Tennessee’s decision to release public health data leaves a trade off too great for vulnerable communities, some say – By Jessica Bliss (Nashville Tennessean) / May 13 2020
What some Tennessee officials see as a vital response to protecting fire and police emergency responders during the coronavirus crisis is perceived by others a violation of trust that could damage fragile relationships with law enforcement and increase distrust in some residents about getting tested for COVID-19.
In late April, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an Executive Order allowing the Tennessee Department of Health to give police departments and sheriff’s offices the names and addresses of Tennesseans who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
As news of the agreement became public last week, civil rights advocates and agencies across the state raised concerns that constitutional protectionsof privacy had been violated without warning.
More than 280,000 people in Tennessee have been tested for the coronavirus, many using drive-thru centers. They willingly filled out forms sharing their name, date of birth, address and other information, likely unaware that if they tested positive for COVID-19 their heath data would be released to law enforcement.
Continue to article: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2020/05/13/tennessee-public-health-data-release-diminish-trust-vulnerable-communities/3112180001/
