Thor Stacey’s segue in his op-ed from delays in small business COVID-19 aid to a need to protect business from liability for its own unsafe behavior is classic gaslighting.
Businesses that act reasonably, including those obeying government safety laws, never have liability. On the other hand, businesses that intentionally disobey public safety regulations rightfully should be held accountable for their irresponsible actions. For example, bars serving underage minors. are rightfully held responsible for the consequences of their actions. On the other hand, bars confirming the age of their customers face no liability.
If the concern is customers claiming unreasonable businesses actions caused COVID-19, businesses, as the Trump campaign has already done, have the right to condition business on patrons assuming the risk of illness. Already, the news has shared stories of prominent notices in stores that customers unwilling to assume the risk of COVID-19 should shop elsewhere. As a customer, I consider this important information in deciding which businesses I support.
Simply ignored by Mr. Stacey is the fact that businesses acting reasonably face no liability, responsible businesses have insurance to protect itself from spurious lawsuits, or, most important, Alaska law requiring lawsuit losers to pay attorneys’ fees to lawsuit winners. If there is indeed a business claiming it has not reopened solely because of fear of a COVID-19 lawsuit or an inability to obtain insurance, Mr. Stacey does not share the example. My bet is that there is a “rest of the story.”
A public health crisis is not the time for business to seek protection for irresponsible “bad apple” businesses creating greater dangers to the public. This serves only to create more problems for the rest of us.
Marc June
Anchorage
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