Could Omicron Variant Affect Mardi Gras in Shreveport?

I can't even begin to express my extreme sadness at even the thought of COVID wrecking another Mardi Gras.

It's been two years since we've had a normal Mardi Gras in Shreveport. Granted, we did have Mardi Gras in 2020, but even then, COVID-19 was a worrisome topic all around the world. Of course, we didn't have Mardi gras at all in 2021, and all of us have been eagerly awaiting the return of our favorite season. No, not football season. And no, not the holiday season. There's no doubt that Mardi Gras season is our favorite, and it shatters my heart at just the thought of the Omicron variant coming in and messing this up.

If you're like me, you've already began making your Mardi Gras plans as the festivities are just a couple of months away. Also if you're like me, you know how quickly Governor john Bel Edwards could step in and wreck our plans altogether. For me, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see Governor Edwards pull the chord on Mardi Gras events state-wide if the Omicron numbers continue to rise.

John Bel was asked if the Omicron variant could change Mardi Gras plans in our state, and he didn't exactly provide a clear answer. He spoke more to the importance of vaccines rather than going down the rabbit hole of possibly changing Mardi Gras plans due to the variant. He says, "As to what Omicron is going to do here in Louisiana and whether it will result in more cases but not necessarily more hospitalizations or deaths.”

He continued by saying, "What I can tell you, whether it’s Mardi Gras next year or anything that we’re going to do going forward, the most important thing that people can do is get vaccinated if you haven’t been vaccinated."

So, will Governor John Bel Edwards elect to cancel Mardi Gras if the Omicron variant continues to spread. History says he will, but only time will tell.