Kane: Record year for Memphis tourism stopped day global pandemic declared
Memphis Tourism president and CEO Kevin Kane says on March 11, the Memphis tourism industry was looking at a record year for revenue and visitors to the city. That was the same day the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 was a worldwide pandemic. And the reaction was swift.
“On March 12, it was over,” Kane said of a record year for tourism. “The fallout started beginning immediately and swiftly.”
On the WKNO Channel 10 program “Behind The Headlines” recorded Thursday, April 2, Kane put current hotel occupancy for the city at 30% of the rooms occupied, which is up from the immediate aftermath of the pandemic declaration.
Kevin Kane, head of Memphis Tourism, says recovery of the hospitality industry in the city could stretch into 2022. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian file)
But Kane still holds to earlier estimates of 70% to 75% of the city’s 50,000 hospitality industry employees being unemployed currently or probably in the future.
The city’s economic boom up to the pandemic declaration included a significant number of plans and construction starts for new hotels.
“If I had to predict will every hotel on the drawing board … will they all happen, probably not,” Kane said. “Will some of them happen, yes.”
The latest word on the Loews convention center hotel in what is now Civic Center Plaza from last week is that Loews executive are still moving forward toward construction within possibly a month or two delay, according to Kane.
The 500-room hotel is tied to a $200 million extensive renovation of the Renasant Memphis Convention Center that is still underway with two shifts of construction workers as a COVID-19 social distancing precaution.
“They are also on two shifts in case, God forbid, somebody on one shift or on one crew gets stricken with COVID-19 and they have to take a whole crew out for 14 days or whatever they would have to do,” Kane said. “They’ve got protocols in place to protect not only their employees but also to protect the job and continuing to go forward.”
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The renovated convention center is scheduled to make its debut in September. Kane said convention and meeting planners who had events canceled through May and June elsewhere have already been calling to see if they can book their events in Memphis this fall as a result.
Kane is serving on a statewide task force assembled by state House Speaker Cameron Sexton that is focused on the economic recovery from an event that Kane and others have said is arguably more severe than the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and the Great Recession that started in 2008 because of the suddenness.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a smaller number of tourists and local attends the St. Patrick's Day festivities Tuesday, March 17, 2020 on Beale Street. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)
“I think this is probably the biggest thing we’ve experienced as far as the impact it’s going to have economically,” Kane said. “We think it could be 2022 before tourism and hospitality is restored fully to where we were in 2019. You’ve got the rest of 2020 pretty dicey, pretty slow. And then you’ve got 2021 -- you are really kind of building yourself up coming out of the ditch.”
That ultimately depends on how comfortable travelers are with moving around the country and how comfortable Memphians and visitors are with being part of a large crowd like that at the Memphis in May International Festival, on Beale Street or at a stadium for a sporting event.
Kane was interviewed the same day that new national unemployment figures showed a record 6.6 million people filed new unemployment claims last week compared to the previous record of 3.3 million new claims the previous week.
The new numbers translate to 94,492 new unemployment claims for Tennessee and 12,548 in the greater Memphis area.
Kane believes the hospitality and connected service industries are most of those new claims for the Memphis area.
“We went from a month or so ago having a labor shortage, not finding qualified people to work at hotels and large restaurants and attractions, to now all of a sudden completely shut down and 99% of their workforce is now unemployed,” he said. “You’ve got to get these people back. You’ve got other sectors that are thriving in this crisis and they are hiring and paying great wages, doing various things because they need workers.”
“Behind The Headlines” airs Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on WKNO. The program can also be heard on The Behind The Headlines Podcast available on this site.
