Category: Coronavirus

Friends,

This week will see Tennesse and Fayette County starting to reopen.  Governor Bill Lee announced the Tennessee Pledge last week and with it Executive Order 29.  This affects how businesses, especially restaurants, will open and operate.  Starting Monday April 27, restaurants can open at 50% and on Wednesday, retail establishments can also.  The manner and restrictions for restaurants have been ordered by the Governor and removed from local control.  While we see cases still coming in Shelby County and with Shelby County not opening until somewhat later, we are watching to make sure we do not have an influx of visitors from outside the county to businesses who are open.  Following the Governor’s procedures for re-opening will be especially important during this period so that the disease does not take a stronger foothold here in the county.

Everyone is getting or has gotten quarantine fatigue.  This is a condition where you need to get out and see someone or to get back to normal.  We are still inside the epidemic and the data is somewhat confusing as to whether it is increasing, flat or decreasing.  But we are still seeing new cases of a disease which can put a sizable portion of the infected into the hospital.  The flattening of the curve has done what was meant.  The curve was lengthened out the duration of the disease and the number of infected did not reach the level where hospitals could not handle the sick.  Memphis hospitals currently have about 35% of the beds for the disease full and about 65% of their negative pressure rooms are being used.  They still expect the worst not to arrive until mid-May.  

Governor Lee is expected to issue more orders this week in relation to elective medical procedures and church meetings.  It seems that hair and nail salons will have to wait a while longer to open.  His press briefings usually are at 3pm and can be viewed online.

I renewed the emergency order for the county for another week.  County offices will be at minimal staff and contact with the public will be under operational restrictions.  Please call the office you need to visit to see how they are operating prior to a visit.  Their contact information is on the County’s website, www.fayettetn.us.  Check on social media for daily information.

Be Safe!

Rhea Taylor, Fayette County Mayor

 

Friends,

We are going into the third week of emergency declarations for CORVID-19 for Tennessee and Fayette County. According to the modeling sources, next week we should see a peak at the hospitals for Tennessee.  As of today, Fayette County has tested 169 individuals and had 20 positives.  Governor Lee’s Executive Order 23 requires everyone to stay home unless they are on essential business or getting supplies. The information he used to decide to issue the elevated order showed that Tennessee had reached a place where people were starting to get out again. In looking at Fayette County’s number from that same source, Fayette County is actually moving around more than the State as a whole. Because a large part of the community goes to Shelby County for jobs, it makes enforcement locally difficult.  As with most things, this comes back to the individual to support our efforts to limit the spread of the disease. 

This week we are continuing the Local Emergency Declaration with no new additions. As we move into a time when we will see possibly more test positives and increased usage of hospitals, I will be coordinating efforts with local municipalities as well as with regional efforts in Shelby County and other neighboring counties. Please watch local news and social media sites, as well as the County’s website www.fayettetn.us, for any updated information. Please help us all by staying home and protecting yourselves, your family, and your neighbors.

Thank you,

– Rhea Taylor, County Mayor 

 

Dear Friends,

For the last several weeks we have all had to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.  Last week I issued an Emergency Declaration aimed at slowing down the spread of the disease. This must be extended every seven days.  This second extension is identical to the first with a couple of additions.  It will include a prohibition on onsite auctions and yard sales; music and gaming venues; and food trucks in unincorporated Fayette County. 

Most people deal with Fayette County Government through one of the elected official’s offices or a county administrative office.  Starting this Monday March 30^th, the offices at the Courthouse and County Administration will be using minimal staff and requiring everyone to use email, the internet or the phone for all business.  If there is something that cannot be accomplished this way, call the office to see how they can help you.  Please visit our website, www.fayettetn.us, for contact information.  The office hours are the same and the Courthouse itself is open for you to get forms that you may need.  The offices of Fayette County Government are open and are there to help you conduct the business you need done.

This is a serious disease with serious consequences.  With 60% of our workers going to Shelby County or Memphis for a job and with very little non-essential business in the county, it is up to everyone to exercise good judgement to keep themselves and everyone else from spreading the disease.  Please stay at home when not at work or getting supplies.  When you do see neighbors and friends, keep your distance and please don’t go anywhere in groups.  We all have seen other places in our country that have it much worse than we do now.  Our goal is to make sure we have as light a case as possible and I am asking you to help us make that happen.

I have no doubt we will make it through this and come out stronger.  Please check on your neighbors and patronize local businesses.  Each of us must help each other to keep Fayette County strong today and tomorrow.

Thank you,

– Rhea Taylor, County Mayor 

Today, I as County Mayor declared a County-wide Emergency in relation to the coronavirus CORVID-19 outbreak. This order follows guidance and other declarations of emergency by President Trump and Governor Lee.  This is intended to minimize and slow the spread of the virus.  Any activity which could possibly contribute to its spread is discouraged and, in specific cases, prohibited.  The order allows Fayette County to act with greater speed to impede the spread of the virus, and to allow the use of resources more quickly.  The operations of government will continue to provide services, and this declaration will allow the different departments to implement plans to provide those services.  If you have business that requires visiting a government agency, call ahead to find out any new restrictions they have put in place.  Since this is an evolving crisis, new or different restrictions may be implemented as needed.

The Fayette County website, www.fayettetn.us, has information that you can use to conduct most business with the County.  If you are unable to find the information you need, a list of contacts with emails and phone numbers is also on the website.  Please use them prior to visiting any Fayette County department or agency.  Restrictions and regulations will change as needed.  Also, if you have business within a city, please contact them to find out what restrictions or guidance they are currently using.

I encourage everyone to be proactive in their daily lives to find ways to minimize contact with the virus.  Call your neighbors who are elderly and check on them.  Anyone you know who has been ill, recovering from an illness or has an illness, check on them.  And if you have extra supplies and you know a neighbor that can’t get out, please offer to help them.  Please keep up-to-date by using local media and social media sites.

This is a new type of disaster for everyone and everyone is learning how best to cope with it.  Fayette County will be using its resources to provide as much help as we can and continue to provide services for all our citizens.

– Rhea Taylor, County Mayor