Would you eat out now (inside dining)?

[Featherstep]

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?

Interesting mix of responses.

The thing is in the supermarket, everyone is masked and you rarely spend a lot of time in there (okay I may have wasted 15 minutes of my life browsing the Aldi middle aisles the other week but you know what I mean...)

In restaurants you have loads of people masks off, opening their mouths to eat and talk to their companions. You're sitting there breathing the same air (containing small droplets as @guylan said above) for an hour at least.

I think on balance, I would probably eat out with DH on a quiet weekday lunch but avoid the weekend...

I am eating out and have to say I haven't felt unsafe doing so.
I really want to support those in the hospitality industry who are trying their hardest to make a living.
I think we have to individually weigh up what activities are viable for our individual circumstances.

Yes, I've eaten out a few times, will do again.

We did today - just our household. We chose a large, airy and quiet restaurant - even pre COVID H and I often wondered how they keep going as it's often only half full. So there's lots of room for social distancing and it felt quite safe.

I have seen plenty of places I wouldn't fancy eating in though. Five Guys was heaving today with the closely packed tables full. No way was there even a metre between some parties, never mind two.

First I want to get it straight that I am not saying Covid 19 is the same as flu. I know what’s it like on here if you merely hint at any such suggestion.

However, has anyone honestly ever gone for a meal at a restaurant pre 2020 and sat there feeling worried that someone else in the restaurant might have a flu, a coronavirus or a norovirus that they might then pass to you? Why is this virus actually any different in that respect? Yes we are told that it is more contagious than some other viruses but a flu, norovirus or coronavirus floating around could prove equally as dangerous to certain individuals. We haven’t shut the world down before for those viruses and as far as I’m aware most people have not been scared to sit down inside a restaurant and eat a meal in case they catch something off a random fellow diner.

I know the government have run a very successful fear campaign backed up with horrifying images and stories from the mainstream media but I think it’s time we all woke up from this control by fear and actually started to think more critically and rationally and push for a return to total normality. It is important for mental health, other non Covid health, children’s education, people’s livelihoods, whole industries like travel and the arts and I could go on. This needs to end now and it needs to start with people shrugging off the veil of fear we have all been draped in.

There is no way in hell I’m eating inside until I either get vaccinated or the transmission rate is virtually non-existent. I’m too vulnerable, as are my parents and I live in a local lockdown area. No meal out is worth a dose of Covid, all that can wait for better days. I still support local businesses (fish and chips delivered yesterday, pick up coffees a few times a week, buy all essentials online etc) but the transmission rate is higher indoors and I know most people in my local area are not being very careful at all.

I'm in Nottingham and booked for next Friday night at a restaurant, I'll be gutted if they make the decision to close them.

Yes and I do. Are you particularly at risk? If not why on earth wouldn’t you? Do you still drive? You are much more likely to die in a car accident .

why am I asking
I'm just curious what other people out there feel about the topic, that's all.
Of course I understand everyone has a different assessment of risk.

@Malteserdiet agree 100%, this way of life is not viable for much longer.

@bigchris

poorly ventilated crowded buildings

There literally is no restaurants or pubs where I live matching this description, they are all following the law, tables spaced out , no one standing at the bar ,no crowded pubs etc

@bigchris, do you mean they have mechanical ventilation or the windows open? If not, then they are not well ventilated.

I've been out loads for meals, drinks and even gigs.
I follow the rules regarding around social distancing mask wearing.
Every venue I've been to has followed the rules exactly.
I have no problem s and glad to be doing good stuff again.

Yes, I have done several times since July. I haven't had a second's anxiety about it.

No, we haven’t eaten out since January. Still get the odd takeaway. I miss concerts/theatre far more than dining out.

Yes, but I live in Scotland so not allowed.

Yes

It was busier in Aldi today with no social distancing at all.

I've been out lots too and am back at the gym, I'm careful but christ this is no way to live.

Yes I would, but I'm not living my life in fear of catching Covid 19. No matter how much we restrict our lives it's not going to go away and for most of us it's the inconvenience of being positive that is the biggest problem, rather than the illness, which for most of us is mild.

We've simply had no reason to. We'll not be eating out for my birthday because it's tomorrow which means dealing with 2 fussy autistic teens and completely removing any enjoyment, even pre-covid. We're not having random, spontaneous cafe or restaurant lunches because we're not really going anywhere and needing to eat out. DH has barely taken a day off since March, too, as his work has been rather busy.

It's all pretty dull, tbh. I'm 51, tomorrow and 2020 is one of my least favourite years, so far, as we've had other shit, besides covid, to deal with, so doing something nice and distracting like having a meal out would actually be quite welcome.

Yes we went out for coffee and a cake this afternoon and weve booked dinner for tomorrow.

Depending where. We’re in Cornwall at the minute and the rates are low so not feeling worried. If I was in Manchester o Nottingham then I’d think about it twice

I eat outdoors at the moment.
The "one metre premises" thing put me off for starters and I'm just being cautious now.
Ask me again in December!
Surely it's worth booking ahead op if you can?

No it’s certainly not for me at the moment. I’m just not prepared to take the risk as it’s not worth it for a meal out.

I've always been fairly pissed off at people coughing round about me tbh.

Yes, we have eaten out most weeks.