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Thursday, April 2, 2020

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:

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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Gallatin Nursing Home Reopens Over Objections

A Gallatin nursing home where over 100 cases of COVID-19 were found is reopening over objections from local leaders, according to a NewsChannel5 report:


Just days after that disturbing video of elderly patients being moved out of the nursing home in Gallatin because of a Coronavirus outbreak, there are plans to reopen the facility.
In fact, it could be back in business by Thursday despite objections from Sumner County officials who call the idea "irresponsible."
They said it's too soon and they have no confidence in the facility right now or the Tennessee State Health Department. And they believe the state's plan to reopen the nursing home now will only put more lives in danger. So they called NewsChannel 5 Investigates to express their concerns and sound the alarm.

"I tell you this, I would not want one of my loved ones to be in that facility right now," Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt said.

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For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Sizemore Launches Campaign for House District 40 Seat

From a press release:

Paddy Sizemore (I) is proud to announce his campaign for the Tennessee State House of Representatives’ 40th district (most of DeKalb County, all of Smith County, part of Sumner County, and all of Trousdale County.)

In lieu of campaign contributions, for the foreseeable future, Paddy requests that you direct your financial support to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to help food banks provide critical help to families in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

Paddy grew up in Sumner County, and lives in South Carthage. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from TN Tech (2009), and a Master of Science degree from WKU (2015). Paddy works as an independent contractor.

Paddy knows, most of all, people are struggling with the fallout from the coronavirus (COVID-19). Before the virus hit, there were already a whole heap of issues to address, but during this crisis Paddy asserts that we must prioritize public health and the economy.
  • Economy: “Tennesseans have either already lost their jobs or will lose their jobs. Small businesses are struggling everywhere, and many have already closed. We can’t just sit around and hope for the best.”
    • “We've got to expand unemployment insurance.”
    • “We've got to make sure nobody goes hungry.”
    • “We've got to suspend all farm loan payments and protect farmers.”
    • “We've got to stop throwing people out of their homes and apartments or shutting off their utilities.”
    • “We've got to take advantage of Federal support to help our state and local governments.”
  • Healthcare: “We must stay home, whenever possible, to save lives. If it feels like nothing is happening, that means it’s working.”
    • “We must practice social distancing. Imagine you’re carrying a yard stick and make the person you’re talking to imagine they’re carrying one, too.”
    • “We must take care of our healthcare workers and other essential workers. These people are angels working overtime for us all. They are doing everything they can to keep us safe. We need to help them do their jobs.”
    • “We must build mobile testing facilities and expand our ability to test and to care for all who need it.”
Paddy closes with this statement:

“I entered the workforce during the Great Recession over a decade ago. I had a college degree, but I was thrilled to be making 9 bucks an hour at a car dealership. I had enough hours each week to qualify for an extra $87 a month in food stamps. The economy had collapsed. Times were tough. I couldn’t afford health insurance, but I worked hard and scraped by with a little help.

But that was nothing compared to what lies before us in 2020. This is hitting all of us. Hard work doesn’t cut it when there just ain’t hard work to do.

The aftermath of COVID-19 may be our Great Depression. Families are worried about making ends-meet, yet the bills keep coming in. This is serious. Now is not the time to be conservative in our approach. Like those who elected FDR so many times during The Great Depression, I think we can all agree that we need to vote for a Progressive on November 3rd. And I’m the only one.”

To keep in touch with Paddy and his campaign for District 40 State Representative:
Paddy Sizemore



For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews


Got news? Email us at newshendersonville@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Sumner County vs. TN Department of Health

While Sumner County leads Tennessee in number of deaths from COVID-19, the Tennessee Department of Health has said it will allow Gallatin Rehab and Healing to reopen tomorrow -- 4 patients from that facility have now died from the virus and over 100 patients and staffers were infected.

County Commission Chair Scott Langford has joined other Sumner County leaders in condemning the decision. Here's his statement:

As Chairman of the Sumner County Commission, I want to join our County Mayor, Mayor of Gallatin, EMA Director, EMS Chief, and Budget Chairman to condemn the TN Department of Health’s plan to allow Gallatin Rehab and Healing to reopen tomorrow. Over 100 people infected and 4 deaths. There is no reason to allow this facility to reopen. It poses a substantial risk to public health. There is zero commitment from the State Health Department to test the facility.
We call upon the TN Health Department to keep this facility closed.



For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews 

We're Number 1

Sumner County leads the state in deaths from COVID-19, reports the Hendersonville Standard:


Sumner County leads the state in the number of deaths related to COVID-19, according to data released by the Tennessee Department of Health at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
The department has released the daily data for several weeks since the coronavirus outbreak. However today is the first day the state has released the number of fatalities related to the respiratory disease by county.
The data shows that of the 24 people in Tennessee who have died from the disease, seven are from Sumner County.
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Reed Takes Helm of Lady Commando Basketball

Main Street Preps reports that Kelli Reed will be taking over as Head Coach of the Hendersonville High School Lady Commando basketball team:


The Hendersonville girls basketball program will be under new leadership next season as former Springfield head coach Kelli Reed takes over the Lady Commando program.
Reed replaces John Filson, who stepped down in January after two seasons. 
I am honored to have the opportunity to be the head coach,” Reed said in a press release. I appreciate the (Hendersonville) administration for putting their faith in me and that our vision aligns for the future of this basketball team. I am excited to get on campus and get to work. I look forward to meeting all the girls and being part of a great community.” 
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Sumner Hospitals Overwhelmed

WSMV reports that Sumner County's hospitals are overwhelmed as the area is becoming a COVID-19 hotspot in Tennessee:


Sumner County officials say local hospitals are running out of space and are pleading with residents to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go outside to slow the pace of the coronavirus spread.
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While Sumner County residents are being urged to stay home, many are conducting business as usual.

Sumner County currently has the third-highest number of cases of COVID-19 in the state, behind only Davidson and Shelby counties.



For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews