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Gov. John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana’s Public Health Emergency order related to COVID-19, including a provision allowing all state government agencies to require mask-wearing, given the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is now the dominant strain in the United States and Louisiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
State agencies in the Governor’s Cabinet will begin requiring masks of employees and visitors.
“While vaccines and booster doses are the strongest tools we have in the fight against COVID, public health experts also agree that masks are an important way to slow the spread of the Omicron variant now,” Edwards said. “This means you should be masking indoors around people who aren’t in your household.
“While it is concerning to still see rising cases, as President Joe Biden noted – we have come a long way since March 2020. Around 50 percent of Louisianans have already been vaccinated and are much more protected against COVID than they have ever been. The more than 460,000 Louisianans who have already taken a booster dose have even stronger protection.
“Now more than ever it is important that everyone get vaccinated or, if they are eligible, take a COVID booster.”
The governor cited CDC data that found that unvaccinated people are 10 times more likely to test positive for COVID and 20 times more likely to die from COVID than fully vaccinated people who also have gotten booster shots
“Simply put, one of the riskiest things you can be in Louisiana right now is unvaccinated,” Edwards said. “You’re signing up for the potential of severe illness, hospitalization or something even worse.”
While many people are vaccinated, only around a quarter of eligible Louisianans have their booster doses.
In addition to the Governor’s public health order, the Louisiana Department of Health has issued revised recommendations and guidance for Louisianans (gov.louisiana.gov) during the holiday season, particularly if they are traveling. These include getting vaccines and boosters, masking indoors around people who aren’t in your household and getting tested regularly. In addition, any person who has COVID symptoms should get tested and stay in quarantine to avoid spreading illness to others.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
People with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and get tested.
There are COVID-19 test sites throughout Louisiana. Visit ldh.la.gov/covidtesting (gov.louisiana.gov) or call 211 to find a test site near you.
As a reminder, all community-based sites operated by the Louisiana National Guard will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Ms. Helen’s Soup Kitchen just closed out one of its busiest times of the year, serving “Christmas Lunch” to an overwhelming crowd.
With only three “employees,” the Soup Kitchen relies heavily on volunteers, and it seems that there is rarely a shortage of those.
“We have people who show up almost every day,” said Sandra Trahan, one of those “regulars” in the kitchen at 117 W. Seventh St. “Then there are people like Jim Winston, who is here every Monday morning to help wash dishes.”
Then there are the local civic organizations. Members of the Rotary Club of Crowley volunteer on the second Monday of each month and a contingent from First Baptist Church is there on the fourth Friday. Members of the Crowley Lions Club also volunteer at Ms. Helen’s.
The kitchen further relies on court ordered community service hours sometimes.
“Some of the court-ordered people come in here and really get into it – they’re all over the place helping out wherever they can,” Trahan said. “Some just kind of stand in the corner and wait to be told what to do.”
Nevertheless, Ms. Helen’s is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, feeding about 200 to 250 people each day. This number doubles in the summer months and on school holidays due to the number of children who visit for a meal.
“And we feed such a diverse group of people,” Trahan said. “Anybody can come, regardless of income level.
“We get a number of laborers in here regularly — people that may have been doing some roofing down the street will come in for a hot meal. We also welcome a number of retired people and those on fixed incomes.”
The facility’s name comes from many years ago when Mrs. Helen John began a mission to feed anyone who came to her door. In 2002, in her memory, a family home was donated to St. Michael Church and converted into a soup kitchen to feed the poor and hungry in Crowley.
Over the years, however, that building fell into serious disrepair and was no longer suitable to fulfill that mission. It was subsequently demolished and a new, more modern facility was constructed on the same site.
The new building has more than double the seating capacity as well as an improved food receiving and distribution operation. Ms. Helen’s serves as the delivery point for Second Harvest Food Bank and Walmart donations of food.
Dry goods are distributed to Crowley Christian Care.
Ms. Helen’s is solely sustained by donated funds from the community through St. Michael Church, with assistance from First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church.
Ms. Helen’s will be closed through the holidays, reopening on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

With leading scorer Caleb Hanks out for Monday’s tournament opener, Northside Christian coach Glenn Daigle needed someone to step up and fill the void in his matchup with Vermilion Catholic.
Sophomore Joseph Woods answered the call.
Woods poured in a season- and game-high 25 points to help lead the Warriors to a 59-43 over the Eagles during the first day of action in the Teurlings Round Robin.
The Warriors improved to 8-10 with the victory
“Joseph has had some big games for us, but today was his biggest,” said Daigle. “He was focused and he shot the ball really well.”
Woods got hot from the start and scored 11 points in the opening frame to help the Warriors streak out to an 18-9 advantage.
“Usually, the first quarter has been a struggle for us but Joseph kind of got in a rhythm and we finally played a solid eight minutes to start the game.”
The Warriors extended their lead to 29-18 at the break behind six more points from Woods and a 3-pointer from Carson Tweedel, his second of the half.
Tweedel and Jagger Thibodeaux each added another long ball in the third quarter and Woods scored six points to help the Warriors push the lead to 43-30.
“Carson stepped up for us tonight,” said Daigle of Tweedel, who finished with 15 points. “He’s been our sixth man, coming off the bench, and he’s struggled scoring. But tonight he really played well. He knocked one down early and you could see the confidence.”
Tweedel, Woods and Christian Myers each scored four points in the fourth quarter and the Warriors outscored the Eagles 16-13 to seal the victory.
In all, the Warriors had seven players contribute points in the victory.
“I think my team this year, offensively, is one of the best that I’ve had in a long time,” said Daigle. “We have some size and we have a number of guys that are capable of scoring in double figures on any given night.
“Honestly, we should be a team that averages between 18 and 21 points per quarter.”
In addition to Woods and Tweedel, Tweedel scored seven points, Myers added five and Jake Morgan had three. Garrett Kidder and Andrew Woods rounded out the offense with two points apiece.
Eric Bourque was the leader for the Eagles with 12 points.
Northside Christian took on host Teurlings last night, but results of that game were not available as of press time.
The Warriors close out tournament play today when they take on the Opelousas Catholic Vikings at 2:30 p.m.

Louisiana high school and middle school students between the ages of 12 and 17 can now help lead the effort to improve Louisiana’s COVID-19 vaccination rates by becoming a Youth Ambassador. 
Youth Ambassadors work with Louisiana’s Teen Vax Campaign to promote the important role young people have in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and keeping their friends and family members from getting sick. This youth-led program will provide young people with the facts and benefits of getting the shot, clear up myths, and provide participants with opportunities to inspire and engage their peers with positive messages.
Regardless of someone’s current vaccination status, anyone who is interested can join the campaign by applying as an individual, forming a new group or team, or by applying through an existing youth group, sports group, team or club. 
“Not only will Ambassadors have an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations, but they’ll also gain key leadership skills that can be transferable and useful in school and career settings,” said Kim Hood, assistant secretary for the Office of Public Health.
Members of the Louisiana Teen Vax Campaign will:
• Meet monthly with public health professionals
• Develop their own vaccine-related social media content
• Learn about benefits of getting the shot
• Conduct trainings and events to educate and rally other youth in their community
• Serve as statewide ambassadors for COVID-19 vaccinations
Benefits of joining include:
• Statewide recognition as a Teen Ambassador
• Swag and other prizes
• Leadership, public health and communications skills that can be beneficial in school, hobbies, and future career
• Eligible groups may also receive a mini-grant to support their work locally
The Louisiana Teen Vax Campaign will accept applications on a continuous basis. Those interested can apply online at www.layouthambassadors.org.