State Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) on Monday asked Tennessee’s top elected officials to abolish the state’s contact tracing lists because he said they could do more harm than good.
Cepicky said this while addressing members of The Tennessee General Assembly in a letter he published on his Facebook page. Cepicky warned about an “infringement of personal privacy and liberty.”
“As you know we now have contact tracers in place and sick lists. Being distributed to first responders and law enforcement. These lists are being used to single out individuals that have tested positive for the virus,” Cepicky said.
“However, 98 percent of those that contract the virus may experience little to no symptoms and will recover normally without any assistance. I am concerned that these reports and lists will have an adverse effect on testing. As a result, Tennesseans will stop getting tested to protect their privacy.”
Cepicky then asked that Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally advise Gov. Bill Lee to repeal these programs — immediately.
“Governor Lee prepared Tennessee for the worst possible outcome from this virus. Our hospitals, National Guard, first responders and our great citizens responded with incredible focus and determination to fight COVID-19. However, none of those dire predictions have come to a realization,” Cepicky wrote in his letter.
“COVID-19 has proven to be no more threatening than our common flu season every year. COVID-19 is less deadly than other types of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and others that have taken so many lives in our state. We must recognize COVID-19 as another virus that we must deal with so that we can move forward with our lives both economically and socially. We must work hard to return Tennessee to its pre-COVID-19 status and allow our citizens to resume a normal life.”
Cepicky told The Tennessee Star Monday afternoon that no one from Sexton’s, McNally’s, or Lee’s offices had thus far contacted him about the letter.
“Nothing more to add at this time,” Cepicky told us in an email.
“The letter speaks for itself.”
No one from Lee’s or McNally’s offices returned The Star’s request for comment Monday.
Sexton, however, corresponded with us via email.
“We have received Rep. Cepicky’s letter,” Sexton wrote.
“Tennessee is one of the first states to reopen, and we are going to continue to reopen as quickly and as safely as we can.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
One of the best congressman we’ve ever had! His aid Jan is the best!!!!
Thank you, Mr Cepicky! We should all be appalled at this overreach of government which indeed could have dire consequences. HIPPA, 4th Ammendment, etc. Tell us whar else we concerned citizens can do.0
Totally correct . . . I will not get tested because I have no idea how these list of ‘safe and infected’ people will be used in the future (i.e. insurance, on the job, social events, etc. . .).
Totally outside his area of expertise! Stick to being a mortgage broker, Representative!
Rep. Cepicky appears to be quickly making a name for himself! Between his tough stance on improving our failed to mediocre education system to now this effort. He’s definitely swimming against the establishment stream, which makes him a threat. Expect the RINO’s to start trying to squash him.
Bravo Mr. Cepicky!
Good clear thinking. You have the support of thousands of liberty minded realists just like me. Now, let’s see where this goes and keep an eye on how Governor Lee, et al respond.