New Projection Models Point to Effectiveness of Social Distancing in TN
Governor Bill Lee said he is hopeful that social distancing is working after looking at the latest projection models from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which now projects less than 600 deaths due to COVID-19 by August in Tennessee.
“Social distancing works, and the improvements we’re seeing today are the result of decisions we made two and three weeks ago,” Lee said.
Lee closed schools on March 20, and non-essential services on March 30. However, he was one of the later governors to issue a statewide stay at home order — after more than 30 other states already had. He didn’t require Tennesseans to stay at home until April 2. The delay drew criticism from Kentucky’s governor, who warned residents not to visit Tennessee.
Lee said while the new model projection is hopeful, all Tennesseans must stay vigilant with social distancing. He added that he is waiting until later this month to decide whether to extend the stay at home mandate past the end of April. Sixty-five people have died from the virus in Tennessee to date.
Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey also announced the state is planning to release data about senior living facilities that have had COVID-19 infections, as some other states have already done. During a press conference Monday, Piercey said Tennessee does not think the information will violate health privacy laws. She did not say when the data will be released. More than 100 people tested positive for COVID-19 at a nursing home in Gallatin.
East Tennesseeans Sewing Masks Following New CDC Guidance
A respiratory therapy student at Roane State Community College had never used a sewing machine, until two weeks ago. Isabella Escolar was spurred by the shortage of protective gear for local medical providers to borrow her grandmother’s sewing machine and learn to sew masks. Since then, she has made and donated nearly 250 masks to local hospitals.
She is one of dozens of people in East Tennessee making quilted masks. A Facebook group called Knox Makes Masks created in late March has more than 1,500 members discussing supplies, fabrics and ways to donate their homemade masks.
The CDC issued to new guidance earlier this week recommending everyone wear cloth face coverings in public, and provided methods of making masks.
Knox Schools Update Meal Delivery Locations
Beginning this week, Knox County Schools has moved to a twice-weekly meal distribution schedule. The district is providing two days’ worth of meals on Mondays, and three days’ worth of meals on Wednesdays. There are 38 pickup locations in Knox County, all open from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays. All children receiving meals must be present at pick-up. There are ungraded educational packets being distributed from the meal pick-up sites that are at schools.