NASHVILLE, TN — With an average of 300 new COVID-19 infections diagnosed each day in Davidson County, a coalition of healthcare providers and other organizations are asking Nashvillians to mask up, get vaccinated, and sign a pledge to help spread accurate information to their neighbors. Led by the Nashville General Hospital Foundation and Neighborhood Health, 79 businesses, organizations and individuals have signed on to “Nashville Takes on COVID” so far, more than doubling the number of participants since the campaign’s inception.
More than 1,000 Nashvillians have died of COVID since the beginning of the year, and more than 40% of young people have yet to be vaccinated. Health care providers are exhausted due to the surge and are begging for help from citizens to reduce these numbers and share timely, accurate information about protection from COVID.
The Nashville Takes on COVID campaign provides a coordinated approach to educate and include all Nashvillians in the importance of masking up and vaccinating against COVID-19. Those interested in participating in the campaign can sign up at www.NashvilleTakesOnCovid.org.
Businesses, organizations, churches, schools, and individuals are all encouraged to participate by sharing provided content on their social media, and are encouraged to use resources such as their website or brick-and-mortar location to help emphasize the availability of free vaccinations, free transportation, free masks, and free incentives to those who receive the vaccination. Video content (available in English and Spanish) has been produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation and vetted by national medical societies.
More than 110 locations in Davidson County are currently providing free COVID-19 vaccinations, and 10,000 free masks will be available through this campaign. Many locations open as early as 7:00 a.m. and some are open on weekends. Free rides are available to those who need transportation assistance to obtain a vaccine, and free food boxes and diapers are available to families in need. Individuals age 12 and up are eligible to be vaccinated.
The Nashville General Hospital Foundation has been serving the unmet needs of our community and particularly the patients, families, and neighbors of Nashville General Hospital since 1978. Since March of 2020, Nashville General Hospital Foundation has provided more than 300,000 meals to those negatively affected by the tornado, pandemic and food insecurity. Neighborhood Health, formerly United Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., has proudly served the people of Middle Tennessee for more than 44 years without regard to their insurance status or ability to pay. Today, we provide medical, prenatal, dental and behavioral health care to over 31,000 people of all ages, 59% of whom have no health insurance. Because of the trust earned with patients, Neighborhood Health has become the largest safety net provider of primary care in Middle Tennessee.
