(Data via Washington Post website, based on the poll conducted with University of Maryland.)
A new Washington Post and University of Maryland poll finds that a resounding majority of Americans oppose the reopening of restaurants, retail stores and other businesses, despite the decision by some governors begin to lift restrictions that have kept the economy locked down.
Despite many Americans making necessary trips to the grocery store, only 56 percent say they are actually comfortable in doing so in this new poll. A majority of 67 percent say they would be uncomfortable shopping at a retail clothing store, and whopping 78 percent say they would be uncomfortable eating at a sit-down restaurant. People in states with looser restrictions report similar levels of discomfort as those in states with stricter rules.
Here’s the question: given all of the closings and the duration of lack of access to important businesses so far, would you be willing to patronize certain businesses now? If so, which ones? Would you do it, but maintain the six foot rule and wear a mask? What would need to happen for you to be willing to start frequenting your favorite businesses, again? Be sure to comment below.
Considering that a vaccine will not be available for another year, this is a really tricky question. Will people wait to go to their favorite businesses for a year? No way. We can't sustain these closings for that long. It would help if we could get a mass distribution and access to reliable anti-body tests so those whose risk has lessened could know. We also need more info on the relapse rate and what anti-bodies from this virus actually do to protect those who have had it. We need more tests, more anti-body tests and more scientific data, ASAP. It would help if the largest countries were all working together to solve these problems as well.
I will do takeout or curbside delivery. I make the bare minimum runs to the grocery store. I am not going to go sit down with a bunch of people anywhere. Nobody knows who does/does not have this virus. There is no testing. I think the contract between the Govt. and it's it's citizens is broken. Govt. should provide National defense, security, accurate information, & well being to it's citizens. In return we pay taxes, do our jobs, even die in it's defense. Opening back up is all one sided, citizens are being asked to assume all the risk while the Govt. does nothing and pushes misinformation.
I have four medical conditions that place me in the high risk category. My wife and I are both fortunate that our employers allow us to telework. We rarely go out every two weeks and only to get the things we can't get online.
Sure, we would love to go to dinner at the local Pizzaria or Brazilian Steakhouse with the rest of our family, but now is not the time. With tons of asymptomatic people out there that have no idea they carry the virus and the lack of any real testing, or even a testing strategy, no thanks ... We'll stay inside and wait it out.
We understand the drive to open things back up, but we are opening things too soon, the next wave is going to be worse than the current one ... Especially if the virus mutates ... Like all of the others.
My wife and I have discussed this at length. Our response: We will not risk our lives for convenience. Even at a greater cost, we order our groceries and have them delivered. We make all our meals at home from scratch. Anticipating a meat shortage, we ordered frozen meat ahead and have cut back on meat as our primary protein source. Any other shopping we need we do online.
If others are like us, it means that stalwarts like Amazon benefit at the cost of storefront retailers. But it does not have to be so, as long as even a small storefront has an online e-commerce presence.
A winner in all this is a relatively new e-commerce grocery which I highly recommend, Thrive Market (www.thrivemarket.com). We started shopping for at least some of our groceries through them and are quite impressed. While most of our purchases have been dried or packaged foods (like coffee, cacao powder, almond flour as three examples), we also bought frozen chicken and fish from them, delivered to Southern California from Nevada in perfect shape. Their prices match and beat Amazon.
Less than a mile from our Orange County home is a local farm that is way ahead of the curve when it comes to e-commerce. We order freshly picked produce (farm to mouth!) and bread from them online (their strawberries are incredible!), pick a time and drive there to have it put into our trunk by a masked and gloved employee. The drive-up shopping line has been filled with cars every day but by ordering ahead, we skip the line and are in and out in less than three minutes. It shows ingenuity can result in profitable business.
While nothing is certain when a virus like this is so dangerously virulent, we are doing all that we can to stay home. We are lucky to be able to work from home, and our only forays have been to take walks in our neighborhood, masks at ready. I do in a hard daily ride on my road bike, but in my garage tethered to a bike trainer. I desperately want to ride in the beautiful spring weather, but the thought of being hit by a car and ending up in ER terrifies me for completely new reasons. So I don't.
I could care less if my hair is now long or that some grey is showing. Today, long is the new short. Those who block traffic with their protests because they want to go to the hair salon are putting their vanity before our collective safety. I have nothing but contempt for these useful idiots of the libertarian billionaires.
My wife and I will get through this. But I am heartbroken that in Orange County, the affluent towns like Newport Beach, Dana Point, and Irvine have the lowest rates of infection, while poorer communities like Santa Ana, whose residents have to hold front-facing jobs are truly suffering. It reminds me of my privilege and encourages us to do all we can to help those less fortunate.
Getting through this will take a collective will and patience not seen since my parents lived through the Depression and World War II. No doubt, they are looking down from above with disgust at the entitlement and vanity of those who just HAVE to go to bars, walk the streets without a mask, or complain because their favorite steaks are in short supply.
It's times like these that bring out the best — and the worst in us. Which one will you be?
I'm not going to dine in a restaurant for a long time - maybe more than a year. I still get take-out because I want to support businesses and cooking at home can be monotonous. I go to the grocery and hardware stores, but haven't been to other places.
The only way I'd feel semi-comfortable going to a restaurant is if I could dine outdoors, with very limited seating, and patrons, waitstaff, cooks, etc wearing masks (even though I believe these precautions provide limited protection and a false sense of security...) I don't live in a big city, so we have lots of open space in my community, which helps. But honestly, I doubt I will actually do that in the end.
Anything indoors is a hard "no". I go to the grocery store and post office, and I cringe when I go in. Even if they "open" the state, my husband and I, both in health sciences, agree that getting back to "normal" is absolutely ridiculous. Stay the course as much as you can.
I am concerned about medical and dental care. How do we visit providers safely?
