So far this week, a Tennessean dies every 20 minutes of COVID.

Tennessee, as of yesterday (12/15), moved up to #6 in the nation with new cases of COVID-19. California led the way, followed by Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and New York.

Monday and Tuesday alone accounted for over 20,000 new cases of the virus in Tennessee, and over 150 deaths...averaging a new COVID case every 8 seconds...and a new death every 20 minutes.
(state by state totals here) 

Tennessee has risen to #1 in one category: 'number of new cases per million residents.' According to data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project, Tennessee reports nearly 1,200 new cases per million residents PER DAY....almost DOUBLE the national average of about 650 per million.  (report here)

Jackson General Hospital reported yesterday over 100 COVID patients in hospital beds and nearly 3 dozen in ICU.  The hospital overall now has fewer than 80 beds and 5 ventilators available. (updates here)

Experts say all of these totals are directly related to Thanksgiving gatherings, and are concerned that next week's Christmas holiday could result in shockingly higher totals for January. 

While the vaccine roll out has been good news, experts are also concerned that the news will cause folks to let their guard down. The truth of the matter is that the general population won't get a chance to be vaccinated until May or June. Healthcare workers, essential workers, and other groups are at the front of the line.  (story here)

Bottom line...is we are a long way from being out of the woods.  Even then, that's assuming some other virus doesn't make a surprise appearance. 

While Tennesseans are focused on their physical health, the average family's financial health has taken a serious blow. Most seem to have taken the 'head in the sand' approach and are hoping for better days ahead.

The best advice has always been to 'hope for the best, but prepare for the worst' - and calling our office (for a FREE CONSULTATION) at the first hint of financial trouble is the best move.

Our team of experienced financial experts can help your family avoid financial disaster through sound advice and, if needed, legal help.  Call us at (731) 423-1888, or chat online at www.vernersmith.com