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Nunes Says Dine Out. Local Health Official Says It's OK.
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
March 15, 2020

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Should restaurants be avoided during the COVID-19 outbreak?
Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) says it’s OK to dine out. And, Fresno County’s top public health official agrees.
Both said so with the caveat that dining out should be done in good health. Dr. Rais Vohra, the county’s interim health officer, added that frequent hand washing and social distancing are necessary as well.

Nunes: Eat Out, Don’t Hoard

Nunes appeared on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” talking about the coronavirus.
“If you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to go out and go to a local restaurant, likely you can get in easily. Let’s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going,” Nunes said.
Nunes said there were no shortages of food and toilet paper, thus hoarding wasn’t necessary.
However, many Fresno area stores were out of — or running low on — toilet paper, water, pasta, meat, and canned goods this weekend.

County Top Doc: Dining Out OK

Asked for his advice on dining out and shopping, Vohra said it’s OK as long as precautions are made.
“We absolutely are sensitive to the fact that people still need to go out and do their grocery shopping and live their lives. But obviously, we want to keep people safe by minimizing the number of germs of COVID-19,” Vohra said.
Vohra said not to touch your face or eat with dirty hands.
And of course, stay home if you are feeling sick.
Fresno County announced a state of emergency on Saturday night after the second case of COVID-19 in the county emerged. The declaration does not prevent businesses from remaining open.

Top Federal Health Official Avoiding Restaurants

A top federal health official, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS News’ “Face the Nation” he would avoid restaurants.
A top federal health official, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS News’ “Face the Nation” he would avoid restaurants.
“You don’t want to make a pronouncement that no one should ever go into a restaurant,” Fauci said. “I mean, I think that might be overkill right now, but everything is on the table.”
Fauci added he would not personally go into a restaurant and risk catching COVID-19.

Nunes Opponent Critical

Phil Arballo, a Democrat running against Nunes for Congress, blasted Nunes in a news release and on Twitter.
“At a time when we are facing the most serious public health crisis of our lifetimes, Devin Nunes is choosing to place ignorance and politics over the health and safety of our community,” Arballo said. “It comes as no surprise that Congressman Nunes is putting politics first, but his reckless rhetoric will cause more people to get sick and could cause more people in the Central Valley to die.”

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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