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Kids Eat Free Halloween Edition – Baton Rouge & Beyond

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Trick-or-treaters can get a lot more than free candy this Halloween. A Halloween costume is also the ticket to a smorgasbord of free and cheap meal deals and goodies for kids of all ages at many locations in Baton Rouge and beyond! Plus, who has time to cook dinner on Halloween night? Below you’ll find our list of Kids Eat Free or discounted offers as well as deals on Halloween in Baton Rouge.  

As always, we do recommend calling to confirm before you head out to the restaurant of your choice.

Kids Eat Free on Halloween

Kids Eat Free Halloween Edition

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill 

Applebee’s is offering a Kids Eat Free special on Halloween. Families who dine-in at their local Applebee’s restaurant Oct. 31 will receive two free kids’ meals with the purchase of each adult entrée. The offer is good for children 12 and younger. They can choose entrees off of the Applebee’s Kids’ Menu, including a side dish, and juice, milk or chocolate milk. Check with your closest location.

Chipotle

From 3 p.m. to close Halloween, it’s Boorito time. Go to any participating Chipotle in costume and get a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for $4.  Visit www.chipotle.com to find a location near you.

International House of Pancakes

Through Nov. 3 from 4 to 10 p.m. daily, kids 12 and under get a free kids meal entrée with each purchase of an adult entrée.  Visit http://www.ihop.com for a location near you.

Sonic 

Corn dog lovers can enjoy 50-cent dogs-on-a-stick all day on Halloween, Oct. 31. Visit www.sonic.com to find a location near you.

Whole Foods Market

Through Nov. 5, Prime members get 50% off all frozen pizzas.

Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese is celebrating Halloween with a number os specials all month long. Learn more here. 

Main Event Entertainment

 Trick-or-treating throughout the center and a FREE $10 video gameplay for each guest dressed in costume.

 

Kids Eat Free in Baton Rouge at These Locations on Thursday 

We always recommend calling the location to confirm!! 

Piccadilly

Children 12 and under eat for $1.99 11am to 4pm

View our full Kids Eat Free in Baton Rouge guide here!

Spooky Sensation Schedule – Highland Road Park Observatory

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There’s a chill in the air—that can only be explained by science at Spooky Sensation – Highland Road Park Observatory. Come join us for a marshmallow roast with eerie true-life STEM stories, a scavenger hunt game to earn wicked prizes, physical science demos that will make you scream, and more.

Attendees can enjoy views of the Sun and all five outer planets: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Activities will include the Twilight Deepening, Magnitude Stepdown, Scope-on-a-Rope, and a brief discussion of the mysterious X-37B spaceplane. Other celestial targets include the Pleiades Star Cluster, the double star Albireo, the Job’s Coffin asterism, and the Andromeda Galaxy. 
 
‼️ Due to Phase 3 restrictions, there is a maximum of fifty patrons at one time on-site at HRPO. Because of this, patrons who have been on-site longer than thirty minutes may have their ticket numbers called and be asked to leave. Therefore, please choose your arrival time carefully based on the time spans of all the activities.
 
Spooky Sensation
 

WHAT: Spooky Sensation
WHEN: Saturday, October 3rd, 4:00pm – 10:00pm
WHERE: Highland Road Park Observatory

Spooky Sensation Activity Schedule:

Spooky Sensation 4:15-6:15 p.m. – “Superflare” The author of the most timely Louisiana novel in recent memory, Lisa Calhoun, will be on site to discuss the possibility of CMEs, EMPs and how families can survive and protect themselves in times of civil emergency or duress. [Cost $30.00 per copy]
 
Spooky Sensation 4:15-6:45 p.m. – Train Like an Astronaut = Seven challenging physical demands await those courageous and savvy enough to think they have what it takes to go into Earth orbit and beyond.
 
🐍 4:30-6:30 p.m. – Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center = The focus is on bugs! Dare you approach?
 
🚀 4:45 p.m. – Rocket Range Bid and Launch #1 = The first Quest Viper will be launched by and then given to the lucky top bidder.
 
🐅 4:45-6:45 p.m. – Baton Rouge Zoo = Well, our counterparts from BRZ are keeping secret which animals they are bringing.
 
⭐ 5-7 p.m. – Payload Bay (daytime cargo) = The new donation reward function at HRPO will yield a plethora of nice prizes and “orbital debris” for those who finish their task sheets first!
 
🚀 5:30 p.m. – Rocket Range Bid and Launch #2 = The second Quest Viper will be launched by and then given to the lucky top bidder.
 
👽 6:00 p.m. – Alienology Arrivals = The legendary 2010 spoof hardcover has “Professor Alan Grey” describe all the aliens known, explain how to spot them on Earth, etc.
 
🚀 6:15 p.m. – Rocket Range Bid and Launch #3 = The third Quest Viper will be launched by and then given to the lucky top bidder.
 
