Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says they are seeing clear changes in the spread of coronavirus in the community.
"There is something different going on now. We can see that," she said at a news conference. "There is something different now brewing in our parish... we have to get on top of it."
She today announced a new COVID Compliance Hotline.
Calling it a "See it Say it Hotline," Sheng called on people to report businesses that are not enforcing mask wearing and social distancing or other mitigation efforts.
She asked people to call (504) 736-6929 or got to jeffparish.net and fill out a report.
Sheng asked that people only report clear offenses, not circumstances where maybe one employee is failing to cover their nose with their mask.
"Let us work on the egregious offenders," she said. "I will personally ask the Louisiana Fire Marshal to go out and site them."
She also called on consumers to refuse to spend their money in businesses where employees are failing to wear masks and follow other safety procedures.
"Walk out and go somewhere else!"
Additionally, Sheng called on residents to make a point of going to places that do obey the rules.
"Let's reward the good businesses," she said. "So many businesses are doing it well, some are not."
The parish president said the increase in cases is clearly not simply as a result of increased testing, but actually increasing community spread.
"It has been the young people that are sort of leading the trend that we are seeing," Sheng insisted.
She explained that she knows that some of the attendees at well publicized gathering in New Orleans and Baton Rouge were from Jefferson Parish.
"Jefferson Parish residents were at those parties."
Sheng said the goal now needs to be keeping the virus from spreading from younger people to more vulnerable residents.
"Please wear your mask. We need everybody to wear a mask," Sheng implored. "We do not want this to run rampant through our community again."
She said all residents need to get on the same page.
"We are all in this together, it affects everyone."
