Governor Ends Covid Public Health Orders (living in, prices, authority)

[Jumeby]

In addition to Governor Lee's orders (link below) the Tennessee bill banning state and local governments from requiring COVID-19 vaccines advances.

This nightmare is ending.

Gov. Lee Pushes Reopening, Focus on Economic Recovery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the end of statewide public health orders and signed Executive Order 80 to address economic and regulatory functions. EO 80 also ends the local authority to issue mask requirements in the 89 counties directed by the state health department.


“COVID-19 is now a managed public health issue in Tennessee and no longer a statewide public health emergency,” said Gov. Lee. “As Tennesseans continue to get vaccinated, it’s time to lift remaining local restrictions, focus on economic recovery and get back to business in Tennessee.”

[2mares]

Good for Governor Lee.

[JRR]

I would feed a bit better about this if Tennessee wasn't ranked the 46th lowest state in the entire country in vaccination rate. That figure is not exactly comforting; even Kentucky is well ahead of us.

[mattec]

This order doesn't cover the 6 counties with their own health depts. Davidson & Shelby will likely maintain some requirements on masking indoors into May and probably June.

[jchometeam]

Throughout this pandemic, I’ve been glad to live in TN. With just a few exceptions, I have agreed with our state leaders’ approach of letting decisions be made at the most local level possible.

[Jumeby]

Originally Posted by jchometeam

Throughout this pandemic, I’ve been glad to live in TN. With just a few exceptions, I have agreed with our state leaders’ approach of letting decisions be made at the most local level possible.

The only upside to this nightmare is living in Tennessee where state and local government has managed the crisis well without trampling on our rights.

[An Einnseanair]

Thankfully, lots of Tennesseans were and are willing to actually help their neighbors and their state by wearing masks, social distancing, and getting the vaccine. This allows the "gub'mint tramplin' our rights" people to stay alive while continuing believing this was all fake news.

Unfortunately, because of these people, Tennessee will likely be one of the many states that never reaches true herd immunity levels. Instead of knocking COVID back into a 3rd-world-only disease like polio or malaria, COVID will continue to exist and mutate. It will likely continue killing people and require yearly booster vaccines just like the flu.

[jchometeam]

Originally Posted by An Einnseanair

Thankfully, lots of Tennesseans were and are willing to actually help their neighbors and their state by wearing masks, social distancing, and getting the vaccine. This allows the "gub'mint tramplin' our rights" people to stay alive while continuing believing this was all fake news.

Unfortunately, because of these people, Tennessee will likely be one of the many states that never reaches true herd immunity levels. Instead of knocking COVID back into a 3rd-world-only disease like polio or malaria, COVID will continue to exist and mutate. It will likely continue killing people and require yearly booster vaccines just like the flu.

Underlying this post is a very important point- there is a price to liberty, democracy, and federalism. With a relatively weak federal government and individual freedom of choice, one of the prices to pay is that there will be dissenting opinions/actions that might undermine efforts to get everyone to do the same thing (in this case, be vaccinated, wear masks, etc.).

Of course, it is a price well worth paying- and despite the division that exists in our country most Americans, and Tennesseans, are good people and care for one another even when we have dissenting opinions. All things being considered, the response to this pandemic from individuals, corporations, and governments has be impressive. Decisions and adjustments have been made quickly at all levels, science has given us a vaccine in record time, and the rollout of that vaccine has been smoother than I expected.

[llsmith42]

An Einseannair, can’t rep you again, but would if I could!

[JMT]

Here we go again. Thread closed.