The Tennessee Department of Health is acting upon recent guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding an additional dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals.
On August 13, the CDC accepted ACIP recommendations for an additional dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. This includes approval for a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (approved for individuals age 12 years and above) and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (approved for individuals age 18 years and above). The recommendation from the CDC does not include approval for an additional dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Tennesseans should talk with their health care provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
Based on the recommendations from the FDA and CDC, moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals, are defined as:
• Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
For more information on the CDC’s recommendation for an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is available online.
A notification has been sent to all Tennessee providers with information on these recommendations. Providers are encouraged to begin offering the additional dose option to eligible patients. Visit www.Vaccines.gov to find a vaccine site offering the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Patients do not need to prove their diagnosis to be eligible for an additional vaccine dose.
Local health departments across the state will be administering the additional dose option with no appointment necessary.
Individuals seeking more information on the COVID-19 vaccines can visit covid19.tn.gov
or www.vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment with a local vaccine provider.
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
TN Kids Need Help After COVID Learning Disruptions
By Lily Bohlke, Public News Service
American kids are returning to school an average of four to five months behind in their learning, according to a new study.
Groups that support children’s well-being have said the pandemic has exacerbated the disparities in education that have existed for years. Chapple Osborne-Arnold, who works in Tennessee for the nonprofit Save the Children, said the hardest-hit students include those living in poverty.
“And then of course, in rural communities, especially here in Tennessee,” she said, “we are seeing those state test scores from the spring significantly drop compared to years past.”
She added that establishing and normalizing daily routines will be critical for students this fall. Most Tennessee kids start school this week.
In the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program results for this spring, less than one-quarter of students in third grade were meeting expectations for grade-level reading, and just 20% met expectations for math.
Shane Garver, Save the Children’s associate vice president for rural education programs, encouraged making sure kids have regular bedtimes and get enough sleep, as well as establishing environments that support homework and learning at home. He said extra support will be important for those who missed out on parts of their education last year.
“Things like after-school programs, additional tutoring programs and learning opportunities in the community are going to be critically important to supporting kids,” he said.
Osborne-Arnold added that Save the Children is partnering with school districts to help catch students up and provide wraparound services – through summer camps, after-school and even in-school programs.
“Tennessee is seeing a surge in COVID numbers,” she said. “So, I think routines now are going to be more important than ever, because no one wants another school shutdown.”
Duck River cancels annual meeting
Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is announcing the cancellation of their 2021 Annual Meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday, August 21, at Harris Middle School in Shelbyville, TN.
“The rising number of COVID-19 cases in the area has led us to the difficult decision to cancel the in[1]person meeting this year,” said Scott Spence, DREMC President and CEO. “We look forward to reconvening with the membership in 2022.”
Results of the Zone 5 director election, business reports and other important information will be made available to the membership in the October edition of The Tennessee Magazine and in video format online at www.dremc.com.
10 million pounds of Asian Carp removed from two reservoirs, TWRA says
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Asian Carp Harvest Incentive Program (ACHIP) has reached a milestone in July as 10 million pounds of invasive carp have been removed from Kentucky and Barkley reservoirs. The program began in September 2018 and has provided incentives to wholesale fish dealers and commercial fishers that harvest invasive carp.
“Commercial harvest is a key strategy to defend our waters from the impacts and expansion of invasive carp,” said Cole Harty, TWRA Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator. “The other key strategy to prevent the spread of carp to waters upstream is deterrents.”
TWRA continues to support the implementation and evaluation of the BioAcoustic Fish Fence (BAFF) at Barkley Dam in Kentucky. Preliminary results of the BAFF appear promising, according to officials.
“Though no deterrent is expected to be 100 percent effective, even moderate levels of deterrence can significantly reduce the number of fish moving upstream through locks,” Harty said. “Deterrents, when coupled with commercial harvest near the source of carp immigration, is the best strategy we have to prevent the spread of carp to waters upstream.”
Given what is currently understood about carp populations in the Tennessee River, TWRA, with state and federal partners and invasive carp experts from across the country, are in consensus. Deterrents at locations including Wilson, Kentucky, Pickwick and Guntersville dams are an urgent need that will provide benefits to the entire Tennessee River system, including the most upstream reservoirs.
Manchester population tops 12K, according to Census data
Manchester has experienced significant growth in population over the past decade, according to 2020 Census Data.
The census puts the population of Manchester at 12,212, which is a 9.2% growth over the 2010 population of 10,102.
Meanwhile, Tullahoma grew in population but at a much slower rate. Census data shows that Tullahoma population is at 20,339, which is a 4.9% population growth when compared to the 2010 Census.
Coffee County as a whole now has 57,889 residents, according to Census data. This is a 7% growth from the 52,796 reported in the 2010 census.
Coffee County ranked very high in the state for percentage of population to self-respond to the 2020 Census, with 71.4 percent of the population self responding. That was good enough for seventh best response rate in the entire state of Tennessee. According to Census officials, this ensures Coffee County gets more federal funding over the next 10-year cycle.
The United States Census is ordered by the US Constitution to be completed every 10 years.
Thunder Radio will continue to breakdown Census data beyond population over the coming weeks and months.
Unity to stop allowing visitors due to COVID-19
Unity Medical Center in Manchester is reimplementing COVID-19 protocols at the hospital in regards to patients and visitors.
The hospital announced Tuesday that it is implementing a no-visitor policy in all areas of the hospital campus at this time.
The hospital is asking that all patients wear a face covering upon entry to the facility and maintain a distance of six feet from others.
“Thank you for allowing us to serve you and helping us maintain the health and safety of our community,” the hospital stated.
The hospital added that due to high testing volumes, rapid testing may not be available at the Unity facility. Unity Medical Center is located on Interstate Dr. in Manchester.
