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Original poster

Would you eat out now (inside dining)?

251 replies

Featherstep · 10/10/2020 22:11

I really miss going out for a weekend cafe or pub lunch with my family but my husband thinks it's not worth the risk eating inside now that the virus is spreading again like wildfire. He's probably right - the last time we sat inside for a pub lunch (in August), I felt very uncomfortable being so close to the people at the next table.

Most outdoor seating gets booked up really quickly. I feel like for almost every outing since March we've brought packed picnic lunches. I am SO sick of packed sandwiches and would just love to sit down somewhere with warm food for once, just like pre-Covid times!

So just that really, are you comfortable going to lunch if it's going to be inside?

OP posts:
Thelikelylass · 11/10/2020 19:20

Yes. I have held the view that I would live as normal a life as possible right from the start of lockdown, I was going to pubs and restaurants up until the day they shut, I bought coffees and cakes etc from local takeaways that stayed open (and no masks in those days if you recall) and as soon as the lockdown started we went out again. I have been in lots of pubs and restaurants and cafes, second hand bookshops. The measures taken by almost all are really admirable.
I don't want us to lose these businesses and the High streets to be full of plastic bucket shops, betting shops and charity shops. They were heading this was before and we won't know what we have got until it's gone. Same as the arts, we are going to look back in five years and be horrified at how many businesses we have lost.
Remember how we all lamented Woolworths? that is nothing compared to what is to come.

crazycrofter · 11/10/2020 19:23

We’ve been out as a couple a few times with friends and family. Some we hadn’t seen for months. And my brother is single and lonely. If we got contacted by test and trace our children could still go to school.

But I’ve also let dd go to McDonalds and Costa to meet her old school friends/youth group friends which is obviously a risk for her if she happened to be contacted. I think it’s worth the risk, she’s a very sociable girl with lots of friends and I want her to keep it up while she still can. It’s likely as of this week we’ll be banned here from meeting people inside anywhere so I’ve encouraged her to take the opportunity while she can. She’s brought forward a meet up with old school friends to tomorrow because of potential changes from Wednesday.

We’re generally very careful and we’ve kept pretty much within the rules all the way. But we want to enjoy time with family and friends where possible.

Dd is mature, sixth form. If she has to self isolate for 2 weeks she’d keep up with the work. It’s all a balancing act isn’t it, but we’re trying to do everything we can to keep some normality going.

octopusjournal · 11/10/2020 19:32

depends where it is. Some places are better than others. Went to wagamamas and packed in like sardines, wouldn't go back again. Miller and Carter on the other hand were great. Well over 2 metres between tables.

we've mainly tried to go to places where we could eat outside. did go to the above 2 when cases were very low but now cases are shooting up and its getting too cold to eat outside or have doors/ windows open we're going to avoid eating out

Redcrayons · 11/10/2020 19:37

Yes. Would pick carefully, and try and avoid big chains. I’ve been to a couple of local places, and felt very safe. They are taking it very seriously as they don’t want to close down again.
Although I believe we’ll be in the red zone tomorrow so who knows when the next time will be.

amieejust · 11/10/2020 19:46

No to indoor dining unless tables very well spaced out, and with the weather now turning, unlikely to want to sit outdoors either. Before lockdown we would eat out once or twice a month, but we are both now cautious as DH is fairly high risk.

We've cooked some superb meals at home over the last few months and there are some good takeaways nearby.

Not particularly missing eating out as at the moment it just wouldn't be the same, and too risky for DH.

UntamedWisteria · 11/10/2020 19:47

I think most chains are more likely to be safe, because they have a reputation to maintain across the board, and can invest in proper staff training.

I would always check their website first, and if that describes their Covid-secure measures, then it's a good start.

Your local independent pub/restaurant may be very safe... but it's a bit hit and miss.

CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 11/10/2020 19:52

Yes, booked to go next weekend for a meal, hoping Boris doesn't close the restaurants

Inkpaperstars · 11/10/2020 23:31

Cote are delivering meals that you heat up at home so for anyone wanting to eat something relatively easy and restaurant like, but not go out of have traditional takeway, that might be worth a try. I haven't tried it yet but relative has and has enjoyed it, although been shocked as has been able to see the calories!

whatisforteamum · 12/10/2020 08:11

Yogawithmydog.Thank heavens for people like you.😂😂

Whatyoucanandcantdo · 13/10/2020 09:20

It's so interesting how people are either it's all too scary and safer at home or I eat out 3 times a week.