🌟 6:45 p.m. – Glow Stick Acquisitions = There are a limited supply, so grab your red glow stick while they’re here! [Cost $3.25 each]
 
🧪 7:00pm to 9:00pm – Physical Science Demonstrations = This weekend’s selections include the Asteroid Spinning Wheel, the Mirage, the Distance Doodler and a spectrum source!
 
⭐ 7:30- 9:30 p.m. – Payload Bay (nighttime cargo) = The new donation reward function at HRPO will yield a plethora of nice prizes and “orbital debris” for those who finish their task sheets first!
 
🎫 9:00 p.m. – Annual Raffle Drawing = Get your ticket anytime (or any day) before the drawing for your chance to win a telescope, a tabletop scope or a binocular! [Cost $5 per ticket; must be eighteen or older.

Spooky Sensation Event Viewing Schedule:

⭐ 7-10 p.m. – OBJECT: Jupiter
The largest planet has an extremely intense magnetic field and is currently being investigated by the Juno spacecraft. (4.9 astronomical units / magnitude -2.3)
 
⭐ 7:30-10 p.m. – OBJECT: Saturn
The ringed beauty will be seen. Try to spy the Cassini Division, the largest gap in the planet’s ring system. (9.7 astronomical units / magnitude 0.5)
 
⭐ 7:57-8 p.m. – EVENT: Visible Pass of an H-IIA Rocket Body
Part of a Japanese launch system, this piece of space junk should be visible under the correct conditions. Here’s to hoping we have them. (distance 534 kilometers / magnitude 1.7)
 
⭐ 8-8:15 p.m. – ACTIVITY: The Magnitude Scale
HRPO personnel will explain what the magnitude scale is, and then will ultilize the stars Vega, Fomalhaut, Polaris and Albireo to illustrate how dim stars get as one progresses down the ladder of the scale. (distances 25, 25, 431 and 385 light-years respectively / magnitudes 0.0, 1.1, 2.0 and 3.2 respectively)
 
⭐ 8-10 p.m. – EVENT: Ganymede Transits in Front of Jupiter
The largest moon in the Solar System must have known about this night’s celebration. It will give a memorable show by orbiting in front of its parent planet. (Ganymede magnitude 4.9)
 
⭐ 8:15-8:30 p.m – STORY: Great Square of Pegasus
As Pegasus the Winged Horse rises in the east, you’ll hear a story recounted about this majestic mythological creature. (distance of four corners 97 to 335 light-years / magnitudes of four corners 2.0 to 2.8)
 
⭐ 8:15-9 p.m. – OBJECT: The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)
The closest spiral to our own Milky Way is rising high while twilight is ending. Sadly, the local light pollution only allows a view of the galaxy’s core. (distance 2 million light-years / magnitude 4.5)
 
⭐ 8:21-8:25 p.m. – EVENT: Visible Pass of the Lacrosse 4 Rocket
This Titan 4B sent up an American military satellite in August 2000.
(distance 571 kilometers / magnitude 1.3)
 
⭐ 8:30-9 p.m. – OBJECT: The Owl Cluster (Caldwell 13)
A perfect eerie addition to the night’s proceedings. Can you spot the two bright “eyes” of the cluster? (distance 7900? light-years / magnitude 6.4)
 
⭐ 8:40-8:46 p.m. – EVENT: Visible Pass of the Cosmos 2082 Rocket
The Cosmos series of satellites followed the USSR’s Sputniks. This rocket body has been orbiting for over three decades. (distance 844 kilometers / magnitude 2.0)
 
⭐ 8:45-9 p.m. – STORY: Job’s Coffin
The constellation Delphinus the Dolphin harbors the traditional tales of Greek wonder about the mammals of the sea—though the origin of the asterism’s creepy name is lost to the ages. (distances of four corners 98 to 241 light-years / magnitudes of four corners 3.6 to 4.4)
 
⭐ 8:45-9:15 p.m. – OBJECT: The Moth Cluster (Melotte 232)
If at this point you’ve had enough of creepy crawlies, try a flying creepy. This object will require a little patience to allow your eyes to adjust to the dim glow of the cluster. (distance ~2500 light-years / magnitude 6.3)
 
⭐ 8:45-10 p.m. – OBJECT: Mars
Mars is currently the closest it will be to the Earth for the next thirteen years. If the sky is steady and crisp, and your eyes sharp, you may see a polar cap and contrasting surface colors. (distance 62 million kilometers / magnitude -2.5)
 
⭐ 9-9:30 p.m. – OBJECT: Neptune
Although huge, Neptune is also very far away. It’s deep rich blue tone, however, is striking.
(distance 29 astronomical units / magnitude 7.8)
 
⭐ 9:15-10 p.m. – OBJECT: Waning Gibbous Moon
A variety of features await the viewer: rays of ejecta, the Bay of Rainbows and the Marsh of Sleep to name a few. (distance 404,000 kilometers / magnitude -12.5)
 
⭐ 9:45-10 p.m. – OBJECT: The Demon Star
 
The Spooky Sensation closes with the rising of evil. At least that’s what the Ancients thought. Algol was the first eclipsing binary discovered; a companion star periodically blocks some of its light. (magnitude ?? ; It can range from 2.1 to 3.4 ; What do you think it is?)
 