I don't know how we are going to navigate all this, but if we can get national leaders in place who care about the population and not their ratings, I think we can figure some of this stuff out. I just absolutely cannot believe we are "here". I knew it would be bad when Trump took office, but I never, ever could have predicted this mess. I just feel sick about this dark hole our country is spiraling down. Why won't our elected officials (GOP) reel this in and do something besides appoint judges?!
We need tests before we can return to normal. We need reliable antibody tests, reliable COVID tests, and also a vaccine before we can even think about going back to our new normal. To think otherwise is a mistake.
I am so tired of people thinking they are above the rules and regulations. I really wish there was a way for those who refuse to take precautions to sign a waiver stating they accept the repercussions of their behavior and be denied medical care. My daughter is a nurse -- why should she risk her health if the population refuses to care for themselves?
I'm going off-topic. But it all intersects. Thanks for a place to share ideas.
I come at this from both angles. First, I really miss dining out at a restaurant. My partner and I love a good cocktail and interacting with the staff of our favorite places. This means the meals are intimate, this means the server, perhaps servers and maybe even the chef spend time at the table. That is far away and impossible and social distancing isn't going to help. On top of that there is a certain amount of uncomfortableness with many restaurants - do they follow strict guidelines in the kitchen? Are all staff checked daily? So we tend to just cook at home when we are together, very rarely do we order out (and our favorite restaurant has simply closed as mussels as a takeout is nearly impossible), and that has really opened a new dimension. It's fun to cook together (thank you NYT's excellent food app). Not that we didn't before, but I think it has become richer and more soul-fulfilling.
As I mentioned eons ago, I come at this from two sides. My clients (I do marketing) own restaurants and I've watched them struggle. One runs a fast food chain and that seems to be doing OK. PU and Delivery was as much a part of his operation as was dining in prior to the pandemic, so he mostly has to concentrate on assuring customers of hygiene. And I tend to think his approach to all of this is letting the market reshape his business - the weak will not come back and the strong will thrive (he has a few dozen shops up and down the east coast). My other clients own four establishments in Denver. They are a fine dining experience (the owners will come to your table and they will suggest dishes and drinks to enhance the experience) and have had to try to transfer that experience in the form of a deliverable. It is nearly impossible. Their food is exceptional, but they've always prided themselves on the experience of being at the table. They've used this time to re-assess their business - what works, what doesn't and will use is to reshape their company when "normal" returns. One thing I hear is that they might keep their pickup and delivery service for one restaurant and just not reopen that location.
I think in all of this, we have found what the world is like without physical contact and we are finding that working from home, shopping online (which we were already champs at) and learning to communicate with words at a distance, and ironically without being able to see one's mouth, are skills that we can build, that we should build...but damn, I do miss a good old fashioned bar stool.
I am a high risk, BP and borderline diabetic. I will not eat in a restaurant or go to a movie theater, see a concert or play until there is a vaccine. I didn't realize how much I spent on eating out. I have used that money to pay down medical bills. So I don't see new release movies, big deal, eventually you can rent them. If i have a bad enough craving, i can do a carry out. I have to grocery shop, no food deliveries in the boonies. I take extra precautions, borderline manic. I know we all have to die, but I'm in no hurry. I worry most for my daughter, fresh degree and no where to use it. Hopefully something will open for her. Until then, staying tucked in. Stay safe everyone!❤
We miss dining out; my credit card companies likely think I passed. Not willing to visit restaurants until people embrace respectful distancing.
Hopeful sign: my granddaughter encountered a new friend by our lake - they played naturally while remaining apart “because of the virus.” It was a joyful dance by the children of the pandemic. Everyone needs to adapt to secure our future.
We were fortunate to sign up for Imperfect Foods shortly before they closed membership in our area. It's awesome. Haven't been to a grocery since early March, no other trips out, a privilege for which I am grateful. Nope, I'm not going ANYWHERE until a vaccine is available to all, and considering that is *five billion doses,* it may be a while. OK. I have food, shelter, Internet, a household income, sufficient clothing. What do I need? Nothing. I'm OK with that. I can wait.
Wearing masks in public with enough room for distancing at sit-down restaurants still doesn’t solve the problem of eating/drinking while maintaining wearing that mask. ?
I have gone grocery shopping out of necessity--I wear a mask, I social distance and do everything I possibly can to stay away from everyone. I would not go to a restaurant right now. I have done takeout/delivery from several local places, because I really want them to stay in business. When i do that, I arrange for "contact free" delivery.
What would it take for me to start going back to retail outlets/restaurants/sporting events? A proven vaccine, or a treatment plan that turned this hideous virus into nothing more than a nuisance. Oh, and the knowledge that there were no Orange Asscactus supporters there (my mental health matters, too)!
I do grocery store runs and order take out, but I won't do sit-down for who knows how long. I'd *like* to believe in the good of humanity, but there always has to be that one jerk who ruins it for everyone. A prime example would be when I was at the grocery store on Sunday. Everyone was wearing their masks and being compliant except one guy: he was wearing a bandana around his neck (I'm thinking he wore it as a mask to get into the store, then took it off as soon as he was in). And it just really makes me mad. Not so much in the "why do you think the rules don't apply to you?" way (although that *does* make me mad), but more in the "are you really this selfish? Can't you think about someone besides yourself for a moment?" way.
But after seeing all the "open" protests, I guess the answer to my question is yes, they really are that selfish. And that's why I won't go to a sit-down: at least in a grocery store I can keep walking and get away from them; in a restaurant I'd be a captive audience, so if I'm sat by some boorish jerk, I'm in trouble until I can scarf my meal down or get it wrapped up. And who wants to be under that kind of pressure when they're going out to eat?
No. When restrictions are lifted I will likely only be expanding individuals I socialise with by allowing them in my home. They will only be people I know to be careful and not going to restaurants or crowds so it will be very limited. I would visit some shops for basics but only ones that have procedures and I will always wear a mask. I don’t think I am comfortable going to back to normality until there is a vaccine or a way to help treat those infected. It’s just too much of an unknown and role of the dice of no symptoms or deathly ill. Until I am more comfortable that the roll of the dice is more to the safe end I will be continuing with some modified lockdown of my own.
