On Monday morning, Chris Marsicano, president of the Tavern League of Wisconsin issued a statement urging Gov. Tony Evers to allow state taverns, restaurants and supper clubs to reopen on May 1.
Calling the proposed policy "Safe at Work," Marsicano suggests that all employees would be required to wear gloves and masks, and there would be no salad bars or self-serve buffets allowed, and no paper menus or condiments would be permitted on tables.
In order to allow for social distancing, all tables would be 6 feet apart and there would be no more than six people allowed at a table. In addition, each business would have its on-site capacity reduced by 50 percent. Outdoor eating and drinks, with six feet of distance, would be allowed.
In the statement, Marsicano said:
"On May 26, when the current Stay at Home Order ends, the challenges facing Wisconsin in fighting the Coronavirus will essentially be the same as they are today, with no vaccine available. According to experts, a vaccine will not be widely available for 12 to 18 months. Wisconsinites cannot live under a Stay at Home Order for the next 12 to 18 months.
"The safety of our customers and employees is the most important factor moving forward. Without protecting their safety, we have no viable business. Today, many businesses are open and safely serving the public. We can learn from those businesses and create a responsible, safe model for a soft reopening of Wisconsin’s taverns, restaurants and supper clubs on May 1.
"We urge Gov. Evers to adopt a responsible Safe at Work policy for Wisconsin’s hospitality industry and customers. Let’s work together to reopen Wisconsin’s taverns, restaurants and supper clubs while taking the important steps to protect the safety of employees and customers."
According to the Tavern League website, a letter was also sent to all state legislators, asking for support in convincing the governor to allow for a "soft opening" of businesses on April 24.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
