Are TV Restaurants safe?

[justjim]

Just returned to TV and don’t know what to expect at some of our favorite restaurants when it comes to safety from the coronavirus. We have a special occasion next week and would like to have dinner here inThe Villages. Some of our favorite dining places are Bluefin, Lopez and Chop House to name a few. Also, we have not tried Wolfgang Puck. If you have been to any of these restaurants in the last week or so did you feel safe? Were the waiters wearing masks, tables social distanced and were you required to wear a mask? If safety protocols are not in place, we will make other choices and plans.

[torchy]

Went last night to Belle Glade and several servers had their masks pulled down below their noses. Plus, what appeared to be the manager, had his mask pulled down all the way to his neck. We told him we wouldn’t be back because of this. He didn’t seem to care.

As far as Wolfgang’s and Chop House go, their staff seems compliant at this point.

As the snowbird and flu season begins, this is a good thread to continue. Forewarned is forearmed.

[Red White & Blue]

They are no different from any other restaurant in the country, sit down and enjoy!

[retiredguy123]

I feel safer in a restaurant where you can sit in a booth with a high back.

[golfing eagles]

I feel safer in a restaurant where you can sit in a booth with a high back.

Could you please cite a multicentered, placebo controlled, double blinded study of at least 4,000 people in a repudiable medical journal that shows that, or are you just shooting from the hip?:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[retiredguy123]

Could you please cite a multicentered, placebo controlled, double blinded study of at least 4,000 people in a repudiable medical journal that shows that, or are you just shooting from the hip?:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
Shooting from the hip. I didn't say it was safer. I said that I "feel" safer.

[golfing eagles]

Shooting from the hip. I didn't say it was safer. I said that I "feel" safer.

I like you too much to ask "on what basis", so I'll just say I hope there are plenty of high back booths at your favorite restaurants.

[Dana1963]

Just returned to TV and don’t know what to expect at some of our favorite restaurants when it comes to safety from the coronavirus. We have a special occasion next week and would like to have dinner here inThe Villages. Some of our favorite dining places are Bluefin, Lopez and Chop House to name a few. Also, we have not tried Wolfgang Puck. If you have been to any of these restaurants in the last week or so did you feel safe? Were the waiters wearing masks, tables social distanced and were you required to wear a mask? If safety protocols are not in place, we will make other choices and plans.
You have 2 choices either you go and have a good time or you don’t. If conditions feel safe stay, if not leave. It’s up to the individuals. Chances are you might not become ill, if you do blame yourself for not taking precautions

[8notes]

I personally won't go to a restaurant unless servers are wearing masks properly, and I can sit outside, distanced away from other diners. You can call restaurants and see if they require servers to wear masks, and if they have outdoor seating.

[Stu from NYC]

I personally won't go to a restaurant unless servers are wearing masks properly, and I can sit outside, distanced away from other diners. You can call restaurants and see if they require servers to wear masks, and if they have outdoor seating.

We almost always do only outdoor seating and when going in we look around if we do not feel safe turn and leave

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Not safe enough for me or mine. You could give me a gift certificate for a free meal at a Michelin rated restaurant and I would stay home and eat Fritos.

[Stu from NYC]

Not safe enough for me or mine. You could give me a gift certificate for a free meal at a Michelin rated restaurant and I would stay home and eat Fritos.

Fritos?

[retiredguy123]

Fritos?
Corn chips. Very tasty.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Corn chips. Very tasty.

Great fire starters when camping, too.

[Villageswimmer]

I feel safer in a restaurant where you can sit in a booth with a high back.

Wait. You mean the kind with a high back, roof overhead and plexiglass in front. Like a box, right?

[Kenswing]

Corn chips. Very tasty.

Best when topped with chili.. :mmmm:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I appreciate seeing employees and managers at restaurants around here correctly wearing masks. I accept, however, that it's not mandated, because Florida likes doing things their way. And so employees and managers aren't required to wear them, the decision is up to whoever runs their company.

What I absolutely do NOT like, is seeing employees and managers wearing masks INcorrectly. It's insulting to me. If you're not going to do it right, just take the damned thing off and stop pretending you care one way or another.