I am not comfortable yet. Yes I will wear a mask. I would need for the EXPERTS, like the CDC, Dr. Fauci, etc to say it was reasonable to open up for me to comfortable.
I'll be waiting until we have solid scientific fact driving policy decisions - not greed, delusion, wishful thinking, denial, propaganda, etc. Businesses that rush to open before it's safe are only going to succeed in killing their customer base. It's beyond stupid.
We're still getting home delivery, only leave the house to walk the dogs in a spread out neighborhood and can avoid people. I've worked from home for years, my wife retired recently so we're able to stay home more comfortasbly than many, if not most. I don't plan on going out to a restaurant (something we enjoyed a few times a month and I used to meet a friend for breakfast once a week) or anywhere else until there's a vaccine and everybody has access to it. I'm thinking it'll be several years. I wonder if our favorite restaurants will still be around, I worry about the waitresses I got to know by name at weekly breakfasts who all knew both our orders by heart and shared more than serving a meal. We still pay the house cleaner even tho she's no longer coming.
With so many total idiots prolonging the terrible hardships by wanting to reopen waaay too soon I don't see an end in sight. Soon we'll lose a 911 amount of people a day, like twenty 737 planes crashing and killing all on board every day, And Dear Leader and complicit GOP keep insisting hundreds of thousands of casualties are expected and acceptable.
No, hell no, screw the ‘economy’! I only leave my home to grocery shop, take long walks, or ride my bike, and I plan to continue until a reliable vaccine is discovered and the scientists say it’s safe. Otherwise, I may as well drink bleach and shine a light up my ass🤮.
I go to a grocery store once a week, I wear a mask
I do order take out once a week
I may go to restaurant with an outside patio, but maybe not
I miss going out for dinner or a drink, but I won't go to a restaurant or bar until I know the numbers are flattening. And, given the lifting of restrictions for selfish, self centered Americans, that won't be until late fall, IMO
No. I shop for groceries, I buy take-out from local restaurants, and I buy beer from micro-breweries and I ride my motorcycle. We eat dinner with my daughter and son-in-law once a week because we can - they live around the corner from us and have been working from home for 6 weeks. Other than that, I do nothing outside. My wife rides her horse when she can but the boarding farm owner only allows two people at a time and they have to be masked and gloved.
I can be patient because it's only logical. I hope I can continue to act like an adult.
It's shocking that states like Georgia are just reopening. Seeing friends go get haircuts with a mask on is one of the most absurdly American things I have ever seen.
I don't like to shop at retail stores normally. I can't imagine going back there when everything is available online. I have had to cook for so long now that I really like my own cooking. Whenever I get something from carryout, I'm usually disappointed. Plus I went into a place last week and most of the people under 30 weren't wearing masks at all. I cannot risk my health due to their lack of foresight. And I live in Chicago where the virus has killed lots of people! I can see why people are so lax other places that are getting fake news.
I'm one of those people who is not entirely comfortable going to the grocery store. My husband is in a very high risk category. He's 73 with ends-stage CHF and on oxygen 24/7. I'm terrified of bringing the virus home to him. I'm afraid this will be our life until there is a proven vaccine. That said, it's sad, but I'm not sure we will ever eat at a dine-in restaurant again.
Absolutely not. My husband is high-risk. Also, I'm not about to put my friends, neighbors, and even strangers, at risk. We are contagious days before we even get symptoms. I care more about humanity than I do about getting a Cobb salad and sweet tea for lunch.
Nope nope nope. I have an underlying lung condition. If I were exposed to the virus I would not survive it. I have groceries and everything else delivered. I don't even do take out for fear of contamination. I go to the pharmacy once a month to pick up a prescription. Until there's a vaccine, I will not/cannot take any chances. This country is closed until an effective vaccine is in place. Given the stupid selfishness I have seen this past weekend in NY via photos from friends - e.g., the Christopher Street pier was packed with people, none masked, none distancing, I'm certain there will be a spike in infections as soon as the city re-opens.when the idiot in the WH realizes the economy succeeding is directly related to availability of testing/vaccine, only then will he assign enough resources to the development of vaccine and manufacture of enough tests . Epic failure on trump. Thank goodness for the NY, NJ, CT, and CA governors who are leading the people RN. I'm counting the days until November 3rd.
No I think it is way too early to go back to restaurants but I am a senior and must consider my age I wouldn’t feel comfortable until the numbers go down and will listen to the medical experts and scientists I do not listen to Trump!!
I feel the same as those whom have already commented. I’ve done call-ahead curbside pick up and grocery shopping when necessary. I’m in New Orleans and some businesses are finding safe and effective ways to stay afloat, respect and understand the danger, and maintain neighborhood community at the same time. Someone else mentioned in this thread but those businesses that can adapt and change to match the times are the ones who will ultimately succeed. Still, I don't want to punish those who struggle to adapt or change. There are possibly many reasons why one can’t make it work. I am not ready to sit inside a restaurant or be around a bunch of people until more testing and a vaccine is in place.
No I Would not, several reasons with millions of Americans out of work who is going to patronize these businesses. False hope. With the death rate being projected upward now is not the time to open restaurants I feel deeply for the hospitality business and the fantastic restaurants in Rhode Island a foodies dream, but outside eating only say a parking lot tables six feet apart, plastic utensils big night out! Also no control of who is cooking and working. It’s not an an essential service. Open up the fabulous food trucks and the summer haunts. We are not ready anywhere
I do take out and curb side delivery but would be very uncomfortable ordering from a restaurant that has opened too soon since their staff would be at a greater risk of exposure.
