Despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks – and the likelihood of a peak after the holiday – governor of South Carolina Henry McMaster it has no immediate plans to impose any additional restrictions on business, sources familiar with its thinking said in this medium.
In fact, McMaster is reportedly looking forward to to reverse a decision he made last summer banning the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars after 11:00 pm EST.
Wait … can the governor tell private companies when they can or cannot serve alcohol?
Allegedly. McMaster continues to operate using emergency powers that he appropriated in mid-March 2020 – when the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic sparked fear and panic across the country (along with economically debilitating social blocks). These powers were supposed to remain in effect for only two weeks, but McMaster has repeatedly extended his authority through new emergency statements.
In announcing the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages late at night, McMaster indicated that he hoped to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to older Southern Carolinians, coming from “younger people (who) may feel good … (but ) may carry the virus “.
“We are concerned with the spread, involuntarily, from the younger generations to the older generations,” said McMaster during a press conference on July 10, 2020. “It is time for our younger adults to behave like mature adults.”
McMaster never liked the order, however … believing he was pressured to issue it by SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) officials, who publicly criticized the governor for handling the virus.
On December 17, 2020, the SC Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) issued a press release calling McMaster to “suspend the request for the last call at 11:00 pm”.
“We continue to support aggressive measures to protect our state’s public health, but there is an unfounded impression that restaurants are part of the problem,” the group said in its statement, citing New York data showing that restaurants and bars account for only 1.4 percent of Covid-19 transmissions in the Empire State.
By the way, we cited this data in a report published just two days before the group launched its challenge to McMaster.
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According to the SCRLA statement, South Carolina’s restaurants and bars are “suffering as a result of inconsistent and restrictive mandates – which includes Governor McMaster’s last order at 11 pm”.
“Governor McMaster can make a difference by restoring full restaurant and hotel opening hours to serve guests safely,” noted the group.
McMaster’s office indicated that it was “contemplating” the SCRLA request, by reporter Julia Kauffman from WLTX TV 19 (CBS – Columbia, SC) – but the next day it was announced that SC’s first lady Peggy McMaster tested positive for Covid-19.
Days later, McMaster himself tested positive.
According to our sources, McMaster – whose inconsistent Covid-19 manipulation had already undermined his political strength – was considering ending the last call around Thanksgiving, but “then the rock bottom collapsed.”
“(The governor) believes that the last call has lost its intended effect because most bars are simply opening earlier,” said a source close to McMaster. “He also believes it can be an unconstitutional take.”
We don’t disagree with the last perspective …
McMaster is also apparently sensitive to criticism from the SC senator Dick Harpootlian – who is involved in an ongoing war with bar owners in downtown Columbia, SC
“If he suspends (the last order of call), Harpo will go crazy,” a source close to the governor told us.
Still, we are told that McMaster is inclined to remove the restriction – although he will “get to hell” for that, according to our source.
“No matter what he does, he will go to hell,” added the source.
In fact … which underscores the precariousness of McMaster’s position as he ponders whether to seek a full second term as governor in the June 2022 Republican primary elections. President GOP – who narrowly rejected a failed offer from a newly arrived politician John Warren in 2018 – is likely to face another challenge from the Greenville, SC-based entrepreneur within eighteen months.
Several other elected officials across the state are also weighing their own bids, we’re told – including McMaster’s vice governor himself, Pamela Evette.
What do you think? Should McMaster revert its position on alcohol sales late at night or keep it in place? Vote in our poll and post your opinion in our comments section below …
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-FITSNews
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