Tag: coronavirus

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Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Oxford Film Festival Postponed Indefinitely Due To Coronavirus

The 2020 Oxford Film Festival, scheduled to take place March 18-22, has been postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “We have concluded that the only responsible decision is to postpone the 2020 festival until later in the year,” says OFF board chair Sparky Reardon. “While we are heartbroken to have to make this decision, our first priority must be the health and safety of our community, our attendees, our supporters, and our filmmakers.”

The annual film festival, which was scheduled to kick off next Wednesday with a selection of Mississippi films before proceeding with a gala screening of the 1990s cult classic Pump Up The Volume on Thursday, attracts filmmakers and cinephiles from all over the United States. Several Memphis filmmakers were scheduled to present their work at the festival, which maintains close ties to the Mid South filmmaking community.

Earlier today, Mississippi health officials confirmed the first case of COVID-19 had been identified in the state. The patient is an adult male from Forrest County who recently returned from a trip to Florida. There is no indication the patient has connections to the film festival, but state health officials have recommended citizens avoid mass gatherings.

Given the fluid situation, the OFF has not yet set a date for the rescheduled festival. “It is our intention to present the full slate of exceptional films, speakers and panels at a later date when the festival may be held under conditions deemed safe by governmental and health authorities,” says Reardon. 

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News News Blog

Second Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Shelby County

A second case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Shelby County, according to the Tennessee Department of Health’s website.


This brings the number of total cases in Tennessee to 18. Williamson County has  eight cases. Davidson has six, Shelby has two, and Sullivan and Knox each have one.


The state health department has performed 88 tests at its state lab to date.


Earlier Thursday Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency over the threat of coronavirus. The governor signed an executive order that will allow for Tennessee to receive additional funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and that will relax certain laws making it easier to respond to the disease.

Second Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Shelby County

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News News Blog

Gov. Lee Declares State of Emergency Over COVID-19

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency Thursday amid the threat of coronavirus.

“As the number of cases rise, the responsibility that we each have rises as well,” Lee said at a Thursday press conference.

This move makes Tennessee one of 20 states to declare an emergency in response to coronavirus.

Lee said while the risk to the general population remains low, the risk for vulnerable populations “is very real.” Vulnerable populations include older adults and those with underlying health conditions or chronic illness.

He advised those individuals to stay home when possible and avoid large gatherings where they are likely to contract the virus. Lee also encouraged the public to avoid non-essential visits to nursing homes and hospitals.

The governor signed an executive order earlier Thursday that will allow Tennessee to receive additional funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and that will relax certain laws making it easier to respond to the disease. Wednesday the state received just over $10 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support the state’s response to the virus.


Watch the governor’s full news conference below:

Gov. Lee Declares State of Emergency Over COVID-19

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News News Blog

COVID-19: SCS, Rhodes, UTHSC, U of M Suspend Classes

As concerns about the coronavirus grow, Shelby County Schools announced Thursday that schools would be closing through the end of March beginning Friday, March 13th.

School officials are taking this proactive step although they said there still have not been any risks to schools identified by the Health Department.

“However due to national developments and rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19, Superintendent [Joris] Ray, our school board, and district leadership believe this is the most responsible course of action at this time,” reads the statement from SCS. “Closing schools is never a decision that we take lightly.”


Schools will be closed for a total of 11 days, including five days scheduled for spring break next week. Officials said during that time, the district will perform deep cleaning to all school buildings, fully assess potential risks associated with individuals who may be traveling over the break, and plan for “a variety of contingencies that will better prepare us to support schools if conditions become more complicated in the future.”

Late Wednesday Rhodes College announced that all in-person classes would be suspended and that the campus will implement a remote learning plan for the remainder of the semester. The college is also canceling all campus gatherings and events for the rest of the semester.

“This decision is determined to the best course of action for Rhodes to protect not only our community, but also the larger Memphis community,” a statement from the college reads. “However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and we acknowledge that what is best for us is not necessarily best for all institutions.”

The college is also asking that students who are able to do so move out by Wednesday, March 18th. International students, students without reliable internet access, and those without a home or a safe home, may request to stay on campus.


The University of Tennessee System, including the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis, has also suspended in-person classes until further notice. Classes will be offered remotely beginning March 23rd. All university-sponsored events will also be cancelled beginning then.