➞All viewing is weather permitting. Visible pass predictions are almost certain to have slight alterations come 3 October.
➞Remember: the lower the magnitude number, the brighter the object.
➞Binocular checkout from HRPO front desk will be available, but there are a limited number. We strongly encourage visitors to bring binoculars.
 
 
 

Hurricane Laura Relief: How to Help Louisiana Victims

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Hurricane Laura was the strongest of any hurricane making landfall in Louisiana since the Last Island Storm in 1856, according to NBC meteorologist Bill Karins said. The storm has seen over 580,000 coastal residents placed under evacuation orders, while nearly 470,000 homes and businesses were left without power, as the hurricane made landfall in Louisiana early Thursday. We’ve put together a list of Hurricane Laura Relief organizations directly helping those impacted by the storm. 

Hurricane Laura Relief

Hurricane Laura Relief – How You Can Help:

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana: The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is raising money to issue grants to local non-profits that will help people recover from Hurricane Laura.

The Salvation Army: Your donation helps keep The Salvation Army on the front-lines, buying meals, drinks, snacks, and other critical commodities desperately needed by survivors and rescue workers.  For more information, visit  www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.  Or if you or someone you know needs to talk, please call our emotional & spiritual care hotline at 1-844-458-HOPE (4673).

Catholic Charities USA: Your support helps people through the immediate aftermath and continues helping them as they work through the long process of recovery. 100% of donations go to relief efforts through this link. 

Save The Children: Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. By transforming children’s lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.

Second Harvest Food Bank – Feeding South Louisiana: The team stands ready to respond to Hurricane Laura. They are in need of volunteers to help prepare meals for this devastating storm. Please consider signing up or donating at no-hunger.org/volunteer

Delgado Athletics: the Delgado Athletic Department is relaunching its Delgado Cares Project, which will be collecting gift cards of any denomination that can be shared directly with those impacted by the storm.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – Meets the urgent needs of communities in crisis, from serving food to volunteers in rebuilding communities.

Direct Relief USA: Direct Relief offers prescription drugs and other medical supplies to those who need it in emergency situations, and works with clinics and primary care doctors to ensure that people are able to get what they need when they need it. 

Animal Aid for Vermilion Area (AAVA)
 

Bethany Church: Bethany is focusing our finances and manpower on feeding thousands of displaced people and helping to muck out flooded homes and churches. They are partnering with organizations to make efforts more efficient.

Fine and Dandy in Gonzales: My husband and I will be collecting items Friday from 10-5, Saturday 10-2, and Sunday 12-4 pm at the storefront location 38011 HWY 621, next to Ace Hardware. We will be delivering these items to needed communities Monday. If you feel it in your heart to help, here is an Amazon wish list you can order from, or a list of needed items that can be purchased and dropped at the store during those set times.
 

Louisiana Hospitality Foundation The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is planning to deploy resources shortly after Hurricane Laura’s landfall to provide hot meals for first responders and community members impacted across southwest Louisiana. Please consider donating to help offset the costs of this effort: https://louisianahospitalityfoundation.org/laura/

Samaritan’s Purse : Samaritan’s Purse is deploying staff members and one of our Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief units to Lake Charles, Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

We will continue updating this list daily as we receive news of more ways to help and assist the victims of Hurricane Laura. 

Louisiana Storm Preparedness: Sandbags, Checklists & Resources

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Tropical storms Laura and Marco will likely make landfall in Louisiana as hurricanes within the next few days. Residents are urged to have an emergency plan in place. Having been through hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Rita, Issac, and the Great Flood of 2016, natural disasters are something we have become accustomed to preparing for. For those unsure of where to start, our handy guide can walk you through your preparations – Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness resources can also be found below. we will update as more information becomes available. 

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness Useful Links

Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:

Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags.

EAST BATON ROUGE

  • BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds – 16072 Airline Highway
  • BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Mayer Road
  • BREC Cadillac Street – 6117 Cadillac Street
  • BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road
  • BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 S Flannery Road
  • BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park – 1702 Gardere Lane
  • BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road
  • BREC Memorial Stadium – 1702 Foss Street

ASCENSION PARISH

More than 40,000 pre-filled sand bags are available in C-Cans at the following locations:

  • Prairieville Fire Department, 14517 LA-73, Prairieville
  • 5th Ward Fire Department, 39110 LA-22, Darrow
  • 7th District Fire Department Station 71,13432 Roddy Rd, Gonzales
  • Butch Gore Memorial Park, 14550 Harry Savoy Rd., St. Amant
  • Ascension Parish Fire Protection District No. 1, 13192 Airline Hwy., Gonzales
  • Stevens Park, 4323 Cannon Road, Gonzales
  • Donaldsonville – DPW West, 725 Church Street, Donaldsonville
  • Jackie Robinson Memorial Park, 35638 Coco Road, Geismar

Stay informed! For more information contact MOHSEP at (225) 389-2100, follow Red Stick Ready (@RedStickReady) on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter, and download the Red Stick Ready mobile application – free on Apple and Android devices by searching “Red Stick Ready”. Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. Real-time information about the locations can also be found at: http://gis.brla.gov/emergency

School Closings: 

East Baton Rouge:
No virtual classes will be scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. EBR Schools ask that parents have students log-in to the classes and review work.

