Today, the Allegheny County Health Department responded to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases by suspending on-site alcohol consumption in all county bars and restaurants.
Dr. Debra L. Bogen, the director of the Allegheny County Health Department, made the announcement during a press conference, noting that 96 new cases in Allegheny County were reported today alone, reflecting a rapid increase in cases from the last few days.
“The consumption of alcohol inside bars, restaurants, night clubs and the like is particularly concerning to me,” Dr. Bogen says. “Drinking alcohol in these settings invites people to congregate, and the six feet we are supposed to keep from one another disappears. When people drink alcohol, they tend to lose inhibition, talk louder, get closer to one another and can’t adhere to the physical distancing and mask requirements.”
Dr. Bogen went on to say that a clear pattern among cases in the past week has come from people visiting local bars and restaurants, where many reported that masks were not worn by patrons and staff.
Restaurants and bars will continue to be able to offer dine-in service, however alcohol cannot be consumed or served on the premises. To-go cocktails are still permitted, but cannot be consumed on-site.
Masks at all businesses are also now required, which includes restaurants when seated at tables and not eating.
The order is effective Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 p.m.
Dr. Bogen noted that many of these increased cases come from young people, many of whom have recently traveled out of state, with nightlife, family gatherings and group events.
“I don’t take these actions lightly, and I do so fully cognisant of the actions they will have on our county’s economy,” Dr. Bogen says. “Our case investigators over the last week have heard many new cases that they have traveled out of state, often to hot spots across the country like Florida, Texas, the beaches along the Carolinas, and recently visited bars, particularly in the South Side and Oakland.”
Dr. Bogen does not recommend returning to a general shut down, because she says that the county now has adequate PPE for medical personal, more testing available, and has a better understanding of how to treat cases. “Instead we need a strategic and selective approach to identify the sources of the infections, and shut them down, and limit visits to these locations or events,” Dr. Bogen says.
Cathy Orchard says
What a stupid stupid decision. Alcohol does not spread covid-19. And most restaurants are complying with either table of 6 and 6 feet from next. Are you purposely trying to destroy the livihood of all these restaurant owners??? Maybe the same be said for common cold, flu, measles, pink eye. Because that is the extent of what you are saying.
Do the math, if you just look at numbers better look at all numbers maybe even anything that can be contagious.
No wonder the world is falling apart , with people like you in authority.
Take your power hat off and do the math.
Betty Jeanne Rojtas says
You are absolutely right! You should stay home if you are afraid to go out. I won’t stay home! It’s my right to go out to a restaurant, if I choose to! I won’t let our favorite local restaurants go broke!!!
Nancy S says
Cathy, I recommend you take 15 minutes and watch/listen to the actual press conference by the Allegheny County Health Department. They have “done the math” and their information disproves your claims. You can find their press conference if you search YouTube for Allegheny County and watch the first 15 minutes of the video labelled “COVID-19 Update” that was posted on June 27.
It’s important that everything is done now to prevent the case increase from getting any higher. The last thing anyone wants is for more businesses to have to shut down, or even worse, for Allegheny County to have to go back into the Yellow Phase. If we don’t buckle down now, it will be even worse in the future.
Brian says
Correct, Nancy. Spread is typically exponential, meaning you see doubling every couple days. It does not take long to lose control.
katherine says
completely agree
Katherine NonyaBeeswax says
Of course it makes sense -said no one ever! Besides, wearing a mask and social distancing do NOT work — as evidenced by areas that didn’t follow these practices and their rates of mortality and morbidity were THE SAME AS PLACES THAT DID!
N-95 and N-99 masks can only filter up to 0.3 microns. The Kung Flu is 0.1 micron. You do the math. Mother Nature will have her way no matter what mankind tries to do to change things. BTW, we never left the ‘first wave’ – we only slowed it down. Anyone who understands how viruses work could tell you that.
My point is this: Open up the community 100%. Open up the schools 100%. Stop with the B-S social distancing and masking nonsense. It ain’t working.