By Gary McCollum

What are your chances of dying if you get infected by COVID 19? Despite information pouring in from many countries, they are still just estimating. No one has firm facts or figures. It has been reported that people suffering heart attacks may be included into the counts as well as others with co-morbidities (underlying health issues).

The risk depends on your age, sex, health and the care you receive and equipment available. In the United Kingdom (as of April 2, 2020 they had lost 2,921 people out of 33,718 “confirmed cases.” Roughly that equates to about 9 percent. Italy has approximately 12 percent although Germany is roughly 1 percent.

These figures and models don’t tell us what we really want to know: How many of people infected will die as a result of the infection? This is known as the infection mortality rate (also, Crude Case fatality Rates).

There are many unconfirmed cases of people that are currently asymptomatic, thus not meeting the threshold to be tested. There are many people who have already had the virus and have gotten over it. We aren’t testing the entire nation; therefore, we may overestimate the actual mortality rate. The more tests given, the more positive results we will see. As of this writing there are 1,379,825 confirmed COVID cases, 73,839 deaths and 277,640 recovered.

Our best defense is to continue to social distance. Stay at home, stay safe. Wash your hands frequently and wear some type of mask while out in public. Pray.

Here is a basic timeline of events I’ve tried to put together to make some sense of the event that shut down so much of the world.

God Bless our first responders, health care workers (including my wife), the grocery store employees and truck drivers. Thank you all for everything you do to make our lives a little better.

Dec. 10: Wei Guixian, one of the earliest known coronavirus patients, starts feeling ill

Dec. 16: Patient admitted to Wuhan Central Hospital with infection in both lungs but resistant to anti-flu drugs. Staff later learned he worked at a wildlife market connected to the outbreak.

Dec. 27: Wuhan health officials are told that a new coronavirus is causing the illness.

Dec. 30:  Ai Fen, a top director at Wuhan Central Hospital, posts information on WeChat about the new virus. She was reprimanded for doing so and told not to spread information about it.
Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang also shares information on WeChat about the new SARS-like virus. He is called in for questioning shortly afterward.
Wuhan health commission notifies hospitals of a “pneumonia of unclear cause” and orders them to report any related information.

Dec. 31:  Wuhan health officials confirm 27 cases of illness and close a market they think is related to the virus’ spread.
China tells the World Health Organization’s China office about the cases of an unknown illness.
WTI (West Texas Intermediate) oil was trading at $63.85 per barrel. A good price, fuel prices were reasonable. T
he Stock Market was booming. The USA economy had NEVER been better.

Jan. 1: Wuhan Public Security Bureau brings in for questioning eight doctors who had posted information about the illness on WeChat.

An official at the Hubei Provincial Health Commission orders labs, which had already determined that the novel virus was similar to SARS, to stop testing samples and to destroy existing samples.

Jan. 2: Chinese researchers map the new coronavirus’ complete genetic information. This information is not made public for a full week, until Jan. 9.

Jan. 7: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launches its Coronavirus Incident Management System. Xi Jinping becomes involved in the response.

Jan. 9: China announces it has mapped the coronavirus genome. (1 week after it had.)

Jan. 11–17: China reports the first coronavirus death. Important prescheduled CCP meeting held in Wuhan. During that time, the Wuhan Health Commission insists there are no new cases.

Jan. 13: First coronavirus case reported in Thailand, the first known case outside China.

Jan. 14: WHO announces Chinese authorities have seen “no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus.”

Jan. 15: The patient who becomes the first confirmed U.S. case leaves Wuhan and arrives in the U.S., carrying the coronavirus.

Jan. 18:  The Wuhan Health Commission announces four new cases.
Annual Wuhan Lunar New Year banquet. Tens of thousands of people gathered for a potluck.
Jan. 19: Beijing sends epidemiologists to Wuhan.

Jan. 20:  The first case announced in South Korea.
Zhong Nanshan, a top Chinese doctor who is helping to coordinate the coronavirus response, announces the virus can be passed between people.

Jan. 21:  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms the first coronavirus case in the United States.
CCP flagship newspaper People’s Daily mentions the coronavirus epidemic and Xi’s actions to fight it for the first time.

Jan. 23:  Wuhan and three other cities are put on lockdown.
Right around this time, approximately 5 million people leave the city without being screened for the illness.

Jan. 24–30:  China celebrates the Lunar New Year holiday. Hundreds of millions of people are in transit around the country as they visit relatives.
U.S. state public health officials on both coasts claim there is no issue and encourage participation in Chinese New Year celebrations throughout the U.S. Denver cancels it’s festival.

