State health officials went before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to give a COVID-19 update as the number of cases in Louisiana rises to six.
The virus is shuttering schools around the world, but State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says kids seem to handle the virus well, and there are risks in sending them home.
“Normally when children are told to go home, their caregiver when the parents are working are their grandparents, and who is at risk? The older person,” says Guidry.
Guidry says unless teachers begin to fall ill, schools should maybe stay open.
Health officials are begging business owners to prepare work-from-home options and to not pressure workers into coming in sick. Guidry says know that your workforce is likely to shrink.
“You have to plan that if this continues to spread you are going to have less of a workforce, 30% of folks might be sick and out, so how are you going to have continuity of operations,” says Guidry.
Guidry adds use of facemasks is not advised for those not in high-risk groups. He says their effectiveness is questionable, and there’s an ongoing shortage.
The outbreak is centered on New Orleans right now, and the city has canceled St. Patrick’s Day this weekend. Guidry says there’s another festival that may need to be reconsidered.
“You got a Festival International in Lafayette that brings people from all over the world, that might be one where we have to consider what are we going to do with this festival,” says Guidry.
Festival International is currently set for April 22nd-26th.
