Debate in Tennessee over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Tennessee in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over reopening plans in Tennessee

See also: Debate over reopening plans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on reopening plans in Tennessee.

Debate over stay-at-home orders in Tennessee

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Tennessee.

  • Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott (Facebook): Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott (R) argued that the state lockdown orders issued by Governor Bill Lee (R) are vague, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, and therefore Northcott refused to prosecute violations of them in Coffee County.

    "A criminal statute that is vague, arbitrary and isn't uniformly applicable is unconstitutional. I believe that is the current status of the Executive Orders that, by statute, are enforceable by criminal sanctions. ... I believe that I cannot prosecute any person for simply engaging in legal activities such as operating their lawful business." - "Public Statement Related to Prosecutions of Executive Order Violations," April 29, 2020.

  • Dr. Aaron Milstone (WKRN): Dr. Aaron Milstone said that the state should not lift social distancing restrictions without developing rapid testing.

    "Unlike the flu there is currently no treatment, no vaccine, and no defense, except physical separation from people. We have to have an expanded, rapid contact tracing and isolation of cases so that we can break the train of transmission." - "Tennessee doctors warn against re-opening state too soon," April 28, 2020.

  • Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III (R) (State of Tennessee): Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III (R) issued a statement stating that the governor's orders supersede any local orders restricting or easing restrictions in local jurisdictions.

    "Absent an express delegation of power by the Governor, local governmental entities may not take actions that are either more restrictive or less restrictive with respect to the subjects addressed in the Governor’s executive orders governing the State’s emergency response to COVID-19. Such action would be at cross purposes with the Governor’s orders, which are the law of the State, and would constitute an impermissible legal conflict." - "Governor’s Emergency Management Executive Orders," April 27, 2020.

  • Bridget Cheek (WJHL News): Bridget Cheek, who organized a protest against the state's stay-at-home order on April 19, argued that the statistics on the coronavirus in the state do not justify the lockdown and the subsequent economic impact.

    "There’s just not enough statistics right now to support this stay-at-home order and the closing of all these businesses that are really essential to people’s lives and their livelihoods right now. Those people are suffering. Those are actual numbers right now of people that are suffering, that aren’t able to feed their families, that won’t be reopening, and are wondering what they’re going to do this next year. So, that is what we’re concerned about, and we’re fighting for those people." - "“Gov. Lee, free Tennessee”: Local protesters call for reopening of small businesses," April 19, 2020.

  • Nashville Mayor John Cooper (Nashville.gov): Nashville Mayor John Cooper joined Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, and Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke to announce that they would be forming the 'Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force' to coordinate reopening the largest cities in the state.

    "As employment centers and healthcare providers for their regions, the four metro areas must coordinate and help inform the statewide approach. Our challenge is restarting our economy with protocols to protect public health. This Task Force is the city’s part of a statewide solution to safely reopening our economy, and I believe will be a valuable partner to the Governor’s office and the Commissioner Ezell’s Economic Recovery Group." - "Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga Unite to Plan Economic Reopening and Recovery from Coronavirus," April 16, 2020.

  • Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland (Daily Memphian): Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland (D) argued in an interview that businesses won't reopen until testing capacity increases.

    "To [reopen the economy], I would like -- at least for a major reopening -- the positive cases going down, ... widespread testing and a lot of capacity to do contact tracing, isolation and quarantine so that when people do test positive we can get them out of society and in their homes or in the hospital so that it doesn’t spread." - "COVID testing set to expand into more areas of city Friday," April 15, 2020.

  • Memphis Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen (Daily Memphian): Memphis Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen announced that Memphis and Shelby County will continue to evaluate what businesses can be added to the essential list as the city seeks to open back up gradually.

    "In the coming days, you will see us come together as a team to start looking at what reopening might look like. We are looking at the data. ... It will be a progressive opening of critical functions expanding more businesses into the essential categories and/or with some additional restrictions. But it won’t be a light switch and everything gets suddenly turned back on." - "Reopening the economy looks to be phased and possibly different for Shelby County," April 14, 2020.


Debate over school closures in Tennessee

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Tennessee.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over religious service restrictions in Tennessee

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Tennessee.

  • Governor Bill Lee (R) (WKRN): 

    "Religious liberty is important and must be protected, and that’s why the State has always deemed religious services as essential gatherings throughout this pandemic. As we look to reopen our economy in a safe fashion, the decision on in-person gatherings will be up to each individual faith community. We’re confident in their ability to determine the proper time and how to incorporate these guidelines to worship in a way that protects the health of their congregation." - "TN Governor’s Office announces guidance on reopening places of worship," May 1, 2020.

  • Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker (The Chattanoogan.com): Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker, who is representing a Chattanooga church in a lawsuit against Mayor Andy Berke's executive order prohibiting drive-in church services, argued that the mayor's policy does not make sense since citizens are allowed to sit in a parking lot at grocery stores or restaurants during this time.

    "City officials go too far when they single out churches for punishment, preventing them from alternate versions of worship during this pandemic that are specifically designed to comply with health and safety recommendations from both state and federal authorities. It makes no sense that you can sit in your car in a crowded parking lot or at a drive-in restaurant in Chattanooga, but you can’t sit in your car at a drive-in church service. Chattanooga’s ban is unnecessary and unconstitutional, and that’s why we have filed suit." - "Alliance Defending Freedom Sues Mayor, City In Federal Court On Ban On Drive-In Church," April 16, 2020.

  • Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs (UT Daily Beacon): Mayor Jacobs argued that there must be a balance between health and constitutional rights, specifically those protected by the First Amendment.

