Governor John Bel Edwards took further steps today to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as he’s limiting gatherings to fewer than 50 people, closing casinos, bars and movie theaters and limiting restaurants to delivery and drive-through orders only. These changes are effective statewide at midnight. Operations may be able to resume on April 13th. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones has more on the fact that casinos are closing at midnight tonight…
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Edwards says the state is up to 132 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two people have died. The governor says he was on a call with President Trump and Vice President Pence for over an hour and he says they were very clear that we must significantly expand mitigation efforts to slow the progress of COVID-19 before there is more community spread. And action must be taken in areas where there are no confirmed reports.

Lawmakers adjourn the legislative session until March 31st due to COVID-19 fears. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The Louisiana Department of Education will continue serving meals during the statewide school shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Catherine Pozniak says food operations will be modified to serve as many families as possible.
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Check with your local school system for more information.

Governor John Bel Edwards is taking more aggressive steps to fight the spread of COVID-19. He says all casinos, bars and movie theaters will be closing at midnight tonight and restaurants will be limited to delivery and drive-thru orders. Edwards says he’s taking these steps to protect the health of Louisianans, especially those over the age of 60…
cut 15 (12) “…pronounced”
The governor is reporting there are 132 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Louisiana and two people have died.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says casino operators are supportive of the move by the governor…
cut 7 (13) “…everything else”
The governor says operations may be able to resume on April 13th.

Legislative leaders have decided to temporarily adjourn the 2020 session until March 31st due to COVID-19 concerns. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says its the right call because it would have taken one positive test to shut down the Capitol…
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Pinsonat says the compressed schedule is likely going to result in non-essential legislation being abandoned, but a budget must be approved by July 1st.

If you are one of the many who are now working from home as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Tech Gumbo host Haggai Davis recommends that you have some structure in place, like setting a work schedule and designating a work area…
cut 5 (13) “….different office now”

New C-D-C coronavirus guidelines call for the cancellation of events with 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. Governor John Bel Edwards agrees with the social distancing approach…
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The number of positive Coronavirus cases rose by eleven today to 114.

When the House and Senate convene this afternoon they are expected to pass a resolution suspending the session for at least two weeks due to COVID-19 concerns. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the initial plan for the session was to continue, but with social distancing enforced and for those at the Capitol to be checked for fever at the front door…
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The constitution requires the state legislature to pass a budget by July 1st, so Pinsonat says a special session might be required.

Casinos in Louisiana will be ceasing gaming operations tonight at midnight for at least two weeks as the coronavirus continues to impact Louisiana. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says the decision comes after discussions with the governor’s staff..
Cut 6 (11) “…public health standpoint.”
Governor Edwards has banned gatherings of 250 people or more.

Private businesses are asking many of their employees to work from home to help curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Tech gumbo host Haggai Davis says it’s a trend that’s become popular, so it shouldn’t be a difficult transition for many…
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Two people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and Governor John Bel Edwards says data shows per capita the state has one of the highest rates of infections in the nation. Eleven additional cases were reported this morning bringing our total to 114. Edwards says his proclamation that bans gatherings of more than 250 people is being done to flatten the curve.
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The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has announced casinos will shut down at midnight tonight for at least two weeks.

Many people are working from home today. Tech Gumbo host Haggai Davis says the internet infrastructure is there to handle the influx of web traffic, but other hurdles remain.
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Health experts say there are plenty of companies hoping to cash in on the COVID-19 pandemic with super-cures and immune-boosters, regardless of effectiveness. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Schools are closed across the state today, but several school districts are offering lunches and breakfasts for pickup. The state department of education has secured a waiver from the federal government that enables schools to serve meals to all children age 18 and younger regardless of their location and income.

