Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

During the past weeks, as coronavirus cases spiked across the United States, deaths rose far more slowly, staying significantly lower than in the early, deadliest weeks pf the nation's outbreak this spring. New treatments, many hoped, might slow a new wave of funerals.

Now, signs are shifting: More than 1,000 Americans are dying of the coronavirus every day on average, a 50 percent increase in the last month. Twice this past week, there have been more than 1,400 deaths reported in a single day.

According to Jennifer Nuzzo, a senior scholar at John Hopkins Center for Health Security, "The months ahead are looking quite horrifying." For many families, the pain of personal loss has combined with a sense of anger that the nation, exhausted after nine months of the pandemic, the death toll has grown rapidly.

More than 255, 000 people have died from the coronavirus in the United States, more than any other country, and experts say the pace of new deaths is likely to accelerate in the coming weeks.

Improved medical treatments for the virus have emerged in the recent months since it arrived in the United States. We are also learning that there is hope that even if cases soared before a vaccine was available, deaths might hold off.

According to the Louisiana Coronavirus COVID-19 testing is ongoing across Louisiana following Hurricane Delta. According to Governor Edwards, Louisiana will remain in phase 3 as he implements Guidance to expand Nursing Home Visitation and reinforce the Stay-at-home orders except in necessary essential cases.

According to recent reports in Louisiana, Ouachita Parish has confirmed 8,229

COVID-19 cases and recorded 191 deaths since the virus started in the United States.

Special caution is issued for the holiday season which included keeping the guests in the private homes limited to those persons who live there. If friends or relatives have plans to come over for Thanksgiving dinner, they should enter into quarantine at least ten (10) days prior to the visit. Wear the masks at all times except during the meal. Speculation has come about that the virus can travel even during face-to-face conversations.

Keep in mind that a restricted holiday can yield longer life expectancy. Remember, we are back to reinforcing good hygiene by washing hands regularly, wearing a mask around all other people and maintaining social distancing when there is a group setting.