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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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

Assisted-living and nursing home facilities are on high alert after coronavirus outbreaks at Carriage Court in Memphis and a more widespread cluster at a Gallatin center. 

The Health Department made public some social-distancing guidelines that golf courses should follow if they want to operate. But the eight public courses in the City of Memphis will remain closed.

Rain Tuesday morning helped decrease the crowds in some parks after the city also closed some roads into and through city parks. The parks remain open but are battling sunshine and pandemic cabin fever to moderate the crowds. And planners are working on life after COVID-19 at Tom Lee Park.

The Memphis mayor also announced he is closing access roads to and in city parks, including Riverside Drive by Tom Lee Park, to discourage large crowds like those that gathered last week during two sunny days. The move stops short of closing city parks outright, but Strickland said he is willing to consider that too.

Some local golf courses are open but imposing social-distancing precautions. 

Abuses of social-distancing restrictions at city parks could force the city to close them.

“We’re building an airplane in the air and doing it on a stopwatch. We’ve got a minute to build it.” 

The online vote changed the City Council’s method of debating items and rounding up votes. But the issue remains a constant in council deliberations whether in person or online.

No one was at City Hall for the meeting which was all on-line except for roll call votes by voice on matters for an institution that has had electronic voting for nearly 40 years.

Health professionals agree social distancing is the primary strategy to bring the pandemic under control in Memphis. But there are differences on who should be tested. The civil emergency decree that goes into effect Tuesday at 6 p.m. is also a porous set of restrictions that has to rely on the public taking the potential to spread the disease seriously.

Here is everything you need to know to watch Tuesday's meeting of the Memphis City Council -- a rare online-only session of the city's legislative body during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tuesday council session includes setting aside $2 million in the city budget for pandemic responses like reducing transit fees and better funding the Mid-South Food Bank.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said the impact on the economy from the civil emergency measures is being felt but can't be avoided as the city tries to stop the spread of the virus to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed.

A historic state of civil emergency from Mayor Jim Strickland Tuesday shuts down restaurants, bars, gyms and urges a suspension of services at places of worship. The move represents an action last used by a Memphis mayor during the 1978 police and firefighter strike.

The festival is looking at dates in the fall for the series of events that cover a month.

The declaration doesn't close any businesses or force the cancellation of any events at this point. Strickland says it unlocks federal assistance to the city and allows the city to make quick buys of emergency equipment and supplies. 

This week was to have been a critical point in the grant process, with grant-writing and administration workshops that are required for getting a grant from the City Council.