By Bob Warren
Protesting masks (and other things): Schools opened this morning in St. Tammany, and much to the chagrin of a group of anti-mask parents, students and faculty had to cover their mouths and noses. The anti-mask crowd gathered Thursday to let St. Tammany school officials know they’re not happy. (And to denounce torture and communism.) The mask mandate, of course, comes from Gov. John Bel Edwards, who issued the order this week. In a letter to the state education secretary Thursday, Edwards took aim those he said are trying to confuse parents.
Prove it: Like masks, vaccinations have also become a flashpoint. Some local bars and restaurants now require customers to show they’ve been vaccinated. Our restaurant guy Ian McNulty checked out how that's going.
Services strained: Add ambulances to the long list of services straining under the weight of the latest surge. Job pressure, long weeks and skyrocketing 911 calls have pushed some emergency services to the brink.
Broadcast legends: New Orleanians of a certain vintage will remember Bob and Jan Carr. The couple arrived in New Orleans in 1960 and over the decades hosted countless radio and TV broadcasts. They're in their 90s now, and still at it.
Also in the news: Catch the latest in the Saints QB battle. And the Coast Guard has suspended the search for a man who fell into the river in St. Charles Parish. All this and much more in today’s Lunch Line. Thanks for taking a break with us. BW
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