Gov. Bill Lee plays politics by failing to mention Tennessee’s 22,000 COVID dead | Opinion – Tennessean

Posted: February 7, 2022 at 6:57 am

The continued misleading of the people of Tennessee with nothing to see here, folks flies in the face of claims of a spirit of humble service.

Michelle Fiscus| Guest Columnist

I watched Gov. BillLees State of the State Address on Monday.I shouldnt have.

My family warned me. And yet, I still have a vested interest in what happens to the people of Tennessee. My parents live there. The children and families I worked with in my medical practice over 17 years live there. My friends and colleagues and neighbors and people I deeply care about live there.

My inability to live there doesnt dampen my concern and frustration and, at times, outrage, on behalf of the people who do.

I watched as the governor recognized farmers, people who have fled the tyranny of California and New York, and police who have relocated to avoid vaccine mandates placed upon them by other states but who are warmly welcomed in Tennessee.

I listened as he told of the recent horror of a Texas synagogue taken hostage and, rather than work to keep people safe from guns, vowed to teach houses of worship how to protect themselves against such acts.

What I did not hear was any mention of COVID-19 or the 22,151 Tennesseans who have lost their lives to the pandemic over the past two years (as of Jan. 22). Not a call for a moment of silence. Not even thoughts and prayers for the families they left behind.

Oh, sure, there were veiled references to nurses and other health care workers who have cared for the sick and well-deserved praise for the National Guard who have met the worst of circumstances with grit, but not one mention of omicron which, at the time of the governors address, still had case counts more than three times that of last years peak (and those are the ones we know about).

Dr. Michelle Fiscus: Tennessee leaders are playing politics, but they must protect children from COVID-19 | Opinion

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The continued misleading of the people of Tennessee with nothing to see here, folks flies in the face of claims of a spirit of humble service.

According to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Tennessee ranks sixth in the country for the rate of COVID-19 cases among children and current case rates overall. Tennessee is also among states with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates.

Instead of taking the opportunity to encourage Tennesseans to remain careful by limiting gatherings, wearing a mask, getting vaccinated and staying home when sick so they can get beyond omicron, the governor spoke of how Tennessee is ranked as one of the top five freest states in the country.

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A quick Google search shows the author of that ranking to be from the Charles Koch Institute.

Ironically, that same ranking places Tennessee among the worst for personal freedom, which includes victimless crimes, guns, tobacco, and education. Californians and New Yorkers looking to relocate may want to take notice.

It was Janis Joplin who once sang, Freedoms just another word for nothin left to lose. When youre at the bottom for health care, funding for education, workers rights, and COVID-19, I guess freedom is all you have left to talk about. Its an election year, after all.

Dr. Michelle Fiscus is a pediatrician who, until recently, residedin Williamson County. She served as the medical director for vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programs at the Tennessee Department of Health until July 12, 2021

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Gov. Bill Lee plays politics by failing to mention Tennessee's 22,000 COVID dead | Opinion - Tennessean

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