COVID-19 in Memphis and Shelby County: April
Jonathan Magallanes (left), Argentina Uceda and Eleida Gallegos prepare take-out orders as the popular Germantown eatery Las Tortugas reopens on April 28, 2020, with curbside service. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Nate Franklin stretches out during a short break close to the midway point of his solo marathon in East Memphis on April 25, 2020, where family and friends gathered to cheer him on his way. Franklin was supposed to run a marathon when coronavirus got in the way, but the undaunted runner decided to run his own route. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
National Guard medics collect nasal swabs as hundreds of Memphians line up for COVID-19 testing at the Christ Community testing site in Frayser on April 25, 2020. For the first time, testing is being made available to residents not showing symptoms of the disease. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Architect Jason Jackson of brg3s works on his laptop backyard while entertaining his son Oliver in his East Memphis April 24, 2020. Jackson is but one of many people now working from home. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Andy B's bowling and entertainment center general manager Traci Sanchez disinfects bowling balls on April 24, 2020 as part of a strict cleaning regimen. Sanchez says her staff has been cleaning since they closed, and that they are mostly ready to reopen when official word comes down. They expect big crowds upon reopening, and plan to temperature check all patrons. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
George Gattas of Gattas Home Innovations sets up the sound system to accompany a 4k projector he’s installing in an East Memphis home on April 23, 2020. The coronavirus pandemic has forced George Gattas’ new business into hyperdrive, the workload increasing during the crisis as more people are working from home. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A lone passenger checks the flight information display system at Memphis International Airport on Thursday, April 23. The display showed roughly two dozen canceled flights. Memphis International Airport officials are exploring moving all passenger airlines to a single concourse to save money during the air travel shutdown caused by coronavirus. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Little League President Kerry Cobb pulls a pitching machine from a storage container on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at Will Carruthers Park. The league has had a tough fight to keep baseball going in an urban environment. Now, league founder Cobb, a former University of Memphis football player, worries that kids new to the game will fall away as the season is put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Blind Bear Speakeasy owner Jeannette Comans stands outside her club in downtown Memphis on April 19, 2020, with Jared Dover (back left), Abraham Washington (doorway) and Aaron Kruszyinsky (far right), members of her staff who have come back to work. She was able to get a loan to help her business to stay afloat during the coronavirus outbreak, however she has not been able to get all of her employees to come back. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Students from St. George's Institute for Citizenship adhere to social distancing guidelines while handing off homemade sandwiches on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at The Shops of Saddle Creek. Every week the students make sandwiches that are delivered to St. Vincent de Paul's Food Mission. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Christ Community Health Services staff members Blake Chastain (left) and Derico Miller (right) set up a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on April 17, 2020, in the Mendenhall Square Shopping Center. Christ Community will be opening virus testing sites in low-income areas of Memphis starting the weekend of April 18. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Housing Authority resident Roscoe Wells puts on a donated face mask on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Dr. R.Q. Venson Center Apartments. On Wednesday, Ronald and Carolyn Kent, (left) co-owners of the Chow Time and China Inn restaurants, with partners King and Jasmine Chow, (right) donated 10,000 masks to the MHA. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Medical technicians and nurses collect samples as staff from Cherokee Health and Kroger team up to offer a limited 3-day run of free drive-thru COVID-19 testing for people with symptoms, healthcare workers and first responders in the parking lot at the Memphis Business Academy in Frayser on April 22, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A Memphis Police officer directs traffic as staff from Cherokee Health and Kroger team up to offer a limited 3-day run of free drive-thru COVID-19 testing for people with symptoms, healthcare workers and first responders in the parking lot at the Memphis Business Academy in Frayser on April 22, 2020. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Michale Kruckman (center) hits from the fairway while playing a game of Texas skins as golfers return to the Links at Whitehaven golf course on April 18, 2020, on a trial basis to test whether golfers would adhere to social distancing requirements during play. Only one person was permitted per cart and golfers were not allowed to handle the flag. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Lou Albonetti (right) reacts to a missed putt while Bill Sheppard (left) and Ray Duncan watch on from the edge of the green as golfers return to the Links at Whitehaven golf course on April 18, 2020, on a trial basis to test whether golfers would adhere to social distancing requirements during play. Only one person was permitted per cart and golfers were not allowed to handle the flag. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
