As cases of coronavirus begin to spike in certain locations and experts warn of a possible second wave of COVID-19, one mother in Tennessee is imploring the public to wear masks to help curb the spread.
Tracy Vance is high-risk for contracting the novel virus because of her health condition. But she doesn’t just fear for herself, she’s also concerned about her two young children at home.
Vance felt compelled to speak up because when she takes her children to school, she doesn’t see anyone taking the virus or the recommended safety guidelines seriously.
“Nobody is wearing masks and people are getting mad when they’re asked to wear masks. To me, it’s disconcerting that nobody cares enough about anybody else to do something to prevent dying,” she said in a virtual chat with news station WATE.
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Since Vance has chronic lung disease, doctors told her that if she were to come down with COVID, her battle would be “touch and go.” Her condition also makes her ineligible for a ventilator, meaning she can’t help but think of the worst-case-scenario: death.
“What’s it going to do to my family? What are they going to do knowing they brought it home? They’re protecting themselves, but other people aren’t,” she said.
"I don't want to die. I wear a mask," she added.
On June 7, the Tennessee Department of Health reported only 110 confirmed or probable cases of COVID in Sevier County. By Friday, June 19, the cases were up to 387. The New York Times now lists Sevier County, known for its tourist attractions, as fourth, nationally, for the highest average daily growth rate of cases.
County officials have no plans to make face masks mandatory.
“The state of Tennessee has reopened for business after the initial shutdown due to COVID-19. An increase in positive COVID-19 tests was inevitable as more people were tested, and tourists returned. City and county leaders do not have the authority to shut down businesses, require face masks, or prevent tourists from visiting," Perrin Anderson, Sevier County Assistant Mayor for Governmental Affairs said.
Florida is seeing the highest spike adding almost 4,000 reports on Friday and has "all the markings of the next large epicenter of coronavirus transmission.”
Other states with a high-number of recorded cases include Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah, CNN reports.
While many states continue to phase out of lockdowns, the CDC continues to encourage safety guidelines of social distancing by standing six feet apart and wearing masks in public.
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