The gist: In an emergency press conference called today, John Bel Edwards pulled the trigger on the awaited, “Stay at Home” order that several other states enacted. According to the order, which will begin at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, all non-essential businesses will close to the public.
The jail population has been reduced by at least 60 inmates in the past week, because of the efforts of judges, lawyers and the D.A.’s office, all of whom are working together for the early release of prisoners. Some individuals are bonding out, pleading to time served or probated sentences, or having probation/parole hold lifted.
We’ve seen alarms go up in New Orleans, where hospital staff are staring down a wave. The reality is some hospitals run near capacity when there isn’t a pandemic around.
The gist: Gov. John Bel Edwards took a sobering look at Louisiana’s worst-case scenario for infections versus hospital beds and found that Louisiana could see an Italy sized problem in as little as 7-10 days.
In an updated notice to all of the state’s health care facilities, the Department of Health said it was “directing and requiring” hospitals to use their judgment in determining which medical procedures can be safely postponed for 30 days.
The gist: Gov. John Bel Edwards held his daily COVID-19 news conference to update the state on the viral situation we’re facing. Joined by Jeff Landry, Attorney General for Louisiana and a known political opponent of the governor, and Coach Orgeron of LSU Edwards laid out the ongoing plan for protection in the state.
The Cajundome will be a drive-thru SCREENING (not testing) site for coronavirus beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Communications Director Jamie Angelle stressed at Tuesday’s press conference.
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