This was the unfortunate situation at Moe's yesterday. Only one employee had the mask covering their mouth and nose. One had the mask hanging down at her neck, and the other two employees had their masks down over their mouths only.

There is also one employee at Firehouse Subs who continually wears her mask under her nose, instead of on it. I actually complained about that, when the pandemic was at its height. The manager assured me that he had supplied employees with masks - in a variety of types and styles, and instructions on how to wear them, and they were expected to comply.

It's one thing to not be able to enforce these rules with your customers. I get that, it's a risk of trying to demand compliance from someone you don't know. It's another thing to disregard the rules your own employer has laid out for you, as a paid employee representing him and his company.

[golfing eagles]

Assume you have your tickets for the squares :)

No, but because......

1) I've only been to the squares for entertainment once in the last 5 years, and
2) Even if I wanted to, it's not worth the hoops you have to jump through to get a pass

But assuming your question was directed at whether I would personally attend an event with relatively large numbers of people, I can say I will be at the Sharon next Sunday

Look, everyone should do what they need to to feel safe, within reason. Some people are not all that reasonable. Just an hour ago some guy was yelling at a woman at the mailboxes for not wearing a mask. There were 5 people there and no one was wearing a mask, and nobody should have been. The media and government has pounded mask use into everybody's head ad nauseum, but the reality and science of the situation is that masks have very limited utility and then only in specific situations. I'm sure people will dispute that statement, but they would be wrong. The best defense at this time is social distancing. It is very difficult to contract the virus from 6 feet away. The other defense is for those with symptoms to stay home until the are tested and quarantine if positive. (please don't post any BS about asymptomatic carriers, it isn't really much of an issue, and a non-issue at 6 feet)

[Stu from NYC]

Best when topped with chili.. :mmmm:

Than they would get soggy and not worth eating. Better to get them on the side so they are still crunchy

[graciegirl]

No, but because......

1) I've only been to the squares for entertainment once in the last 5 years, and
2) Even if I wanted to, it's not worth the hoops you have to jump through to get a pass

But assuming your question was directed at whether I would personally attend an event with relatively large numbers of people, I can say I will be at the Sharon next Sunday

Look, everyone should do what they need to to feel safe, within reason. Some people are not all that reasonable. Just an hour ago some guy was yelling at a woman at the mailboxes for not wearing a mask. There were 5 people there and no one was wearing a mask, and nobody should have been. The media and government has pounded mask use into everybody's head ad nauseum, but the reality and science of the situation is that masks have very limited utility and then only in specific situations. I'm sure people will dispute that statement, but they would be wrong. The best defense at this time is social distancing. It is very difficult to contract the virus from 6 feet away. The other defense is for those with symptoms to stay home until the are tested and quarantine if positive. (please don't post any BS about asymptomatic carriers, it isn't really much of an issue, and a non-issue at 6 feet)

I respect your expertise Doc, but the mask wearing to me is a matter of self responsibility. It is a small thing to ask and we have heard it is a good thing to do from people I respect like Dr's Fauci and Birx. I am quite surprised that you don't support it completely too. But since there are three of us at our house at high risk, two from age and one with a serious congenital circulation and hypertension issue, we will just wait and hope that a vaccine will at least keep us from death. Living is so much fun, even if we aren't going out to dinner or drinking at the squares.

I have never once thought to tell another person to wear a mask. I have seen few who don't wear them here in The Villages.

We had a take out pizza the night before last and that was our first time to have food I didn't prepare since our friends got sick in March. I don't mind. I like to cook.


I believe all of medical science is behind the information curve and that it is no one's fault. This issue is going to take some time to get iron clad answers on I think. I am not a medical person at all. Nor am I germaphobic. Just a gal that loves her family and friends and wants for them to be safe and alive.

[JoMar]

No, but because......

