Successful weight loss surgery is associated with a significantly lower risk of hospital and intensive care unit admission for formerly morbidly obese patients who have COVID-19.

Unfortunately, to hold a wedding with all the bells and whistles, couples will most likely have to postpone until at least next fall. But, you wouldn’t be alone in putting off the big day. Over half of respondents (66%) to the Brides American Wedding Study said they chose to defer their 2020 nuptials.

However, while difficult to navigate, the year offered many opportunities for innovation and growth. As disruptive as the impact of Covid-19 has been, LSUS saw record enrollment in the spring and fall, and the university is now the fastestgrowing higher education institution in Louisiana over the last five years.

The frontlines of the pandemic look different now, 10 months into the COVID-19 battle. In this season of giving and joy, there’s comfort in knowing that a glimmer of returning to some sort of normalcy is so close. For months, the question of when a vaccine will be ready riddled conversations.

Dr. Tom Frieden, the CDC director from 2009 to 2017, wrote, “Developing a COVID-19 vaccine is the most important thing we can do to restore some order and normalcy in our world.” It is true.

In being prepared, be sure to have at least a 30-day supply of insulin on hand and your diabetic medications. You have to eat and stay hydrated if you get sick. Go ahead and stock your pantry with easy-to-cook food, snack items, no-calorie drinks and sports drinks in case getting to the supermarket isn’t an option.

On March 21, Jimmy Guidry, M.D., Louisiana’s State Health Officer, issued a health-care directive stating, “Any and all medical and surgical procedures SHALL be postponed until further notice,” with a few exceptions such as emergency situations. This was especially true of elective surgeries.

For the first time, United Way kicked off our annual campaign on Oct. 1 without the aid of a large fundraising event. In past years, we would host the Annual Campaign Kickoff event as a rally to start the fundraising season.

Every year, health-care providers implore the community to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves, their friends and families, and their coworkers. This year, with our economy, area businesses, schools and healthcare entities already so impacted by COVID-19, the flu vaccine might be more important than ever.