A simple gift from a bitter political rival — a medical mask emblazoned with Louisiana's state seal — has helped Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards pound home a bipartisan plea for people to stay at home and avoid spreading the new coronavirus.

The token from Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry — and Landry's pledge to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Edwards in the fight against the pandemic — marked a jaw-dropping truce in a state known for cantankerous politics.

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FILE - In this March 19, 2020 file photo, people are seen on Bourbon Street, which is normally bustling with tourists and revelers, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, after a mandatory shutdown of bars and restaurants due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

A simple gift from a bitter political rival — a medical mask emblazoned with Louisiana's state seal — has helped Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards pound home a bipartisan plea for people to stay at home and avoid spreading the new coronavirus.
FILE - In this March 13, 2020 file photo, School Resource Officer Donald Lee locks the gates of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School for Science and Technology, after all the students left, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

And it seems to be having a positive effect: The growth in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Louisiana appears to have slowed, and the number of patients on ventilators was down as of Tuesday afternoon.
FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, a resident of the Lambeth House, where a cluster of the coronavirus has formed, reacts from her balcony as opera singers Irini Hymel and Bryan Hymel sing to the quarantined residents in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

“In the case of Louisiana, we have a very good governor, John Bel Edwards, though he’s a Democrat,” the president told Fox News on March 26.
FILE - In this March 23, 2020 file photo, Jessica Fender, center, and Kerry Maloney, left, shy away from a woman asking for money after they felt she got too close, as the two exercise social distancing due to the new coronavirus outbreak, on a deserted Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The current atmosphere of bipartisanship marks a striking contrast to 2005, when the response to catastrophic levee failures after Hurricane Katrina was marked by disagreements between the late Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Republican President George W. Bush’s administration; and the ineffective efforts of Democratic New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who later went to federal prison for corruption.
FILE - In this March 27, 2020 file photo, a man walks past a closed Cafe Du Monde, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, normally bustling with tourists, but now nearly completely deserted due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The unified message in the time of the coronavirus appears to be having a positive effect. Last month there were fears that Louisiana would, by now, have reached a grim coronavirus reckoning on par with the devastated country of Italy, with too few life-saving ventilators to go around and the number of critically ill patients exceeding the number of available beds.
FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, State Rep. Vincent Pierre, D-Dist. 44, wears a mask and gloves as legislators convene in a limited number while exercising social distancing, due to the new coronavirus pandemic, at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The reasons for hope lie in the number of those requiring hospitalization. Although it was nearly 2,000 by Tuesday, officials believe the rate of growth has slowed. And the number of patients requiring ventilators to do their breathing for them was 519, down from 552 the day before.
FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, congregants arrive for evening service at the Life Tabernacle Church in Central, La. Pastor Tony Spell held services despite being charged with misdemeanors for holding services against Gov. John Bel Edwards shelter-in-place order due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

Those efforts included early, firm orders for social distancing and business closures, coupled with measures to convert a convention center into a hospital space.
FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, Cindy Morris, left, and Swarnamala Ratnayaka prepare RNA for testing for the new coronavirus at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

“Just because we think we’re starting to flatten the curve doesn’t mean our job is over,” Edwards said Tuesday. "In fact, now is the time to double down.”
FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, vials with samples taken for the new coronavirus are seen before they are prepared for RNA testing at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, vials with samples taken for the new coronavirus are seen before they are prepared for RNA testing at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)
FILE - In this April 4, 2020 file photo, workers sweeps inside a temporary hospital that has been set up in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as overflow for local hospitals that are reaching capacity, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 4, 2020 file photo, workers sweeps inside a temporary hospital that has been set up in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as overflow for local hospitals that are reaching capacity, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)
FILE - In this April 7, 2020 file photo, Fr. Steve Buno, Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church in Harahan, La., performs drive-thru Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as a form of social distancing due to the new coronavirus, during Holy Week. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 7, 2020 file photo, Fr. Steve Buno, Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church in Harahan, La., performs drive-thru Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as a form of social distancing due to the new coronavirus, during Holy Week. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)
FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, street performer Eddie Webb looks around the nearly deserted French Quarter looking to make money in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, street performer Eddie Webb looks around the nearly deserted French Quarter looking to make money in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)
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FILE - In this March 19, 2020 file photo, people are seen on Bourbon Street, which is normally bustling with tourists and revelers, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, after a mandatory shutdown of bars and restaurants due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

