Mayor Lane Curlee Issues Important Information to the Citizens of Tullahoma

Hopefully, everyone is aware Governor Lee has issued Executive Orders 22 and 23 which affect every resident and business in Tullahoma and the state.
The current COVID-19 pandemic is impacting everyone now. Everyone needs to do their part to help return our community to normal. This includes staying at home.
Executive Order #22 states all non-essential businesses must close.
Interpreting the list of essential businesses is challenging because this is advice we have never had to provide. I have included a list of the orders and list of essential businesses so you may research the orders. Under Executive Order #23, unless you are on what is deemed an “essential” errand: grocery, pharmacy, healthcare visit, or work at an essential business, you are to remain home. This order is in effect until April 14, 2020.
Gov. Lee Orders
Please understand every time you go out and get near other people, you stand the chance of picking up the virus. You can also pick up the virus from door handles, countertops, and many other places. You can then bring the virus into your home. So, you’re not only putting yourself at risk, you are potentially endangering others. You can be a carrier and not even know it. The message: stay home!
A Coffee County COVID-19 Task Force, led by Emergency Management Director Allen Lendley, is a united command team that operates out of the Emergency Operations Center and virtually. The group convenes every day via conference call. Thirty-nine individuals from across the county participate, representing health care, law enforcement and city and county leaders. They have implemented the Coffee Count Pandemic Plan and are working closely managing the crisis, discussing issues and anticipating needs. The calls are very beneficial, and I can assure you this group is proactively anticipating needs that may arise. We are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. The advice at this time is to follow the Governor’s orders and CDC guidelines. Stay home. At this point, there are few cases in our local healthcare system, and in order to not overwhelm the healthcare system, citizens need to stay home.
Police Chief Williams and Fire Chief Shasteen will be visiting Tullahoma businesses to help the owners/managers determine if their business is on the list of essential businesses. If essential, they will also make sure the business is following CDC protocols for their staff and customers.
Volunteer Leigh Fogle is maintaining a website with lots of local helpful information, including how you can help your fellow residents, if you have needs, etc.. It’s a great resource. The website is www.WeAreTullahoma.com and there is also a Facebook page of the same name. You can log onto this webpage if you need help with essential errands, or if you would like to volunteer in some capacity. A special thanks to Leigh and her team of volunteers for helping keep everybody up to date.
The Community Collaboration (the community collab) website www.thecommunitycollab.com is a resource for economic aid, request help for your business, sign up as a remote volunteer to support local businesses, list your business, find inspiration and tips for operations during the crisis, and even access training. You can also donate to the MotlowTrained Workforce Relief Fund for community members suffering from any loss of income as a result of the pandemic.
There are 52 churches in Tullahoma. I know many churches will be tempted to hold Easter services next Sunday; some are considering “drive-in” services. Sadly, I’m afraid this does not follow the spirit of Gov. Lee’s stay-at-home mandate, so I respectfully ask the churches to continue on-line services at this time.