CrossFit Golden Gate owner Danielle Rabkin plays with her dog Bruno while interviewed at her gym in San Francisco, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:33 AM PT – Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Gyms owners and patrons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are rallying against Democrat Mayor Jim Kenny’s order to close gyms amid rising coronavirus cases.
Over two dozen gyms in the city have formed a coalition and gathered more than 1,500 signatures since last Friday when gyms were ordered to close until January.
Gym owners argue the move is unfair as safety precautions have been put in place to avoid infections and fitness clubs serve an important function for the mental health of the communities they serve.
“The mayor has cut off the number one tool our community uses to maintain their mental and physical wellness,” stated gym owner Gavin McKay. “If this continues it will be a deathblow to an already decimated industry, eliminating jobs and income for thousands of employees.”
Boutique gym owners have joined forces launching the #PhiladelphiaFitnessCoalition. They are challenging @PhillyMayor recent #COVID19 closures saying there’s no data supporting spread of virus in gyms. Owners say they need relief and many won’t survive. More on @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/9B0Z6ARnNj
— Cherri “Mask Up Please” Gregg ??? (@cherrigregg) November 24, 2020
Members of the coalition are asking to meet with the mayor to argue their case.
