Ex-N.Y. Ranger feuds with photographer who confronted Sarah Palin about being COVID positive at Manhattan eatery
While visiting the city to pursue a libel lawsuit against the New York Times, COVID-19-infected ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin got an ex-New York Ranger to play defense against a photographer who shot video of her at an Upper East Side eatery.
Video of the encounter at Elio’s on Second Avenue in Yorkville on Wednesday night was posted Thursday night on the Twitter page of Upper East Site, a local news outlet.
“Hi there,” the photographer said. “Are any of you guys concerned that she tested positive for COVID? I’m just curious.”
At that, ex-Ranger and ex-MSG analyst Ron Duguay got up from the table, approached the photographer, and said: “Are you looking for trouble?”
Duguay then apparently knocked to the ground the device the photographer was using to shoot the video.
The photographer told the Daily News he spoke to police about the incident. Law enforcement sources confirmed late Thursday that officers responded to a verbal dispute at Elio’s that involved Palin, and that the situation was resolved.
The video came to light after Mayor Adams’ office issued a warning earlier Thursday to New Yorkers who crossed Palin’s infected path.
“We encourage any New Yorker who came into contact with Sarah Palin to get tested, just as we encourage all New Yorkers to get tested regularly, especially those who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19,” said Adams spokesman Jonah Allon.
Palin, the former Alaska governor and avowed anti-vaxxer, was seated outdoors Wednesday night at Elio’s, Gothamist first reported.
On an earlier visit Saturday to Elio’s — before her diagnosis — Palin dined inside without showing the required city-mandated proof of vaccination.
Palin, who has contracted COVID before, is famously unvaccinated, and has vowed that any vaccine against the disease would be given her “over my dead body.”
Elio’s manager Luca Guaitolini said workers were trying to put the visit behind them.
“It’s unfortunate, but we’ve moved on,” Guaitolini said. “We’ve been answering all the questions since Wednesday. What can I tell you? We are spaghetti people.”
City inspectors did not observe Palin’s visit — which means it won’t impose a fine on Elio’s for letting her dine indoors. Restaurants that violate city COVID rules can be fined $1,000 for a first violation. A spokesman for Mayor Adams said the fines rise to $2,000 for a second violation and $5,000 for third and subsequent violations.
Even so, the mayor’s office had strong words for Palin.
“By repeatedly flouting CDC guidelines, Ms. Palin has shown a complete disregard for the health and safety of small business workers and her fellow patrons,” Allon said.
“The city offers multiple resources to support isolation for those who test positive for COVID-19, and we encourage Ms. Palin to join the 98 percent of New Yorkers who report they have followed guidance on isolation and have helped New York City stop the spread.”
City inspectors contacted Elio’s Thursday to educate them about COVID-19 rules for restaurants and other businesses, according to a City Hall official.
As far as the city is concerned, Elio’s has so far been in compliance with the rules — but the eatery “will be receiving an unannounced inspection in the future” in light of Palin’s visit, the official added.
Palin’s Italian food fest also included a Tuesday night stop at Campagnola, a few blocks away, where she also ate outdoors. At both places, she was spotted coming or going without a mask, and left one of the restaurants in the back of an SUV where she sat in close quarters with other passengers.
Palin tested positive for COVID on Monday. She was required to take a test because she planned to remove her mask to give testimony at a trial for a defamation lawsuit she has launched against the New York Times.
The trial has been delayed until February 3.
At Campagnola, where the specials include Pappardelle Casalinga, Tony, a regular, had a hard time digesting Palin’s apparent coronavirus indifference.
“It’s disgusting,” Tony said. “We all have to abide by the rules. Why doesn’t she?”
