I think one thing every American has on their Christmas list is for life to return to normal, or as close as we can get to it after a year like 2020, especially during a time of the year in which we are often with friends and family.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis may still linger for several months since it will take a while for the newly approved vaccine to be distributed to millions of people across the country.
But with cases and the death toll both surging in recent weeks, our elected officials are forced to take some drastic measures.
In Tennessee, for example, the Governor is now working to limit the size of Christmas gatherings, even inside private homes.
Governor Bill Lee gave a statewide address Sunday night asking Tennesseans to wear masks and avoid gatherings with anyone other than their immediate household in hopes of avoiding another surge of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
In the days after Thanksgiving, Tennessee has seen COVID-19 cases skyrocket breaking new records for cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The day before his address, the Tennessee Health Department reported a 30.46% test positivity rate. The World Health Organization recommends the positivity rate be below 5%.
The governor signed Executive Order 70, which lasts until Jan. 20, 2021. It limits indoor public gatherings to 10 people and does not allow spectators at K-12. Collegiate and professional sports are “subject to the rules, protocols, or guidelines of their respective institutions and governing bodies.”
The move is sure to receive a fair amount of resistance from locals, as similar measures were attempted during Thanksgiving around the country and were hotly contested and fiercely protested.