On April 17, Britton DeWeese drops of dozens of boxes of Gibson’s doughnuts at chef Kelly English’s Second Line restaurant to be added to the care packages English is putting together for workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.(Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Christ Community Health Services staff members set up a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on April 17, 2020, in the Mendenhall Square Shopping Center. Christ Community will be opening virus testing sites in low-income areas of Memphis starting the weekend of April 18. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Amy Lovinelli loads up a yard sign in the trunk of a St. Benedict Academy class of 2020 parent while picking up their child’s cap and gown April 17, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Sondra Morris hands out the cap and gown to a class of 2020 senior's parents at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School April 17, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Savannah Sauceda tries on a mask as inmates at the Shelby County Correctional Center learn how to make fabric masks on April, 17, 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. They have one sewing machine now, but Corrections Division Director Anthony Alexander said they hope to have 10 machines up and running soon to produce several hundred masks a week for staff, inmates and community partners like the YWCA. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Corrections program specialist Gloria Phillips shows a finished product as inmates at the Shelby County Correctional Center learn how to make fabric masks on April, 17, 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Jesus Limones cleans and sanitizes the office of Michael Morgan at Indigo Plaza April 16, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Burke’s Bookstore owners Corey and Cheryl Mesler stand among their books on Thursday, April 16, 2020, in Cooper-Young. The bookstore has been open since 1875, and is now hand-delivering books to customers. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Realtor Donnie Chambliss with Crye-Leike starts his Facebook Live open house tour Sunday, April 19, 2020 in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The corona virus has forced virtual open houses for real estate agents to show and sell homes. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Buster’s owner Josh Hammond delivers an order of beer for pickup on Thursday, April 16, 2020. Buster’s has taken its business totally online since the implementation social distancing guidelines after coronavirus outbreak. Costumers now pay online and can pick up their order curbside. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphians (some masked) go about their business on the Main Street mall on April 16, 2020. New numbers by Unicast, a company that uses cell phone data to track human mobility, suggest that Shelby County residents aren’t doing enough social distancing. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Buster’s employee Chris Miller fills online alcohol orders on Thursday, April 16, 2020. Buster’s has taken its business totally online since the implementation social distancing guidelines after the coronavirus outbreak. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
A normally crowded Beale Street sits empty April 15, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Beverly Robinson (right, pink shirt) works on the hair of her daughter Kensley Robinson, 10, as her other daughter Kentara Robinson, 17, (middle) and granddaughters Krystal Cole, 8 (second left), and Kelsey Robinson, 5, play on their phones or dance in their Hickory Hill apartment on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. In Shelby County, 71% of those who test positive for COVID-19 are African Americans. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
The Shelby County Health Department is working with seven long-term care facilities with coronavirus outbreaks, including Parkway Health and Rehabilitation (shown here) in South Memphis, which has reported 8 residents and 2 staff members infected with the virus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
John Kavach, (left) Director of Fig Tree Emergency Services, and Shannon Privett (right), a case manager with Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, load up frozen meats on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Privett will help deliverer the meals and supplies to 160 formerly homeless families. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee Executive Director Kelley Henderson (middle) helps case manager Shannon Privett (left) load a car with spaghetti diners donated from Pete and Sam’s restaurant on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Pete and Sam’s donated 560 meals to be part of care packages delivered to 160 formerly homeless families. Some of the donated meals will also be handed out to several area churches, which also help feed needy and homeless families. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Heights CDC director Jared Meyers (right) helps with maintenance at Treadwell Park on April 15, 2020. The Heights CDC is struggling to maintain a full workforce even as it launches a COVID-19 response fund to help neighborhood residents struggling to pay bills. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Sheldon Green of the Heights CDC cleans weeds out of the walking path while performing maintenance at Treadwell Park on April 15, 2020. The Heights CDC is struggling to maintain a full workforce even as it launches a COVID-19 response fund to help neighborhood residents struggling to pay bills. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Hans Guenther sits on his back porch in Germantown on April 14, 2020. Despite living an active lifestyle, the 62-year-old contracted COVID-19 and had to be hospitalized. Now, home and fully recovered, Guenther hopes to donate his plasma with the hopes of saving lives. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Crystal Brown (left), who screens all patients at the Cherokee Healthcare clinic in Frayser, takes David Stokes' temperature on April, 14, 2020. The clinic is providing COVID-19 testing in the neighborhood for current and new patients. The Cherokee clinic has set aside a designated space and PPE for healthcare workers to cope with patients who are showing virus symptoms. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tangie Jones helps patients with their prescriptions and health concerns on the telehealth desk at the Cherokee Healthcare clinic in Frayser on April, 14, 2020. The clinic is providing COVID-19 testing in the neighborhood for current and new patients. The Cherokee clinic has set aside a designated space and PPE for healthcare workers to cope with patients who are showing virus symptoms. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Fresh Market customers were asked to wear face masks when entering the store starting Tuesday, April 14, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