No, no restaurants, and the only thing that's going to make me comfortable is knowing we have this at least under control. When I will feel comfortable enough to visit my 2 year old grandson, I'll start going places
I have gotten about one carry out meal a week since March 10( my last meal in a restaurant). I may get some contact free pick up of books- pre order,pay online and get the bag. I had to pick up a prescription at Target and saw a woman in the clothing section- I thought they might close off those sections but not sure how. . We do have to wear masks here in Montgomery County. MD
I am not shopping for clothing, eating in a restaurant and I am not all that comfortable grocery shopping but I do a lot of prep, carry my own wipes and sanitize my hands before and after the store. I don't know when I will eat in a restaurant again or shop for clothing- never shopped much before. My hair hardly grows and I had one manicure in 3 years - for a family wedding.
The total cases have to go down, and the reinfection rate needs to less than one. There hasn't been enough testing in the USA to indicate this. Even then, measures/precautions need to be taken. Distancing, masks, washing your hands and not touching your face goes a long way, but not for all situations, like attending a sports event or going to the public pool--too risky. We are learning more each day. Obviously nursing homes and it seems now meat packing plants need special care. We need more restrictions in those places than at the hairdresser's. Large events with crowds are out until we have a very effective treatment/vaccine.
With testing, tracing, and isolating we can get most commerce back up running, albeit some at limited capacity. The USA is not able to carry out those tasks yet. That needs top priority and not getting the economy up again.
No. My husband and I are mid-50s in good health, but I do not feel comfortable at all thinking about sitting down at a restaurant for the foreseeable future. We limit grocery store shopping to once every 3 weeks, and I order a lot of healthy foods through my online health and wellness store to help us cut down on grocery store trips. I went out this past weekend to CVS and the grocery store and came home exhausted and frustrated. People were not keeping distance and not following arrows in the grocery store. Too many people there when I went so need to find an "off" time but am working hard at home so weekdays are difficult. We are looking to buy local on meat, eggs, and vegetables going forward to spend even less time at the store. Haven't been able to figure out the general grocery delivery but will work on that. We do carry out from our favorite places (including restaurants and breweries) and will continue to do so.
I saw a tweet from @mattzeitlen that perfectly describes situation: “we seem to have responded just enough to piss everyone and crash the economy while not enough to actually stop the spread of the disease to a level where it could be stamped out”. He nailed it. I will wear my mask whenever I go within six feet of anyone, so yes, at grocery store or carry out pick up. I don’t plan on resuming normal life of going out and about to restaurants, movies, theatre, US travel or international travel until there is a vaccine, or sufficient testing/tracing to actually “stamp out” the virus.
If journalists would report on FACTS, like the coronavirus death toll was falsified and recently amended on CDC website to a total of 37,000 as of May 1st, the pathetic little sheep cowering in fear, like they’ve been programmed to do, would not continue to agree to this loss of rights!
Yes I will go. I know several restaurant owners. They desperately need our patronage. It’s been devastating to watch this up close. They still have bills to pay, rents are still due with no money coming in. So many employees that are like family have been decimated. The bail out money has not reached some of them and will not sustain most. I know they (the one’s I know) are taking the cleanliness aspects deadly serious. They are getting ready and doing everything in their power to do it responsibly. So yes I will go.
As a person who has grown an extensive vegetable garden for years, preserves much of that produce & is a passionate cook, I see no reason to dine out.
If I do have any disposable income, I would patronize my local, independent &/or family owned restaurants (particularly those of varying cultural backgrounds) for carry out.
Apart from that, I’ll go to the grocery and hardware stores for what I cannot raise or source myself.
My needs are simple and my wants are few.
I will distance myself from everyone at every opportunity.
For me, the single most important element necessary to venture anywhere, is the ability to be PROPERLY TESTED WITH AN FDA APPROVED TEST frequently! Masks MUST be worn!!
Retail businesses would have to have mandatory mask policy for staff and customers. Restaurants would need to have staff wear masks at all times. Customers should wear mask until seated at table. Tables should be far enough apart that people at different tables are at least 6ft apart. No bar areas should be open.
I would like to know the CDC's opinion/advice on SAFE reopening of the country. tRump chose to put it aside but IDC about him, WE can do this-we have been on our own all along anyway either with or without a good governor to help with obtaining reliable information.
YES, I miss eating out, going to movies, games and shopping, etc but I'm willing to wait until it's safe(r) for ALL OF US! It's the right thing to do!
No! States are opening without going by the “guidelines” set out by the experts (Dr Fauci) of the WH Coronavirus Task Force, that’s now being dismantled. We are about to see cases & deaths skyrocket. I have pre-existing health issues, I’m only in my 50’s. My life is more important. I’m not going anywhere except necessary doctor appointments that can’t be done over a tele-visit, until we get a vaccine, under a new president. Some will say impossible. No, I can easily stay home. I’m a crip, I don’t drive, I have a large amount of property & my Son & his GF live on the property. I’m surrounded by 300 acres “forever wild”. I go out everyday. I visit with neighbors, at a very safe distance, outside. I wear a mask when I’m brought groceries. My Son’s business is considered “essential” & his GF is an RN, now on the COVID ward. We talk on the phone or stand over 6 feet apart outside. I haven’t hugged my Son since February & will wait, because I know it’s too dangerous. When I see states opening, people protesting masks, stay at home orders, etc. it makes me realize that too many (even though majority is against re-opening too soon) people are either too selfish, too ignorant or truly do not care that they are putting lives at risk & it is mind boggling to me. This is life or death & we have “adults” acting like grounded teenagers, except for the fact that these selfish #COVIDIOTS aren’t just harming themselves. We are sheep being led to slaughter because of an inept, narcissistic, #AbsoluteMoron who cares more about the economy than the lives of every person in America. It will backfire on Moron, the market will not rebound for years, but how many more lives will be needlessly taken? This could have been done correctly if the States followed the guidelines. Instead we have a bunch of ground teenagers parading as Governors & a toddler parading as a president. It’s going to get so much worse! 😢
I am over 72; and fat...so I stay home...but the dog needs a walk; so he gets me to go out. I live in NYC/Queens...getting food delivery is extremely difficult and the prices (always high in NYC, ) are even higher now...Price gouging is no joke. But as a Vegan it is easy to survive with any delivery I can get...and I eat too much anyway.
