Less than six months from now Mardi Gras parades are scheduled to roll in both New Orleans and Jefferson Parish. While no decisions have been made about the coming Carnival season, one local leader insists it is a decision that must be made together.
"This has to be done on a regional level," Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng insisted.
She says if the city isn't going to have parades, then Jefferson Parish won't either.
"I would not want to see a situation where New Orleans did not have Carnival, and we put one on in Jefferson Parish."
Sheng says that would just mean unmanageably large crowds in Metairie.
"I would not be in favor of it being more crowded in Jefferson Parish in anyway than a normal Mardi Gras."
She says the economic and emotional impact of being able to celebrate would be wonderful, but only if it can be done safely.
"As much as we would love to have Mardi Gras, as much as we need a Mardi Gras... COVID is going to drive that decision."
The JP President says state officials will help determine what happens.
"We are going to work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health."
Fat Tuesday is February 16th next year.