I could see that being a factor. We flew for the first time in over a year in May. Had to wear the mask 8-9 hours total each way, including airport and transport. It was absolutely miserable.

I don't know what percentage it might be. Like I said, my comment on teens was based on anecdotal evidence. I was actually surprised because nearly all of the server jobs I see around here, fast food or not, are still staffed by teens or 20-somethings. I rarely see seniors. In fact, I can't think of anywhere I've been in months where I've seen this. Maybe that's the problem, seniors aren't returning to restaurant work?

Your comment "at least in the SF Bay Area" is important. I have a feeling that's much different than around here, the Chicago suburbs. And the suburbs are much different than Chicago itself.

My big prediction for today is that this time next year the server shortage won't be an issue any more. As the pandemic wanes, the federal stipend ends, and the best jobs get snatched up, people will go back to these jobs.

Gotta say that the Big A Root Beer in grass valley CA was staffed by amusing teenagers on Thursday evening. Great staffing.

I would think it's more likely the servers deciding they don't want to catch COVID.

They've had 6-7 weeks to get vaccinated. AFAIK, that’s more effective than a mask.

in CA, restaurant workers were still required to mask after 6/15, the day masks weren’t required for consumers.
on 6/17, CA OSHA members voted to eschew masks.
it is still possible for individual retail businesses to require masks - hopefully it’ll be posted clearly at the door with relevant date (eg “AFTER 6/15/21…” because it’ll be too easy for a consumer to think that it’s an old mask sign :-)

We've only found one store around here so far still requiring masks of everyone. Generally, we live in an area where people were overly cautious with COVID, so I haven't been in a store yet where at least 50% of customers aren't wearing masks. More often I'd say about 75% of customers still wear them. But interestingly, it's been just the opposite with employees. When I go to the grocery store, Target, Home Depot, restaurants, etc. I see about 90% of employees unmasked. So perhaps there is something to the hypothesis that the people not working are still worried about COVID.

And to your point about the mask signs, it is a little confusing now. I ignored them for a year because I knew a mask was required. Now, every time I go to a store for the first time (since unmasking) I carry a mask in my pocket and have to read the sign to know if I must wear it or not. One store, can't remember, had no sign at all. I took a chance and walked in sans mask and saw others mask-less too.

And both together are even more effective.

agreed although we can also argue for sheltering or other methods that are effective against the coronavirus. I fully support vaccinated people’s choices to eschew the mask since that’s my own personal preference.

I'm no virologist, but my logical nature has me thinking that when we have time to look back on this and study it properly, we'll find that social distancing and sheltering (although it came with many negative effects) were far more effective than masks. Certainly masks do something, and we were all doing anything we could last year, even if it provided just a bit more safety. I don't want to debate it with anyone, because it's totally a guess. But it won't surprise me if cloth masks end up at the very bottom of the list in terms of effectiveness. The N95's are of course a different matter.

Likewise.

In my view, it should have always been left to the individual and that of private businesses. Personally, since masks aren't a big sacrifice for me, I'll put it on, at least for the next several months, if it'll make some people who work in stores/restaurants feel better or safer.

IMHO:
2nd from the very bottom - bandanas
Very bottom - gaiters

I ran into this for my first time yesterday. My fiancé and I went to the Olive Garden in Brier Creek in Raleigh. When we arrived at least 75% of the tables were empty. However, due to short staffing we were quoted an hour and a half wait. Thankfully we were able to sit at the bar but some people who were waiting when we arrived were still waiting when we left.

And it's even more effective if we all shelter in our houses forever and keep our blinds closed which is what I am planning on doing..... just to be sure.

yikes. Omg. Yikes. I don’t think it’s worth it for any place. Ugh.

Well, I meant face coverings in general as a defense mechanism against viral spread, but yes even different levels of effectiveness among them - again with the exception of the N95's. The ones you mention are typically single layer, which is the least effective. But in reality, all of the cloth coverings become germ farms because people are constantly pulling them up and down and not washing them after each use.

Back on topic, I saw the post about server shortage at an Olive Garden. For all the discussion here, I haven't personally experienced it, only heard stories. We're only going to restaurants about once a week these days though.