Jan. 24: China extends the lockdown to cover 36 million people and starts to rapidly build a new hospital in Wuhan.
From this point, very strict measures continue to be implemented around the country for the rest of the epidemic.
Jan. 27: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar leads the first daily meeting of the President’s Coronavirus Task Force.

Jan. 29: President Trump chairs his task force and then identifies its members. Among them: Azar, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci, an internationally recognized immunologist, has led the institute since 1984 under Democratic and Republican presidents

Jan. 30:  The World Health Organization proclaims the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has spread between two people in the United States

Jan. 31:  Azar declares “a public health emergency in the United States.”
US President Donald J. Trump announced that foreign nationals who had traveled to China in the past 14 days would be denied entry into the United States.

Biden denounces this “hysterical xenophobia.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., calls this “just an excuse to further his [Trump’s] ongoing war against immigrants.”  At the time, the virus — which originated in the Wuhan province — had begun to spread throughout the communist nation with little or no control.

Feb. 5:  As expected for months, the Senate acquits Trump on two articles of impeachment, finally derailing a Democratic-built effort to overturn the 2016 election that distracted America while this pandemic incubated.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping confer by phone. Trump promises $100 million to help China and other coronavirus-plagued nations.
The CDC ships coronavirus test kits to some 100 U.S. laboratories.
Feb. 11: The WHO brands COVID-19, short for “coronavirus disease 2019.”

Feb. 22-24: The CDC discourages travel to and from Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea.

Feb. 25:  Mardi Gras and thousands have converged on New Orleans and many other southern communities to celebrate Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the Christian observance of Lent
There are no Social distancing recommendations by state, city officials.

Feb. 26:  Trump assigns Vice President Mike Pence to spearhead anti-COVID-19 efforts.  CNN attacks the “lack of diversity” in the Coronavirus Task Force

Feb. 29:  Fauci later praises Trump’s “original decision” restricting entry into the U.S. He tells journalists on “If we had not done that, we would have had many, many more cases right here that we would have to be dealing with.”

The Food and Drug Administration frees health diagnostics companies LabCorp, Quest and others to develop coronavirus tests and liberates states to engage some 2,000 such laboratories.

WTI Oil prices are falling, prices on Feb 29th are $53.35

Stock Markets are falling, Investors were spooked by news about the spread of the coronavirus and fled to safe-haven assets.

The S&P 500 fell by 8.23 percent.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropped by 9.75 percent.

The Nasdaq Composite lost 6.27 percent.

Despite rising numbers in both coronavirus infections and fatalities, China refused offers of assistance from two of the foremost agencies on infectious disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been offering to send a team of experts from its Epidemic Intelligence Service for more than a month to no avail. And the World Health Organization has also met resistance to travel to Wuhan, where the outbreak started

Bloomberg news, who first cited the news, stated that three U.S. intelligence officers said they alerted the White House last week to Beijing’s misleading numbers. Two of the three called the numbers flat-out fake.

March 3: President Trump donated his $100,000 quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services to bolster its war on COVID-19.

March 4:  Trump meets with health insurance company leaders. They agree to cost-free COVID-19 tests.

The Coronavirus Task Force urges nursing homes to limit family visits to shield at-risk seniors from the virus.

March 5:  Oil prices are down more than 20% since the start of the year as the economic impact of the coronavirus saps oil demand.

Saudi and Russia meet to discuss cutting the global supply of oil to aid in propping up prices.

“OPEC +” dissolves as Russia makes a bid to increase it’s market share, in response Riyadh increased it’s production, causing oil prices to plummet.

March 6: Trump signs legislation providing $8.3 billion to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

March 9: On March 9, the state’s first presumptive case of coronavirus was reported in New Orleans.

March 11:  Trump restricts arrivals from Europe, which reels beneath this disease.

The impact of cancelling transatlantic flights between the US and Europe is a direct loss of about 600,000 barrels per day per month in jet fuel demand.
Faced with concerns and uncertainties over COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the impact on its games, its business and its extended family of players, coaches and fans, the NBA suspended the 2019-20 season Wednesday until further notice

March 12:  Oil prices drop as much as 8% as crude continues to take a hit on both the supply and demand side.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude is now down more than 25% this week, putting it on track for its worst week since December 2008, and its third largest weekly decline on record.

On Thursday WTI fell $1.48, or 4.49%, to settle at $31.50 per barrel. Earlier in the session it traded as low as $30.02.

International benchmark Brent crude fell $2.51, or 7%, to trade at $33.31 per barrel.

Oil companies begin shutting down drilling operations and laying off thousands of people.

