Restaurants and bars continue to find themselves at the center of the national debate over recent spikes in the COVID-19 pandemic, putting the industry in a precarious political and reputational position. This week on the Working Lunch podcast, the team from Align Public Strategies discusses how the industry is going to have to thread the needle and be vigorous advocates for the business model while being sensitive to the health and safety challenges communities are facing.

After a long summer of suspense, Joe Biden finally made it official, naming Sen. Kamala Harris of California, his onetime rival for the nomination, as his running mate. Align Public Strategies takes a look at her record from a restaurant industry perspective, and talks about what her priorities might be.

Finally, the CEO of Uber is once again emerging from the independent contractor fracas in California – one that he partially created – and using it as a national platform to advocate for portable benefits. The team discusses what that could mean for employers both now and going forward. The podcast wraps up with the weekly legislative scorecard.

Working Lunch · Episode 177: Industry Pushes Back On Pandemic Data

Align Public Strategies is a full-service public affairs and creative firm that helps corporate brands, governments and nonprofits navigate the outside world and inform their internal decision-making. This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of Nation's Restaurant News or Restaurant Hospitality

Related:Working Lunch: Restaurant operators in limbo as coronavirus relief legislation stalls in Congress