How many body bags are acceptable?

Published 3:02 pm Friday, June 5, 2020

To the Editor:

I’m outraged by the way the Tennessee government has handled the coronavirus pandemic, especially as it relates to protecting our upcoming election. The Legislature, the Secretary of State, and the Governor have all abdicated responsibility and have made little effort to protect the public health and our democracy.

When the Legislature reconvenes this month, they must work to adopt the policies of the Vote Safe Tennessee platform to make sure that voters don’t have to choose between their health and their right to vote. Voters need to tell them that we need to expand absentee ballots! Although both Johnson and Carter County haven’t been hit as hard as Middle TN with COVID-19, the numbers in both counties are rising. Johnson County has a populous of primarily retirees who are more susceptible of the virus.

We still have time before the August 6 primary to ensure everyone can register, cast a ballot, and have their vote counted without compromising their health. November 3, 2020 is the biggest election of our lives, and our state legislators must be part of the solution of protecting democracy and public health. I encourage readers and neighbors to contact them and ask them how many more people have to die before you take this global health crisis seriously?

Sincerely,

Karen Melton

Elizabethton