Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

Lewis County Mayor Jonah Keltner re-issued an executive order Tuesday morning extending Lewis County’s State of Local Emergency, in response to Governor Bill Lee’s announcement Monday for Tennesseans to Stay at home through April 30, 2020.

County officials must sign an executive order weekly in order to waive procedures. In an emailed statement, Mayor Keltner encouraged residents to “continue practicing social distancing and stay at home, unless you’re engaging in essential services and activities.”

Mayor Keltner confirmed Lewis County has had only two positive cases of coronavirus, no related deaths and 19 days without a new case to report.

Governor Lee, in a conference call with reporters and editors of newspapers across the state last Thursday, announced state officials are looking to re-open Tennessee in May and “return to a level of normalcy, which will be different.”

“We hope that Tennesseans will trust that hard work is being done. We will get through this together,” Governor Lee stated.

“We can’t let up. We have to stay committed,” Gov. Lee continued.

The governor explained the targeted efforts of the rural hospital grants to help facilities stay open and operating, extensive efforts to supply every county with personal protection equipment, i.e., masks and gloves and a push to expand testing in every county.

Unemployment filings are coming in at 25 times the normal rate. Lee reported the state of Tennessee has gone from 20 to 250 in call centers to help field calls.

When asked a question about non-essential businesses that have remained open, Governor Lee responded, “The goal is not to open, close or regulate business. To the degree a business can comply with the order and social distancing, that’s exactly what we want to happen. We care very much for our small business owners. When a business can adapt, we want them to stay open.”

An upsurge in reported cases among the ages 21-30 year old demographic was discussed with the governor. “We have seen strong compliance across the state,” he commented, adding, “Tennesseans must realize the impact of the virus on their health and on those we might infect.”