COVID compliance

POINTER: Last week the state Department of Health and Department of Labor announced stepped-up checks of hospitality businesses — bars and restaurants — to make sure they are complying with COVID-19 regulations. Are employees wearing masks? Are tables far enough apart for social distancing? Are there hand sanitizers?

But what about customers? Bar and restaurant owners can do all they can to keep their businesses safe, but if customers won’t wear masks, or insist on mingling in large groups, there’s not much the owners can do except shut down.

We’ve seen people start to come into The Journal without face masks, and when we mention that they are required, they will say, “Oh, it’s out in the car” and go get it.

Please, people remember to act cautiously, especially during this Labor Day weekend. COVID-19 doesn’t take holidays. It is working all the time.

Riot without a cause

THUMBS DOWN: As deplorable as the rioting and looting following the death of George Floyd was last May, at least it could be understood as a reaction to a real incident. Last week, the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis was hit again by rioters and looters, but this time their actions were spurred by a false rumor. As police approached a man suspected in a earlier shooting, the man pulled a gun and shot himself to death. Word spread via social media that Minneapolis police had killed him, forcing the MPD to release graphic security footage showing the man shooting himself. It didn’t matter to the rioters, who jumped at the opportunity to break windows, help themselves and set fires.

Police arrested dozens, but perhaps they should also charge those who spread the false story without checking its veracity.

Stars and Stripes

THUMBS UP: Stars and Stripes, an independent newspaper, funded by the Defense Department, focuses on reporting news for the military. It has performed this great service for decades, but a Defense Department proposal would have cut its funding, and ordered it to halt publication by Sept. 30.

Members of Congress have criticized this proposal, and on Friday President Trump tweeted that it wouldn’t happen under his watch, even though he had said nothing about it for months. Whatever reason Trump may have had for finally preserving the paper, we’re glad he did.