Nursing shortages are exacerbating the impact of the Delta surge. Matt Doyle has the story.
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So, what would it take to convince you to get a COVID vaccine if you haven’t already? Would a 100-bucks do it? Brooke Thorington has more
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As more places are beginning to ask for proof of vaccination, Louisiana is one of the few states where is can be as easy as pulling out your phone. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Hospitals and other health care facilities are facing a shortage of nurses, a problem that’s really hitting home as Delta surge tears through the state.
Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-Coy) Rooney says the shortage isn’t surprising, but the timing couldn’t be worse.
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Rooney says beyond the lack of nurses the pandemic has also created a major financial incentive for nurses at regional hospitals to take travel assignments.
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In a strange twist Rooney says many of those nurses taking travel assignments end up back at their original hospital doing the same work for a lot more money.
Rooney says the lack of nurses has led to some patients receiving poorer quality care than they would have received should the facility be fully staffed.
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If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated, the City of Shreveport is offering 100-bucks to entice you to roll up your sleeve. Mayor Adrian Perkins says they will hold a vaccination event at two community centers Saturday and the first 250 at each location can pad their wallets.
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Funding for the vaccine incentive is part of the American Rescue Act. Perkins says due to the low vaccination rate in Region Seven which includes Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana he wanted to persuade individuals to prioritize their health.
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So far Perkins says there’s been lots of interest in the event since they announced the $100 incentive, and he thinks other cities in the Bayou State will follow their lead.
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The Pfizer vaccine will be administered by LSU Health Shreveport Saturday from 10 am until 2 pm at AB Palmer Community Center and David Raines Community Center. The second dose will be given on August 28th. You must be 12 and older and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force is hoping to boost vaccination rates by combating vaccine hesitancy in the Black community.
Tulane School of Public Health Dean Dr. Thomas LaVeist says a major driver of hesitancy amongst Blacks is the long, documented history of medical racism in the US.
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One of the most commonly cited examples of historic racism against Blacks by the American health care system is the Tuskegee Experiment in 1932. During that experiment Blacks were enrolled by the U.S. Public Health Service in a syphilis study, but were not informed they had syphilis only that they had “bad blood”. Instead of being given treatment, they were instead given placebos, blocked from receiving care elsewhere, and had their painful physical deterioration studied and documented.
LaVeist says most hesitant Blacks aren’t anti-vax, they just have unanswered questions. One of the most common concerns is potential long-term impacts, which can be addressed.
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LaVeist says another common concern is related to misinformation that the vaccine creation process was rushed. He attributed that in part to Operation Warp Speed’s success in quickly manufacturing a safe and effective vaccine, but the program’s failure to educate the public in how it was done.
LaVeist says to persuade more African Americans to take the shot leaders will have to acknowledge the roots of this skepticism and explain why, in spite of those concerns, getting vaccinated is still a good idea.
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The percentage of Blacks in the state who are vaccinated sits in the mid-30s per LDH data, nearly identical to the percentage among whites.
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If you’re asked to show proof of your vaccination status instead of carrying around your vaccine card you can just pull out your phone and use LA Wallet. Since the feature was launched in the spring, LA Wallet Project Manager Sara Kelley says they’ve seen quite the increase in users opting in for vaccine status.
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Kelley said when an LA Wallet user opts in to add their vaccination status it pulls data from the LINKS system with the department of health. It must match the name, birth date, and zip code on your driver’s license.
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If for some reason you’re not able to pull up a digital version of your vaccine status on LA Wallet Kelley says to contact your physicians or visit a parish health department. She says any healthcare provider that has access to the LINKS system can assist.
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Louisiana is the first state in the country to provide residents digital access to their vaccination status. Users must opt-in on the smartphone app for access.
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Louisiana native Peyton Manning will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Sunday. Manning threw for nearly 72-thousand yards and 539 touchdowns during his NFL career and won two Super Bowls, one with the Colts and one with the Broncos….
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Manning’s ability to dissect opposing defenses and quick decision-making helped him transform the quarterback position. He turned the Colts into a winning franchise and helped Denver win its third Super Bowl in franchise history. The New Orleans native says he had a lot of support during his Hall of Fame career…
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Saints Hall of Famer Archie Manning will present his son Peyton during Sunday’s induction ceremonies. Archie is a proud father and has spent time reflecting on Peyton’s journey…
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Fresh off a ten-win season, the Ragin Cajuns return to the practice field today for the start of preseason camp. U-L Lafayette returns 20 starters including quarterback Levi Lewis. Coach Billy Napier says they’ll use this time as an opportunity to improve the starters and the backups…
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The Cajuns return a number of starters on defense, including safety Bralen Trahan, who intercepted a team-high four passes last season. The former Acadiana Wreckin Ram on how he can become a better player
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