MA Taprooms re-opening - Phase 2 or 3?

I'll chime in on this... all commercial dishwashers can be broken down into two categories; low-temp and high-temp. Low temp models sanitize using chemicals (typically a bleach-like substance). High temp models sanitize by heat (180F for 60 seconds, if I recall correctly).

We will continue to serve in glassware for two main reasons; 1) the beer presents better, 2) reduction in overall waste. There is no safety reason to avoid glassware as long as the dishwasher is properly operating.

 

Both Night Shift locations open today! Reservation not required but recommended! Resy.com.

On cups vs glassware. Everett is requiring us to use plastic cups but our Boston Lovejoy spot will serve in glass.

 

Medusa Beer Garden in Hudson yesterday!

 

Probably still can’t sit at a bar inside a restaurant though, right!

 

This seems like a terrible idea, especially considering what's going on in Texas, Arizona, and Florida.

Hopefully the folks in MA can follow the rules a bit better. But still, people dining indoors sans mask with air circulating through the A/C systems seems like it's a bad idea...

 

When RI opened indoor dining a few weeks ago, bar seating needed to be spaced 6' apart and seating at bars is only allowed if either:

1) It is a "non-working" bar i.e. no employees actively doing work behind the bar like drink pouring/mixing. Would apply if a restaurant has a secondary bar that is not typically active except for peak hours or private parties. The establishment could work behind the primary bar and deliver drink & food to patrons seated at the 2nd bar.

2) Need a plexiglass barrier between the patrons and employees behind the bar, similar to the shields at store registers we've seen. Haven't seen this one in action yet, not sure if you can make some "mouse" openings to reach and slide your beer to your side, or the bartender has to walk around to the other side of the barrier to deliver your drink.

 

Yeah, we're going to have to make some hard decisions once sitting outside becomes unfeasible due to the cold. Seems like an unforced error to go there while it's still nice out.

I personally would rather sit outside in January than in August but that's just me.

 

There is no way I am eating inside any time soon

This January was mild and I drank outside at multiple places like Charlie’s Kitchen, Trillium Fenway, Turtle Swamp Brewing. Hopefully there are more options this winter.

There is no way I’m eating or drinking inside a restaurant any time soon. Doesn’t seem like an enjoyable or wise thing to do.

 

Personally I don’t think it will be an issue because the shit will hit the fan long before it gets cold enough to move all dining indoors (Novemberish).

I think we’ll have to move back a phase when cases inevitably spike as people become even more lax indoors, and they’ll have to ban indoor dining again.

Our incredible inability to follow rules as a country will ruin all slow reopening plans. Don’t forget, there’s a second wave that’s likely, and a flu season that’s guaranteed around the corner.

 

Yup, the symptoms pretty obviously present as Covid in June/July, but when you're "under the weather" in November people could blow it off as a common cold at first and not get tested right away.

I haven't even eaten outside yet nevermind going indoors. There is maybe one pub very local that has great outdoor spacing as far as dining, then I've seen the solid Long Live Beerworks setup along with their diligence in cleanliness while taking beer to go, and those are probably the only indulgences I'd allow for the next few months. Other than that why not just get a curbside meal to go and head to a semi-private place to picnic.

But this is coming from someone who can get together socially with my coworkers on Zoom at anytime and is married. Have to think if you are a young single person without a large coworker/friend network it must be tough as the months drag on.

 

Silvaticus and Notch are both open via Beer Garden

 

Don’t forget mistaking it for the flu as well.

Thing is, I HOPE we have so many COVID tests available by then that even if you have the sniffles, you can get a test, and will be encouraged to get one.

One of my friends brought this up, and I hadn’t thought of it. What’s protecting your server from you?

You’re not wearing a mask when seated and dining. They are, but unless it’s an N95, it’s not doing shit for them.

 

I was under the impression restaurants would have you put your mask on to order but, with the laissez-faire attitude toward mask wearing that seems to be occurring in the last couple of weeks, I could see this practice easily slipping through the cracks.
Also, I have to say, the server wearing a mask doesn't do "nothing" but it is certainly not an ideal situation.

 

Take a

It’s anyone’s guess how this will be handled in actual practice from server to server and restaurant to restaurant. How can it be monitored or enforced with anything close to uniformity? I just don’t think it can be done effectively. Will this situation be like the speed limits on our roadways—selectively enforced?

 

I’ve seen variable mask wearing many places in MA. And Boston/Camberville is actually doing well with complying. Especially Somerville, the most densely populated city in MA, but their cases/deaths per capita are about average for the state.

Somerville and Cambridge have taken this very seriously.

It’s Chelsea, Brockton, Lynn, Revere, Everett...etc. that aren’t doing well.

And I hear ya, certainly each town/city should not be held to the same standards. I just think it’s too soon for indoor dining and we STILL have too many cases to do that. This is based off other countries that had more testing and a better response, and how long they waited to reintroduce indoor dining.

No, a surgical mask or homemade mask doesn’t do nothing. But they’re not very protective for the individual.

And then if you factor in incorrect mask wearing, paper thin bandanas, overuse of single-use surgical masks rendering them less effective...and so on and so forth.

If you want a legitimate site on masks, go to www.n95decon.org. This site was suggested by a neuroscientist at MIT who the FDA refers to for recommendations on mask use.