LSU Health Shreveport now has the ability to conduct serology tests that check to see if a person has coronavirus immunity. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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 For the first time in its 50-year history Jazz Fest will not happen. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Department of Education has provided guidelines for local districts in student advancement.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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LSU Health Shreveport is bringing testing online that will allow them to check people’s blood for antibodies that may indicate they are immune to coronavirus.

But Immunology Professor Matthew Woolard says it’s not just enough to know if you have anti-coronavirus antibodies, we need to know how effective they are, and how many are needed to be effective.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…standard.”

If a person is found to have effective antibodies they could return to a normal life without fear of getting themselves or others sick.

Woolard says their work will also be to document over time the rate at which a person loses antibodies by retesting a person’s blood every so often…

Cut 5 (09)  “…infection.”

This research will be done using blood donated to the lab from the LifeShare Blood Center for plasma therapy trials.

The federal plan to reopen the economy uses wide-scale coronavirus testing, but Woolard says their work is important because basic testing can only provide so much information.

Cut 6 (11) “…does”

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The cancellations of Jazz and Essence Fest will pummel New Orleans’ expected 2020 tourism revenue, with more festivals likely to announce similar decisions in the near future.

CEO of New Orleans and Company, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, Mark Romig says the loss of those iconic events is a blow, but they’ll be back.

Cut 7 (08) “…2021.”

Jazz Fest had previously announced it was postponing until fall.

475,000 visitors attended Jazz Fest last year for an estimated 400 million dollar total economic impact. Romig says that money, and money from other festivals is not easy to replace.

Cut 8 (10) “…with that”

An estimated 12 million total visitors stayed overnight in New Orleans in 2018.

Romig says they’re pushing to avoid a total loss. He says large gatherings may be off the table this year but the city still offers other tourism opportunities, but one sector must reopen for that to happen…

Cut 9 (11) “…vacuum″

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell has called for the cancellation of all large events, including sporting events, for the remainder of 2020.

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Historically, school systems have had assessments to determine promotion for students.  In the absence of those assessments this year, Assistant state superintendent Ken Bradford says the Department of Education is advising districts use other tools on the local level to make the determination as to a student’s advancement.

Cut 10 (09) “…went on throughout the year.”

If a student is borderline on their ability to advance, Bradford says there needs to be a sit-down discussion between the parents, teachers, and counselors to hammer out how they can be caught up in time for next school year.

Cut 11 (07) “…through the summer.”

Bradford says the districts can have the freedom to allow teachers to break away from the traditional time restrictions that are normally in place during a regular school year.

Cut 12 (10) “through the summer.”

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A group dedicated to delivering meals to children in Southeast Louisiana is granted $50,000 to continue its operations through the summer from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana for Community Crisis and Disaster Response.  Operation Manager for The Three O’clock Project Jeff Landry says has hired more than 350 workers to prepare and distribute the meals.

Cut 13 (10) “…case may be.”

Many of the workers might not have an income during the pandemic, but Landry believes that they’ve created a business model that helps both workers and children and it could be something other organizations could adopt.  Landry adds they are about to expand operations too.

Cut 14 (10) “…as we speak.”

Landry says the group has seen a major uptick in demand, with the group setting a single-day meal distribution high this week.

Cut 15 (10)“…it was 36,000.”

For the first time in its 50-year history, the New Orleans Jazzfest has been canceled. The event had initially been postponed until the fall, but festival organizers officially pulled the plug on the event today. The news comes following the recommendation of New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell to cancel all festivals for the remainder of 2020 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James stint in the hospital with the virus has given him a unique outlook on the illness for a lawmaker. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Governor Edwards announces the creation of a commission tasked with producing guidelines that would allow parts of the economy to reopen. Governor Edwards says the Resilient Louisiana Commission and its task forces will begin engaging stakeholders in various sectors of the economy, asking them…
Cut 6 (11) “…spike.”
The Commission Co-Chairs are Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson, and healthcare executive Terrie Sterling.
Congressman Steve Scalise has been appointed to President Trump’s Task Force on Reopening the Economy.  Scalise spoke at the Governor’s daily press conference and touted the quickness of federal response and the impact of the Paycheck Protection Program.

Cut 9 (12) “…out of money.″

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James stint in the hospital with COVID-19 caused pneumonia has given him a unique outlook on the virus for a lawmaker. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Paycheck Protection Program is out of money.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has mostly recovered from COVID-19 but says his recovery was grueling and the disease should not be taken lightly.

The 37-year-old Democrat says he became symptomatic March 22^nd when he woke up in a pool of sweat, and a week later he was suffering in a hospital with pneumonia.

Cut 3 (07)  “…wiped out”  

James suspects his history of asthma and sinus issues may have contributed to his severe case despite his young age and generally good health.

James says it’s been frustrating to see a rising chorus of legislators calling for the rapid reopening of the state before conditions are safe.

Cut 4 (11)_ “TORT reform”

Cutoff Representative Reggie Bagala died last week of COVID-19.

The Legislature does not have a firm date to return, but James says his experience has convinced him that when they do return the session must be laser-focused.

Cut 5 (06)  “…budget”

James made the statements earlier today on Talk Louisiana.

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Governor Edwards announces the creation of an 18-member panel tasked with producing guidelines that would allow parts of the economy to reopen. Edwards says the Resilient Louisiana Commission will reach out to stakeholders in various sectors of the economy, asking them…

Cut 6 (11) “…spike”

The Commission Co-Chairs are Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson, and healthcare executive Terrie Sterling.

Pierson says the real work of the Commission will be handled by 15 task forces dedicated to various economic sectors.

Cut 7 (09) “…a look.”

Edwards says the Governor’s office has the sole power to make reopening calls on a case by case basis for each business sector, but…

Cut 8 (11) “…stand up”

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Congressman Steve Scalise has been appointed to President Trump’s Task Force on Reopening the Economy.  Scalise spoke at the Governor’s daily press conference and touted the quickness of federal response and the impact of the Paycheck Protection Program.

Cut 9 (12) “…out of money.″

Scalise says there are still thousands of additional businesses in Louisiana that need that relief that did not get it prior to the program’s funding running dry, adding that the President is asking for an additional $251 billion.

Cut 10 (12) “…next few days”

Scalise says he’s been on many calls with everyone ranging from local restauranteurs to the heads of some of the biggest companies in the world on taking steps to safely come back.

Cut 11 (12) “…to do both.”

In addition to Scalise, Congressman Mike Johnson has also been added to the President’s task force, along with Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy.

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Food banks are seeing an increase in demand as more people continue to seek assistance due to rising unemployment and Second Harvest that serves 23 parishes across southern Louisiana is no exception. Spokesperson  Jay Vise says they’ve had to change how they distribute goods, with help from the National Guard.

Cut 12 (12) increase”

Vise says Second Harvest, along with other food banks across the state, need donations and there are several ways you can help.

Cut 13 (11) “…can provide”

Vise says anything that you would normally buy at the grocery store is what they need for donations, from cleaning supplies to feminine hygiene products.

Vise says they have disturbed a million extra pounds of food in the last month compared to a year ago.

Cut 14 (10) “…out there”

If you are in need of assistance call 211 to find your local food bank or visit NoHunger.org

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