Masking And Menus

Eating out is always a pleasure these days. It's a chance to get dressed up and sit down with friends. It's enjoying a lunch or dinner at a favorite eatery that hasn't been visited in months. There's only just one problem. Mask protocol. Do you wear it after you've been seated and order or take it off as soon as you sit?

That's the question New York Times restaurant critic, Pete Wells posed in his Critic's Notebook column in yesterday's Food section. He , himself, has an unusual one, homemade by a friend. It has shoelaces to hold it in place. This can get a bit too much as the laces have to be untied and tied every time it's worn. This can be disconcerting and uncomfortable, especially for a restaurant critic where the mask has to come off in the middle of a fine eatery..  Yet, it's what the New York Department of Health And Mental Hygiene recommends although the recommendation  doesn't have to be carried out. According to their guidelines " face coverings are not required when diners are seated but wearing a face covering as much as possible once at the table is the best way to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission for restaurant workers and dining companions." Mr. Wells has observed this has reached very few diners. Very few people keep their faces covered until the first plate of food or drink has arrived. Here in New Jersey, diners need only to wear a mask when going into an eatery's interior. Children under the age of two and those with medical problems (this could mean respiratory problems) don't have to wear any face coverings.

Are any of these OK? Many either take the masks off, stashing them in their pockets or wearing them around their necks like doctors. Some just push the masks down on their chin making them look like they've just seen a medieval dentist according to Mr. Wells. However restaurants sometimes give you your rolls and butter or oil before you even order. Yes, you could wait until after your ordered has been taken and the server gone, but who does? We arrive at restaurants hungry and a roll, even a slice of bread look downright good.Another thing is it is hard to talk with them on, and it is more freeing with having them off.  Afterwards, it's nice to just hang out and talk while waiting for coffee. Then there's the idea of masking up between courses.It is safer but for some an annoyance.Putting it on and off for at least three times during the meal can be irritating. Many forget, rapt in the meal or conversation.It is required and good manners to wear it if you have to use the restroom or entering or leaving the place. A better idea is taking diner's temperatures before they sit down although some can be asymptomatic.  Wearing your mask constantly could work if there are signs gently reminding people. It's hard to say how people will react however.

Should you wear your mask more at a restaurant? It does make sense and it is better for everyone. Yet will we? If we 're gently reminded , possibly