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The Shelby County Health Department is investigating what appears to have been a big party on Saturday night, attended by hundreds of people, in a large party tent on Winchester Road.
According to images from All Black Affair on social media, many were not masked or socially distanced.
The annual party was held at 7144 Winchester in In Love Memphis, a club that the Department of Health cited on October 10 for COVID-19 violations. He was not arrested.
The name refers to the all-black dress code.
“With an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases in Shelby County, it is extremely unfortunate that some people have chosen to put themselves and others in danger by attending large gatherings without wearing a mask. It was a violation of the Department of Health’s current health care directive, ”said Ursula Madden, spokesperson for the city of Memphis.
It’s a post several nail salon owners, cosmetologists and other local business owners shared on Instagram after the party.
“As we have been doing for several months now and in addition to the Shelby County Sheriff, the City of Memphis is ready to assist the Shelby County Health Department to enforce its health directive when needed and as per needs.”
The party is under investigation, according to Lee Harris, Mayor of Shelby County. According to the media he saw, it appeared to be a “great social gathering”.
The event took place in a large tent next to the club. According to Darryl Sanford, a musician who performed from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with the group Love Theory, guests could choose to be in the “bubble,” the club or a patio adjoining the club.
“There weren’t that big a crowd when we were there,” Sanford said. “Everyone was at a social distance. The DJ was telling people that they had to wear their masks.
“I don’t know what happened after we left,” Sanford said.
The bubble was large enough that it was easy for the hundred or so people in attendance when it was happening socially, he said.
The annual event is sponsored by CGI Entertainment, a company owned by Curtis Givens.
Givens did not respond to phone calls to his company or to requests to speak to his Facebook account.
He started out as a party planner in high school and used his skills to start a nightclub business.
Here’s a screenshot from Curtis Givens’ Instagram with an invitation to a pop-up party the day after the All Black affair.
He and his brother, Corliss Givens, own and operate In Love, the Hickory Hill club.
According to the ticketing site on Eventbrite, tickets ranged from $ 20 to $ 2,000.
Health department officials did not respond to numerous requests for interviews on Monday.
Health authorities are competent to shut down businesses that do not comply with the restrictions set out in the health guidelines.
“There has to be a way that people who do this are fined, held financially responsible for putting the population at risk,” said Dr. Jeff Warren, COVID-19 task force member and member of the city council who learned of the party’s existence from a doctor who passed by and saw hundreds of vehicles in the parking lot on Saturday evening.
After the event, Givens posted a video on Instagram with testimonials from two Washington, DC residents who attended the bubble party.
The next day, Givens posted a notice of a free “bubble” pop-up party.
Several local cosmetologists and nail salon owners have asked clients who attended the All Black affair (or other important events) to postpone or cancel their appointments.
Dr Manoj Jain heard about the party on Saturday night when city officials called him.
Here’s a screenshot of Curtis Givens’ Instagram touting a testimonial about the party.
“Watching the video was alarming; it was disappointing that even with all the messages that we were putting out, people weren’t buying it, ”he said.
From what he could see in the videos shared with him, the customers were young adults, between the ages of 25 and 34.
“What we do know is that this age group has the highest rates of COVID infection. They make up 6% of the population but account for 21% of cases, ”Jain said.
“It is alarming that people are still not following the most basic recommendations,” he said. “We really have to go through a few more months. The end is in sight.
“Our hospitals are inundated with patients young and old. Our intensive care units are also inundated. One in three beds in intensive care has a COVID patient. A patient on every regular hospital bed is a COVID patient. This number continues to increase. “
Moderna released final data on the clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine early Monday, showing it was 94.1% effective against the virus, including severe cases. He planned to seek immediate FDA approval for emergency use. Pfizer, which had similar clinical results, began shipping its vaccine late last week.
Les Givenses operated several nightclubs in the city, including Level II, the former Premier Club. They also operated Silver Spoon, which was a bar, restaurant, and nightclub.
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