State ranks in bottom 10 in response to virus

Despite closing schools and declaring a state of emergency, Tennessee is among one of the least aggressive states in tackling the growing coronavirus pandemic, according to a study released Tuesday.

The personal finance website WalletHub ranked Tennessee as the ninth least aggressive state in the nation for fighting the virus, primarily because the Volunteer State ranks in the bottom 10 of all states in the number of public health laboratories, in the number of tested coronavirus cases, in public heath spending per capita and in total public health emergency preparedness funding.

WalletHub, which analyzed 35 health care measurements, preventative steps and spending metrics to compile its list, ranked Rhode Island as the most aggressive state so far in fighting the virus. Rhode Island has closed schools, bars and restaurants and restricted travel for state employees while administering the most tests for for coronavirus, COVID-19, for its size.

“Aggressiveness in combating the coronavirus is not all about recent actions, though,” WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez said. “A lot of it is years in the making. For example, Rhode Island has

the infrastructure to handle this type of pandemic in large part because of its relatively high funding for public health programs and its high number of health care facilities.”

Wyoming was rated as the least aggressive state in fighting the coronavirus so far since it has administered few tests and has yet to close schools, restaurants or bars.

Georgia, where Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency last Friday, ranked as the 13th worst state for aggressive response to the virus, accordng to WalletHub. Alabama ranked in the middle of the pack at No. 21.

The data used for the Wallethub rankings ranges from tested cases of COVID-19 per capita and state legislation on the pandemic to the uninsured population and share of the workforce in affected industries.

Gonzalez said so far 18 states have called out the National Guard, which neither Tennessee nor Georgia has yet done.

“One of the most aggressive actions that states have taken thus far is to institute a curfew for residents, she said. “New Jersey, New York and Connecticut have done that so far, but other states are contemplating the move, as well.”

WalletHub CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou said the legislation now moving through Congress should boost testing and provide some financial relief for local governments and some businesses hit by the virus.

“Regardless, it looks like we’ll need more legislation after this to further support the economy and affected workers,” Papadimitriou said.