Virus 'No Joke,' Says Restaurateur Who Temporarily Closed Doors

BETHESDA, MD — Tony Marciante, owner of Chef Tony's in Bethesda, announced he has closed his business temporarily in order to keep his employees and customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Only a week ago, Marciante, 51, and his wife, Sonia, were maintaining a skeletal staff at the restaurant and offering carryout. But now they've changed their tune, given how quickly the virus has been spreading.

In a seven-minute video posted to YouTube last week, the Bethesda restauranteur explained their decision to close up shop.

"We couldn't bear the thought of getting someone sick," he said. "Not from us through our food, but having people come to the door, having to drive to the restaurant. We're wrapped up in medical gear. We're wearing face masks and gloves and hats and hair nets and all the rest of it —which is what you need to do. But it's just kind of getting to be too much, in our opinion, to be feeling good about it."

On March 16, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) ordered the closure of sit-down restaurants and bars to stem the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Establishments can keep their doors open if they provide curbside pickup and carryout options.

"We've been busy. That's the terrible part," Marciante said. "We've been serving a lot of people every day. And we appreciate that.

"We feel for our staff. We feel for our guests," the 51-year-old continued. "I mean, just literally less than 12 hours ago, we were making shrimp pasta and chicken and all the good stuff. It's hitting too close to home. It's a weird reality that we're in."

What really struck him, Marciante said, was learning about an otherwise healthy 30-year-old man dying from the new coronavirus.

"Perhaps what pushed me over the edge ... (I) watched a video of someone — passed away at 30 years old. Strong guy. Coach. Teacher. He got sick and two, three, four days later, he's dead," Marciante said. "I don't mean to be sharing downer news, but it's just the reality of what we're dealing with."

In his video, Marciante urged everyone to take the pandemic seriously.

"Please take this for real, everybody. This thing is no joke," he said.