KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs provides the following statement regarding Governor Bill Lee’s Sunday evening address.

“I’m happy and proud Governor Lee is trusting Tennesseans to do the right thing by encouraging good choices instead of mandating them. That’s how democracy works. Knox County has been doing for a while what Gov. Lee asked of the rest of the state tonight. Our local leaders have been utilizing the five core actions and encouraging others to do the same. It has been a consistent message. From what I have seen, Knox Countians are doing the best they can in a terrible situation and that includes regularly wearing masks. Sadly, active case numbers are high and, tragically, deaths are climbing, but I don’t believe that’s happening because people in this community aren’t doing what they’re supposed to. I have seen many instances of personal responsibility and sacrifice throughout the pandemic and I know we will continue seeing those until it’s over so I trust that people will do the right thing if we give them the opportunity to.”