Labor Day: Public health orders in effect in Davidson County on land and water
As people get ready to celebrate Labor Day weekend, local officials advised them to take precautions when interacting with family or taking to Middle Tennessee waterways.
Davidson County requires masks to be worn in public and does not permit gatherings of more than 25 people without approval from city officials. Those rules apply on land or water, according to the health department.
Leslie Waller, an epidemiologist with the Metro Public Health Department, said a rise of coronavirus clusters was linked to previous holiday weekends this summer and urged those considering Labor Day weekend plans to weigh the risks.
A cluster is defined as anywhere between two and five cases that share exposure in place and time. A lot of the clusters stemming from holiday weekends were linked to backyard parties, barbecues, gatherings on lakes or boat parties, Waller said. She called them "festive clusters."
“It was clear people were going out and doing their thing, what made them happy in the moment," she said.
Waller said Nashville's team of contact tracers, who work to determine how the coronavirus spread and by whom, found many people were surprised to have contracted the virus from people they knew, such as friends or family. Some were even a bit ashamed or embarrassed that they tested positive.
“They don’t see the risk of being around people they know," Waller said.
That's been an obstacle for health officials communicating the risk of catching the virus: Just because you know the person doesn't mean they aren't a carrier.
Waller encouraged people to follow advice that's been encouraged for months if they do choose to go to a holiday gathering: Wear a mask, socially distance and absolutely stay home if you're in a high-risk category.
Don't distance yourselves from people just to cram together for a selfie or group photo — that defeats the point of social distancing. Waller defined close contact as being within 6 feet of each other for at least 10 minutes.
She asked that people be aware of where they're going and whom they're around so if a cluster is traced back to their gathering, public health officials have an easier time tracing cases.
“We’ll have to intervene to stop the spread from rippling in the community," Waller said.
If you're not sure whether you should attend a gathering, Waller had some advice.
“I feel like if you are questioning going to a party, and you feel it deep down inside it’s something you should even question, then you probably shouldn’t go."
Last big boating day of year
Traditionally, Labor Day is the last big boating weekend of the year, said Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesperson Barry Cross.
He said the agency plans to patrol lakes across the Midstate, including Old Hickory, Percy Priest, Cheatham Lake, Normandy, Tims Ford and Woods reservoir.
TWRA officers' priority on those waterways will be monitoring for violations of boating laws, he said.
"Social distancing and mask use is recommended by CDC and maybe even some county governments, but enforcement of those recommendations does not fall into our wheelhouse," he said.
TWRA will focus on reckless or impaired boaters, who can cause deadly accidents, as well as proper supply and use of personal flotation devices. Officers will also look for boats without navigation lights.
Metro Health Department spokesperson Brian Todd said the established public health orders are in effect on lakes in Davidson County.
Flotillas — groups of boats tied together — are a no-go in some circumstances. Todd said people need to remember gatherings of 25 people or more are not permitted right now — and that includes on boats.
Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson Don Aaron said the police department provides extra-duty officer coverage in and around recreation areas on weekends and holidays.
"It is important that everyone take personal responsibility in regard to social distancing/mask wearing among boaters and recreation area visitors in order to continue our COVID progress," Aaron said. "Crime-wise, police officers can't be everywhere at all times."
Anyone who sees individuals or businesses not adhering to public health orders is encouraged to place a complaint on the Nashville HUB system.
'Let's keep it going'
On Tuesday, the Metro Public Health Department announced an increase of 44 coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the number of cases to 26,019.
Since the city started tracking COVID-19 numbers in March, 239 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.
In all, 24,400 individuals have recovered from the virus and 1,380 people have an active case.
Dr. Alex Jahangir, chair of Nashville’s coronavirus task force, reminded Nashvillians to continue to follow public health orders by wearing masks, not gathering in large groups and staying 6 feet apart.
“Coronavirus cases spiked after Memorial Day and July Fourth, so don’t let your guard down just because it’s a holiday weekend," Jahangir said. "We have made progress in the past few weeks, and the number of new cases and hospitalizations are dropping. Let’s keep it going so that we can continue to take steps to safely reopen our city.”
Reach Brinley Hineman at bhineman@tennessean.com and on Twitter @brinleyhineman. Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.