Diocese of Baton Rouge schools:
Closed until Monday, August 31.

Ascension Parish Public Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Central Community Schools:
Closed In-person and virtual, Monday and Tuesday.

Livingston Parish Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Zachary Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

West Baton Rouge Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

East Feliciana Parish Public Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Tangipahoa Parish Public Schools
Closed Monday August 24th

List of Flood-Prone Baton Rouge Streets

 Attempting to pass through the barricades once they have placed across the street is a traffic violation that will be enforced. Try to prepare for heavy rain, possible flooding, and power outages. Avoid driving if possible. Call (225) 389-2000 for non-emergency issues or 311 for high water, power outage, and downed trees in your area.

Baton Rouge Flooding

Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide

This Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide is an excellent, comprehensive resource! From identifying the most likely risks to providing sheltering information, evacuation routes, listing supplies to identifying special needs and more. This Guide should be YOUR Guide to personal planning and business planning.

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness

Top 10 Emergency Preparedness Apps

  • Red Stick Ready (iOS) The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness strives to provide critical information to the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from all emergency situations. The got to resource for Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness.
  • iMapWeather Radio (iOS) this is by far my favorite app but it does cost $9.99.  You will receive critical voice and text alerts on threatening weather events. Your iPhone will “wake up” and also “follow you” with alerts wherever you go. Listen to local weather forecasts while you are on the move. Enjoy the power of a NOAA Weather Radio, with all the convenience and precision of a smart phone. Winner of MediaPost’s Appy Award in the weather category.
  • Hurricane Tracker –(iOS) $2.99 offers detailed storm maps, National Hurricane Center info, threat level maps, audio/video forecast updates, real-time feeds and push alerts.
  • Hurricane — (iOS) FREE American Red Cross for both Android or iOS is a newer, totally free addition to Android’s growing hurricane-tracking stable, but it’s more than just a tracker — this app lets you “monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out.
  • FEMA Install the FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices.
  • StopDisaster-   $1.99 If you can’t stop the calamity, you can stop it from turning into a disaster if you are organized. The app provides a handy series of items you’ll need on hand for various emergencies – floods, earthquakes, high winds etc.
  • Phone Aid –  $1.99 CPR is one of the things not covered by most basic preparedness courses (it’s standalone training) this app offers a series of slideshows that will help jog your memory if you’ve done CPR training and, if not, provides some first aid measures to do while you wait for emergency services.
  • Disaster Alert – (Andriod) – Disaster Alert (by PDC) – Current global disaster info on an interactive map Disaster Alert (by PDC), Active Hazards on an interactive map and in a list as they are occurring around the globe.  Additional hazard information can be viewed and shared.

Preparation Before the Storm:

  • — Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.
  • — Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.
  • — Clear gutters of debris.
  • — Reinforce the garage door.
  • — Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.
  • — Fill a bathtub with water.
  • — Get full tank of gas in one car.
  • — Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.
  • — Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.
  • — Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.
  • — Store important documents — passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds — in a watertight container.
  • — Have a current inventory of household property.
  • — Leave a note to say where you are going.
  • — Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.
  • — If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for residence.

Emergency Preparedness list:

  • — A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.
  • — Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.
  • — A can opener.
  • — Flashlight(s).
  • — A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.
  • — Extra batteries.
  • — A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly, having the best inversion table for back pain is also a plus and it will help a lot with any pain emergencies.
  • — A small fire extinguisher.
  • — A seven-day supply of medications.
  • — Vitamins.
  • — A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.
  • — Cell phones and chargers.
  • — Contact information for the family.
  • — A sleeping bag for each person.
  • — Extra cash.
  • — A silver foil emergency blanket.
  • — A map of the area.
  • — Baby supplies.
  • — Pet supplies.
  • — Wet wipes.
  • — A camera (to document storm damage).
  • — Insect repellent.
  • — Rain gear.
  • — Tools and supplies for securing your home.
  • — Plastic sheeting.
  • — Duct tape.
  • — Dust masks.
  • — An extra set of house keys.
  • — An extra set of car keys.
  • — An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.
  • — Household bleach.
  • — Paper cups, plates and paper towels.
  • — Activities for children.
  • — Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.

Recover

  • Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
  • Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

Sources: Redstick Ready, American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center – Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive – Salvation Army

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The Salvation Army is joining forces with Walmart to “Stuff the Bus” for children in need. During this year’s Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive event, shoppers visiting a Walmart on August 7-9 can purchase and drop off requested items at Salvation Army collection bins at the front of each store. The goal is to provide new school supplies to children in need of a fresh start to the school year. 

