Memphians practicing social distancing and following recommended safety measures while in public sport the latest fashion accessory, coronavirus masks, turning us all into benign bandits.

As Shelby County approaches the beginning of "Back to Business" on Monday, 30,000 tests have been administered in the area. A downward trend in the percentage of positivity points to slower spreads of COVID-19, despite rising totals of infected citizens.

Parts of Memphis’ $3.5 billion a year tourism industry could make a comeback as soon as next week. The city will vet reopening plans on a case-by-case basis.

In Shelby County, 53 individuals have died from the virus.

Studies show that anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate can be reduced by listening to music, and that music has been linked to better sleep while on a ventilator in the ICU. Health care professionals have described a reduction in stress and empathy fatigue from listening to music.

This month's playlist is accompanied by news about the Music Export Memphis COVID-19 Relief Fund, which to date has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to individual Memphis musicians.

Mediation is getting underway on a consent decree modification case between the city and the American Civil Liberties Union. The city wants to modify a 41-year-old consent decree governing police activities.

The boards produced inside the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center allow COVID-19 patients on ventilators to communicate without talking. 

Not every business will be willing or prepared to reopen Monday even if allowed to under the Memphis and Shelby County "Back to Business" plan. 

Longtime Memphis musicians Jeff Hulett and Jacob Church worked remotely to conceive their new collaborative album, "Safe @ Home." The songs explore themes related to isolation, anxiety and hope in an era of social distancing.

The first 11 grants, totaling $62,500, were approved Friday, May 1, under the Economic Development Growth Engine's new program to aid small, inner-city businesses struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased testing shows the county’s COVID-19 task force is approaching the goal of testing 1,000 people daily. A declining rate of positive cases reflects evidence that the spread of the virus has slowed. 

Shelby County's suburban cities are beginning to expand on openings allowed under the first phase of the local "Back to Business" phased plan and will allow "close contact" businesses to open next week.

On Friday, TDOC confirmed more than 1,246 COVID-19 positive cases, out of 2,450 total tests, among staff and inmates at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Trousdale County.

Congratulations, you made it to May. Today, we're talking about plans to reopen the local economy, balancing work from home with homework, shakes go sayonara and how special events have changed since the coronavirus came on the scene. 

One Houston High junior decided he could get a head start on his senior capstone project. He took the opportunity to give back to healthcare workers.

You've seen the parades all over town, haven't you? For birthdays and elementary schools and the like? Well, they had one at Trezevant Manor Thursday. It was the happiest parade of them all. 

We can’t even stand up and come together as one to fight something that’s killing us for two or three months without falling apart. After all, we need our nails done and a haircut.

City of Memphis COO Doug McGowen discusses the metrics Memphis’ elected officials and health officers studied to determine when to start gradually reopening the city. 

House and Senate leaders could run into disagreement on whether to concentrate only on the state’s budget in a COVID-19 economic disaster or take up hot social items such as abortion restrictions, constitutional carry and even the Bible bill when the Legislature returns June 1.

The city's chief operating officer said on Behind The Headlines that the hospital is one example of how the pandemic has changed and will continue to change how the city addresses issues that existed before COVID-19 arrived.

Restaurateurs have differing opinions on whether the decision to open restaurants on Monday is the right thing to do; some say it’s time, some say it’s too soon.

Ron Redwing and Golden Gate Cathedral set out to ease a financial burden for residents in Frayser, but the addition of music made for a timely party at the pump.

Here's a brief rundown of the businesses you can expect to see open May 4.

The Rev. Robert W. Marshall is expected to assume his new responsibilities in Louisiana in July. His installation and ordination are on hold until the faithful, perhaps only a percentage of their number, can gather.