Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(116,759 posts)
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 08:26 AM Dec 2020

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

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

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Restaurants defy Gov. Wolf's pandemic restrictions, offer indoor dining (Original Post) TexasTowelie Dec 2020 OP
"We're going to let people give each other covid so I can buy presents" Blues Heron Dec 2020 #1
These are the same people Proud liberal 80 Dec 2020 #2
These are mostly small, local businesses trying to survive DeminPennswoods Dec 2020 #5
you can shop with a mask - there's no comparison Blues Heron Dec 2020 #7
I'm glad you can so easily DeminPennswoods Dec 2020 #9
people like this are making it worse. They need to comply Blues Heron Dec 2020 #11
It's hard to blame them. BlueTsunami2018 Dec 2020 #3
Speaders are killers- it's that simple Blues Heron Dec 2020 #4
That's a big assumption and generalization on how they voted DeminPennswoods Dec 2020 #6
Yeah I'm sure these little spreader-rebels are big Pelosi supporters Blues Heron Dec 2020 #8
Did you actually read the linked story? DeminPennswoods Dec 2020 #10
I really dont care what party they are in Blues Heron Dec 2020 #12
You've been spot on in your responses. jrthin Dec 2020 #14
So basically, "Fuck you, go broke" is your attitude. BlueTsunami2018 Dec 2020 #13
Thank you DeminPennswoods Dec 2020 #15
I have ordered carryout from local Pittsburgh restaurants FakeNoose Dec 2020 #16

Blues Heron

(6,131 posts)
1. "We're going to let people give each other covid so I can buy presents"
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:04 AM
Dec 2020

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

Proud liberal 80

(4,305 posts)
2. These are the same people
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:07 AM
Dec 2020

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

DeminPennswoods

(16,303 posts)
5. These are mostly small, local businesses trying to survive
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:40 AM
Dec 2020

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

(6,131 posts)
11. people like this are making it worse. They need to comply
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:50 AM
Dec 2020

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

BlueTsunami2018

(4,003 posts)
3. It's hard to blame them.
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:22 AM
Dec 2020

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

(6,131 posts)
4. Speaders are killers- it's that simple
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:26 AM
Dec 2020

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.

Blues Heron

(6,131 posts)
8. Yeah I'm sure these little spreader-rebels are big Pelosi supporters
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:45 AM
Dec 2020

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

Blues Heron

(6,131 posts)
12. I really dont care what party they are in
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 09:54 AM
Dec 2020

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

(4,964 posts)
14. You've been spot on in your responses.
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 10:58 AM
Dec 2020

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.

DeminPennswoods

(16,303 posts)
15. Thank you
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 12:48 PM
Dec 2020

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

(35,666 posts)
16. I have ordered carryout from local Pittsburgh restaurants
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 02:38 PM
Dec 2020

... 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.




Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Pennsylvania»Restaurants defy Gov. Wol...