Bars open, schools closed: Officials’ comments frustrate bar owner

(Update: Adding response from Bend bar owner)

BEND, Ore (KTVZ) -- At a Bend-La Pine School Board meeting Tuesday night, some comments drew attention when a slide graphic from the Texas Medical Association depicted bars being a highest-risk COVID-19 activity.

School board member Caroline Skidmore pointed the slide out and said something echoed by some parents and others in the community of late: "I just want to point out that our bars continue to be open while our schools continue to be closed."

Dr. George Conway, Deschutes County Health Services director, showed the slide being discussed. He responded to Skidmore, saying he personally doesn't think it makes any sense to have bars open while schools are closed.

"The reason it doesn't make sense, just to be more granular about it, is that we know that a lot of the mixing of the young adults that we're seeing are in bar settings and other social settings," Conway said.

Skidmore responded: "I just want to kind of go on the record for just saying how much it bothers me that our kids are really kind of taking the brunt of this."

A Bend bar owner weighed in on the issue Wednesday with NewsChannel 21.

Kelly Davidson, the owner of Irish pub Kelly D's in Bend, expressed frustration with the comments, saying that he’s been working hard to maintain safety for customers and workers.

 "I mean, it's hurtful," he said. "You know, we like to think we know what we're doing were following all of the guidelines. To have us piled on, I don’t think it’s fair."

Kelly said he believes restaurants and bars are being portrayed unfairly.

“Everything is social distanced," he said. "We’re following all of the protocols and feel like were doing a really good job, as are most of the bars and restaurants in our area."