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In case Josh Mandel hasn't noticed... we're still in the middle of a global pandemic.
That's what prompted social media users to criticize Mandel, a Republican vying for a Senate seat in Ohio, particularly after he praised a waitress for coming into work despite being sick.
It all started when Mandel posed with Brianne, a waitress at Inside the Five Brewing Co. in Perrysburg, and posted about their encounter on Twitter.
Mandel wrote:
"@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."
PERRYSBURG, OH \u2014 @InsideTheFive is a cool brewery started by two NFL vets. Great food and spirited waitresses!\n\nEven though Brianne was sick today, she came to work because she knew they were short servers.\n\nThese are the type of American workers that make our country strong.pic.twitter.com/o0VFkDkjuo— Josh Mandel (@Josh Mandel) 1629483633
There were two major problems with Mandel's post.
The first: The United States is still grappling with a global pandemic that has intensified as a result of the highly contagious Delta variant.
The second: Why was he praising someone for coming into work while sick, given all the above?
Mandel was soon derided by social media users.
And at a time when many service workers have criticized the industry for prioritizing work over safety—including before the Covid-19 pandemic—nobody else was cheering.
Servers come to work sick because the choice is stay home/no pay or risk losing shifts (or your job). \n\nAnyone at @InsideTheFive on August 20 really needs to isolate for a few days & maybe get a COVID test.\n\nBrianne, I hope you find a job where they care more about you than $.https://twitter.com/JoshMandelOhio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— Vaxxed up & ready for whiteboards \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8MASKS work! (@Vaxxed up & ready for whiteboards \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8MASKS work!) 1629767238
Servers come to work sick because the choice is stay home/no pay or risk losing shifts (or your job). \n\nAnyone at @InsideTheFive on August 20 really needs to isolate for a few days & maybe get a COVID test.\n\nBrianne, I hope you find a job where they care more about you than $.https://twitter.com/JoshMandelOhio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— Vaxxed up & ready for whiteboards \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8MASKS work! (@Vaxxed up & ready for whiteboards \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8MASKS work!) 1629767238
It is nice to know that there are Americans out there that are doing their part to spread the bacteria/viruses to everyone. We wouldn't want them to miss out on being sick during a pandemic. https://twitter.com/JoshMandelOhio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— LadyThink2Much (@LadyThink2Much) 1629737982
\u2026have we learned nothing from this pandemic? https://twitter.com/joshmandelohio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— Stephanie Alexandria (@Stephanie Alexandria) 1629740446
Josh Mandel wants your waiter to come in sick, which is always gross and heartless, plus dangerous during a pandemic.https://twitter.com/joshmandelohio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— Lisa Powell (@Lisa Powell) 1629759446
Sure, because coming into work sick during a pandemic that\u2019s killed over a half million Americans spread by people who go to public places is a great idea & totally in line with conservative Republican values.https://twitter.com/JoshMandelOhio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— I am the \u201cRadical Left\u201d & we love America too. (@I am the \u201cRadical Left\u201d & we love America too.) 1629741634
If coming in sick to work is American, then I'm not an American. \n\nShe didn't come in work because "they knew were short staffed", she came in, because if she didn't work, she wouldn't get any type of pay to cover the day, and missing a day of work in this country means death.https://twitter.com/JoshMandelOhio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfa\u262d No Zaku, boy, no Zaku! (@\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfa\u262d No Zaku, boy, no Zaku!) 1629748320
Regardless of the pandemic, you're not supposed to be working, especially in a food industry, while sick.https://twitter.com/JoshMandelOhio/status/1428784031638949899\u00a0\u2026— Not Lars (@Not Lars) 1629755206
The overwhelmingly negative reaction also prompted the brewery to respond to the controversy.
In a statement to local news station WTOL 11, they expressed disappointment with the entire situation as well as concerns for their employees and customers.
They stated:
"This is so disappointing. Last week we sent a message to our staff saying that they should report any symptoms, big or small, to a manager, and not come to work."
"And no one should just assume it's allergies or a cold. Although our server's intentions were good, it was not the right decision and it will be addressed."
The brewery noted Brianne, the waitress Mandel praised, was sent home.
"Yes, we are short-staffed, but would close our doors before we put anyone at risk. The employee has since been sent home."
The statement from the brewery didn't go over well with Mandel, who doubled down despite the criticism.
In a follow-up tweet, Mandel accused the brewery's owners of "giving into the woke mob."
"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."
The company later deleted its Twitter account following online backlash.
Speaking to WTVG in Toledo, Inside The Five co-owner Chris Morris criticized Mandel for inciting the criticism.
"Honestly, I had no idea who he was prior to today. Apparently, he took a photo with an employee and posted whatever his political agenda is on his social media."
"It is our policy for employees to inform all management before coming to work. As soon as we found out, we sent our employee home."
"Anytime we're shown in a bad light, it's upsetting to us, but we'll get through this."
Mandel has not issued another response to the controversy.
In a recent interview, he downplayed the severity of the pandemic, referring to vaccines as "immoral" and "unethical."