Considering that a vaccine will not be available for another year, this is a really tricky question. Will people wait to go to their favorite businesses for a year? No way. We can't sustain these closings for that long. It would help if we could get a mass distribution and access to reliable anti-body tests so those whose risk has lessened could know. We also need more info on the relapse rate and what anti-bodies from this virus actually do to protect those who have had it. We need more tests, more anti-body tests and more scientific data, ASAP. It would help if the largest countries were all working together to solve these problems as well.
You know what's more expensive than being a closed retail store? Being an open retail store with no customers.
I will do takeout or curbside delivery. I make the bare minimum runs to the grocery store. I am not going to go sit down with a bunch of people anywhere. Nobody knows who does/does not have this virus. There is no testing. I think the contract between the Govt. and it's it's citizens is broken. Govt. should provide National defense, security, accurate information, & well being to it's citizens. In return we pay taxes, do our jobs, even die in it's defense. Opening back up is all one sided, citizens are being asked to assume all the risk while the Govt. does nothing and pushes misinformation.
No, not yet !
I have four medical conditions that place me in the high risk category. My wife and I are both fortunate that our employers allow us to telework. We rarely go out every two weeks and only to get the things we can't get online.
Sure, we would love to go to dinner at the local Pizzaria or Brazilian Steakhouse with the rest of our family, but now is not the time. With tons of asymptomatic people out there that have no idea they carry the virus and the lack of any real testing, or even a testing strategy, no thanks ... We'll stay inside and wait it out.
We understand the drive to open things back up, but we are opening things too soon, the next wave is going to be worse than the current one ... Especially if the virus mutates ... Like all of the others.
Stay safe out there !!
Also, glad to have you back Amee.
Greetings from Arizona !
My wife and I have discussed this at length. Our response: We will not risk our lives for convenience. Even at a greater cost, we order our groceries and have them delivered. We make all our meals at home from scratch. Anticipating a meat shortage, we ordered frozen meat ahead and have cut back on meat as our primary protein source. Any other shopping we need we do online.
If others are like us, it means that stalwarts like Amazon benefit at the cost of storefront retailers. But it does not have to be so, as long as even a small storefront has an online e-commerce presence.
A winner in all this is a relatively new e-commerce grocery which I highly recommend, Thrive Market (www.thrivemarket.com). We started shopping for at least some of our groceries through them and are quite impressed. While most of our purchases have been dried or packaged foods (like coffee, cacao powder, almond flour as three examples), we also bought frozen chicken and fish from them, delivered to Southern California from Nevada in perfect shape. Their prices match and beat Amazon.
Less than a mile from our Orange County home is a local farm that is way ahead of the curve when it comes to e-commerce. We order freshly picked produce (farm to mouth!) and bread from them online (their strawberries are incredible!), pick a time and drive there to have it put into our trunk by a masked and gloved employee. The drive-up shopping line has been filled with cars every day but by ordering ahead, we skip the line and are in and out in less than three minutes. It shows ingenuity can result in profitable business.
While nothing is certain when a virus like this is so dangerously virulent, we are doing all that we can to stay home. We are lucky to be able to work from home, and our only forays have been to take walks in our neighborhood, masks at ready. I do in a hard daily ride on my road bike, but in my garage tethered to a bike trainer. I desperately want to ride in the beautiful spring weather, but the thought of being hit by a car and ending up in ER terrifies me for completely new reasons. So I don't.
I could care less if my hair is now long or that some grey is showing. Today, long is the new short. Those who block traffic with their protests because they want to go to the hair salon are putting their vanity before our collective safety. I have nothing but contempt for these useful idiots of the libertarian billionaires.
My wife and I will get through this. But I am heartbroken that in Orange County, the affluent towns like Newport Beach, Dana Point, and Irvine have the lowest rates of infection, while poorer communities like Santa Ana, whose residents have to hold front-facing jobs are truly suffering. It reminds me of my privilege and encourages us to do all we can to help those less fortunate.
Getting through this will take a collective will and patience not seen since my parents lived through the Depression and World War II. No doubt, they are looking down from above with disgust at the entitlement and vanity of those who just HAVE to go to bars, walk the streets without a mask, or complain because their favorite steaks are in short supply.
It's times like these that bring out the best — and the worst in us. Which one will you be?
I'm not going to dine in a restaurant for a long time - maybe more than a year. I still get take-out because I want to support businesses and cooking at home can be monotonous. I go to the grocery and hardware stores, but haven't been to other places.
The only way I'd feel semi-comfortable going to a restaurant is if I could dine outdoors, with very limited seating, and patrons, waitstaff, cooks, etc wearing masks (even though I believe these precautions provide limited protection and a false sense of security...) I don't live in a big city, so we have lots of open space in my community, which helps. But honestly, I doubt I will actually do that in the end.
Anything indoors is a hard "no". I go to the grocery store and post office, and I cringe when I go in. Even if they "open" the state, my husband and I, both in health sciences, agree that getting back to "normal" is absolutely ridiculous. Stay the course as much as you can.
I am concerned about medical and dental care. How do we visit providers safely?
I don't know how we are going to navigate all this, but if we can get national leaders in place who care about the population and not their ratings, I think we can figure some of this stuff out. I just absolutely cannot believe we are "here". I knew it would be bad when Trump took office, but I never, ever could have predicted this mess. I just feel sick about this dark hole our country is spiraling down. Why won't our elected officials (GOP) reel this in and do something besides appoint judges?!
We need tests before we can return to normal. We need reliable antibody tests, reliable COVID tests, and also a vaccine before we can even think about going back to our new normal. To think otherwise is a mistake.
I am so tired of people thinking they are above the rules and regulations. I really wish there was a way for those who refuse to take precautions to sign a waiver stating they accept the repercussions of their behavior and be denied medical care. My daughter is a nurse -- why should she risk her health if the population refuses to care for themselves?