The start of the school year can be a stressful time for families. For one in five children living in poverty, parents often have to choose between buying school supplies or putting food on the table. Now, there are even more unknowns as children return to learning in the midst of COVID-19. Whether they’re attending class online or in the classroom, school supplies remain critical to helping students feel prepared to succeed.  

The Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive is the perfect way for our community to come together to help support those that may be struggling to gather supplies for the upcoming school year.  

 

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge

Walmart and The Salvation Army have collaborated for more than 30 years with a common mission: to meet needs in their local communities. Supporters like Walmart help The Salvation Army serve more than 23 million Americans each year through a range of social services that help them overcome poverty and economic hardships.

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive

When: August 7-9, 2020

Where: Walmart

Baker – Plank Road
College Drive
O’ Neal Lane
North Mall
Central- Sullivan Road
Highland- Neighborhood Market
Coursey Blvd- Neighborhood Market
Hooper Road- Neighborhood Market
Bew Roads- Hospital Road

This year, the campaign in Baton Rouge is one of more than 4,500 similar events taking place at Walmart stores across the country.

All donations made at Stuff the Bus campaign events will remain in the community to help The Salvation Army provide back-to-school support to children in need.

 

Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children – Dr. Mindy Calandro

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Until recently, the headlines about Covid-19 have largely been about the disease in adults, especially the elderly and those people with underlying health conditions. As a pediatrician, I’m used to seeing virus like influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) wreak absolute havoc in children. So, it has been an unexpected, albeit very welcome, “surprise” that Covid-19 seems to be having very little effect on children. However, over the past few weeks, it seems that doctors around the globe are noting cases of children who are being diagnosed with severe inflammation throughout their body – something the Center for Disease Control is now calling Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children or MIS-C for short. The headlines about this new development in kids are frightening, so let’s talk about what MIS-C really is and how worried parents need to be (keep reading for the good news here).

Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Doctors really like to follow trends or clusters of illnesses, so when doctors in New York City started to see an increase in cases of children with overwhelming inflammation presenting to the hospital, it certainly was noteworthy. Symptoms of children presenting with MIS-C have been varied but include high unrelenting fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rash, red eyes, and neck pain. These children are showing massive amounts of inflammation in their blood vessels causing problems in organs such as the heart, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, and brain.

Covid-19 

Some of the children who have been diagnosed with MIS-C have been found to have positive antibody tests to Covid-19 without a prior diagnosis of a Covid-19 infection. This would signal that MIS-C would have occurred weeks after a Covid-19 infection (again most likely an asymptomatic infection). It is important to note, however, that there have also been children diagnosed with MIS-C who have had all negative testing to Covid-19. The bottom line right now is that we are not sure what is causing MIS-C.

Kawasaki Disease

MIS-C “Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children” is closely resembling two other rare illnesses that we see in children…one called Kawasaki disease and one called Toxic Shock Syndrome. The cause of Kawasaki disease is not truly known, but doctors have long suspected that it is likely a post-viral illness where the body’s immune system starts to almost attack itself, leading to inflammation of blood vessels in different areas of the body including the heart. Children with Kawasaki disease present with high fever for more than 5 days, rash, redness to the eyes, changes to their lips or tongue as well as swelling of the extremities and swollen lymph nodes.

Kawasaki disease can be treated, and the majority of children recover from this illness without long term effects (although in some cases, long-term damage to the coronary arteries can occur). Toxic shock syndrome, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria (either Staph or Strep) and can be life-threatening very quickly as it causes extremely low blood pressure, also known as shock.

When the initial cases of MIS-C were seen, children seemed to be presenting with some of the physical signs of Kawasaki disease but with the low blood pressure seen in Toxic Shock Syndrome. As more information is collected, it also seems that children with MIS-C are older with the most common ages being 5 and up. Kawasaki disease, on the other hand, is more commonly seen under the age of 5 (although both of these illnesses can be seen in anyone under the age of 18).

As with a lot of things in medicine right now, we are trying to learn as quickly as we can about the disease process of MIS-C, and work is ongoing to determine whether there is a direct link to Covid-19, whether some children more likely to get MIS-C than others, and whether there is any way to prevent MIS-C from happening.

The Good News for Parents

So, you might be wondering: what about the good news I mentioned above? Well, while the headlines are scary about MIS-C, the most important thing I want parents to take away from this is that MIS-C is still EXTREMELY RARE. While data collection is continuing on a daily basis, as of this writing, 23 states are reporting cases of MIS-C, there are around 250 cases across the US (with close to 100 of those cases being in New York alone), but at the moment, there have been less than 5 deaths nationwide. Just to be clear, while any child dying is absolutely tragic, do keep in mind for reference that influenza has already killed 176 children so far this year.

When it comes to Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, doctors and parents alike need to be aware of this new illness and be on the lookout for concerning symptoms. But once again, there is no need to panic as this illness, while scary given its symptoms and complications, remains exceedingly rare. Doctors and scientists are feverishly working to try and learn as much as possible about MIS-C, and its causes, relationship to Covid-19 and, of course, treatment and a cure.