The University of Memphis said Thursday that spring break would be extended for an additional week and that classes will resume Monday, March 23rd. Beginning then, the majority of courses will be held virtually for the remainder of the semester. Additionally, university-sponsored events with more than 150 attendees will be canceled or postponed.

The campus will not close, however, as officials said campus housing and dining are essential for a large number of students. Cleaning and social distancing guidelines will be shared with those utilizing university housing and dining facilities.


Shelby County Health Department officials said Wednesday that there are no new cases of the coronavirus in the county and that everyone who came into contact with the patient here testing positive for the virus — approximately 80 individuals — has been quarantined.

As of Wednesday, nine patients in Tennessee have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Check the health department’s webpage dedicated to COVID-19 for more information. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center also has a page dedicated to updates COVID-19 information.

Shelby County officials have also launched their own portal with up-to-date, essential information about the virus.

This story was updated to include information about the University of Memphis.

Categories
Opinion The Last Word

Hold My Beer!

We really dodged a bullet that the upcoming holiday is St. Patrick’s Day and not Cinco de Mayo. Can you imagine the chaos if we were drinking Corona instead of Guinness this week? I told a coworker that I refused to think people are so stupid that they would believe the beer had anything to do with the Coronavirus. 

My co-worker said, “Hold my beer.”

The truth is, while reports emerged of Corona beer sales falling, it was only half the truth. All beer sales dropped, according to one fact-checking website. You’d almost believe the general public would drink more during a time of crisis. Apparently the general public opted to stock up on sanitizer, toilet paper, and water instead of alcohol. Are we maturing as a nation during times of crisis? Pfft. Don’t be silly.

Though on the subject of public panic, I’ve seen some pretty weird reactions. Take the end-of-the-world crisis predicted for 2012 by the Mayans, for example. My brother lovingly and thoughtfully gifted his whole family gas masks. Not the cheap ones either. These gas masks looked military issued grade A, sturdy as hell with all the bells and whistles.

My only thought was, “If you wankers are going to repopulate the Earth, I opt out.”

During the same time period, a friend took me for coffee and laid out a plan to move to Idaho. He felt — for reasons unknown to me or anyone, really — Idaho would be immune to global flooding due to magnetic shifts and whatnot. When I told him that I thought some 90-year-old Mayan woman tasked with chiseling the Mayan calendar out of stone had just simply gotten tired and quit around about the date December 20, 2012, he took me to the movie 2012 to back up his argument. It was his $22.50. I saw a free movie. 

Feeling the movie would sway my outlandish belief that the world would survive past 2012, he invited me join him in Idaho and build a new world.

Again, my only thought was, “If wankers like you are going to repopulate the Earth, I opt out,” followed by the spoken words, “No thanks. I don’t like potatoes.” Which is a damn lie. I love spuds.

Speaking of spuds, the Irish holiday looming before us will get special attention by those who want to use it as an excuse to act immaturely. According to Wallet Hub, Chicago is the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I find this hard to believe. I’ve been to Beale Street for the Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade. Not only does Beale celebrate the Irish community, but they also have an annual raising of the goat. Raised goats are pretty cool. I don’t remember it, but my Uber receipt is proof. It will hold up in a court of law.

By the way, PSA: You don’t want to end up in a court of law. Uber if you are going to drink green beer and watch raised goats on Beale. If you must go to Chicago, it’s close enough to drive so that you aren’t accidentally served Corona on a plane by hordes of strangers who may potentially have pesky virus germs.

Also according to Wallet Hub, 57 percent of Americans plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in 2020 and will spend $6.16 billion, roughly 10 times the amount Mike Bloomberg spent on his campaign to sway the American Samoa caucus in his favor. This has nothing to do with leprechauns and such, but while we’re doing math, might as well point out an election year fact.

The average partier will spend $43; 79 percent of them will wear green. Fifty pounds of green dye will be used to turn the Chicago River green for five hours while 400,000 onlookers gawk at the process. I guess when you don’t have a Beale Street and a Silky O’Sullivan’s in your back pocket, you rely on garish marketing antics. In fact, Chicago has relied on this particular antic since 1962.

Another presidential fun fact, the crystal ball of shamrocks will be given to the POTUS by Ireland’s prime minister again this year. Which will promptly be put to good use as the table centerpiece for the annual POTUS St. Patrick’s Day meal, Big Mac with a side of fries.

