When officials say the future won’t look the same, they’re not exaggerating.
Government and health officials are now urging everyone to wear masks when they go out and saying people should start getting used to covering their faces.
“We really need you wearing a mask when in public and coming into contact with other people,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “Everyone needs to start preparing. Take that time you have to make sure everyone in your family, in addition to yourself, has a face covering.”
Edwards explained that, as officials start looking at easing restrictions, more people will be in public and “everyone will have to be covering their faces.”
Health officials say data suggests that many people infected with COVID-19 are not symptomatic and, for that reason, all members of the public are urged to wear cloth face covering when doing essential activities like grocery shopping or going to an essential job.
“It is especially important for essential workers, like grocery or pharmacy clerks, to wear face coverings as they are coming into contact with many people through the day,” officials said in a statement released Wednesday
There are circumstances where masks are not needed:
“It is not required to wear a face covering while doing personal recreation outdoors, however, you must maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people and avoid gathering in groups.” the release explained.
Meanwhile, plans to move Louisiana to phase 1 of reopening could come as early as Monday, April 27, Edwards told a newly-formed economic task force.
The Resilient Louisiana Commission task force meeting was held via conference call on Wednesday, April 22. During the call, Edwards said the state is currently about half-way through the 14 day evaluation period that is necessary in the CDC guidelines for reopening.
“We’re going to be making some decisions pretty quickly to get things going,” Edwards said, adding that he hopes to make an announcement Monday with more details about moving to phase 1.
“When we get to phase 1, we don’t go back to where we were two months ago, because we can’t do that,” he stressed. “If we do, we know cases are going to spike to a degree that’s unacceptable.”
Confirmation of coronavirus in patients in Louisiana increased by 481 since Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 25,739.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported that 1,540 people have died statewide from the virus, an increase of 67 since noon on Wednesday.
For the second straight day, the number of people hospitalized in Louisiana decreased, dropping from 1,747 on Wednesday to 1,727 on Thursday.
Of those in hospitals, 274 required ventilators. That’s a decrease of 13, marking the fourth consecutive day of decreases in the number of patients on ventilators.
No additional cases of coronavirus were reported in Acadia Parish overnight. To date, Acadia has 117 confirmed cases with seven deaths.
When choosing a protective mask, residents should consider the following:
• Wear cloth face coverings, such as one made with a bandana or scarf, or make your own using fabric.
• Do not touch the face covering while wearing it.
• Before putting it on and when you are ready to remove, wash your hands thoroughly before handling.
• Wash face coverings after each use.
• Store in a clean plastic bag.
“Face coverings are a minimal level of protection,” Edwards reminded. “It is still imperative that you stay home except for essential needs and always avoid close contact with others.”
People should also not be purchasing medical grade masks, which are in short supply.
“It is extremely important that surgical and N95 masks are reserved for those who need them most and have the highest risk of infection, like medical professionals and healthcare workers,” health officials said.
Area Parishes
April 23 / La. Dept. of Health
• Acadia - 117 cases, 7 deaths, (same as Wednesday)
• Evangeline - 44 cases, 0 deaths (same as Wednesday)
• Iberia - 228 cases, 12 deaths (up from 217 cases, 11 deaths on Wednesday)
• Jeff Davis - 57 cases, 5 deaths (same as Wednesday)
• Lafayette - 439 cases, 17 deaths (up from 435 cases, 17 deaths on Wednesday)
• St. Landry - 154 cases, 31 deaths (up from 140 cases, 29 deaths on Wednesday)
• St. Martin - 210 cases, 13 deaths (up from 202 cases, 13 deaths on Wednesday)
• St. Mary - 168 cases, 18 deaths (up from 162 cases, 17 deaths on Wednesday)
• Vermilion - 33 cases, 1 death (same as Wednesday)