1) I've only been to the squares for entertainment once in the last 5 years, and
2) Even if I wanted to, it's not worth the hoops you have to jump through to get a pass

But assuming your question was directed at whether I would personally attend an event with relatively large numbers of people, I can say I will be at the Sharon next Sunday

Look, everyone should do what they need to to feel safe, within reason. Some people are not all that reasonable. Just an hour ago some guy was yelling at a woman at the mailboxes for not wearing a mask. There were 5 people there and no one was wearing a mask, and nobody should have been. The media and government has pounded mask use into everybody's head ad nauseum, but the reality and science of the situation is that masks have very limited utility and then only in specific situations. I'm sure people will dispute that statement, but they would be wrong. The best defense at this time is social distancing. It is very difficult to contract the virus from 6 feet away. The other defense is for those with symptoms to stay home until the are tested and quarantine if positive. (please don't post any BS about asymptomatic carriers, it isn't really much of an issue, and a non-issue at 6 feet)

I know we all believe what we believe.....my PCP and Cardiologist both are on the mask bandwagon and social distancing. They agree that if I wear a mask it won't help me much but it will help those around me so I will wear one. It's interesting that they also believe asymptomatic carriers are the biggest threat. Now granted, I am 76 so am in that age group and our conversations were around my risk but they both said they do not go inside any building without a mask. Personal decisions.

[golfing eagles]

I know we all believe what we believe.....my PCP and Cardiologist both are on the mask bandwagon and social distancing. They agree that if I wear a mask it won't help me much but it will help those around me so I will wear one. It's interesting that they also believe asymptomatic carriers are the biggest threat. Now granted, I am 76 so am in that age group and our conversations were around my risk but they both said they do not go inside any building without a mask. Personal decisions.

There's going to be a difference of opinion on this, even among medical professionals. I agree that the mask won't help you much, but it does afford some protection if someone coughs near your face. It will only help those around you IF:
1) you are coughing and sneezing and spewing out droplets, and then only IF
2) you are COVID positive and in the infectious stage, and the IF
3) you are closer than 6 feet or so

I'd be interested in knowing why they think asymptomatic carriers are a huge threat, since they only meet one of the above criteria. Also, there are buildings and there are buildings---Jersey Mikes with 20 people packed in or an aircraft hangar with 2 people?
Everyone should take reasonable precautions. Wearing a mask is reasonable, it's just been oversold by the media as to how effective it is. Social distancing should have been emphasized more, since it is clearly effective. And because masks have been oversold, I'm afraid people wearing one will be lax on distancing.

[JoMar]

There's going to be a difference of opinion on this, even among medical professionals. I agree that the mask won't help you much, but it does afford some protection if someone coughs near your face. It will only help those around you IF:
1) you are coughing and sneezing and spewing out droplets, and then only IF
2) you are COVID positive and in the infectious stage, and the IF
3) you are closer than 6 feet or so

I'd be interested in knowing why they think asymptomatic carriers are a huge threat, since they only meet one of the above criteria. Also, there are buildings and there are buildings---Jersey Mikes with 20 people packed in or an aircraft hangar with 2 people?
Everyone should take reasonable precautions. Wearing a mask is reasonable, it's just been oversold by the media as to how effective it is. Social distancing should have been emphasized more, since it is clearly effective. And because masks have been oversold, I'm afraid people wearing one will be lax on distancing.

You are correct with the use of IF....I do believe that coughs and sneezes spew droplets, and not everyone knows if they are positive so they don't know what they are spewing and 6' is now in question as being a safe distance. Since everyone picks and chooses their beliefs the squares will be full. And while you believe what some of us believe is just BS, we could turn that around but I won't, but would be nice it you disagreed without taking a personal shot at those that have different views.

[CWGUY]

:) I will ask because nobody else did..... The OP asked " Are TV Restaurants safe?" Well my question is are you safe? Where are you coming from and is a self quarantine called for before you start going around any place? OP certainly doesn't have to answer any questions from me. I was just kinda looking at things differently. We canceled a lot of plans because of all the rules. :popcorn:

[Jgg7933]

Personal choice and live with the consequences. Beleive the science or beleive your President, your choice. I will tell you his way appears to not have turned out so well for him! As for my household we have resigned to stay out of ALL restaurants until we deem the coast is clear! Better safe than sorry "and the food I make on my backyard grill is much better" than what the restaurants serve anyway.

