A new set of COVID-19 variants, which collectively have an odd name to identify them, that have been identified in Louisiana (particularly the northern part of the state) seem to be evidence of a new “summer surge” of the virus that sparked a global pandemic just a few years ago.
Health experts are warning folks about the FLiRT variant – or rather, variants – which stem from the JN.1 variant that was making the rounds through Louisiana in December.
The JN.1 variant was reported to have some unique symptoms, which appeared among those who tested positive for the strain in Louisiana and across the country.
Trouble Sleeping: 10.8 percent of those diagnosed reported trouble sleeping.
Advertisement
Increased Anxiety: 10.5 percent of those diagnosed reported more anxiety.
READ MORE: The Latest COVID Variant in Louisiana Has Bizarre New Symptoms
But, as most viruses do, COVID-19 has continued to mutate, with more variations becoming prevalent as spring turns into summer.
The Shreveport Times spoke with a health expert to learn more.
Advertisement
Dr. Krista Queen, Director of the Viral Genomics and Surveillance Center for Emerging Viral Threats at LSU Health Shreveport, viral threats specialist said, “FLiRT is an interesting name for this new variant and it’s referring to a couple of different mutations that are present and actually it’s not just one variant, it’s a group of variants.”
According to Dr. Queen and the CDC, there are a few symptoms specific to FLiRT to watch out for.
• Fever or chills • Cough • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Headache • Muscle aches • Difficulty breathing • Fatigue • New loss of taste or smell • “Brain fog” (feeling less wakeful and aware) • Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diarrhea, vomiting)
However, there are currently mixed beliefs on whether or not this could result in a “summer surge.”
“The FLiRT strains are subvariants of Omicron,” Yale Medicine wrote on its site. “One of them, KP.2, accounted for 28.2% of COVID infections in the United States by the third week of May, making it the dominant coronavirus variant in the country; another, KP.1.1, made up 7.1% of cases.”
But, the medical site also notes that this variant does not necessarily mean a surge.
Advertisement
“Some experts have suggested that the new variants could cause a summer surge in COVID cases,” the site explained. “But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that COVID viral activity in wastewater (water containing waste from residential, commercial, and industrial processes) in the U.S. has been dropping since January and is currently ‘minimal.’”
How to Prevent Infection
Preventing COVID-19 involves several important steps based on guidelines from health authorities such as the CDC and WHO. First and foremost, getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines is crucial, as they are effective at reducing the severity of illness and preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
Hand hygiene is another key measure; washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential, especially after being in public places, touching your face, or coughing and sneezing. When soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is recommended.
Government Health Officials Testify On Coronavirus Vaccine DevelopmentGetty Images
Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces, particularly in areas with high transmission rates or where physical distancing is challenging, is also important. The mask should cover both your nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face.
Advertisement
Maintaining physical distance, ideally at least 6 feet from others who are not in your household, helps reduce the spread of the virus. It’s advisable to avoid crowded places and large gatherings where distancing is difficult. Additionally, minimizing close contact with people who are sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19 is essential, and staying home if you are feeling unwell or have been exposed to the virus is critical.
Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and smartphones, should be practiced. Using disinfectants that meet EPA criteria for effectiveness against COVID-19 is recommended. Improving indoor ventilation by opening windows and doors, and using air purifiers and exhaust fans to increase air circulation, can also help reduce the concentration of viral particles indoors.
Monitoring your health for symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell is important. If you experience symptoms or suspect exposure to COVID-19, getting tested and following public health guidance is necessary.
Staying informed with the latest information from trusted sources like the CDC and WHO, and following local public health recommendations and guidelines, ensures you are aware of the latest measures to protect yourself and others. By consistently following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
Suggested Remedies for Flu and COVID Symptoms from Louisiana
Being sick is the worst! Not only do you feel gross, you have to miss work and pause your life to get better. There may not be a pill or potion that zaps you back to normal, but here are a few suggestions from Louisiana folks to help you through it.
It’s the final home game of the season for the Arkansas Razorbacks as they host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in a pivotal matchup at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Advertisement
With kickoff set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Razorbacks, who are eyeing bowl eligibility in their final push of the 2024 season.
