Waffle House chairman blasts restaurant limits
The chairman of Waffle House, a chain known for getting its restaurants back up and running after natural disasters, isn't happy with where he says many political leaders are heading on the coronavirus response.
Joe Rogers Jr., the 73-year-old sole board member of the nearly 2,000-restaurant, family-controlled chain said banning in-restaurant dining and closing some businesses, are "totally out of proportion."
"American leaders have to lead people through ruinous times, but leaders don't lead people to ruin," he said later, warning that many large and small businesses might not survive.
Rogers has urged elected officials in Georgia to not adopt tough restrictions similar to those imposed on businesses in other states. In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rogers also bemoaned "doom and gloom" talk from the White House.
On Thursday, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke each signed executive orders temporarily barring in-restaurant dining and closing down nightclubs and gyms. Waffle House has 15 restaurants in metro Chattanooga.
UPS aids White House with drive-up test sites
UPS is helping the Trump administration with logistics planning and operations for the opening of drive-up coronavirus testing sites.
The Sandy Springs, Georgia-based shipping giant specializes in logistics planning and health care logistics in particular, and said it is helping the White House Rapid-Response Taskforce for Coronavirus Testing Sites with plans for testing sites in several cities. The company said it is mobilizing air and ground network planning and operations teams and is ready to help with transportation for the community-based testing sites.
UPS CEO David Abney said in a written statement that the company is "prepared to fully support this urgent testing program."
UPS transports more than 3 percent of gross domestic product globally and about 6 percent of U.S. GDP.
It has changed procedures to minimize risk amid the coronavirus pandemic, including allowing drivers to release shipments without needing a signature. Drivers may post a form on the door to be signed to allow social distancing.
"We are committed to rapidly adjusting our processes to ensure our employees, customers and communities can maintain normal daily life to the greatest extent possible while we adjust to the new realities of this pandemic," Abney said in his statement.
Earlier on as COVID-19 first spread in China, UPS transported face masks and other protective equipment to that country.