LA Governor Edwards Stands Ground on COVID Restrictions

A little over a week ago, the governors of Texas and Mississippi rescinded mask mandates in their states, which surprised other governors around the nation. Texas governor, Greg Abbott said that all businesses “of any type” are allowed to operate at 100% capacity, effectively ending the mask mandate. Following suit was Mississippi’s governor Tate Reeves, who said that his order removes the mask mandate just as in Texas and can businesses are allowed “operate at full capacity” without any state-imposed rules or restrictions. Those two developments were not met with open arms by the CDC, who strongly advise states to maintain the mask mandates and practice other recommended safety guidelines. However, the Republicans governors have been following a long developing trend to continue the narrative that states should open more, because there is some evidence to show that infections are dropping. The main theme from their narrative is that the economy is suffering and that it needs to open more, putting people back to work. Infectious disease doctors are afraid that if states open to 100% capacity too soon, there could be an even worse spike in new infections, possibly increasing the number of deaths, that now stand at over 525,000 Americans. If that happens, it will wipe out all or most of the gains made in getting some kind of control over the COVID-19 virus.

Louisiana’s governor John Bel Edwards is feeling pressure from Republican lawmakers in the state. Congressman Clay Higgins sent a letter to the governor urging him to move from Phase 3 to 100% capacity as Texas and Mississippi did. In his letter to Edwards, Higgins asked that as infections are down, the governor should “remove all restrictions” imposed in the state. Higgins goes on to say that the “freedoms” for citizens of Louisiana should be restored. What those freedoms were, Higgins did not elaborate. It points to an increasing demand by some, mostly in red states, that the mask mandates somehow “infringe” on their freedom to wear or not wear a mask. Any health concerns mentioned by those freedom seekers from Higgins? No. After appearing at a news conference Tuesday, March 9, Edwards said that the mask mandate will remain in place and that it makes sense to remain where the state is currently. He said that he is encouraged by where the state is, and is hopeful that things will continue to improve. Higgins suggested that with the four vaccines now in use, that the “time is now” to lift restrictions because “the people can’t make it” under the state-imposed restrictions. Higgins warned that if the restrictions remain in place, Louisiana “will lose residents and economic drivers” to other states. It appears that Higgins clearly wants Edwards to follow in the footsteps of Abbott and Reeves without first seeing what the outcome(damage) will be in opening states that are not under COVID restrictions.

Edwards, in his news conference announced that he is expanding the list of those who can get vaccinated, including people as young as 16 years of age, provided that they have underlying health concerns. The expansion also includes those who work in correctional facilities, shelters and group homes. “It’s the right thing to do and the time to do it," Edwards said. In what could be seen as some good news, Edwards said that more people have been vaccinated, than those who have tested positive for the virus. That may not be enough for the governor to remove all restrictions, as the state will appear to remain at Phase 3. The state has lost 9,700 lives. There are flags representing each person who has died on the lawn at the capitol. Edwards said that he “will issue” a proclamation Sunday, March 14, to be a “day of remembrance” to the Louisianans who have died. Republicans seem to want to move forward but forget where they’ve been. It appears that Gov. Edwards has not.