A Phase 2 reopening of the Memphis area economy appears imminent after Shelby County Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter said Friday, May 15, she sees no significant barriers to a continued loosening of restrictions.

The latest COVID-19 data is consistent with the trend the pandemic is stabilizing in Shelby County.

Shelby County Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter said there are “no significant barriers” to reopening, but that it would be premature to reopen before the full 14 days.

A source helped Momentum score 30,000 masks, given at no cost to help agencies here. In 10 minutes, they were taken.

The operational difference between “Phase 1” and “Phase 2” was always fairly narrow and has grown more so via “phase creep.”

County health department data shows 3,523 coronavirus cases, 78 deaths and 2,115 recoveries as of Thursday. A total of 46,444 tests were administered locally for COVID-19.

State Rep. Barbara Cooper announced Thursday that free, voluntary testing for COVID-19 will begin next week in many of the city’s housing units in Memphis. 

The southwest Tennessee region including Memphis reported 6,634 new unemployment claims in week ending May 9, pushing the total near 80,000 since COVID-19 business closings began.

School, hospital and government leaders in northeast suburbs are hopeful businesses will be able to see phase 2 reopenings next week.

Experts say government regulations for nursing homes will drive change, but that costs of doing business the new way may also drive bankruptcies.

The slowly rising tide of local confirmed COVID-19 cases and related deaths can get lost in the uneven ebb and flow of daily numbers.

The expansion is the first allotment of nearly $50 million in federal CARES Act funding for Shelby County government and goes to the Shelby County Commission approval. County Mayor Lee Harris already has a plan for the rest of the money outside of the health department.

The stabilization of Shelby County’s COVID-19 new case rate, along with increased testing and the steadily declining positivity rate, are among factors officials are considering when deciding whether Memphis and Shelby County should expand the reopening plan in the coming weeks.

Vehicle admission will be limited per screen and guests must purchase a carload ticket in advance.

Local elected leaders and health experts differed on the first phase of reopening the Memphis economy. But some mayors say they remain unified as they approach the reopening's second phase.

Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday a stronger supply of personal protective equipment could allow him to change a decision requiring the state Department of Health to share information about COVID-positive patients with law enforcement to help first responders.

Community service hours completed by St. Mary’s Community Fund students open new opportunities for a lifetime of service.

Shelby County reported 3,421 coronavirus cases, 72 deaths and 1,959 recoveries as of Tuesday, according to the health department. The total of tests reported is 43,906 or 4.7% of Shelby County’s population.

Gov. Bill Lee extended continuation of a previous executive order to boost social distancing efforts. It maintains extended deadlines for motor vehicles and handgun permits and encourages working from home. 

Shelby County Health Department study models to predict COVID-19, where virus reproduction rate is the significant factor. Right now that number in the medium range, but rising in surrounding counties. 

Before the pandemic, the Memphis Zoo was a choose-your-own-adventure endeavor, but for the time being, visitors will be guided in one direction around the exhibits. “If you’re just here to see the giraffes it’s going to take you awhile, because you’re going to have to walk the walk,” says zoo CEO Jim Dean.

Around the world, nurses are demonstrating their compassion, bravery and courage as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Never before has their value been more clearly demonstrated.

Memphis voters and a voter advocacy organization are suing the state for a court order allowing any voter worried about the COVID-19 pandemic to vote via absentee ballot.

One consistent trend in the past couple of weeks is a higher number of tests leads to a higher number of cases, and the same can be largely said for the reverse. That’s led to a declining positivity rate despite the day-to-day fluctuation of daily new cases and testing numbers.

The Tennessee Caucus of Black State Legislators is asking Gov. Bill Lee’s Administration to stop giving names and addresses of COVID-19-positive people to law enforcement, contending it will cause people who don't trust the government to avoid testing.