U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel caused a stir on social media over the weekend after he posted a photo Friday evening at a local brewery.
“PERRYSBURG, OH — [Inside the Five] is a cool brewery started by two NFL vets. Great food and spirited waitresses! Even though Brianne was sick today, she came to work because she knew they were short servers. These are the type of American workers that make our country strong,” he said in a tweet.
PERRYSBURG, OH — @InsideTheFive is a cool brewery started by two NFL vets. Great food and spirited waitresses!
Even though Brianne was sick today, she came to work because she knew they were short servers.
These are the type of American workers that make our country strong. pic.twitter.com/o0VFkDkjuo
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) August 20, 2021
But critics were quick to point out that it could be dangerous for an employee to be working while sick, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“[T]hese are the types of American workers who spread illness when they come to work sick and serve food to patrons. Incredibly irresponsible to announce this to the internet. obviously it happens but why are we bragging about it?!” one Twitter user replied.
these are the types of American workers who spread illness when they come to work sick and serve food to patrons. Incredibly irresponsible to announce this to the internet. obviously it happens but why are we bragging about it?!
— petty mayonnaise (@pettymay0nnaise) August 20, 2021
The post led to a deluge of criticism that was heaped on the brewery.
Yelp users quickly flooded the brewery’s page, leaving negative reviews accusing the establishment of knowingly transmitting COVID-19.
“They knowingly spread COVID in Ohio. Service sucks,” said a Yelp reviewer named Alora H. from Alexandria, Virginia.
The brewery took to Facebook for damage control.
“Contrary to social media opinions expressed yesterday, the health and wellness of our employees and patrons is our top priority. It is our policy for employees to inform management of any symptoms prior to their shift and not report to work,” it said in a now-deleted post.
It also reportedly deleted its Twitter account entirely.
Mandel later criticized the brewery’s response, accusing them of caving to liberal pressure.
“Hey [Inside the Five], instead of giving into the woke mob, how bout [sic] having your employee’s back and giving her a raise. While so many people are getting paid to sit home and do nothing, Brianne muscled through feeling under the weather and came to WORK,” he said.Â
Hey @InsideTheFive, instead of giving into the woke mob, how bout having your employee’s back and giving her a raise.
While so many people are getting paid to sit home and do nothing, Brianne muscled through feeling under the weather and came to WORK. https://t.co/STtd8ay7Yk
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) August 21, 2021
Mandel is one of several candidates vying to replace outgoing Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) when he retired from office in 2022.
He is considered a frontrunner in the race, along with author and commentator J.D. Vance.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Josh Mandel at brewery” by Josh Mandel.
