Are buffets in the restaurants and lounges a thing of the past????
Feb 2, 2021, 5:39 am
#106
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I'd like to believe that's true. But your smart friends (and I'm going on the assumption they're just as smart as they were before) are presumably intelligent enough to take that advice and then make their own decisions. Experts have also done things like set speed limits on highways, which some of us do not always follow. Is it riskier? Yes, without question--simple laws of physics (so "science"). But if you found out that some of your friends whom you thought were smart were also speeders, would that lessen your opinion of their intelligence?
Heck, some people would say that science has proven planes can crash for a multitude of reasons, therefore no one should fly. Or cross a street. Or get out of bed. But smart people do those things, and even riskier things, every day. We all set our own thresholds of risk tolerance, and the way we respond to COVID-19 is the same. If the cultural norm in their area is no masks, no social distancing, etc. I agree it would seem strange to those of us conditioned in California to behave very differently right now. But it doesn't lessen their intelligence to have a different outlook or take on the situation.
You aren't talking science, you are only barely talking masks. This isn't a discussion, this is me talking science and you saying "but what about crossing the street?"
Feb 2, 2021, 2:14 pm
#107
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So is there any actual, recent science on Covid transmission from buffets?
From what I understand, there's no evidence of Covid transmission from eating food; the digestive tract is not well suited for the virus to live or infect. What risk there is seems to be from shared serving utensils, similar to door handles and other high touch surfaces. But most infections seem to be from inhalation of shared air, not from contaminated surfaces, and if I can fill my plate and then hand-sanitize when I sit down, that should address what minima; risk there might be. Personally, I'd feel much safer eating at an outdoor buffet than an indoor full-service restaurant.
But are there any studies from the last six months that confirm or contradict this?
From what I understand, there's no evidence of Covid transmission from eating food; the digestive tract is not well suited for the virus to live or infect. What risk there is seems to be from shared serving utensils, similar to door handles and other high touch surfaces. But most infections seem to be from inhalation of shared air, not from contaminated surfaces, and if I can fill my plate and then hand-sanitize when I sit down, that should address what minima; risk there might be. Personally, I'd feel much safer eating at an outdoor buffet than an indoor full-service restaurant.
But are there any studies from the last six months that confirm or contradict this?
Feb 2, 2021, 4:30 pm
#108
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So is there any actual, recent science on Covid transmission from buffets?
From what I understand, there's no evidence of Covid transmission from eating food; the digestive tract is not well suited for the virus to live or infect. What risk there is seems to be from shared serving utensils, similar to door handles and other high touch surfaces. But most infections seem to be from inhalation of shared air, not from contaminated surfaces, and if I can fill my plate and then hand-sanitize when I sit down, that should address what minima; risk there might be. Personally, I'd feel much safer eating at an outdoor buffet than an indoor full-service restaurant.
But are there any studies from the last six months that confirm or contradict this?
From what I understand, there's no evidence of Covid transmission from eating food; the digestive tract is not well suited for the virus to live or infect. What risk there is seems to be from shared serving utensils, similar to door handles and other high touch surfaces. But most infections seem to be from inhalation of shared air, not from contaminated surfaces, and if I can fill my plate and then hand-sanitize when I sit down, that should address what minima; risk there might be. Personally, I'd feel much safer eating at an outdoor buffet than an indoor full-service restaurant.
But are there any studies from the last six months that confirm or contradict this?
But I agree with your general statement that it's an unlikely vector compared to shared air. The idea of surface transmission had a lot of traction back in March-April 2020, but all of the evidence since then has been pretty clear: you breathe this virus and are more likely to get a high viral load through the air than you are from touching a surface.
Of course, if this pandemic has been a nudge for more people to wash their hands regularly, then I'm okay with that.
Our local grocery store salad bars are back. I wasn't a fan of those to begin with and have not used one since the pandemic started. I worry more about bacteria than viruses with those, but I don't actually know anyone who's gotten sick from them. It's possible it's a dumb phobia on my part but I don't feel like I'm missing too much.
Buffets at hotels and restaurants will definitely be back at some point because they're cost effective for the hotel/restaurant and people seem to love them.
Feb 2, 2021, 4:52 pm
#109
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One of the things I find frustrating is that many folks on FT (and everywhere really) love to yell at the top of their lungs, "Science" "Masks, because science" "Science!" (and for the record I agree with using masks)
However, when it comes to paranoia about things like buffets, nobody seems to yell "Science" even though the idea that Covid-19 spreads via surface transmission was largely debunked by "science" quite a long time ago.
Here is, what IMHO, is a very good (though not for the short attention span theater crowd) article on the subject:
"Hygiene Theater Is a Huge Waste of Time - People are power scrubbing their way to a false sense of security"
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...heater/614599/
I know there is a segment of FTers that hated/were paranoid about buffets long before Covid-19 came on the scene and they seem to hope this will put the stake through the heart of buffets, but I agree with another poster that buffets will likely return because, well, people want them too.
Regards
However, when it comes to paranoia about things like buffets, nobody seems to yell "Science" even though the idea that Covid-19 spreads via surface transmission was largely debunked by "science" quite a long time ago.
Here is, what IMHO, is a very good (though not for the short attention span theater crowd) article on the subject:
"Hygiene Theater Is a Huge Waste of Time - People are power scrubbing their way to a false sense of security"
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...heater/614599/
I know there is a segment of FTers that hated/were paranoid about buffets long before Covid-19 came on the scene and they seem to hope this will put the stake through the heart of buffets, but I agree with another poster that buffets will likely return because, well, people want them too.
