Tennessee Republicans are firmly anti-mandate today. But in 2013, they supported a requirement that college students get vaccinated against meningitis.

Even persons of faith can struggle with being unable to be physically present and say goodbye to loved ones.

Tuesday, Nov. 2, is All Souls Day. Beginning in the ninth century, Christians have held a day of prayer on the day after All Saints Day to remember the souls of all who had died.

Legislators voted to allow, but not require, partisan school board elections. The legislature also reviewed a number of bills related COVID-19 measures.

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Legislators approve bill limiting Health Department autonomy

Tennessee has been under a governor-issued emergency declaration since pandemic began.

Shelby County Schools reported 68 new COVID-19 cases among students and 20 new cases among staff at its public and charter schools this week. 

The similarly made Moderna vaccine also is being studied in young children, and both Pfizer and Moderna also are testing shots for babies and preschoolers.

The bill amending the Health Department’s power is headed to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk.

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Partisan school board elections approved among COVID-19 bills

The bill would give the Tennessee health commissioner the authority to determine uniform quarantine guidelines for the state and appoint county health directors.

In Shelby County, 53.6% of the eligible population has received at least one vaccine dose, while 40.8% is fully vaccinated.

Watch the COVID-19 Task Force Briefing live now.

Earlier this month, a federal grand jury in Nashville handed down a five-count indictment against Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey and a Nashville social club owner.

Masks still must be worn in indoor school settings due to the absence of a reliable approach for providing accommodations for children with disabilities. 

There are 1,102 active cases reported in Shelby County, with 287 — or 26% — of them being pediatric. 

Seeking to stop local governments and businesses from enacting COVID-related rules, the Tennessee General Assembly is convening Wednesday evening for another special session. Dozens of bills were introduced Tuesday afternoon and evening.

The dose for young children is just one-third of the Pfizer shot already recommended for everyone 12 and older. Moderna also is studying its vaccine for young children.

The federal government is the primary source of research support for universities; the onus to vaccinate could threaten $750 million UT received in 2021 alone. 

The ruling mirrors those by federal judges in Memphis and Knoxville, where Lee’s order is also blocked. As a result, school districts in Shelby, Williamson and Knox counties can continue enforcing mask policies. 

One staff case was reported at a charter school in the district.

The City of Memphis is waiting to hear from the state when it may begin administering the doses at Pipkin and other mass sites here.

The majority of COVID-19 vaccination doses being given in Shelby County now are third doses, Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor said Thursday.

Watch the COVID-19 Task Force Briefing live now.

Vaccinations will be provided at locations families trust, including schools, community-based sites, 25,000 doctors’ offices, plus dozens of children’s hospitals and thousands of pharmacies.

The treatment is for the homebound; it’s not a concierge service for the able. 

 There are a reported 1,440 active cases currently.