The stock market follows suit with additional selloffs as investors seek safe havens.

March 13:  Trump declares a national emergency, unleashes $42 billion, waives student loan interest, deregulates to promote telemedicine, allows doctors to practice across state lines, and approves rules changes to make it easier for hospitals to hire new physicians.

Trump meets with Costco, Walmart and other private retailers. They soon launch drive-through COVID-19 tests.

The FDA lets Roche and Thermo Fisher produce COVID-19 tests.

Governor Edwards issued an order prohibiting gathering of more than 250 people, and the closure of all K-12 public schools from March 16 to April 13

March 15: Trump confers with grocers, who agree to stay open.

March 16: Phase 1 clinical trials begin on the first COVID-19 vaccine candidate, just 64 days after China isolated its genome on Jan. 12. “This is record time for the development of a vaccine,” says FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, resulting from “an impressive public/private partnership.”

March 17: “I spoke to the president this morning, again. He is ready, willing, and able to help,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., said March 17. “His team is on it. They have been responsive late at night, early in the morning. And thus far, they have been doing everything that they can do, and I want to say thank you, and I want to say that I appreciate it.”

March 18:  Trump signs financial relief for COVID-19’s economic casualties.
This bill’s liability protection emboldens 3M, Honeywell, and others to market N95 industrial masks for medical use.
Trump presses Navy hospital ships Comfort and Mercy into action.
March 19: Trump announces that Carnival Cruise Lines has offered to allow idled cruise ships to be used as hospitals.

March 20:  Trump postpones Tax Day from April 15 to July 15, for filing and payment.

Trump suspended foreclosures on Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages, proposed sending payments to economically stressed families and individuals.

Trump triggers the Defense Production Act to require companies to manufacture indispensable supplies needed to vanquish COVID-19.
Trump and his colleagues’ labors finally have earned some of his harshest critics’ respect:

President Trump “is being the kind of leader that people need at least in tone … in times of crisis and uncertainty,” said CNN reporter Dana Bash.
“He said everything I could have hoped for,” Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., remarked about his discussions with Trump. “We had a very long conversation, and every single thing he said, they followed through on.”
“Politics aside, this is incredible and the right response in this critical time,” said, via Twitter, none other than Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., usually one of Trump’s harshest critics.

March 22 – 26:  Governor Edwards announced a statewide stay-at-home order effective until April 12.
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans that Archbishop Gregory Aymond had tested positive for coronavirus.
According to the Governor, there were 923 ventilators across the state, with slightly over 10% of them being used for coronavirus patients in the state.
Governor Edwards issued a request for a disaster declaration and federal aid in the state, projecting that New Orleans could exceed its hospital capacity by April 4.

March 26 – 27:  The total number of reported confirmed cases in the United States surpasses that of China with over 85,000 cases, making it the country with the highest number of coronavirus patients, in the world.
Congress passes a 2 Trillion-dollar Coronavirus Aid Package
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) expands a previous order requiring airline travelers from New York City to self-quarantine for fourteen days to include people who enter from Louisiana via Interstate 10

March 30 – April 4:  Spring break occurs throughout the nation.
Students travel to vacation resorts in Florida, Texas and Mexico.
44 Spring breakers in Austin Tx have tested positive for the virus and are self-isolating.

Governor John Bell Edwards extends stay at home order until April 30th
New Orleans has a death rate from COVID-19 that is twice that of New York City and four times that in Seattle. Health officials say obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are to blame.

On April 4, an article stated that St. John the Baptist Parish had “the highest per capita coronavirus mortality rate in the nation
April 5:

Governor Greg Abbot (R) Texas, institutes Checkpoints to screen vehicles on all roads entering Texas from Louisiana as of Sunday, April 5, according to Louisiana State Police.

These checkpoints are designed to prevent people from the state of Louisiana from spreading the coronavirus in Texas.
Rest easy my friends. God is in control.

There are trained counselors available 24/7 for anyone feeling stressed about COVID-19. These are trained professionals and all calls are confidential. The number is 1-866-310-7977

FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW: If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to help protect other people in your home and community.

Stay home except to get medical care

Stay home: Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.

Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as home isolation

Stay away from others: As much as possible, stay away from others. You should stay in a specific “sick room” if possible, and away from other people in your home.
Use a separate bathroom, if available.

See COVID-19 and Animals is you have questions about pets. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq. html#COVID19animals

Call ahead before visiting your doctor

Call ahead: Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine.

If you have a medical appointment that cannot be postponed, call your doctor’s office, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect themselves and other patients.

If you are sick wear a facemask in the following situations, if available.