A doctor prepares to swab a patient at Christ Community Health's drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Whitehaven on April 13, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A doctor pulls out a fresh testing swab before administering a COVID-19 test at Christ Community Health's drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Whitehaven on April 13, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A doctor jokes with a patent at Christ Community Health's drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Whitehaven on April 13, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A health care worker reminds patients to blow their noses before getting tested at Christ Community Health's drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Whitehaven on April 13, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Health care workers get creative with an oversized vehicle at Christ Community Health's drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Whitehaven on April 13, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
The Village of Germantown front entrance on Monday, April 13, 2020. Five facility residents and two employees have tested positive for COVID-19. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Oak Hall seamstress Susan Nguyen stitches face mask from new shirts and donated materials on Monday, April 13, 2020. Oak Hall sold 1,200 mask in the first 12 hours of the sale. For every mask they sell, they are donating one to Church Health. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Oak Hall employee Priscilla Willis steams face masks made from new shirts and donated materials on Monday, April 13, 2020. Oak Hall sold 1,200 mask in the first 12 hours of the sale. For every mask they sell, they are donating one to Church Health. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Oak Hall employee Sophie Williamson cuts mask patterns from a new shirts and donated materials on Monday, April 13, 2020. Oak Hall sold 1,200 mask in the first 12 hours of the sale. For every mask they sell, they are donating one to Church Health. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
The Reverend Wayne Gillard II preaches to empty pews Sunday morning during a Facebook Live Easter sermon at Monument of Love Church in Orange Mound on April 12, 2020. (Ziggy Mack/Special to Daily Memphian)
Pastor Derrick Joyce enjoys the music during Facebook Live Easter sermon amidst empty church pews inside Monument of Love Church in Orange Mound on Sunday, April 12, 2020. (Ziggy Mack/Special to Daily Memphian)
Sharon Green operates the camera during a Facebook Live Easter sermon amidst empty church pews inside Monument of Love Church in Orange Mound on Sunday, April 12, 2020. (Ziggy Mack/Special to Daily Memphian)
Scott Briggs shovels mulch out of the back of his borrowed truck while planting hydrangeas at a client's home in East Memphis on April 11, 2020. Briggs is a laid off bartender who, rather than pulling unemployment, decided to start a lawn care business called Laid Off Lawncare, which has exploded with business during its first two weeks. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Volunteer bunny J.D. McMillian checks out an Easter greeting in sidewalk chalk as Germantown Parks and Recreation helps local kids get their their big-bunny-fix in an era of social distancing. The parks depatment drives the Easter Bunny around several Germantown neighborhoods on April 11, 2020, to visit over 200 families who signed up on Facebook. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Ned Stroup, 4, dances his way down the driveway as Germantown Parks and Recreation helps local kids get their big-bunny-fix in an era of social distancing by driving the Easter Bunny, played by volunteer J.D. McMillian, around several Germantown neighborhoods on April 11, 2020, to visit over 200 families who signed up on Facebook. As part of the event, kids were encouraged to show their best dance moves while the rabbit played a mix of music including (but not limited to) hip-hop. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Volunteer bunny J.D. McMillian hydrates before a long truck ride as Germantown Parks and Recreation helps local kids get their big-bunny-fix in an era of social distancing by driving the Easter Bunny, played by volunteer J.D. McMillan, around several Germantown neighborhoods on April 11, 2020, to visit over 200 families who signed up for a visit on Facebook. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A worker at the Memphis Botanic Gardens looks over an order for Jimmie Quick Saturday, April 11, 2020. This year's Spring Plant Sale at the Garden was changed to online order and drive-up pick-up. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
Matthew Davis picks up his order from this year's Annual Plant at the Garden at the Memphis Botanic Gardens Saturday, April 11, 2020. This year's sale was done online with pickup at the Garden. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian)
A doctor prepares to test a patient for COVID-19 at the drive-thru testing facility at Tiger Lane April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
St. Francis Hospital-Memphis nurses, including Deonta Buck (middle), raise their hands in praise while attending a prayer vigil in the hospital parking lot for patients and staff on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Nancy Dawson (right) raisers her hand in praise with family members while attending a prayer vigil in the hospital parking lot for patients and staff on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
