Patrice & Associates Update on COVID and the Hospitality Industry

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top expert on infectious diseases, told Robin Roberts of ABC News in Mid-November “the calvary is coming here. Vaccines are going to have a major positive impact.” Dr Fauci, a trusted top adviser, sees the vaccine having a significant affect on curbing the pandemic. This combined with thoughtful mask wearing means that we see an abatement of this pandemic within 4-6 months. Hopefully at that point, life will return to “normal.”

There is no question the hospitality industry has been hit the hardest in the last 9 months, however there is hope on the horizon. Recent statistics by the BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistic, show employment in leisure and hospitality increased by 271,000 in October 2020, with gains in food services and drinking places (+192,000); arts, entertainment, and recreation (+44,000); and accommodation (+34,000). Leisure and hospitality have added 4.8 million jobs since April, but employment in the industry is still down by 3.5 million since February. Barring significant spikes in COVID, this trend of adding hospitality jobs should continue.

Recent surges in Coronavirus cases, however, could stifle a rebound in restaurant work. This is why now more than ever the Restaurant Industry needs to be diligent. At Patrice & Associates, we strongly urge all Americans to wear a mask and socially distance while at the same time supporting the industry by patronizing their services. Social distancing and wearing a mask do make a difference against Coronavirus according to the medical journal, Lancet.

Their research disproves the unconscionable theory, that makes don’t matter. By keeping a physical distance from another person of 1 meter, or 3.3 feet, the chance of transmission falls to 12.8 percent, and a distance over 3.3 feet reduces the chance to 2.6 percent. The CDC-recommended distance of six feet is likely even more effective, they found.

We want to see consumers dine in at restaurants, get carry out or use drive through windows. We urge all restaurant workers to follow the guidelines, wear masks and gloves as appropriate to protect both themselves and the unnecessary transmission of the virus. Patrons should comply with mask wearing guidelines when taking advantages of the convenience that dining out offers. If we all do our part by socially distancing and wearing mask, when the vaccine is available, we should be able to give it the 1-2 punch and knock this thing out!

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