If you are sick: You should wear a facemask, if available, when you are around other people (including before you enter a healthcare provider’s office).

If you are caring for others: If the person who is sick is not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then as their caregiver, you should wear a facemask when in the same room with them. Visitors, other than caregivers, are not recommended.

Note: During a public health emergency, facemasks may be reserved for healthcare workers. You may need to improvise a facemask using a scarf or bandana.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.

Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean your hands often

Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.

Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing personal household items

Do not share: Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.

Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water or put in the dishwasher.

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

Clean high-touch surfaces in your isolation area (“sick room” and bathroom) every day; let a caregiver clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in other areas of the home.

Clean and disinfect: Routinely clean high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but not your bedroom and bathroom.

If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and disinfect a sick person’s bedroom or bathroom, they should do so on an as-needed basis. The caregiver/other person should wear a mask and wait as long as possible after the sick person has used the bathroom.

High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.

Household cleaners and disinfectants: Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend keeping the surface wet for several minutes to ensure germs are killed. Many also recommend precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

Most EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. A full list of disinfectants can be found hereexternal icon.

Monitor your symptoms

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and cough. Trouble breathing is a more serious symptom that means you should get medical attention.

If you are having trouble breathing, seek medical attention, but call first.

Call your doctor or emergency room before going in and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what to do.

Wear a facemask: If available, put on a facemask before you enter the building. If you can’t put on a facemask, cover your coughs and sneezes. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people. This will help protect the people in the office or waiting room.

Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department: Your local health authorities will give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.

How to discontinue home isolation

People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:

If you will not have a test to determine if
you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is

three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
AND

other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND

at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)

AND

other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)

AND

you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.

In all cases, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local health department. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. Local decisions depend on local circumstances.

Please note that the State Law limits number of people during the visitation period and attendance at the service to ten (10) or less and that social distancing be observed! This must be strictly enforced! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. It is designed for the safety of the family, our staff and the general public.

NATCHITOCHES:
Mary Isaac
March 31, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Florida Mae Brown
September 2, 1944 – March 19, 2020
Arrangements TBA

 

 

The Texas Department of Public Safety has instituted checkpoints at various points along the Louisiana/Texas border. As of 8:00 a.m. Sunday, April 5, this included the Texas end of the bridge over Toledo Bend linking the two states. There are also checkpoints along I-10, I-20 and other entry points. Texas law enforcement is also heavily patrolling the border area. As this is an extremely fluid, rapidly changing situation, the Natchitoches Parish Journal is providing links for our readers to get the latest information directly. The photographs for this article are from the checkpoint across from Sabine parish and were taken Sunday morning.

The Louisiana State Police Facebook Page – Click HERE

Texas Department of Public Safety: https://www.dps.texas.gov/index.htm

State of Texas CO)VID-19 Information: https://texas.gov/#covid19

Louisiana Department Of Health COVID-19 Information: ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/

• 

• 

• 

NATCHITOCHES – The City of Natchitoches would like to notify the public during the pandemic of COVID-19 city buildings are restricted to access from the public and this includes the Utility Service Center where customers make utility payments. Although the lobby of the Utility Service Center remains closed to the public, our employees are still available to assist in collecting payments, new service connections, disconnections, and transfers.

The first two lanes of the drive thru are open for utility payments. The third lane of the drive thru is set up to assist those customers needing new service connection, disconnection or a transfer.

For faster service during this time, utility payments can be made in the following ways:

Credit card payments can be made via telephone (VISA and MasterCard ONLY)
Check payments can be put in the drop box located in the last drive thru lane

As always, the City offers online bill pay for our utility customers 24/7. To sign up for online bill pay, visit https://click2gov.natchitochesla.gov/Click2GovCX/index.html

For further information or questions regarding utility payments, please contact the Utility Service Center at (318)357-3830.

Several leaders in the Natchitoches Parish community composed a letter that they issued on April 3 encouraging some of our essential businesses to take additional steps in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19

NSU– Registration is currently underway for summer and fall classes at Northwestern State University, where flat-rate tuition is available for online learners. eNSU, Louisiana’s first electronic campus, offers accommodating class schedules, personalized instruction, military benefits and financial aid to those who qualify.

Early registration for the 11-week summer session is through May 19. Students taking classes in the eight-week session can register through June 2. Early registration for first four-week summer session is available until June 2 and through June 30 for the second four-week session.

Registration for the fall semester is available through Aug. 16. Late registration will be held Aug. 17-25. Fall classes start on Aug. 17.

