New Orleans is an epicenter of coronavirus. Mardi Gras could be to blame, doctors say.

[babylonsister]

So a whole lot of folks go to Mardi Gras.

New Orleans is an epicenter of coronavirus. Mardi Gras could be to blame, doctors say.
As of Tuesday afternoon, New Orleans had 567 of Louisiana's 1,388 cases of coronavirus and 20 of the state's 46 deaths.
March 24, 2020, 5:11 PM EDT
By Elisha Fieldstadt


Health experts say it's no surprise that New Orleans is the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in hard-hit Louisiana, after over a million people flocked to the city to celebrate Carnival for more than a month, culminating in Mardi Gras at the end of February.

Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the state as the number of cases rose to 1,388 cases in 43 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, according to the state's health department.

At least 46 people have died.

“It is still impossible to know exactly how long the COVID-19 pandemic will impact Louisiana, but what we do know is that we have more cases per capita than every state, except for New York and Washington," Edwards said Tuesday. On Sunday, he issued a stay at home order in an effort to slow the rapid rise of cases.

While some parishes appear to be unaffected, Edwards said testing just hadn't caught up. "We shouldn't delude ourselves. It's in every single parish," he said.

more...

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-orleans-epicenter-coronavirus-mardi-gras-could-be-blame-doctors-n1167741

[BigmanPigman]

1. I shook my head when I heard they didn't cancel Carnival like Venice, Italy did.

Nice, France didn't cancel their and neither did Brazil.

Carnival/Mardi Gras was about 3 weeks ago and the spread of the disease is showing now. Wait for all those partying at Spring Break to spread their germs to their families and friends. Three weeks from now the numbers will rise a lot more.

[OhNo-Really]

4. Ineffnsane. I don't get these gatherings at all 🤓

Maybe they thought Pan Demic meant a new non-stick cookware!

Like cooking on air

But Wait......😝

[blitzen]

11. It was a month ago. n/t

[BigmanPigman]

12. Yes, Nice canceled their final 3 parades since it went until Feb 29th.

Nice Carnival 2020 began on Saturday, February 15 and ended on Saturday, February 29.
https://www.france-justforyou.com/blog/a-guide-to-nice-carnival-2020

"Cancellation of the Flower Parade of 26th February, and the two parade planned on 29th February 2020."

https://en.nicecarnaval.com/

[pat_k]

2. Typical attendance at Mardi Gras in NO is reported as 1.4 million. Layfayette celebrations 250,000

Gotta wonder how many undetected cases across the US earlier this month can be traced to Mardi Gras... and how many those people infected.

[Pachamama]

16. So assuming approximately 1.75 Million people, and conservatively 1/3 infected, at the rate of

Transmission being 2-3 people, then we can expect at least anywhere from 1.7Million - 3 Million people infected currently from Mardi Gras, of which at least 1/2 will be showing signs in next week and then all the asymptomatic other 1/2 will infect another 2-3 people if they aren’t sheltering in place.

Yeah....a clusterfuck coming like nothing Americans have ever imagined and seen....

So about 800,000-1.5MM sick in coming weeks and another wave of another Million or more a week or two after that.....

[pat_k]

19. The only thing we can hope is that the incidence was far lower at the end of Feb...

... which would make the starting figure a lot lower.

Of course, we cannot make even a meaningful ballpark guesstimate because they didn't even have a working test being actively distributed to states until the beginning of March.

Every time I think of the 7 - 8 weeks lost to resistance and incompetence from mid-Jan to the end of Feb I want to scream, or cry, or both.

[misanthrope]

3. I don't think there's a lot of doubt there

It was perfect for the spread of something so contagious. Louisiana's average-busting rise in cases hasn't surprised me one whit.

[not_the_one]

5. And now, a lot of the youngsters that went to Mardi Gras

are on the Florida beaches.

What could possibly go wrong?

[babylonsister]

6. No longer. Beaches are finally closed. nt

[Alea]

7. I think all big cities will become cv epicenters before this is over

[pat_k]

20. Yes-with densest areas within metro areas the worst hit. Here's a list of the top 30 metros to watch

https://www.thoughtco.com/largest-metropolitan-areas-1435135

[C Moon]

8. I was surprised when L.A. didn't cancel the marathon.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-08/los-angeles-marathon-coronavirus

[DENVERPOPS]

9. It's all about the money folks

Louisiana didn't want to miss out on 1.1 Million people spending money in their economy.
Say each of them spent 100 bucks (extremely conservative amount)...Wow
And think of the TAX REVENUE for the City and State!!!!!!!!

I bet the idiotic move of not cancelling the Mardi Gras, is gonna cost Lousiana a fuck load more in health costs than the Total Revenue they brought in to their accounts. ON Rachel tonight, Louisiana was on there crying Woe are We, we need help, etc etc
Then Rachel pointed out the situation with them not cancelling Mardi Gras.........

Worst of all, is that New Orleans didn't learn a damn thing about how the Feds are NOT going to help them, after experiencing Katrina.........

[KY_EnviroGuy]

10. Alcohol and COVID-19 don't mix. Toxic cocktail except....

when the high-test ethyl is used to disinfect your kitchen counter......

Louisiana is a very social state among families and friends, so it will be a huge challenge. This thing could seriously damage thousands of large, extended families.

I wish the Cajuns the very best in getting this under control.....

[pstokely]

14. are churches still open?

https://www.katc.com/news/covering-louisiana/baton-rouge-church-continues-to-host-sunday-service-with-thousands-in-attendance

[KY_EnviroGuy]

15. Now faith healers. I guess tRump will be pushing that next....

for a small fee. Trump Faith Healers, Inc.

Time and Mother Nature will teach those 1800 people a very nasty lesson.....

From NOLA.com:

Louisiana coronavirus tracking map: 1,388 positive cases | 46 dead | 8,603 tested

'It's like a war zone': Fighting coronavirus, limited ICU beds, bracing for chaos in New Orleans

[pstokely]

13. Florida soon, and other spring break hotspots

out of state travelers for Spring Break and an elderly population

[uponit7771]

17. +1

[Brainfodder]

18. Captain Obvious is wicked pissed?

Super duper dippity DUH!!!