Getting back on track, people are stupid. And it’s St. Patrick’s Day this week, so let’s celebrate with a nice room-temperature Guinness wearing an overpriced paper face mask surrounded by all the wankers out there who want to repopulate the Earth after (insert current reason to panic here).

Julie Ray is the Flyer calendar editor and author of the Five Things To Do This Weekend in Memphis weekly web post for Memphis magazine.

Categories
News News Blog

COVID-19: County Health Department Makes Recommendations for Workplaces

Head of the Shelby County Health Department said Wednesday that employers and individuals should begin thinking about taking extra precautions in light of the coronavirus being declared a pandemic.

Alisa Haushalter, director of the health department, said there are no new cases in Shelby County and that the county is still in the containment phase of managing the outbreak, but “at some point we may move into mitigation, which is broader community strategies.”

“When we know that there is increased transmission, either worldwide, or in this case Middle Tennessee, we have to have heightened awareness,” Haushalter said at a Wednesday press conference.

As of Wednesday there are nine confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Tennessee: one case each in Shelby and Sullivan counties, two in Davidson County, and four in Williamson County.

There are more than 1,000 cases of the coronavirus in the United States, which have resulted in 29 deaths, according to the latest numbers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Haushalter said the World Health Organization’s declaring COVID-19 a pandemic is important because “that means there is significant transmission worldwide.”

At this point, Haushalter recommends that workplaces and organizations do the following:

• Assess their continuity of operations plan and determine how they would operate if they had a significant number of team members out

• Look at their sick leave policies and ensure they are able to support individuals staying at home if they are ill

• Create an environment where people don’t come to work coughing and running a fever so that if people are sick they are not spreading it in the work environment


For individuals, Haushalter said “it’s critical now that they begin to look very closely at travel and make prudent decisions to avoid places where there is active transmission of the disease.”

Seniors and those who have chronic illnesses should be “particularly aware of travel” and should consider keeping a “social distance” and avoiding large crowds.

Haulshalter also reiterated the importance of hand washing for at least 20 second with soap and water, avoiding touching the face, and staying home if you are sick with any respiratory symptoms or running a fever.

Haulshalter advised that people who think they might have the coronavirus should call ahead before visiting a health care provider.

The county is convening a task force to ensure that the social needs of quarantined families are being met. County officials are also working with the local health care community to make sure uninsured individuals have access to appropriate and adequate treatment, Haulshalter said.

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As of Wednesday, approximately 80 people who came into contact with the Shelby County patient have been quarantined.

“I feel confident that we have an exhaustive list of contacts,” Haushalter said. “Our staff has interviewed all of those individuals and determined what risk category they fit in and taken appropriate action to make sure they are either self-monitoring or quarantined.”

Joris Ray, superintendent of Shelby County Schools also spoke at Wednesday’s press conference. Ray is sticking to the decision to keep schools open, until advised otherwise by the health department.

“We want to consult with the experts,” Ray said. “I don’t want to make an isolated decision. Because at the end of the day, students’ education is so important. And when you close a school, sometimes our students don’t get a chance to eat. You know, breakfast and lunch is provided. And a day without education, is a day that our students won’t learn to read.”

Check the health department’s webpage dedicated to COVID-19 for more information. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center also has a page dedicated to updated COVID-19 information.


Shelby County officials have also launched their own portal with up-to-date, essential information about the virus.


See a list of precautionary measures places around town are taking here.


Categories
News News Blog

COVID-19: What to Know If You’re Planning to Travel.



With the ever-changing news regarding COVID-19, you may be wondering if and when you or your loved ones should travel.

As of mid-week, there are no government-mandated travel restrictions or bans within the United States. There are some actions that could indicate what may yet come, such as the “containment zone” in New Rochelle, New York, and some governmental restrictions on gatherings above a certain number. And there are businesses and organizations that are limiting travel for their personnel. The domestic situation is fluid and could change, and there are international destinations where you will be unable to go for the foreseeable future.

Memphis magazine and the Memphis Flyer asked Deenie Phelan, vice president of HR and Operations for the Travelennium travel agency, to speak to what’s going on in the travel industry and to address what people should consider if they have travel plans.