Last month, Northwestern State moved to online and alternate course delivery for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester amid COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

With NSU’s flat-rate tuition for students who attend NSU exclusively online, undergraduates pay $375 per credit hour up to 12 hours and $100 per credit thereafter. Graduate students pay $475 per credit hour up to nine hours and $100 per credit hour thereafter. Internet-only students do not pay any out-of-state fees.

Northwestern State, ranked a Top Military Friendly University, offers financial military financial options that include a competitive tuition rate of $192 per credit hour for active duty, reservist, retirees and their dependents. NSU also recognizes various tuition assistance programs such as Military TA, Montgomery GI Bill, Post-9/11, and MyCAA. Information on Northwestern State’s military services is available at nsula.edu/military.

NSU’s College of Nursing offers a flat rate of tuition and fees for Registered Nurses who would like to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Students pay a flat rate of $6,750, which includes tuition and fees, for 30 credit hours of nursing courses in NSU’s RN to BSN program. The flat rate tuition cost of $225 per credit hour also applies to the general education courses that some students may need.

Northwestern State’s School of Education charges a flat rate for students in the PREP program, an accelerated alternate certification program for professionals who would like to become certified to teach at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. Students are charged a flat rate of $5,040 in tuition and fees for 18 graduate hours of education courses in three alternate certification programs. Upon completion, students will be eligible for 12 hours to transfer into the Master of Education program in Curriculum and Instruction.

NSU offers 40 online degree programs plus more than 85 online options for individual concentrations, certificates and specialized credentials.

With early registration for summer and fall semesters underway, NSU continues to reach out to prospective students. Virtual tours and other helpful videos have been added to the university’s social media channels. Registration information is available at www.nsula.edu/registrar.

 

Due to Governor Edwards’ extension of the stay-at-home order through April 30th, the Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) will be extending its closure through that date as well. Not all library operations have ceased however, though the building may be closed to patrons. NPL staff will be checking their emails and Facebook page daily to help patrons with any questions or concerns. They can even help people who do not have a library card get one to use the NPL’s digital services in the meantime. The NPL’s phone line will also be staffed each day for patrons without access to the internet or email.

Many people may be worried about overdue items during this time. The NPL will be waiving any fines incurred due to the inability to return items during this time. If you are able to come to the NPL, you may still use the dropbox by the parking lot entrance to return items.

Having overdue items can stop patrons from having access to digital checkout via Hoopla and Libby. However, you may message the NPL on their Facebook page or call the front desk at 318-357-3280 to renew any items.

NPL staff continue to serve the public during this time by responding to patron requests via phone, email, and social media, issuing new library cards to customers, helping set up digital account access, creating online storytimes, finding other ways to serve the community from home, and planning great events for when this time finally passes.

“We hope we are able to make our community a little better by continuing to provide information and entertainment access through our digital account services, such as Hoopla, Libby, and our other online services,” says Alan Niette, NPL Community Outreach Coordinator. “As we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, I see members of our community stepping up to serve in ways we never thought we’d need and we hope that we can provide some comfort to our patrons during this developing health crisis.”

Follow the NPL’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for daily information updates, live storytimes, the Children’s Book Challenge, and ideas for things to do at home during the stay-at-home order.

Baton Rouge – The coronavirus pandemic has led to school closures throughout the state. Consequently, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of time our children are spending online. The increased unfettered access has led to amplified opportunities for online child predators.

Troopers from the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit recommend the following:

· Communicate with your children the importance of healthy online activity

· Look for changes in your child’s behavior

· Familiarize yourself with the applications your children are using and verify your child knows who they are communicating with.

· Research online monitoring applications to determine if these platforms would allow you to better monitor your child’s online activity across multiple platforms.

The LSP Special Victims Unit works to rescue and seek justice for the victims of crimes involving the exploitation of children and the trafficking of humans for sex or labor. The public plays an important role in identifying suspects accused of these crimes, and is urged to report criminal or suspicious activity. The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through an anonymous reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. The form can be found by visiting http://la-safe.org/ and clicking on the “Suspicious Activity” link.

Local Author Brad Dison is offering the digital version of “Natchitoches Historic District Walking Tour 2020 Edition,” for $0.99 for a limited time to help ease the stresses of social distancing and quarantine. You can preview and download your copy from Amazon.com. Brad had Amazon drop the price from $12.99 to $0.99, the lowest price allowable by the online giant, so people can explore Natchitoches in a safe way. Brad said, “You can learn interesting, true stories about the sites in town which you probably wouldn’t hear about any other way such as the creation of Cane River Lake, shootouts just off of Front Street, a house built during the American Revolution, and other historic spots.” You can also use the book as a teaching tool to keep the kids engaged. Download the book onto your digital tablet and take it with you as you walk to the sites while practicing social distancing. You can also download it on your home computer if you would prefer not to wander out. Brad said he is not making any profit from the book, but wants to help break up the monotony of quarantine while sharing these true stories from our past. Brad is the author of a column we run each week entitled “Remember This?”.

