Memphis has always been a religious city. We will rise to the occasion, because we are a city driven by the engine of faith. 

Social distancing is creating big challenges for local organizations that provide services and meals to the needy in Memphis.

In the Saturday afternoon address, a Shelby County Health Department official provided context for the importance of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland's "Safer in Place" executive order as well as updates and responses to local cases and national health recommendations.

The Memphis coaching staff is leaning on technology to build relationships during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Donald Thomason, dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, said the college has received 2,000 masks from Hebei University and Hebei Medical University. Thousands more are en route from elsewhere in China.

The bootleg T-shirts that inspire Rebecca Fava’s face masks were symbols of a city coming together. Her masks, and other homemade endeavors like them, are perhaps fitting symbols of the city in pandemic times — coming together by staying apart.

The warning is equally stern for essential businesses, who must sanitize and enforce social distancing, even if it means changing business practices.

Memphis resident Nick Kenney is getting in more miles than ever during a “shelter at home” order with few people or cars on the streets. Jogging and many other outdoor activities are allowed, as long as people keep their distance.

As the coronavirus threat heads toward an expected surge later this month that could overwhelm the county’s healthcare system, experts fear the potentially life-threatening outbreak at Carriage Court could be a bellwether for the county’s 58 licensed nursing homes and assisted care facilities, several situated in some of Memphis’ poorest communities.

Memphis Oral School for the Deaf and Madonna Learning Center are confronting unique online learning challenges.

The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that became law.

Isabella, a 4-year-old patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, sailed into hospital history with her decidedly-of-the-times No More Chemo party.

Nearly 4,500 people logged on to QuarantineCon, an online professional development conference co-founded by Memphis native Scooter Taylor. 

If you have been tested for COVID-19, isolate as if you are positive.

The faithful are attending Sunday school, Bible study and choir practice on YouTube and Twitter, and turning Facebook into a fellowship hall. 

The head of Memphis Tourism said on "Behind The Headlines" that the recovery of the tourism sector in the city could stretch into 2022. Kevin Kane was appointed recently to a state task force on the economic recovery from COVID-19.

Frayser church volunteers its property to become needed testing site in the neighborhood. 

Gov. Bill Lee issued a “shelter at home” order Thursday, April 2, but said it was based on traffic data rather than the urging of physicians who asked him more than a week ago to take extra steps to restrict the transmission of COVID-19 with a surge approaching.

State lawmakers say schools likely won't reopen this year amid the COVID-19 threat, and some are questioning the state Department of Education for rolling out applications for education savings accounts during an emergency.

The state plans to build a temporary hospital of non-acute care beds at the Gateway Shopping Center on Jackson Avenue. Other sites are being evaluated.

City braces for surge in COVID-19 cases. An announcement is expected Friday, April 3, on the site of a 1,000-bed temporary hospital to accommodate the coming surge, local leaders announced Thursday. 

Daily Memphian photographers Jim Weber, Mark Weber and Patrick Lantrip, along with a number of regular contributors, document the impact as citizens, businesses and government deal with the novel coronavirus in Memphis and Shelby County. To view our full coverage, check out The Daily Memphian’s coronavirus landing page.

View images in the March photo gallery here. 

“This is not just a recommendation but a requirement supported in law,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph, health department medical officer.

Across the Memphis area, people are reaching out to others with gestures of kindness and generosity.

Governor Bill Lee will sign Executive Order 23 requiring that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.