Louisiana Network
Expert: Herd Immunity Key to Eventually Ending COVID-19
Our Lady of the Lake infectious disease specialist Catherine O’Neal says since a vaccine could be over a year away, our best hope to stop coronavirus is for state residents to slowly build up “herd immunity”.
Chemical Plants Stay Open as Workers Adjust
While much of the state’s workforce has been told to go home, Louisiana’s chemical plant employees are still on the job producing goods needed to fight the virus.
Bayou Teche Brewing Begins Production of Hand Sanitizer
A shortage of hand sanitizers has some craft beer breweries and distilleries churning out the disinfectant.
Crawfish Industry Faces Uncertainty in Coronavirus Pandemic
The season saw a slow start before Carnival celebrations, and now people aren’t congregating for a crawfish boil because of the pandemic.
Medicaid Patients Face Loss of Coverage as COVID-19 Ramps up
Roughly 24,000 people were warned in mid-February they could lose Medicaid eligibility due to income requirements, with those cancellations set to happen mid-March right as COVID-19 is ramping up.
Bill Filed to Have State Law Mirror Federal Tobacco Age Raise
Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21
Lt. Gov Criticizes NOLA Mayor’s Decision to Cancel Events
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed concerns that COVID-19 could cause a significant disruption in the state’s tourism industry.
VA Medical Center New Orleans Site of First COVID-19 Patient in Louisiana
Louisiana has its first presumptive case of coronavirus and an email to VA employees indicates the patient has been hospitalized at the VA Medical Center in New Orleans
Governor Edwards Forms Coronavirus Task Force
Federal and state officials are ramping up preparation efforts for a possible coronavirus outbreak in Louisiana.
LSU NCBRT Prepping Coronavirus First Responder Trainings
The LSU National Center for Biomedical Research and Training is set to start helping first responders from around the country prepare for the coronavirus.
Louis Armstrong Int. Gets 2.6 mill For Runway/Taxiway Improvements
Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans scores a 2.6 million dollar grant to help expand capacity.
Bill to Ban Hate-Related Mardi Gras Throws Filed
New Orleans State Senator Troy Carter files a bill that will ban “hate-related” throws at Mardi Gras parades.