EDITOR:

Governor Whitmer has called for a statewide shutdown, except for essential services like grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware stores, etc. The key word here is essential. We all love our fast foods, and how local restaurants are advertising curb service, deliveries, and new strategies to keep their incomes streams. But these establishments are not essential when we are talking about people dying.

Here are some “curb service” figures: One restaurant’s prime rib dinner – $18. Another has a burger with fries for $12.50. Fast foods: Burger King’s A1 ultimate bacon cheeseburger meal costs $9.19. Arby’s Max Roast Beef – Meal-$8.23. Pizza Hut Pepperoni Lover’s® Pizza (Stuffed Crust) large is $18.18. Domino’s MeatZZa Feast pizza – $19.25. Colonel Sanders 8 Pc. meal with two large sides and four biscuits – $23.53. And, it’s not only high costs. Workers go home when they are done, visit with family and friends, go to bed, wake up, go back to the restaurants, and the cycle repeats itself day after day. All not knowing if they have been exposed to COVID-19. And they will all be vigilante with sanitation, but we’re all new with this pandemic and socializing routines in our daily lives are difficult to stop.

One restaurant is asking their faithful to make donations to their laid off staffs. And a generous patron is even willing to match the amounts up to $1,000. That is really generous, but not if anybody get infected from that additional traffic. And nix handing out growlers of beer as well, there’s a lot of that in stores. Sorry, considering yourselves “essential” is an extreme stretch now. This virus is ramping up at exponential rates. Many patrons may be first responders, doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, nursing home staffs, and more. Essentially those who are working hard to save lives and we can’t put them at risk. The life they save may be your own, so let’s be mature adults and close shop. And compare the above prices and go buy a whole turkey for $18. You can eat great for a long time, plus boil up the bones for great soup. The President will sign stimulus packages for small businesses including restaurants, plus other assistance for all of us. Hospitals are struggling to cope at every level and the next two weeks are going to be even more critical as we see vacationers and snowbirds returning to the area. So, close your non-essential businesses. You know it’s the only thing to do now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m dying for a Whopper, but I don’t want to get infected from succumbing and grabbing one and then infect my spouse. National Public Radio informs us that since Jan. 21 health officials report 120,000 plus cases nationwide with 2,100 plus deaths. It’s unchartered waters now, so cinch your belts, close your establishments completely, and stay indoors.

Gerry Niedermaier

Gladstone