Here's some fun economics for ya. No statistics so you don't even have to do any mathematics.

Restaurants had restricted the number of people allowed in them, per order of the Governor. That was great. Most people still didn't go to the restaurants, which isn't unusual, because most people don't usually go to restaurants every night anyway. If they did, the lines would be halfway to Tennessee.

But many people chose not to go anyway because it just wasn't worth the risk.

Meanwhile - now the governor says "okay you don't have to restrict anymore." Which is fine. Now all the people who WERE going, can go again, without restrictions. Except - all those people who chose not to go anyway because it wasn't worth the risk? They will still not go anyway because it still isn't worth the risk.

AND...

Those people who DID go, because the capacity was limited, and they were willing to take THAT risk? Well - you've just removed that capacity. So they'll be staying at home too, even though they weren't, up until the Governor removed the max cap limit.

Here's where the economics come in:

Originally - everyone went. Business was boomin.
COVID hits - no one goes, businesses are closed for a short period.
Restrictions begin - some people are chomping at the bit and make a bee-line to eat. Some people venture cautiously, the rest stay home anyway.
Restrictions removed - the cautious venturers will now join the ones who stay home.

Business will be SLOWER now - because the people who WERE going BECAUSE of the restrictions - will stop going.

The people who wanted to go while it was restricted, were already going, so this won't be an increase in business.

Sitting too close to someone
 

Yep, that is certainly a possibility.. Just like catching a cold from someone sitting next to you in an airplane, a concert or a college football game. "You pays your money and takes your chances".. Just like you do when you get behind the wheel of your car, go to church or cross the street .. Free choice vs voluntary solitary confinement.

I understand your concerns. The virus exits the human body's respiratory system via droplets and/or aerosols. That is the only way the virus exits the human body from the respiratory system (nose and mouth). When those droplets fall to the ground or surfaces, the droplets will dry leaving the virus all by itself. It is up to everyone to wash their hands frequently and sanitize surfaces. IF you can not do these things just remember to NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. If you do not touch your nose, mouth or eyes with unwashed hands, you are not going to contract the virus. Personally, since this virus came upon us here in the US, I have trained myself to NEVER touch my face unless I use the inside of my shirt or I'm in the shower.

Masks don't block 100% of droplets which come a person's nose or mouth but masks do block more than no mask does. Aerosols which hang in the air, can contain the virus. What happens when the aerosol "dries up"??? I would imagine the virus can not hang in the air by itself but don't take that to the bank. I would imagine if the virus could hang in the air by itself, many more of us in the world would be sick and/or dead.

Agree. Employees of establishments that post a sign "Masks REQUIRED", are essentially held hostage to those people who disregard the required safety measures. People should show respect for the employees who are providing the services for us. Anti-maskers need not enter a building which REQUIRES masks. Go elsewhere.

Thanks, OBB, for putting into words what I have been thinking when the restrictions were lifted. Hubby and I will continue to dine in a restaurant but only if they are still adhering to proper social distancing and all their employees are masked.

I love that song with the line "can't always get what you want...."

Coffeebean, you seem to have a very good understanding of this virus, as far as I am concerned you are correct, I will say that again as far as I am concerned your post is correct. Masks don’t block 100% of the virus, we just don’t know, maybe 5% maybe 95%. We just don’t know. I cannot argue about that. My contention from the beginning is with everyone wearing masks incorrectly we may be adding to the problem. You sound like you take great care to not touch the mask, good for you. I am talking about the “average person” and a lot of time children who constantly touch and fiddle with the mask, wear it under their nose, re use the mask, placing the used mask in your pocket, purse or on you kitchen counter or keeping it in you car. Just so many ways to spread this stuff with improper mask use. Keep up the good work, wear your mask correctly, don’t reuse the mask, remove, handle and store it correctly. No one wants this flu, but fortunately the chances of getting it is very rare and if indeed we should get it there are treatments.

Run that "if then" through a computer and see what comes out. We used to call that GIGO.

As Barnes said in "Platoon" - everybody gotta die some time, Red.....