I’ve decided that reopening outdoor dining is kind of the minimum to have a sense of social normalcy. Here in CA, I’ve always preferred eating outside anyway. A nice community feel now with all the outdoor tents and awnings and flowers outside every restaurant. And now the teens have something to do, somewhere to meet each other.
My 15 year old daughter just had her very first date. In a Pandemic. “Outdoor dining” outside a Starbucks.
If that were to be still restricted until everyone had a vaccine or all the variants were gone or whatever, she might not have been able to have a first date until out of high school.
There is something beautiful about. . .community. We can’t all just live at home all the time. Got to get out, to parks, libraries, downtowns. . .
Really nicely written. Congratulations to your daughter.
I just got back from having lunch on the patio at my favorite coffee shop, The Village Pantry in Los Altos, CA. Perfect weather and sunshine today. The private courtyard patio is delightful. I walked about town to get some chocolate afterwards and I was the only one on the sidewalks with no mask.
You probably underestimate the kooks thinking your daughter might not have a first date until after high school — I’d guess after college the way things are going!