I'm going off-topic. But it all intersects. Thanks for a place to share ideas.
I come at this from both angles. First, I really miss dining out at a restaurant. My partner and I love a good cocktail and interacting with the staff of our favorite places. This means the meals are intimate, this means the server, perhaps servers and maybe even the chef spend time at the table. That is far away and impossible and social distancing isn't going to help. On top of that there is a certain amount of uncomfortableness with many restaurants - do they follow strict guidelines in the kitchen? Are all staff checked daily? So we tend to just cook at home when we are together, very rarely do we order out (and our favorite restaurant has simply closed as mussels as a takeout is nearly impossible), and that has really opened a new dimension. It's fun to cook together (thank you NYT's excellent food app). Not that we didn't before, but I think it has become richer and more soul-fulfilling.
As I mentioned eons ago, I come at this from two sides. My clients (I do marketing) own restaurants and I've watched them struggle. One runs a fast food chain and that seems to be doing OK. PU and Delivery was as much a part of his operation as was dining in prior to the pandemic, so he mostly has to concentrate on assuring customers of hygiene. And I tend to think his approach to all of this is letting the market reshape his business - the weak will not come back and the strong will thrive (he has a few dozen shops up and down the east coast). My other clients own four establishments in Denver. They are a fine dining experience (the owners will come to your table and they will suggest dishes and drinks to enhance the experience) and have had to try to transfer that experience in the form of a deliverable. It is nearly impossible. Their food is exceptional, but they've always prided themselves on the experience of being at the table. They've used this time to re-assess their business - what works, what doesn't and will use is to reshape their company when "normal" returns. One thing I hear is that they might keep their pickup and delivery service for one restaurant and just not reopen that location.
I think in all of this, we have found what the world is like without physical contact and we are finding that working from home, shopping online (which we were already champs at) and learning to communicate with words at a distance, and ironically without being able to see one's mouth, are skills that we can build, that we should build...but damn, I do miss a good old fashioned bar stool.
I am a high risk, BP and borderline diabetic. I will not eat in a restaurant or go to a movie theater, see a concert or play until there is a vaccine. I didn't realize how much I spent on eating out. I have used that money to pay down medical bills. So I don't see new release movies, big deal, eventually you can rent them. If i have a bad enough craving, i can do a carry out. I have to grocery shop, no food deliveries in the boonies. I take extra precautions, borderline manic. I know we all have to die, but I'm in no hurry. I worry most for my daughter, fresh degree and no where to use it. Hopefully something will open for her. Until then, staying tucked in. Stay safe everyone!❤
We miss dining out; my credit card companies likely think I passed. Not willing to visit restaurants until people embrace respectful distancing.
Hopeful sign: my granddaughter encountered a new friend by our lake - they played naturally while remaining apart “because of the virus.” It was a joyful dance by the children of the pandemic. Everyone needs to adapt to secure our future.
We were fortunate to sign up for Imperfect Foods shortly before they closed membership in our area. It's awesome. Haven't been to a grocery since early March, no other trips out, a privilege for which I am grateful. Nope, I'm not going ANYWHERE until a vaccine is available to all, and considering that is *five billion doses,* it may be a while. OK. I have food, shelter, Internet, a household income, sufficient clothing. What do I need? Nothing. I'm OK with that. I can wait.
Wearing masks in public with enough room for distancing at sit-down restaurants still doesn’t solve the problem of eating/drinking while maintaining wearing that mask. ?
Can’t do both.
I have gone grocery shopping out of necessity--I wear a mask, I social distance and do everything I possibly can to stay away from everyone. I would not go to a restaurant right now. I have done takeout/delivery from several local places, because I really want them to stay in business. When i do that, I arrange for "contact free" delivery.
What would it take for me to start going back to retail outlets/restaurants/sporting events? A proven vaccine, or a treatment plan that turned this hideous virus into nothing more than a nuisance. Oh, and the knowledge that there were no Orange Asscactus supporters there (my mental health matters, too)!
I do grocery store runs and order take out, but I won't do sit-down for who knows how long. I'd *like* to believe in the good of humanity, but there always has to be that one jerk who ruins it for everyone. A prime example would be when I was at the grocery store on Sunday. Everyone was wearing their masks and being compliant except one guy: he was wearing a bandana around his neck (I'm thinking he wore it as a mask to get into the store, then took it off as soon as he was in). And it just really makes me mad. Not so much in the "why do you think the rules don't apply to you?" way (although that *does* make me mad), but more in the "are you really this selfish? Can't you think about someone besides yourself for a moment?" way.
But after seeing all the "open" protests, I guess the answer to my question is yes, they really are that selfish. And that's why I won't go to a sit-down: at least in a grocery store I can keep walking and get away from them; in a restaurant I'd be a captive audience, so if I'm sat by some boorish jerk, I'm in trouble until I can scarf my meal down or get it wrapped up. And who wants to be under that kind of pressure when they're going out to eat?
No. When restrictions are lifted I will likely only be expanding individuals I socialise with by allowing them in my home. They will only be people I know to be careful and not going to restaurants or crowds so it will be very limited. I would visit some shops for basics but only ones that have procedures and I will always wear a mask. I don’t think I am comfortable going to back to normality until there is a vaccine or a way to help treat those infected. It’s just too much of an unknown and role of the dice of no symptoms or deathly ill. Until I am more comfortable that the roll of the dice is more to the safe end I will be continuing with some modified lockdown of my own.
I am not comfortable yet. Yes I will wear a mask. I would need for the EXPERTS, like the CDC, Dr. Fauci, etc to say it was reasonable to open up for me to comfortable.
Good reporting, Ms Vanderpool. Interesting. Thanks.
I'll be waiting until we have solid scientific fact driving policy decisions - not greed, delusion, wishful thinking, denial, propaganda, etc. Businesses that rush to open before it's safe are only going to succeed in killing their customer base. It's beyond stupid.
A safe, effective, and widely consumed vaccine.
