Tower District business owner in Fresno posts signs mocking coronavirus and Gov. Newsom

A Fresno billiards hall owner has grown tired of the shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

So much so, he’s expressing his frustration for all to see.

And many have noticed.

Tim Ferrigan, owner of Detention Billiards, said he used some sarcasm and humor when he wrote a few messages on chalkboards and prominently displayed them at the front of his pool hall, taking aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s efforts to curb the pandemic.

Chalkboard No. 1: “Dear Governor. There is a spike in Corona because there is a spike in testing. If we gave more I.Q. tests there’d be a spike in idiots too (if you’re an idiot, I apologize grouping you in with Newsom).”

Chalkboard No. 2: “Do you feel threatened by people not wearing a mandatory Covid masks? 1. Stay home. 2. Call 1-800-273-8255.“

That number is the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Chalkboard No. 3: “I’ve been to war, shot, married twice, stabbed once. No virus name after a light beer is going to stop me.”

In a phone interview with The Bee, Ferrigan defending his messages.

“When you look at the stats — the real stats — you can talk all day about why (the pandemic) is being blown way out of proportion,” Ferrigan said. “But this is an election year. We all know this is a political virus.

“The whole thing, I think is ludicrous.”

California’s ‘start-and-stop’ pandemic reaction

Nonetheless, Ferrigan said his business has complied with local and state mandates on when it could operate.

In turn, Detention Hall, like many other businesses categorized as a bar or entertain center, has been closed for approximately four months since the pandemic started in mid-March.

Ferrigan said his business took several steps to try to remain open, including acquiring a restaurant license and equipment since restaurants were allowed to stay open but bars had to close.

With the restaurant permit, Ferrigan’s billiards place was open for about three weeks.

He said he also increased hand sanitizing stations, and had customers and employees wear masks.

“Then the government closed us all down, anyway,” Ferrigan said. “It’s been a start-and-stop process for not particular rhyme or reason.

“I understand a couple of bars were pushing the envelope and selling bags of chips then saying they were selling food so they should be open,” Ferrigan said. “I spent $1,000 on a food permit. We worked with the county health inspector to help me become a restaurant. We took other precautions and had hand sanitizers all around. And they still shut us down.”

Ferrigan said he’s lost at least 25 percent of his annual income due to the shutdown and his staff of nine people have been out of work for the majority of the time since March.

Backlash to the coronavirus signs

Though Ferrigan had his reasons for his chalkboard messages, many were not amused by the tone of his signs.

Especially with Ferrigan using a telephone number to the suicide hotline.

Some on social media have said they will no longer go to Detention Hall.

“I’m always so glad when people show their true colors,” Alice Fabel wrote on Facebook, “because it lets me know to not waste anymore of my time on them.”

Ferrigan reiterated that his chalkboard messages always have had a snarky tone to them and often generated laughs — not a backlash.

He also defended his use of the suicide hotline, stating that he didn’t list the Fresno County coroner’s office, which would imply people should kill themselves but provided a number to a hotline that’s supposed to help prevent suicides.

“This is a social media society that we live in now, and the lowest common denominator is always the loudest and everyone else just piles on,” Ferrigan said. “This doesn’t bother me.

“Snowflakes are the ones who are triggered.”

It’s unclear if Ferrigan plans to erase the signs.

He said his business will continue to follow the governor’s orders of when it can open, much because its alcohol license is issued and can be revoked by the state.

“Listen, I haven’t raised hell over this shutdown by the emperor,” said Ferrigan, alluding to Newsom. “I put out signs expressing how I felt.

“Yeah, it’s been frustrating.”

This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 10:00 AM.