While St. Francis Hospital-Memphis staff member Dayrl Moore (middle left) preaches, Julie Abell, (left) Bill Wilson (middle right) and Vicki Wilson wave their hands in praise during a prayer vigil in the hospital parking lot for patients and staff on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Stephanie Lepone takes a box of N95 masks from Jill Stockburger outside her East Memphis home April 6, 2020. Lepone, along with roughly 400 other volunteers, agreed to help fix some 20,000 masks Baptist Hospital found that were in need of new elastic straps. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Rachel Robb struggles to get her son Psyler Robb, 3, into proper piggy-back riding position while walking the dog Drama with her husband Matthew Robb (left) at Shelby Farms as Memphians practice social distancing during workouts, dog walks and bike rides either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
William Reynolds of Bartlett protects himself while walking at Shelby Farms as Memphians practice social distancing during workouts, dog walks and bike rides either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Laurie Moorhead works on one of the hundreds of homemade masks she has sewn inside her Collierville home while her dog Auggie watches from the window. Moorhead, a retired school teacher who loves to sew, has made nearly 500 masks so far. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A Memphis Police officer directs traffic at a University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Shelby County Health Department drive-thru testing site for COVID-19 on Monday, April 6, 2020, at the Memphis Fairgrounds. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
A PST officer keeps an eye on the barricaded entrance to Overton Park as Memphians practice social distancing during workouts, dog walks and bike rides either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
KIPP Memphis Collegiate High maintenance man Antoine Shotwell cleans floors at the school on Friday, April 3, 2020. Cleaning crews have worked to disinfect the school in anticipation that students will return to school at the end of the month. Due to the need for social distancing created by the coronavirus outbreak students have been competing the studies from home. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
KIPP Memphis Collegiate High teachers (left to right) Caitlyn Kennedy, James Aycock and Will Redmond disinfect several hundred laptops on Friday, April 3, 2020. The laptops will be distributed to students, as they continue their education from home, after the need for social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak shut down school. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
KIPP Memphis Collegiate High teachers Caitlyn Kennedy (right) and Will Redmond disinfect several hundred laptops on Friday, April 3, 2020. The laptops will be distributed to students, as they continue their education from home, after the need for social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak shut down school. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Keith Norman, Baptist’s vice president of Government Affairs takes pictures of a vacant rental property in Gateway Shopping Center on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will build a temporary hospital of non-acute beds at the shopping center to help deal with the expected coming surge in COVID-19 cases (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
KIPP Memphis Collegiate High teachers (left to right) James Aycock, Will Redmond and Caitlyn Kennedy disinfect several hundred laptops on Friday, April 3, 2020. The laptops will be distributed to students, as they continue their education from home, after the need for social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak shut down school. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Rebecca Fava applies a logo to one of the cloth masks she has been decorating with Memphis themes and selling in her Southaven home office on April 3, 2020. Fava says she has a backlog of 50 masks, but has a shipment coming in from California to be adorned. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Peabody Hotel Spa Manager Katie Williams performs double duty as she sanitizes the common areas inside Peabody Hotel in Downtown Memphis on April 3, 2020. (Ziggy Tucker/Special to the Daily Memphian)
Traveling FedEx pilot Scott Thorpe returns to Peabody Hotel lobby after a run in Downtown Memphis on April 3, 2020. (Ziggy Tucker/Special to the Daily Memphian)
Mid-South Food Bank volunteer Ann Rhodes grabs an arm full of baby supplies during a food distribution event Wednesday, April 1, 2020 on E. Georgia Ave. The mobile pantry provided household goods, food and baby supplies to nearly 300 families. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Carol Webb covers her face with a mask while attending the Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry event Wednesday, April 1, 2020 on E. Georgia Ave. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Roofers Larry Dennis (left) and Glenn Janes (right) descend a latter after checking the roof of a vacant rental property in Gateway Shopping Center on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will build a temporary hospital of non-acute beds at the shopping center to help deal with the expected coming surge in COVID-19 cases (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Mid-South Food Bank volunteer Anne Mark (middle) directs traffic during a food distribution event Wednesday, April 1, 2020 on E. Georgia Ave. The mobile pantry provided household goods, food and baby supplies to nearly 300 families. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Mid-South Food Bank volunteer Paulita Edmonson (middle) places supplies in a car during a food distribution event Wednesday, April 1, 2020 on E. Georgia Ave. The mobile pantry provided household goods, food and baby supplies to nearly 300 families. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Staff and students from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center work with the Shelby County Health Department on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, to continue drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the Memphis Fairgrounds. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Mid-South Food Bank volunteers had out supplies to need families during a food distribution event Wednesday, April 1, 2020 on E. Georgia Ave. The mobile pantry provided household goods, food and baby supplies to nearly 300 families. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Staff and students from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center work with the Shelby County Health Department on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, to continue drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the Memphis Fairgrounds. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
