Page 5 | Servers at pub not wearing masks - is this ok?

Catyness · 2021-04-24T12:11:26+00:00

I've been to 2 pubs now since they've re-opened outside. I was surprised last night that the servers/waiters weren't wearing any type of face covering. They stood around 1m away to take the order then would be right at the table when delivering the drinks. Is this allowed? Is this safe? I did feel uncomfortable and won't be rushing back there I'm afraid.

Elieza · 25/04/2021 17:32

@SpnBaby1967
@TheVampiresWife

I did go out before covid. A cold won’t kill me so I wasn’t afraid then of servers breathing on my food then. However CV19 does kill. It killed my colleague. It really affected others I know. It’s deadly so I choose not to dine out until I have had my vaccinations.

I’m not as concerned about people 2m away from me as I am about someone breathing on something I subsequently ingest, which is closer to them than 2m obv.

I just do what I can to try and survive! Each to their own.

TheVampiresWife · 25/04/2021 17:57

[quote Elieza]@SpnBaby1967
@TheVampiresWife

I did go out before covid. A cold won’t kill me so I wasn’t afraid then of servers breathing on my food then. However CV19 does kill. It killed my colleague. It really affected others I know. It’s deadly so I choose not to dine out until I have had my vaccinations.

I’m not as concerned about people 2m away from me as I am about someone breathing on something I subsequently ingest, which is closer to them than 2m obv.

I just do what I can to try and survive! Each to their own.[/quote]
Yes, covid kills. But unless you're vulnerable it's very unlikely to, and I'm assuming you're not as you say you're still waiting to be vaccinated.

Covid is going nowhere. At some point in the near future, masks won't be mandatory anywhere. When that happens, will you still avoid social settings?

I do understand the anxiety. I felt like it myself at some points last year - for a time I was terrified to go to the supermarket/pretty much anywhere. I'm CV and a colleague of DH's, who was my age and had my condition, died very early on last spring and it really messed with my head. However living like that was not really living at all. I had to overcome it, it was hard, but I did.

You will survive eating outside a restaurant.

Againstmachine · 25/04/2021 18:16

Flu can kill walking across road can kill, people's risk assessment has gone downhill

IcedPurple · 25/04/2021 19:08

[quote Elieza]@SpnBaby1967
@TheVampiresWife

I did go out before covid. A cold won’t kill me so I wasn’t afraid then of servers breathing on my food then. However CV19 does kill. It killed my colleague. It really affected others I know. It’s deadly so I choose not to dine out until I have had my vaccinations.

I’m not as concerned about people 2m away from me as I am about someone breathing on something I subsequently ingest, which is closer to them than 2m obv.

I just do what I can to try and survive! Each to their own.[/quote]
Have there been any known cases of someone catching the virus from having food 'breathed on'?

And sure, Covid kills, but for the majority of people that risk is tiny. You could also get run over by a car on the way to the restaurant, or have a dangerous allergic reaction to the food you eat. Fewer than 1 in 400 people in Britain has the virus at the moment, so the chances of you catching it by having food 'breathed on' are minute.

Elieza · 25/04/2021 19:19

The reason we wear masks is not to breathe on each other so presumably it follows that breathing into food is equally dangerous. We are still to wear masks when near each other so the risk is still there.

I’ll be out and about once fully vaccinated. Until then I’m staying safe and enjoying things that’s perceive to be less risky.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 25/04/2021 19:21

@Elieza

The reason we wear masks is not to breathe on each other so presumably it follows that breathing into food is equally dangerous. We are still to wear masks when near each other so the risk is still there.

I’ll be out and about once fully vaccinated. Until then I’m staying safe and enjoying things that’s perceive to be less risky.

Hope you don't drive or ride in a car then.

TheVampiresWife · 25/04/2021 19:23

@Elieza

The reason we wear masks is not to breathe on each other so presumably it follows that breathing into food is equally dangerous. We are still to wear masks when near each other so the risk is still there.

I’ll be out and about once fully vaccinated. Until then I’m staying safe and enjoying things that’s perceive to be less risky.

Do you wash your shopping? Or order takeaways?

osbertthesyrianhamster · 25/04/2021 19:25

@Againstmachine

Flu can kill walking across road can kill, people's risk assessment has gone downhill

This. I have contracted seasonal influenza 3 times, and 1 time it became post viral syndrome (I don't count swine flu, I got that, too, in the initial outbreak in 2009). Some twat passed me glandular fever, too, I was ill for months. Stop the world! The whole world should stop.

Life, it's just not safe.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 25/04/2021 19:28

@99victoria

I do understand it - NO NEED TO SHOUT!

It just doesn't particularly work as an argument as presumably one case could VERY QUICKLY BECOME THOUSANDS TOO! So, are you suggesting we keep all the Coronavirus rules in place until there are zero cases? (and then keep our borders shut etc so no-one can ever bring in another case EVER EVER)

That's what a lot of countries like Australia and New Zeeland did and have done, yeah.

Especially whilst large proportions of the country are still not vaccinated or not vaccinated fully.

