MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There are no two ways about it. Tennessee’s economy has taken a beating. While the coronavirus has not been as bad here as in other states, the lives that have been lost to the pandemic have been tragic. And when you add in two rounds of deadly tornadoes, the last few weeks have been difficult to say the least.
If there is any good news, it just might be that our social distancing, our sheltering at home and other health precautions are working. We just might be making progress flattening the curve. Even as health experts say the surge in cases, particularly in Memphis, is still to come.
The point is, no one really knows where this awful virus is headed. Governor Bill Lee has extended his state order to stay home until April 30th. Which obviously means public schools across Tennessee will also remain closed until then – and probably beyond. Lee is also doing the right thing by setting up an economic recovery group – to work with healthcare experts and public officials to gradually jump start the state’s economy.
The unfortunate thing for Memphis is that not all of our surrounding neighbors have been on the same page about effectively fighting COVID-19, which likely added to our number of cases. But we must continue to improve testing and follow the healthcare guidelines. Because the only way to get through this crisis is together. And that’s my point of view.
