We are mindful that we are in the midst of a pandemic, and that the pandemic has again grown worse in California as it has elsewhere in the United States and the world. There is no doubt that we all want and need a solution to this pandemic. Nevertheless, as Whittier businesses and residents, we strongly OPPOSE the L.A. County Board of Supervisors' ban on outdoor dining and urge our representatives to rescind their decision immediately.

The outdoor dining ban does nothing to alleviate the effects of the pandemic and, in fact, the ban is forcing those who are now out of work and others to gather inside homes where viral exposure is confirmed to be more likely than other places. The outdoor dining ban, and other measures like it, will add to the devastation of local businesses already struggling to recover in the wake of mandated closures during the pandemic, only this time restaurant owners and employees won’t have the benefit of receiving financial aid from the federal government.

Whittier area retail food and beverage service providers have invested thousands of dollars to provide a safe, outdoor dining experience for their employees and guests. They have complied with strict and costly health orders and have worked hard to keep their workers employed and their doors open. Past lockdowns have been an ineffective management tool that further plunges our entire community into despair. Past shutdowns did not work, and case counts and hospitalizations are going up and up despite these harmful interventions.

Some LA County Supervisors, including our own 4th District Supervisor Janice Hahn, have expressed concern that there is no significant data to support that outdoor dining is fueling the spike in new cases. We appreciate Supervisor Hahn and Supervisor Barger for stepping up and listening to our business community. We are also grateful for our Whittier City Council who passed a resolution to oppose the ban. The Whittier Chamber of Commerce is in full support of their action to take a stand for business.

Individuals and businesses engaged in retail food and beverage service, as well as their retail neighbors who depend on foot traffic from restaurants, are suffering disproportionately from the pandemic including as a result of the outdoor dining ban. It is undeniable that the ban and similar orders cause economic and social harm that cut across both ethnic and socio-economic lines. The harms are not merely economic, but deeply personal, and even contribute to depression, suicide and behaviors that are abusive to self and others.

The Chamber encourages Whittier residents and guests to continue to choose local and support local businesses by shopping their online stores, buying gift cards and using current take-out and delivery food options.

There is no doubt that we all want to find an end to this pandemic, but causing further economic and social harm to our community by shutting down businesses without justification is not the way to do it. Join your fellow neighbors and friends in support of local businesses and sign the petition today.