Maybe a stupid question....?🤷🏼‍♀️

[Tucker08087]

My son just turned 17. He works part time at McDonalds. He went in on Sunday and said he would like a leave of absence because I’m on chemo and my mom lives with us (She’s 80s), and because we are both high risk for the Corona Virus, he feared bringing it home. The manager convinced him to come in once a week to do things like cleaning and inventory-no contact with money or people. He said yes, because he felt badly. Everyone else was quitting. My oncologist said he should change in the garage, toss his clothes in the washing machine and immediately take a shower when he gets home. The virus lives on our skin and clothing. My son was upset. He doesn’t want to be responsible for killing either of us.
Today the governor closed “all eateries and pubs.” McDonald’s says this is not them. My son says it is. What do you think? His next shift is 5 days away. I think it should be more understood by then, but any thoughts? Is fast food an “eatery?” Seems like it should be.

[Phoenix61]

1. It's an eatery. nt

[dchill]

2. My thought is that if McDonald's...

...is not an "eatery," then what is it?

[JHB]

10. What's being prohibited is sit-down service

Take-out and delivery is still ok.

What's being done is to avoid people congregating in a confined area, not shutter the business.

If anything, a McDonalds (and other fast-food joints) is better set up for that type of service than many other eateries.

[dchill]

13. Yes, I can see that.

[GitRDun]

3. I would tell him to say he is not going in...

If they fire him they fire him.

Not worth the risk.

[Tucker08087]

5. Thank you, all.

I agree. I don’t know what they are calling it, but it’s certainly an eatery. He worked yesterday and they were fairly dead. I heard on the radio today that the parkway (our main highway here) was totally empty during rush hour. Nobody was out. If they don’t want to close, they may be forced to by week’s end due to lack of customers. I said to write a flattering, professional letter explaining why, at this difficult time, he feels it necessary to stay home, thanking them for the opportunity to work there and learn so much, and saying that he hopes he will be welcomed back into the “family” when things return to normal. And if not, it’s McDonalds. He just got his license, so he won’t be trapped working in this town all summer. I’m sure he could fine something else now that he’s 17. His health comes first.

[GitRDun]

7. Couldn't agree more..

No business person should see your situation as anything but the obvious...

The young man stays home til the risk passes... period.

I supervised 75 people at a nearly $1 billion company for nearly 2 decades.

YOU ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ASK PEOPLE TO MAKE THAT CHOICE...WORK OVER FAMILY...PERIOD...END OF STORY.

It's friggin' hamburgers.

If his boss doesn't get it, he'd be better off working somewhere else.

[customerserviceguy]

12. Yep, it's a fast food job

If they ran into trouble, they'd toss him like a used Kleenex.

I presume he is going on to something better in life, after further schooling or an apprenticeship program or something like that. Nobody is going to care about the circumstances surrounding his employment at some minimum-wage job during his teenage years.

He'd have to live with it the rest of his life if he felt that he had compromised the health of anyone in his household.

It sounds like he was raised with good values, and a solid work ethic, but there is a lot of misery among people who put work first and family second.

[emmaverybo]

4. Maybe they can get away with take-out, but they shouldn't. Your family's peace of mind is essential.

As is your health. Your son sounds lovely, I hope he finds a way to stopping work entirely if there
is any chance any of you could be compromised.

May cosmos bless all.

[Tucker08087]

6. Agreed.

Thank you! I don’t want to be acting crazy over this, but the oncologist’s recommendations were frightening. My son was actually a super-preemie (He’s now about 6’3”) and unhealthy as an infant and I had to change, wash my clothes and shower after work (in a public school) before picking him up, so I understand the washing protocol. I also know it’s a fairly rare request done only under serious circumstances. I appreciate the Cosmos blessings! And maybe could use an actual Cosmo right about now!
I’m hoping they just shut down!

[3Hotdogs]

8. The business is excempt from closing if they limit to ony take-out.

That being typed, he should stay home. Family's health and life are more important than fukin' McDonalds.

If he feels better about it, he can write the letter and MAIL it. Don't go in to hand it to the boss. Resign or decline the work by telephone.

[Tucker08087]

9. My thoughts, exactly.

If he goes in, they will guilt him into staying. There’s already a curfew that will limit his hours. I think the letter will preserve his return-trip bridge, and he’s been there for a year. Kids generally only last a month, at the most. They will want him back. I don’t think they’ll want to burn bridges, either, and will accept the situation as it is. (They know that my husband passed right after Thanksgiving last year, so my survival is really necessary for his life to continue as-is until he gets through college.)

[JHB]

11. The orders prohibit seating, they don't close the business entirely

Sit-down service is prohibited, but take-out and deliveries are allowed. There are a lot of restaurants that will have to close because of that, but a McDonalds is not one of them. Take-out is a mainstay of their business.

The idea is to avoid people congregating in confined areas for any length of time.

That may not help your son decide on what to do, but it's a clearer picture of what the governor ordered.

[Tucker08087]

14. Thank you.

Unfortunately, he works the drive-thru and he’s very good at it. That’s why they are begging him to stay.

[Tucker08087]

15. Everyone has been so kind.

It was going to open just for drive-thru and they kind of guilted him into agreeing. However, he read quite a bit about the symptoms/how should take precautions, only for themselves but also for those who they love. was leaning toward staying home until Easter, at minimum,or until the end of the school year, but a few hours ago we learned that a student, believed to be a senior has tested positive.
Until the name is released all juniors and seniors and their families/teachers are in self-quarantine, so that solves that, I suppose.
Thanks for all the support and ideas!