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Louisiana will move into Phase Three of coronavirus mitigation measures Friday, Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a press conference Thursday morning.

But the statewide mask mandate is likely to stay in place, although the governor said specifics on what Phase Three means will have to wait until Friday.

Under the White House Coronavirus Task Force guidelines, which have served as a guide for Louisiana, Phase Three means:

--Vulnerable people can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are observed.

--Low-risk people should consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments.

--Employers may resume unrestricted staffing of worksites.

--Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals can resume. Those who interact with residents and patients must be diligent regarding hygiene.

--Large venues, such as sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues and places of worship can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.

--Gyms can remain open if they adhere to standard sanitation protocols.

--Bars may operate with increased standing room occupancy, where applicable.

Edwards said this decision was the toughest since he first proclaimed a public health emergency in March, when he closed schools and nonessential businesses and issued a stay at home order.

"You've got the data that I think in a relatively straightforward fashion support the decision to go to Phase Three," Edwards said.

"But then you have the unknown, and the unknown comes at precisely the time when your testing was more diminished than you want it to be because of the hurricane."

In addition to the reduced testing during the approach and aftermath of hurricanes Marco and Laura, thousands of evacuees from southwest Louisiana, which had been the hottest of Louisiana coronavirus hot spots, have been scattered around the state. K-12 schools have been opening, including 17 districts this week, the governor said. He was also concerned that Labor Day activities might contribute to another surge in COVID-19 spread like the one that followed Memorial Day.

In the end, Edwards said, he decided to go with the data for the sake of consistency and transparency.

But the governor said he's ready to impose additional measures if officials see signs of another COVID surge, especially with flu season approaching.

"If we do, we'll act quickly," he said.

The data used to determine the appropriate level of precautions, called gating criteria, include the number of people showing up at emergency rooms with COVID-like symptoms; the raw number of positive tests; the percentage of tests returning positive tests; hospitalizations for COVID-positive people; and the number of tests being performed.

Edwards has faced pressure from the right to reopen the economy more quickly. The CEO of the Pelican Institute, a conservative advocacy organization, praised Edwards' Thursday announcement.

"Gov. Edwards’ announcement today is a step in the right direction to get Louisiana working," CEO Daniel Erspamer said. "After months of urging Louisiana leaders to continue moving forward to reopen our state’s economy, the Pelican Institute is encouraged to see them finally prioritizing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Louisianans and their families. This has dragged on for far too long, and the damage done during this time will be extremely difficult to reverse.

"We’re currently facing two serious crises that must be addressed with equal effort and urgency – the health threat posed by COVID-19 and the destruction of livelihoods shutdown mandates leave in their wake. From there, of course, many tasks remain. Among them are policy changes necessary to provide proper checks and balances to Louisiana state government and to ensure every citizen’s rights and liberties are protected the next time we face a public health crisis."

Two Eunice residents have launched an effort to recall Edwards. They'll need petition signatures from about 600,000 registered voters to get a recall on the ballot, according to published accounts.

"There are a lot of things that keep me up at night," Edwards said in response to a reporter's question at Thursday's press conference. "That's not one of them."

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been friends with another couple for more than 50 years. The four of us have shared lots of good times together.
After recent open heart surgery, the husband became very depressed and talked to his wife about “ending it all.” She asked me to take the few handguns (all legal) they had in their home to be safe. I didn’t feel I could say no. I’m not interested in guns, but it seemed a simple request. So she “snuck” them out to me during our last visit.
When the husband discovered what his wife had done, she told him about my role in it. He now demands I return his guns and says he no longer wants anything to do with me. His wife wants me to hold onto them for now.
What should I do?
TORN OVER THIS

DEAR TORN: From what I have been told, depression after heart surgery is not unusual. Hang onto the guns and urge the wife to report her husband’s threat to harm himself to his doctors and let them guide her. She should also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is 800-273-8255. Someone who has talked about suicide should not have easy access to the means to do it.

DEAR ABBY: Since this coronavirus pandemic started, I have seen lots of articles stressing the importance of staying connected to elderly family members, friends and those living alone. My husband and I have each other, so we are sheltering in place. Although we have eight grandkids who all live within 50 miles, we haven’t heard a word from any of them, whether via phone, email or text, all of which we do. How bad is that?
DISCONNECTED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR DISCONNECTED: If you have reached out to your grandchildren and been ignored, shame on them. If you haven’t, it’s time you did. Sometimes young people become so engrossed in their daily lives they forget about anything else. But that’s what PARENTS are for, to “remind” them that reaching out to someone who needs a kind word (or an errand run during a pandemic) can be rewarding not only for the receiver but also for the giver.
Parents should remind them to take five minutes occasionally to text Grandma.

DEAR ABBY: I started and completed a college fund for my two daughters. Only one of them used it. The other joined the military and used the GI Bill for college instead of the money from the college fund ($10,000). Am I obligated to give her that money? I did pull it out of the fund and have it in a certificate. I figure when she buys a house, I’ll give it to her then.
WONDERING IN FLORIDA

DEAR WONDERING: Check with the bank to make sure there won’t be a problem if the college fund money isn’t used for your daughter’s education. If you can apply it elsewhere in a way that will benefit her — and part of a down payment on a house would definitely qualify — I think it would be wonderful. But check first.
***
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Two COVID-related deaths and 46 new COVID-19 cases were reported at midday Wednesday for three local parishes.

In St. Mary, 19 new cases in the previous 24 hours raised the total since the pandemic began to 1,808. One new death was reported here for a total of 73.

St. Martin has 20 new cases for a total of 2,030. The death toll there remains at 58.

Assumption has nine new cases for a total of 699. One newly reported death raises the toll to 23.

Statewide:

--1,511 new cases make the pandemic total 154,599.

--15 deaths raised the toll to 4,970.

--17 fewer COVID-positive were in hospitals Wednesday, lowering that total to 782.

--8 fewer people are on ventilators for a total of 123.

The Wednesday reporting was based on more than 31,000 tests, substantially more than had been the case since testing slowed during the approach of Hurricane Laura.

Joyce Vonette Baker, 79, a native of Williston, North Dakota and a 50-year resident of Patterson, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 6, 2020. Born July 16, 1941, in Williams County, North Dakota, Joyce grew up on the family farm until her teenage years when she moved “to town.”
In years past, Joyce loved to entertain. Her Christmas parties were second to none. She also loved Mardi Gras season or a good card game. Most recently, “Aunty,” as she was affectionately referred to by many, could be found in her favorite chair reading the latest releases by her favorite authors. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, having faithfully served as an usher and on the Ladies Altar Guild.
Joyce will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 51 years, William Baker of Patterson; her daughter, Katherine Baker Ross and husband Chad of Berwick; five grandchildren, Justin, Samantha, Chad Jr., Aaron and Arianna; and four great-grandchildren, Colin, Joshua, Ellie and Haisley. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory, a sister, Sylvia McCauley and husband Chuck of Williston, North Dakota; sister-in-law, Carol Jensen of Williston, North Dakota; sister-in-law, Dena Holland of Amarillo, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Waiting to welcome Joyce into Heaven were her parents, Wesley and Gudrun Jensen; brothers, Gene and Richard; sister-in-law, Carole Jensen; mother-in-law, Helen Baker; an infant sibling; and many of her dearest friends.
The family would like to thank the 6th floor staff at Ochsner St. Mary and the staff of Patterson Healthcare for their loving and compassionate care during her final weeks. A memorial service honoring and celebrating Joyce’s life will be held at a later date.