Massachusetts restaurant industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 crisis. Even those who were able to be re-hired in the summer months experienced a significant pay cut. What do restaurant employees lose when restaurants close their doors? Pre-shift meals provided daily, leftover food to be taken home, community to prevent or remedy mental health issues, opportunity to increase income with tips, etc. The benefits provided by restaurants to their employees are NOT all monetary, but monetary support is needed to make up for these losses when servers and bartenders can not go to work. 

Children aren't allowed to learn in classrooms in Boston, so why are they (or anyone) allowed to eat in restaurants? Priority has been given to economic stimulus at the risk of a great loss of life for restaurant workers.

It is very clear that we will not get federal aid until Joe Biden is inaugurated in January. Restaurant employees need financial assistance NOW! Mayor Marty Walsh and Governor Charlie Baker need to utilize surplus funds to provide relief DIRECTLY to restaurant employees who have experienced total job loss or reduction in pay due to COVID-19.