Natchitoches, LA, April 3, 2020—Public safety telecommunicators work long hours, and their role as first responders to an emergency often goes unrecognized. The evolution of change began in 1981, when Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office conceived the idea of recognizing public safety telecommunicators for a week and was instrumental in launching the celebration now known as “Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.” In the early 1990s, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation. In 1991, Representative Edward J. Markey (D. Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res 284 to create “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.”According to congressional procedure, it was introduced twice more, in 1993 and again in 1994, and then became permanent, with no need for a yearly introduction.

Now, each year, the second week of April is set aside to recognize the unsung heroes who are our public safety telecommunicators. This week is nationally recognized as a time of recognition for the incredible men and women who answer our 9-1-1 calls, dispatch emergency responders, and provide support services to emergency public safety communications centers across the nation. This week, public safety agencies nationwide recognize the pivotal role played by telecommunicators.

During challenging and uncertain times like these, the services of these individuals are more important than ever. On behalf of the Natchitoches Parish Communications Board of Commissioners, we say “thank you” to these individuals for providing the residents and visitors of Natchitoches Parish with a gateway to public safety services. These professionals, who work in our nation’s public safety dispatch centers as call takers, dispatchers, radio operators, radio and computer technicians, and supervisors, are truly “first responders” in times of emergency, whether it be fire, law enforcement, or an emergency medical emergency. Most often, they are our first contact—our first link to help when we need emergency assistance. This is truly a well-deserved week of recognition for them.

Missy Bilderback has chosen to not remain the Northwestern State women’s basketball head coach, Director of Athletics Greg Burke announced Friday.

Bilderback was announced as the ninth head coach in Lady Demons history March 18 after a successful five-season run at Jones College in Mississippi but will not coach a game for Northwestern State, citing personal reasons for her decision to change course.

“After extensive deliberation and in consultation with her family, Missy has made a decision that because of the rapid nationwide development of COVID-19, a move to Natchitoches and NSU would not be in their best interest,” Burke said. “Missy had been on the job for over a week prior to making this decision and had hit the ground running. I was really looking forward to working with her and to watching the positive impact I knew she would have on our student-athletes.”

In addition to understanding the need to work remotely, Burke and Bilderback discussed additional options that would help facilitate the latter and her family’s move to NSU and Natchitoches amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Said Burke: “The university was willing to make concessions that would be helpful to her and her family, but ultimately, she chose to return to Mississippi and stay at Jones College. Family is and always has been the top priority for the NSU athletic program, so we respect this difficult decision and wish Missy the best as she moves forward with her career.”

The search to find Bilderback’s replacement already has begun.

“Throughout the process to identify a new women’s basketball coach, NSU was blessed with a quality pool of applicants and a dedicated hiring committee,” Burke said. “None of that has changed. Starting with a Webex meeting this weekend, the committee will convene with the intention of moving expeditiously but with a thorough level of assessment to attract a coach who will be a good fit for our team, university and community.”

During these strange times, the Parish is working to get as much of its normal business done as possible. Therefore, the regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled to take place at its regular first Monday of the month time. However, the Commission will conduct the meeting via teleconference, in accordance with Governor Edwards’ emergency declaration.

Attached are the agenda and exhibits for the meeting, along with a notice of meeting via teleconference.

We must continue to support small business and one of the best ways to do that is to continue eating with our LOCAL restaurants. Our LOCAL restaurants provide local jobs and tax revenue for our community.

The NPJ is providing a local portal to access our LOCAL restaurants and comply the order of our Governor. Here are some of the dining options available for you as we face this temporary suspension of “dine-in” services:

Order Direct/Pick up: 318-238-4227
Hours: 11a-2p; 5p-8p M-F
EZ Street: MENU/ORDER

Order Direct/Pick up: 318-238-4700
Hours: 10a-8p; M-F &Sun; 9a-8p Sat; Boiling at 12 Everyday
EZ Street: MENU/ORDER
5811 Hwy-1 Bypass; Natchitoches, LA 71457

Order Direct/Pick Up:  318-238-5464
Hours: 7a-9p
EZ Street: MENU/ORDER
WaitR: N/A

Order Direct/Pick Up & Delivery:  318-352-3353
Hours: 11a-2p, M-F
Limited Menu: NENU
WaitR: N/A

