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Tucker08087

(621 posts)
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 08:58 PM Mar 2020

Maybe a stupid question....?🤷🏼‍♀️

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.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Maybe a stupid question....?🤷🏼‍♀️ (Original Post) Tucker08087 Mar 2020 OP
It's an eatery. nt Phoenix61 Mar 2020 #1
My thought is that if McDonald's... dchill Mar 2020 #2
What's being prohibited is sit-down service JHB Mar 2020 #10
Yes, I can see that. dchill Mar 2020 #13
I would tell him to say he is not going in... GitRDun Mar 2020 #3
Thank you, all. Tucker08087 Mar 2020 #5
Couldn't agree more.. GitRDun Mar 2020 #7
Yep, it's a fast food job customerserviceguy Mar 2020 #12
Maybe they can get away with take-out, but they shouldn't. Your family's peace of mind is essential. emmaverybo Mar 2020 #4
Agreed. Tucker08087 Mar 2020 #6
The business is excempt from closing if they limit to ony take-out. 3Hotdogs Mar 2020 #8
My thoughts, exactly. Tucker08087 Mar 2020 #9
The orders prohibit seating, they don't close the business entirely JHB Mar 2020 #11
Thank you. Tucker08087 Mar 2020 #14
Everyone has been so kind. Tucker08087 Mar 2020 #15

JHB

(37,399 posts)
10. What's being prohibited is sit-down service
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 10:56 PM
Mar 2020

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.

Tucker08087

(621 posts)
5. Thank you, all.
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 09:12 PM
Mar 2020

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

(1,846 posts)
7. Couldn't agree more..
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 09:35 PM
Mar 2020

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

(25,185 posts)
12. Yep, it's a fast food job
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 11:15 PM
Mar 2020

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

(8,147 posts)
4. Maybe they can get away with take-out, but they shouldn't. Your family's peace of mind is essential.
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 09:05 PM
Mar 2020

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

(621 posts)
6. Agreed.
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 09:19 PM
Mar 2020

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

(13,343 posts)
8. The business is excempt from closing if they limit to ony take-out.
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 10:28 PM
Mar 2020

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

(621 posts)
9. My thoughts, exactly.
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 10:45 PM
Mar 2020

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

(37,399 posts)
11. The orders prohibit seating, they don't close the business entirely
Mon Mar 16, 2020, 11:06 PM
Mar 2020

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

(621 posts)
14. Thank you.
Wed Mar 18, 2020, 11:57 AM
Mar 2020

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

Tucker08087

(621 posts)
15. Everyone has been so kind.
Wed Mar 18, 2020, 10:25 PM
Mar 2020

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!

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