Congressman Cohen Demands Answers About Vaccine Distribution

Seal of the US Congress
January 25, 2021
Press Release
In letter to Governor Lee, says Shelby County’s low vaccination rate is unacceptable

 

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to Governor Bill Lee after press accounts indicated Shelby County’s rate of coronavirus vaccination is the lowest in the state. With Black Americans suffering a disproportionately high share of coronavirus infections, Shelby County mirrors the national situation with 673 of its1,169 COVID-19 deaths being Black Memphians. Congressman Cohen’s letter asks Lee to act “proactively,” and “rectify this issue immediately.”

Congressman Cohen’s letter reads in part:

“Shelby County has acted in good faith throughout this public health crisis and has taken the appropriate steps to issue stay-at-home orders and mask mandates despite the state’s reticence to issue state-wide guidance. Yet recent news reports indicate that the county is last when it comes to vaccination rates. These reports contradict your Administration’s announced policy of giving inner-city neighborhoods and rural areas an additional 5 percent increase in vaccine allocations.”

See the entire letter here.

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Issues: 
9th District, Government Reform, Health Care, Memphis, Science and Technology, Shelby County, Tennessee