As the Covid-19 cases rise in Los Angeles county, local officials are choosing to impose stricter lock down protocols to curtail the spread of the virus. This includes a county-wide closure of all outdoor dining at restaurants. This is essentially the last straw for many beloved Los Angeles establishments. It may not seem like a big deal to some, but the holiday season is where a large portion of restaurants make most of their income for the year. Some economists have even estimated that upwards of 50% of restaurants currently operating, will have to close their doors for good by the new year.  We can not let this happen. 

As a bartender for the past 7 years at BIRDS in Hollywood, I can tell you that all of our staff and customers operate within the safety guidelines provided by our local health officials. We have bent over backwards to meet every single protocol imposed. Over the years I have developed countless relationships with people in the food service industry and they always seem to be telling me about how hard their restaurant has worked to create the safest customer experience possible. My wife and I go out to restaurants as often as we can and we are always impressed with the way each establishment has made valiant efforts to comply with all the new and ever-changing guidelines. In fact, there is no existing statistical data that proves that outdoor dining is the main cause of the spike in positive Covid-19 cases. So, why punish these establishments and their employees? Why close them down? More importantly, why should YOU care? 

At a certain point during this pandemic, it feels as if we have lost our one crucial, unifying attribute that makes us, as Americans, unique. Individualism. The power of an individual to make their own decisions and assess their own risks. Covid-19 is real and it is extremely dangerous to many people with underlying conditions, but we can not let our local politicians use the fear of Covid-19 to legislate the intentional destruction of an entire industry and the lives of so many who rely on it to survive.  It is up to us, as individuals to be safe, educate ourselves and evaluate whether or not it is in our best interest to frequent a restaurant. It is not, nor should it ever be the job Mayor Garcetti. The more we assume people can't be trusted with their own individuality, the more we head down this sad and dangerous path of destroying our local communities. The potential loss of these establishments will have wide-spread, immeasurable effects on all of us that will not only hurt now but will be felt for years to come. 

These restaurants that will close, they are more than just places to eat and drink. They are where you met your wife or husband, where you had your 21st birthday party, where you laughed uncontrollably or sobbed relentlessly into a napkin. They are where some of your oldest and most cherished relationships were constructed. They are where you had your heart broken and where you met your one night stand. They are where you sang along to music, told bad jokes and argued politics. Where you created your next masterpiece, and where you pondered your next big move. Bars and restaurants are the stethoscope on the heartbeat of a community. If we lose them, we lose our ability to hear the heartbeat. 

Perhaps it is possible that closing every business and having every citizen stay home for months will finally curtail the spread of this disease. Perhaps it all works according to plan. But right now, that trajectory doesn't look as promising. We should do everything we can to remain safe, educated and healthy while at the same time, avoid a devastating blow to our great industry. I know we can do it.

To Director of Public Health, Barbara Ferrer, Mayor Eric Garcetti and anyone else representing the people of L.A. who will listen.  Please...Keep Our Restaurants Open!

I urge you to sign this petition with me and maybe we can change the minds of our local leadership.