What The Return Of Indoor Dining Means For Chicagoans | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Adulting

What The Return Of Indoor Dining Means For Chicagoans

If you choose to dine indoors this winter, take the proper safety precautions.

21
What The Return Of Indoor Dining Means For Chicagoans
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash

On Saturday morning, the IDPH officially permitted restaurants in Cook County to reopen for indoor dining. As we've seen this happen before, most of us already know the drill. Restaurants can serve customers at 25% capacity, guests must wear masks when not eating or drinking, and social distancing is required. Many employees in the food service industry felt that permission to reopen was long overdue, but this decision leaves us to question just how safe it is to participate in indoor dining this winter.

Indoor dining was suspended on October 30th, 2020, due to a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations from the virus. Experts explained their fear of running out of hospital beds for patients during the holiday season and encouraged families not to host their usual gatherings. Now that the season is over and the surge has presumably lessened, many Chicagoans are ready to resume life as "normal" and get back to spending time at their favorite bars and restaurants.

Regardless of whether or not you choose to dine indoors, we are all aware that the virus is more likely to spread in colder weather and in enclosed spaces. Ordering takeout is still a very viable (and safe) option if you are looking to support your favorite local restaurants, but if you plan to dine in this season, take precautions seriously. For the sake of yourself and those who are serving you, wear your mask when speaking to your server. Wear your mask when you walk through a restaurant to go to the restroom. Wear your mask over your nose.

Make it a habit to wash your hands before and after eating, and if soap and water is not accessible, carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you. Tip your servers well, as they are putting themselves at risk everyday to make a living. Most importantly, do not leave your home if you are feeling sick or know that you have been exposed to COVID-19.

Having the option to dine indoors during these challenging times is a privilege. Respect those around you by following the proper precautions to keep yourself and others safe. If the privilege is abused, restaurants who are struggling to survive will likely be forced to close again. Do your part and wear your mask.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

79643
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

8256
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments