MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It is a story that’s making the rounds all across Tennessee – from Memphis to Bristol. State officials are relaxing the strict visitation rules at nursing homes and other assisted care facilities that were brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Starting the first of next month, those facilities can allow outdoor visits and some indoor visits between residents and their loved ones. And if things continue to improve, communal dining and some social activities will be allowed.
This a major development more than six months after COVID-19 started to spread across the state. Aside from deaths from the virus, one of the most troubling aspects has been the inability of families to visit relatives at nursing home and personal care facilities. It has been agonizing to watch people see their loved ones through windows – unable to touch them or hug them.
And yet, this should not be a sign that we have rounded the curve on the coronavirus – as a certain politician likes to claim. Nearly 300 cases were recorded in Shelby County Thursday – the largest number in more than a month. And local schools and colleges are still being prevented from holding in-person classes.
The point is, getting control of the virus will take time and public cooperation – including mask wearing and social distancing. Relaxing visitation rules at nursing homes is great. But we still have a long way to go. And that’s my point of view.