Health Directive No. 21 was quickly rewritten last night based on guidance given by the CDC and President Biden.
Now, don’t worry. The important part is that the ridiculously stupid social distancing requirements have been reduced to recommendations. That hasn’t changed.
However, if you are fully vaccinated, you don’t have to wear a mask, indoors or outdoors, unless you are on public transportation, in a governmental building, or entering a business with clearly posted “must wear mask” signs.
I’M FULLY VACCINATED BITCHES!!! For me, the Roaring 2020s start today.
The I-40 bridge was deemed safe for commercial barge traffic yesterday morning, although it will still be closed to cars and trucks for months, most likely. Bad news in this morning’s DM: Speed limits on both river bridges may be reduced to minimize vibrations and damage.
Random related trivia I learned this week reading the excellent Creme de Memph blog, which focuses on pictorial Memphis history: Before it became the connector to the Memphis-Arkansas (I-55) bridge in 1949, E.H. Crump Blvd. was named Iowa Avenue and it came to an end at Mississippi Blvd. When it became the connector, Crump was extended diagonally northeastward, eventually leveling out at what had been Carr Avenue a block south of Peabody Avenue, and connecting with Pigeon Roost Road/Lamar.
Also, before the leg of I-55 connecting the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge to I-240 (you know, the part of I-55 that floods and where trucks get stuck under bridges), Riverside Drive connected to Arkansas Street, with a cloverleaf connector at Iowa/Crump. The thoroughfare was sometimes called Arkansas Riverside.
Memphis Made Brewing Co. responds to the warmer weather this weekend with some lighter beers. HUG, a smooth wheat with late-added hops, checks in a 5.4% and reminds us that it’s OK to hug once again. Soulful Ginger, a saison brewed with ginger and peppercorns, pairs well with Asian food and measures in at 6.2%.
After three months of upgrades, the Memphis Fire Museum has reopened. If you have kids, this is a fun place to take them.
Did you know that Local 24 meteorologist Chelsea Chandler is a certified BBQ Fest judge? Here’s a walk-through of the judging process by Chelsea.
It’s National Chocolate Chip Day and therefore a good day to get some warm cookies delivered to your door from Insomnia Cookies on Beale Street.
WREG interviewed South Main business owners in the masks or no masks debate.
Local 24 notes that some national chains have announced they will continue to require customers to wear masks, including two chains with Downtown locations: Walgreens and DGX. Since I make frequent stops at DGX on the way home from bars, I will stuff a mask in my pocket when I go out.
Steve Schad plays Carolina Watershed. The listing says both noon to 3 PM and 2-6 PM, so if you get there between 2 and 3 you’ll get to hear him no matter which is correct. Grateful Dead tribute band The Schwag takes the stage at Watershed tonight at 9.
Social distanced hippies dancing!
Eric Hughes plays Momma’s tonight 7-10.
Tune into channel 30.1 on Memphis rabbit-ears antennas to catch Memphis 901 FC playing an away match at Birmingham at 3:30 this afternoon.
We Are Memphis had a conversation with Will Davenport, manager of the Eight & Sand bar inside Central Station Hotel.
I’ll lead off with a stop at the Memphis Farmers Market this morning, followed by a visit to a South Main bar (which one TBD), then back north to the Silly Goose and the Blind Bear. Come on out if you’ve been vaccinated! If you haven’t been vaccinated, go get vaccinated… or come out anyway, just don’t expect much sympathy if you get sick. Back tomorrow with more news.