State Health officials briefed Senate health this morning on important questions related to COVID-19. Matt Doyle covered the hearing…
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The Lt. Governor disagrees with New Orleans Mayor Layota Cantrell’s decision to cancel many city events in the face of a growing number of COVID-19 cases…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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State health officials went before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to give a COVID-19 update as the number of cases in Louisiana rises to six.
The virus is shuttering schools around the world, but State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says kids seem to handle the virus well, and there’s risks in sending them home…
Guidry says unless teachers begin to fall ill, schools should maybe stay open.
Health officials are begging business owners to prepare work-from-home options, and to not pressure workers into coming in sick. Guidry says know that your workforce is likely to shrink…
Guidry adds use of facemasks is not advised for those not in high-risk groups. He says their effectiveness is questionable, and there’s an ongoing shortage.
The outbreak is centered in New Orleans right now, and the city has canceled St. Patrick’s Day events this weekend. Guidry says there’s another festival that may need to be reconsidered.
Festival International is currently set for April 22nd-26th.
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Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, which would align state law with the federal law that was enacted in December 2019. Mills says the clock is ticking to comply with the federal legislation.
Cut 6 (10) “…law is presently.”
The federal law holds retailers responsible for underage sales. Mills says the law aims at keeping tobacco products out of the hands of those that are within the age range most susceptible to addiction.
Cut 7 (13) “…welfare of people.”
The law would apply to vape related products as well. Mills says he could foresee some pushback in getting the law pass.
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Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison today in a case that fueled the global me-too movement and encouraged women to speak out against sexual assault and harassment. Weinstein was sentenced 20 years for first-degree criminal sexual act and three years for third-degree rape. Kelli Knight, an outreach coordinator with Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault says today’s sentencing sends a message.
Knight says on average one out of five women have been raped or sexually assaulted. Not every woman chooses to come forward and if they don’t come forward immediately are often criticized for waiting. Knight says the general public doesn’t understand the trauma of the situation.
The maximum sentence Weinstein could have been received was 29 years and the New York Judge sentenced him to 23 years. Knight says she hopes judges in Louisiana will take note.
If you are a victim of rape or assault you can visit the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault website at LAFASA-dot-org for resources.
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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed concerns that COVID-19 could cause a significant disruption in the state’s tourism industry.
Nungesser says he doesn’t see a need to announce any festival cancellations unless the feds or Governor call for cancellations. He says we owe it to the industry not to disrupt tourism unless necessary.
To compensate for potentially declining international tourism, the Lt. Governor plans to reallocate advertising to areas within driving distance of the state.
Nungesser says prematurely ending the spring tourism season without good cause could put a lot of companies out of business…
The state’s six presumptive cases all center on the New Orleans area, and Mayor Layota Cantrell canceled a number of city events in response. Nungesser disagrees with that call.
The St. Patricks Day Parade was one of the events canceled, but just up the road in Baton Rouge the celebration is still on.
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The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. In Louisiana, there have been six presumptive cases of COVID-19 and Governor Edwards told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club that we expect to see more
Edwards urges residents to wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing, which includes not shaking hands.
Edwards says once they get a presumptive positive case, health officials try to determine when the patient contracted the virus