NC North Carolina News

Senate President Phil Berger (R-Caswell) criticized Gov. Roy Cooper on his Medium website about what he suggested is the governor's double-standard to allow restaurants to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not expand outdoor seating. 

Berger demanded the democratic governor answer "What science, facts, and data shows that outdoor seating is more dangerous than indoor seating?" and added that "What science, facts, and data shows that a drink at a brewery is safe, but a drink outside at a bar is dangerous?" in his post on May 29. 

Berger also accused Cooper of treating bars differently than other food-service vendors in his post. 

Berger wrote that Cooper has allowed restaurants, brewers, liquor distillers and wineries to sell their products but not expanded outdoor seating at such establishments.

"Other states have reviewed the same science, facts, and data but reached entirely different conclusions," Berger wrote. "In Illinois, the Governor changed his phased approach to allow outdoor seating at restaurants and bars “based on advice from public health officials.” The Senate president also provided examples from Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, New York and Minnesota. 

"Respectfully, Gov. Cooper needs to show the science, facts, and data underlying his opposition to a bill to expand outdoor seating options for restaurants and bars, which other states have embraced," Berger wrote.