A simple gift from a bitter political rival — a medical mask emblazoned with Louisiana's state seal — has helped Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards pound home a bipartisan plea for people to stay at home and avoid spreading the new coronavirus.

FILE - In this March 13, 2020 file photo, School Resource Officer Donald Lee locks the gates of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School for Science and Technology, after all the students left, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

And it seems to be having a positive effect: The growth in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Louisiana appears to have slowed, and the number of patients on ventilators was down as of Tuesday afternoon.

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, a resident of the Lambeth House, where a cluster of the coronavirus has formed, reacts from her balcony as opera singers Irini Hymel and Bryan Hymel sing to the quarantined residents in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

“In the case of Louisiana, we have a very good governor, John Bel Edwards, though he’s a Democrat,” the president told Fox News on March 26.

FILE - In this March 23, 2020 file photo, Jessica Fender, center, and Kerry Maloney, left, shy away from a woman asking for money after they felt she got too close, as the two exercise social distancing due to the new coronavirus outbreak, on a deserted Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The current atmosphere of bipartisanship marks a striking contrast to 2005, when the response to catastrophic levee failures after Hurricane Katrina was marked by disagreements between the late Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Republican President George W. Bush’s administration; and the ineffective efforts of Democratic New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who later went to federal prison for corruption.

FILE - In this March 27, 2020 file photo, a man walks past a closed Cafe Du Monde, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, normally bustling with tourists, but now nearly completely deserted due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The unified message in the time of the coronavirus appears to be having a positive effect. Last month there were fears that Louisiana would, by now, have reached a grim coronavirus reckoning on par with the devastated country of Italy, with too few life-saving ventilators to go around and the number of critically ill patients exceeding the number of available beds.

FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, State Rep. Vincent Pierre, D-Dist. 44, wears a mask and gloves as legislators convene in a limited number while exercising social distancing, due to the new coronavirus pandemic, at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The reasons for hope lie in the number of those requiring hospitalization. Although it was nearly 2,000 by Tuesday, officials believe the rate of growth has slowed. And the number of patients requiring ventilators to do their breathing for them was 519, down from 552 the day before.

FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, congregants arrive for evening service at the Life Tabernacle Church in Central, La. Pastor Tony Spell held services despite being charged with misdemeanors for holding services against Gov. John Bel Edwards shelter-in-place order due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

Those efforts included early, firm orders for social distancing and business closures, coupled with measures to convert a convention center into a hospital space.

FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, Cindy Morris, left, and Swarnamala Ratnayaka prepare RNA for testing for the new coronavirus at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

“Just because we think we’re starting to flatten the curve doesn’t mean our job is over,” Edwards said Tuesday. "In fact, now is the time to double down.”

FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, vials with samples taken for the new coronavirus are seen before they are prepared for RNA testing at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, vials with samples taken for the new coronavirus are seen before they are prepared for RNA testing at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 4, 2020 file photo, workers sweeps inside a temporary hospital that has been set up in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as overflow for local hospitals that are reaching capacity, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 4, 2020 file photo, workers sweeps inside a temporary hospital that has been set up in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as overflow for local hospitals that are reaching capacity, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 7, 2020 file photo, Fr. Steve Buno, Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church in Harahan, La., performs drive-thru Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as a form of social distancing due to the new coronavirus, during Holy Week. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 7, 2020 file photo, Fr. Steve Buno, Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church in Harahan, La., performs drive-thru Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as a form of social distancing due to the new coronavirus, during Holy Week. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, street performer Eddie Webb looks around the nearly deserted French Quarter looking to make money in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, street performer Eddie Webb looks around the nearly deserted French Quarter looking to make money in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The rare show of unity comes in an era of deep, political divides nationwide that have persisted, and in some cases, worsened amid the virus pandemic, even as some call for leaving such disputes aside in favor of working together.

