Judge: Tennessee can't prevent abortions during coronavirus

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Judge: Tennessee can’t prevent abortions during coronavirus

By TRAVIS LOLLER
April 18, 2020

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge Friday night ruled that Tennessee has to continue allowing abortions amid a temporary ban on nonessential medical procedures that’s aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.

U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman said the defendants didn’t show that any appreciable amount of personal protective equipment, or PPE, would be saved if the ban is applied to abortions.

In a hearing by phone Friday, attorneys representing several state abortion clinics argued that Tennessee women will face immediate harm if the ban on abortions is not lifted.

Alex Rieger, arguing for the Tennessee attorney general’s office, said abortions are not being singled out but treated like any other procedure that is not necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury. Gov. Bill Lee issued an emergency order on April 8 banning those procedures for three weeks.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/00673bc8506133c7a7056c055f001f48

[spanone]

1. Thank you Judge Bernard Friedman

[Shermann]

2. Tucker Carlson is making hay out of this

He's contrasting it with joint replacement surgery which is currently deemed non-essential.

So giving people their mobility is non-essential but killing babies is, or so the argument goes.

I think the key difference he's glossing over is how joint replacement surgery ties up hospital staff and ICU beds.

Details details.