MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As students in schools throughout Shelby County returned to classes following the Labor Day holiday – you have to think that they are a lot safer – because they are now required to wear masks. Federal Judge Sheryl Lipman late on Friday dealt a serious – if only temporary blow - to Governor Bill Lee’s executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of mask mandates.
Judge Lipman’s temporary restraining order means the governor’s opt-out order is unenforceable in Shelby County for the time being. Lipman said she issued the TRO to prevent students from sustaining further injury, damage, and loss from the governor’s order.
And my reaction is, thank goodness for an independent judiciary. Yes, the restraining order technically only lasts until Friday, Sept. 17th. But it could be turned into a much longer preliminary injunction when Lipman holds another hearing later this week. The point is, this judge found ample basis to say the governor put school children at risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Lee has yet to state a sensible reason for the mask opt-out order, other than to say parents know what’s best for their children. Well, in the case of a highly contagious and deadly virus, no they do not. And state lawyers made no reasonable argument against the restraining order.
If only Governor Lee would admit he was wrong, then we could really make progress fighting COVID-19.