Most Americans aren't willing to go to restaurants or gyms just yet

[turbinetree]

By Associated Press -May 25, 2020 1:00 PM

'Wear a mask to teach a fitness class? I'm not ready for that.'

Much of the country remains unlikely to venture out to bars, restaurants, theaters, or gyms anytime soon, despite state and local officials across the country increasingly allowing businesses to reopen, according to a new survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

That hesitancy in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak could muffle any recovery from what has been the sharpest and swiftest economic downturn in U.S. history. Just 42% of those who went to concerts, movies, theaters, or sporting events at least monthly before the outbreak say they'd do so in the next few weeks if they could. Only about half of those who regularly went to restaurants, exercised at the gym, or traveled would feel comfortable doing so again.

About a quarter of Americans say someone in their household has lost a job amid that downturn, and about half have lost household income, including layoffs, pay cuts, cut hours, or unpaid time off. The majority of those whose household suffered a layoff still believe they will return to their previous employer, but the share expecting their job will not return has risen slightly over the past month, to 30% from 20%.

Amber Van Den Berge, a teacher in Indiana, held off on immediately returning to her second job as a fitness instructor. She would need to pass a test for COVID-19, get her temperature checked each morning, and lead class while wearing a protective mask.

https://americanindependent.com/coronavirus-restaurants-bars-gyms-reopen-country-poll-pandemic-covid-19/

I feel sorry for the Yost kids, and I just wonder if Mr. Yost insurance agency would insure some one if they survive the virus with a pre-exisiting condition..................

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. You couldn't pay me enough.

There's something fundamentally unappetizing about the idea of being at a restaurant where the server is wearing a mask and the other diners or servers or kitchen workers might include an asymptomatic carrier, so after your nice dinner you go home and worry for a week or two.

I do feel bad for restaurant owners and employees, and I miss having the occasional restaurant meal, but it's just not going to work the way things are now. Maybe some restaurants can retool so they can actually make money on take-out and delivery alone, but I sure as hell won't be eating in.

[dhill926]

2. agree....

we continue to do takeout to support our local places, but actual dining out right now...um, no. As an aside, that photo is from a restaurant in our hometown...

[GoCubsGo]

3. I confess that I went to the gym ysterday.

I went at the asscrack of dawn. Hardly anyone was there, which is what I expected--and the only reason I even considered it. Had the pool and the locker room to myself, not that I lingered in the latter, beyond putting on my sandals and throwing on my beach dress when I was done. I definitely would not do that on a week day or on a Saturday, or later on a Sunday. Won't go back next Sunday if I don't find comparable circumstances. I wouldn't feel comfortable in the rest of the gym, regardless.

As for restaurants, I don't go to them anyway, pandemic or not.

[jimfields33]

4. Best way to eat at a restaurant

Only people there. Really no different then eating at home. I went to Burger king and was the only customer. It was pretty cool. I just read on my phone and ate.

[greenjar_01]

5. Maybe I can understand a restaurant if there's room

But a gym? A gym? Who the fuck is going into a gym?

I'm mystified by these people. Maximum exertion for aerosolized droplets. Body fluids everywhere. You gotta shower if your workout was wortha goddamn, so now you're in a locker room and a shower area?

Fookin' 'ell.

Who is doing that?

[Skittles]

6. I hear you

wipe a machine down? It would have to be sprayed with LYSOL first. And I felt that way before the pandemic too. GROSS!