If COVID-19 wasn’t enough to rattle every nerve at area hospitals, fallout from the winter storms is pushing health care workers to the brink.

The frozen, almost impassible roadways around the metro area last week increased absenteeism among hospital workers, then low water-pressure problems arose from so many broken water mains and pipes across the Memphis, Light, Gas and Water Division system. Read how hospitals are trying to handle their latest monumental challenges here. 

It is not just hospitals. FedEx and the airport have been crippled by the winter weather as well. Hopefully, the melt down this week will be the last in 2021.

Turns out that Memphis is, in fact, getting some logistics help from the private sector as it tries to become more efficient vaccinating a county population of nearly 1 million people.

Representatives from Chick-fil-A and FedEx, experts in drive-thru operations and logistics, have been advising the city on vaccination sites. The real challenge, they say, will come when vaccination supply increases in the coming months.

Rida AbuZaineh is hoping he can find a new place for his unique, 8-foot-wide Peanut Shoppe that has operated for decades Downtown.

The property owner wants to begin renovating the building and AbuZaineh has until the end of the year to find another place and move. It is the only Peanut Shoppe remaining in Memphis and one of few still open in the country.

There is much more business news below. And if you haven’t read about how the Midsouth Jeep Club has helped health care workers, it is worth your time. – Terry Hollahan, business editor.

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The pandemic and dropping sales have challenged downtown’s Peanut Shoppe. But now the colorful shop that has operated in the same place for 72 years faces more adversity. It must move or close at the end of the year.

Some using bottled water to wash fruit, vegetables in cafeterias and cutting back on surgeries.  By Jane Roberts

FedEx Express has had to temporarily suspend service to many cities in eight states in the South and Midwest, and its other businesses also are suspending services.  By Blake Fontenay

Faced with the monumental challenge of trying to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of people against COVID-19, city and county officials haven’t been shy about consulting with business executives for tips on how to improve their operating efficiency. By Blake Fontenay

American Queen Steamboat Co. announced its 2023 schedule, including a significant increase in the number of cruises along the Mississippi River between Memphis and New Orleans. By Blake Fontenay

The center will allow airplanes to de-ice in the same location, rather than at various places around the airport. That will make it easier for airport workers to collect and dispose of glycol, the chemical used to de-ice airplanes. By Blake Fontenay

Band of Jeeps are on the road nearly 24-7, donating time, gas to keep Mid-South health care workers moving in the cold.  By Jane Roberts

Movers & Shakers

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Paragon Bank recently announced the appointment of Chris Waggoner as Senior Vice President of Mortgage Banking. By The Daily Memphian Staff

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