Gov. Lee executive order allows parents to opt children out of face-covering mandates
Governor Bill Lee on Monday signed executive order no. 84, which will offer Tennessee families the ability to opt their children out of any school mask mandate that could be put into effect by a local school board.
“Districts will make the decision they believe are best for their schools, but parents are the authority and will be the ultimate decision makers for their individual child’s health & well-being,” Lee said. Currently, none of the three school districts in Coffee County have any mask requirements in place.
Free Aug. 28 event invites community to enjoy arts and crafts, touch-a-truck experience, and witness mural painting on the bridge near Manchester soccer fields
The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center invites the community to attend the “Join Our Quest” event, set for Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Manchester Soccer Complex.
The Coffee County CAC has partnered with artist Troy Freeman to paint a mural on the Waite Street bridge facing the soccer fields, thanks to grants received from the Tennessee Arts Commission and Manchester Tourism Committee. Freeman will be working on the mural, which will promote child safety, starting Aug. 27, with Aug. 28 filled with activities for children and families. Free canvases will be provided for children to decorate, and the completed artworks will be exhibited at the Manchester Arts Center.
Vendors will offer arts and crafts and baked goods on the greenway at the soccer fields. Stroll the greenway, enjoy chatting with vendors, purchase some goods and walk to the bridge, where you can see paint transforming the bridge into a colorful and meaningful art piece. Vendors will set up their booths, starting at 8 a.m., Aug. 28.
Coffee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Manchester Police Department (MPD) and Manchester Fire and Rescue will present a touch-a-truck event, set for 9-11 a.m., for children and families to explore fire trucks, police cars and an ambulance.
Enjoy Mexican dishes and succulent BBQ, as El Oro Verde and Ray Ray’s Smokehouse will offer delicious food for purchase.
The Coffee County CAC will provide free canvases for children. The art kits will be available 9-11 a.m.
“We will encourage children to use their imagination and create art pieces, following the ‘Join Our Quest to Keep Kids Safe and Happy’ theme,” said Executive Director of Coffee County CAC Joyce Prusak. “We have partnered with the Manchester Arts Center, and the artworks will be displayed at the center Sept. 10-11.”
Members of United Way of Highway 55 will also be on hand to provide information about local nonprofits.
“We are so thankful for the grants we have received to be able to provide this free event to community members,” Prusak said. “The support of the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Manchester Tourism Committee means so much and shows that child safety and child abuse prevention should be a priority. The aid we’ve seen gives us confidence we can prevent and end child abuse.”
Prusak expressed appreciation for the participation of all vendors and for the support of EMS, MPD, fire department and the Manchester Department of Parks and Recreation.
“We are also thrilled to partner with Troy Freeman,” Prusak said. “Troy is very talented, and we admire his work. Troy has more than 20 years of experience. He has completed numerous projects in Tennessee.”
One of the projects he is involved with is Everywhere You Look, UT mural project. The University of Tennessee launched the art endeavor, planning to install a mural in every county of Tennessee.
“Troy’s talent will help us raise awareness of child abuse,” Prusak said. “The biggest challenge organizations fighting child abuse face is lack of awareness because of the confidential nature of the cases. Last year, of the 347 referrals received for services in Coffee County, 40% of the children were 6 years old or younger, 36% between the ages of 7 and 12, and 24% were between 13 and 18. Organizations helping those children can’t talk about the cases. This art project will bring attention to the importance of child safety. We are asking the community to join our quest to a society without child abuse.”
About Coffee County CAC
When the most vulnerable members of the community are harmed, they find a safe place and support at the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center. The Coffee County CAC serves children who are victims of severe abuse through prevention, education and intervention.
CMS football halts operations due to COVID cases; Tullahoma game postponed
Thunder Radio sports has learned Coffee County Middle School’s football team has suspended practices and games until Wednesday, Aug. 18, due to COVID-19 cases related to the football team.
School administration will “re-evaluate” the situation on Aug. 18.
The Raiders (1-0) opened the season with a win over West Wilson on Aug. 10 and were scheduled to travel to Tullahoma to play for the “Coffee Cup” on Tuesday, Aug. 17. That game has been postponed and rescheduled for Sept. 4.
Tennessee gas prices drop 2 cents over past week; Coffee County prices below state average
The Tennessee gas price average declined slightly over last week, falling nearly two cents, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.87 which is a penny less than one month ago and 97 cents more than one year ago.
In Coffee County, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.84 as of Monday afternoon, which is 3 cents below the state average and well below the national average of $3.18.
“Leading up to Labor Day, pump price fluctuations are likely to continue due to high crude oil prices,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Traditionally, gas demand typically drops considerably at the end of the summer which brings much needed relief at the pump to drivers in the fall and winter driving seasons.”
Quick Facts
· 92% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.66 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.17 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee remains the 9th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that gas demand and supply decreased. Moving from 9.78 million b/d to 9.43 million b/d last week, the latest demand measurement is 500,000 b/d lower than the rate at this time in 2019, signaling that summer gas demand is likely softening as the school year starts and concerns about transmission of COVID-19 grow as infection rates continue to increase. Additionally, total domestic gas stocks declined by 1.3 million bbl to 227.5 million bbl.
Although the drop in demand has helped to minimize pump price increases and stabilize the national average, elevated crude prices continue to keep pump prices high as the end of summer draws near.
The national average has held steady at $3.18 for seven days after reaching its highest point so far this year. Today’s national average is a penny less than a week ago, two cents more than a month ago and $1.01 more than a year ago. During the run-up to Labor Day weekend, pump prices will likely continue to fluctuate due to high crude prices. However, gas demand typically drops considerably after the final holiday weekend of summer, bringing much needed relief to American drivers when they fill-up this fall.
