NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — After Governor Bill Lee announced the end of statewide public health orders, the advocacy group Protect My Care is urging Tennesseans to continue to wear masks and get vaccinated.
The governor announced on Tuesday he signed Executive Order 80 to "address economic and regulatory functions." It eliminates statewide public health orders. And the only order that was still in place granted county mayors in 89 counties the authority to issue local mask mandates.
Dr. Jason Martin, a critical care physician who has treated COVID-19 patients said, "More than ever, the COVID-19 virus and crisis showed us that we are dependent on the health and well-being of each other, and whether we’re Black or white, Latino or Asian, this was a time to pull together."
Doctor Martin is part of the advocacy group Protect My Care. He went on to criticize the governor's decision.
"We had a chance to get through this crisis by pulling through together, but instead Gov. Lee abandoned his responsibility and put the burden on individual businesses, teachers, parents and communities to fight this global pandemic all on their own."
The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be available to Tennesseans 16 years old and older by appointment, and local health departments will now offer them on a walk-in basis.
“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.”
"The number one thing each of us Tennesseans can do right now to protect our own health and the health of others, to keep schools and businesses open, and to see a return to parties and proms is to get vaccinated and continue wearing masks to protect others," Dr. Marin said.
Read the full statement from Dr. Martin and Protect My Care below:
More than ever, the COVID-19 virus and crisis showed us that we are dependent on the health and wellbeing of each other, and whether we’re Black or white, Latino or Asian, this was a time to pull together.
We had a chance to get through this crisis by pulling through together, but instead Gov. Lee abandoned his responsibility and put the burden on individual businesses, teachers, parents and communities to fight this global pandemic all on their own.
The partisan attacks on the science of masking, the refusal to issue health safety orders like mask requirements prolonged the virus’ grip in Tennessee, made it harder for schools and businesses to stay open, and led to entirely avoidable closures, hospitalizations and deaths.
Tennessee ranked near last in managing this crisis and now we rank near last in vaccinations that are absolutely critical to avoid a vaccine-resistant strain from setting us back again. Children are not immune and are not yet vaccinated. Covid-19 is still here and we still have a responsibility for each other’s health and wellbeing whether we like it or not.
I want to thank the teachers, business owners, parents, families, nurses, doctors, and essential workers who have done their part to protect others by wearing masks, staying apart and getting vaccinated. Please, keep it up and together we can get through this.
Any one person’s wellness depends on everyone else’s. Our own health depends on the health of the person next to us, and the person next to them. The number one thing each of us Tennesseans can do right now to protect our own health and the health of others, to keep schools and businesses open, and to see a return to parties and proms is to get vaccinated and continue wearing masks to protect others.”
