Owner of Herkimer Diner talks coronavirus impact

Local business owner is interviewed by New York Times about coronavirus

Featured in the new york times discussing the differences between upstate new york and down state during the coronavirus pandemic.

Newschannel2's chelsea sherrod has the story.

While new york state has been hit hard by the coronavirus the majority of the cases have been downstate and yes northern counties have also been affected but not as much leaving residence and businesses like crazy autos here in herkimer wondering if and when things can resume.

Crazy otto's empire diner owner scott tranter, has seen the effects of the coronavirus pandemic first hand.

Scott tranter: well it's been absolutely devastating.

The local diner got national attention in a new york times article about how the upstate new york region seems to be more worried about the economy rather than their health because there are fewer coronavirus cases.

In the article tranter is quoted by saying, "i am not trying to minimize covid, because its real and its ascary but it's not up here.

How are we going to recover if we take away the ability to make a living?"

He says that he was mis-quoted in the article and wants to set the record straight scott tranter: a little bit miss quoted how it's not up here and that's not really what i said i said it's not up here like it is down in the city it's tragic it's real it's here there's a lot of beer and i don't want to downplay that but it's just not the same up here.

The number of coronavirus hospitalizations in new york state continue to decrease but the number of positive cases are over 300,000 and rising.

Herkimer county has seen 58 cases and 3 deaths from the virus.

Governor andrew cuomo has stated that the virus is still alive and well but some businesses in less hard-hit regions might open after may 15.

Scott tranter: one of the things that i'm doing and then i'm going to do when i open upne thermometers here for your head and stuff especially for my employees so they feel safe working here and coming backottr over 65 years.

Since closing for the first time in march, tranter says that it will re-open next week unconventionally.

Scott tranter: we're going to do curbside we're gonna do take oute're going to delivery free delivy in a 10 milradius it better qcker i thk we stilgot a long wato go down before we start really coming up especially businesswise i do.

Here in herkimer, i'm chelsea sherrod news channel 2.

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