Democratic National Convention participants asked to pledge to avoid Milwaukee bars and restaurants

Democratic National Convention participants have been asked to pledge to avoid Milwaukee bars and restaurants during the event.

The pledge is part of a checklist for  convention-goers aimed at avoiding the spread of COVID-19.

Protocols previously released by the Democratic National Convention Committee urged participants to avoid bars and restaurants "where social distancing is not possible or not practiced." Now, participants are asked to pledge to not go to any bars or restaurants.

"I think it’s pretty outrageous actually," said Ald. Robert Bauman, who represents the district that includes much of downtown, including the Wisconsin Center where the Aug. 17-20 convention is anchored. "What more do they want to do to us? They want to saddle us with all these costs, they want to bring hundreds and maybe thousands of protesters down on our head and then they don't want any attendees eating in Milwaukee?"

A DNCC spokesperson answered, "Ensuring the safety and well-being of our host community and everyone involved with our convention has always been our top priority, and we continue to follow the guidance of public health officials and experts."

The convention, which was initially expected to draw some 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee, has been dramatically scaled back into an almost-entirely virtual event.

Organizers announced last week that former Vice President Joe Biden and other speakers would no longer travel to Wisconsin for the event.

Those still expected to speak at the Wisconsin Center include U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Gov. Tony Evers, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, organizers announced Tuesday. 

Omar Shaikh, owner of Carnevor Steakhouse and president of the VISIT Milwaukee board, said the pledge may have little effect on Milwaukee restaurants and bars at this point.

"First of all, I think it's a moot point now, as we've gone fully virtual I don't think there will be anybody in town, to be honest," he said in an interview. "But, you know, it was obviously disappointing."

Shaikh said his company, for example, has had staff members working for the past two weeks "basically sanitizing and cleaning top to bottom our restaurant, and every inch of it, in preparation for the DNC."

But he added that he understands the priority is public health and working "to keep everybody safe."

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said she was aware of the pledge but was not considering — nor had she been asked — to shut down bars and restaurants during the convention.

Contact Mary Spicuzza at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MSpicuzzaMJS.