On a good day, Dinishia Jones could make $300 in tips as a server on Beale Street. Even the slow shifts brought in something.
Last Thursday was not a good day. It wasn’t even a slow day. When Dinishia worked the lunch shift, no one came in.
“We didn’t turn one table,” said Dinishia, who has worked four years as a server at King’s Palace Cafe. “Not one. I’ve never seen that.”
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at The University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid use agreement. Follow the Institute on Facebook or Twitter @psr_memphis.
The next day she got laid off. That day, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland declared a state of civil emergency, closing restaurant dining rooms and bars.
“My income went from not much to nothing.”
This was the time of year Dinishia counted on to get back on her feet – literally and figuratively.
Beale Street crawls through January and February, except on game days. The street starts moving again in March. Customers fill the restaurant for March Madness, Africa in April, Memphis in May, and sometimes Grizzlies playoff games.
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That was before the COVID-19 pandemic started shutting down the city.
Last Thursday, when Dinishia’s income suddenly vanished, she and her son, Therron, moved back into her car.
“I really needed things to get better. They just got worse,” said Dinishia, a 39-year-old diabetic who spent three weeks in Methodist North after stepping on a large piece of glass in January.
“I didn’t think they could get any worse.”
***
Dinishia Jones (right) sits by herself as her son Therron Farsee Jr. walks the Walgreens aisles on March 24, 2020, while they wait more than an hour for her prescriptions to be filled. Jones recently had surgery on her foot after stepping on a piece of glass while working as a server job at a Beale Street restaurant. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
***
It’s difficult for a woman to find space at a homeless shelter in Memphis. It’s nearly impossible for her to find shelter with her teenage son, even under normal circumstances.
Efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus have caused nearly all of the city’s handful of homeless shelters to close, partially or entirely.
People of faith and good will are scrambling to fill the void. They’re also struggling with a new challenge.
“How do you balance the call to offer Christian hospitality with the real concerns that such hospitality is putting people at risk?” said Dr. Pete Gathje, academic dean at Memphis Theological Seminary.
Gathje is co-director of Manna House , a “place of hospitality” for the homeless in Midtown. It’s not a shelter, but it does provide coffee, clothing, bathroom breaks, showers and conversation.
“We believe compassion is contagious,” it says on Manna House’s website.
Unfortunately, so is the coronavirus.
Monday morning, Gathje told his guests that Manna House would be open only one morning each week to reduce the chances of “social transmission” of the virus.
He also told them the ministry no longer will offer coffee or showers or a place to gather and talk and get out of the rain.
“I can’t find a bathroom with restaurants closed. Where am I supposed to wash my hands now?” one man asked Gathje.
“Where do they expect us to go to ‘shelter in place’?” another man asked.
Gathje didn’t have any answers.
He knows the closings of libraries, community centers, restaurants, churches and shelters will make it even more difficult for many who are already on the edge and have nowhere else to go.
Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophone player Kirk Whalum is a Manna House volunteer, offering shaves and haircuts to homeless men and women in Memphis. Typically open three days a week to provide hospitality, showers and clean clothes to the poor and homeless in Memphis, the coronavirus pandemic is forcing the ministry to open only one day a week. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Daily Memphian file)
“It’s heartbreaking,” Gathje said. “The heart of hospitality is to recognize and welcome and be with people who already are isolated and alienated being on the streets.”
Rev. Lisa Anderson, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, faced the same painful decision last week.
Anderson, is founding executive director of Room in the Inn , now in its 10th year.
Room in the Inn is a network of nearly five dozen congregations that feed and shelter up to 80 women and men every night from October to April.
Anderson decided to close the ministry two weeks early because of the coronavirus. The last night of shelter was March 16.
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“Even with all of the extra precautions we were taking, our guests and many of our volunteers were in the groups considered most vulnerable to COVID-19,” Anderson said.
“Our congregations were genuinely hesitant to stop providing shelter, but how do we keep doing what we’re called to do when we know we’re putting our guests and our volunteers at risk?”
***
Dinishia Jones (left) smiles at her son Therron Farsee, Jr. in the office of HER Faith Ministries on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Mother and son have been living the ministry's office for nearly a week after Jones lost her job as a server on Beale St. after the coronavirus outbreak. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
HER Faith Ministries founded by Rev. Dr. Elaine Sanford (right) looks over Therron Farsee, Jr. to see that he is presentable before he heads off to check on the status of job applications on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Therron Farsee, Jr., looks up directions to AutoZone on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Farsee, who submitted several job applications online wanted to show his face to managers to show how serious he was about getting a job. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dinishia Jones (left) joyfully proclaims “You can do anything” while celebrating with Rev. Dr. Elaine Sanford (right) after learning her son was offered a job interview on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Jones and her son have been living in HER Faith Ministries’ office after living out of their car and local hotels. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dinishia Jones is comforted by her son Therron Farsee, Jr., while filing online job applications on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at HER Faith Ministries. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dinishia Jones (right) sits by herself as her son Therron Farsee Jr. walks the Walgreens aisles on March 24, 2020, while they wait more than an hour for her prescriptions to be filled. Jones recently had surgery on her foot after stepping on a piece of glass while working as a server job at a Beale Street restaurant. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dinishia Jones (left) checks to make sure she received all her prescriptions with Rev. Dr. Elaine Sanford in the Walgreens parking lot on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. HER Faith Ministries help Jones obtain her medicines that cost over $300. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dinishia Jones sits on a blowup mattress were she has laid her head for nearly a week after HER Faith Ministries provided a place for to stay during the the coronavirus outbreak. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Therron Farsee Jr. gives his mother, Dinishia Jones, her first insulin shot in nearly a month on March 24, 2020. HER Faith Ministries helped Jones obtain her medication, which costs more than $300. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dinishia Jones loads wet clothes into a dryer as son Therron Farsee, Jr., (left) hovers close by at a local laundromat on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dinishia Jones spends a moment reflecting while filling out online job applications on March 24, 2020 at HER Faith Ministries. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
View Gallery
***
Dinishia and her son have been at risk for months.
She moved into her 1996 Buick Skylark in early January after fleeing domestic violence.
“People ask how you can live in your car,” she said. “I didn’t have nowhere else to go. And I got peace in my car.”
Therron, her 19-year-old son, was living with someone else at the time. He had completed his first semester at Southwest Tennessee Community College, but had to drop out in January for lack of funds.
When he found out his mother was living in her car, he joined her.
“I’m not going to let my mama stay by herself in no car,” he said. “She’s gotta be my first priority.”
Dinishia cut her right foot on a piece of glass at work in January, but she needed the tip money so she kept working. The foot got worse. Therron finally convinced her to go to the ER.
“I’d already had my middle toe on my other foot amputated,” she said. “I begged the doctor not to cut off my foot.”
Therron Farsee Jr. gives his mother, Dinishia Jones, her first insulin shot in nearly a month on March 24, 2020. HER Faith Ministries helped Jones obtain her medication, which costs more than $300. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
He didn’t. Dinishia was in the hospital for three weeks. Therron stayed with her. While she was recovering, a hospital aide gave her the name of a minister to call when she got out.
Dinishia was discharged in early February. She and Therron moved back into her car. After a couple of very cold and rainy nights in her green four-door shelter, she called the number.
“I didn’t know what to make of her story,” said Rev. Elaine Sanford. “It was crazy. But it was pouring rain when she called, and I was trying to get home, so I told her to give me an hour and I’d call her back.”
Sanford, pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church, has heard a lot of crazy stories. She is founding director of Her Faith Ministries , a nonprofit organization that helps women who have lost their jobs, their providers or their family support systems.
Sanford called back. Therron answered the phone. He was whispering. He said he didn’t want to wake his mother. She’d finally gone to sleep with her foot propped up.
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“On the bed?” Sanford asked.
“No, on the dash,” Therron said.
“I thought maybe they’d found a place to stay,” Sanford remembered. “But they were still in the car.”
***
Room in the Inn is the city’s second largest homeless shelter, and one of the few that take adult women.
The Memphis Union Mission, the largest shelter, is still operating but accepts men only.
The YWCA, which operates the only emergency domestic violence shelter in Shelby County, remains open for up to 42 women and some children under 18.
The Salvation Army Single Women’s Residence and the Missionaries of Charity take in women, but both have stopped accepting new people.
So has Calvary Rescue Mission for men. Like other homeless ministries, Calvary has asked volunteers to stay away for now.
“That hurts. Our 400 volunteers provide about half our meals,” said director Bob Freudiger. “We even stopped bringing in guest preachers for our daily chapels. First thing they want to do is shake your hand.”
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Mayor Strickland’s “Safer at Home ” order exempts “individuals experiencing homelessness.” It also strongly urges them “to seek shelter, and governmental and other entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable.”
That won’t be easy.
MIFA, the Hospitality Hub, the Community Alliance for the Homeless and others are scrambling to fill the gaps.
“We don’t have enough beds generally, but even in the worst weather, we’d be able to squeeze in everyone who wanted a bed. Not now. Not with this virus,” said D. Cheré Bradshaw, executive director of the Community Alliance for the Homeless .
When Room in the Inn closed suddenly last week, the Hospitality Hub of Memphis reached out to one of its founding members, First Presbyterian Church .
The Hub partners with 200 other agencies to help people exit homelessness.
About two in five of the people they help are women. But only 6% of the shelter beds in Memphis are for women. About half of those were provided each night by Room in the Inn.
“The main thing First Presbyterian does is outreach to the disenfranchised,” said Kelcey Johnson, the Hub’s executive director. “Their location is one that our guests are accustomed to visiting for help.”
Rev. Kori McMurtry shows a visitor First Presbyterian Church's social distancing spaces of the women's shelter on March 24, 2020. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The Downtown church agreed to set up an emergency “pop-up” shelter for women in its fellowship hall. It opened Tuesday March 17.
“We understand that operating a shelter at this time is difficult and we do not take it lightly,” said Rev. Kori McMurtry, First Presbyterian’s senior pastor.