“Traveling now is a personal decision and can be made based on private information that only you possess. What is your overall health condition? If you are generally healthy and practice common sense, you stand an excellent chance of overcoming any potential colds, viruses, flu, or infection you may come in contact with, whether here at home or on a trip. Only you can determine how comfortable you are with the possibility of getting sick. Travel suppliers are taking extraordinary measures to sanitize everything you might come in contact with, so it might be safer now than ever to be in a hotel or on an airplane or cruise ship.

“If you would be considered unhealthy by medical standards or have an underlying health condition, you should probably not travel during what seems to be the height of the transmission.

“Another valid and pressing concern is regarding your time. If your trip becomes disrupted due to COVID-19, there is a real possibility that you could be detained or quarantined for a period of time — expect two weeks at the minimum. Will you be able to miss additional weeks from your job, child care, pet care, as well as any other responsibilities in your life? 

“Should you conclude that you are healthy and have the time to travel, definitely go and enjoy the lighter crowds. We highly recommend purchasing Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance. Also it would be wise to pack an extra few weeks of any medication with you, just in case.

“If you opt to postpone your travel plans, our best optimistic guess for the future is that this disruption in our normal lives will last through the end of May. The best and brightest medical and scientific minds are studying the virus and 90 days seems to cover the incubation and spread time being experienced in Asia before the upswing occurred.

“When the current situation subsides, know that the travel deals will be yours for the taking. Every travel supplier will be hoping to lure the public back with specials to get you in their hotels, and on their airplanes and cruises. You stand to score an unbelievable value on your travel later this year, and that is great news.

“Our approach is a positive one and should make you feel in control of the travel process.”

— Deenie Phelan

Amtrak

Amtrak is responding to COVID-19 and has announced the following:

  • The rail passenger carrier is implementing enhanced cleaning protocols and is increasing the frequency of cleaning service on its trains and stations.
  • There will be additional antibacterial products such as sanitizers and disinfectant wipes on trains and at stations.
  • There will be no change fees on bookings made through April 30, 2020, allowing for riders to have flexibility in changing plans.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines has responded to the outbreak by using a high-grade EPA-registered disinfectant on all flights, a new fogging process used by the food industry, state-of-the-art air circulation systems, more hand sanitizer, more gloves for flight attendants, and additional sanitation procedures for inbound catering equipment at international gateways.

The air carrier is also disinfecting airport kiosks multiple times daily, increased the cleaning schedule of gate areas, and washing and bagging blankets after each flight.

Links for more information:

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Coronavirus Information Center

The Shelby County Health Department Coronavirus Information Website

Categories
News News Blog

Health Department Works to Contain Coronavirus, Says Risk for General Public Remains Low

Head of the Shelby County Health Department said Monday that 70 people are currently being quarantined after coming into contact with a Shelby County patient who recently tested positive for coronavirus.

The Shelby County Health Department confirmed Sunday that the first Shelby County resident tested positive for the coronavirus.

The patient is now in good condition and under treatment in isolation at Baptist Memorial Hospital, according to the health department. The patient had recently traveled out of state, but not out of the country. No further details about the case will be shared to protect patient privacy, the department said.

The patient in Shelby County is the third to test positive for COVID-19 in Tennessee.

Alisa Haushalter, director of the county health department said Monday that the department is currently working with the Shelby County patient and any others who may have come into contact with them.

Haushalter said anyone who had face-to-face contact with the patient for more than 10 minutes without the proper protective gear, more than 100 people, has subsequently been quarantined “out of an abundance of caution.”

The individuals must be quarantined for 14 days at home with no visitors following their last exposure.

“Quarantining denotes and creates a lot of fear,” Haushalter said. “People that are quarantined pose absolutely no risk to the public. … The goal has been to prevent COVID-19 from coming into communities. Once it’s in the communities, our second phase is containment, which is where we are in Shelby County.”

The department’s updates came at a joint press conference Monday with Shelby County Schools.

SCS said earlier Monday that a staff member assigned to Treadwell Elementary and Middle school had come into contact with an individual who had tested positive for COVID-19, and as a result has been placed on a 14-day cautionary quarantine.

Joris Ray, SCS superintendent, said “it’s critical that we fight fear with knowledge. The health and safety of our students, families, and staff members continue to be our highest priority.”

For now, Ray said there is no plan to close any SCS schools, until advised to do so by county health officials.

