Are people stupid?

[Braindead]

I think this is to allow restaurants to possibly still earn money while considering and mitigating the risks. If one goes outside for anything, there is a chance that social interaction will take place. I see more social interaction in the grocery store checkout line than just about anywhere else. I don't need a chatty Cathy (apologies to anyone named Cathy) chatting it up with the store clerk in front of me at checkout. Any time the mouth opens, there is chance droplets transfer to a surface and transfer to my food packaging. Should we shut down grocery stores because social interaction can take place?

I guess you think it’s ok for the government to pick which jobs-businessess try to survive.
No restaurant is an essential source of food, grocery stores are an essential source of food. I thought we could all agree on that, maybe not?
Lockdown means eliminating all social interaction possible, we all have to have groceries but we could all do without that take out order. No?
People can go to the grocery store ounce a week or less often, those that order take out may do so numerous times a week & would still need groceries.
No matter how you look at leaving restaurants open it leads & encourages a lot of non essential social interaction

 

[dioxide45]

I guess you think it’s ok for the government to pick which jobs-businessess try to survive.
No restaurant is an essential source of food, grocery stores are an essential source of food. I thought we could all agree on that, maybe not?
Lockdown means eliminating all social interaction possible, we all have to have groceries but we could all do without that take out order. No?

It was pointed out to me in another thread that someone has to pick which business get to survive, and it apparently is the government, so I will leave that at that. At another time it was mentioned that some people don't cook and rely on restaurants for food. I am not one of them and I would think most people could get by eating canned food that only needs heating on a stove top or microwave, but what do I know.

 

[TravelTime]

Here’s a reason why Germany says they have a lower death rate than other countries:

“Maybe our biggest strength in Germany,” said Professor Kräusslich, “is the rational decision-making at the highest level of government combined with the trust the government enjoys in the population.”

 

[x3 skier]

Here’s a reason why Germany says they have a lower death rate than other countries:

“Maybe our biggest strength in Germany,” said Professor Kräusslich, “is the rational decision-making at the highest level of government combined with the trust the government enjoys in the population.”

I will only note additionally the German population following orders is a national trait.

This also may be a reason.

 

[davidvel]

I think the point people are ignoring here is that the caseload in the USA is doubling EVERY THREE DAYS. It's easy to throw around statistics that some will die, or to minimize that it's a minor percentage of the population. The larger question is: Are YOU willing to be one of them? What about your spouse, parents, or kids? I know I'm not, and I will do what I can to protect my loved ones. Staying safe at home, and minimizing exposure, will reduce the odds you will become a statistic. That's the best any of us can do.

I'm not foolish enough to presume my household won't be affected by this - we already are, financially, if nothing else. But while we can, and by whatever means we can, I will do everything possible to reduce our risk. A vaccine will be a long ways off. My hope is that those who have recovered from this will have an immunity to it, and won't spread it to others. As more people recover, the risk of catching it is reduced. I want to give this virus time to calm down.

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy home.

Dave

YOU were willing to die when you went out before this all started.

 

[Gypsy65]

I don’t think people are being any more stupid about coronavirus than they are about getting any other disease or taking other risks. One of the worst things for health is unhealthy eating and obesity. It is correlated with many diseases like heart problems, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and others. Yet people keep overeating and eating junk food. My dad is an example. He has diabetes but is not overweight. But he keeps eating sweets and says what is the point of life if he can‘t eat sweets. He would rather eat sweets than live longer. That is really stupid IMO. I hate the word “stupid” but I am using it because this is the name of the thread. He thinks I am stupid and he says I do not enjoy life because I am careful with what I eat. I tell him the food is not at the center of my universe and there are other ways to enjoy life than overeating or eating sweets and junk food. My dad says the only time his glucose numbers are normal is when he visits me in California. For him, “normal” is still over 100. He still eats sweets at my home but probably less than when he is in Florida.

BTW, people with all of these preventable diseases are more at risk of dying from Covid-19. It’s a double whammy. Eat poorly, get a chronic disease, your immune systems weakens as a result, then Covid-19 comes along And now you are at higher risk of dying from Covid-19. Maybe Covid-19 will kill off all the stupid people. Maybe that is the meaning of this thread. The smart ones will stay at home and take care of themselves to reduce risk factors. At least my father is staying home. He is worried about getting Covid-19 due to his diabetes, and rightly so. But I bet he is still eating sweets!

Except the level of stupidity of someone eating an entire box of donuts in front of me has zero effect on me
Now running around and possibly spreading a deadly virus does
So. Is that stupidity or carelessness?
Maybe both
And I believe it surpasses the donut eating level of stupidity

 

[TravelTime]

Except the level of stupidity of someone eating an entire box of donuts in front of me has zero effect on me
Now running around and possibly spreading a deadly virus does
So. Is that stupidity or carelessness?
Maybe both

So a better analogy would be a smoker and secondhand smoke or drinking and driving. Very stupid and irresponsible.

 

[presley]

Just want to report that, Yes, people are stupid.

