As Hamilton County sees a surge in COVID-19 cases attributed to the omicron variant, its leaders have no plans to implement mask mandates.
The topic of the recent surge surfaced during the Hamilton County Commission’s meeting Wednesday. It came amid the end-of-year holidays, which have historically led to surges in COVID-19 cases due to family congregation and events. Students are slated to return to school Jan. 5.
The ability for local authorities to impose mask mandates was curtailed by a new state law passed at an October special legislative session called to rein in public health measures intended to address a pandemic that has killed more than 20,000 Tennesseans. But the law has been blocked from taking effect by a federal judge pending a lawsuit filed by students with disabilities, arguing that the law prevents school districts from keeping them safe.
Even if the law were in effect, it’s likely the latest surge in cases would meet the threshold put in place by lawmakers for severe caseloads before a mask mandate could be imposed.
“I’m not interested in looking at [a mask mandate] again right now, even though it may meet the threshold,” Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said in a Thursday interview, adding that COVID-19 doesn’t seem to be going away and is actively having an impact on the local economy.