We're still getting home delivery, only leave the house to walk the dogs in a spread out neighborhood and can avoid people. I've worked from home for years, my wife retired recently so we're able to stay home more comfortasbly than many, if not most. I don't plan on going out to a restaurant (something we enjoyed a few times a month and I used to meet a friend for breakfast once a week) or anywhere else until there's a vaccine and everybody has access to it. I'm thinking it'll be several years. I wonder if our favorite restaurants will still be around, I worry about the waitresses I got to know by name at weekly breakfasts who all knew both our orders by heart and shared more than serving a meal. We still pay the house cleaner even tho she's no longer coming.
With so many total idiots prolonging the terrible hardships by wanting to reopen waaay too soon I don't see an end in sight. Soon we'll lose a 911 amount of people a day, like twenty 737 planes crashing and killing all on board every day, And Dear Leader and complicit GOP keep insisting hundreds of thousands of casualties are expected and acceptable.
No, hell no, screw the ‘economy’! I only leave my home to grocery shop, take long walks, or ride my bike, and I plan to continue until a reliable vaccine is discovered and the scientists say it’s safe. Otherwise, I may as well drink bleach and shine a light up my ass🤮.
Nobody should favor sitting in a restaurant for 45+ minutes right now. Or a gym. Or a bar.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0764_article
I go to a grocery store once a week, I wear a mask
I do order take out once a week
I may go to restaurant with an outside patio, but maybe not
I miss going out for dinner or a drink, but I won't go to a restaurant or bar until I know the numbers are flattening. And, given the lifting of restrictions for selfish, self centered Americans, that won't be until late fall, IMO
No. I shop for groceries, I buy take-out from local restaurants, and I buy beer from micro-breweries and I ride my motorcycle. We eat dinner with my daughter and son-in-law once a week because we can - they live around the corner from us and have been working from home for 6 weeks. Other than that, I do nothing outside. My wife rides her horse when she can but the boarding farm owner only allows two people at a time and they have to be masked and gloved.
I can be patient because it's only logical. I hope I can continue to act like an adult.
It's shocking that states like Georgia are just reopening. Seeing friends go get haircuts with a mask on is one of the most absurdly American things I have ever seen.
I don't like to shop at retail stores normally. I can't imagine going back there when everything is available online. I have had to cook for so long now that I really like my own cooking. Whenever I get something from carryout, I'm usually disappointed. Plus I went into a place last week and most of the people under 30 weren't wearing masks at all. I cannot risk my health due to their lack of foresight. And I live in Chicago where the virus has killed lots of people! I can see why people are so lax other places that are getting fake news.
I'm one of those people who is not entirely comfortable going to the grocery store. My husband is in a very high risk category. He's 73 with ends-stage CHF and on oxygen 24/7. I'm terrified of bringing the virus home to him. I'm afraid this will be our life until there is a proven vaccine. That said, it's sad, but I'm not sure we will ever eat at a dine-in restaurant again.
Absolutely not. My husband is high-risk. Also, I'm not about to put my friends, neighbors, and even strangers, at risk. We are contagious days before we even get symptoms. I care more about humanity than I do about getting a Cobb salad and sweet tea for lunch.
Nope nope nope. I have an underlying lung condition. If I were exposed to the virus I would not survive it. I have groceries and everything else delivered. I don't even do take out for fear of contamination. I go to the pharmacy once a month to pick up a prescription. Until there's a vaccine, I will not/cannot take any chances. This country is closed until an effective vaccine is in place. Given the stupid selfishness I have seen this past weekend in NY via photos from friends - e.g., the Christopher Street pier was packed with people, none masked, none distancing, I'm certain there will be a spike in infections as soon as the city re-opens.when the idiot in the WH realizes the economy succeeding is directly related to availability of testing/vaccine, only then will he assign enough resources to the development of vaccine and manufacture of enough tests . Epic failure on trump. Thank goodness for the NY, NJ, CT, and CA governors who are leading the people RN. I'm counting the days until November 3rd.
No I think it is way too early to go back to restaurants but I am a senior and must consider my age I wouldn’t feel comfortable until the numbers go down and will listen to the medical experts and scientists I do not listen to Trump!!
I feel the same as those whom have already commented. I’ve done call-ahead curbside pick up and grocery shopping when necessary. I’m in New Orleans and some businesses are finding safe and effective ways to stay afloat, respect and understand the danger, and maintain neighborhood community at the same time. Someone else mentioned in this thread but those businesses that can adapt and change to match the times are the ones who will ultimately succeed. Still, I don't want to punish those who struggle to adapt or change. There are possibly many reasons why one can’t make it work. I am not ready to sit inside a restaurant or be around a bunch of people until more testing and a vaccine is in place.
No I Would not, several reasons with millions of Americans out of work who is going to patronize these businesses. False hope. With the death rate being projected upward now is not the time to open restaurants I feel deeply for the hospitality business and the fantastic restaurants in Rhode Island a foodies dream, but outside eating only say a parking lot tables six feet apart, plastic utensils big night out! Also no control of who is cooking and working. It’s not an an essential service. Open up the fabulous food trucks and the summer haunts. We are not ready anywhere
I do take out and curb side delivery but would be very uncomfortable ordering from a restaurant that has opened too soon since their staff would be at a greater risk of exposure.
No, no restaurants, and the only thing that's going to make me comfortable is knowing we have this at least under control. When I will feel comfortable enough to visit my 2 year old grandson, I'll start going places
I have gotten about one carry out meal a week since March 10( my last meal in a restaurant). I may get some contact free pick up of books- pre order,pay online and get the bag. I had to pick up a prescription at Target and saw a woman in the clothing section- I thought they might close off those sections but not sure how. . We do have to wear masks here in Montgomery County. MD
I am not shopping for clothing, eating in a restaurant and I am not all that comfortable grocery shopping but I do a lot of prep, carry my own wipes and sanitize my hands before and after the store. I don't know when I will eat in a restaurant again or shop for clothing- never shopped much before. My hair hardly grows and I had one manicure in 3 years - for a family wedding.