“It’s hard to figure out how to protect me from you and you from me, but we’re going to do what we can to protect these women.”
Staff from the Hub and Room in the Inn run the shelter.
The church asked one of its elders, Dr. Jeff Warren, a physician and Memphis City Council member, to make sure the emergency shelter met the CDC’s pandemic guidelines.
That includes ensuring that beds are a safe distance apart, linens are cleaned every day, and the space is regularly disinfected.
The church is closed to members and access to the shelter is restricted.
It’s a temporary and imperfect solution.
The Hub and church leaders are working to find a larger space that includes showers. That will allow the women to shelter in place.
“We are two weeks behind this virus and we’re getting no help from the federal government,” Warren, a member of the city and county COVID-19 task force, said Tuesday evening.
“This is a slow-rolling disaster, and no one is coming to help us. If we work together as a community and achieve 65% social isolation, we may be able to thread this needle and mitigate the threat.”
***
Dinishia and her son moved out of her car and into a motel for a month in mid-February, courtesy of Her Faith Ministries.
Dinishia Jones spends a moment reflecting while filling out online job applications on March 24, 2020 at HER Faith Ministries. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
She went back to work. He started looking for a job.
“I just needed a little help to get back on my feet and get my tips coming in again,” Dinishia said. “Things always pick up in March.”
On March 11, Dinishia and Therron checked out of the motel provided by Her Faith and into another one across the street. Dinishai paid $71 for a weeks’ rent.
Five days later, on March 17, Mayor Strickland declared a state of emergency . ”I encourage you to continue to-go orders and support our local restaurants,” Strickland told the public.
Servers don’t make tips on to-go orders. Two days later, Dinishia’s tables were empty. The next day, she and Therron moved out of the motel and back into her car.
The next day the car wouldn’t start. She called Rev. Sanford.
By then, cheap motels were filled with coronovirus refugees.
“People are getting desperate,” Sanford said. “Our phone is ringing and ringing and ringing. But we couldn’t just leave them in a car.”
Dinishia and Therron have been living in Sanford’s church office since Saturday. There’s a microwave, a small fridge and a couple of mattresses.
Dinishia and Therron are both looking for new jobs.
It’s a temporary and imperfect solution.
“I’m grateful for the help,” Dinishia said, “but I’d rather be serving others right now than having someone serve me.”
COVID-19 in Memphis & Shelby County: March Davin Roberson passes by the Tom Lee statue with a tattered surgical glove while taking a morning walk through the sparsely populated Tom Lee Park on March, 31, 2020 after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced that the city would start limiting access to city parks, including closing Riverside Drive. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Downtown Memphis resident Lea Ohara takes a walk through a sparsely populated Tom Lee Park on March, 31, 2020 after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced that the city would start limiting access to city parks, including closing Riverside Drive. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A PST officer keeps watch over a sparsely populated Tom Lee Park on March, 31, 2020 after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced that the city would start limiting access to city parks, including closing Riverside Drive. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A truck drives by the Kruger Inc. plant on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Kruger makes 1 million rolls of toilet paper a day in North Memphis. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Sharon Gant, RN, is overwhelmed with the group gathered to show their gratitude towards health care workers Sunday night, March 29, 2020 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
ER staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville come out of the hospital to view the signs and supporters gathered to show their appreciation for the health care workers, Sunday, March 29, 2020. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Nurses and staff exit Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville after their shift Sunday night, March 29, 2020. A group showed up with signs of encouragement to show their appreciation for the health care workers. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Kayleigh Taylor, 9, holds her sign of support for the health care workers at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville Sunday night, March 29, 2020. Kayleigh's father, Chuck Taylor, and brother, Jackson Taylor joined her. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Sara Kate Netherton, 5, runs with excitement after seeing nurses coming out of Baptist Memorial Hospital- Collierville during shift change Sunday night, March 29, 2020. Netherton and about two dozen showed up to show their support to the health care workers. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Trisha Gray, R.N. waves at the supporters gathered at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville Sunday, March 29, 2020. A group showed up Sunday at shift change to express their appreciation to the health care workers. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Krystal Cruise places "Heroes Work Here" sign outside Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville, Sunday, March 29, 2020. Citizens showed up at the parking lot Sunday night during shift change to show support to the health care workers. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Renee Timbs (right) and Donngal Mac Ronain with the Midsouth Makers try to figure out the right settings to cut clear plastic without melting it while creating face shields for the Memphis Medical Society on March 29, 2020. The group of tinkerers used 3-D printers to create the frame and a laser cutter to make a matching transparent shield. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Dave Myers (left), Ernest McCracken and Rich Thompson (right) with the Midsouth Makers donate their time to assemble face shields for the Memphis Medical Society on March 29, 2020. The group of tinkerers used 3-D printers to create the frame and a laser cutter to make a matching transparent shield. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Former Memphis State great Elliot Perry, hands out 14-day food boxes being distributed during a drive-through event at Memphis Athletic Ministries’ Grizzlies Center on Friday, March 27, 2020. The Mid-South Food Bank’s mobile pantry helped to supplement the food boxes for larger families. New Grizzlies player Justice Winslow and his mother, Robin Davis, were instrumental in their support of the event. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Athletic Ministries volunteers Anne Chambers (left) and McKenzie Akins (right) assemble 200 14-day food boxes that were distributed at a drive-through event on Friday, March 27, 2020. The Mid-South Food Bank’s mobile pantry helped to supplement the food boxes for larger families. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Athletic Ministries volunteer Jeff Cage (middle) directs traffic during a drive-through food distribution event on Friday, March 27, 2020. Cars backed up for over a mile, as they waited to grab supplies and food. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
