Wednesday update

The CDC has reversed their previous advice on masking. They now recommend that in COVID hotspots (which would include Shelby County), all people, including those who are vaccinated, wear a face mask when in a public indoor space. New information indicates that fully vaccinated people are capable of spreading the Delta variant. The CDC guidance applies to schools as well.

No word yet on whether the Shelby County Health Department will reinstate the mask mandate. I’m assuming they’ll do a COVID-19 task force press conference tomorrow at noon and we’ll get an update then.

I have noticed considerably more people masked as I have walked down the Main Street Mall the past two days. I carry a mask in my pocket but have not been wearing it since I’m fully vaccinated. I guess I’ll start putting it on before entering Walgreens and DGX.

Starting tomorrow, those who want to enter one of the 300 bars that are members of the San Francisco Bar Alliance will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result within the past 72 hours. I think that makes far more sense than adopting incredibly stupid social distancing regulations like bar stools must be in groups of two, six feet apart. The Delta variant isn’t spreading because people are sitting too close together. The Delta variant is spreading because people are not getting vaccinated.

Atomic Rose, the nightclub on Second a block south of Beale, is now open for lunch 11 AM to 3 PM. They have meat-and-twos for $13, meat-and-threes for $15, plates of 4 veggies for $15, soups, salads, and sandwiches. They also have desserts from Butterific Bakery a half a mile down Second Street.

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns formally notified the SEC that they’d like to become members as of 2025. According to conference bylaws, 11 of the 14 current schools would need to approve their request. Missouri, Texas A&M, and Arkansas are probable “no” votes, but they’d need one more to keep the Longhorns and the Sooners out.

Overnight, the US men’s basketball team came back strong, beating Iran by 54.

Final renderings for the 20-story Grand Hyatt at One Beale have been revealed.

The Gwinnett Stripers brought the Memphis’ Redbirds win streak to an end at 15 last night. The two teams play again tonight at AutoZone Park.

Today is National Hamburger Day. There are a number of spots Downtown where you can get a great burger – Kooky Canuck, Huey’s, Majestic Grille, Rizzo’s, the legendary Soul Burger at Earnestine & Hazel’s. My number-one pick, though, would be the Double-Double at Dyer’s on Beale Street.

The Sip & Song Concert Series comes to Alcenia’s this evening. Bigg Smith performs on the patio 5:30-6:30. They have some of the best soul food you’ll find in this city, so come with an appetite.

Awesome Instagram account to follow: The BAM Bus. Three women all thought they were dating a guy – the same guy – exclusively until they found each other on social media. They arranged a Facetime session to dump him in the most embarrassing way possible. His dream, which he had shared with all three of his “exclusive” girlfriends, was to travel the U.S. living in an old bus. The three women are now living out his dream and having the time of their lives – and they didn’t invite him.

That’s it for this post. Probably going to take an entire day off from going out and focus on writing and related activities, then tomorrow I’ll get out to watch the NBA draft. Back tomorrow with more news.