[tophcfa]

Based on what I have observed I would say the answer is a resounding NO. I went to a Villages restaurant a couple days ago to get takeout, mask on and sanitizer in hand. I walked in the door, took one look, and walked out without picking up the food. I called the restaurant from the parking lot and asked if they would bring my order out curbside and was told they are no longer doing that. I guess they had to eat my order, but I don’t feel guilty about it because of their total lack of safety.

[golfing eagles]

Based on what I have observed I would say the answer is a resounding NO. I went to a Villages restaurant a couple days ago to get takeout, mask on and sanitizer in hand. I walked in the door, took one look, and walked out without picking up the food. I called the restaurant from the parking lot and asked if they would bring my order out curbside and was told they are no longer doing that. I guess they had to eat my order, but I don’t feel guilty about it because of their total lack of safety.

And that's fine, everyone is free to make their own choices. There are several posts that basically state what you just did.

However, in Florida, the governor's office in conjugation with the FDOH and CDC have put out the current guidelines. So those who say they don't agree with them are essentially saying they have more information than the state, or they're smarter, or they can divine the future or something. It's possible, but I wouldn't lay too much money on it.

[jef5836]

Fritos are no good for your health. Puts you in high risk. Catch that Corona and you just don't know.

[pauld315]

If you actually get out of the bubble and away from The Villages you would know that most restaurants in the state do not require their employees to wear masks.

[coffeebean]

I feel safer in a restaurant where you can sit in a booth with a high back.

Agree. I really appreciate the restaurants which had added that added protection. The reason they do that is so all of their booths can be used to seat patrons.

[coffeebean]

Could you please cite a multicentered, placebo controlled, double blinded study of at least 4,000 people in a repudiable medical journal that shows that, or are you just shooting from the hip?:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Are you saying that we should not feel any safer in a little cocoon of a high backed booth? There is really no more protection from the patrons in the adjacent booth? If the restaurant keeps adjacent tables close to the booths empty, I feel safer in a high backed booth. Are you saying I shouldn't feel that level of safety?

[coffeebean]

Fritos?

FRITOS
Fritos is a brand of corn chips and dipping sauces created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin and produced since 1959 by the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo. Unlike the similar tortilla chips, which are made from cornmeal and use the nixtamalization process, Fritos are made by deep-frying extruded whole cornmeal. Wikipedia

[Bay Kid]

FRITOS
Fritos is a brand of corn chips and dipping sauces created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin and produced since 1959 by the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo. Unlike the similar tortilla chips, which are made from cornmeal and use the nixtamalization process, Fritos are made by deep-frying extruded whole cornmeal. Wikipedia

I grew up in my Grandfathers country store in the 50's and 60's. Loved all the new foods that were introduced during this time.

[bilcon]

We have been eating at all the restaurants since they opened to eat in and before that we were taking out. We are still alive and kicking. No problems. Just wash your hands. Try not to eat with your mask on, it takes the fun out of eating.

[Stu from NYC]

FRITOS
Fritos is a brand of corn chips and dipping sauces created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin and produced since 1959 by the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo. Unlike the similar tortilla chips, which are made from cornmeal and use the nixtamalization process, Fritos are made by deep-frying extruded whole cornmeal. Wikipedia

In my younger days used to have them all the time until cholesterol discovered me.

I was just surprised to see it mentioned earlier in the thread.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Wearing a mask doesn't guarantee anything. But it will reduce the chances of spreading the virus. Mostly it protects others from people that have the virus.

But even it it gives us a 25% less chance of spreading the virus, why shouldn't we do it.

I know people that never smoked in their lives that dies of lung cancer. Does that mean that you'd take up smoking?

[coffeebean]

I walked into the new BBQ restaurant, Mission BBQ on 441. Patrons were seated in all booths and the booths did not have the added backs to offer safety separation from the next booth. We walked out and will not dine there.

Miller's Ale House has installed the nicest backs to their booths which offers the added safety separation from the adjacent booths. They used a clear, what appears to be acrylic material bordered with wood to match their booths and the acrylic has a lovely design and the additional back is flush to the bottom of the booth back. NICE JOB Miller's Ale House! We noticed that pairs of two bar stools were separated from other bar stools so they are still distancing their patrons. We will continue to dine there.

