Law enforcement agencies able to access names, addresses of Tennesseans testing positive for COVID

[SheltieLover]

https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/05/08/law-enforecement-agencies-able-access-names-addresses-tennesseans-testing-positive-covid-/

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The local health department isn’t the only place that knows if you’ve tested positive for coronavirus. Turns out Tennessee is also sharing that information with policemen and sheriff’s across the state.

Dozens of officers and deputies have tested positive for COVID-19 and in an attempt to slow the spread your COVID-19 status is being shared.

And if you think that HIPAA laws protect you from that happening one legal expert says think again.

Some first responders in Tennessee are given a heads up about the health status of people they might be coming in contact with.

I can see both sides of this. What do you think?

More at link.

[sop]

1. One more reason for cops to gun down suspects: "I thought he was going to sneeze on me!"

[GusBob]

2. Dicey, hey? I actually went thru this

As a health care provider before the pandemic
It concerned a child sick with a contagious viral condition ( not covid) with 2 sets of parents from a divorce. The moms did not get along ( they are all my patients and coworkers I know them well) The step mom was very pregnant in a high risk pregnancy. In addition they worked in our clinic.
I weighed the risks of a HIPAA violation vs an epidemic outbreak and the pregnancy. But in the end I told the pregnant step mom. The birth mom flipped out but once I explained my reasons she cooled down

So in a pandemic I think maybe the health of the population outweighs the privacy
Maybe willing patients could sign a waiver. Unwilling patients can take it to court I guess
But contract tracing is important in this pandemic

[Renew Deal]

3. There are not two sides to this.

This is a violation of privacy.