Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars • Hacker News Board

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#41

Post by Cyph0n » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:16 AM UTC

Merad wrote: post #8

IMO the only question now is how long it takes the rest of the country to follow suite. Here in NC our governor announced the closing of all public schools on Friday, but I've heard from several friends that in my city (Raleigh) the downtown bars and restaurants were pretty much at normal capacity this weekend. I don't think the general public is going to truly take this seriously until they're told that they have to…

I also live in the Raleigh area, and it has just been baffling how care-free everyone is...

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#42

Post by eyegor » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:16 AM UTC

This is going to be an economic catastrophe unless there's somehow a nationwide bailout to literally all brick and mortar businesses. I know of several local bar/restaurants that are considering shutting down for good, and a colleague near Melbourne told me of 4 that already have (I'm eastern US). Even if this all blows over in 3 months, we'll have a huge surge in homelessness and folks needing social assistance across the board.

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#43

Post by com2kid » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:16 AM UTC

bpodgursky wrote: post #23

miscPerson wrote: post #17

It scares me how many Americans welcome authoritarianism the moment that something scary happens. I remember when, following the tragedy of 9/11, the PATRIOT act was passed. This is another shameful moment in American history.

Anyone is insane if they don't 100% think that in 5 years, these shutdowns are going to be a weapon used to shut down rallies, protests, and potentially even elections that any current government doesn't feel like permitting.

The laws being used have been on the books for a century+, and past attempted misuse was shut down by the courts as it should be.

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#44

Post by chillwaves » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:17 AM UTC

DoreenMichele wrote: post #15

“Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out and delivery services but no in-person dining will be permitted. I live an SRO. I don't have a kitchen. I currently don't have a fridge. I have a small grill and some shelving to store stuff. I eat a lot of takeout. I'm glad to see I can still get takeout. But, wow. This is beginning to look pretty scary. I was homeless for a few years. The quarantine/containment measu…

You have a grill? How about a hot pot, burner or hot water maker? Rice cooker? Crock pot?

These are electric appliances.

Cooking for yourself is a good way to protect against the virus. Heat kills it.

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#45

Post by cozzyd » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:17 AM UTC

Illinois governor Pritzer announced the same about 8 hours ago starting tomorrow evening (takeout / delivery would remain open). Conveniently aligning with the closing of schools I guess. I strongly expect tomorrow will be my last day in the office for a while.

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#46

Post by brightsize » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:17 AM UTC

zozbot234 wrote: post #22

DoreenMichele wrote: post #15

“Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out and delivery services but no in-person dining will be permitted. I live an SRO. I don't have a kitchen. I currently don't have a fridge. I have a small grill and some shelving to store stuff. I eat a lot of takeout. I'm glad to see I can still get takeout. But, wow. This is beginning to look pretty scary. I was homeless for a few years. The quarantine/containment measu…

> But, wow. This is beginning to look pretty scary. > I was homeless for a few years. The quarantine/containment measures are turning into a really big problem for the homeless population. How so? I assume that soup kitchens and the like will still be open.

All this hoarding is starting to affect these providers too: https://www.khq.com/news/spokane-nonprofit-collecting-toilet...

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#47

Post by jeffy » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:17 AM UTC

This is overall a good move if we want a chance to greatly slow the spread. However it needs to be coordinated with the rest of the country if we want to minimize the total downtime. Shutting down Washington now and having to wait weeks for Idaho to follow (where there are no reported cases) is just going to force Washington to extend theirs as long as it takes for the last state to shut down.

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#48

Post by starpilot » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:17 AM UTC

fg6hr wrote: post #13

starpilot wrote: post #4

Canlis (fine dining place, think Michelin) made a really interesting switch in order to keep the lights on. They shut down their restaurant and are starting a drive-thru burger stand, a bagel stand, and a meal delivery service, rather than lay off all their workers. I'm going to try their burgers tomorrow.

They must be making really fine burgers.

I hope so. Bagels too. I have yet to find a decent crusty one in this town since moving here.

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#49

Post by untog » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:17 AM UTC

blendo wrote: post #27

starpilot wrote: post #4

Canlis (fine dining place, think Michelin) made a really interesting switch in order to keep the lights on. They shut down their restaurant and are starting a drive-thru burger stand, a bagel stand, and a meal delivery service, rather than lay off all their workers. I'm going to try their burgers tomorrow.

I'd suggest they put a couple of picnic tables out in the parking lot for take-out. Curious about other commercial operations that could satisfy the rule "... all gatherings under 50 participants are prohibited unless previously announced criteria for public health and social distancing are met"? Take-out biergarten? Silent disco?

> I'd suggest they put a couple of picnic tables out in the parking lot for take-out.

Why, though? The whole point is to stop people gathering in public places.

> Curious about other commercial operations that could satisfy the rule

Again, why? These rules weren't put into place as a challenge for entrepreneurs.

Re: Washington governor announces shutdown of restaurants, bars

#50

Post by eyegor » Mon, Mar 16, 2020, 3:18 AM UTC

klipt wrote: post #16

icelancer wrote: post #12

As usual, these announcements never come with any promise or a plan of economic relief (or at least reference to plans already made) for businesses force closed, creating more panic. I don't understand why it's so hard to just say: "We will take care of the businesses affected by this policy and more details are forthcoming." Shutting them down is the right move. Taking care of small businessowners running on thin ma…

Can't restaurants still offer takeout/delivery?

The ones that can, yes. Specifically called out as such in this announcement

> Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out and delivery services