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McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

bbc.com

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Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#2
If this comes to the US my disaster preparedness plans will be seriously compromised...

In theory drive through should be the best possible food mechanism in terms of risk to the workers (and patrons). If they could arrange for contactless payment (already possible, just affix a tap reader to the side of the drive through window), and some way to serve the food while keeping the window closed (a shelf extending out from the window and a policy that they won’t open their window until you close yours?), drive through could be a real solution to pandemic food supply.

Sure as hell beats a bunch of people in the same supermarket breathing all over the produce and right on the cashier.

Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#3
This is a big deal and something governments should have in their extensive plans they created years ago.

Using McDonalds as distribution points has been talked about because they have the process and infrastructure. People also feel safe there.

But I suspect like everything, it's just what some government officials think today that matters. So they will react on the fly.

Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#4
> McDonald's UK boss, Paul Pomroy, said: "Over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult and therefore we have taken the decision to close every restaurant in the UK and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23 March.

A lot of Americans are relying on this method of food distribution. It seems inevitable that closures of drive-thrus will begin happening in the US as well. Food shortages at grocery stores are not uncommon today in many cities. It only takes one positive test to shut down a food distribution center.

I doubt many have considered just how precarious food delivery is at the moment.

Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#5
post #2

If this comes to the US my disaster preparedness plans will be seriously compromised... In theory drive through should be the best possible food mechanism in terms of risk to the workers (and patrons). If they could arrange for contactless payment (already possible, just affix a tap reader to the side of the drive through window), and some way to serve the food while keeping the window closed (a shelf extending out f…

The problem isn't that, it's making the food itself in mcdonalds is too risky in terms of infection. You have loads of people in a small space.

Nearly all restaurant kitchens of all types are like this; so I really can't see how any takeout services can operate safely. Maybe very low volume ones with one chef and one person giving out the food. But not sure how possible that is, I assume many require someone preparing food as well as cooking it.

Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#6
post #4

> McDonald's UK boss, Paul Pomroy, said: "Over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult and therefore we have taken the decision to close every restaurant in the UK and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23 March. A lot of Americans are relying on this method of food distribution. It seems inevitable that c…

What's amazing to consider is that the United States produces so much food we have to throw much of it away... and yet, there may be no way to purchase it! Insanity.

Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#7
post #2

If this comes to the US my disaster preparedness plans will be seriously compromised... In theory drive through should be the best possible food mechanism in terms of risk to the workers (and patrons). If they could arrange for contactless payment (already possible, just affix a tap reader to the side of the drive through window), and some way to serve the food while keeping the window closed (a shelf extending out f…

The problem isn't that, it's making the food itself in mcdonalds is too risky in terms of infection. You have loads of people in a small space. Nearly all restaurant kitchens of all types are like this; so I really can't see how any takeout services can operate safely. Maybe very low volume ones with one chef and one person giving out the food. But not sure how possible that is, I assume many require someone preparin…

Doesn't this risk exist with all types of food factory?

Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#8
post #2

If this comes to the US my disaster preparedness plans will be seriously compromised... In theory drive through should be the best possible food mechanism in terms of risk to the workers (and patrons). If they could arrange for contactless payment (already possible, just affix a tap reader to the side of the drive through window), and some way to serve the food while keeping the window closed (a shelf extending out f…

The problem isn't that, it's making the food itself in mcdonalds is too risky in terms of infection. You have loads of people in a small space. Nearly all restaurant kitchens of all types are like this; so I really can't see how any takeout services can operate safely. Maybe very low volume ones with one chef and one person giving out the food. But not sure how possible that is, I assume many require someone preparin…

Is it possible to reconfigure the space, perhaps take over some of the dining area?

Re: McDonald's to close all UK restaurants

#9
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem isn't that, it's making the food itself in mcdonalds is too risky in terms of infection. You have loads of people in a small space. Nearly all restaurant kitchens of all types are like this; so I really can't see how any takeout services can operate safely. Maybe very low volume ones with one chef and one person giving out the food. But not sure how possible that is, I assume many require someone preparin…

Doesn't this risk exist with all types of food factory?

I think less so. Most other food production is done in production lines with from what I've seen more separation between people. It's also highly automated where it can be, and in huge warehouses in industrial areas, not tiny cramped kitchens with poor ventilation in cities.
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