After an extensive analysis of the risks and benefits of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted last week to recommend to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that jurisdictions may resume their administration of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine without restrictions.
The recommendation from the ACIP is unchanged from the original recommendation provided on February 27, 2021: “The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for persons 18 years of age and older in the U.S. population under FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization.”
The committee made the determination after reviewing cases of rare but serious blood clots occurring in some individuals who received the vaccine. To date, 15 cases have been reported with the majority occurring in women ages 18-49 years. The risk of developing the condition is approximately 7 in 1 million vaccine doses for women in that age group. For women ages 50 years and older and for men, the risk is approximately 1 in 1 million vaccines doses.
The Tennessee Department of Health is taking necessary steps to inform all approved COVID-19 vaccine providers across the state of the information released by ACIP so that they may resume the administration of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine as soon as possible. While the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine is in short supply, most vaccine providers in Tennessee continue to have abundant supply of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
“The independent review process conducted by ACIP further shows the amount of scrutiny and review that goes into ensuring the safety of all vaccines used in this country, including those that protect against COVID-19,” said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “The CDC and FDA took a necessary pause in the administration of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the ACIP has done its diligence to confidently recommend that the country resume its use of the vaccine. We’re excited to get this third vaccine option back into use in Tennessee.”
Women between the ages of 18 and 49 years should weigh the risk of the vaccine with its benefits when deciding to receive the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine versus the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which have not been associated with this rare blood clotting disorder.
Individuals seeking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment can visit covid19.tn.gov or vaccinefinder.org to schedule an appointment with a local vaccine provider.
For more information regarding vaccine recommendations and guidelines from ACIP visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/covid-19.html.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
Gas prices holding steady in Tennessee
Tennessee gas prices shifted slightly lower, on average, over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.69 which is only a penny more expensive than one month ago and $1.13 more than one year ago.
The average price in Coffee County is $2.66 per gallon, which is 3 cents below the state average and 22 cents below the national average, which is $2.88.
“Tennessee gas prices have seen minimal fluctuation over the last almost six weeks, moving only a penny or two in either direction week-to-week,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Anticipated strong springtime gasoline demand is likely to help keep a floor on falling gas prices. However, a healthy gasoline supply will likely help to keep pump prices in check, especially if crude oil pricing holds steady.”
Quick Facts
· 78% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.75
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.51 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.96 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee moved to the 10th least expensive market in the nation this week
National Gas Prices
Today’s national average is $2.88 which is 2 cents more than one month ago and nearly $1.11 more expensive than last year.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 100,000 bbl to 235 million bbl last week. The increase helped to minimize pump price increases as demand increased from 8.94 million b/d to 9.1 million b/d. Last week’s demand estimate is one of the highest since March 2020, when social distancing restrictions were established that dramatically reduced gas demand, and is in line with typical spring driving season rates seen pre-pandemic. Continued growth in total domestic supply will likely help to keep pump prices in check.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Thursday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by eight cents to settle at $61.43. Crude prices increased despite growing market concern that surging coronavirus infection rates in Asia may derail expectations for crude demand recovery. Additionally, EIA’s weekly report revealed that total domestic crude inventory increased by 600,000 bbl to 493 million bbl last week, contributing to downward pressure on crude prices.
Multiple agencies respond to HAZMAT situation on Monteagle mountain Friday
Over 15 area agencies responded to a potentially dangerous hazardous material spill on Monteagle mountain Friday morning – a spill that led to a “shelter in place” order by law enforcement that lasted approximately 4 hours.
Among the responding agencies were Manchester Fire & Rescue Department, Coffee County EMA and Homeland Security and Tullahoma Fire Department.
A tanker being hauled by an 18-wheeler apparently ruptured and began spilling hazardous material onto the ground – a material later identified as Chlorobutane, which is highly flammable.
Multiple agencies were able to establish measures to mitigate damage and a clean-up contractor was called to the scene to ensure the materials was properly cleaned and the environment was returned to its natural state. No serious injuries were reported.
The rupture happened behind Shan Chinese Restaurant. What exactly caused the tank to rupture remains under investigation.
Unemployment rises in Coffee County despite hundreds of available jobs
Following a slight rise in the statewide unemployment rate in March, jobless statistics experienced minor increases in most of Tennessee’s 95 counties, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).
Five counties across the state did experience lower unemployment for the month, while rates went up in 86 counties, and remained the same in four counties.
Coffee County’s unemployment rate comes in at 4.9 percent, which is up 0.3 from the 4.6 percent reported in February.
Coffee County’s increase in unemployment rate comes while many businesses are struggling to find employees, with some reducing services and limiting hours. Mercantile Café Bakery & Gift Shop closed for its normal Friday night dinner last week due to not having employees to work. A quick Indeed job search shows 766 available jobs in Coffee County – jobs with varying pay and requirements.
Thirty-two of Tennessee’s counties had a jobless rate of less than 5%. The remaining 63 counties recorded a rate of 5% or higher.
