Senate Dems to Gov. Lee: Record Covid-19 death, suffering ‘unacceptable’
Democratic caucus members petition Gov. Bill Lee for a ‘real plan’ to fight the deadly coronavirus
NASHVILLE — Tennessee leads the Southeast in COVID-19 cases per capita. More than Florida, Texas and Louisiana—all states hit early and hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
The increased case load, which has hit new records again this week, has resulted in more hospitalizations and death as well. In Tennessee, COVID-19 deaths have spiked 118 percent week over week while hospitalizations have pushed into record territory almost daily.
The pandemic’s winter surge is stressing already overwhelmed hospitals and healthcare workers across the state. There’s hardly any room for new patients and few nurses available to ensure continued bedside care.
For months, Democratic members of the Tennessee Senate have called on Gov. Bill Lee to implement new measures, such as statewide masking rules, to fight the virus. On Tuesday, amid a worsening coronavirus death toll, the caucus sent a new letter to the governor pleading for action.
Calling for a “real plan that meets the gravity of the current crisis,” the caucus said the rate of death in Tennessee was “unacceptable.”
“Governor, we are ready to stand alongside your administration and defend a bold plan of action,” the sentors wrote. “Our caucus would rather support an aggressive, evidence-based mitigation strategy than criticize its absence. It is time for all Tennesseans — regardless of party or position — to come together around a unified plan to save lives.”
The full letter is included below:
