The Nightlife Blogger Rejoices That We Can Eat Outside Again
outdoor dining, California, restaurants, Gavin Newsom
By The Nightlife Blogger, PubClub.com
Our embattled governor – more than 1.5 million Californians have signed a recall petition against Gavin Newsom for his restrictive and ever-changing COVID-19 policies – has reversed course and rescinded his stay-home order which was implemented in mid-December.
In doing so, he also returned the decision to open things up to the individual counties rather than the short-lived and – frankly, quite dumb – regional approach. Los Angeles County then announced outdoor dining will be allowed starting Friday, Jan. 29.
The new order also lifted the curfew.
Frankly, I had actually forgotten about the curfew. With no place to go because everything was closed, I was not out between 10 p.m., and 5 a.m., anyway.
Well good.
Frankly, it was really dumb to shut it down in the first place. To order from a restaurant, you had to stand at a counter – often in a line with several other people – or even go inside. And then once you got your food, you had no place to sit down and eat it.
This ridiculousness of this policy was really brought to light for me when I was on a bike ride through north San Diego County. As I was looking for a place to stop for lunch, it was so frustrating because while I could find food I could not find any tables. Even a bench. I was starving. Finally, I located a “rogue” restaurant that had outdoor seating after you ordered from a counter.
I began to think about construction and other daytime workers who go to McDonald’s or some place like that and had to take their meal to their truck or even sit on a sidewalk.
Plus, a spokesperson from state’s health board came out and stated that there is no evidence that outdoor dining helps prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. “We just want people to stay home,” he said.
Great. Meanwhile restaurants are starving and people have no place to sit after they get food.
There was a lot of frustration among residents who could not go out to eat anymore in an area that had has summertime weather with warm temperatures and tons of sunshine. And thus, the recall was gaining momentum and signatures.
Look, I’m not one of those people who thinks the virus is all political and that wearing a mask is a violation of my personal rights. It is real and I am pro mask. I just feel that shutting down outdoor dining is a dumb idea for reasons stated above and I’m glad to have it back in California.
That is, until the governor changes his mind again.
RELATED POST:
• End Of Stay-Home Order Allows For The Return Of Outdoor Dining
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