The Knox County Board of Health urged Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday to issue a statewide mask mandate to curb the spread of COVID-19. The vast majority of people are supportive of mask mandates. They think they work. They trust the science, said board member Marcy Jan Souza, referencing a survey earlier this year by the University of Tennessee s Baker Center showing support for a mask mandate.
The resolution passed 9-1 with only Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs voting against the ask. It s not limited to our metros. It s not limited to one county. If he were to put a mask mandate in place it does send a message to our citizens, said Knox County Health Department Director Dr. Martha Buchanan.