Jonas Nantze #60 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs onto the field before a game against the Texas Longhorns at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Jonas Nantze #60 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs onto the field before a game against the Texas Longhorns at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
How to Watch Arkansas vs Louisiana Tech:
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 4:00 PM ET
Channel/Stream: ESPN+
Stream: ESPN+ (watch now)
For Arkansas, this game is about seizing an opportunity to secure bowl eligibility after falling short in two previous attempts. The Razorbacks enter the matchup at 5-5, fresh off a 20-10 loss to Texas where offensive struggles and costly turnovers proved to be their undoing. With only two games left in the regular season, this matchup is a must-win for Arkansas to punch their ticket to the postseason.
On the other side, Louisiana Tech is playing spoiler while clinging to its slim bowl hopes. The Bulldogs are 4-6 but riding high after a gritty 12-7 victory over Western Kentucky last week, where their defense served the Hilltoppers their first conference loss of the year. This will be a battle on Saturday, make sure to tune in.
WATCH: Arkansas vs. Louisiana Tech on ESPN+
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Louisiana voters will decide whether to make it easier to send younger teenagers to adult prisons in a constitutional proposal next spring.
The Louisiana Legislature approved Senate Bill 2 Friday with a 70-25 vote in the House of Representatives and 28-10 vote in the Senate. The measure will be on the March 29 ballot that will also feature a major rewrite of state financial policy.
It would remove constitutional limits on crimes that can get people under age 17 sentenced as adults. Legislators would then have to enact new laws outlining how courts could send those minors to adult facilities.
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry backed the proposal and sat in the Louisiana House of Representatives as legislators debated and voted for the bill Friday. Still, it barely made it through the legislative process. The proposal only received 70 votes in the House, the exact number it needed to advance to voters.
Advertisement
Ahead of the narrow victory, Republican leaders appeared anxious to get through the House vote quickly and moved to cut off debate and questioning early. House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, also told Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, she had missed a deadline to amend the legislation and refused to let her bring up her proposed change for debate or a vote.
One of the sponsors of the legislation, Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, also made a last-minute change to the bill to limit the offenses for which youth could be moved to adult prisons to just felonies, in part to address reservations lawmakers had about moving more young people into adult facilities. Prior to that change, the amendment would have allowed the Legislature to draft new laws to move minors to adult prisons for “any crime.”
Fifteen- and 16-year-olds, and in more restricted circumstances 14-year-olds, already face adult prison sentences for limited crimes without the constitutional amendment. Those offenses include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated battery, a second or subsequent burglary of an inhabited dwelling and a second or subsequent violation of some drug crimes.
Youth advocates have said the broadening of that list to new offenses would do lasting harm to young teens caught up in the criminal justice system.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
Advertisement
Teenagers transferred into adult prisons are at much higher risk for sexual abuse from other inmates and don’t receive the same counseling and educational services available in the juvenile system. Adult sentences are also often years or even decades longer than what youth in juvenile facilities serve, advocates said.
Supporters of the constitutional amendment, which include the Louisiana District Attorneys Association and Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, have said prosecutors need a larger list of crimes in order to hold younger teens accountable.
Advertisement
Villio and Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, the sponsors of the legislation, mentioned a few crimes they think should be added to the list. Cloud said she would like to make the law applicable to carjacking, drive-by shootings and human trafficking. Villio said she was interested in adding fentanyl offenses.
Attorneys who represent youth in criminal matters said many of those offenses can be used to transfer teenagers to adult prison under current law.
They also questioned why human trafficking was being brought up as a concern because prosecutors rarely charge adults with that crime. Any teens accused of the offense are also likely being trafficked themselves, advocates said.
In an interview Friday, Villio said her intention is to get more crimes that “involve serious bodily injury” added to the list. Youth in the juvenile justice system who attack security guards and other workers at those facilities should receive harsher punishment, she added. Villio’s proposal comes on the heels of another law that greatly expands the transfer of teens to adult facilities. Earlier this year, Landry and lawmakers passed legislation that treats all 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. The measure took away discretion from district attorneys to put accused 17-year-olds through the juvenile justice system instead of adult courts.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
