'People are desperate': California shutdown pushes businesses to breaking point

With surging cases forcing drastic state measures, already struggling industries take yet another blow

Laurie Thomas had high hopes that her restaurant, Terzo, would be able to stay open this holiday season. Her team had been serving its upscale Mediterranean fare from the restaurant's San Francisco sidewalk after adjusting to outside-only dining requirements.

But as California saw a dramatic surge in Covid cases in recent weeks, Governor Gavin Newsom issued stricter shutdown orders that again restricted businesses and put an end to outdoor dining.