Will a Mask Mandate Be Put in Place in Louisiana?

Cases of Covid-19 in Louisiana continue to climb. State health officials report more than 5,000 new cases of the virus on Tuesday. That is the 3rd highest daily count of cases since the pandemic started.

But the vast majority of these new cases are showing up in unvaccinated people. But there are still lots of people who are not planning to get the vaccine. That's is a huge concern to those working in the trenches with patients fighting the virus.

The healthcare community is blaming Louisiana residents' hesitancy to get vaccinated against coronavirus on misinformation. There have been misleading and totally uninformed stories surrounding the vaccines filling up social media news feeds for months. So, it is difficult to "discover" the truth if you can't trust the information.

Dr. Martha Whyte with the Office of Public Health is urging folks to get the vaccine.

Will Louisiana be facing more restrictions? A statewide mask mandate is not likely.  Governor John Bel Edwards is urging folks to get the vaccine.

The Governor is urging folks to continue social distancing and sanitize frequently. He also asks people who are sick to stay home. Click here to get vaccine info. Mark Cooper, the Governor's Chief of Staff tells KEEL News the Governor is considering a voluntary mask recommendation.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issues a mask advisory, not a mandate.