Williamson County’s jobless statistic of 3.3% was the lowest in the state. Its March rate was 0.3 of a percentage point higher than it was in February.
At 3.6%, Moore County posted the second-lowest rate in the state but that is a 0.1 of a percentage point increase from the previous month. Wilson County’s rate of 4% was the third lowest in March, which is an increase of 0.3 of a percentage point. Unemployment in Lake County decreased by 0.1 of a percentage point to 8.9%, which is the state’s highest rate for the month.
Perry County’s rate of 7.5% was 0.2 of a percentage point higher than the previous month’s rate. Unemployment in Bledsoe county went up 0.5 of a percentage point to 7.4%.
Statewide, seasonally adjusted unemployment inched up 0.1 of a percentage point to 5% in March.
Nationally, unemployment dropped 0.2 of a percentage point to 6%.
A complete analysis of the March 2021 Tennessee county unemployment data is available here.
The state offers online options for Tennesseans searching for employment. Currently, on Jobs4TN.gov, job seekers can find more than 240,000 open positions in a wide range of occupations and skill levels. The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center www.TNVirtualAJC.com allows Tennesseans to research different programs, from different state agencies that can help them remove barriers to employment so they can more easily reenter the workforce.
TN House looking to update ‘use of force’ policies
Legislation that seeks to improve state law enforcement’s use-of-force policies has advanced in the Tennessee House last week, passing the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday.
House Bill 1406 is a result of Gov. Bill Lee’s partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies through his Use of Force Policy Committee, which issued recommendations on Sept. 10, 2020 in the form of a sample use of force policy for law enforcement agencies to adopt across the state. The committee was charged with making recommendations to enhance policies, improve information sharing and increase officer training.
This legislation bans chokeholds unless an officer believes deadly force is authorized; requires chokehold training be taught at police academies; requires law enforcement agencies to develop de-escalation policies; requires other officers to intervene in cases of excessive force; prohibits firing at moving vehicles unless the officer believes deadly force is authorized; and prohibits the issuance of “no-knock” warrants.
The bill moves on to the full Criminal Justice Committee, where it will be heard for consideration on Monday.
New legislation in Tennessee requires burial or cremation of aborted child
State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, and State Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, successfully guided passage of the Unborn Child Dignity Act through both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly this week in Nashville.
The bill, HB1181/SB828, advocates for the dignity of the unborn by requiring proper burial or cremation for a surgically aborted child. The legislation grants the same protection, respect and dignity to a deceased, surgically aborted child required by law to any other deceased human being.
“This legislation does not limit or restrict an abortion or access to an abortion,” Rudd said. “The legislation ensures that a surgically aborted child’s body is treated with the same respect as any other human being. It requires the body receive a burial or be cremated. Currently Tennessee law grants guidelines for the disposal of pets and animals, but gives no such dignity to aborted children.”
The legislation is based on a similar Indiana law that survived a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2019. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized that states have a legitimate interest in the proper disposition of human fetal remains. The court ruled the law did not impose a burden or interfere with an abortion choice.
“These are the remains of human beings and I am very pleased that the Tennessee General Assembly has voted to see that they are treated as such,” Bowling said. “I agree with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote the majority opinion upholding the Indiana law requiring the dignified disposition of human remains when he said, ‘I would have thought it could go without saying that nothing in the U.S. Constitution or any decision of this court prevents a state from requiring abortion facilities to prove for the respectful treatment of human remains.’”
Once the bill becomes law, it would be the responsibility of the abortion facility or mother to provide a burial or cremation. Approximately 862,000 abortions are reported each year in the United States. Nearly 11,000 abortions were performed in Tennessee in 2020. Currently, 11 states require burial or cremation of aborted fetal remains.
The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature. Once signed, HB1181/SB828 would become law July 1
-Thunder Radio news partner WGNS Radio contributed to this report.
Motlow to host virtual graduation in May
Motlow State Community College will hold its 2021 Commencement ceremony on May 9 at 2 p.m. Graduates, their friends and families, and the public can view the ceremony at Motlow.com/graduation.
According to Mae Sanders, Motlow registrar, the College will confer degrees on 1,226 students, who make up the 2020-21 graduating class, in the virtual ceremony. Motlow’s commitment to its graduating students, and their families’ health and safety, led College leadership to determine that an on-ground commencement is not in the community’s best interest because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students, as well as their families, must be our first priority” said Scott Shasteen, Motlow director of communications. “Likewise, the health and safety of our faculty and staff must also factor into the decision on how to celebrate graduation. There are no facilities large enough to observe the necessary social distancing requirement, so we have elected to host a virtual graduation ceremony this year.”
Graduates who completed their Intent to Graduate Form will receive graduation boxes via UPS. The boxes include:
- A cap and gown (if the March 15 deadline was met)
- Diploma cover.
- A congratulatory letter from Motlow President Dr. Michael Torrence.
- The latest edition of Motlow’s award-winning magazine Ovation.
- A special gift.
