Yesterday Gov. Bill Lee announced that he was ending the public health emergency he had declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccinations available to all adults, Lee said the pandemic is now a “managed public health issue.” Beginning today, the 89 Tennessee counties with state-run health departments won’t be able to issue mask mandates or put restrictions on businesses.
As for the other 6 counties with their own health departments (including Shelby), Lee is calling on them to end all restrictions on businesses and mask mandates no later than Memorial Day, which falls on May 31 this year. City COO Doug McGowen said in the noon COVID task force press conference that it’s too early at this stage for Memphis/Shelby County to consider discontinuing the mask mandate, and that we’ll have to see where we stand on the vaccination numbers closer to Memorial Day.
Chief McGowen said the city and county legal teams will investigate whether they have the authority to keep a mandate in place even when it contradicts a governor’s executive order.
We shall see what happens. I personally wouldn’t mind wearing a mask for the remainder of the summer if the other stupid restrictions on businesses could be removed.
Max’s Sports Bar will host its last crawfish boil of the season this Saturday. So, it’s the last time you’ll have to hear me say that Glaze’s crawfish boils are the best in town, with just the right amount of spice and sides of corn, sausage, and taters. The first batch comes out right around noon. The crawfish wash down perfectly with Purple Drank from Max’s frozen slushee machine!
Let’s check out the weather for Saturday… MWN: Increasing high clouds, starting off in the lower 50s rising to the mid 70s. Weatherbug: Low of 51 that morning becoming mostly sunny and 77 during the day. Looks like a South Main kind of day for sure.
The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. Anyone doing any Derby drink specials Downtown?
The Redbirds will partner with Academy Sports + Outdoors for a special Mother’s Day experience at the ballpark Sunday, May 9. All moms get an ice cream treat and get to run the bases with their kids after the game. All moms will also be entered to win giveaways every inning from great local businesses like Academy Sports + Outdoors, Buff City Soap, Buster’s Liquors & Wines, Cupcake Cutie, and Lululemon. The first 1000 moms will receive a carnation. There will also be a special ticket (dugout $39, Budweiser Bowtie Bar $50) that includes a Mother’s Day brunch 11-1. The Bowtie Bar ticket includes bottomless mimosas.
From Vox: Why the iOS update 14.5 is such a big deal. TL;DR: You’ll be able to opt out of apps tracking your data and sharing it with third parties.
From the DM: St. Jude is committing $11.5B to expand research and treatment for children. The hospital will create over 1400 new jobs.
The Grizzlies are back home at FedExForum tonight. They host Portland at 8. If you’re going to the game, you can now eat in your seat. That restriction was quietly relaxed while the team was on the road.
It’s International Noise Awareness Day, which I’m sure plenty of Chargers and Challenger drivers will observe here in Memphis.
A national wing shortage is hurting local businesses. Yes, I have most definitely noticed this in wing prices at restaurants.
That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.