl explains what Allstate customers can expect.

Cut 9 (11) “…last month.″

Holl says tech companies are showing data that driving is down an average of 55-percent across the state and in some of the more populated areas like New Orleans driving is down as much as 75-percent, Holl says fewer cars means fewer accidents.

Cut 10 (12) “…go down”

Holl says Allstate is setting the example and he’s asking Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon to encourage other insurance companies to do the same because now is not the time to be overcharging customers for car insurance they aren’t using.

Cut 11 (11) “…not driving”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance is expected to issue a statement soon. 

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A survey from Public Policy Polling shows 68 percent of Louisianans approve of Governor Edwards’ handling of the coronavirus crisis and 66 percent now approve of his job performance overall.

UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the splits show a surprising 56 to 25 percent approval/disapproval from state Republicans when asked how he’s handling the crisis.

Cut 12 (07) “…as well.”

Edwards’ overall approval sits at 82 percent among Democrats, 64 percent among Independents, and 49 percent among Republicans.

It’s a remarkable jump from his approval numbers last year, but Cross says you can pin a lot of it on the “rally around the flag” polling effect of a public emergency.

Cut 13 (12) “…that point”

1,023 Louisiana’s were surveyed April 3^rd and 4^th for the poll.

When asked if Governor Edwards or President Trump is doing a better job Edwards lead 46-41 percent. Cross says that’s because the question led to a generic partisan split.

Cut 14 (09) “…support”

90 percent of state Republicans approve of Trump’s job while 23 percent of Democrats and 50 percent of Independents do.

LSU Health Shreveport is testing the impact of using inhaled nitric oxide on COVID-19 patients with severely damaged lungs.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Following the deaths of five prisoners, the ACLU is suing Oakdale Federal Prison for the release of inmates that are most at-risk for COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Governor Edwards says new data shows potentially good news for Louisiana…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle  

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LSU Health Shreveport is testing the impact of using inhaled nitric oxide on COVID-19 patients with severely damaged lungs.  Professor of Pediatrics, Surgery & Medicine Dr. Keith Scott says treatment with the gas could potentially kill coronavirus in the lungs and improve oxygen delivery to injured tissue.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…anti-viral activity.”

The study is a collaboration with two other institutions in the US and sites in Europe.  Scott says the clinical testing will be done with patients that are bad off.

Cut 5 (09)  “…to try this.”

Scott says if the testing shows effective against COVID-19, using nitric oxide has already been FDA-approved for therapy with other types of respiratory failure and most hospitals already have the treatment readily available.

Cut 6 (10) “the real goal.”

Research from LSU Health Shreveport has shown that nitric oxide is a strong protector against tissue hypoxia.

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Attorney Jeff Landry announces Louisiana is receiving 8,000 packs of azithromycin, and 75,000 hydroxychloroquine tablets, a treatment that some speculate could help treat COVID-19.

The treatment doesn’t have FDA backing yet, but Landry says many doctors have chosen to prescribe these drugs to their COVID patients.

Cut 7 (07) “hospitalization”

When asked about the treatment Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said “The data is at best suggestive. I don’t think we could definitively say it works.”

The President has strongly advocated for the treatment, but Landry says…

Cut 8 (06) “…wand.”

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial that is now used to treat other conditions such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. There’s fear those patients could find the drugs in short supply, but…

Cut 9 (12) “…hydroxycloroquine″

The drugs were procured from Teva Pharmaceuticals.

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The ACLU is suing Oakdale Federal Prison for the release of inmates that are most at-risk for COVID-19.  The facility has already seen five inmates die from the virus and others become critically ill.  ACLU of Louisiana executive director Alanah Odoms Hebert says they aren’t asking for the release of all prisoners.

Cut 10 (11) “…to be released.”

Hebert says in order for the facility to be compliant with the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, the prison needs to be relieved of some of the 1,800 inmates.  US Attorney General William Barr issued a directive last week to reduce prison populations, but the ACLU feels the procedure of doing so is going too slow.

Cut 11 (12) “…de-densify that facility.”

Hebert says in the case of Oakdale, leadership needs to be seen from the federal level to expedite the process, but as it pertains to state-run facilities, action is needed from Governor Edwards.

Cut 12 (13) “…to see that.”

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has responded saying they do not comment on pending litigation.

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New federal projections have cut Louisiana’s estimation of total COVID-19 deaths by over 50%, and Governor Edwards says it appears Louisiana may have begun to flatten the curve.

Edwards says social distancing rules have played a big role, but so have healthcare workers. He says they’ve managed to reduce the average amount of time patients stay on ventilators.

Cut 13 (07) “…good thing.”

Initial federal projections said 1,800 Louisianans would die of the disease. The current model estimates 800 fatalities.

But Edwards says now is no time to get complacent.

Cut 14 (12) “answer.”

The projection is also based on the state maintaining its current level of social distancing through May.

Edwards says restricted travel is playing a big part in lowering transmission rates, which is why he isn’t faulting Texas’s governor for screening some drivers who cross state lines.

Cut 15 (12)“…just not.”

Texas is asking anyone from Louisiana who plans on staying in Texas to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

The projections may look better but the new data wasn’t all good news. Edwards says it shows some alarming numbers of racial disparities.

Cut 16  (11)  “…state”