I'm definitely in the later category I have to say, do all the mask, sanitizer stuff quite happily. Unbearable to think off all the potential jobs lost and wonderful places going under Sad for a small risk

Ilovemypantry · 13/10/2020 16:59

No....definitely not worth the risk imo

NaughtipussMaximus · 13/10/2020 17:04

We went on holiday last week (from a lowest tier place to another lowest tier resort) and ate out every day. None of us are high risk. We're home again now and I'll still eat out if I feel like it, but I might be less keen if cases continue to rise and our LA gets moved to high risk or highest risk.

TBF we eat out maybe twice a month at the most when we're not on holiday.

NaughtipussMaximus · 13/10/2020 17:14

I do think it's naive to suppose eating out doesn't increase your risk of contracting Covid though. The more you go out, especially if you're sitting indoors in relatively small rooms with poor ventilation for an hour or so at a time, the more likely you are to be in a room with someone who has it.

vanillandhoney · 13/10/2020 17:19

@Whatyoucanandcantdo

It's so interesting how people are either it's all too scary and safer at home or I eat out 3 times a week.

I'm definitely in the later category I have to say, do all the mask, sanitizer stuff quite happily. Unbearable to think off all the potential jobs lost and wonderful places going under Sad for a small risk

I'm not remotely scared of catching COVID, but I am worried about being contacted by T&T and being forced to take two weeks off work. I run my own business out of the home, and DH is self-employed. We just can't afford to have to isolate for two weeks.
RuthW · 13/10/2020 17:19

No, I've not been since 13th March and prior to that I would go at least once a week.

halcyondays · 13/10/2020 17:22

No, it’s not worth the risk.

alreadytaken · 13/10/2020 17:26

No. Ate out in September and didnt feel safe at all. The additional restrictions (like staff in masks) meant I was thinking about it before the recent rises but not a chance now.

If I caught Covid I might be taking up a bed for months that could have been used for maybe half a dozen "normal" health care issues. I'll buy takeaways to keep my favourite places in business.

PinkPiranha11 · 13/10/2020 17:27

We’ve done it loads since we’ve been allowed. One of the few enjoyable things you can do. None of us has managed to contract Covid.

poshme · 13/10/2020 17:28

Yes. Have and will continue to do so.

redrab · 13/10/2020 17:42

@NaughtipussMaximus

I do think it's naive to suppose eating out doesn't increase your risk of contracting Covid though. The more you go out, especially if you're sitting indoors in relatively small rooms with poor ventilation for an hour or so at a time, the more likely you are to be in a room with someone who has it.
Personally I expect I have a reasonable chance of being exposed to Coronavirus, as I spend a fair bit of time indoors in restaurants, indoor attractions and public transport (masked and distanced where required, but I'm not convinced it makes much difference). But my family's age and health profile means we're statistically very unlikely to be severely affected, so I'm fine taking that risk to be able to do the activities we enjoy.
vanillandhoney · 13/10/2020 17:44

@PinkPiranha11

We’ve done it loads since we’ve been allowed. One of the few enjoyable things you can do. None of us has managed to contract Covid.
For some people, it's not about getting sick, it's about being contacted by T&T and being forced to isolate at home with no pay. If you're self-employed, two weeks off at the last minute can lose you your business!
wizzbangfizz · 13/10/2020 17:45

Yea and have done twice in the past week!

fussychica · 13/10/2020 18:29

We ate out several weeks ago in an extremely low risk area in Norfolk whilst on a few days holiday from another low risk area. Had to eat inside as the weather turned just as we were going in. Can't say I felt that it was very Covid secure and the cleaning levels were nothing special. If I had a regular place that I felt comfortable and secure in I might but otherwise not now cases are rising so fast.
Personally I won't be eating out again unless I can sit outside, which probably means next May!

BabyLlamaZen · 13/10/2020 18:58

I'm afraid not. It just doesn't seem worth it to me and would spoil the event. One of my friends told me her niece works at a restaurant and the staff all go out together afterwards. 🤣 So loads of 18 year olds serving my food and then sat on a table next to strangers? Honestly just not worth it.

catsjammies · 13/10/2020 19:31

We only aren't as a family because with two young kids they're not reliable at sitting still and sometimes want to get down from the table. It would end up being more stress that it's worth. I would do cafes with my older child/a friend but probably not comfortable staying somewhere more than 30 minutes or so.