A new report issued by Vanderbilt University Medical Center shows areas in Tennessee without mask mandates have a higher increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Last week, the state broke its record for hospitalizations and daily increases in cases and deaths.
"We've seen a statewide increase in hospitalizations since early October, indicating that masking alone is not sufficient to curb further spread of the virus," said John Graves, Ph.D., director of the VUMC and associate professor of Health Police at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. "But it's very clear that areas where masking requirements have remained in place have seen much lower growth in COVID-19 hospitalizations."
Graves said that the economic and health system fallout from the pandemic requires "collective responsibility" on both Tennesseans and elected officials. According to the report, "Policies and individual behavior that facilitate letting the virus go unchecked in our communities will not only result in poorer health outcomes, but risks creating unnecessary and costly headwinds for families, businesses, schools and health care providers across the state."
"We've learned a lot about COVID-19, so with sufficient resources, processes and behavior in place, policymakers can implement a more precise response to the challenge than was undertaken back in the Spring," Graves said.
Governor Bill Lee recently extended his executive order granting county mayors the authority to mandate masks in public. Middle Tennessee counties that have reinstated the mandates include Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson, Sumner, and Montgomery.
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