Can Restaurants Survive COVID-19?

The Illinois Restaurant Association says, before the pandemic, it’s a $30-billion industry, accounting for 10 percent of employment in the state. The group has been outspoken in its opposition to the additional mitigation measures. By Wednesday, November 4, 2020, indoor dining in most places will be shut down due to additional public health restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus after a surge in cases. We talked with two restaurateurs navigating staying afloat during a pandemic.

Guests:

José Ramón Fernández-Peña, MD, MPA, President-elect of the American Public Health Association and Director of the Health Professions Advising, Northwestern University

Spiro Roumpas, Owner of Ki's Steak and Seafood Restaurant, Glendale Heights 

Chris Hanken, Owner — Lake Pointe Grille, Public House 29, Pie’s The Limit (pizza shop), Mowie’s Cue (pool hall), Springfield

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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