So, I’ve been asked my opinion on the “when should Memphis restaurants reopen” debate.
Quick recap: The president of the Memphis Restaurant Association has pushed for a May 1 date to re-open dine-in at Memphis-area restaurants. He claims that the majority of restaurants in the city are on board with that plan. However, he does not offer data to prove such a majority exists. Many times over the past 18 years I have heard someone start off an idea with “we all plan to…” when “this is what I want to do, please agree with me” was closer to the actual truth.
A prominent Memphis restaurant owner posted a Memphis Business Journal article quoting the MRA president to Facebook. Although he posted the article without comment, the owner is known for having said in the recent past he believes May 1 is too soon to re-open. The vast majority of people who commented the owner’s Facebook post agreed with him. However, like attracts like. We are likely to have more Facebook friends who agree with our point of view than oppose it, and it rocks the boat less to agree with someone else than to disagree.
So here’s my take on it:
- I don’t own a restaurant;
- I don’t derive any of my income from a restaurant; and
- I don’t have the letters M.D. after my name.
Therefore, my opinion on whether restaurants should re-open on May 1 should not matter. On a personal level, yes, I miss them, and I dislike being told I can’t go to them (hence, my “House Arrest” post titles). However, I understand this is what has to be done.
Nashville released its reopening guidelines today. This gives you an idea of what things might look like in Memphis, although no two cities are the same.
The CA’s Jennifer Chandler has a roundup of local brunch eats, including some yummy looking pictures from Sunrise Memphis and Bedrock Eats & Sweets.
Round 1 of the NFL draft is tonight, beginning at 7 PM. Here’s the info.
Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis? Repairs on a water main will result in detours on A.W. Willis Avenue between Fifth and Fourth through at least Friday, longer if rain delays repairs.
Felicia Suzanne’s is doing Fried Chicken Friday tomorrow. Feed your family, and there’s an option to add local beer. Pre-order by 8 tonight.
A local company is selling jugs of hand sanitizer to the public.
Is there a place within the boundaries of the river, A.W. Willis, Danny Thomas, and Crump that I can go right now and either buy a face mask at a reasonable cost, or get one for free?
- “If you don’t have a face mask, you can use a bandanna” doesn’t count. I said face mask.
- “You can order one from us and have it delivered to your home in 2 to 3 days” doesn’t count. I said right now.
I agree with the sentiment of the City Council members who want to require the wearing of face masks in public, but I don’t see how that can be implemented when masks are not readily available in Memphis’ most densely populated region.
Think I’ll go for a walk. Back later today or tomorrow with more.