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Political divides over mask and vaccine mandates have deepened in the US state of Tennessee. It's one of the least vaccinated states in the US and has also ranked as one of the worst in terms of infections. As the death toll soared, the doctor in charge of Tennessee’s vaccine rollout was suddenly fired by the state’s governor and the debate over wearing masks in schools turned violent. Protests took place outside schools and people on the school board experienced threats and harassment, as deaths from the virus and intensive care unit admissions continue to rise. Matt Danzico explores how the pandemic has shaped politics in one of America's most conservative states and speaks to people caught up in Tennessee's Covid culture wars. Photo: A protest against mask wearing outside a school in Tennessee, US Credit: Reuters