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How concerned should you be about the coronavirus? Not much, said Morgan City physician Dr. Robert Blereau, unless you have traveled recently to China or are in contact with someone who has.
"Right now, the flu is of greater concern for us than coronavirus,” Blereau said.
Blereau’s office said they are diagnosing around one case of Type A flu per day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
In October, just two weeks into flu season, the Center for Disease Control ranked Louisiana as the state hit hardest by newly diagnosed flu cases.
While there have been no diagnosed cases of coronavirus in Louisiana yet, there have been 11 diagnosed cases in different parts of the United States in the past two weeks.
On Jan. 30, the International Health Regulations Emergency committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency and on Jan. 31, Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the United States.
The Center for Disease Control says they expect to see more confirmed cases in the United States in the coming weeks by person-to-person spread.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats and bats, but it was rare for animal coronaviruses to infect people and then spread by person-to-person contact.
In Wuhan, China, there was some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread.
Later, a growing number of patients did not have exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread.
On Wednesday, Nicholls State University announced it is prohibiting students, faculty and staff members from traveling to China for university business or academic purposes.
A Nicholls statement said the policy is in accordance with the U.S. State Department’s warning against travel to China.
“There have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Louisiana,” the university said, “and we have no reason to believe that the Nicholls community is at an elevated risk. However, we have made this decision in order to ensure that our community members remain safe and healthy as they travel abroad.”
The CDC characterized coronavirus as “a very serious public health threat. The fact that this virus has caused severe illness and sustained person-to-person spread in China is concerning, but it’s unclear how the situation in the United States will unfold at this time.”
The CDC suggests that all people should stay informed. Their website is updated daily with information and advice for the public and can be found at cdc.gov/ncov.
The CDC also suggests that individuals should take preventative actions that are always recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, such as avoiding close contact with sick people. Stay home if you are sick and cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as germs spread this way and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
The Center for Disease Control also recognizes that “the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting vaccinated,
“The flu lasts until May,” Blereau said. “We may not be worrying about coronavirus here right now, but we are worried about the flu. It is never too late to get your flu shot.”

Staff Report
You can help make your community better by taking part in the 2020 Morgan City Quality of Life Survey, the St. Mary Chamber said this week.
A similar survey was conducted in 2017 and since that time local leaders have broadened their focus on community improvement.
In September 2018, St. Mary Excel, an economic development advocacy group, facilitated an Urban Land Institute panel of experts to examine area strengths and weaknesses to help leaders plan for neighborhood revitalization, a diversified economy, and leisure activities. The panel generated a report that has been shared with residents and can be found through a link on this story at StMaryNow.com
Local officials set a goal of ensuring that Morgan City and Berwick along with St. Mary Parish is an area where people not only work, but choose to live. Quality of life factors such as infrastructure, recreation, education, and tourism are ones that make a community more desirable than others to live and also raise a family.
Two features are different from the 2017 survey, the Chamber said. The first is inclusion of young adults. The panel of experts encouraged leaders to listen to “intergenerational voices.” Hearing the ideas of future homeowners and leaders was important to attract young adults back to the area once they leave for college.
The second new feature in the 2020 Quality of Life Survey is a section on taxation. The taxation section reflects an understanding that quality of life improvements can be costly and efficiency is needed when resources are limited. Residents can indicate their priorities in how taxes are used to grow the place they call home.
“While an economic downturn in our area presented challenges, an opportunity exists to be more efficient and inclusive,” the Chamber said. “Your ideas are needed to do this.
"The history and legacy of Morgan City and Berwick presents strong evidence that we can continue to make this area a shining beacon and thriving safe harbor on the Cajun Coast when we hear and use the best ideas.”
You can find the survey on the chamber’s home page at stmarychamber.com

Both of Louisiana’s U.S. senators voted Wednesday against conviction in the Senate trial of President Donald J. Trump.
The U.S. House had passed two articles of impeachment. One cited abuse of power in the alleged attempt by the president to use military aid to persuade Ukrainian officials to investigate the son of Trump’s political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. The second article alleged the president obstructed the congressional investigation.
The Senate voted generally along party lines. The only exception came when U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, voted to convict on the abuse of power charge.
“Congress must now work together to solve the issues concerning Americans, like lowering the cost of medication and ending surprise medical billing,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., called Wednesday’s acquittal vote “nothing more than a proxy vote on President Trump. It was a partisan impeachment in both houses. Our founders did not intend impeachment to be used this way.
“I believe Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi’s attempt to normalize impeachment and to turn it into a routine political weapon was a mistake. In fact, it was reckless. A country as great as ours deserves better, and so do her people.”
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Port Barre, represents St. Mary Parish. He voted against impeachment in the House.
“The coup has been defeated,” Higgins said. “The partisan impeachment is over, and President Trump has been acquitted. Now, it’s time for Congress to get back to work. I call on my Democratic colleagues to put aside their hatred for President Trump, stop the vitriolic obstruction, and work with Republicans to deliver bipartisan wins for America.”

Fannie Blanchard Daigle was a resident of Belle River, LA and a native of Pierre Part, LA. She passed away at the age of 50 surrounded by family and friends on February 1, 2020.
Fannie is survived by her husband, Milton Daigle Sr.; son, Milton Daigle Jr. and wife Lana, their children, Willow Grace Daigle and Zephyr Marcellus Daigle; son, Saulden Daigle; brother, Louis “LJ” Aucoin Jr. and wife Rosalie; sisters, Belinda “Mac” McGuigan and husband Brian “Broadway”, and Melonia Giroir; uncles and aunts, Henry “Hank” and Judy Richard, Deanna and Shelby Gaudet, Margaret and Wilford Blanchard, Lucy Richard and Jimmy Hue; grandma, Mitzi Cortez and Lee Gaudet who have been a very special friend to the family; and best friends, sister and brother at heart, Shelly Naquin Cazelot and Michael Hue. Fannie was also survived by many nieces, nephews and godchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Rivers and Betty Richard Blanchard; in-laws, Stanley Sr. and Betty Richard Daigle; brother-in-law, Shelby Giroir; and godfather, Roy “RJ” Richard.
Fannie’s life centered around her family young and old, especially her grandchildren. She was loved by everyone who knew her. She loved sewing and baking for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations which will be given to the Belle River/Pierre Part Volunteer First Responders for purchase of personal medical equipment. Please share memories online at www.wilbertservices.com.