With most restaurants and eateries open now, one can finally satisfy all their food cravings. However, since the situation isn’t back to normal yet, NT KURIOCITY asked a few youngsters whether they hesitate to eat out
I believe the risk of contracting the virus is high in an outdoor setting hence I’d rather not visit any restaurants. For example, people sharing a restaurant table are typically very close to each other perhaps only inches away. And it’s unlikely that you’d have a face cover on, because you need to be able to eat. Talking can spread the virus by releasing infectious respiratory droplets, and if you’re sitting together for extended periods of time, this can also increase the risk of getting the virus.
Karen Fernandes, Saligao
I would consider a take away to be safe maybe but I wouldn’t go dine at a restaurant in this condition. People can’t wear masks while eating and everybody is in a closed space which makes it very risky. In fact I avoid going out unless it’s absolutely necessary because it feels unfair to the people who are working so hard right now. Hopefully, the situation will be better in a couple of months and then we’ll have plenty of time to satisfy our cravings.
Saloni Pai Raikar, software engineer, Panaji
It’s good to know that most of the public places are opening but we all know that the situation isn’t back to normal as COVID-19 cases and deaths are increasing drastically. So it’s unsafe for one to go out and visit public places to satisfy one’s food cravings. Also the guidelines say that we should go out only if necessary. I think visiting eateries isn’t that necessary at this point of time and we can hold on till everything is back to normal.
Saood Khalid Sayyed, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Assagao
I love eating outdoors. When the lockdown started I tried a lot of different recipes at home but did not do justice. But as the cases are increasing I do hesitate to eat at the restaurants because it’s not safe. We don’t know where people travel, who they meet and whether they are affected by the virus. So we need to be careful and take proper precautions in order to not get the virus.
Seana Mendes, Saligao
Given the current situation of the country and our very own state, it is becoming dangerous to go out with each passing day. And I believe it is going to remain like that for a while. Although the right safety measures can help us, they still cannot completely ensure our safety which is why I am still hesitant and prefer going out only if extremely necessary. Also, for the last few months, most of us have had some free hours at hand everyday which has led to some of us taking an interest in learning how to make the food that we love so much and that has majorly helped me control my food cravings.
Prachi Mahambrey, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Assagao
I’m quite hesitant to venture out to eat at restaurants, mainly because cases are increasing at an alarming rate. Since numerous people visit restaurants, there are high chances that the virus can be on different surfaces as people come in contact with cutlery, tables, tissue paper holders, door handles, menu, etc. These are things which are commonly touched or handled. And it’s highly impractical to sanitise all these surfaces after every customer visit. If someone still wants to have restaurant meals for various reasons, we need to resort to take away or home delivery where the chances of contraction are very less or minimum.
Velma Timotio, service, Vasco
Yes, we should satisfy our hunger but not by risking our health. Why not make our home kitchen into a restaurant where we can serve delicious and hygienic food? We should all adapt to such practices to sustain our life and home traditions. Even if one goes out to eat, one should take care and follow standard precautions. We need to be aware of each and every moment in this pandemic and try not to submerge our positive attitude and calmness in such crises.
Vishvesh Kamat, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Assagao
COVID-19 has been an eye-opener. I would choose to continue to stick to eating home-cooked food instead of eating outside food at a restaurant or even visiting such places because I have seen how home-cooked food builds the immune system. Eating outside may quench our inner desires for the junk we want to eat but we should be so conscious at these times. Looking at the number of cases rising I personally feel if we are tested positive we can risk the lives of our families and all those we come in contact with. Eating homemade food and preparing it together gives one a sense of joy. This in turn teaches one what it means to sit at home with your loved ones and have a meal rather than going out. Even if things get better in the months to come, I would still continue to have homemade food over eating from a restaurant.
Alycia Elizabeth D’cruz, Aldona