Order Direct/Pick Up:  318-352-2080
Hours: 11a-7p
EZ Street: MENU/ORDER
WaitR: N/A

Order Direct/Pick Up:  318-352-1538
Hours: 11a-9p
EZ Street: N/A
WaitR: MENU/ORDER

Porch Side Pick Up: 318-238-3555
Hours: 5p-7:30p M-Sun;11a-2p Sat & Sun
EZ Street: MENU/ORDER
WairR: N/A

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-352-7711
Hours: 7a-7p: Everyday
EZ Street: MENU/OREDR
WairR: N/A

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-352-6658
Hours: 11a-2p; 4p-10p
EZ Street: MENU/ORDER
WairR: N/A

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-352-6634
Hours: 10:30a-7p
EZ Street:  N/A
WairR: N/A

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-356-9200
Hours: 3p-10p M-Sat.;Closed Sunday
Website: peggyshomemadepizza.com
EZ Street: MENU/ORDER
WairR: MENU/ORDER

Direct Order/Pick Up: 318-652-6694
Hours: 5:30p-12mid
Item: Hunt Brothers Pizza –  Made fresh to order. 

The NPJ will continuously update the list of options.  If your restaurant would like to be listed among our LOCAL options.  Please send an email to:

NPJNATLA@gmail.com
Bill Vance
Natchitoches Parish Journal

* EZ Street amd WaitR are online/app ORDER & DELIVERY sites.   

Please note that the State Law limits number of people during the visitation period and attendance at the service to ten (10) or less and that social distancing be observed! This must be strictly enforced! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. It is designed for the safety of the family, our staff and the general public.

NATCHITOCHES:
Dr. Archie F. Breazeale, MD
October 3, 1925 – March 26, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Mary Isaac
March 31, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Florida Mae Brown
September 2, 1944 – March 19, 2020
Arrangements TBA

 

 

April 04, 2020

Louisiana’s modeling data show the state on course to require 2,500 new hospitalizations a day in the New Orleans area by mid-May, if the public does not adhere to COVID-19 mitigation measures like Gov. Edwards’ Stay at Home order.

Governor Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health on Friday shared a product of the state’s COVID-19 modeling that takes into account the Governor’s aggressive mitigation measures.

“There are increasing efforts across the country to understand the impact of social distancing, school closures, stay at home orders and other mitigation measures as we strive to flatten the curve and slow the spread of this virus,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “What we are seeing is that many Louisianans are taking this seriously. Unfortunately, there are still others who are not, and perhaps it is because we have not fully impressed upon all of our citizens the serious consequences of not staying at home.”

Projections are based on modeling that accounts for the rate of hospitalization and death, as well as the capacity of health care facilities and medical surge efforts in each region. Each scenario is based on the number of new people a COVID-19 positive patient infects. In the most favorable scenario, this number is lower, with fewer people being infected and fewer health care resources needed.

Louisiana releases data about hospitalized cases and hospital and ventilator use each day on its COVD-19 dashboard at ldh.la.gov/coronavirus

The product of the Department’s COVID-19 model shows differing scenarios based on how well the public participates in different mitigation efforts. This graph shows projected new hospitalizations per day under four different scenarios in Region 1 (the Greater New Orleans Area). As the Department builds out additional regional projections, it will share them with the public.

April 02, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) on Thursday reports 2,726 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the state’s total to 9,150 cases. More than 95% of these positive results are from tests conducted in commercial labs.

“While extremely upsetting, this increase in COVID-19 cases appears to be less a sign of new exponential growth and more a sign of a logjam from commercial labs,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “I am pleased to see a ramp up in testing across the state. We need this energy and commitment to continue. It’s important to understand that what’s happening in Louisiana with the increased testing is also happening around the country. That said, as more and more commercial labs come online our different data systems must learn to talk to one another.

“I have said time and again – COVID-19 is a statewide problem and testing is a vital step towards understanding the scale of this problem. We believe COVID-19 is spreading in every parish in Louisiana.”

“If there is a place to draw hope here it is that these new data reveal our COVID-19 related hospitalization and death rates, while still concerningly high, are trending more in line with the national average,” said Dr. Alex Billioux, assistant secretary of the Office of Public Health.

“The situation remains concerning, but every Louisianan has the power to change the path we are on,” said Gov. Edwards. “Think of your neighbors, and please stay at home.”

By Reba Phelps

Some years ago before my youngest daughter grew into the sophisticated young lady that she is today, she was very much a terror. She wasn’t a quiet child who could easily blend into her surroundings. She wasn’t a child who would occupy herself and play with a bag of toys while adults mingled or the preacher preached. She was very high maintenance and I just remember constantly apologizing for her behavior.

