This article from Judd Legum makes a very good point about how we will begin to adjust our behaviors in a post-pandemic world.
Sorry about the formatting… I’m just getting used to the WordPress commands. The gist of the article is that the company that owns Olive Garden (& other restaurant chains like Yard House) does not allow employees to take paid sick leave. I can see you Republicans out there bristling about businesses forced into government mandated regulations, like sick leave, but without it, employees will go to work when they are sick.
Now that we’re all hyper aware about germs and hand washing & most of us have some idea of what goes on in restaurants back at the line, I am not inclined to eat at a restaurant that might serve me germ-basted breadsticks. The threat of illness could and should expose restaurants who do not pay their employees to stay home when they are sick.
“But mah bottom line!” Well, boo-hoo. The amount of money it will cost restaurants to pay their employees for 2-3 days of sick leave is peanuts compared to what will happen if any such place becomes a Coronavirus hotbed. I would far more favor an outcome where we might pay $5 more a visit on menu prices to not pick up any “free” viruses along the way.