Bill Lee's Stronger Urging

Gov. Bill Lee today issued a "Stay Home" order to replace his previous "Safer at Home" order. This new executive order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic comes after more than 2000 physicians encouraged Lee to take bolder action.

An initial reading of the document indicates the wording is simply stronger -- a more forceful "urging" than in the previous order. That is, Tennesseans are to "stay home" unless carrying out "essential functions." These functions include going to the grocery, pharmacy, and bank as well as going to work at a long list of essential businesses.

From reporter Steven Hale:

Steven Hale

@iamstevenhale

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59m

As more details come out, it does sound as if the governor's new order is simply a more strongly worded "urging." With that said, it only seems fair to acknowledge that it's hard to envision a means of enforcing such an order that we'd really be comfortable with.

In other words, instead of Lee simply urging you to stay home, he's now saying: "Stay Home."

Of course, absent some broader enforcement mechanism (such as fines or curfews), it's difficult to imagine something much more stringent. Of course, Lee could significantly shorten the list of essential businesses -- so less people are going to work or to places that are open. So far, he's not done that.

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