LABEOC Update – 8 April 2020
As of noon (12:00 PM) today, Louisiana has 17,030 diagnosed cases, 652 deaths and 1,983 patients hospitalized (490 requiring ventilators)associated with the outbreak. There have been 81,406 tests completed. All data is available at www.ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
Emergent Issues related to Freight Systems Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The attached document assesses the national freight system that connects demand and supply networks for many critical commodities in order to understand strategic risk and, potentially, offer recommendations.
Consensus Assessment from the Report:
- Based on available data and consultations with industry leaders, the national freight system has to date effectively adapted to significant changes in demand for several sectors.
- The surge in grocery demand in early March more than offset declines in demand from businesses classified as non-essential. While current volumes are still higher than they were at this time last year, half of the 20% gain realized by mid-March has already been lost. Reefer volumes also declined, particularly in the spot market, indicating that the grocery demand is also cooling off.
- A sharp and sustained drop in volumes, coupled with the looming economic recession, could have significant effects on an already volatile trucking industry. Once capacity is lost, it may not be recovered quickly.
- For the moment, freight flows have been maintained despite increased complexity from Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions restricting business operations that vary by jurisdiction.
- Safety remains a high concern among the supply chain workers who are the backbone of the nation’s food system; their proper protection remain paramount as the nation addresses this health crisis.
Joint FEMA-CBP Statement on Export of Critical PPE. On Friday, April 3, President Trump issued “Memorandum on Allocating Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources to Domestic Use” directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to use the Defense Production Act to keep scarce medical resources within the United States for domestic use. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) subject to this policy includes: N95 respirators, and a variety of other filtering respirators; air-purifying respirators; surgical masks; and, surgical gloves.
FEMA and CBP are working together to prevent domestic brokers, distributors, and other intermediaries from diverting these critical medical resources overseas. To accomplish this, CBP will detain shipments of the PPE specified in the President’s Memorandum while FEMA determines whether to return the PPE for use within the United States; to purchase the PPE on behalf of the United States; or, allow it to be exported. Vendors with questions on PPE export policy should contact:
- Congressional Affairs at (202) 646-4500 or at [email protected]
- Intergovernmental Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at [email protected]
- Tribal Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at [email protected]
- Private Sector Engagement at (202) 646-3444, at [email protected].
Counterfeit CISA “Essential Employee” placards. Some states have reported authorities being presented a DHS CISA “Essential Employee” placard to avoid curfews or checkpoints. DHS CISA does not issue placards and has stressed that this is and will always be a state/local decision.
FEMA Announces Free Access to GIS Software and Licensed Datasets in Response to COVID-19. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that through the DHS Enterprise License Agreement with Esri, DHS/FEMA is able to extend that agreement to non-Federal governmental partners during incidents of national significance, which includes COVID-19. State, local, tribal and territorial governmental entities can now obtain free access to Esri software for up to 6 months to help respond to COVID-19. More Information Here
Detailed Guidance on Doing Business with FEMA. FEMA in coordination with the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Department of Health and Human Services and state, local, tribal and territorial governments to execute a Whole-of-America response. Louisiana businesses seeking a federal contract should follow the attached guidance sheet.
CDC Guidance on Running Essential Errands. As communities take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 people are facing challenges and questions on how to meet basic household needs. The website provides advice on preventative measures to conduct routine activities in a safe and healthy manner.
Questions about Coronavirus? Louisiana 211 is activated to answer your questions about the virus.
Information by Text. Text keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available.
Stressed about COVID-19? Anyone feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline. This hotline connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services. Call 1-866-310-7977. Open 24/7. All calls are confidential.
Mississippi Launches Business EOC. Welcome to our neighbors to the East. If you do business in Mississippi, please consider registering with our partners here.
Marketing During a Crisis. Get a jumpstart on marketing for post COVID recovery. This 45-minute webinar with nationally known marketing and advertising experts Gordon Borrell, Corey Elliott, and Jim Brown from Borrell Associates Inc. will discuss how to manage marketing in times of crisis, and examples of how some businesses are actually able to thrive in difficult times.https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8037862513173874444
Louisiana Seafood Direct. Louisiana Direct Seafood connects you with fishermen and local dealers to directly purchase fresh, delicious shrimp, crabs, fish and other seafood… one step away from the boat. https://louisianadirectseafood.com/
Thank you again for your support of Louisiana & helping us flatten the curve & build our medical capacity! We are cautiously optimistic that our efforts are starting to show progress towards recovery.
Chris J. DeGuelle
LABEOC Director
