COVID-19 has created many challenges. From health care to education, and business to government, every sector of our world has been affected by this crisis. As we begin to move from focusing on the health crisis to the economic calamity, the challenge does not grow easier.

According to figures released by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association last week, West Texas Intermediate futures for oil traded below $11 a barrel for the first time since 1986. LOGA said that was a drop in price of over 80% since the beginning of the year.

Our job, after all, was to “flatten the curve” by social distancing and shutting down businesses, even as layoffs mounted, and the stock market plunged.

In 1999, right on the cusp of Y2K, Logan Mansion co-owner Lisa Brutto was employed by the giant computer technology company Oracle. It was a hectic and crazy time for Oracle and all computer businesses.

May is National Foster Care Month. Ironically, it was May of 2013 when Kilpatrick – who was a registered foster care parent – got the call she knew could come at any time. A young brother and sister in Webster Parish had been rescued from a criminal abuse and criminal neglect environment.

“I think it’s because people are off work, and they have time to spend with the animals, house-train them, show them the ropes and take them on walks,” said Courtney Wingate, director of the HSNWLA.

It has been sort of like the response of the United States to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The entire nation suddenly realized that there was a new normal, that things would not be the same, and that it was up to everyone to make the necessary changes for survival.

“We get a lot of people referred through the court system and drug court,” Maurice noted. “That can’t happen now because those systems have also been shut down. We get quite a few from the treatment centers,.

When health conditions are not treated promptly, the outcomes may not be as positive. This is particularly true in the case of a suspected heart attack or stroke when time is of the essence or with appendicitis where a rupture makes the surgery more complex.

“Weird times!” That's been my go-to description when I chat with friends and family about life according to COVID-19. After six weeks, there's finally light at the end of this lock-down tunnel. Louisiana is just a few weeks away from Phase 1 of reopening.

Sidewalks at The Glen were sprinkled with color on the afternoon of April 14 in Shreveport, when members of The Simple Church dropped by to leave cheerful messages and drawings in chalk for residents and staff working in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

pair of pajama bottoms, a USB cable and a guinea pig named Starbucks – all components in the re-creation of Leonardo DaVinci’s "Lady with an Ermine" painting. Local elementary student Chloe Collins enthusiastically reimagined the piece as part of a challenge posed by The R.

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Shreveport.