A sign at the Overton Park playground explains why the playground is closed, but some Memphians were ignoring the warning on Friday, March 27, 2020, which is one of the reasons why City officials have threatened to shutter parks entirely. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A sign at the Overton Park playground explains why the playground is closed, but some Memphians were ignoring the warning on Friday, March 27, 2020, which is one of the reasons why City officials have threatened to shutter parks entirely. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Mostly well spaced out crowds flock to Shelby Farms on March 26, 2020, as Memphians emerge from their sheltering-in-place to enjoy a budding spring day after weeks of poor weather and worse news have conspired to keep most folks indoors. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Lena Koelsch, 6, (right) draws encouraging messages to the sanitation workers and others walking along their street on Thursday, March 26, 2020 in East Memphis. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Elliana Mohundro, 7, (left) along with her friends draws encouraging messages to the sanitation workers and others walking along their street on Thursday, March 26, 2020 in East Memphis. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Neighborhood friends (let to right) Elliana Mohundro, 7, Lewis Koelsch, 3, Lena Koelsch, 6, and Namoi Burton, 4, draw encouraging messages to the sanitation workers and others walking along their street on Thursday, March 26, 2020 in East Memphis. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Staff and students from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center work with the Shelby County Health Department on March 25, 2020, to continue drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the Memphis Fairgrounds. Patients must be pre-screened by University Clinical Health to ensure they have symptoms before they can get an appointment for testing at the drive-thru site. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Staff and students from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center work with the Shelby County Health Department on March 25, 2020, to continue drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the Memphis Fairgrounds. Patients must be pre-screened by University Clinical Health to ensure they have symptoms before they can get an appointment for testing at the drive-thru site. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Staff and students from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center work with the Shelby County Health Department on March 25, 2020, to continue drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the Memphis Fairgrounds. Patients must be pre-screened by University Clinical Health to ensure they have symptoms before they can get an appointment for testing at the drive-thru site. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
RN Shoniece Tate swabs a drive-thru patient as staff from Christ Community Health Services administer some 50 free COVID-19 tests at a tent behind their South Memphis clinic on March 21, 2020. Patients were screened before they could be tested to determine if they had symptoms associated with COVID-10, whether they'd traveled to an at-risk area or had otherwise been exposed to the coronavirus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Nurses wait for the next drive-thru patient as staff from Christ Community Health Services administer some 50 free COVID-19 tests at a tent behind their South Memphis clinic on March 21, 2020. Patients were screened before they could be tested to determine if they had symptoms associated with COVID-10, whether they'd traveled to an at-risk area or had otherwise been exposed to the coronavirus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
CBU engineering student Luiz Parolini Dutra, like many other international students, is languishing in the dorm on March, 24, 2020, as he begins remote course work. Luiz says he had packed up all his belongings because he thought he was going to have to switch rooms, but it didn't happen so now everything is a mess. He spends a lot of time in the cafeteria where food service is still operating, but calming the anxiety and boredom is a one-person show. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Students (left to right) Traevone Toney, 12, Zaniya Toney, 8, Janae Fisher, 10, and Kelsey Porter, 12, pick up work packets during a Shelby County Schools food distribution event Monday, March 23, 2020, at Orange Mound Community Center. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Sylvia Stewart (right) along with granddaughter Arianna Moore, 4, grab work packets during a Shelby County Schools food distribution event Monday, March 23, 2020 at Orange Mound Community Center. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Buffy Langford and her five children plan to stay inside, as ordered, to fight the spread of COVID-19. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland issued a shelter-at-home executive order Monday, March 23, "directing all residents of Memphis to stay inside their homes, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary to take care of essential needs." (Karen Pulfer Focht/ Special To The Daily Memphian)
Newlyweds Holly Whittle and John Steinert kiss in front of cheering friends who surprised them in the parking lot after their wedding on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. The couple had to pare down their wedding after social distancing was strongly encouraged to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Bride Holly Whittle walks down the aisle with her father, Jim Whittle, at her wedding to John Steinert on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. The couple had to pare down their wedding after social distancing was strongly encouraged to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. The couple's originally plan for 150 guests was reduced to 10 immediate family members. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Josh Spickler of Just City heads to the Shelby County Jail to post five bonds on March 22, 2020. Spickler plans to bail out 50-60 people to help them escape the threat of possible COVID infection. He has up to $75K available from the RFK Human Rights organization and others. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Josh Spickler of Just City counts out money to post five bonds on March 22, 2020. Spickler plans to bail out 50-60 people from the Shelby County Jail to help them escape the threat of possible COVID infection. He has up to $75K available from the RFK Human Rights organization and others. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Marisa McCracklin (left) and Vernetta Johnson experiment with new ways to high-five as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Jerrika Minnis (from left), 3, Jakira Jones, 5, and Paris Moore, 7, grab classwork from first grade teacher Taylor Beardall (reflection) while getting donated supplies at KIPP Memphis Preparatory Elementary school on Friday, March 20, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Erivana Sevion, 11, struggles to get her mask to sit right as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Kalynn Allen, 10, (left) ponders what donated supplies to grab while filling bags with Vincent Martin, 12, (right) that will be given to parents at KIPP Memphis Preparatory Elementary school on Friday, March 20, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Richard Lute, 71, passes out gloves with his wife Shirley Lute (right) as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Brenda Hardy (left) and pastor Doug Williams (center) pray with Sandra Ward (right) and her grandson Carnell Ward as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Christina Floyd gathers information during a drive-through food drive as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Autumn Robison, 2, pears out from a sunroof as her aunt Carlesha Chearie (bottom) grabs classwork from 1st grade teacher Tylor Beardall (left) at KIPP Memphis Preparatory Elementary school on Friday, March 20, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Sheri Bell (left), Marisa McCracklin, and Vernetta Johnson experiment with new ways to high-five as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Third grade teacher Franklin LeSueur hands out donated supplies and classwork to parents at KIPP Memphis Preparatory Elementary school on Friday, March 20, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Pastor Sheila Floyd keeps an eye on things as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
"It just feels like a dark time, and Christmas lights seemed to be a good way to bring some light to our neighborhood." said Ashley Baker as she, her husband Ryan and their three kids pulled out strings of lights, candy cane yard art , and their 12-year-old frosty standup to decorate their Midtown yard on March 20, 2020. Baker also admitted that it was a good way to get the kids out of the house and participating in a family activity as many Memphians start to feel a little cabin fever forced to lock down their homes in leu of spring break fun. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
"It just feels like a dark time, and Christmas lights seemed to be a good way to bring some light to our neighborhood." said Ashley Baker as she, her husband Ryan and their three kids pulled out strings of lights, candy cane yard art , and their 12-year-old frosty standup to decorate their Midtown yard on March 20, 2020. Baker also admitted that it was a good way to get the kids out of the house and participating in a family activity as many Memphians start to feel a little cabin fever forced to lock down their homes in leu of spring break fun. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Target Memphis Central customer Aggie Gaddy wears a medical face mask while perusing the depleted grocery aisles on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the store replaces their cleaning supplies and paper good daily and by the afternoon they are gone. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
A coronavirus testing tent is setup outside the Midsouth Coliseum at Tiger Lane on Thursday, March 19, 2020. The testing center is not operational, but officials hope to start testing by early next week. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Target Memphis Central customers form a line as they grab toilet paper on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the store replaces their cleaning supplies and paper good daily and by the afternoon they are gone. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Target Memphis Central team member Davunshae Gainer stocked depleted shelves with paper towels on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the store replaces their cleaning supplies and paper good daily and by the afternoon they are gone. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Target Memphis Central customers wait outside the store before it opens on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the store replaces their cleaning supplies and paper good daily and by the afternoon they are gone. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Es’ynce Woodruff, 9, (left) points to rolls of paper towels while shopping with Paris Hall (right) at the Target Memphis Central Store on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the store replaces their paper good supplies daily and by the afternoon they are gone. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Shanetha Russell wipes down refrigerator doors with cleaning wipes at the Target Memphis Central Store on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Customers shop the empty paper goods aisle at the Target Memphis Central Store on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
ITS Fine Restaurant Group social media team members Bella Golightly (left) and Miles Kovarik (right) strategize ideas to help displaced servers on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at Loflin Yard. Earlier that day, the local restaurant group announced the closure of several properties and employee layoffs due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Golightly, Kovarik and others in the group are looking for creative ways to help laid-off employees earn income during these trying times. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Shoppers line up outside the busy Costco on Germantown Parkway as management attempts to comply with federal social distancing guidelines by allowing 10-20 customers into the store periodically, a policy designed to control checkout lines and crowding inside the store. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Costco employee Jodie Bowden disinfects grocery cart handles for customers as the enter the busy Costco on Germantown Parkway where management attempts to comply with federal social distancing guidelines by allowing 10-20 customers into the store periodically, a policy designed to control checkout lines and crowding. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A list of out-of-stock items greets shoppers lined up outside the busy Costco on Germantown Parkway as management attempts to comply with federal social distancing guidelines by allowing 10-20 customers into the store periodically, a policy designed to control checkout lines and crowding inside the store. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Deltha Earnest boxes up shrink-wrapped packages as food prep workers at the SCS Nutrition Services center sort meals slated for delivery to a local community center on March 18, 2020. The SCS Nutrition Services Center will be ramping up production next week as the school district makes plans to distribute meals from some 60 sites that students on the school lunch program will be able to take home. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Claudia Diggs (right), Stanley Cooke and Jennifer Dennis join a line of food prep workers at the SCS Nutrition Services center to sort meals slated for delivery to a local community center on March 18, 2020. The SCS Nutrition Services Center will be ramping up production next week as the school district makes plans to distribute meals from some 60 sites that students on the school lunch program will be able to take home. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Food prep workers at SCS Nutrition Services sort meals slated for delivery to a local community center on March 18, 2020. The SCS Nutrition Services Center will be ramping up production next week as the school district makes plans to distribute meals from some 60 sites that students on the school lunch program will be able to take home. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Cadarius Hart joins a line of food prep workers at SCS Nutrition Services to sort meals slated for delivery to a local community center on March 18, 2020. The SCS Nutrition Services Center will be ramping up production next week as the school district makes plans to distribute meals from some 60 sites that students on the school lunch program will be able to take home. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Alisa Haushalter (right) sits in an empty Shelby County Commission chamber with David Sweat, Chief of Epidemiology for the Shelby County Health Department, while awaiting her briefing with the County Commission on March 18, 2020. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Kendrica Wright and Lee Williams sit on an empty Beale Street on St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Area restaurants and bars are experiencing a smaller number of customers due to the outbreak of coronavirus. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Miss Polly’s waiter Eli Wheeler scans his cell phone during an unusually slow St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Area restaurants and bars are experiencing a smaller number of customers due to the outbreak of coronavirus. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Harmonica player Michael Blumenthal performs in front of the empty Kings Palace Cafe on St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Area restaurants and bars are experiencing a smaller number of customers due to the outbreak of coronavirus. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Artists Carl Brown (left) and Ernest Lawson (right) pack up their supplies around 7:30 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Area restaurants and bars are experiencing a smaller number of customers due to the outbreak of coronavirus. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tourists celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Beale Street on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, walk by the Blues City Cafe & Band Box billboard stating they temporarily will not have live music. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Buddy Nemenz sings to a small crowd gathered at Silky O’Sullivan’s on St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, on Beale Street in Downtown Memphis. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, a smaller-than-normal number of tourists and locals attend the St. Patrick's Day festivities Tuesday, March 17, 2020 on Beale Street in Downtown Memphis. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Musician Jamie Kenton strums his guitar on a vacant Beale Street on St. Patrick's Day Tuesday, March 17, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, a smaller number of tourists and locals attend the St. Patrick's Day festivities Tuesday, March 17, 2020, on Beale Street in Downtown Memphis. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
And the band plays on ... Larkin Bryant (left) and Jim Turpin turn out traditional Irish tunes at Celtic Crossing on St. Patrick's Day March 17, 2020, as pub-goers try to balance everyday life with social distancing in wake on the coronavirus pandemic. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Margaret Walker sanitizes the wheelchair of her father, 80-year-old Henry Lantrip, while picking him outside of The Glenmary at Evergreen for a doctor's appointment on March 17, 2020. In the light of the coronavirus outbreak, visitors are not permitted inside the assisted living facility. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Alem Worku signals down the line as volunteers gather in groups of 10 to work an assembly line on March 17, 2020, at the Midsouth Food Bank warehouse putting together 14-day food kids for needy families in Memphis. The Food Bank is trying to assemble 50,000 kits consisting of 25 pounds of canned, vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, oatmeal and rice to feed families that may be forced into isolation by COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Ellen Barnes boxes up cans of fruit as volunteers gather in groups of 10 to work an assembly line on March 17, 2020, at the Midsouth Food Bank warehouse putting together 14-day food kids for needy families in Memphis. The Food Bank is trying to assemble 50,000 kits consisting of 25 pounds of canned, vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, oatmeal and rice to feed families that may be forced into isolation by COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Ariel Wade assembles boxes as volunteers gather in groups of 10 to work an assembly line on March 17, 2020, at the Midsouth Food Bank warehouse putting together 14-day food kids for needy families in Memphis. The Food Bank is trying to assemble 50,000 kits consisting of 25 pounds of canned, vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, oatmeal and rice to feed families that may be forced into isolation by COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
ServiceMaster employee Nick Eddy disinfects his cubical with bleach wipes at the ServiceMaster headquarters in Downtown Memphis on March 17, 2020, as many corporations shift to working remotely and others ramp up their cleaning regimen due to COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
ServiceMaster day porter Adrian Curry cleans and disinfects the cafeteria at the ServiceMaster headquarters in Downtown Memphis on March 17, 2020, as many corporations shift to working remotely and others ramp up their cleaning regimen due to COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A smattering of tourists and spring breakers visit Beale Street on March 13, 2020, before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began urging a nationwide halt to gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A mobile mammogram bus retrofitted to test patients for COVID-19 sits outside of Baptist Memorial Hospital on March 13, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Janitorial contractor Angela Jones wipes down phones and handrails in the deserted baggage claim area at Memphis International Airport on March 13, 2020. In addition to adding more cleaning staff to clean and disinfect, the airport has temporarily closed the C terminal checkpoint as well as Maggie O'Shea's and Moe's Southwestern Grill restaurants because passenger numbers have fallen significantly below projections during an expected spring break peak time due to COVID-19 . (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A weary Dan Aaby waits for a flight home to Roscoe, Illinois, at Memphis International Airport on March, 13, 2020. The airport has temporarily closed the C terminal checkpoint as well as Maggie O’Shea’s and Moe’s Southwestern Grill restaurants due to COVID-19 because passenger numbers have fallen significantly below projections during an expected spring break peak time. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
