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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think restaurants & coffee shops aren’t safe!!

210 replies

shesfancy · 23/09/2020 15:27

Okay, I haven’t yet been to a restaurant or coffee shop since lockdown was lifted, but I don’t understand at all, how they can be safe.

I considered a drive thru coffee a few days ago but changed my mind. I mean how can it be safe drinking from a cup someone has touched moments before? Surely this is worse than being less than 2m to someone?

I’ve made the decision to not eat or drink out for the foreseeable, DH said I’m being over the top.
I don’t think it’s safe and I’m sticking with that.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MadameBlobby · 23/09/2020 15:46

You do realise food borne disease and infections were a thing long before Covid?

It’s up to you what you do but you’ve got a long winter ahead of being stuck in your house and never going anywhere. However if you really think you’re going to get Covid off a coffee cup there’s probably not a lot of hope for you.

dementedpixie · 23/09/2020 15:47

I've never washed shopping. There's no real evidence it is passdd on by shopping

MadameBlobby · 23/09/2020 15:48

Perhaps when cases are lower again?

Or maybe not as they were low over the summer and you didn’t do anything then either.

Original poster
shesfancy · 23/09/2020 15:50

@MadameBlobby

Perhaps when cases are lower again?

Or maybe not as they were low over the summer and you didn’t do anything then either.

@MadameBlobby

Perhaps you’re right.

OP posts:
AshenQueen · 23/09/2020 15:52

I don’t think pubs, restaurants and cafes etc really should be open and it’s purely for the sake of the economy/jobs that they are.

I haven’t been in one and don’t intend to for the foreseeable future. I have had a few takeaway coffees (you could take a re-usable cup if it makes you feel better) and one take out which I really didn’t enjoy 😐

If it’s not affecting your life and you’re happy to carry on, I don’t think there is a problem.

NekoShiro · 23/09/2020 15:53

I'm with you OP, I haven't actually come out of lockdown yet, I leave my flat once aonth to get medicine and that's it, everything's delivered and sanitised before getting put away, the idea of long covid is what worries me and I'm fortunate enough that I can carry on this way for at least 4 more months with no financial issues.

Mippi · 23/09/2020 15:55

Catching it from touching surfaces is very unlikely.

Being inside in poorly ventilated/crowded places is much more risky.

Original poster
shesfancy · 23/09/2020 15:59

@Mippi

Being inside in poorly ventilated/crowded places is much more risky

Does ventilation actually make much difference?
We have a local coffee shop which always has the door open, but realistically if someone Inside has Covid, some fresh air isn’t going to save you.

OP posts:
AllPlayedOut · 23/09/2020 16:00

I'm with you OP, I haven't actually come out of lockdown yet, I leave my flat once aonth to get medicine and that's it, everything's delivered and sanitised before getting put away, the idea of long covid is what worries me and I'm fortunate enough that I can carry on this way for at least 4 more months with no financial issues.

I wouldn't consider that fortunate. That's no life and incredibly unhealthy for you. I lived that life for the best part of two years due to anxiety(Nothing to do with health anxiety though) and I find it horrifying and sad that people actually advocate living like this as though it's a good thing and not ultimately incredibly detrimental.

FreekStar · 23/09/2020 16:01

And this is the problem we have. Handwashing and sterilising objects and quarantining your post has been pushed so much that people believe that's the main way coronavirus is spread. It is not! It is primarily a respiratory virus which is spread through the air in water droplets which people breathe out and you breathe in. Social distancing is the only way to really avoid catching it!

Sirzy · 23/09/2020 16:01

You do sound excessively anxious.

Being cautious is good but making yourself ill with worry about things that pose a minimal risk isn’t

movingonup20 · 23/09/2020 16:01

Your choice, nobody needs to drink in coffee shops. I'm quite happy to do so

Lovemusic33 · 23/09/2020 16:04

I don’t really feel safe in a cafe either unless it’s very quiet, I have walked past some that looked packed, no social distancing in place (or very little), I feel safer in shops are people are masked and I can keep my distance. Happy to use a cafe if they have outside seating or take away service.