    "We are working with the Knox County Health Department and Dr. Martha Buchanan to get guidelines in place to keep parishioners safe when our churches re-open, which we hope is sooner rather than later. ... The pandemic is serious, and I certainly don’t want to underestimate it, but we must strike a balance between safety and violating outright any constitutional rights granted by the First Amendment." - "Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs releases proposal for phased reopening of economy," April 14, 2020.

  • Dale Walker (Fox 17 Nashville): Dale Walker, president of the Tennessee Pastors Network, stood outside a Tennessee liquor store on Good Friday in protest that churches had to shut down due to social distancing but liquor stores remained open. - "Pastor: It's not fair 'wicked liquor stores' can stay open, churches encouraged to close," April 10, 2020.


Debate over election policy in Tennessee

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Tennessee.

  • The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Campaign Legal Center (Fairfield Citizen): The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Campaign Legal Center filed a lawsuit against the state's absentee voting policies that permit mail-in voting for a limited number of excuses.

    "Simply put, the Constitution does not permit the State to require voters to jeopardize their health and safety, and the health and safety of their loved ones, in order to exercise their fundamental right. ... Tennessee voters must be permitted to cast their ballots without subjecting themselves to unnecessary exposure to a pandemic disease." - "Groups sue to expand absentee voting in Tennessee amid virus," May 1, 2020.

  • David Plazas (Tennessean): David Plazas wrote that Tennessee should adopt vote-by-mail practices because it protects voters and promotes voter turnout. He argues that Tennessee, which had the lowest voter turnout in the last presidential election, needs to make voting more accessible. - "Coronavirus crisis should prompt Tennessee lawmakers to allow all voters to vote by mail," March 20, 2020.

  • Dr. Thomas Phelps (Tullahoma TN News): "That second pass [of coronavirus] is something that we need to prepare for - not ignore. Health experts tell us that this second pass is going to come around when flu season opens again, which is around October or November of 2020. Why is something like voting in the privacy and safety of our own homes via the U.S. mail so difficult? Governor Lee, I have to ask you why. You give me the reason it can’t be done - I want to hear it." - "Local doctor urges absentee voting option," June 4, 2020.


Debate over economic impact in Tennessee

See also: Debate over economic impact during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on economic impact in Tennessee.

  • Nashville Mayor John Cooper (Nashville.gov): Nashville Mayor John Cooper joined Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, and Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke to announce that they would be forming the 'Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force' to coordinate reopening the largest cities in the state.

    "As employment centers and healthcare providers for their regions, the four metro areas must coordinate and help inform the statewide approach. Our challenge is restarting our economy with protocols to protect public health. This Task Force is the city’s part of a statewide solution to safely reopening our economy, and I believe will be a valuable partner to the Governor’s office and the Commissioner Ezell’s Economic Recovery Group." - "Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga Unite to Plan Economic Reopening and Recovery from Coronavirus," April 16, 2020.

  • Mayor John Cooper (USA Today News): In his first State of Metro address, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said that the city must raise property taxes to cover the cost of essential public services during the coronavirus pandemic.

    "Metro’s finances are in a place where there is no option. We can’t print money or borrow to cover our operating expenses. We must raise property taxes, as difficult as that is right now." - "Tennessee cities are better positioned than most, but they won't be spared coronavirus financial pain," March 31, 2020.


Debate over abortion in Tennessee

See also: Debate over abortion during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on abortion in Tennessee.

  • U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman (ABC News): U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled against Governor Bill Lee's (R) executive order that included abortions in the ban against nonessential medical procedures. Friedman argued in his ruling that abortions were time-sensitive procedures and the ban would cause harm to the patient.

    "Moreover, abortion is a time-sensitive procedure. Delaying a woman’s access to abortion even by a matter of days can result in her having to undergo a lengthier and more complex procedure that involves progressively greater health risks, or can result in her losing the right to obtain an abortion altogether. Therefore, plaintiffs have demonstrated that enforcement of EO-25 causes them irreparable harm." - "Judge: Tennessee can't prevent abortions during coronavirus," April 17, 2020.

  • Gillum Ferguson (ABC News): Gillum Ferguson, spokesperson for Governor Bill Lee (R), said that the intention for the ban on nonessential medical procedures, including abortions, was to preserve the state's supply of personal protective equipment.

    "The intent of this Executive Order is to gain greater access to (personal protective equipment). Gov. Lee believes elective abortions aren’t essential procedures and given the state of PPE in Tennessee and across the country his hope and expectation would be that those procedures not take place during this crisis." - "Lawsuit filed in Tennessee to keep abortion accessible during COVID-19 pandemic," April 14, 2020.

  • Corinne Rovetti APRN-BC, co-director of the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health (The Tennessee Tribune): Corinne Rovetti APRN-BC, co-director of the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, responded to Judge Friedman's decision that prohibited Governor Lee (R) from including abortions in his order banning nonessential medical procedures.

    "Tennesseans needing abortion services will feel enormous relief knowing they will not be forced to carry a pregnancy to term, or attempt to travel out of state in order to access this essential care." - "Court Block’s COVID-19 Ban on Most Abortions," April 23, 2020.

  • The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (Kentucky Today): "Governor Bill Lee and the State of Tennessee were right to pause all nonessential medical procedures to conserve equipment. It's difficult to think of a procedure more nonessential than one that takes a human life." - "Courts reject Lee's abortion-related order backed by ERLC," April 23, 2020.


Responses to the coronavirus in Tennessee

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Tennessee)
Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Tennessee.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

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Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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