The total cases have to go down, and the reinfection rate needs to less than one. There hasn't been enough testing in the USA to indicate this. Even then, measures/precautions need to be taken. Distancing, masks, washing your hands and not touching your face goes a long way, but not for all situations, like attending a sports event or going to the public pool--too risky. We are learning more each day. Obviously nursing homes and it seems now meat packing plants need special care. We need more restrictions in those places than at the hairdresser's. Large events with crowds are out until we have a very effective treatment/vaccine.
With testing, tracing, and isolating we can get most commerce back up running, albeit some at limited capacity. The USA is not able to carry out those tasks yet. That needs top priority and not getting the economy up again.
No
No. My husband and I are mid-50s in good health, but I do not feel comfortable at all thinking about sitting down at a restaurant for the foreseeable future. We limit grocery store shopping to once every 3 weeks, and I order a lot of healthy foods through my online health and wellness store to help us cut down on grocery store trips. I went out this past weekend to CVS and the grocery store and came home exhausted and frustrated. People were not keeping distance and not following arrows in the grocery store. Too many people there when I went so need to find an "off" time but am working hard at home so weekdays are difficult. We are looking to buy local on meat, eggs, and vegetables going forward to spend even less time at the store. Haven't been able to figure out the general grocery delivery but will work on that. We do carry out from our favorite places (including restaurants and breweries) and will continue to do so.
I’ll go out, just be sensible about it. Keep enough space, have hand sanitizer with me.
I saw a tweet from @mattzeitlen that perfectly describes situation: “we seem to have responded just enough to piss everyone and crash the economy while not enough to actually stop the spread of the disease to a level where it could be stamped out”. He nailed it. I will wear my mask whenever I go within six feet of anyone, so yes, at grocery store or carry out pick up. I don’t plan on resuming normal life of going out and about to restaurants, movies, theatre, US travel or international travel until there is a vaccine, or sufficient testing/tracing to actually “stamp out” the virus.
If journalists would report on FACTS, like the coronavirus death toll was falsified and recently amended on CDC website to a total of 37,000 as of May 1st, the pathetic little sheep cowering in fear, like they’ve been programmed to do, would not continue to agree to this loss of rights!
Yes I will go. I know several restaurant owners. They desperately need our patronage. It’s been devastating to watch this up close. They still have bills to pay, rents are still due with no money coming in. So many employees that are like family have been decimated. The bail out money has not reached some of them and will not sustain most. I know they (the one’s I know) are taking the cleanliness aspects deadly serious. They are getting ready and doing everything in their power to do it responsibly. So yes I will go.
As a person who has grown an extensive vegetable garden for years, preserves much of that produce & is a passionate cook, I see no reason to dine out.
If I do have any disposable income, I would patronize my local, independent &/or family owned restaurants (particularly those of varying cultural backgrounds) for carry out.
Apart from that, I’ll go to the grocery and hardware stores for what I cannot raise or source myself.
My needs are simple and my wants are few.
I will distance myself from everyone at every opportunity.
I wrote a really long comment I couldn’t post because it reset and booted me out. But NO.
For me, the single most important element necessary to venture anywhere, is the ability to be PROPERLY TESTED WITH AN FDA APPROVED TEST frequently! Masks MUST be worn!!
Retail businesses would have to have mandatory mask policy for staff and customers. Restaurants would need to have staff wear masks at all times. Customers should wear mask until seated at table. Tables should be far enough apart that people at different tables are at least 6ft apart. No bar areas should be open.
I would like to know the CDC's opinion/advice on SAFE reopening of the country. tRump chose to put it aside but IDC about him, WE can do this-we have been on our own all along anyway either with or without a good governor to help with obtaining reliable information.
YES, I miss eating out, going to movies, games and shopping, etc but I'm willing to wait until it's safe(r) for ALL OF US! It's the right thing to do!
No! States are opening without going by the “guidelines” set out by the experts (Dr Fauci) of the WH Coronavirus Task Force, that’s now being dismantled. We are about to see cases & deaths skyrocket. I have pre-existing health issues, I’m only in my 50’s. My life is more important. I’m not going anywhere except necessary doctor appointments that can’t be done over a tele-visit, until we get a vaccine, under a new president. Some will say impossible. No, I can easily stay home. I’m a crip, I don’t drive, I have a large amount of property & my Son & his GF live on the property. I’m surrounded by 300 acres “forever wild”. I go out everyday. I visit with neighbors, at a very safe distance, outside. I wear a mask when I’m brought groceries. My Son’s business is considered “essential” & his GF is an RN, now on the COVID ward. We talk on the phone or stand over 6 feet apart outside. I haven’t hugged my Son since February & will wait, because I know it’s too dangerous. When I see states opening, people protesting masks, stay at home orders, etc. it makes me realize that too many (even though majority is against re-opening too soon) people are either too selfish, too ignorant or truly do not care that they are putting lives at risk & it is mind boggling to me. This is life or death & we have “adults” acting like grounded teenagers, except for the fact that these selfish #COVIDIOTS aren’t just harming themselves. We are sheep being led to slaughter because of an inept, narcissistic, #AbsoluteMoron who cares more about the economy than the lives of every person in America. It will backfire on Moron, the market will not rebound for years, but how many more lives will be needlessly taken? This could have been done correctly if the States followed the guidelines. Instead we have a bunch of ground teenagers parading as Governors & a toddler parading as a president. It’s going to get so much worse! 😢
I am over 72; and fat...so I stay home...but the dog needs a walk; so he gets me to go out. I live in NYC/Queens...getting food delivery is extremely difficult and the prices (always high in NYC, ) are even higher now...Price gouging is no joke. But as a Vegan it is easy to survive with any delivery I can get...and I eat too much anyway.
Amee - do you consider yourself fully recovered now? Were you able to get an antibody test? So happy to see your regular posts again.