Dine-in Deaths: Covid-19 in the United States

Two big numbers from the United States.

3,000 deaths a day.

10,000 restaurants to shut down in the next three weeks.

The lackadaisical attitude the United States has thus taken so far against battling Covid-19 is starting to show- 110,000 establishments across the country have already been forced to shut their doors this year, with more on the rise.

The Philippines has started to see a similar approach, loosening restrictions and opening up restaurants and malls. A trip to the nearest mall will find it packed, as if the pandemic was from a bygone era instead of killing people daily. While we’re a long way away from 3,000 deaths a day (thankfully), we would be wise to take caution.

Restaurants in particular are hotbeds for Covid-19, and even social distancing is unlikely to help as found in a recent study highlighting a transmission of the deadly disease from 20 feet away.

The country is bolstered by its small businesses and service sector, and opting to dine-in may in fact be the nail on the hammer’s head, sending our beloved restaurants into closure. Whenever and wherever takeout is an option (all restaurants everywhere will now have this as an option), taking it is the best way to ensure the safety of yourself, your countrymen, and your local businesses.

Think twice before dining in.