A women covers her face with a scarf while attending the Mid-South Food Bank mobile pantry event Wednesday, April 1, 2020 on E. Georgia Ave. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Staff and students from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center work with the Shelby County Health Department on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, to continue drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the Memphis Fairgrounds. (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
An elderly resident returns home with help from a relative on April 1, 2020, at the Carriage Court assisted living facility in East Memphis where five residents and an employee tested positive for COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
At the Carriage Court assisted living facility in East Memphis five residents and an employee tested positive for COVID-19. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Shelby County Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter (right) attends a press conference on the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian) (Mark Weber/ The Daily Memphian)
Jordan Badgett (left), Kat Gordon and Bridget Carratt joke around in the kitchen as the staff at Muddy's bake their way through the remainder of their supplies during a big temporarily-closing, April Fool's Day sale and costume party all rolled into one at the Muddy's Bakery on Broad Avenue on April 1, 2020.(Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Muddy's Bakery owner Kat Gordon greets customers as the staff at Muddy's bake their way through the remainder of their supplies during a big temporarily-closing, April Fool's Day sale and costume party all rolled into one at the Muddy's Bakery on Broad Avenue on April 1, 2020.(Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Roommates Jessye Heyrana (left) and Abbey Plantz joke around in line while waiting to stock up on chicken pot pies and cookies as the staff at Muddy's bake their way through the remainder of their supplies during a big temporarily-closing, April Fool's Day sale and costume party all rolled into one at the Muddy's Bakery on Broad Avenue on April 1, 2020.(Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Constance Abbey community member Chris Murray (right) discourages his dog Constance from barking during the evening Bible service while Shamont Coon (left) reads scripture on April 2, 2020 at Constance Abbey where the Memphis homeless community comes for food, laundry, showers and other services. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Constance Abbey co-founder Roger Wolcott runs between the two houses helping folks from the Memphis homeless community to get set up with food, laundry, showers and other services during a busy morning on April 2, 2020. Since COVID-19 social distancing,the Wolcotts have seen an uptick in traffic at Constance Abbey as many churches close their doors for social distancing and other homeless facilities cut back to minimize spreading the virus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Constance Abbey community member Michael Smith tries to get the last out of the jam jar while making PP&J sandwiches for hungry homeless at the Downtown charity on April2, 2020. Since COVID-19 social distancing, Roger and Margery Wolcott are seeing an uptick in traffic at Constance Abbey where the Memphis homeless community comes for food, laundry, showers and other services. The increase is due to churches closing doors for social distancing and also other homeless facilities cutting back to minimize spreading the virus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A lone passenger checks the flight information display system with roughly two dozen canceled flights at the Memphis International Airport April 23, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Memphis homeless stop by at Constance Abbey for a morning cup of coffee on April, 2, 2020. Since COVID-19 social distancing, Roger and Margery Wolcott, who run the charity, are seeing an uptick in traffic. The increase is due to churches closing doors for social distancing and also other homeless facilities cutting back to minimize spreading the virus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Constance Abbey co-founder Margery Wolcott greets one of her 'neighbors' in as safe a fashion as possible since the advent of COVID-19 social distancing on April, 2, 2020. Constance Abbey is seeing an uptick in traffic as many churches close their doors for social distancing and other homeless facilities cut back to minimize spreading the virus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Constance Abbey co-founder Margery Wolcott (left) checks in with fellow Constance Abbey community member Shamont Coon while he folds laundry at the front door on April 2, 2020. Since COVID-19 social distancing, Roger and Margery Wolcott are seeing an uptick in traffic at Constance Abbey where the Memphis homeless community comes for food, laundry, showers and other services. The increase is due to churches closing doors for social distancing and also other homeless facilities cutting back to minimize spreading the virus. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Shelby County Health Department health officer Dr. Bruce Randolph strongly states, that any business not adhering to social distancing guidelines will be shut down during coronavirus outbreak press conference on Friday, April 3, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Brad Perkins works out at Beale Street Landing with his wife, Hayley (not pictured), as Memphians practice social distancing walking, working out and relaxing either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Ranger Kelsey Price swaps out signs at the Farm Road entrance to Shelby Farms as Memphians practice social distancing during workouts, dog walks and bike rides either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tammie Echols and her son Torrence Echols, 8, pass by the barricaded entrance to Overton Park during a walk as Memphians practice social distancing during workouts, dog walks and bike rides either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Ian Hill relaxes with his daughters Abigail (left) and Lucy at Shelby Farms as Memphians practice social distancing during workouts, dog walks and bike rides either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Rachel Dawson, 17, (left) prays in the back seat with her family while attending a prayer vigil in the hospital parking lot for patients and staff on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Event organizer Julie Abell (middle) waves at patients' windows while attending a prayer vigil in the hospital parking lot for patients and staff on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Kelley Brown (top) attends a prayer vigil for patients and staff in the St. Francis Hospital-Memphis parking lot on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Inez Todd waves her hands in praise while attending a prayer vigil in the hospital parking lot for patients and staff on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
St. Francis Hospital-Memphis nurses and staff attend a prayer vigil in the parking lot for patients on Monday, April 6, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
An Old Dominick Distillery employee pours a fresh batch of hand sanitizer into six-ounce bottles April 7, 2020. The sanitizer is being produced at the Downtown distillery thanks to an emergency resolution from the Shelby County Commission. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
An Old Dominick employee packages bottles of hand sanitizer for the city's low-income and homeless population April 7,2020. The sanitizer is being produced at the Downtown distillery thanks to an emergency resolution from the Shelby County Commission. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Two doctors work to take a sample from a possible COVID-19 patient at UTHSC’s Tiger Lane¬ testing site April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A UTHSC doctor swabs a patient during a drive-thru COVID-19 test at Tiger Lane April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A member of the Cathedral of Praise church lowers his mask to receive communion during the church's Good Friday Drive-Thru Communion service April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Individual communion packets were handed out to parishioners of the Cathedral of Praise during the church's Good Friday Drive-Thru Communion service April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Stephanie Scoot hands out individual communion packets to parishioners of the Cathedral of Praise's Good Friday Drive-Thru Communion April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A doctor waves a possible COVID-19 patient in for testing at UTHSC’s Tiger Lane¬ testing site April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A doctor holds a walkie talkie wrapped in a surgical glove up to a Spanish-speaking patient so one of his collogues can translate at UTHSC’s Tiger Lane testing site April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Bianca Stitts runs down the hill at Beale Street Landing carting her sister Jameka Barr during a workout as Memphians practice social distancing while walking the dog, working out and relaxing either alone or in small groups on April 4, 2020 after concerns over reports of people congregating in city parks, caused Mayor Jim Strickland to issue new restrictions this week. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Chris Foster, lead pastor of the Cathedral of Praise church, blesses a parishoners car during his church's Good Friday Drive-Thru Communion service April 10, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Shelby County Health Department health officer Dr. Bruce Randolph speaks during a press conference on the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee thanks Memphians sitting in line to be tested for COVID-19 by National Guard Medics during a visit to the Christ Community testing site in Frayser on April 25, 2020. For the first time, local testing is being made available to residents not showing symptoms of the disease. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Christ Community staff, medical technicians and National Guard medics prepare to start a long day of COVID-19 testing as hundreds of Memphians line up at the Christ Community testing site in Frayser on April 25, 2020. For the first time, testing is being made available to residents not showing symptoms of the disease. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
National Guard medics collect nasal swabs as hundreds of Memphians line up for COVID-19 testing at the Christ Community testing site in Frayser on April 25, 2020. For the first time, testing is being made available to residents not showing symptoms of the disease. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
National Guard medics collect nasal swabs as hundreds of Memphians line up for COVID-19 testing at the Christ Community testing site in Frayser on April 25, 2020. For the first time, testing is being made available to residents not showing symptoms of the disease. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
National Guard medics collect nasal swabs as hundreds of Memphians line up for COVID-19 testing at the Christ Community testing site in Frayser on April 25, 2020. For the first time, testing is being made available to residents not showing symptoms of the disease. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Housing Authority resident Constance Lloyd (middle) sings paperwork while receiving a donated face mask on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Dr. R.Q. Venson Center Apartments. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
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Bill Dries
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for more than 40 years.
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