In the meantime, I encourage parents that may be worried about MIS-C to speak with their pediatrician, and if you are worried about your child being ill with any kind of symptoms, please do not be afraid to bring them to the doctor. Pediatricians are available and equipped to see children both healthy and sick during these uncertain times of Covid-19.

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Ask the experts Baton Rouge Moms

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share experiences with food,  fitness, health, and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice.  When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

Here’s How Louisiana’s Phase 1 Reopening Affects Your Family

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The reopening of Louisiana following the shut down to fight Covid-19 has a lot of parents asking questions about summer camp, parks, libraries, and more. Louisiana will move to Phase One under the White House COVID-19 guidance this Friday, May 15, which removes the Stay at Home order for Louisianans and allows additional businesses to open under strict occupancy, protection, and social distancing guidelines. People who are at a higher risk of becoming ill from COVID-19 are encouraged to continue to Stay at Home. Below we’re sharing how Louisiana’s phase 1 reopening affects your family.

Gov. Edwards outlined the first phase of the Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana, which adopts every major recommendation of the White House plan in Phase One. Please remember that this plan is subject to change.

Louisiana's Phase 1 Reopening

How long will Phase 1 last?

Edwards said he will issue the proclamation lifting the stay-home order on Thursday to go into effect Friday. The governor said phase one will likely be in effect for 21 days, into June 5, if the state does not see increases in cases.

Louisiana’s Phase 1 Reopening

  • Churches will be able to conduct indoor service at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with continued allowance for additional outdoor seating with SFM guidance on social distancing. In line with this, indoor funerals and weddings may resume indoor at 25% capacity of the building and may continue outdoor services with no crowd size limitation as long as social distancing is practiced.

 

  • Restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes will be able to be open to the public for indoor table service at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with continued allowance for additional outdoor seating with SFM guidance on social distancing.

 

  • Bars that hold an LDH food service certificate will be able to do or take-out and delivery of food and alcohol and dine-in seating in line with State Fire Marshal guidance on social distancing for restaurants, with no more than 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity. No on-site consumption will be allowed if not seated at SFM approved seating.

 

  • Gyms and fitness centers will be allowed to be open to the public at 25% of their capacity. The State Fire Marshal and LDH will be issuing guidance on social distancing and sanitization.

 

  • Stores and shopping malls will be allowed to be open to the public at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity. 

 

  • Movie theaters may be open to the public at 25% of their State Fire Marshal capacity, with new guidance from SFM and LDH on social distancing and sanitation.

 

  • Museums, zoos, and aquariums may be open to the public at 25% of their capacity, with no organized tours and no tactile exhibits. Children’s museums remain closed.

 

  • Barbers, hair salons, and nail salons may be open to the public at 25% of their capacity with SFM guidance on social distancing.

The following businesses remain closed: massage establishments and spas, tattoo parlors, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, arcades, fairs, bars and breweries without LDH food permits, pool halls, contact sports, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, adult entertainment venues, and other similar businesses.

 

East Baton Rouge Parish Library

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library will begin a phased re-opening process starting Monday, May 18. “Libraries serve a broad range of needs in our community. Although we are providing service through digital avenues, we are eager to reopen our libraries and provide a broader range of services”, said Library Director Spencer Watts.

While all 14 Library locations will remain closed to the public during Phase 1, the following services will be available:

Beginning Monday, May 18

  • Telephone assistance will be expanded to all 14 locations from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2-6 p.m. on Sunday.
  • Patrons may call the Library location of their choice to reserve new books and A/V materials for pickup, get assistance accessing Library databases and online resources in the Digital Library, consult staff for reader’s advisory service, discuss their accounts, obtain a computer-use-only card if needed, and more.
  • Wi-Fi will remain available outside all 14 locations from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily.
  • The Digital Library is always open 24/7 at www.ebrpl.com.

Beginning Wednesday, May 20

  • The “Call Ahead / Pick Up Service” will resume. Patrons may reserve new materials online or over the phone, and check them out via the Drive Through/Pick Up windows at the Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., or the Fairwood Branch, 12910 Old Hammond Hwy., or via lobby pickup service at other locations from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2-6 p.m. on Sunday.
  • Due dates for all currently checked out Library materials will be extended until Tuesday, June 30. We will begin accepting the return of Library materials at all locations through each location’s exterior return. For the safety of our patrons and staff, returned materials will be quarantined and/or disinfected according to established guidelines before being placed back into circulation

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo has been working diligently to prepare plans for re-opening the facility that properly follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) guidelines. With the modifications listed below, the Zoo plans to re-open for Friends of the Zoo Members only May 18 through May 20 & re-open to the public on May 21. The Zoo will follow normal business hours.

