By Mike Steely

The Knox County Commission will be meeting via Zoom on Monday following a request from the health department.

Three commissioners have been exposed to the virus and asked by the health department to stay home rather than attend the public meeting. Commission Chairman Hugh Nystrom notified the commissioners and the press Friday by email. People who were planning to attend and speak in public forum or on specific agenda items are asked to join the Zoom meeting.

“The response of this community to the challenges that we face has been nothing short of remarkable,” Chairman Nystrom wrote to the commission members.

While the Knoxville City Council has been meeting virtually for several months the county commission had been holding in-person, masked public sessions before the health department notification last week.

Richie Beeler, 8th District Commissioner, has COVID-19 and Commissioners Charles Busler and Carson Dailey were exposed.