Will N1H1 flu scare change your dining out habits?
Now authorities are recommending getting face masks and using hand sanitizers. I don't want to cut down my dining out routine, but not sure.
How will you be coping?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
20 Comments:
by building up my immune system -- eating all of the bacon and porkchops i can.....
pooch at 10:56AM on 09/07/09
I truly don't see how a flu risk would or will affect my dining habits. I just won't eat food that's been sneezed on, I guess...
mollykate678 at 10:57AM on 09/07/09
I hope it changes my dining out habits by changing other people's dining out habits. If they stop going out, then I'll get reservations faster.
shoneyjoe at 11:36AM on 09/07/09
Corrections, please...it's H1N1, either way it's still 'swine flu'. Sorry...
gutreactions at 11:59AM on 09/07/09
@shoneyjoe I agree with you. If everyone else stays home cowering in fear that makes it easier for me to get a reservation!
tapioca at 1:08PM on 09/07/09
Ignoring it, just like I did the bird flu and any other "Scare" done up to keep people distracted and afraid. It's BS.
thepirateking at 1:16PM on 09/07/09
Face masks only work is people are getting the right kind (a 95 or higher). A lot of people during the SARs epidemic were using the kind of dust masks you get a Walmart which don't protect you from anything. Plus they're not so much for protecting from other people's germ but for keeping your sneezes from spreading to others.
I think with all the warnings people will stay home if they're sick. Spreading the virus might not mean much when you need the money, but I would think working while sick instead of staying home and getting rest would put someone at a higher risk of dying.
gingercookiewithlime at 1:28PM on 09/07/09
It won't change my dining out experiences. Because of the medications I take for rheumatoid arthritis, I have lived with a weakened/suppressed immune system for many years. I get my flu shot every year, and this year I hope to get an additional H1N1 immunization. I take the usual precautions, like frequent hand washing, coughing into my arm or a tissue. I work to stay as healthy as I can.
HOWEVER .... Don't think for a minute that there are people who will miss work because they are sick. Case in point: I worked with a woman who had constant colds and even bronchitis. She was too busy to go to the doctor, and thought she was too important to miss work to stay home and recuperate (with paid sick leave and good insurance!)
I think we need to be mindful of our surroundings and take care of ourselves. I can't control what another person chooses to do, but I won't change going out for good food!
I'm with shoneyjoe ... More reservations for me!!
lindy123 at 2:06PM on 09/07/09
If everyone has been washing their hands as soon as they place their orders with their waiter like they should have been doing all along, then it shouldn't change a thing. Just make sure that you take your dry towel and open the door instead of with a bare hand. You've heard the nasty statistics, I'm sure. And don't eat the mints or other candies at the front desk unless they are individually wrapped
janaatwg at 2:14PM on 09/07/09
i agree with pooch and some of you need to remember the hysteria that happened with the "bird flu pandemic'. the media is keenly aware that scared folks watch the news and they are going to keep the swine flu issue alive as long as stupid people are staying tuned in.
olddad at 2:29PM on 09/07/09
I'm not in an age group that's at risk, though I have reactive airways and always get a regular flu shot. Haven't had the flu in 40 years.
I routinely keep a bottle of purell just inside my front door and use it as soon as I come in, making sure I don't touch my eyes or nose while I'm out. This seems to make a big difference. Have had one cold in 4 years.
So no, the H1N1 isn't going to change my dining habits or other habits. Might have to reconsider if we had a big breakout locally.
lemonfair at 4:02PM on 09/07/09
Not at all, not going to let the major hype scare me from my usual routine. If I get it I get it. I will go out just as much then as I do now.
pjracz10 at 4:14PM on 09/07/09
probably just continue to do crazy things like washing my hands, avoiding icky people or things as a whole, using clorox clean up on any inanimate object within 500 yards and not inhabiting restaurants that 1. have Board of Health write ups 2. are subpar in the way the restaurants cleanliness and waitstaff presents themselves.
Get a flu shot just for kicks.
ChelleyD01 at 10:32PM on 09/07/09
you guys actually have money to still eat at restaurants?
amazing. that was the first luxury to go for me.
gastronomeg at 9:34AM on 09/08/09
I stopped eating off of other peoples plates (including families), hitting the chinese and pizza buffets along with the salad bars. Did this years ago and surprisingly my illness time has been reduced from a few colds a year to near nothing. Am convinced these are breeding grounds for a lot of issues.
Oh and doesn't a few alcoholic drinks count towards killing a few germs? Isn't hand sanitizer nothing more than jellied Vodka? :0)
A few martinis and a flu shot, you should be good to go.....
Ribster at 5:43AM on 09/09/09
The hype for this particular flu is waaaaaaayyyyyyyy overblown. This is just another strain of flu and unless you already have a pre-existing health condition or problem, IT"S JUST ANOTHER FLU BUG GOING AROUND only earlier in the season. The college campuses aren't screening for it, the vaccine isn't out for it yet, and the student health services asked my son not to come in to be seen unless he was having severe symptoms. Go figure! He has a sore throat and chills, a positive comfirmed case of H1N1 of a fraternity brother, but my son doesn't live at the house. He's a dormitory resident assistant, and the health services aren't worried this is going to spread?
lurah at 12:00AM on 09/10/09
I use Purell a lot anyway. I don't think I should change my life around the risk of getting it. Even if I did wear a face mask, etc. I'm bound to get it anyway with my luck and my immune system.
Chew on That at 4:03PM on 09/11/09
+1 Ribster, Comment of the Week!
"Oh and doesn't a few alcoholic drinks count towards killing a few germs? Isn't hand sanitizer nothing more than jellied Vodka? :0)
A few martinis and a flu shot, you should be good to go....."
Kerosena at 4:18PM on 09/11/09
I prefer to make my own meals. Especially after seeing a fast food kitchen. Unless your immune system is severly comprimised I don't think you should worry about a few sniffles.
Pinupgirl4ever at 2:47AM on 09/12/09
Now food sharing is being discouraged and 'Beer Pong' parties, where you pass around the same pitcher, at one college is being forbidden...
gutreactions at 10:50AM on 10/18/09