COVID-19 response

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Municipal, hospital officials weigh coronavirus issues
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Mayors, police and fire chiefs, and hospital administrators attended a meeting called by state Rep. Phillip DeVillier to discuss the coronavirus — COVID-19.
The meeting follows an order by Gov. John Bel Edwards that closed public schools and limited gatherings to no more than 50, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The governor’s proclamation Monday also closed bars, movie theaters and fitness centers and casinos. Restaurants will not be allowed to have patrons eat on-site, rather they will be limited to drive-thru, pick-up and delivery orders only.
In recent days, store shelves emptied of items from toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bread and even onions. It was hurricane shopping moved to a new level.
DeVillier said, “It is extremely important that we stay calm.”
The meeting in the council chambers at the Eunice Municipal Complex included the officials on the frontline of the response to the virus should it arrive in the Eunice representative’s 41st District that includes Eunice and most of rural Acadia Parish.
As of noon Wednesday, there were no reports of anyone testing positive for the virus here. The Louisiana Department of Health reported six deaths and 240 positive cases.
The meeting group indicated they do not have enough personal protective equipment, a point noted by DeVillier.
Kevin Frank, CEO at Acadian Medical Center, and Cindy Walters, CEO at Acadia-St. Landry Hospital in Church Point, said there is a limited supply of tests for the virus.
Frank said the majority of people who become infected are not going to have severe symptoms.
“Many people have already had it and didn’t even think they had it,” he said.
If someone suspects they have the virus, they should call their medical provider.
Both administrators said the test for the virus will be administered only if someone fits the criteria for testing. The factors include fever, cough, sore throat, a negative flu test, shortness of breath, over 60 years old and compromised immune system.
Most people with symptoms will be sent home.
DeVillier urged the leaders to keep track of expenses caused by the virus. The assumption is financial assistance may be coming from the federal government.
DeVillier said there is a question about who will enforce the closings ordered by the governor.
But that was clarified that state law gives the governor authority to set restrictions on gatherings and businesses in the interest of public safety and to prevent spread of COVID-19. These proclamations and declarations have the power of law, stated a notice from the governor’s office.
“As such, local, parish, and state law enforcement agencies as well as other state authorities including ATC and the State Fire Marshal, will be acting to enforce these rules ...
“Violations of gathering capacity and business hour restrictions may result in revocation of licenses and/or citations for violating the executive order ...”
DeVillier said the local officials are in responsible for the enforcement.
“As mayor you are the boss and you and your chief decide how to do certain things,” he said in reply to a question from Church Point Mayor Ryan Meche.
The closing orders will put a lot of people out of work, Meche said.
“We don’t have any restaurants, don’t have a bar that can house more than 50 people,” he said.
“One month may kill them,” Meche said.
DeVillier said enforcement may hinge on maintaining a social distance.
But Basile was given as an example that while the restaurants may be small in size, they serve a diverse public that includes people working at the nearby detention center.
DeVillier said the governor is following the directives given by the Centers for Disease Control.
DeVillier said he is receiving many calls about the closures mostly from business owners and municipal officials.
The economic impact is as yet unknown, but it forces reworking the state’s budget, he said.