Modifications guests will see in place as additional safeguards include:

  • Safari Playground, Cypress Bayou Railroad, L’aquarium de Louisiane, Otter Cabin & Kids’ Zoo Contact Yard may be temporarily closed.
  • Keeper chats & amphitheater shows will be temporarily suspended.
  • Flamingo Café & Cool Critters Café will be open with a limited menu & properly adjusted outdoor seating.
  • The number of guests allowed in the Zoo will be limited to eliminate crowding.
  • Constant disinfection of all touchable surfaces will occur in accordance with CDC & LA Department of Health guidance.
  • Hand sanitation stations provided at multiple locations throughout the Zoo.
  • A one-way path for all visitors will be enacted to avoid passing of guests.
  • Installation of protective panels where face-to-face interactions most frequently take place.
  • Implementation of barriers near exhibit viewing areas with glass to limit touching.
  • Creation of public markers to serve as social distancing reminders.
  • Zoo staff will wear face shields.
  • Guests are encouraged to wear mask face coverings to protect our staff & animals.
  • Protocols will be adjusted as necessary to keep staff, guests and animals safe.

Learn more here!

 

BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

BREC is entering it’s phase 1 plans with partial reopening. BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center will start adjusted hours Tuesday, May  19th.  While the building will be closed, the trails will be open with free admission Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am-noon. 

BREC Dog Parks

The dog parks at Greenwood, Zachary and Forest Community Parks will reopen with some revised guidelines for your safety on Monday, May 18th! Some guidelines to be aware of:

  • Use a glove, waste bag, or grocery bag to open and close the gates and properly dispose of them. Wash/Sanitize your hands. Face masks are recommended for humans.
  • Large dog areas are limited to 25 persons inside the dog park fence.
  • Small dog areas are limited to 10 persons inside the dog park fence.
  • Water fountains will not be available. Bring your own water bottles.
  • Site picnic tables and benches will not be available.

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens will be open as of May 18.

Burden Museum & Gardens Reopening Guidelines

  • Hours of operation: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Gates will open at 8:00 AM and close at 5:30 PM.
  • Visitors to the Rural Life Museum will follow Rural Life Museum Guidelines.
  • Visitors to the Botanic Gardens will follow the Botanic Gardens Guidelines.
  • Staff that will be greeting or managing visitors are required to wear a mask.
  • COVID-19 signage as required by LSU A&M and the LSU AgCenter is posted at the respective entrances to each facility.
  • Tour groups and rentals remain postponed until further notice.

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens Guidelines:

  • Offices, conference center and Orangerie are closed to the general public.
  • The Information Center and restrooms are also closed at this time. 
  • The Children’s Garden (Pollinator Garden) is closed and roped off with caution tape and signage.
  • Grounds will be monitored to ensure proper social distancing.

Louisiana guidelines for child care and summer camps:

The Department of Education and the Department of Health have outlined the next steps for the safe operation of child care centers, as well as summer camps, summer school, and summer extracurricular activities.

Child care centers and entities offering summer programs for K-12 students must adhere to certain protective measures set by the Office of Public Health (OPH), including:

  • Social distancing, achieved by maintaining small, static groups that minimally interact with other groups
  • Assessing and monitoring students for symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and/or sore throat
  • Practicing frequent environmental cleaning and hand-washing.

In Phase 1, groups should be limited to 10 people including adults. For child care centers and entities offering summer school, camps, or extracurricular activities, the occupancy rates currently approved for the facility apply. Adjusted occupancy rates are not applicable, as these entities must adhere to strict social distancing and other health and safety measures specific to child care and summer school or camp settings.

Gov. Edwards encourages the public and business owners to proceed cautiously and to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, including wearing a protective face covering like a cloth mask when they are in public, keeping social distance from people outside of their households, and practicing good hygiene.

Click here to read the new order…

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Rainy Day Activities For Kids – Parent Sanity Savers!

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With the never-ending rain and kids being home, we have put together 20 rainy day activities for kids that will help you pass the time with the kids, indoors…

20 Rainy Day Activities For Kids:

  1. Get out the crafts – Let the kids use their imaginations and create some Mother’s Day masterpieces.
  2. Make a fort in the living room out of blankets.
  3. Play Restaurant – Let the kids help in the kitchen for a day – bake cookies, make lunch and dinner together, and have them “critique” meals.
  4. Write letters to friends and family or fill out a year’s worth of birthday cards.
  5. Have a fashion show or photoshoot or better yet, make a photo booth and take lots of funny pictures. Making photo props can be fun and allow the creative juices to flow!
  6. Read books, Make a book or flipbook – You can rent books online or via the Library & Amazon! 
  7. Put on a puppet show – During Hurricane Katrina, we had our boys put on a play with puppets, or paper dolls. They drew the characters, cut them out, glued them to cardboard and glued a stick on the backside,  fixed a stage out of a large shipping box, wrote a script and put on a play. This entertained them for hours!
  8. Make paper airplanes and have a flying contest.
  9. Cleaning party – Crank up the radio and have a dance party while cleaning the house.
  10. Zoom Playdate –  Catch up with friends and family you haven’t seen in a while. 20 Rainy Day Activities For Kids
  11. Donate – Go through your home with the kids and find items {clothes, toys, appliances} to donate.
  12. Camp out– Create an indoor camp with tents and use the microwave to make s’mores.
  13. Bowling – Create your own bowling game with items around the house. 
  14. Try to make Origami – this site has tons of great ideas.
  15. Go to the movies at home –  pop some popcorn and catch up on movies you have yet to see or revisit an old favorite.
  16. Puzzles, board games, Freeze Dance and Charades are always a must on a snow day…try to change things up or make up your own games. Use this Charades generator to get ideas.
  17. Have a beach party – indoors! Get creative with crafts, treats, and a beach-themed movie!
  18. Paint Rocks of Kindness and leave around Baton Rouge once the rain stops. 😉
  19. Go through old photos – this always offers plenty of entertainment.
  20. Blow up some balloons –  toss ’em in the air, and don’t let them touch the ground, or grab some paddles or kitchen spoons for balloon tennis.