FILE - In this March 19, 2020 file photo, people are seen on Bourbon Street, which is normally bustling with tourists and revelers, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, after a mandatory shutdown of bars and restaurants due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 19, 2020 file photo, people are seen on Bourbon Street, which is normally bustling with tourists and revelers, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, after a mandatory shutdown of bars and restaurants due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

And it seems to be having a positive effect: The growth in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Louisiana appears to have slowed, and the number of patients on ventilators was down as of Tuesday afternoon.

Before his recent demonstrations of support, Landry had been at odds with the governor over policy and political turf since both took office in 2016, while Edwards' more than four years in office had been marked by ugly budget battles with a Republican-dominated Legislature.

Even President Donald Trump, who called Edwards “a disaster" while campaigning for a Republican to replace him in last year’s state election, had rare words of praise for the governor.

FILE - In this March 13, 2020 file photo, School Resource Officer Donald Lee locks the gates of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School for Science and Technology, after all the students left, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 13, 2020 file photo, School Resource Officer Donald Lee locks the gates of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School for Science and Technology, after all the students left, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

“In the case of Louisiana, we have a very good governor, John Bel Edwards, though he’s a Democrat,” the president told Fox News on March 26.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy, a frequent cable news talking head and critic of Edwards, is on board as well. “I’m not going to second-guess Gov. Edwards,” he said. “We’re all working together.”

Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said he initially thought Edwards went too far with a statewide stay-at-home order, but he quickly changed his mind. “It’s actually kind of nice that we’re not all mad at each other right now,” he said in a recent interview.

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, a resident of the Lambeth House, where a cluster of the coronavirus has formed, reacts from her balcony as opera singers Irini Hymel and Bryan Hymel sing to the quarantined residents in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, a resident of the Lambeth House, where a cluster of the coronavirus has formed, reacts from her balcony as opera singers Irini Hymel and Bryan Hymel sing to the quarantined residents in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The current atmosphere of bipartisanship marks a striking contrast to 2005, when the response to catastrophic levee failures after Hurricane Katrina was marked by disagreements between the late Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Republican President George W. Bush’s administration; and the ineffective efforts of Democratic New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who later went to federal prison for corruption.

Bipartisan unity in the age of COVID-19 may be due to the virus’s broad scope, said Pearson Cross, an associate dean and political science professor at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Katrina hit a heavily Democratic part of a state that had a Democratic governor in 2005. It was easy for a Republican administration to lay the problems with recovery at Blanco’s feet, Cross said. The pandemic affects Republican-led states as well as Democratic ones, making it harder to try to single out a Democratic administration for problems with the response.

“That being said, John Bel Edwards has clearly gone out of his way to make nice with President Trump,” Cross said.

FILE - In this March 23, 2020 file photo, Jessica Fender, center, and Kerry Maloney, left, shy away from a woman asking for money after they felt she got too close, as the two exercise social distancing due to the new coronavirus outbreak, on a deserted Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 23, 2020 file photo, Jessica Fender, center, and Kerry Maloney, left, shy away from a woman asking for money after they felt she got too close, as the two exercise social distancing due to the new coronavirus outbreak, on a deserted Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The unified message in the time of the coronavirus appears to be having a positive effect. Last month there were fears that Louisiana would, by now, have reached a grim coronavirus reckoning on par with the devastated country of Italy, with too few life-saving ventilators to go around and the number of critically ill patients exceeding the number of available beds.

Instead, Edwards is sounding notes of extremely cautious hope.

“It appears we’re trending in a positive direction because of the mitigation measures that people have been taking,” the governor said at his daily news conference Tuesday.

