Did This COVID Restriction Make Sense?

I don’t think so, but maybe I’m wrong

Photo by Masao Mask on Unsplash

In Texas, outside of places like Austin or downtown Dallas, San Antonio, or Houston, people quickly stopped religiously following COVID guidelines.

In the beginning, everyone was super careful — I used disinfectant and masks every time I left the house. However, over time, that changed. I’d still keep social distance, but then I began to ask questions.

For example, why were mom-and-pop stores closed while big chain box stores were open?

Is there something inherently safer in a Walmart vs. the neighborhood store? I watched and noticed that my local ethnic store clerk diligently wiped all the shelves carefully and always wore a mask. Customers wore masks and kept social distance. So what made this venue less safe than a chain grocery store?

Yet I’d see not just small stores but also family-owned restaurants close while the chains kept open. And there didn’t seem to be any rhyme nor reason about what was deemed safe and what wasn’t.

Inside of Mother’s Cafe before COVID — plenty of space even then

There was a venerable Austin vegetarian restaurant, Mother’s Cafe, that closed down. Yet there…