Senator says restaurant employees shouldn’t be required to wash their hands

[bono_212]

Once we’re done debating whether children should be vaccinated, we can move on to other pressing public health questions, such as whether eateries can force their employees to wash their hands after they use the bathroom.

At least one freshman U.S. senator thinks, “nah.” Because freedom.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), at the end of an appearance Monday at the Bipartisan Policy Center, volunteered a story about “his bias when it comes to regulatory reform.”

Tillis said he was at a Starbucks in 2010 talking to a woman about regulations and where businesses should be allowed to opt out. His coffee companion challenged him, asking whether employees there should be required to wash their hands.

“As a matter of fact I think this is one where I think I can illustrate the point,” he recalled telling her. “I don’t have any problem with Starbucks if they choose to opt out of this policy as long as they post a sign that says we don’t require our employees to wash their hands after leaving the restroom. The market will take care of that. It’s one example.” (Is requiring a sign not a regulation?)

Tillis, who told the story with his right hand raised for emphasis, concluded that in his example most businesses who posted signs telling customers their food workers didn’t have to wash their hands would likely go out of business. Ah, the free market!

Closing the event, Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet said, “I’m not sure if I’m going to shake your hand…” (But then he did.)

Just so you know, in describing why handwashing is required, the FDA says, “Proper handwashing reduces the spread of fecal-oral pathogens from the hands of a food employee to foods.”

If Tillis’s career in politics doesn’t work out, may we politely suggest he pursue anything but food service.

Updated at 5:30 p.m.: An Associated Press reporter caught up with Tillis on Capitol Hill, and the senator did not back down from his belief that businesses should “get to make that decision versus government.”

Senator says restaurant employees shouldn’t be required to wash their hands - The Washington Post


I'm done.

[mikal]

I mean, if his goal was to come across as edgy he failed. Instead he just looks like a fucking idiot.


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[bono_212]

My thought is that his goal was to get people to know his name. To what end, I don't know.

[mikal]

Ah that makes sense. Well hopefully the Republican Party saves some of these blunders for2016.


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[BVS]

Originally Posted by mikal

Ah that makes sense. Well hopefully the Republican Party saves some of these blunders for2016.


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It's like they're almost purposely doubling down on everything that will make them lose in 2016.

If I were a Democrat running for president, I would just sit back, be quiet and wait till the month before and then campaign.

[cobl04]

Well that is taking libertarianism to a whole new extreme.

[elevated_u2_fan]

I only had to read the title to know this guy is a Republican...

[LemonMelon]

The moment he claimed the free market would sort everything out, I knew what I was getting into.

[Hewson]

Originally Posted by bono_212

My thought is that his goal was to get people to know his name. To what end, I don't know.

Hopefully so his constituents will know who to vote against next time he's up for re-election.

[DaveC]

"Tillis, who told the story with his right hand raised for emphasis"

Part of me wants to make a comment about how my brain pictures this guy holding said arm out and up at about a 45-degree angle, but then again that analogy doesn't really work for libertarians who are this batshit crazy intense.

[Galeongirl]

Yeah, how about we don't do this and not fuck up basic hygiene?

[gump]

It reminds me of this:

[corianderstem]

Oh boy, maybe we could get measles AND e coli in the same restaurant! Yay!

[Hewson]

Originally Posted by corianderstem

Oh boy, maybe we could get measles AND e coli in the same restaurant! Yay!

Kind of like a surf and turf special.

[Vlad n U 2]

Originally Posted by cobl04

Well that is taking libertarianism to a whole new extreme.

I think this is actually pretty mild for libertarian standards ...

[Kieran McConville]

Seriously? This is what brings FYM back from the dead? Yowza.

I know, I know, start my own awesome thread. One day maybe.

[DaveC]

I like to think that the magic of Left Shark helped out a little.

[KhanadaRhodes]

this is a pretty shitty idea and i think his party should wash their hands of the guy for even suggesting this.

[Dfit00]

Most restaurant employees don't wash their hands anyway.

I have seen Burger King employees preparing double whoppers without gloves either.

[BVS]

Originally Posted by Dfit00

Most restaurant employees don't wash their hands anyway.

I have seen Burger King employees preparing double whoppers without gloves either.

That is an impossible statement to backup.

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of gloves, I'd prefer a washed hand over latex dust in my food.


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