Discrimination Against Unvaccinated Individuals In Tennessee: Transitional Care Centers, Non-Profit Organizations & More

Image Credit: Anthony Crider / CC

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

It has been almost three years since the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines were first authorized for emergency use by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Tennesseans are still sharing their stories of medical discrimination in hopes that they will actually be heard. 

Even in a red state like Tennessee, residents endured discrimination by their schools, employers, churches, food pantries, and even hospitals based solely on the personal medical decision to remain unvaccinated.

In Fall of 2021, Ronald Phillips’ mother was a patient at Foothills Transitional Care in Maryville, Tennessee. 

Like many families across the country, Ronald and his wife Cheryl attempted to visit their loved one, but were not permitted to go into the room and could only talk to Ronald’s mother through a window. 

At one point, the pair was even denied as visitors due to their vaccination status. 

“He [Ronald] and I were upset because we were not allowed to see her for over a month due to both of us not being fully vaccinated for Covid-19,” Cheryl wrote. 

Ronald was finally permitted to see his own mother again when she was on her deathbed at Blount Memorial Hospital where she passed away three days later.

One Tennessee woman needed to find space at an assisted living home, but upon application was denied. The reason? That particular facility was requiring all elderly residents to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Yet another woman explained that her mother had recently hoped to volunteer to work with Hospice patients but was not allowed to do so because of her vaccination status. 

While many experienced discrimination from larger institutions and organizations, others shared stories of community relationships impacted by their non-compliance.

One Tennessean said that while operating on a fixed low-income during the height of Covid-19, she experienced discrimination from those running a local food pantry.

“Attempts were made to force me to wear a mask against my will,” stated our source. “When I didn’t comply with this, I was treated unusually rudely and, at times, yelled at for not complying.”

According to our source, even though she started to comply regarding the masks, once her opinions and vaccination status were known, the products she was given by the food pantry were less in quality and quantity compared to what was provided to those in complete compliance. 

She says now that tensions and tyranny have died down surrounding Covid-19, things are slightly better.

“I believe many of them have come to realize what they believed to be true, in the beginning, is not the REAL truth…” she wrote.

Yet another woman, a retired registered nurse (RN) detailed an unfortunately tense relationship with her neighbor due to differences in vaccination status.

“I have a [vaccinated] neighbor who continues to wear a mask and keep distance from me, stating ‘you are the reason that I keep getting sick because you are not vaccinated,’” wrote the former RN.

At this point, even some folks who chose to get the Covid-19 vaccine initially,  have become disenfranchised with not only the vaccine, but the medical practitioners who pushed them on patients.

“I did have two [Covid-19 vaccines] and a booster. I would not do it again now that I have become educated about them,” said one Tennessean. “My primary doctor I was going to, was more than happy that I had them and told me in so many words, he would not take patients who had not had [the Covid-19 vaccine].”

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.