Today, on my dog walk, I saw some "adults" (looked between 35-45) having a spitting contest across the street from each other. It was a man on one side of the street and a couple on the other side. They were all laughing and trying to spit at each other from across the street. I had to change my route to avoid these people. As I got back on that street (after a series of roundabouts), I saw the single man ahead of me again, only this time he was chatting with another guy who was walking his dogs. They weren't social distancing and the dogs were jumping around and barking and the 2 men were laughing and not trying to get out of each other's personal space at all. I was starting to get pretty angry and I had to reroute yet again.

Last Sunday, my husband and I parked by a park to enjoy the scenery while we had lattes and hot fudge sundaes from McDonalds in an attempt to recreate what the afternoon would be like if we were on a Disney Cruise. I got really grossed out by the stuff I saw, which I won't go into too much other than to say I saw 2 different families going to the closed playground and both times, the 2 different dads hocked loogies in the grass. Between that and what happened today, I have concluded that Sundays are the days that all the gross spitting people are out in public.

 

[TravelTime]

Just want to report that, Yes, people are stupid.

Today, on my dog walk, I saw some "adults" (looked between 35-45) having a spitting contest across the street from each other. It was a man on one side of the street and a couple on the other side. They were all laughing and trying to spit at each other from across the street. I had to change my route to avoid these people. As I got back on that street (after a series of roundabouts), I saw the single man ahead of me again, only this time he was chatting with another guy who was walking his dogs. They weren't social distancing and the dogs were jumping around and barking and the 2 men were laughing and not trying to get out of each other's personal space at all. I was starting to get pretty angry and I had to reroute yet again.

Last Sunday, my husband and I parked by a park to enjoy the scenery while we had lattes and hot fudge sundaes from McDonalds in an attempt to recreate what the afternoon would be like if we were on a Disney Cruise. I got really grossed out by the stuff I saw, which I won't go into too much other than to say I saw 2 different families going to the closed playground and both times, the 2 different dads hocked loogies in the grass. Between that and what happened today, I have concluded that Sundays are the days that all the gross spitting people are out in public.

The spitting contest is really disgusting and not safe at all. Wow, I can’t believe anyone would find this fun.

Is McDonald’s still open? I would not have guessed they are considered an essential service. I guess hamburgers are an essential service for kids. I assume only the drive through is open. How are they keeping their employees and customers safe? How are they handing out food to people while maintaining social distance and not touching the bags?

 

[TravelTime]

Hey, I have a positive reframe for this thread. Maybe the people we are seeing outside who are not following the social distancing guidelines are the exceptions to the rule. I just heard on the news that 90% of people are staying home and following guidelines. So maybe people are smart and the stupid people are exceptions?

I personally do not know anyone who is not following the stay at home guidelines. Everyone in my family and friends circle is sheltering in place and being ultra careful the very few times they need to go out for food. On my Facebook threads, everyone is staying home and encouraging others to stay at home too. Everyone in my profession that I know has closed their offices. Here on TUG, it sounds like most everyone is sheltering in place too. Maybe I just have a smart circle of family and friends!

When I went to the doctor on Friday for an essential medical procedure, I did see many cars on the road as well as full parking lots. But that doesn’t mean that people are not following the shelter in place guidelines and social distancing. I have not been to a store in weeks, so I do not know much about how people are shopping and behaving in stores. When we do need food, my DH goes to the small market near our house to avoid crowds. The store is being very safe with plastic guards for the cashiers and tape on the floor to keep people 6’ apart in line. This particular store never has many people, even in normal times. It feels a lot safer than Safeway or Target.

 

[VacationForever]

The spitting contest is really disgusting and not safe at all. Wow, I can’t believe anyone would find this fun.

Is McDonald’s still open? I would not have guessed they are considered an essential service. I guess hamburgers are an essential service for kids. I assume only the drive through is open. How are they keeping their employees and customers safe? How are they handing out food to people while maintaining social distance and not touching the bags?

No different from curbside pickup of food from sitdown restaurants.

 

[TravelTime]

No different from curbside pickup of food from sitdown restaurants.

I was wondering if they are still using the take out windows. With those windows, you get pretty close to the attendant. I thought take out from sit down restaurants was putting the food in your trunk? I have not ordered any prepared food at all so I am not familiar with how it works, just with what I have read.

 

[VacationForever]

I was wondering if they are still using the take out windows. With those windows, you get pretty close to the attendant. I thought take out from sit down restaurants was putting the food in your trunk? I have not ordered any prepared food at all so I am not familiar with how it works, just with what I have read.

Dunno. I haven't done either of them. Neither have I gone to any store for the past 4 weeks or more.

 

[Talent312]

I was wondering if they are still using the take out windows. With those windows, you get pretty close to the attendant...

McD's drive-thru (and others) work just like always...
You hand over your CC or $$, and they hand you a bag of cold food.
Today: Quarter Pounders. Yesterday: Beef 'n Cheddars (Arby's).

 

[geekette]

McD's drive-thru (and others) work just like always...
You hand over your CC or $$, and they hand you a bag of cold food,
Today: Quarter Pounders. Yesterday: Beef 'n Cheddars (Arby's).

yeah, same as always. I never considered a drive through window to be "close".

