An Orange County restaurant posted a sign asking diners to prove they haven’t received the Covid-19 vaccine.
QUICK FACTS:
- Basilico’s Pasta e Vino in Huntington Beach, California posted a sign calling the act of taking a COVID vaccine “treasonous, anti-American stupidity.”
- The Los Angeles Times criticized the restaurant’s position on vaccines, suggesting it represents “skepticism” and “misinformation.”
- The LA Times also confirmed “the eatery is not actually checking patrons’ vaccine status,” but that the restaurant is simply making a point “in defense of American liberty and freedom.”
THE SIGN’S FULL STATEMENT:
- “Notice: Proof of being unvaccinated required. We have zero tolerance for treasonous, anti-American stupidity. Thank you for pondering,” the sign read.
WHAT THE RESTAURANT OWNER SAID:
- Basilico’s owner, Tony Roman, said in an email that he was fighting government policies he says are harmful, according to the LA Times.
- “With warning signs of another impending lockdown, and many business owners again emboldening those who I refer to as ‘the lockdown tiny tyrants’—this time by imposing proof-of-vaccination policies—we chose to fire another missile of defiance to further make our point in defense of American liberty and freedom,” he said.
BACKGROUND:
- Basilico’s rejection symbolizes “how strongly anti-vaccination culture has taken hold in traditionally conservative enclaves such as Orange County,” notes LA Times.
- The restaurant sits between a gym and a beauty salon in a strip mall at Hamilton Avenue and Brookhurst Street.
