There is a new restaurant and bar alliance in America due to the rapid rise in Delta variant COVID-19 virus, along with 18 months of restaurant workers' exposure to COVID in general. A growing group of restaurants and bars in many of the nation’s top destination cities have banded together. For admittance, the alliance requires proof of vaccination cards or a valid and negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of an administered testing. The coalition stands committed to the mantra, "We believe we are obligated to protect our workers and their families and to offer a safe space for customers,” states the alliance.

They have taken the position that the only way our society and these business channels will return to any resemblance of the past normal will be to have a greater portion of the public be vaccinated. They are banking on helping to motivate individuals on the fence to get their shots and card so they can frequent their local watering hole or favorite dining establishment and sit inside.

The only fallout the groups have reportedly experienced is online. Many anti-vax trolls have flooded restaurant and bar internet sites with negative reviews. Part of the coalition's purpose is to make it harder to single out one establishment that has taking a pro-vax stance. Considering that this industry has already lost more than $290 billion in revenues and more than 2.5 million jobs, it needs the support of the entire American public. Mind you, I toned down this last sentence considerably trying to get through to even one person taking the opposite perspective; the related ripple effects of the pandemic have been catastrophic and felt by almost every industry, and continue disrupting supply chains globally.

Now that the Pfizer vaccine has FDA approval, I hope more individuals will be willing to get the jab, as they say in England, moving us closer to achieving herd immunity. I am curious to hear your opinion: Should companies take a stance on mandating employees be vaccinated or agree to be tested on an ongoing weekly schedule? Each week they'd have to have a negative test and in order to join the workforce safely.

I would be remiss if I didn’t share my dismay on how this whole situation has become a political free-for-all. Too many lives have been lost, too many innocent children are being infected and ending up in ICU wards fighting for their lives. This is now completely unnecessary and, unlike most countries, we have the ability to fight this virus and stop the downward spiral. We need to come together as Americans, be patriotic and help stop the spread of this deadly virus before it morphs into something we can’t effectively control.

Stay safe, be smart, get vaccinated if not for yourself then for everyone else in your life and your country.

Live well always,

Cheers.

National Restaurant & Bar Vax Alliance

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