LA Restaurants's Bleed During Pandemic

Nothing has turned our reality upside down like the coronavirus pandemic - not being able to see your loved ones, go to large gatherings, or even eat at your favorite restaurant are some of the new lived-experiences we are having to come to terms with. As a consequence of health concerns raised by the global pandemic, restaurants have been forced to shut down or limit seating options. However, the pandemic did bring about positive change as a multitude of new mutual aid groups have formed in an effort to keep communities afloat amidst economic turmoil. For example, No Us Without You is an initiative that came about to feed undocumented workers in LA, and the Lee Initiative, founded by Chef Edward Lee, is providing meals and essential items to struggling food service workers (Eater). After reading about dozens of these new groups in LA, I was comforted by the unbridled enthusiasm the local community exhibited in picking itself up when government institutions, sworn to provide their community with a safety net, failed to deliver on their promise.