In the news this week…
School starts… The bulk of Shelby County’s municipal school districts began their school year on Monday with plenty of uncertainty in the air.
…But for how long? Some state leaders said schools will run into challenges staying open.
School reports. The Shelby County Health Department said it will not release COVID-19 cases in schools.
Childhood trauma. The so-called “secondary effects” of the pandemic continue to rise, with reports of higher instances of depression, mental illness, violence, abuse and neglect.
Wellness checks. The state’s guidance for school districts in discovering and reporting child trauma came under scrutiny, causing the Department of Education to walk it back. But the governor and members of the Child Wellbeing Task Force continued to defend it.
Media access. Local journalists were outraged because Collierville High School denied media access to a football game. Imagine being told you can’t go somewhere or do your job. It turns out such orders can be upsetting. Who would have thought? Welcome to the club, media!
Now for this week’s numbers.
Shelby County
Tennessee
USA
Sources:
Shelby County: Shelby County Health Department
Tennessee: Tennessee Department of Health
U.S.A.: Johns Hopkins University