Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards criticized state Attorney General Jeff Landry on Friday for comments that caused confusion about a new mask mandate that went into effect this week.
During an interview with Newsweek, Edwards said that "anyone, much less the attorney general, [who] actively seeks to undermine public confidence in vaccines or the compliance rate of the public with a mass mandate...jeopardizes the public health of everyone."
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards criticized his state's attorney general during an interview with Newsweek Friday. In this photo, Edwards speaks during a press conference on August 19, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards criticized his state's attorney general during an interview with Newsweek Friday. In this photo, Edwards speaks during a press conference on August 19, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Joe Raedle/GettyLouisiana has been hit hard by the recent surge of COVID-19 infections caused by the Delta variant and is currently averaging more than 4,300 new cases per day. The state has a 15.4 percent positivity rate for COVID-19 testing, an increase from 13.2 percent a week earlier, and the highest measure for that figure since April 2020.
"This is a real challenge, especially since our hospitalizations and COVID patients are at an all-time high as well," Edwards said. "We broke the previous record on Tuesday, and every day since we've added about 100 of net new COVID patients to our hospitals."
"Our capacity to deliver life-saving care to COVID and non-COVID patients is severely compromised right now as a result," he added. "I wish I could say that we were at the peak or coming down the backside, but that is not the case right now. This Delta variant has really proved to be a game changer."
As a result, the Democratic governor reinstated the indoor mask mandate on Monday, which is in effect for all indoor spaces and includes K-12 schools.
On Wednesday, the state Attorney General Jeff Landry posted a statement on his Facebook account. He detailed an email he had sent to his staff that informed them they could "express their religious and philosophical concerns regarding masks and vaccines."
His note included links with information regarding state law about religious freedoms. He also attached blank exemption forms for workers and parents of school kids.
The governor condemned the message, saying it only causes confusion regarding the new restrictions. Landry posted a response a day afterward that read: "Louisiana is not governed by a dictatorship. The question is: 'who gets to determine the healthcare choices for you and your child?' In a free society, the answer is the citizen—not the state."
On Friday, Edwards told Newsweek Landry's recent comments were "highly irresponsible, and quite frankly, dangerous."
The governor described the rationale behind wearing masks, as well as getting vaccinated. Looking at the science and listening to accredited health organizations provides the evidence of the effectiveness of such measures, he said. Plus, he noted, the people of Louisiana should be "good neighbors and curb transmission" by doing their part.
"This is a critical juncture, and we need people to come together," Edwards said. "We certainly don't need people like the attorney general out there doing things that are contrary to public health."
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At the moment, Edwards said he's not looking at implementing further restrictions beyond the mask mandate such as curfews or partial lockdowns. However, he noted, "I have steadfastly refused and publicly stated that I will not take anything off the table that may prove necessary in preserving our capacity to deliver life-saving, healthcare."
Edwards' name also made local news this week with an announcement that four members of his staff have tested positive for COVID-19 since July 30. When asked about the precautions taken by his staff, Edwards said they've all been vaccinated and wear masks indoors. He also noted none of the positive staff members have been seriously ill.
For now, he asks his staff do what he asks of the whole state of Louisiana: Mask up and vaccinate.
"We are trying to get people to do what we know works. This is a public health emergency. It is an emergency of a virus that is extremely transmissible, more transmissible than at any point in the past. And, quite frankly, it is very deadly," Edwards said. "Everybody has a role to play in this, and the decisions that people make don't just have an impact upon themselves. It has an impact on their families, their communities and on the state as a whole."
