Summary

The author expresses concerns about the inconsistent adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines by businesses during Phase 3 reopening, particularly in a restaurant and an airline.

Abstract

The article details the author's experiences with safety measures during a breakfast outing and a flight to Los Angeles during the COVID-19 Phase 3 reopening. Despite assurances from large corporations and airlines about following CDC guidelines, the author observes a lack of compliance, such as cooks not wearing masks in a restaurant kitchen and an airline filling all seats without proper social distancing. The author questions the sincerity of safety claims by businesses and warns of the potential for a resurgence of the virus due to these lapses. The piece serves as a cautionary tale, urging consumers to be aware of the actual practices of businesses and the risks they may be exposed to.

Opinions

The author is skeptical about the effectiveness of safety measures implemented by businesses, such as restaurants and airlines, during Phase 3 reopening.
There is a perceived discrepancy between the safety protocols communicated by businesses and the actual practices observed.
The author believes that airlines, in particular, are giving customers a false sense of security by not enforcing social distancing and allowing all seats to be filled.
The author is critical of the airline's announcement to enforce social distancing while disembarking, finding it contradictory to the lack of social distancing during the flight.
The author is personally concerned about the risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to a history of upper respiratory infections, which could make a potential infection life-threatening.
The author advocates for transparency and stricter enforcement of CDC guidelines by businesses to protect public health and prevent a resurgence of the virus.

Covid-19 Phase 3 Re-Opening: Are We Really Safe?

Since the CDC (Center for Disease Control) established the Covid-19 recommendations a few months ago, large corporations have been emailing their customers ensuring they’re doing everything they can to properly follow the guidelines. The emails go into detail about how they’re cleaning more often, setting 6-ft spaced markers on the floor, and taking their employees’ temperatures before allowing them to work.

Now during Phase 3, businesses are starting to reopen slowly, and I can’t help but wonder if the staff is truly following recommendations like wearing masks, washing their hands frequently, and staying home when they don’t feel well.

Today, for the first time, I went out for breakfast with my husband. He had called the restaurant before arriving to make sure they had patio seating, and they did; safely spaced from the other patrons, so I felt fairly comfortable. The waiter was wearing a mask the entire time.

As I ate my bacon and cheese scrambler, my husband brought up that we can’t truly be sure we’re safe from the virus because the cooks who are plating our food may not be wearing masks (because it gets too hot in the kitchen) and could potentially cough the virus into our food even if they’re asymptomatic. I argued, there’s no way management would allow that. My husband got up to ‘go to the restroom’. When he returned, he told me to do the same and to look inside the kitchen.

When I did, I was alarmed to see that none of the cooks were wearing masks! Only the servers were, and a couple other managers weren’t either.

Later today, we headed to the airport to take a flight to Los Angeles to visit family for Father’s Day. Getting passed security was pretty quick and easy. We expected to have our temperatures taken, but that didn’t happen.

What I find most disturbing about this airline is their intent to bait the customer into booking with them by giving them a false sense of security.

Walking through the airport to reach our gate was pretty eerie. I’ve never seen it so empty. It made me sad for all the businesses that are losing money from remaining closed. Once we arrived at our gate, we sat far away from others. Most people respected the 6-ft social distancing protocol, but there were a couple others who sat 6 inches away from us. Naturally, we moved even further from our gate.

As we started to board, the flight attendant handed each of us a goodie bag with a bottle of water, Biscoff cookies, mini pretzels, and a tiny disinfectant wipe.

As I settled into my seat, I noticed the 6-ft social distancing went out the window. The airline was allowing every seat to be filled. A lady sat next to me and we were rubbing elbows. The seats in front and behind us were also filled.

This airline in particular has been bombarding me with emails assuring me of my health and safety. They’ve hired more cleaning staff and have increased the frequency of their cleaning. They require face masks be worn, except while eating.

What I find most disturbing about this airline is their intent to bait the customer into booking with them by giving them a false sense of security. They’ve posted this note on their website.

Not only were we subjected to a 4-hour flight with no social distancing whatsoever, but I observed people in other rows having left their masks off long after eating.

The most ridiculous part of the flight was when the flight attendant announced they would only be allowing 2 rows to exit at a time to enforce social distancing. You mean the last 4 hours of contact with other passengers was acceptable, but exiting now is somehow completely different?

I’m pretty sure if Covid-19 was taking on Asymptomatic hosts, it was laughing at us all.

The thing about flying is you don’t find out about the shortcomings until it’s too late.

Both these instances have proven that not all businesses are adhering to the CDC’s guidelines.

Airlines should block out the middle row seats from being purchased along with limiting the number of passengers on each flight. They should also take the temperatures of every passenger that enters the plane before allowing them to fly. By filling every single seat, they’re exposing their passengers to the virus, welcoming a resurgence of it once again. When that happens, the impact to their already feeble corporation will be their demise.

I’ve had a history of upper respiratory infections where if I was infected with Covid-19, it could potentially kill me. Now I need to wait 2 weeks before knowing I’m in the clear and hope I don’t get sick.

The conclusion I’ve drawn is none of us can ever be sure the businesses we support are properly enforcing the CDC’s guidelines. The businesses who are being careless will see the repercussions of enabling the spread.

I feel consumers have a right to know what’s really going on out there. My intent in writing this piece is to share my revealing experiences so you’re able to make a well-informed decision about venues you may want to visit.