(10-06-2020, 10:09 AM)Coke6pk Wrote: Again, I'm not going to try to change your mind... and that's fine, but you asked a question, and I'll answer.
I think our leaders should model legal AND good behaviour. The Oktoberfest festival brings millions into our local economy. There are many offshoots of this festival that benefit other local businesses financially. If they did nothing this year, the chance of starting up again next year would be much harder, if at all. So they are working within the public health guidelines to run restaurants under their banner, with a small Oktoberfest twist. Our chair, who was promoting this "event" as it is beneficial for the community as a whole, even if you don't like it.
I was there. You weren't. Saying that, I'd be VERY surprised if there was a COVID transmission during any Oktoberfest event. The rules are enforced strictly. The shotski patrons were all in the same bubble. The photographed family were all in the same bubble. The optics of the shotski I agree look bad without context, and she should of thought of that... but I have zero concerns about how restaurants are operating currently... as long as they are complying with the rules.
Coke
I think the issue is mostly that Karen Redman is a public leader for this city and should be projecting a better message than "it's Oktoberfest, hit the beer tents everyone!" in the middle of a pandemic. Sure, the festival venues are doing their best to adhere to the public health rules, but they can't be expected to protect us from others - especially drunk people at a party. I think we all have a hard enough time walking through Zehrs without people getting too close at times, but we're supposed to accept that it's okay to sit around indoors without masks with a couple dozen people while everyone shouts really loudly, eats and drinks.
It just comes off as being irresponsible for a politician to pull a political photo stunt to generate business when case numbers are rising incredibly fast throughout the province and within our own city. We are really struggling to send a coherent message to the residents of this province on what we're supposed to be doing about these rising case numbers. We're being told to reconsider Thanksgiving dinner with our own families, but that it's fine to get drunk indoors with complete strangers.
You raise the issue about social bubbles, but it's important to note that health officials in Toronto and elsewhere are now saying that it's time we annul that idea for now because the level of transmission is growing so rapidly. This is definitely not the time to be holding an Oktoberfest...we've been watching things get worse and worse for weeks.