My friends that were closest to me affectionately called her, “wild-Kat”. I am eternally grateful these uncertain days are behind us now.

But, during the midst of her reign-of-terror we went to visit a close friend of mine who lives on Cane River. It was Easter Sunday and my friend had numerous nieces and nephews around her age, so it was a welcoming environment for rowdy children. It was a perfectly sunny day and the children were having heaps of fun. They played Easter themed games with eggs and even went fishing on the banks of the Cane.

It was picture perfect.

As the evening came to a close everyone headed inside for a supper of Creole Easter lunch leftovers. Once inside we noticed that my friend’s Maw Maw Genie had baked a beautiful, old-school single layer jelly cake. She was just finishing the jelly application when my terror was standing in line begging for a piece. The gracious and well meaning grandmother let her cut her own piece.

I knew deep in my heart this would not end well for anyone involved. I tried to intervene before she took possession of the knife. My Kat-like reflexes failed me and she had hacked into the cake before I, or my friend, could stop her.

Needless to say, she cut a piece of cake large enough to feed herself, my friend, me and any other adult in that kitchen. As speechless and mortified that I was, I did not even have to react. Kat had met her match in Maw Maw Genie. She let her know quick that it was rude and she better be prepared to eat every single bite. My friend and I knew she wouldn’t be able to eat all of it so we stood by, ready to eat a share of if to prevent a good old fashioned kitchen whooping.

It was a complete Creole standoff as Maw Maw Genie watched every bite that Kat took. As soon as it was all over and we were breathing a sigh of relief, the grandmother looked at wild-Kat right square in the eye and said, “You is wasteful,” with a stern voice that made all of us stand at attention.

She was the worst kind of wasteful that day. She probably wasn’t even hungry and still took the cake. I have reminded my daughter of that story every single time she even has the appearance of being wasteful. Being wasteful has a much deeper sentiment than that funny story in our household these days.

If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic, shelter in place, has taught me and my girls, is that we were living extremely wasteful lives. We didn’t limit our wastefulness just to food. We were wasteful of our time together. We totally took it for granted as if we had an endless supply. We were wasteful with our talents and we filled our lives with meaningless things that kept us away from each other and kept us from praying together as a family. It was a rarity that we all sat together at the same time and talked about nothing for hours on end. We have sincerely used this slower pace to reflect on our blessings and take inventory of the things that matter most. We have used this time to pray for our nation, our community and our family members.

Maybe Maw Maw Genie tried to teach us this years ago with her stern but truthful words. We was wasteful. In every sense of the word.

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath even those who seem secure.” – Psalm 39:4-5

Rest in peace Orena Genevieve Beaudion Christophe – 1930-2020

• 

• 

• 

In response to the Governor of Louisiana’s Stay at Home Order, Engage Federal Credit Union will remain open for business. Financial Institutions are considered an essential business to the community and will continue to be here to serve you. The safety of our staff members, their families, and the members we serve is very important to us. We will continue to follow all safety rules put in place and do our part to help stop the spread of the virus.

We have received feedback from our members, and we know there are real concerns about fraud attempts related to the COVID-19. The job of a fraudster is to deceive others and take advantage for personal gain. They are opportunistic; they will find anything to take advantage of including fear, anxiety and the unknown surrounding coronavirus. They come in many forms; phone, text, emails, websites, and even mail or faxes.

Email and phone scams have been reported where scammers are phishing for personal information by impersonating health officials. Reports of requests for donations to help fund emergency plans have also been seen. Emails are also spreading false information that the virus is in the emailer’s area and they need to click on the link and enter personal information to read more. Below you will find a partial list of known scams:

Treatment scams- Scammers offer to sell fake cures, vaccines and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.

Supply scams- Scammers create fake shops, websites, social media accounts and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks.

Provider scams- Scammers contact people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or a relative for COVID-19 and demand payment for treatment.

Charity scams- Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups and area affected by the virus.

Phishing scams- Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), send phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.

App scams- Scammers create and manipulate mobile apps designed to track to spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise user devices and personal information.

We encourage you to manage your money from home, and we offer a full range of banking solutions that are available 24/7. For members not signed up for digital banking, please contact us at 318-238-7762. To apply for a loan from the comfort of your home please visit our website at http://www.engagefcu.org.

We understand this is a difficult time for everyone but be assured that Engage FCU will be here for your continued service. We sincerely hope this situation will pass quickly, but until that time your safety and the safety of our staff will be our top priority.

The Louisiana Department of Health is now reporting 4 cases of Coronavirus for Natchitoches Parish.