Seattle’s Windy City Pie responds to harassment over vaccination policy
Nov 15, 2021, 11:28 AM
Indoor businesses in King County must check for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. (MyNorthwest photo)
(MyNorthwest photo)
While restaurants in King County are required to have indoor dining patrons provide proof of either full vaccination against COVID-19 or of a negative test taken with 72 hours, some restaurants are opting for more stringent policies. That includes Seattle’s Windy City Pie, which recently responded to a flood of negative reviews and harassment.
Everything you need to know about King County’s vaccine requirements
The Chicago-style pizza joint located in the city’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood requires proof of vaccination for both indoor and outdoor dining, and does not allow an exception for a negative test. On its website, it also has a message that reads: “If you are voluntarily not vaccinated, please eat, elsewhere nowhere.”
That policy caught the attention of many of those opposed to vaccine requirements, leading to a flood of negative posts on Windy City Pie’s Facebook page. That included a string of similarly-worded reviews over a one-week period claiming the service was “rude and unprofessional,” and that the food was “disgusting.” Prior to that, just one review had been posted to its Facebook page since late-July.
Windy City Pie responded last week, noting that it “looks like we’ve caught the ire of anti-vaxx extremists.”
Health officer clarifies: King County vaccine policy ‘required, not voluntary’
“While we’re grateful for ensuring their followers never visit us, we’re less enthused that they’ve called for the harassment of our employees,” its statement reads. “Let us make our position abundantly clear: We believe in the social contract. We believe in science. We believe in creating a safe work environment for our hardworking employees. And we believe in protecting the safety of our customers.”
“If you are eligible and medically able to receive vaccination yet don’t feel it’s necessary to do that small act to protect your community from a deadly virus, we don’t feel it’s necessary to serve you pizza,” it continues. “To us, getting vaccinated to protect our community — including the most vulnerable among us — is an act of love, as is cooking the pizza we care deeply about.”
Subsequent reviews posted to Windy City Pie’s Facebook page since its statement issued last week have been a mix of supporters of its policy and users posting anti-vaccine comments and photos.