Hardbackwriter · 23/09/2020 16:05

I think you're being very sensible and should stick with what you're doing. It makes you feel safer and it doesn't take anything away from your life.

That's only true if OP doesn't want to go to a restaurant or buy a coffee. I'm guessing her DH does and so it is taking something away from his life that she is refusing to do so, hence why he feels she's being over-zealous.

I've been to a pub or restaurant about four or five times since they reopened and I can honestly say that each one enhanced my life enormously; I hadn't realised quite how much I had missed going out and seeing a friend until I could do it again. I was walking on air for days after my first trip out I enjoyed it so much. So I'm willing to take some risk for it, just like I take a risk because I enjoy eating cake, or drinking wine, or driving my car to go to somewhere I want to go, or all the many other risks we all take every day because we think they are, in the scheme of things, worth it.

knittingaddict · 23/09/2020 16:06

We have been very, very cautious and I do think you are going too far, but that's your choice I guess.

Both my husband and I are in the vulnerable group, but we have eaten out a fair few times, but only in the outside space. I feel very safe outside. I've been inside a local coffee shop a couple of times because it's quiet and didn't feel at all risky. We've had loads of takeaways too.

I think the risks far outweigh the risks.

Having said that, I won't be eating inside over the winter months. My own personal risk assessment says that is a step too far for me.

knittingaddict · 23/09/2020 16:07

Sorry, I meant to say that the pleasure of eating out far outweighs the tiny risk.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/09/2020 16:07

It's your choice but you wanted opinions, mine is you're being ridiculously OTT.

I get takeaway coffee at least once a week, I've eaten at restaurants and fast food places plus been to pubs. Haven't caught Covid and felt perfectly safe.

AllPlayedOut · 23/09/2020 16:09

OP the CDC agrees with you

The OP is talking about a drive thru coffee, not dining in.

firesong · 23/09/2020 16:10

I know what you mean OP. I do go to those places but wash my hands a lot. Also don't go to them as frequently now. I don't think you're being hysterical though, we are supposed to be avoiding the spread of this virus.

DominaShantotto · 23/09/2020 16:11

@applepineapple

People touch your items in the shop. The delivery driver touches the items to load into the van. I think you're being OTT.
And spiders wave their willies all over your laundry.

Avoid coffee shops... drink instant... we don't care.
Well done Squirrels - you've earned your "I'm avoiding Starbucks" badge.

gnushoes · 23/09/2020 16:13

This sounds more anxiety-based than scientific. Sorry about your illness but the best thing you could probably do to protect yourself from Covid problems might be to lower your BMI a little? That's probably a much higher risk factor than a cup of Starbucks.

hahoohayou · 23/09/2020 16:13

@sunstreaming

I think you're being very sensible and should stick with what you're doing. It makes you feel safer and it doesn't take anything away from your life. The arguments that 'nothing is safe' are irrelevant. Very few things are 100% safe, but we all do as much as we can in normal life to be as safe as possible. especially if it's something which doesnt cause us any extra work! I agree that if the person making the coffee and handling the cup is carrying Covid, then it will probably be on the cup which you then put into your lips, hence you could get it. I'm not going out for coffees/meals/drinks at the moment because I reckon that if i don't then I can't catch Covid from those situations. I want to do as much as I can to ensure I don't get it (I might not suceed, I know) because I think it would be a horrendous experience and also I would proabbly pass it onto othr peope. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Other people can do what they think fit, although they should realise that if they catch Covid, it's not only themsleves who they're putting at risk.
@sunstreaming

You do realise that Covid is here to stay?

How long are you realistically going to avoid eating / drinking out for?

ThatLibraryMiss · 23/09/2020 16:13

The most likely way you'll get infected with Covid 19.

Hint: it's not your shopping or touching a coffee cup.

knittingaddict · 23/09/2020 16:13

OP the CDC agrees with you

But the op could have eaten outside numerous times and that would have been relatively safe. The first time I went out with my daughter to an outside restaurant was lovely and a real morale boost. It felt very safe too.

Inside? I'm not so sure.

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