News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order Friday making sure the COVID-19 patient information shared with first responders and law enforcement personnel would be protected by an emergency order.
It’s something that had worried Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris. He said the data actually began flowing more regularly earlier this week.
“Make no mistake about it when we receive medical information, it doesn’t matter if people with the pandemic or with something prior to that for law enforcement, we are held to a standard where we are not allowed to let that information go, we are not allowed to share that information,” Farris said.
Medical awareness allows safety for enforcement personnel. Farris said it gives officers the chance to use gloves and masks for protection.
“Whether HIPPA applies to first responders or not, it does not apply to law enforcement period,” Farris said. “Whether we have a pandemic going on or whatever the situation might be, any time there is medical information on an individual that law enforcement needs for a valid reason then we are able to get that.”