Louisiana coronavirus cases have is up to 114, as 11 more cases have been confirmed by the state health department. Governor Edwards says that’s disproportionally high relative to our population…
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LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Benjamin Springgate says to help build your immune system to fend off the coronavirus, eat a balanced diet, limit alcohol and tobacco intake and stay well-rested…
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Louisiana has 114 coronavirus cases and most of them are from the New Orleans area. The two fatalities involve New Orleans patients as well. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the city is facing a faster spread than other places…
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The city has released a list of restrictions on restaurants which includes a requirement to reduce seating by 50 percent, and mandated early closures.

The coronavirus is impacting the crawfish industry too. President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says people are not congregating for crawfish boils because of the pandemic …
Cut 10 (11) “…are not there.”

New C-D-C coronavirus guidelines call for the cancellation of events with 50 or more people. Governor John Bel Edwards agrees with the social distancing approach…
cut 14 (14) “…precautions”
Most of the state’s 100-plus cases are in the New Orleans area. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the Crescent City has been chosen for a pilot program by the federal government for drive-thru coronavirus testing…
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City officials expect the program will be up my mid-week and first responders will be prioritized, followed by high-risk groups.

Schools are closed across the state today, but several school districts are offering lunches and breakfasts for pickup. The state department of education has secured a waiver from the federal government that enables schools to serve meals to all children age 18 and younger regardless of their location and income.

LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Benjamin Springgate says be leary of companies looking to cash in on the epidemic by offering vitamins that claim to boost your immune system to protect against the coronavirus…
cut 9 (12) “…really a benefit”

President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says mudbug sales are down as a result of the pandemic. He says people are fearful of getting together for a crawfish boil…
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Over the weekend, the state reported its first two deaths from the coronavirus. The two victims from New Orleans were in their 50s and had underlying health conditions. Governor John Bel Edwards says this underscores the fact that those with underlying health issues are most at risk…
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The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting 103 coronavirus cases, we’ll get another update next hour.

So how is the coronavirus outbreak impacting the crawfish industry? President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says the harvest is bountiful and prices are low, but demand is off because many events have been canceled. Savoy doesn’t expect the price dropping much further…
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State and local leaders are preaching social distancing, but bars were packed in New Orleans for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Matt Doyle reports New Orleans Police had to break up several large gatherings…
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Mayor LaToya Cantrell is ordering restaurants to close at 9 PM and bars must shut down by midnight. Bars and nightclubs must limit their capacity to up to 50-percent of posted patron limit. Restaurants also being asked to reduce seating by up to 50-percent, so that may meaning removing tables and chairs.

The state is up to 103 coronavirus cases and Governor John Bel Edwards says that’s disproportionally high relative to our population. Matt Doyle has the story…
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State lawmakers return to the capitol today for the second week of the legislative session. Public access into the building will be limited. Authorized personnel will check everyone’s temperature and if you have a fever, you will not be allowed in. There will be limitations on how many people can be in the committee rooms and the House and Senate chambers.

As the COVID-19 cases continue to add up, health experts recommend preparing the immune system to fend off the ailment. Chief of community and population medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Benjamin Springgate says in addition to good hygiene, the body’s intake is key to being as healthy as possible.
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The coronavirus is impacting the crawfish industry too. President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says people are not congregating for crawfish boils because of the pandemic …
Cut 10 (11) “…are not there.”
Savoy says the smaller communities are staying on par with normal rates of sales, but it’s the bigger cities where the sales are hurting most.

Two people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and Governor John Bel Edwards says data shows per capita the state has one of the highest rates of infections in the nation. Edwards says his proclamation that bans gatherings of more than 250 people is serious, and is being done to flatten the curve.
Cut 13 (12) “…healthcare.”
The state is reporting 103 cases of coronavirus. Most of them are in the New Orleans area. The ballooning number of NOLA based cases didn’t keep people from packing into bars on St. Patrick’s Day. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson begged residents to observe social distancing…
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If businesses refuse to participate in the ban on large gatherings, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatened to revoke their liquor licenses.

Health experts say there are plenty of companies hoping to cash in on the COVID-19 pandemic with super-cures and immune-boosters, regardless of effectiveness. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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