My brother is a truck driver and has had to knock on drive thru windows because the rig won't fit. So far, they accomodate, kindly, and thank him for his work.

I haven't been out to buy food since this stuff began but need to restock groceries. Hoping nobody around on a Monday afternoon. It's time for me to mask up and brave it.

I am not sure how many drive throughs are open, I'll keep an eye out because now I am curious.

 

[geekette]

I was wondering if they are still using the take out windows. With those windows, you get pretty close to the attendant. I thought take out from sit down restaurants was putting the food in your trunk? I have not ordered any prepared food at all so I am not familiar with how it works, just with what I have read.

Pick up food is going to depend. I don't have a trunk so that's not going to happen. From ads in my inbox, some have you come in to the counter and some bring it out to you.

 

[presley]

Is McDonald’s still open? I would not have guessed they are considered an essential service. I guess hamburgers are an essential service for kids. I assume only the drive through is open. How are they keeping their employees and customers safe? How are they handing out food to people while maintaining social distance and not touching the bags?

Yes, all the drive thrus are still open around here, even Starbucks. Nothing different in the drive thrus as far as handing bags, money, etc. I pay in cash and don't take the change, but they are still handing me a bag.

I went to Chipolte yesterday and everything seemed normal there, too, other than there is tape on the floor of where to stand in line, but that wasn't necessary because I was the only customer at the time. Our local frozen yogurt shop is meeting people at the door and taking their order and then going in to make it, charge you out, etc. They aren't letting anyone enter the shop.

I almost ordered breakfast delivery the other day, but the added on fees were going to double the cost of the breakfast. I am trying to keep my local places in business. I don't want my town shut down after we can go back to normal.

 

[Rolltydr]

Yes, all the drive thrus are still open around here, even Starbucks. Nothing different in the drive thrus as far as handing bags, money, etc. I pay in cash and don't take the change, but they are still handing me a bag.

I went to Chipolte yesterday and everything seemed normal there, too, other than there is tape on the floor of where to stand in line, but that wasn't necessary because I was the only customer at the time. Our local frozen yogurt shop is meeting people at the door and taking their order and then going in to make it, charge you out, etc. They aren't letting anyone enter the shop.

I almost ordered breakfast delivery the other day, but the added on fees were going to double the cost of the breakfast. I am trying to keep my local places in business. I don't want my town shut down after we can go back to normal.

I wanted to take a drive a couple days ago just to get out of the house. I did not leave the car. I went to Starbucks because I thought all the drive thrus were open. Wrong. First one closed. Second one closed. Third one. Open. Yay! Got my fix, went for short drive and returned home.


Harry

 

[Brett]

yeah, same as always. I never considered a drive through window to be "close".

My brother is a truck driver and has had to knock on drive thru windows because the rig won't fit. So far, they accomodate, kindly, and thank him for his work.

I haven't been out to buy food since this stuff began but need to restock groceries. Hoping nobody around on a Monday afternoon. It's time for me to mask up and brave it.

I am not sure how many drive throughs are open, I'll keep an eye out because now I am curious.

all the fast food drive thru windows are open - and some restaurants will take orders with you picking up

 

[klpca]

Yes, all the drive thrus are still open around here, even Starbucks. Nothing different in the drive thrus as far as handing bags, money, etc. I pay in cash and don't take the change, but they are still handing me a bag.

I went to Chipolte yesterday and everything seemed normal there, too, other than there is tape on the floor of where to stand in line, but that wasn't necessary because I was the only customer at the time. Our local frozen yogurt shop is meeting people at the door and taking their order and then going in to make it, charge you out, etc. They aren't letting anyone enter the shop.

I almost ordered breakfast delivery the other day, but the added on fees were going to double the cost of the breakfast. I am trying to keep my local places in business. I don't want my town shut down after we can go back to normal.

We drove through on Saturday and the employees were wearing masks and gloves and they had installed a sneeze guard about 12" above the window sill (that seemed ineffective to me but I suppose that anything is better than nothing).

@presley We have also tried to support our local businesses and some are better than others. Hands down, the best experience was at Yanni's. A bit on the expensive side but the portions were large enough that we made it into two meals. The Penne Chicken Marsala is amazing, and is even better the next day.

 

[SandyPGravel]

I just heard on the news that 90% of people are staying home and following guidelines. So maybe people are smart and the stupid people are exceptions?

The neighbors that live on either side of me had a big bon fire and shot off fireworks Saturday night. They are constantly at each others house and their kids are all playing together. So, no social distancing, a fire ban was put in place last week in our state, and fireworks are always illegal(unless you are a farmer with a permit). I guess they are our 10%.

 

[presley]

The neighbors that live on either side of me had a big bon fire and shot off fireworks Saturday night. They are constantly at each others house and their kids are all playing together. So, no social distancing, a fire ban was put in place last week in our state, and fireworks are always illegal(unless you are a farmer with a permit). I guess they are our 10%.

Ha! That reminds me of a couple women with young children that I saw at the park the other day. The 2 women were standing at least 6 feet apart having a nice visit and their children played together who weren't social distancing and a baby crawling through the grass. I was thinking, "nice try, I guess...." I guess that weekly playdate at the park is really important.