Regards
Feb 2, 2021, 5:36 pm
#110
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One of the things I find frustrating is that many folks on FT (and everywhere really) love to yell at the top of their lungs, "Science" "Masks, because science" "Science!" (and for the record I agree with using masks)
However, when it comes to paranoia about things like buffets, nobody seems to yell "Science" even though the idea that Covid-19 spreads via surface transmission was largely debunked by "science" quite a long time ago.
Here is, what IMHO, is a very good (though not for the short attention span theater crowd) article on the subject:
"Hygiene Theater Is a Huge Waste of Time - People are power scrubbing their way to a false sense of security"
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...heater/614599/
I know there is a segment of FTers that hated/were paranoid about buffets long before Covid-19 came on the scene and they seem to hope this will put the stake through the heart of buffets, but I agree with another poster that buffets will likely return because, well, people want them too.
Regards
However, when it comes to paranoia about things like buffets, nobody seems to yell "Science" even though the idea that Covid-19 spreads via surface transmission was largely debunked by "science" quite a long time ago.
Here is, what IMHO, is a very good (though not for the short attention span theater crowd) article on the subject:
"Hygiene Theater Is a Huge Waste of Time - People are power scrubbing their way to a false sense of security"
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...heater/614599/
I know there is a segment of FTers that hated/were paranoid about buffets long before Covid-19 came on the scene and they seem to hope this will put the stake through the heart of buffets, but I agree with another poster that buffets will likely return because, well, people want them too.
Regards
Feb 7, 2021, 1:39 pm
#111
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So is there any actual, recent science on Covid transmission from buffets?
From what I understand, there's no evidence of Covid transmission from eating food; the digestive tract is not well suited for the virus to live or infect. What risk there is seems to be from shared serving utensils, similar to door handles and other high touch surfaces. But most infections seem to be from inhalation of shared air, not from contaminated surfaces, and if I can fill my plate and then hand-sanitize when I sit down, that should address what minima; risk there might be. Personally, I'd feel much safer eating at an outdoor buffet than an indoor full-service restaurant.
But are there any studies from the last six months that confirm or contradict this?
From what I understand, there's no evidence of Covid transmission from eating food; the digestive tract is not well suited for the virus to live or infect. What risk there is seems to be from shared serving utensils, similar to door handles and other high touch surfaces. But most infections seem to be from inhalation of shared air, not from contaminated surfaces, and if I can fill my plate and then hand-sanitize when I sit down, that should address what minima; risk there might be. Personally, I'd feel much safer eating at an outdoor buffet than an indoor full-service restaurant.
But are there any studies from the last six months that confirm or contradict this?
Having said that, there are other diseases which can be spread through food. So good food hygiene should not be avoided just because it might not help with Covid specifically.
May 8, 2022, 12:47 pm
#112
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Not to be at all political, but about what you would expect from a red state. I have not personally seen any hostility here. As anywhere, it varies significantly from area to area. Hailey is part of greater Sun Valley and is one of the more liberal parts of the state along with Boise. It was also one of the early pandemic hot spots in country, which makes it all the more surprising to see a full buffet.
That said, lots of hotels have had self service coffee over the last few months in which everyone has to touch the same pump or spigot so I don't really see how serving coffee or food is that different.
That said, lots of hotels have had self service coffee over the last few months in which everyone has to touch the same pump or spigot so I don't really see how serving coffee or food is that different.
May 8, 2022, 1:14 pm
#113
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Just want to point out, in case you didn't notice, that you're responding to a post that is more than a year old. I do wonder what the overall sentiment on FT is now vs. a year ago. Very different situation now, as you noted.
May 8, 2022, 1:15 pm
#114
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May 8, 2022, 5:12 pm
#116
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When I was looking for a specific thread I saw thinking it was current I do apologize. Like many of us I am tired of all the information/ misinformation out there. I have enough chemical exposure in my body from the military not sure Covid wants me !!
May 8, 2022, 6:48 pm
#117
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Buffets are back. I was just at LC properties in UAE and Peru with extensive breakfast buffets. (In one case, the buffet just re-started within the past 30 days.) The IAD TK lounge and both the IAD and ORD UCs have buffets back. In addition, I am a fan of buffets that have an international selection. It gives me an opportunity to try bites of dishes that I would not otherwise order.
I won't get into the COVID stuff. My rule with buffets is that I'll never eat anything with my fingers, toast for example, unless I have washed my hands after touching the serving utensils. (I do assume the serving end of the utensil has been untouched by humans.) In addition, if I see children sticking their fingers into the food, I am not shy about politely notifying the parent. (I did see a child pick up a pastry and then put it back when he saw a better choice - in this case the parent noticed it and provided proper instruction for the future.)
I won't get into the COVID stuff. My rule with buffets is that I'll never eat anything with my fingers, toast for example, unless I have washed my hands after touching the serving utensils. (I do assume the serving end of the utensil has been untouched by humans.) In addition, if I see children sticking their fingers into the food, I am not shy about politely notifying the parent. (I did see a child pick up a pastry and then put it back when he saw a better choice - in this case the parent noticed it and provided proper instruction for the future.)
May 8, 2022, 7:33 pm
#118
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Buffet lines are currently available in the lounges and restaurants at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Manila Bay, and the Sheraton Manila Hotel.