New Orleans will reinstitute a mask mandate tomorrow. This has nothing to do with science, but is instead a political move to show "safety" during Carnival season. Omicron actually peaked here in late December, and there has been a trend of fewer cases on more tests for the past several days. Growth in hospitalizations have also slowed as less people are testing positive when they come in after getting shot during a carjacking.
218 people were murdered vs. 295 died of COVID in the city last year, but the mayor isn't doing anything about the skyrocketing crime rate. The masks are actually helping the criminals since someone walking around with a mask on is just commonplace now. Very ironic in my opinion.
I was fine with showing proof of vaccination, but reinstating the mask mandate serves no real purpose (unless everyone is forced to buy N95 masks.) Needless to say, I will not be dining or soliciting any business in the city until this mask mandate ends. My money will go to the excellent local restaurants in the surrounding suburbs. I'll go watch a parade on St. Charles avenue during the peak of Carnival in late Feb., but I'll bring my own snacks and drinks.
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Slidell, LA...The Camellia City
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