I think we are all happy that our lives seem to be returning to normal, and I, for one, was pleased when we were allowed to start drinking and eating inside again. If it means we have to book tables and sit down from now on, then so be it, I can live with that, and already we have taken advantage of it to go out and enjoy ourselves.
I still believe that people think that with the vaccinations taking place, we have been saved; it has helped massively that cannot be denied. Still, it doesn’t stop us from catching it, so it cannot prevent the virus from killing us. But with the present daily death rates being so low compared to the height of January and February, it is good news. However, I also believe that people go about their lives at work and socially with the ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude. And it is a shame, but with so many doubters and conspiracy theorists, we couldn’t expect everyone to be complying anyway!
It was also seen during recent news programmes where the stations had been out interviewing people. Those interviewed were pretty much all saying the same thing, which was they were happy and would be taking advantage of the new guidelines even if it would be busy. As I add to this a few days after starting it, people are already away (and some already back) from holidays abroad!
Sitting in our quite small local last night having a couple of beers, there were at least four or five people, or couples, turned away as it was full; what did make me smile was the number of men who came in, and in their ones and two’s, said they had a table booked upstairs in the small drinking room. This was followed by bar staff taking up quite a few pints on a few occasions, and I would like to have witnessed the scene. I somehow doubt there was much social distancing or group restrictions, I think it was more of a ‘Friday Night Boys Drinking Club’, but I may be wrong – I can’t see it though!!
There were still people coming in not wearing face coverings, and I do wonder. We had those social restrictions placed on us for quite some time now, and I thought this time when we got some more freedom back, people would take more care and try a little harder to help ensure we could keep the newfound freedom and fun – how wrong I was.
Our first night out with the lifted restrictions was whilst on holiday in Keswick, and with it being a very popular tourist area, and so with people converging on the town from all over the country, and even the world from what I saw, I assumed drinking and eating establishments would ensure the guidelines put in place would be obligatory, but again it shows how wrong we can be.
I won’t name the pub; if anyone from town reads this, they will know which one it is from the photos. I also feel people need to decide for themselves if they feel comfortable; if not, they need to say something if they are that way inclined. On this occasion, I chose not to say anything. I was seated away in a corner at a small table with my wife, and so none of what was going on affected me, and so certainly no anxiety. But just like a previous post on cycling, people should be aware of their environments, but there are restrictions with COVID-19, we have been living with them for over a year, and they should know what to look for and what to do, but as in all walks of life, we don’t.
And from what I witnessed in this pub and since people in pubs just like the cyclists basically don’t care, are inconsiderate or more. And if anyone from Keswick is reading this, and has read my article on cycling, I’m not picking on the town; it is where I started my posts; I love the place – honest!
It was a nice pub, with good food, and I will start with the very small toilets. But, because of their size, there was the big A4 sized signs on the doors asking people to turn these signs to ‘occupied’ when they went in and ‘vacant’ when they exited, with the reminder signs on the inside as well, and so a good system and easy for all to see, or maybe not.
At least I thought it was until the gentleman got up from his table, no face covering, walked into the toilets, didn’t change the sign, and simply didn’t care. And what happened? Another guy came along to use the restrooms, saw the vacant sign and went in. When he realised there was one person already in, he did come back out, but what about the first guy? When he came out, you could just tell it was a ‘couldn’t care less attitude,’ and I shake my head in despair.
Staying with customers, why do three people stand at the bar right beside a sign that says ‘one person at the bar at one time, please?’ As seen in the photo, but then why doesn’t the bar staff say anything to them when this happens? And from the picture, the sign is right in front of the guy with the yellow ‘X’ on his back, and I’m just not sure how he could miss it!
But to the friendly and helpful bar staff dressed in their smart black uniform, I was intrigued who the woman was dressed in red? Showing people to tables and serving and walking behind the bar. Obviously part of the team and probably a senior member, maybe the manager, or possibly even the owner.
So why did she feel it was okay to walk about with her face covering around her neck or under her chin a lot of the time? Was she supposed to be setting an example or leading from the front because if she was supposed to be doing that, she was failing miserably, and again something I can’t quite understand or work out?
