FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. — We’ve had one unified response to the coronavirus pandemic in the state of Alabama. But, for our neighbors in Tennessee, things have been very different.
Our team spent the day in Lincoln County to learn more about how officials are approaching mask mandates. And to hear what locals think about it.
In Lincoln County, Tennessee, wearing a mask is optional. It’s the same way in many other counties in the state. Some people have strong opinions in favor and against these decisions. But, as Tennessee’s COVID-19 numbers are showing record-breaking spikes, the discussion is in full swing.
We spoke with Kay Campbell, Founder of the ‘MaskUp Lincoln County' Facebook page and Huntsville City Schools teacher. Campbell says, “How many people did I [see] when I was out yesterday? Less than half of had on masks.”
Alabama has a mandatory state-wide masking mandate. Tennessee does not. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has stood firmly against implementing a state-wide masking mandate. Instead, he’s left it up to counties to make the decision on issuing county-wide mask mandates.
Lincoln County does not require masks.
Lincoln County Mayor Bill Newman made headlines after saying he believes ‘masking helps prevent the spread’, but, that he’s is waiting on the 'Holy Spirit' to guide him in decision-making around masking mandate.
We touched base with him today. County Mayor Newman says, “I will continue to urge people to wear masks. I absolutely believe masking works and will continue to message that to the community.”
Here’s a look at Lincoln County’s trend in cases over the past few months:
Home to close to 34 thousand people, the county has documented 1,471 cases so far. Over the past week, they tested, on average, only about 67 people a day. But, the amount of tests that come back positive is a staggering 29.8%.
Alabama’s average? 11.5%
The current national average? Just 9.5%.
Some business owners try to keep things as safe as possible. We spoke with Shelia Archer, Owner of Java Road Cafe in Fayetteville. She says, “We did get some blowback from some customers for wearing masks. But, we got a lot more support from customers who were glad we’ve been wearing masks... We have not mandated masks, because frankly, I think that would have destroyed my business.”
Shelia Archer has co-morbidities. Her employees wear masks and encourage social distancing inside the shop. Archer says, “In my humble opinion, it costs me nothing to wear a mask. And, it costs someone their life if they don't-- or if I don’t. And I can’t live with that.”
Some Lincoln County residents have taken to the web to network, encourage masking and share recommendations for businesses keeping safety in mind. Kay Campbell, founder of the ‘MaskUp Lincoln County’ Facebook group, says, “It’s a wonderful way to share information because all of us love this community and we want to drive activity to local stores as much as we can.”
Kay Campbell, along with about one of the third of the Lincoln County population, commutes to Madison County, Alabama for work.
Campbell is a Huntsville City Schools teacher and says she's more confident in the way Alabama is handling the pandemic. She adds, “I walk into my school-- and the kids have their masks on. The teachers have their masks on. I can feel safe working there.”
But, she says she sees the effort of Lincoln County businesses that are encouraging masking. Campbell adds, “We really appreciate them.”
Tennessee is one of 14 states in the country without a state-wide mask mandate.
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