Restaurants defy Gov. Wolf's pandemic restrictions, offer indoor dining

[TexasTowelie]

Nearly 40,000 people are following a new Facebook page containing a list of Pennsylvania restaurants refusing to close their dining rooms during the pandemic. Al’s Cafe in Bethel Park is on the list, and owner Rod Ambrogi says it’s simple:

“We’re in dire need now for some kind of financial help, which we’re not getting from the state or the [federal] government,” he said Monday. “So somebody’s got to stand up for their rights to try to make a living.”

He said his restaurant and employees can’t survive by serving take-out only.

“They’re worried about paying their rent or buying their children Christmas gifts. So we made the decision and the restaurant employees want to stay open, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m standing up for what I believe is right.”

Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/12/15/Restaurants-Governor-Wolf-pandemic-restrictions-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-covid-19-businesses/stories/202012140133

[Blues Heron]

1. "We're going to let people give each other covid so I can buy presents"

Yeah that makes sense, Jesus would have loved that! Oh sorry, I mean Satan

[Proud liberal 80]

2. These are the same people

Who would be saying ‘why didn’t he comply, you have to respect authority’ if a black man was killed by police.

[DeminPennswoods]

5. These are mostly small, local businesses trying to survive

I've dined out during the epidemic. The PA DoH/CDC rules are being followed.

The real issue is the inconsistency of closings. All other businesses can have up to 50% of the max occupancy as determined by the fire marshall. That means 100s in places like Walmart, Home Depot, etc, and you can spend just as much time there shopping or browsing as you would eating in a small dining establishment that has a max occupancy of many fewer.

These business owners are right, there's no financial help there for them. Just a few weeks ago, the GOP-controlled state legislature grabbed 1.3B of unspent CARE Act funds and applied it to close a gap in the state budget rather than distribute it to people and businesses who need it. So far, no additional help from Congress either. I can't blame any of them for deciding to do what they feel they need to do to survive.

Further, there was another recent story in the Post-Gazette about how more people are stealing food, basic staples, not exotic or expensive items.

[Blues Heron]

7. you can shop with a mask - there's no comparison

[DeminPennswoods]

9. I'm glad you can so easily

pass judgement on people trying to survive from day-to-day.

[Blues Heron]

11. people like this are making it worse. They need to comply

or be locked up. This nonsense has cost us over 300,000 lives.

[BlueTsunami2018]

3. It's hard to blame them.

They aren’t getting any help at all from the government. Unemployment, if any of these people are eligible, is not enough to live on without the supplemental help and mortgage companies and landlords aren’t giving anyone a break. I’m not sure what they’re supposed to do.

[Blues Heron]

4. Speaders are killers- it's that simple

They need to comply or be shut down. Maybe voting red wasn't the most intelligent of choices as they are now finding out. Some people learn the hard way.

[DeminPennswoods]

6. That's a big assumption and generalization on how they voted

to make.

[Blues Heron]

8. Yeah I'm sure these little spreader-rebels are big Pelosi supporters

Compliance with science is actually a DEM trait not a PUKE trait.

[DeminPennswoods]

10. Did you actually read the linked story?

If not, you should.

[Blues Heron]

12. I really dont care what party they are in

If they don't comply with health orders they should be shut down. ZERO tolerance for spreaders of any party. This nonsense has gone on far too long.

[jrthin]

14. You've been spot on in your responses.

Desperate people doing desperate things like participating in super spreader events shouldn't be where we want to rest our head. Desperate people in need of money rob, hold people up at gun point (which sometimes don't turn out well for the victims), and that behavior wouldn't be excused. One may say that there is no comparison between these restaurants and the robbers' motivation and action, but I don't see the difference. Both claim they are desperate, both are breaking the law. Putting people's lives in danger does not and should not justify keeping one's business open.

[BlueTsunami2018]

13. So basically, "Fuck you, go broke" is your attitude.

How is this any better than the right?

[DeminPennswoods]

15. Thank you

I can't believe the responses are so callous. People are desperate and hungry and they are being ordered by people who aren't to shut down and, well, que sera, sera.

I think some posters might be in need of a visit by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

[FakeNoose]

16. I have ordered carryout from local Pittsburgh restaurants

... at least once per week. I'm trying to help the small owners as much as I can.

However I haven't been inside a restaurant since last February. Outdoor eating isn't possible right now, but I did patronize a few outdoor establishments in warmer weather. We should try to help these small business owners who are getting no help from the government.

Meanwhile I read about those shaky shell companies (secretly owned by rich Repukes) who are getting $ millions in government handouts. THAT really gets my goat.