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New Executive Order lists limitations for gatherings, spectator events
BRANDON HUTCHESON
On Sunday evening, December 20, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered a statewide address regarding the recent surge of COVID-19 cases within The Volunteer State. Additionally, Gov. Lee signed Executive Order number 70, an order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and preserve health care capacity by limiting gatherings and spectator events. The order also urges businesses to allow employees to work from home where possible.
The order became effective Dec. 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. and expires on January 19, 2021.
During the governor’s address, Lee said Tennessee is ‘ground zero’ for a surge in sickness and noted around 10,000 Tennesseans are becoming sick daily.
“To put that in perspective, that’s three times where we were around Halloween,” Lee said. “Thousands of our neighbors are in the hospital tonight. More than 100 people are dying each day. We are in a war. With the arrivals of the first vaccine, we have launched an offensive that will end this war. But it is the next few weeks that is going to be the most critical for our state.
“We have seen firsthand that Thanksgiving gatherings and extended time indoors have been the principal driver in spreading COVID-19 like wildfire,” continued Lee. “It only took a matter of days to see gatherings around Thanksgiving translate into a record level of sickness. Tennessee cannot sustain a similar surge after Christmas or New Year’s.
“We know that it is gatherings that have caused this surge. This is why we are making these decisions around gatherings that will help us blunt the rise in cases,” Lee added.
Executive Order 70 says persons in the State of Tennessee shall not in any event be in a group of 10 or more total persons in an indoor public place for the purposes of social gatherings, activities, or events provided that the limitation does not necessarily prohibit 10 or more total persons from gathering in a single place or venue for an activity or event if they are in separate, permissible smaller groups that substantially maintain 6 ft. or more apart.
As for weddings, funerals, and worship services, the order does not define these as social gatherings; however, places of worship are encouraged to continue to utilize virtual or online services. The order also encourages any large public celebration, such as a wedding or funeral, be postponed or attended only by close family members.
The recent Executive Order urges individuals to continue to practice social distancing – maintaining at least 6 ft. of separation from persons outside their household.
Gov. Lee said he believed high school sports should continue and added with coordination with the TSSAA, there would be limited attendance at indoor sporting events.
The governor also encouraged Tennesseans to wear masks.
Right now, 70 percent of Tennesseans are under a mask requirement. I commend the local officials who have implemented mask requirements. Because of that, 80 percent of Tennesseans report they wear their masks most or all of the time and I thank them for doing this. We need them to continue and the remaining 20 percent to wear a mask and protect their health.”
Though he discussed the importance of wearing a facial covering, Lee said he would leave mask mandates to local governments.
“Many think a statewide mandate would improve mask wearing, many think it would have the opposite effect,” he stated. “This has been a heavily politicized issue. Please do not get caught up in that and don’t misunderstand my belief in local government on this issue. Masks work and I want every Tennessean to wear one.”
Rather than issue a statewide mask mandate, Gov. Lee, on July 3, announced the authorization for county mayors in 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties to issue mandates for facial coverings.
Dyer County Mayor Chris Young issued a county-wide mask mandate on July 20, which was extended twice, ultimately expiring on Sept. 28. Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, Mayor Young reinstated the mandate on Oct. 22 for continuation throughout the year.
To help in the fight against the virus, Mayor Young stated, “I still believe a statewide mandate is best. Local mask mandates have seen an increase of facemasks in every county when implemented. A statewide mandate would do the same.”
In reference to the recent Executive Order, Mayor Young, as of Monday afternoon said he is seeking clarification from the state on the limitations to indoor public gatherings.
“I’ve had several calls from restaurant and bar owners wanting to know if they are included. I’m trying to get clarification right now.”
However, over the holiday season, Young urges everyone to do their part by wearing a mask and only gather with your household.
To view the full Executive Order 70, visit https://www.wate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2020/12/EO-70.pdf.
In just over two months, the total COVID-19 cases in Dyer County have increased by more than 2,000. Since Nov. 24, total COVID-19 cases in the county have increased by nearly 900.
As of Sunday evening, Dec. 20, (Monday numbers were not released prior to print) Dyer County was listed as having 3,934 total cases with 65 deaths due to the virus. Active cases were listed at 361 with inactive/recovered cases showing 3,508.
According to interim West Tennessee Healthcare – Dyersburg Regional CEO Scott Barber, as of Monday, Dec. 21 at 11:45 a.m. the Dyersburg hospital had 26 in-house positive COVID-19 patients with 8 of those in the ICU and 6 on ventilators.
“We have 14 total ventilators and 14 ICU beds, so we have enough for each bed in our ICU. Total, we have 9 ventilators being used at the hospital, so we have 5 available – but that number changes sometimes hourly,” said Barber.
When asked about the number of COVID-19 patients treated at the Dyersburg facility, Barber stated, “In our hospital, we have treated, impatient, 285, but all total, which we may have had to transfer them to Jackson is 584 through the West Tennessee Healthcare system.”
As for availability at the Dyersburg hospital, Barber said, “We availability for 126 beds, and right now we are at 61 today (Monday morning). We have a lot more beds.”
Barber added staffing would be a more pressing issue rather than bed availability, but noted, “We can reach out to staffing agencies if we need to add more nurses. It would cost a lot of money to do that if we need it, and we don’t mind doing that. But we’re not at that point yet.”
The Tennessee Department of Health provides daily COVID-19 updates online at www.tn.gov/health at 5 p.m. The COVID-19 Public Information Numbers, 877-857-2945 or 833-556-2476, are available from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Additionally, the TDH offers a county data dashboard with additional COVID-19 data at https://covid19.tn.gov.