Whitehaven’s vaccination site saw an overwhelming response over the weekend. 

The commission is also slated to take up a resolution by Mick Wright that calls on the state of Tennessee to send the National Guard, with the assistance of logistics industry professionals, to oversee the vaccination process in Shelby County.

When the city’s water system became a crisis last week, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division was several months underway with a five-year $142.4 million overhaul of water system infrastructure. 

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.

SCS is requiring all in-school personnel to report to their school buildings, health concerns notwithstanding.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division will suspend service cutoffs for nonpayment until further notice and extend its pandemic payment plan option. The boil water advisory remains in effect.

The County Trustee’s office is the exception, staying open for the last week of county tax filing season. Some county employees will be working from home if possible as the administration decides on a day-to-day basis when to open the buildings.

Long lines marked most of the eight sites the city operated Sunday, Feb. 21, to give families with no or slow-flowing water a case of bottled water per car. 

There have been 104,364 vaccines administered in Shelby County, with 74,619 people receiving at least a first dose, and the remaining 29,745 doses given to people who are now fully vaccinated after receiving a second dose. 

A tiny boat crunched through Wolf River Harbor until a four-legged passenger decided to jump out and test the ice.

On The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast, city Parks Director Nick Walker says community centers would remain free but with fees for specific programs. He also talks about “open play areas” like David Carnes Park in Whitehaven.

Those eligible for phase 1b will be able to make appointments starting Wednesday, Feb. 24. That includes teachers, residents above age 65 and childcare workers. 

Memphis, Light, Gas and Water’s water pressure situation has improved since Friday, but the utility organization’s president J.T. Young said it’s still “a critical patient.” He may have a better timetable Sunday on lifting the boil water advisory. Meanwhile, City Council members look at the water crisis.

The Shelby County Health Department is making appointments available for second doses of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines starting Monday, Feb. 22.

Overall, a total of 103,633 total doses were administered in Shelby County. At least 74,396 people in Shelby County received one vaccine dose; 29,237 people have received both COVID-19 vaccine doses, according to Health Department data.

As of Friday, Tennessee’s reported coronavirus total is 762,673 cases, including 11,064 deaths, 973 current hospitalizations and 734,152 inactive cases (recoveries).

The City of Memphis announced that they have partnered with the Memphis City Council to distribute bottles of water Sunday, at 10 a.m. at eight locations.

The second Unity Walk Against Gun Violence is set for Feb. 27 in Whitehaven. 

About 700 students are affected. Rhodes President Marjorie Hass says the campus was having water pressure problems and made the move to help students and also answer MLGW’s call to conserve water during the crisis.

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

The city’s street plowing operation continues at least through Monday but begins to include less busy streets this weekend. Sun and warmer temperatures will help in the effort. But snow is still the dominant feature of the cityscape.

But a cutoff to large industrial water customers is a possibility if water pressure problems persist, MLGW President and CEO J.T. Young said Friday. Related article: Street clearing effort moves beyond major thoroughfares

All vaccination locations are closed Saturday, Feb. 20, and Sunday, Feb. 21, with the exception of the Southwest Tennessee Community College Whitehaven site.

Health Department contracts with Regional One Health for pharmacy support to manage vaccine inventory.

People whose appointments were canceled will receive emails to confirm rescheduled times.