[Stu from NYC]

I walked into the new BBQ restaurant, Mission BBQ on 441. Patrons were seated in all booths and the booths did not have the added backs to offer safety separation from the next booth. We walked out and will not dine there.

Miller's Ale House has installed the nicest backs to their booths which offers the added safety separation from the adjacent booths. They used a clear, what appears to be acrylic material bordered with wood to match their booths and the acrylic has a lovely design and the additional back is flush to the bottom of the booth back. NICE JOB Miller's Ale House! We noticed that pairs of two bar stools were separated from other bar stools so they are still distancing their patrons. We will continue to dine there.

Thanks been thinking of trying them.

[Dgizzi]

Just returned to TV and don’t know what to expect at some of our favorite restaurants when it comes to safety from the coronavirus. We have a special occasion next week and would like to have dinner here inThe Villages. Some of our favorite dining places are Bluefin, Lopez and Chop House to name a few. Also, we have not tried Wolfgang Puck. If you have been to any of these restaurants in the last week or so did you feel safe? Were the waiters wearing masks, tables social distanced and were you required to wear a mask? If safety protocols are not in place, we will make other choices and plans.
We have been going to restaurants in the Villages since they started opening back up in May or June. We have not gotten sick. The spread is slowing. If this was a pandemic all of the people living here would be sick. If you don’t feel comfortable don’t go out, but this world has got to move on. All the restaurants we have been to, all the employees have masks on and yes, one person saying they won’t be back, that is your choice. They

[chet2020]

Just a friendly reminder, 16 women went to Lynch's Irish Pub in Jacksonville the evening of June 6 to celebrate a 40th birthday, all 16 caught coronavirus from that one visit. None died, so there's that. Are things better today than on June 6? Not much. Personally, I will not dine or drink publicly indoors. I will do so outdoors if it's not too crowded. I bike, play golf, tennis, have friends over to eat on our screened porch and vice versa. I'd much prefer to be able to dine indoors, but I'm not feeling "bunkered in" at all.


16 Friends Get Coronavirus After Going to Florida Bar | PEOPLE.com (https://people.com/health/health-care-worker-15-friends-get-coronavirus-florida-bar/)

[golfing eagles]

Are you saying that we should not feel any safer in a little cocoon of a high backed booth? There is really no more protection from the patrons in the adjacent booth? If the restaurant keeps adjacent tables close to the booths empty, I feel safer in a high backed booth. Are you saying I shouldn't feel that level of safety?

I didn’t say that. I said there is no valid proof that those booths do anything. They may offer some protection, they may do nothing, and it’s even possible they make things worse. Without a study there is no way to know

[coffeebean]

I didn’t say that. I said there is no valid proof that those booths do anything. They may offer some protection, they may do nothing, and it’s even possible they make things worse. Without a study there is no way to know

How about all those stores that have installed plexiglass shields for their employees' safety? To me, that is pretty much the same deal as the barriers between booths in restaurants. Why even bother with the added expense to install these barriers if there is no added safety to patrons and employees? There must be some kind of evidence out there to support a reason for establishments to do this. The possibility that these barriers can make things worse is just not on my radar.

[golfing eagles]

How about all those stores that have installed plexiglass shields for their employees' safety? To me, that is pretty much the same deal as the barriers between booths in restaurants. Why even bother with the added expense to install these barriers if there is no added safety to patrons and employees? There must be some kind of evidence out there to support a reason for establishments to do this. The possibility that these barriers can make things worse is just not on my radar.

We have to distinguish coronavirus mitigation from coronavirus theater. Without proof, those barriers in stores are theater. Masks mitigate to some degree. Social distancing mitigates. Driving alone with the windows up is theater, although I have no idea to what audience. Do I think the barriers around restaurant booths make it worse, no, but without a study it remains unknown. Theoretically, by partially enclosing the booth, the virus could circulate longer around the patrons, depending on vents and air circulation, and increase the time of exposure. Unlikely, but that’s why we do studies