IcedPurple · 25/04/2021 19:30

@Elieza

The reason we wear masks is not to breathe on each other so presumably it follows that breathing into food is equally dangerous. We are still to wear masks when near each other so the risk is still there.

I’ll be out and about once fully vaccinated. Until then I’m staying safe and enjoying things that’s perceive to be less risky.

Masks don't stop you 'breathing' though do they? It simply doesn't 'follow' that 'breathing on' food - it's not as though the unmasked waiter is going to hold your pizza up to his face and exhale forcibly, is it? - is 'dangerous'.

However, by all means stay at home. Just so you're 'safe'.

Sadsiblingatsea · 25/04/2021 19:36

Stay at home Op, I doubt you will be missed.
Trying to shame minimum wage workers and expecting them to wear masks when they are running around is pretty mean.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/04/2021 19:45

[quote Elieza]@SpnBaby1967
@TheVampiresWife

I did go out before covid. A cold won’t kill me so I wasn’t afraid then of servers breathing on my food then. However CV19 does kill. It killed my colleague. It really affected others I know. It’s deadly so I choose not to dine out until I have had my vaccinations.

I’m not as concerned about people 2m away from me as I am about someone breathing on something I subsequently ingest, which is closer to them than 2m obv.

I just do what I can to try and survive! Each to their own.[/quote]
If it was that deadly everyone who eats out would be dropping like flies. I eat out regularly and I'm still here.

Canyouexplainhowthatis · 25/04/2021 20:50

They should absolutely be wearing masks. I’m pretty sure it’s a legal requirement too.

I wouldn’t return to those establishments if they can’t even be bothered to take covid seriously. The council will probably be round soon to let them have it anyway.

Where I am most pubs now have apps for you to order online, then they bring your drinks out, masked.

TheOneWithTheBigNose · 25/04/2021 20:55

I’m pretty sure it’s a legal requirement too

It’s not. Indoors it is, but not outdoors.

The council will probably be round soon to let them have it anyway

Let them have what? As above, it’s not a legal requirement. A PP has posted the appropriate guidance.

user1487194234 · 25/04/2021 21:04

If it’s not a legal requirement then they don’t need to do it
It is hard enough to comply with the law without having to comply with additional made up rules

TheVampiresWife · 25/04/2021 21:07

@Canyouexplainhowthatis

They should absolutely be wearing masks. I’m pretty sure it’s a legal requirement too.

I wouldn’t return to those establishments if they can’t even be bothered to take covid seriously. The council will probably be round soon to let them have it anyway.

Where I am most pubs now have apps for you to order online, then they bring your drinks out, masked.

Nope, not a legal requirement outdoors. And not a requirement at all if someone's exempt. What are the council going to let them have, precisely?!

Canyouexplainhowthatis · 25/04/2021 21:09

Well, that’s idiotic.

Outdoor transmission is low but NOT when you are seated and someone is standing directly over you talking and taking an order.

Masks should be worn.

People saying it’s “cruel” need to get a grip.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/04/2021 21:13

@Canyouexplainhowthatis

Well, that’s idiotic.

Outdoor transmission is low but NOT when you are seated and someone is standing directly over you talking and taking an order.

Masks should be worn.

People saying it’s “cruel” need to get a grip.

I still think it's low outdoors even when you are less than 2m. People meeting in groups outdoors haven't exactly been social distancing and cases haven't increased.

TheOneWithTheBigNose · 25/04/2021 21:15

Outdoor transmission is low but NOT when you are seated and someone is standing directly over you talking and taking an orderly

It’s still low in this scenario. Outdoor transmission is low at crowded beaches, at VE Day congas, at protests, at outdoor bars and restaurants... it’s low, full stop.

Canyouexplainhowthatis · 25/04/2021 21:17

Lower than indoors, not low.

TheOneWithTheBigNose · 25/04/2021 21:19

@Canyouexplainhowthatis

Lower than indoors, not low.

It’s low. Prominent scientists have confirmed that it is low.

Suzi888 · 25/04/2021 21:19

Masks are pointless. If you don’t feel safe, don’t go.

TheVampiresWife · 25/04/2021 21:20

@Canyouexplainhowthatis

Well, that’s idiotic.

Outdoor transmission is low but NOT when you are seated and someone is standing directly over you talking and taking an order.

Masks should be worn.

People saying it’s “cruel” need to get a grip.

Where's the evidence for this? I hate to be the arse who asks for a source... But do you have a source?

Hospitality has been open for a fortnight now and cases continue to decrease. Lots of servers aren't wearing masks, because they're outdoors and aren't required to. So why do you believe that transmission is high in the scenario you describe?

TheVampiresWife · 25/04/2021 21:21

@Canyouexplainhowthatis

Lower than indoors, not low.

Again, evidence?

The science doesn't agree with you.

Mum2jenny · 25/04/2021 21:23

Service is outdoors, so they do not need to wear masks. If you are really bothered about this, you probably shouldn’t be going to outside venues.