Tennessee lawmakers are doing more harm with special session on COVID rules | Editorial

• This editorial was written on behalf of The Tennessean Editorial Board by Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas.

Tennessee is trying to recover from the deadly delta COVID surge which brought the state’s death toll to more than 16,000 citizens.

But state lawmakers are back in Nashville Wednesday to curb COVID protocols and tie the hands of local and state officials and businesses from protecting people from the virus.

Some legislators have taken particular delight in politicizing the coronavirus even as their own colleagues have suffered from it, as neighbors have died and health care systems are taxed.

The courts so far have sided with protecting the most vulnerable when it involves mask mandates by school districts.

We expect leaders to act in the best interest of all residents, including the vulnerable, not just their political donors.

But now some lawmakers are threatening to impose government mandates to prevent businesses from requiring employees to get vaccinated, or if they do, making them legally and financially obligated to compensate workers for any side effects.

It’s hypocritical that Tennessee lawmakers want to impose mandates on private businesses at the same time they criticize the federal government mandating vaccines. 

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They know vaccines work but have effectively muzzled state government from sending that message to Tennessee residents.

Local officials have been key to getting the word out and keeping the public informed.

But they too might be silenced even as COVID continues to be deadly and infectious.

This is not just wrong, it’s nefarious.

The special legislative session makes a mockery of governance.

It’s a kangaroo court that sides with pseudo-science, conspiracy theories and harmful policies in the name of liberty.

Where is the call for responsibility, duty and civic action? That is what sustains liberty.

Lawmakers should meet and adjourn immediately, realizing this is a waste of time.

They should reflect, consider and pray about how they can do the least harm and do the greatest good for their fellow citizens.

This editorial was written on behalf of USA TODAY Network editorial board members by Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas. Board members comprises Michael A. Anastasi, Maria De Varenne, Joel Christopher, Mealand Ragland-Hudgins and Plazas. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.

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