NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Gov. Bill Lee announced his "Safer-at-Home" order some 10 days after Tennessee's medical establishment first began begging him to take dramatic action to stop the spread of COVID-19 across Tennessee.
During Monday's press briefing, Lee's office refused to allow NewsChannel 5 Investigates to ask questions -- such as why it took him so long to follow the doctors' recommendations.
"I have said that I have sought discernment to identify the right decision at the right time for the right place," Lee told reporters.
But one of the more vocal advocates for the shelter-at-home order, Dr. Aaron Milstone of Franklin, said Lee's actions do not go far enough.
“As deaths and cases of COVID-19 have risen in Tennessee, we are forced to question how many more avoidable deaths will it take for Gov. Lee to listen to health experts," Milstone said.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates was first to share Milstone's efforts more than a week ago.
"It’s been a whirlwind week," Milstone said in an exclusive interview.
"I look back. I have no political background. I’m just a simple intensive critical-care physician in Franklin, Tennessee."
Seeing the Coronavirus exploding spreading across the country, Milstone began a public campaign to try to convince Lee to impose the statewide order, making media appearance locally and nationally.
"What’s happened in our state is that we have disarray," he suggested.
"Because of leadership that is not decisive, you have county, city and municipality mayors doing whatever they think is right. So some major cities have issued stay-at-home orders despite Gov. Lee not mandating that for the state."
And that’s why, Milstone argued, local garden centers were crowded this past weekend with people.
"Without decisive leadership, that really undermines all the mayors. It undermines all the doctors’ recommendations."
The doctor also watched elderly patients being evacuated from a Gallatin nursing home in the dark of night.
"I think the scene that you saw in Gallatin the other night is going to be played out in Tennessee over and over and over again," Milstone said.
"But, on a very personal level, I looked at those first-responders removing the patients from that nursing facility in Gallatin -- and they were essentially wearing hazmat suits. They were decontaminated after they moved the patients out of that facility."
This week, Milstone is on the medical front lines, treating COVID-19 patients at his hospital, not sure that he will have all the equipment he needs to keep himself safe.
"To be honest with you, on a personal level, I’m angry," he admitted.
"If you liken COVID to a war, I’m really angry that the general gets to sit in a bunker and I get to be sent out into the trenches with a BB gun. That’s what’s frustrating for me."
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
