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Re: Covfefe-19 The 10th Part: Might As Well Reject No Shirt, No Shoes While You're At
I like Walz. I think he's generally done a good job, both with this pandemic and otherwise. With respect to the pandemic I think he has tried to gather information and make good decisions. I also think he has a realistic view of what he can and cannot accomplish with stay at home restrictions.
That said, the indoor vs. outdoor bar and restaurant decision was a silly one. Either keep them closed all the way, except for take out, or open up both indoor and outdoor service with the protocols he just implemented for the outdoor dining.
He is very enamored with his "this is not a switch, it's a dial" view, so no doubt he believes that allowing just outdoor dining and bar service gives him an argument he's adjusting the dial. But it's silly, and will create more backlash for him that he doesn't need.
Outdoor only doesn't help the employees. They are already going to have to come in and cook food, bartend, and serve patrons. They'll be interacting with co-workers and customers either way.
Is there any evidence that customers seated six feet or ten feet away from one another outdoors is any safer for the customers and staff than sitting the same distance away indoors? In fact, I seem to recall reading somewhere that there is evidence that water droplets containing the virus can actually travel 15 to 20 feet away on an outdoor breeze, so it might even be more dangerous outside.
Also, it further exacerbates the unfairness perception. Bars and restaurants, who through no reason other than geographic location, may have an abundance of patio space while the bar or restaurant next door has zero. Why is that fair?
Are you going to make people sit there and finish their drinks and meal in the rain? This is Minnesota, not San Diego. I think it will also create some interesting questions around the Cities as to what is or is not "indoor" space. I was thinking of McGoverns in St. Paul. They have a "patio" that is basically an indoor space where there is a roof that can be rolled back. Is that outdoors? I've eaten in that space in the dead of winter. How about places with big garage doors that open up, like Surlys?
I think Walz unnecessarily stepped in it here. If he doesn't think it's safe for bars and restaurants to open, fine, keep them closed awhile longer. What's next, the Gophers can play their games (outdoor stadium) but the Vikings can't?
Originally posted by Deutsche Gopher Fan
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That said, the indoor vs. outdoor bar and restaurant decision was a silly one. Either keep them closed all the way, except for take out, or open up both indoor and outdoor service with the protocols he just implemented for the outdoor dining.
He is very enamored with his "this is not a switch, it's a dial" view, so no doubt he believes that allowing just outdoor dining and bar service gives him an argument he's adjusting the dial. But it's silly, and will create more backlash for him that he doesn't need.
Outdoor only doesn't help the employees. They are already going to have to come in and cook food, bartend, and serve patrons. They'll be interacting with co-workers and customers either way.
Is there any evidence that customers seated six feet or ten feet away from one another outdoors is any safer for the customers and staff than sitting the same distance away indoors? In fact, I seem to recall reading somewhere that there is evidence that water droplets containing the virus can actually travel 15 to 20 feet away on an outdoor breeze, so it might even be more dangerous outside.
Also, it further exacerbates the unfairness perception. Bars and restaurants, who through no reason other than geographic location, may have an abundance of patio space while the bar or restaurant next door has zero. Why is that fair?
Are you going to make people sit there and finish their drinks and meal in the rain? This is Minnesota, not San Diego. I think it will also create some interesting questions around the Cities as to what is or is not "indoor" space. I was thinking of McGoverns in St. Paul. They have a "patio" that is basically an indoor space where there is a roof that can be rolled back. Is that outdoors? I've eaten in that space in the dead of winter. How about places with big garage doors that open up, like Surlys?
I think Walz unnecessarily stepped in it here. If he doesn't think it's safe for bars and restaurants to open, fine, keep them closed awhile longer. What's next, the Gophers can play their games (outdoor stadium) but the Vikings can't?
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