The coronavirus pandemic was a financial nightmare for many small businesses around the country. A study released by the Federal Reserve Board in April found that roughly 200,000 more U.S. businesses closed permanently in 2020 than in a normal year. Service-oriented businesses and restaurants were hit especially hard, particularly in blue states where some Democratic governors instituted draconian and often long-lasting restrictions. Most business owners complied. But some, including Lepejian, ultimately refused. To some, these dissidents were heroes fighting unconstitutional orders handed down by tyrannical governments. To others they were acting selfishly, helping the deadly virus spread, and often citing misinformation and bogus reports to justify bad decisions. Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who emerged as one of the most prominent critics of heavy-handed lockdowns, has pardoned everyone who violated his COVID-related health orders. But in states such as New York and California, the lockdown defiers are being made to pay the price. National Review reached out to business owners who defied government shutdown orders last winter, or who fought back in other ways. Several of their businesses are now closed.