Picked up a takeout dinner from a DC restaurant where I’d eaten before. All the chairs were up on the tables and some of the lights were out. Door was propped open so I needn’t touch the handle. It was held open by a dispenser of hand sanitizer.
I used sanitizer, and a wipe, after paying. The manager served me and then gave me a complimentary bottle of wine. “Thanks for your support,” he said. He said they weren’t making any money, but he persuaded the owner to stay open for takeout to keep a few people employed.
I’d have to assume that whatever small risk I ran by going there (not much more than otherwise; one must get food somewhere), the risk for the employees must be larger.
The experience reminded me what a mess small business owners are in. Many run establishments that have been a happy part of our lives. And may be again. I hope we find safe ways to patronize them or just help them through to the other side.
