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A resolution urging the Metropolitan Public Health Department Chief Medical Director to require masks be worn by all individuals in public indoor spaces.
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WHEREAS, on July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidance to recommend that fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, in light of new evidence concerning the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Nashville and Davidson County is classified as an area of high transmission. As of August 12, 2021, there were 3,754 active cases of COVID-19, a 38% increase over the prior week; and
WHEREAS, new hospital admissions were up over 53% as of August 9, 2021, with the percentage of hospital beds used for COVID and the percentage of ICU beds used for COVID on the rise; and
WHEREAS, less than half of the people in Davidson County are fully vaccinated, putting the majority of Davidson County residents at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, especially the highly contagious Delta variant; and
WHEREAS, while fully vaccinated people are less likely to become infected with COVID-19, and infections of COVID-19 are usually mild in those who are fully vaccinated, fully vaccinated people can still be infected with the Delta variant and can spread the virus to others; and
WHEREAS, children under the age of 12 are not currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and cases of children contracting COVID-19, along with all other age groups, are on the rise; and
WHEREAS, for these reasons, the Metropolitan Public Health Department Chief Medical Director should require masks be worn by individuals in public indoor spaces, in accordance with recent CDC guidelines.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as urging the Metropol...
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