NOLA Health Official Quits Mardi Gras After Threats

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:

New Orleans health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno decided not to ride as queen of Krewe du Vieux next month after unspecified threats that caused her to be concerned for her personal safety and the safety of krewe members, she wrote in a letter to the krewe.

On Monday, Krewe du Vieux reported that Avegno, head of the New Orleans Health Department, had stepped down as 2022 parade queen. A letter to the krewe from Avegno indicated her reasons are fear for her personal safety and the safety of krewe members — not from COVID-19 infection, but from other, unspecified threats.

Avegno wrote that, because of the recent “re-imposition of mitigation measures, the level of negativity and hatred” directed at city officials “has significantly increased.”

Read the full article.

“I do not want to create a security risk by my participation.”

New Orleans health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno quits Krewe du Vieux over security concerns.
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— NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) January 25, 2022