The Memphis International Airport has temporarily closed the C terminal checkpoint as well as Maggie O'Shea's and Moe's Southwestern Grill restaurants because passenger numbers have fallen significantly below projections during an expected spring break peak time due to COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Deeanna Beene shops for paper goods during a busy day at the CashSaver in Midtown Memphis on March, 12, 2020, where there were some shortages on cleaning wipes and disinfectant as customers fearful of COVID-19 try to stock up. Beene says her doctor suggested she wear a mask because she might be at an elevated risk due to her age and diabetes. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Shoppers look for cleaning supplies during a busy day at the CashSaver in Midtown Memphis on March, 12, 2020, where there were some shortages on cleaning wipes and disinfectant as customers fearful of COVID-19 try to stock up. Manager Taylor James compared the recent volume to a prolonged snow storm with shoppers expecting to eat from home for awhile. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Crystal Dannell picks up a few snacks during a busy day at the CashSaver in Midtown Memphis on March, 12, 2020, where there were some shortages on cleaning wipes and disinfectant as customers fearful of COVID-19 try to stock up. Dannell has been visiting her brother, who suffers from leukemia, at the hospital and was asked to take extra precautions while out. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A man leaves the Memphis VA Medical Center wearing a mask on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the hospital is using tents to pre-screen anyone who enters the facility. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
A man leaves the Memphis VA Medical Center wearing a mask on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the hospital is using tents to pre-screen ayone who enters the facility. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Terrance Miller, a member of the Blue Suede Brigade, shoots photos for spring breakers Devina Lias (right) an Cherish Bridges in front of the National Civil Rights Museum on March 13, 2020. Miller is looking at a serious loss of income from his side gig with FedExForum security as sporting events and concerts get cancelled due to COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Terrance Miller, a member of the Blue Suede Brigade, jokes with spring breakers Devina Lias (left) and Cherish Bridges in front of the National Civil Rights Museum on March 13, 2020. Miller is looking at a serious loss of income from his side gig with FedExForum security as sporting events and concerts get cancelled due to COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Terrance Miller, a member of the Blue Suede Brigade, passes by the "I am a man" mural on South Main while walking his route near the National Civil Rights Museum on March 13, 2020. Miller is looking at a serious loss of income from his side gig with FedExForum security as sporting events and concerts get cancelled due to COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Students and parents from Tara Oaks Elementary Schiol board the Island Queen at Beale Street Landing for a short field trip tour of the Mississippi on March 12, 2020. All six suburban school districts have announced they are not planning to close early or for additional days in response to COVID-19 fears despite the Shelby County Schools' decision to close. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A Westside Elementary student walks past the front of his school after getting out of class on March 12, 2020. Shelby County Schools announced they are closing schools, starting March 13 and resuming March 30 “due to national developments and rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19," said Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Westside Elementary School parent Jacquetta Surney (center) crosses the street after picking her children Dominic McCoy, Damarrhi McCoy and Meilani Surney from school on March, 12 2020. Shelby County Schools announced they are closing schools, starting March 13 and resuming March 30 “due to national developments and rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19," said Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Central High School students listen to music as they wait for their afternoon ride on the steps at Central on March 12, 2020. Shelby County Schools announced they are closing schools, starting March 13 and resuming March 30 “due to national developments and rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19," said Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Shelby County Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter gives an update about the coronavirus on March 11, 2020, at the Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security office. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Concerned about catching "A cold or coronavirus, or just getting sick," Ernest Trice dons a mask in a crowd of Bloomberg supporters at Minglewood Hall as Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg delivers his stump speech during a campaign stop in Memphis on Feb. 28, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Church member Richard Lute, 71, passes out gloves as members of the Pursuit of God Church in partnership with Life Church, Bellevue Baptist and Mid-South Food Bank assemble some 250 food baskets to give away to those in need on March 20, 2020 at Pursuit of God Church in Frayser. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Rev. Sara K. Corum, pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Memphis, preaches to her congregation in a livestream on Sunday, March 22, 2020, from an empty room in her midtown church. The church was closed to worshippers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to the Daily Memphian)
Rev. Sara K. Corum, pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Memphis, preaches to her congregation in a livestream on Sunday, March 22, 2020, from an empty room in her midtown church. The church was closed to worshippers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to the Daily Memphian)
