A proposed ordinance was introduced yesterday in City Council to require the wearing of protective face masks in public. It passed the first reading, 11-2, and will have two more readings at the May 19 and June 2 Council meetings.
I have come around to supporting this measure, although like many people I was against it at first, seeing it as an inconvenience. You know what else is an inconvenience, though? Being trapped under a Safer at Home house arrest for 40+ days. Remember, the phases of re-opening can go backward as well as forward. If cases of COVID-19 surge, we could go back to Phase 0.
I do agree that the following points need to be addressed:
- Availability – I only have a mask because my kind neighbors had an extra. You can’t tell people not to go out without a mask without telling them where to get a mask. Fortunately this looks like it is being addressed – more on that in a minute.
- Cost – Many people are already not able to pay their rent or their MLGW bill right now. We don’t need to be telling them to go spend $12.99 on a mask. Masks would need to be available for free for anyone needing one.
- Enforcement – by whom? In a city posting big numbers for violent crime and property crime, MPD cannot afford to have its time further divided.
Beginning this week, free face masks will be available to Tennesseans at county health departments. The Shelby County health department is located at 814 Jefferson.
There’s a bed for sale at Royal Furniture on Main Street that has a headboard that lights up.
I’m surprised it hasn’t sold yet, especially since stimulus checks were mailed recently.
You can get tested for COVID-19 in Shelby County even if you are asymptomatic, if you work in one of the following professions:
- Jail or prison
- First responder
- Health care professional
- Work in critical infrastructure (grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, restaurants)
Peabody Mother’s Day update:
Mother’s Day At Home order deadline is extended ’til Wed, 3PM. Some items are sold out, but you can still treat Mom to Peabody Brunch in Bed, choose from several dinner options, and add a cocktail kit, a Feathers Spa gift card, or Peabody tote bag. https://t.co/bAMbyr9DEU pic.twitter.com/tPXm1ciAxI
— The Peabody Memphis (@PeabodyMemphis) May 5, 2020
This isn’t Downtown news, but good news for the Memphis metro: The Bojangle’s restaurant chain is indeed moving to the area, and is said to be opening a location on Goodman west of I-55 down in Horn Lake. Great sausage biscuits, steak biscuits, and country ham biscuits.
DJ Bay spins during the lunch hour on Thursday:
#VibeOut virtually with us TOMORROW on the @DowntownMemphis FACEBOOK LIVE for lunch (5/7) starting at 12pm! #saferinside #flattenthecurve #carryoutconcert pic.twitter.com/CuSTOR1ZnK
— Downtown Memphis (@DowntownMemphis) May 6, 2020
Belle Tavern will be back for window service only Friday-Sunday this weekend and Thursday-Sunday next weekend.
That’s it for this post. Back later today or tomorrow with more.