We were allowed to go to the bar to order, and bar staff asked a customer who approached the bar without a face covering to wear one, which he did, which was good to see. Yet whilst requesting the customer did this, the staff member was wearing hers under her nose! Anyway, you could order at the bar, but staff had to take the drinks to your table for you, which again they did. Yet the very next person asked the bar staff if he could wait at the bar for his drinks, and they said ‘yes, no problem.’ Why the inconsistency?
There is good intention at times that cannot be denied, if there wasn’t, there would be no masks, systems or signage, but in my working life, I have had to work with a lot of consistency, and many times even bettering consistency. So I find it frustrating when people and places can’t and won’t work like this, worse because it’s not difficult, and I believe they have a responsibility, and their responsibility is a ‘duty of care,’ that can’t be denied.
It’s like keeping their floors dry, so you don’t slip over and injure yourself. Ensuring food is cooked, so you don’t get food poisoning, if either of those two happened, I am sure the compensation lawyers would soon be on the case. So is there a difference to making sure you don’t get exposed to someone with the virus as well? Because I can’t see what the difference is when there are systems we can put in place that helps prevent the spread of the virus.
We shall see how it all goes, but I wish some establishments would do more to ensure people comply with the guidelines and systems, and I wish they were bold enough to say more to those who don’t comply. The more places and staff who did say something, could maybe these ‘couldn’t care’ people would start to do the right thing more often; unfortunately, we will never know!
And now having been home a couple of weeks, I see the same wherever we go. A group of guys in the pub outdoor area last night, and one of them walked into the outdoor area with a face covering on -how commendable. But when he got up to go indoors he left it lying on his table. The lady in the breakfast bar this morning, who came to the reception desk mask in hand, you would think ready to put it on, but no as she started walking to her table, she put it in her handbag instead!
We have been indoors now three or four times since the restrictions were lifted. I have always been okay with where we were seated and what most staff and most customers are doing, or I simply wouldn’t sit there, even if it meant leaving the establishment, we all have that choice, but there is always beer in my fridge and takeaways in town.
I know certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable sitting in the crowd at the Premier League of Darts, played last week on Sky Sports. I have looked at the guidelines and I somehow don’t think they’re quite complying. I see staff walking around wearing face coverings and people in the crowd, well they are up and singing and dancing and having fun, with no masks. I know we want to have fun with having restrictions for so long in our lives, but as mentioned, this virus still kills, and it doesn’t differentiate between working staff and darts fans! And so again I have to ask where the duty of care from the Marshall Arena and their management is? But then I would have to ask if Wembley Stadium won’t answer a question about duty o care, why should the Marshall Arena?
Let’s be honest the fans weren’t complying at the FA cup final either, so why worry about one or two in a pub, when there are hundreds and thousands not caring at sporting events. I suppose the difference is I go to the pub, I don’t and wouldn’t go to these sporting events, not yet anyway. Nor were they complying at the Champions League Final last night, not at the stadium, nor at the fan zones set up to watch it in the UK. I get it all, I personally wouldn’t want to be a part of it!
But on that note why was it during the presentations, some are fist-bumping, then there are cuddles and best of all, the guy at the back giving the medals to the person presenting them has his face covering on, the person who is presenting and meeting and touching the people doesn’t? But then why is this presentation ceremony different from the FA Cup, when players had to pick up their own medals, rather than have them presented by HRH Prince William – does anyone know because I’m confused. Some may say it doesn’t take much, but with the lack of consistency, I just do my own thing and keep myself safe, and hopefully others along the way!
We all have opinions, me sometimes more than most, and for each argument, there is a counter argument, and that is becoming much more a part of our society these days. Everyone seems to have the right to do everything and anything, but does that apply to the Corona Virus? It knows no boundaries, no race, no religion or gender, it simply kills people, and that is why I believe establishments should be doing more to try to ensure people comply with their requests and rules.
But that is my opinion, and I’m sure if people are reading this, they will be shaking their head, maybe even calling me names under their breath (or out loud). Either way and as always, my posts are never written to offend; it is done simply to put my opinions across to whoever wants to read them.
Thank you for reading, and stay safe