Tennessee needs mask mandate to fight COVID-19, Sen. Akbari says

MEMPHIS — Tennessee needs a mask mandate to fight the spread of COVID-19, according to Sen. Raumesh Akbari, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

On Monday, Tennessee’s health department announced 5,919 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. Over a seven-day period, the number of cases in the state have skyrocketed 59% with more than 20,000 known infections.

“Tennessee needs a mask mandate,” Sen. Akbari said. “The number of people being hospitalized for COVID-19 and dying is unacceptable. Our families and businesses cannot recover if the virus is accelerating through our communities.”

The number of COVID-19 deaths in Tennessee eclipsed 3,600 on Monday.

In October, ​​President Donald Trump’s administration told Gov. Bill Lee that “a statewide mask mandate must be implemented” to curb its growing spread of COVID-19.

Even though the White House report called for action, Gov. Lee has made it clear that he does not think masks should be required.