COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new strain of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Caddo Parish reported its first positive case on the same day, and two weeks later, we have 115 cases. The State of Louisiana has a total of 2,305 cases and, sadly, 83 deaths, including one in Caddo Parish.
Louisiana currently has one of the fastest COVID-19 growth rates in the world and the second most cases per capita in the United States. This public health emergency prompted Governor Edwards to issue a “Stay at Home Order.” The situation in Louisiana is serious, but I do not want people to panic. We need everyone to be calm and vigilant. Shreveport citizens should stay informed and stay at home.
The task before us is enormous, and it will take a team effort. It requires cooperation at every level of government and buy-in from the public. The social distancing practices we are asking people to adopt are highly disruptive to both our way of life and our economy. Children accustomed to playing on playgrounds are now homebound; parents trying to support their families are facing reduced hours and layoffs; business owners are struggling to keep their doors open and their staffs employed. COVID-19 has created both a public health emergency and an economic crisis in Shreveport. This two-front war keeps me awake at night.
As Mayor, my first priority is public safety, but the livelihoods of Shreveport citizens runs a close second. My administration has tirelessly promoted local business since this began. We are also working with private partners to create a service desk, staffed by expert volunteers, who can help business owners understand and access SBA disaster loans, federal stimulus aid, and private credit. The goal is to support local business through this difficult time and prevent further job loss.
Shreveport has rallied around local businesses over the past two weeks, which has enabled many to stay afloat. Unfortunately, some have had to scale back or close their doors. As a result, hard-working men and women who have lost their jobs or seen their hours reduced have been forced to go to LouisianaWorks.net or call 1-866-783-5567 to file unemployment claims. Fortunately, there is more assistance on the way. We expect the U.S. House of Representatives to approve a Senate bill in the near future, which will add $600 to existing state unemployment benefits, as well as provide families, individuals, and small businesses with much-needed financial relief.
COVID-19 poses a serious threat to our community, but it’s not unprecedented in our city’s history. While none of her living citizens have experienced anything like this pandemic, Shreveport has lived through a Yellow Fever epidemic and an Influenza outbreak. Shreveport is resilient, and she is resilient because of the people who live here. We can adapt and overcome, but it is going to take each and every one of us doing our part.
The coronavirus is primarily spread through contact with either an infected person or a surface contaminated by the virus. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment. Combating the virus requires public participation because the only way to slow it’s spread is to reduce contact between persons, which is why “social distancing” is now the most popular phrase in the English language.
Social distancing is a set of behavioral interventions intended to slow down or stop the spread of infectious diseases. These interventions include staying home, avoiding large crowds, and keeping at least 6 feet between self and others. If everyone adopts these practices, we can “flatten the curve.”
The coronavirus is highly infectious. If it spreads through a community too quickly, the number of infected persons requiring treatment will outpace the local healthcare system’s capacity. “Flattening the curve” means slowing the spread and controlling the number of people who are infected at a given time, so medical resources are not exhausted and the healthcare system is not overwhelmed. In short, flattening the curve is the difference between receiving treatment in a hospital with a respirator and receiving treatment in an improvised medical facility without one. That's why staying home saves lives.
Out of concern for public safety, I am asking Shreveport citizens to abide by the Governor’s Stay at Home Order. There is no curfew in place or checkpoints established, but Shreveport Police will disband gatherings of greater than 10 people and investigate businesses that are not complying with the Governor’s order.
I am also asking everyone to maintain a safe 6-feet between themselves and others when out for groceries, doctors visits, or work. And while it may sound trivial, wash your hands frequently and disinfect surfaces regularly. These simple acts mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and therefore, save lives.
Above all, I am asking you to think of others, especially the most vulnerable in our community. Think about your grandmother or a friend with an underlying health condition. Ask yourself, “Is this an essential trip? Can it wait?” Every time we leave our house we risk contracting the virus or infecting someone else. That someone else is someone’s mom, dad, wife, husband, or friend. Is your trip worth risking their life? I know that it’s counterintuitive, but right now, the best way to love and serve one another is to stay away from each other. If we come together by keeping our distance, Shreveport will overcome this crisis and we will serve as an example to future generations in their time of need.