Photo: From Left Mayor Coppinger, Becky Barnes, Dr. Urrego
Photo Credit: Hamilton County, TN Government / Facebook
Published July 27, 2021
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
As a reaction to reports of rising COVID cases and hospitalizations in Hamilton County, Mayor Jim Coppinger decided last week to form a new COVID Advisory Group made up of area doctors, infectious disease experts and area business leaders.
As reported by Channel 3 WRCBtv, the new group will consist of the CEO of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Christy Gillenwater, the Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools Dr. Bryan Johnson and Hamilton County Health Department Administrator Becky Barnes, along with hospital representatives.
The former Chattanooga-Hamilton County COVID-19 taskforce was dissolved earlier this year.
Coppinger stated that the new group will meet often to discuss what is being seen in the community related to the virus.
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Coppinger has stated that he will not reinstate a mask mandate or business lockdowns because he believes people have the tools they need to stay safe and for the economy’s sake, he can’t let that happen.
However, Chattanooga City Mayor, Tim Kelly has just temporarily shut down the fourth Community Center in the area after a single confirmed case of the virus was discovered at each facility.
Kelly said last week, “…make no mistake, if we do not take appropriate steps to protect ourselves, our families and our friends from harm, and if this concerning spike in infections continues, we run a high risk that our city could once again face closure and lockdown.”
During a press conference on the 21st, Health Department Administrator Barnes stated that they are recommending the schools follow CDC guidelines on re-opening schools.
Barnes referred to Dr. Fernando Urrego for the specifics of what that means for the schools and the students.
“The Health Department’s recommendation to the schools will be that anybody who has been unvaccinated should wear masks,” Urrego said.
Last week, Shelby County Schools revealed its back-to-school plan on which included universal mask-wearing while on SCS campuses.
The mask mandate will apply to everyone who enters SCS facilities, regardless of vaccination status.
However, no school district in the state has been given the authority by the Tennessee General Assembly to require masks.
Hamilton County Schools have yet to announce their own re-opening plans for the 2021-22 school year as it relates to mask-wearing.
About the Author:
Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative
Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
One Response
The vaxx is poison, and masks do nothing but harm, harboring bacteria. Covid has never been islolated and verified in any test. This is all about fear and control. We the people have had more than enough of your draconian measures. ALL elected officials need to remember who they work for. Enough with the masks and lockdowns. Stop it now.