We would love to hear your ideas for indoor activities, please share them with us on Facebook!

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When You’re Stuck Between Gratitude and Frustration

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It’s so easy to get caught up in the fear and frustrations of our stay at home order. To get wrapped up in the what if’s? The planning for the just in case. The worry, the isolation, the concerns on the impact all this will have on our homes much less our nation. I’m constantly having to pray away my fears. I’m also stuck between being so grateful for the blessings my household currently has; compared to so many others who are in a much more intense dilemma. Keeping your glass half full is effort. 

Gratitude

Not going to lie to you…after a month of staring at my khaki walls and losing track of what day we’re on; I’m getting close to over waiting out this Stay At Home Order. I get it, our world is in the middle of fighting a pandemic. We are trying to flatten the curve. All we’re being asked to do is stay our booties home. It’s not that difficult. But yet, it is pretty difficult. If you are an extrovert with toddlers.

Gratitude

My kids and I are stir crazy. We miss our friends and school, and I’m pretty sure they’re tired of seeing just mine and their dad’s face every day. We’ve crafted, sang, done school work until we’re blue in the face; and we just need to see something new now. The feeling of entrapment is starting to settle in, and the battle to fight civic duty and emotional well being has begun. So what’s the solution here? It’s joy & gratitude. 

Choose Gratitude

Gratitude reminds me that my sweet husband is able to still go to work while others can’t. I think of the house full of food my grubby toddlers get to snack on all day. The air-conditioned home I live in with electricity and internet! In 2016, after the flood, we didn’t have a kitchen or a put-together home. All I’m being asked to do is sit in my home. I don’t do well feeling trapped which is what I’m struggling with the most. But, oh how gratitude and thoughts of gratefulness have helped me distract those feelings.

Choose Joy

Find joy in the mundane. Find time for yourself. Even if it’s just to put a face of makeup on; so you can remind your husband he has a hot wife and not a homeless person for a partner. It’s a five-minute shower, and a FaceTime chat with a friend. Even if you have to scream at the kids in the middle of your convo; and y’all are having to restart the same sentence five times. It’s ordering a new book. It’s starting a journal. It’s watching your kids play peek-a-boo and chasing after the new puppy. It’s a glass of wine after a hard day. It’s appreciation, for your health, for your income, and for your home. “Joy comes in the morning.” Tomorrow is a new day; right now find your joy in the mundane. We’ll make it through; and when we do, come find me. I have a hug waiting for you.

Baton Rouge Family Fun Ambassador – Courtney Cotharn-Lambert

Courtney Cotharn-LambertI am a Design Consultant, Event Planner, and Doula. My hope is to help a mom: plan her baby shower, design her nursery, help her during labor and birth, and lastly help plan the baby’s first Birthday. Find me online at www.courtneyaid.com

“A one stop support shop for all her baby needs.”

 

 

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Louisiana Boot Trail – Sharing Hope & Cheer One Window at a Time!

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As most of us are sheltering in place and practicing social distancing, our walks outside  for some fresh air and exercise will be more precious than ever! Let’s add something lovely to to our daily walk or bike ride – something we can do without touching! Something to remind us that even through this time of uncertainty there is hope and we are Louisiana Strong! 

Let’s launch a Louisiana Boot Trail! Spread the happy, not the virus! 

Louisiana Boot Trail

 

Color a Louisiana Boot — out of any material — or just print one out, and put it in your window!

We have a set of three printables below for you to print and decorate! Get together with the family and decorate your Louisiana Boot with signs of hope and cheer!

When we enjoy our neighborhood walks outside we can look for each other’s Louisiana Boots – be sure to share with your neighborhood association! 

If you see one or create your own, snap a pic and share it back on our Facebook post here!

If you share it on Instagram, tag @BatonRougeFamilyFun so we can see them! 

Let’s get the Louisiana Boot Trail started! 

Printables – Click on the image to print! 

Louisiana Boot TrailLouisiana Boot TrailLouisiana Boot Trail

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