Thursday on CNN, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said her city was given “no red flag” from Homeland Security, FBI or the CDC to cancel the Mardi Gras celebrations to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
She argued the agencies follow the “response of our national leader,” who Cantrell said was not taking it seriously.
Anchor Wolf Blitzer said, “Experts say, Mayor, that the Mardi Gras celebrations at the end of February in New Orleans may have actually played a role in accelerating the spread of this virus. More than a million people came to your beautiful city at the time. We are showing some video of that right now. At the time, Mayor, did you have any guidance from health experts on the potential risk of coronavirus?”
Cantrell answered, “Well, you know that the city of New Orleans as it relates to Mardi Gras, we plan Mardi Gras as a year-long effort. Around a part of our unified command is the federal government. Homeland Security, as well as the FBI. So in reaching out, meaning my health directors and public safety officials, every step of the way consulted with federal partners as well as the CDC in reference to COVID-19.”
Move to oust Nancy Guthrie sheriff fails as Pima County supervisors refer perjury allegations to AG
High school student with history of anger issues charged with murder of homeless woman in Las Vegas
Nebraska’s Pillen wins Republican renomination in bid for second term as governor
Lawsuit: ChatGPT Told Florida State Shooter that Killing Children Would Get Him ‘More Attention’ Than Targeting Adults
House GOP launches new task force, probes alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio
Poll: Rubio Opens Up Double-Digit Lead on Vance, AOC Leads 2028 Democratic Field
Judge keeps block on Trump administration effort to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
Canadian Liberal Who Championed Mass Migration Questions Election Results After Losing Race to Immigrant
Democrat lawmaker calls Clarence Thomas an ‘Uncle Tom’ and ‘lynchman’ after Supreme Court redistricting ruling
GOP heartburn forces messaging pivot from ‘ballroom’ for Trump security money
Awkward moment kicks off interview with ex-Biden adviser, drawing derision for Dem California gov candidate
‘Beyond Devastated’: NBA Veteran Dies at Age 29
Illegal alien ‘monster’ charged with raping dead girlfriend’s daughter, DHS blames Biden-era policies
Disturbing new details revealed in death of Denver airport intruder who died after breaching fence
Schumer backs GOP’s plan to bring the pain during future shutdowns: ‘I’m going to vote for it’
She continued, “The federal government did not issue any red flags and, therefore, we moved forward with federal agents being a part of our unified command on the ground. And with the first time the city of New Orleans for Mardi Gras, we’re at a rating that was an improvement given to us by the federal government. So every step of the way, the federal government has been partners with us with Mardi Gras. No red flags were given. So absolutely, we moved forward.”
Blitzer said, “Yeah, you certainly did. I’ll ask you the same question I asked your governor yesterday with hindsight. We are all obviously a lot smarter with hindsight. Do you think Mardi Gras could or should have been closed this year?”
Cantrell said, “Well, if red flags were given at the federal level, leadership matters. So while I was the first in the state of Louisiana to stop social gatherings, I had to cancel the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. All hell broke loose when I did that. It was necessary, giving the data, allowing science to lead us. It does matter. We rely on the facts to make decisions for the people that we serve. Given no red flags, we moved forward. In hindsight, if we were given clear direction, we would not have had Mardi Gras, and I would have been the leader to cancel.”
Blitzer said, “I know, I guess reports are within a week or two after Mardi Gras, all of a sudden the cases started emerging in Louisiana. Obviously, that’s very disturbing.”
Move to oust Nancy Guthrie sheriff fails as Pima County supervisors refer perjury allegations to AG
High school student with history of anger issues charged with murder of homeless woman in Las Vegas
Nebraska’s Pillen wins Republican renomination in bid for second term as governor
Lawsuit: ChatGPT Told Florida State Shooter that Killing Children Would Get Him ‘More Attention’ Than Targeting Adults
House GOP launches new task force, probes alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio
Poll: Rubio Opens Up Double-Digit Lead on Vance, AOC Leads 2028 Democratic Field
Judge keeps block on Trump administration effort to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
Canadian Liberal Who Championed Mass Migration Questions Election Results After Losing Race to Immigrant
Democrat lawmaker calls Clarence Thomas an ‘Uncle Tom’ and ‘lynchman’ after Supreme Court redistricting ruling
GOP heartburn forces messaging pivot from ‘ballroom’ for Trump security money
Awkward moment kicks off interview with ex-Biden adviser, drawing derision for Dem California gov candidate
‘Beyond Devastated’: NBA Veteran Dies at Age 29
Illegal alien ‘monster’ charged with raping dead girlfriend’s daughter, DHS blames Biden-era policies
Disturbing new details revealed in death of Denver airport intruder who died after breaching fence
Schumer backs GOP’s plan to bring the pain during future shutdowns: ‘I’m going to vote for it’
He asked, “You are saying no one from the federal government came to you and urged you to at least can sell or postpone Mardi Gras?”
Cantrell responded, “That’s absolutely correct. And not only that, it was backed up with the response of our national leader. When it’s not taken seriously at the federal level, it’s very difficult to transcend down to the local level in making these decisions. But when the experts told me that social gatherings would be an issue, I moved forward with canceling them, as well as St. Patrick’s Day parade, as well as our Super Sunday, where our Mardi Gras Indian’s parade, the suits that they’ve made, all year long, so this is something that not only concerns us, but it sets the tone for how leadership matters at every level of government in the United States of America, where mayors on the front line.”
Story cited here.
