From Church Health:
Church Healthoffers FREE Coronavirus testing at our
Crosstown Concourselocation every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. You do not have to be a patient to be tested. We are however, prioritizing testing for individuals presenting symptoms or who have known exposure.
To schedule an appointment, call 901-272-0003. Bilingual staff are available.
The latest from the sometimes-working Shelby County COVID-19 data dashboard as of a little after 7 this morning:
- New Cases by Collection Date, 7 day moving average: 192, only 12 above the trip wire for limited-service restaurants to open
- Rolling 7-day Positivity Rate: 11.8%, only 1.8% above the trip wire for limited-service restaurants to open
Now, as was explained in COVID-19 task force press conferences the first week of July, the purpose of the trip wires is to have thresholds in place that can trigger IMMEDIATE action. In other words, the resulting steps are ALREADY codified in ordinance, and therefore an additional 1-2 weeks does not have to be wasted waiting on a county official to act on the data.
So… if we hit that 180/10%, does that mean the Silly Goose can put stools back at the bar immediately? Does that mean the Blind Bear can immediately throw open its doors and invite people in for its new everyday breakfast starting at 7 PM? Does that mean Max can immediately turn baseball on and invite people in to watch?
My guess is, that’s not what it means, and that the task force had no idea the “good” trip wires would be tripped before there was a vaccine – they just put them in for appearance’s sake. I suspect in that case, the Health Department will let the limited service restaurants open, but “for the comfort of students and educators returning to school” (announced by Mayor Lee Harris) there will be severe restrictions imposed.
Wonder if this will be discussed in the noon task force press conference, or if they’ll dodge the trip wires as they have in every press conference since the trip wires were documented. I will try to watch the press conference and hope to be back this afternoon with a recap.
On to the news…
The Memphis Flyer talked to Kathleen Barth and MK Dunston, proprietors of The She Shed Food Truck that will hit the streets this fall. Despite the name, they said, the food won’t be dainty. The two met when MK saw Barth’s food posts on social media, and realized they had the exact same cooking style. Looking forward to trying one of their “man sandwiches” once the wheels hit the pavement.
Downtown business owners: The Downtown Memphis Commission is handing out marketing micro-grants and applications were taken starting yesterday. The grants include money to help finance an online e-commerce platform, as well as money for targeted social media spending to make your customers aware that you sell online. An online business presence will help keep revenue rolling in if COVID gets worse this fall and we have to lock down once again. More info
As your number-one source of news and information about The Edge District, it is my pleasure to link you to this Memphis magazine article discussing how COVID-19 has not slowed development in that neighborhood. The Edge Motor Museum, The Rise apartments, and the new plans for The Cycle Shop building are discussed. Plans for the One Beale project are also covered, as well as hospitality industry developments.
The Upshot in the New York Times has a look at how the COVID-19 recession is about to slam cities, and not just ones in red states. Due to its dependence on tourism, Memphis will take a 5-9% hit on revenue. The cities that will get hit the hardest, though, are a trio in upstate New York: Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester. Their dependence on state money is what will hurt those cities to the amount of 13 to 20%.
Choose901 has a look at things to do on 9/01 Day, Tuesday, September 1.
Cocktail news: Here’s a piece on the Louisville Fig, recently enjoyed by a guest at the Peabody Hotel.
I loved Kamala Harris’ speech last night. We knew she had the smarts and the toughness, but it was so good to see the twinkle in her eye last night, a little girl who dreamed the American dream and grew up living it. She really had me when she mentioned her kids and said, “they call me Mamala.” She is going to wipe up the debate stage with the cardboard cutout known as Mike Pence in a couple of months. As for Obama, I know that had to feel good, telling us how he really feels about Donald Trump, having held it in for more than three years. I hope the former President will remain active in the Biden/Harris campaign the next 75 days.
Possibly back between 2 and 4 with a COVID update, otherwise, see you tomorrow.