“As you know from previous inclement weather situations, closing schools is an extreme measure that can be disruptive for staff and families,” Ray said. “Let me be clear, at this time there has been no decision to close schools. All Shelby County Schools are open for learning and instruction.”

Ray continued: “We know right now there is a great deal of concern about the unknown. This is uncharted territory. My team is capable and developing a detailed response plan.”

Ray said SCS has formed an internal task force and policy group to respond to the “rapidly changing scenarios.”

Additionally, out of caution, Ray said SCS is suspending all school-sponsored international field trips for March and April.

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Haushalter said that there is currently no immediate risk to schools or the general public. However, the health department has advised the public to take simple steps to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses including COVID-19:

• Washing hands with liquid soap and water, and rubbing for at least 20 seconds, or using alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing

• Staying home if you are sick, especially with respiratory symptoms

• Regularly cleaning surfaces touched by many people

The CDC recommends older persons (60 and over) and those with underlying chronic health conditions should stay home as much as possible and avoid crowds. Wearing face masks is not necessary for the general public and may not provide protection from the virus.

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to COVID-1.


The Shelby County Health Department has a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 on its website, which includes important information about the virus and steps individuals, businesses, and community organizations can take to control its spread.

The department has a hotline number (901-692-7523) for specific questions, requests for technical assistance, and requests for speakers at community meetings, and events. The number is staffed during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After-hour calls are returned on the next business day.

Categories
News News Blog

Coronavirus Detected In Shelby County

A Shelby County resident has tested positive for coronavirus, the Shelby County Health Department announced Sunday morning.

The patient is now good condition and under treatment in isolation at Baptist Memorial Hospital, according to the health department. The patent had recently traveled out of state, but not out of the country. No further details about the case will be shared to protect patient privacy, the department said.

The confirmation came from the Tennessee Department of Health. Samples form the patient have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for additional testing.

“The Shelby County Health Department has been planning and preparing for the possibility of a case of COVID-19 since community spread of the virus was first reported in the United States,” said Shelby County Health Department director Alisa Haushalter. “The health department’s efforts are now focused on tracing contacts of this case and limiting the spread of the virus in Shelby County.”

The immediate risk to the general public in Shelby County is thought to be low, according to the health department. But officials said Sunday that now is the time to prepare for the possibility of local community transmission of the virus.

Shelby County Health Department

Members of the general public should take simple steps to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses including COVID-19:

• Washing hands with liquid soap and water, and rubbing for at least 20 seconds, or using alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing

• Staying home if you are sick, especially with respiratory symptoms

• Regularly cleaning surfaces touched by many people

The CDC recommends older persons (60 and over) and those with underlying chronic health conditions should stay home as much as possible and avoid crowds. Wearing face masks is not necessary for the general public and may not provide protection from the virus.

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

If you experience symptoms of respiratory illness, including fever, cough, or difficulty breathing:

• Avoid public spaces and gatherings

• Avoid others in your household

• If medical attention is needed, contact your health care provider before going in for care, and share any history of travel.

The health department encourages all Shelby County residents to start thinking about preparedness in the event of local community spread, planning ahead for potential disruption to daily life at work, school, or home. The health department is working with partners in health care, education, business, law enforcement, and the faith community to prepare.

The Shelby County Health Department has a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 on its website, which includes important information about the virus and steps individuals, businesses, and community organizations can take to control its spread.

The department has a hotline number (901-692-7523) for specific questions, requests for technical assistance, and requests for speakers at community meetings, and events. The number is staffed during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After-hours calls are returned on the next business day.

Categories
News News Blog

UTHSC Website Has Current Coronavirus Information

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) today launched a website to provide the public with information and resources about Coronavirus.

The site, uthsc.edu/coronavirus, is designed to be a one-stop resource for the public that includes the best available information about Coronavirus, as well as frequently asked questions and links to global, national, and local organizations monitoring the virus.

There is also an interactive option that allows the public to ask the experts at UTHSC questions about the virus and receive answers. Visitors to the site will find links to information from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Tennessee Department of Health, and the Shelby County Health Department.

A press conference was held Wednesday at UTHSC to offer the public information about preparations underway locally for any possible spread of the Coronavirus and to discuss UTHSC’s role in research to discover more about the virus. Information from that press conference is here.