A Win For The Bucs May Mean A Loss For Tampa Bay Businesses
As the threat of the pandemic persists, small businesses continue to suffer in their wake, while the preservation of large events like the Super Bowl encourages the violation of safety protocols.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers demolished the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, 31–9, while playing at their home field, Raymond James Stadium.
Thousands of maskless fans crowded together to celebrate the victory that night and in-turn disregarded the social distancing practices and safety measures put in place to hinder the spread of the virus.
The momentous win is something to be celebrated by all Bucs fans and those who call Tampa Bay their home alike.
But it is the backpedaling of progress and the negligence of these individuals to do their part in this community that should not be tolerated.
For the past year, many local businesses and small communities are struggling to make ends meet during the progression of this virus.
From local mandates put in place to limit restaurant customer capacity to protocols restricting indoor gatherings, many hurdles have been jeopardizing the success of various establishments.
Even the smallest changes to the way they run their businesses can have dramatic impacts on their success and revenue.
“We do so much just to maintain a clean and safe environment for our customers,” said Paige Merriman, 20, a server at The Cider Press Cafe, an all-vegan restaurant on Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete.
Like many shops and restaurants located in the heart of downtown have experienced, what once was a booming, sociable and lucrative environment for them to be a part of is now a ghost town some nights.
“So when I see crowds of people at an event somewhere, I can’t help but feel like the whole thing is a little unfair,” said Merriman.
The pandemic has without a doubt set countless monumental changes into motion that many did not anticipate. But the most important aspect to take away is how little mending can be done unless everyone works at it together.