Parent Dasha Pullen (right) grabs work packet for her children during a Shelby County Schools food distribution event Monday, March 23, 2020 at Orange Mound Community Center. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Bailey Station Elementary School preschool teacher rides through the neighborhoods of the school's students with her dogs Monday, March 23, 2020. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Marci Nobert, kindergarten teacher at Bailey Station Elementary School, and her daughter Mallory get ready to caravan with other teachers through the neighborhoods of her students to show support for the students during the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Collierville Municipal Schools were on Spring Break last week and will be off until further notice. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Gwen Reese, Director of Quality and Patient Safety for Christ Community Health Services, shows one of the swab kits being used during free COVID-19 tests at a drive-thru tent behind Christ Community's South Memphis clinic on March 21, 2020. Patients were screened before they could be tested to determine if they had symptoms associated with COVID-10, whether they'd traveled to an at-risk area or had otherwise been exposed to the coronavirus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Lauren Thomas (left) and Shandrika Springfield with Christ Community Health Services screen patients before they can be tested for COVID-19 at a drive-thru testing station behind Christ Community's South Memphis clinic on March 21, 2020. Patients were screened before they could be tested to determine if they had symptoms associated with COVID-10, whether they'd traveled to an at-risk area or had otherwise been exposed to the coronavirus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Newlyweds Holly Whittle and John Steinert smile during the their wedding with immediate family on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Holly Whittle (left) gazes at her bridegroom John Steinert during their wedding on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Bridal couple Holly Whittle and John Steinert kneel as the bride's brother, Father Patrick Whittle (middle), presides over their wedding on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church. The couple had to pare down their wedding after social distancing was strongly encouraged to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. The couple's original plan for 150 guests was reduced to 10 immediate family members. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Bride Holly Whittle (left) looks through a door before her wedding to John Steinert on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. The couple had to pare down their wedding after social distancing was strongly encouraged to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Logan Abrahams hold a smart phone of a screaming Kristin Barry while they FaceTime during a surprise party for couple Holly Whittle and John Steinert after the couple married on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Newlyweds John Steinert and Holly Whittle celebrate with cheering friends who surprised them in the parking lot after their wedding on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Lance Horner (middle) uses a tape measure to make sure friends are six feet apart before they surprise bridal couple Holly Whittle and John Steinert after their wedding on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Newlyweds Holly Whittle and John Steinert celebrate with cheering friends who surprised them in the parking lot after their wedding on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at St. Louis Catholic Church. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Gloria Snipes adjuster her facemark while grabbing 14-day food box during a drive-through event at Memphis Athletic Ministries’ Grizzlies Center on Friday, March 27, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Athletic Ministries cousins Zachary Lesueur, 14, (left) and LeDerion Upshaw, 15, grab cartons of milk as they assemble 14-day food boxes that were distributed at a drive-through event on Friday, March 27, 2020. The Mid-South Food Bank’s mobile pantry helped to supplement the food boxes for larger families. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Athletic Ministries volunteer Kennyatta Morris (right) directs traffic during a drive-through food distribution event on Friday, March 27, 2020. Cars backed up for over a mile, as they waited to grab supplies and food. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Athletic Ministries volunteer Lindell Bonner places fresh vegetables and fruit in a car trunk during a drive-through food distribution at a on Friday, March 27, 2020. The during the event nearly 12,000 pounds of food and 200 14- day food boxes where handed out to families that waited in lines reaching over a mile long. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Matt Blackwell tries to take his social distancing seriously as soon as he can get his inflatable catamaran onto Hyde Lake at Shelby Farms on March 26, 2020, as Memphians emerge from their sheltering-in-place to enjoy a budding spring day after weeks of poor weather and worse news have conspired to keep most folks indoors. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Erik Cortes spins his niece Anabella Garcia, 8, like a dervish at Shelby Farms on March 26, 2020, as Memphians emerge from their sheltering-in-place to enjoy a budding spring day after weeks of poor weather and worse news have conspired to keep most folks indoors. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Paige Burchett tries to teach her mother Quartella Burchett how to do the Tick-tock dance to pass the time while practicing a form of social distancing with the rest of the Burchett family at Shelby Farms on March 26, 2020, as Memphians emerge from their sheltering-in-place to enjoy a budding spring day after weeks of poor weather and worse news have conspired to keep most folks indoors. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Mostly well spaced out crowds flock to Shelby Farms on March 26, 2020, as Memphians emerge from their sheltering-in-place to enjoy a budding spring day after weeks of poor weather and worse news have conspired to keep most folks indoors. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Mostly well spaced out crowds flock to Shelby Farms on March 26, 2020, as Memphians emerge from their sheltering-in-place to enjoy a budding spring day after weeks of poor weather and worse news have conspired to keep most folks indoors. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Davin Roberson laughs as he notices the Tom Lee statue with a tattered surgical glove while taking a morning walk through the sparsely populated Tom Lee Park on March, 31, 2020 after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced that the city would start limiting access to city parks, including closing Riverside Drive. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Renzo Gabaldon (right) pulls his niece Hope Jacobs, 7, out of the Overton Park playground after he noticed her inside the wall but some Memphians chose to ignore a posted warning on Friday, March 27, 2020, which is one of the reasons why City officials have threatened to shutter parks entirely. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
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