“The graduation gift boxes were a huge hit last year, so we are building on that concept for the 2021 class,” added Shasteen. “The chief elements our students asked us to include this year were to provide gowns and incorporate graduate photos, and we have.”
The virtual ceremony will include a significant number of features that an on-ground event would: processional music, Director of Libraries Sharon Edwards singing the national anthem and alma mater, remarks from Dr. Torrence and Executive Vice President of Student Success and Academic Affairs and Special Assistant to the President Dr. Greg Sedrick, and the reading of graduate names.
In partnership with StageClip, a company that specializes in virtual ceremonies, Motlow is providing students the opportunity to take a ‘selfie’ in their graduation regalia and upload it to be included in the ceremony. Each graduating student will receive a personalized highlight reel from the ceremony, including their video message and photo to download, view, and share on social media.
For more information about Motlow’s virtual graduation visit Motlow.com/graduation.
Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at mscc.edu.
Winchester authorities trying to solve church burglary
Earlier this month, a report was filed with Winchester Police Department in reference to Journey Church at 916 Dinah Shore Blvd. in Winchester being burglarized.
During this burglary, a Nord Electric keyboard was taken. You can see photos below, although they are not very clear or telling.
If you or anyone you know has information regarding this burglary, contact detective Brian Wilder at 931-967-3840 or call crimestoppers at 931-962-INFO.
CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS PART 5: ‘The biggest challenge is just getting people to believe child abuse happens’
The following is part 5 of a 7 part series about child abuse awareness and prevention, written by Elena Cawley.
“The biggest challenge is just getting people to believe child abuse happens,” Jill Howlett, forensic social worker, said. “Once you can acknowledge this can happen, awareness is in your favor.”
When children go to Our Kids, a medical clinic in Manchester, Howlett talks with them and gathers information. Our Kids provides medical exams when there are concerns of sexual abuse.
“When children and families come to the Our Kids Clinic, I first meet with the parent or caregiver that brings the child,” Howlett said. “I collect background information and talk to them about their reason for coming to the clinic. I also explain the medical examination in depth to the parent prior to the examination. If a child is 5 or older, I collect a medical history from that child and ask about sexual contact.”
Howlett prepares the children for the medical examination, explaining the process.
“I also do exam preparation with all children, so they know exactly what to expect from the medical evaluation,” Howlett said.
Howlett joined Our Kids 10 years ago.
Our Kids is an outpatient medical clinic of Nashville General Hospital, with a satellite clinic in Manchester. The local clinic is located at the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center.
“We do medical exams on children when there are concerns of sexual abuse,” Howlett said. “Every family who is evaluated at Our Kids is met by a social worker and a nurse practitioner. Most children are referred to Our Kids by the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement or local medical providers, including emergency departments and pediatricians. We are on call 24/7 to meet urgent medical needs and collect forensic evidence. Non-acute cases are scheduled during regular business hours. We provide forensic medical evaluations and crisis counseling for families and children when there are concerns of sexual abuse.”
Our Kids’ services are free.
Finding affordable counseling services to refer families to in rural areas poses a problem, said Howlett.
“Those services are not plentiful, even in large cities,” she said. “This counseling needs to address child sexual abuse and trauma.”
As challenging as Howlett’s job is, “helping families through an extremely difficult situation and having the pleasure of talking to kids” makes the job rewarding.
“Kids are great and process this type of abuse very differently than their caregivers,” Howlett said. “I also work with the most supportive colleagues I have ever had. (We) support each other and help each other work through difficult situations.”
The community can join the battle against child abuse by “believing that child abuse happens in all communities, by all kinds of people.”
“The biggest challenge is just getting people to believe child abuse happens,” she said.
Once people accept child abuse exists in the community, they should help raise awareness.
“Children should be believed and be given the right tools to report if abuse happens to them,” she said.
Providing children with the tools includes communicating with them and making them feel comfortable talking about their body parts.
How to talk with children
When they’re worried about sexual abuse, parents may say things that may inadvertently make it more difficult for a child to disclose abuse, according to Howlett.
For example, instead of saying, “don’t let anyone touch your private parts,” try “if anyone touches your private parts, it’s okay to tell me.”
Adults and older children are stronger and able to intimidate or manipulate a child. If parents tell their child not to “let” anyone touch their private parts, children may think they will get in trouble if touching occurs. Children may be hesitant to talk about the event. They may think, “mom told me not to let this happen, but I did, so I will get in trouble,” according to Howlett.
Additionally, children of all ages should know the names for their body parts. Using substitute names for body parts can be confusing. Avoid names that imply shame or something bad about that part of the body, said Howlett.
H&R BLOCK STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Peyton Hensley.
Peyton is in 5th grade at College Street Elementary School in Karen Allen’s homeroom. She is the daughter of Britany White and Royce Hensley. Her favorite subject is math. When she grows up, Peyton would like to pursue a career in business. In her free time, Peyton enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with friends.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a gift card, a commemorative plaque, as well as a special letter of recognition. Job well done, Peyton!
