I can keep up and have a safe masked face to masked face communication with some of my friends because the restaurants can still serve outside. This advantage will die a natural death as the weather turns, and even the restaurants will give up outside service.
As far as outside dining goes, the exception might be the Hollander on Downer. They installed several plastic enclosures on their spacious outdoor service area, including the Downer St. side's parking space deck. (They refer to them as Bubbles) They are habitable for dining or drinking, with the heater inside the enclosure.
I have two concerns with this alternative to inside dining. Number one, the customers maybe be comfortable draping their coats over the back of their chairs, but what about the waitstaff, who are already running up the stairs to the second-floor kitchen to fetch the food, also have to run outside to deliver the orders? Outside of the justification for not going to the gym for a workout, this is a recipe for colds and other physical problems.
The other is obvious. The advantage of outside service is that the danger of transmitting COVID is much less for masked patrons during the Pandemic. However, if you are in a plastic tent with a heater, are you really outside?
The UW System students have a message for their parents. "Mom Dad, I'm coming home for Thanksgiving, and I'm staying home." At least that's the case if they listen to the pleading of the UW officials. They can stay at their home campus through the holiday, but most of the institutions are going virtual for their classes, so there is little advantage to stay on campus. Certainly, their campus landlords are not going to be giving them any break. Still, since the campus social opportunities are limited, if not dangerous, and the groceries are free at home sweet home. The decision should be easy.
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