A friend this week put it this way; The thing I miss the most is going out to eat.
He was talking of course about the way things have been for almost 8 weeks when the coronavirus closings began and most restaurants were forced to shut down and we were forced to stay at home.
He’s certainly not alone. Before the pandemic orders were slapped on, most Americans were spending a sizeable amount of money on eating out.
But for close to two months, it’s been taking out. Instead of eating out…and a lot more of cooking and eating at home.
While it may be hard to deal with, it’s extremely hard for restaurants and their employees.
A new national survey by the National Restaurant Association found that almost half the restaurants in the country have been closed completely, except for the fast food places and restaurants doing take-out only. The survey says that two out of every three restaurant employees are out of work.
And 61% of the surveyed restaurant owners say the federal economic relief measures are not enough to avoid even more layoffs and furloughs.
Many in the industry say many restaurants will never open for business again, having lost too much money to recover, especially knowing that business will be slower and different for a while.
Governor Newsom said this week that the day is coming when businesses will be allowed to begin to re-open, in phases. But that it could still be a few weeks away.
Restaurants in California are certainly hoping that they’re the first item on the ‘recovery menu’.
(Photo credit Getty Images)