My wife and I enjoy eating out from time to time and like for many as of late, it has been a while since out last outing. It is not that we are afraid of contracting the virus or giving it to someone else (though we do take precautions and mask up when we do go out), it is just that the idea of our wait staff donning hazmat suits while bringing us our food just takes away from the experience. However, we decided it was time to see what it’s like again in the world outside our front door. There was a new breakfast spot in our area that was the talk of the town before the pandemic turned our community, like so many others, upside down. We heard the owners are really good, philanthropic people and we love giving folks like that our business whenever we can. So, we hopped in the car this morning and ventured into the unknown, having no idea what to expect and dreading that aspect. But... onward! Upon arriving, we noticed the street was blocked off to make space for a makeshift patio; a technique many restaurants are having to employ in cooperation with the cities, landowners and neighboring businesses. (Okay... not too weird.) We found parking a block away and began our approach on foot. As we neared the entrance, we noticed nobody in the “patio” area had masks on other than the waitstaff. Yet, when we made our way toward the host, everyone was dressed in their Covid best. (I guess that’s alright.) We gave the host our name and were told to keep our masks on and to wait along with the others. (Whatever.) We were seated after about ten minutes or so, greeted by our waitress who placed a miniature clipboard with a QR code on it, told to scan it with our phones for the menu, and handed two plastic take-out silverware sets, complete with a spoon, fork, knife, napkin, and salt and pepper packet. (This is interesting.) Even the condiments came out in small, single-use plastic cups. Up until that point, we were still fine with the whole sanitation simulation. After all, each of these measures were part of the numerous mandates handed down by our state in order for a restaurant to even be allowed to be open. But when our waitress brought our coffee, and I couldn’t help but notice we were expected to drink out of reusable, dish washable ceramic mugs, they really lost me. Not to mention the real plates and drinking glasses we were using. I mean, I know the detriments to our environment that accompany the use of plastic straws, but if this virus is real, maybe we relax a bit on this one temporarily. So, somehow this magic plastic fork was going to disinfect our plate each time we went in for a bite? And the residual effects would sanitize each drinking apparatus we used henceforth? Again, I’m not worried about the disease, but, come on! Like so many others, I have no idea what to believe anymore. I know the virus is real and I understand that it is dangerous for some. And I am happy to comply until we know more. But these little contradictory hoops that businesses are having to employ is where they start to lose me. A plastic silverware set, sealed for our protection, paired with normal dishware, including those you literally sip from, is just way too much nonsense for me. So, I ask... are we all just dumb? Are we all just sheep? Are we all just supposed to do all these little deeds to make it seem like we’re at least doing something? And if that’s the case, it is embarrassing that we have to do so and depressing how much we’ve given up for this nonsense. Again, I am all in favor of doing what I can to help my fellow citizens, but my goodness! At what point do we start to ask tough questions? The plastic fork question would be my first... of so many... if I were attending one of these state pressers.
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