FILE - In this March 27, 2020 file photo, a man walks past a closed Cafe Du Monde, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, normally bustling with tourists, but now nearly completely deserted due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 27, 2020 file photo, a man walks past a closed Cafe Du Monde, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, normally bustling with tourists, but now nearly completely deserted due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

The reasons for hope lie in the number of those requiring hospitalization. Although it was nearly 2,000 by Tuesday, officials believe the rate of growth has slowed. And the number of patients requiring ventilators to do their breathing for them was 519, down from 552 the day before.

Edwards credited medical professionals with fine-tuning their use of ventilators, lessening the amount of time patients spend on them and easing the need to stockpile them.

Mitch Landrieu, who oversaw a revitalized Katrina recovery effort as mayor from 2010 to 2018, credits his successor, fellow Democrat LaToya Cantrell, and Edwards with strong early responses to COVID-19's emergence in Louisiana in March.

FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, State Rep. Vincent Pierre, D-Dist. 44, wears a mask and gloves as legislators convene in a limited number while exercising social distancing, due to the new coronavirus pandemic, at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, State Rep. Vincent Pierre, D-Dist. 44, wears a mask and gloves as legislators convene in a limited number while exercising social distancing, due to the new coronavirus pandemic, at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

Those efforts included early, firm orders for social distancing and business closures, coupled with measures to convert a convention center into a hospital space.

Landrieu is harshly critical of Trump for downplaying the virus's threat earlier this year and for lashing out at governors who criticize his handling of the pandemic. Landrieu said Edwards “has done a great job of trying to keep his powder dry with the president under difficult circumstances” while keeping all state officials, Republican and Democrat, “in the loop because you're one team.”

Louisiana’s situation is still far from rosy. Known cases have spread to 63 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. The New Orleans area remains a hot spot, with more than half of the more than 16,000 known Louisiana cases, a number that grows daily, in part because the state’s testing capacity is improving. The number of Louisiana deaths attributed to the disease increased by 70, to 582 on Tuesday.

FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, congregants arrive for evening service at the Life Tabernacle Church in Central, La. Pastor Tony Spell held services despite being charged with misdemeanors for holding services against Gov. John Bel Edwards shelter-in-place order due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, congregants arrive for evening service at the Life Tabernacle Church in Central, La. Pastor Tony Spell held services despite being charged with misdemeanors for holding services against Gov. John Bel Edwards shelter-in-place order due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

“Just because we think we’re starting to flatten the curve doesn’t mean our job is over,” Edwards said Tuesday. "In fact, now is the time to double down.”

FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, Cindy Morris, left, and Swarnamala Ratnayaka prepare RNA for testing for the new coronavirus at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, Cindy Morris, left, and Swarnamala Ratnayaka prepare RNA for testing for the new coronavirus at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

 FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, vials with samples taken for the new coronavirus are seen before they are prepared for RNA testing at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, vials with samples taken for the new coronavirus are seen before they are prepared for RNA testing at the molecular pathology lab at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

 FILE - In this April 4, 2020 file photo, workers sweeps inside a temporary hospital that has been set up in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as overflow for local hospitals that are reaching capacity, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 4, 2020 file photo, workers sweeps inside a temporary hospital that has been set up in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as overflow for local hospitals that are reaching capacity, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

 FILE - In this April 7, 2020 file photo, Fr. Steve Buno, Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church in Harahan, La., performs drive-thru Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as a form of social distancing due to the new coronavirus, during Holy Week. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this April 7, 2020 file photo, Fr. Steve Buno, Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church in Harahan, La., performs drive-thru Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as a form of social distancing due to the new coronavirus, during Holy Week. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

 FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, street performer Eddie Webb looks around the nearly deserted French Quarter looking to make money in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)

FILE - In this March 20, 2020 file photo, street performer Eddie Webb looks around the nearly deserted French Quarter looking to make money in New Orleans. Where political divides marred early recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana is showing rare political unity in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP PhotoGerald Herbert, File)