Author: Mick Wright

National lockdown. A member of the Biden coronavirus task force says a 4-to-6 week lockdown “could get the pandemic under control in time for a vaccine.” During the campaign, Biden said he would “shut down the virus, not the country.” The AP says Biden faces a “tough choice.”

Vaccine inadequacy. Dr. Fauci says social distancing and masks will be needed even after a vaccine is available.

Mask protection. Updated guidance released by the CDC on Tuesday says masks also protect mask wearers, not just those around them, by providing “filtration for personal protection.” The new guidance cites studies showing that masks reduce the risk of transmitting or catching the virus by more than 70%.

Vanderbilt study. A study by The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine shows Tennessee counties without mask mandates have higher COVID-19 death rates. The report stresses that this is a correlation and “the observed relationships between hospitalizations, deaths, and mask requirements is about a set of behaviors, including but not limited to masking.”

Also in the news this week:

• The City of Germantown voted 3-2 to ask Gov. Lee for a statewide mandate.
• The $51 million field hospital in Memphis is “ready,” except for the medical staff who would be needed to run it; there aren’t enough nurses.
• Study: Temperature checks, symptom screenings not very effective in detecting COVID-19 infections
• The Shelby County Health Department had to close facilities after positive COVID-19 cases among employees.

This week. Below we check in on the local numbers.

Pandemic continues. While the nation shifted its attention to the federal election this week, COVID-19 metrics sharply increased both in the United States and around the world.

No gatherings. The White House is asking Tennesseans and citizens in other “red zone” states to avoid gatherings with others outside of their immediate household.

Vascular disease. Scientists continue to research the effects of COVID on blood vessels.

Blame game. This week the Daily Memphian‘s Jane Roberts finds a new local source of spread: nurses, “who may be passing the disease to each other when they let their guard down outside patient rooms.”

Pool testing. Memphis restaurants and businesses will participate in an asymptomatic mass testing program.

Rapid testing. Action News 5 did a scan of Memphis locations looking for sites offering rapid tests.

G-town Grinch. The City of Germantown cancelled Christmas and joined the calls for a statewide mask mandate.

Better masks. Harvard Business Review says essential workers need better masks. Ask yourself why.

This week: Below, we check in on the local numbers.

New scare. The local numbers are rising again. Hospitalizations are going up substantially. Area hospitals are discussing surge plans. There is new concern the field hospital may be needed.

Governor Lee has extended the state of emergency.

Placing blame. Local health officials point to these contributing factors: rural counties with no mask mandates, youth sports and weekend soccer events in the suburbs.

Mask mandates. Memphis area hospital systems urge masking but political figures want them (double or triple) mandated:

• Governor Lee has extended countywide mask mandate authority.
• Bartlett’s mayor wants a statewide mask mandate.
• Dr. Fauci wants a national mask mandate.

Wearing masks. The Shelby County Health Department says there is already widespread masking.

As reported by News Channel 3, “mask usage went from around 50 percent to more than 90 percent in Shelby County after a mask mandate was introduced this summer.”

As reported by the Daily Memphian, “in Shelby County, more than 90% are wearing masks.” This information has been removed from an updated version of the story.

Stubborn facts. In addition to the already widespread usage of masks, here’s what else seems to be lost in the calls for increasing government powers:

• The surge isn’t just local or even national, it’s global.
• Following the “science” hasn’t stopped new cases from rising.
• Countries with mask mandates are returning to lockdowns.
• Spread is occurring within households.
• The virus spreads through aerosol transmission.

In the news. Some additional headlines:

• LocalMemphis: Where are Shelby County’s COVID-19 clusters?
• LocalMemphis: Shelby County keeps most COVID-19 cluster information from public
• Fox13Memphis: How and where you can vote safely if you have COVID-19 symptoms on Election Day
• WMCActionNews5: Tiger at Tennessee zoo tests positive for COVID-19

This week: Below, we check in on the local, state and national numbers.