To think “Eat out to help out” will go down in history as one of the all time stupid policies?

[Skysblue]

Round here in August all the pubs cafes and restaurants were crammed with people eating out because they were excited about the discount. Some places had plastic screens but most didn’t. No distancing, just a load of strangers crammed together because the government was paying for them to eat out.

Now a couple of weeks later covid cases are rising and the government reckon it’s not their fault. So now it’s criminal to have meet ups over ) people.

Is it just me, or was encouraging people to go to restaurants (and offices) in the middle of a pandemic, a blindingly stupid policy?

YANBU. My ds works in McDonalds and said there were crowds of 30/ 40 people milling around outside on discount days.

I think it was a good policy that has done its job.

We didn’t use it but everywhere near me had 2m+ between tables. No “cramming” in fact quite the opposite. It looked quite desolate inside most places. Only people coming closer than 2m were waiting staff who all wore masks.

it was good for business surely?

I think it was a good policy. I only ate out twice in a supermarket cafe, so was pretty cheap (less than £6 for 2 of us with main course and a drink), but a treat I couldn’t normally afford! Their social distancing policy was spot on and I felt pretty safe.

We used it a few times.

No where were we crammed in. The tables were well spaced out and everything was cleaned..Staff were wearing masks, all the condiments were individual sachets, one way systems in place. I certainly did not see what the op describes

I thought it was brilliant and inspired.... I'm far more worried about the substantial sums from furlough going into the hands of the few

@RunningFromInsanity

I think the people who are complaining were the same people who blamed the government for ‘ruining the economy’ and people’s livelihoods by shutting them in the first place.

They literally can’t win.

Same with schools.
Furious when schools weren’t shut early
Furious when schools were shut
Furious now that schools are open again

No matter what the government do there will be consequence and people will berate the decision.

They can 'win' if they have consistent, intelligent, well thought out policies. A decision cannot be berated; only a person.

@Skysblue

Round here in August all the pubs cafes and restaurants were crammed with people eating out because they were excited about the discount. Some places had plastic screens but most didn’t. No distancing, just a load of strangers crammed together because the government was paying for them to eat out.

Now a couple of weeks later covid cases are rising and the government reckon it’s not their fault. So now it’s criminal to have meet ups over ) people.

Is it just me, or was encouraging people to go to restaurants (and offices) in the middle of a pandemic, a blindingly stupid policy?

I only went to places that had SD, either plastic screens or empty tables.

I gave all my details either during the booking or via the QR code, and have not been contacted,

It was really good around our area, social distancing in place. Menus all disposable (not so good for the environment) and hand sanitiser etc upon entry .
It was a good idea to encourage people out of their homes. It was weird for me to go out out, but it made me see how good it can be again.
On the other hand just come back from a walk two c18 year old lads walking together, sharing a spliff-what idiots.

Social distancing rules were in place. In theory, eating out shouldn't have been a problem. But, as usual, people ignored the guidance and did what the hell they wanted, hence the increase in infection rates. Don't blame the idea, blame the idiots who couldn't be bothered to social distance.

You should direct your frustration at the people who crammed into venues, and the venues who allowed/encouraged it.
I'm certainly no fan of a Tory Government, but they didn't force people to cram in to hospitality venues, and definitely said that social distancing had to apply. Everyone is looking for someone else to blame, but at some point society needs to take accountability for their own actions.

@BF2748

You’re not wrong! How many people who are out given the option would’ve still ate out fi they knew the following month it’s no more than 6. Most would’ve rather had more freedom than eating out.

It’s utter crap and I can’t comprehend how stupid these polices have been. Likewise I think it’s been a lot of fear mongering which hasn’t helped and for a virus most recover from I think it’s time we resume to normal.

We went to TGIF (most expensive restaurant in our town, so good to get half price). It was exactly as you describe.

Is it just me, or was encouraging people to go to restaurants (and offices) in the middle of a pandemic, a blindingly stupid policy?

We’re not in the middle of a pandemic, we’re at the tail end of it.

If it was "blindingly stupid" why weren't there huge numbers of cases midway through the scheme?

Did you actually go OP? Everywhere I went was fine, it wasn’t crammed, it wasn’t dangerous.

@SoupDragon

If it was "blindingly stupid" why weren't there huge numbers of cases midway through the scheme?

Or when 47,000 pubs opened up at the end of July

Sorry if I am missing something, but how can spreading within households be the root of the problem? I get that once one member of the household is infected then transmission is more likely, but the first household member has clearly got to pick it up from somewhere?

It was a piece of psychology to get people out of the agoraphobia built up during lockdown. Nothing better than free money to overcome all other concerns!

So am I the only one who went to Five Guys?

We were a bit nervous at 1st but everywhere we went we felt very safe.

If we had been crammed in then we would have left.

@RunningFromInsanity

I think the people who are complaining were the same people who blamed the government for ‘ruining the economy’ and people’s livelihoods by shutting them in the first place.

They literally can’t win.

Same with schools.
Furious when schools weren’t shut early
Furious when schools were shut
Furious now that schools are open again

No matter what the government do there will be consequence and people will berate the decision.

This

And god knows I'm no supporter of this shitshow of a government.

They should have done Eat Out to Help Out in November when places really start to struggle.

However, do remember folks, despite all this encouragement to get back out there and socialise, we "relaxed too much." WE are to blame.

🙄

No, the current rise in cases is not due to eat out to help out, it's regional issues in a limited number of areas in the country for specific reasons and is mostly being spread within households where infection has come from job related causes or large gatherings

@user1497207191

Social distancing rules were in place. In theory, eating out shouldn't have been a problem. But, as usual, people ignored the guidance and did what the hell they wanted, hence the increase in infection rates. Don't blame the idea, blame the idiots who couldn't be bothered to social distance.

Looks like you have swallowed the "divide and conquer" bullshit.

A lot more people committed suicide in August thank died from Covid.

Maybe people need to get a sense of what the real issues is society are and stop bleeding all day bee Covid