Coronavirus

[Mossdog]

At the same time, I'm guessing the law of averages says that people who have a meal and a drink in a pub are more likely to be a bit more sedate and are less likely to be rowdy and on a session. Like any rules, it's the edges of the rules that will always bring out seemingly daft contradictions but the line has to be drawn somewhere. You know another alternative might have been to say the pub can't sell any food or beer for instance which is not nearly 'as good' as a pub that can sell beer but only with food.

Yes, I think there's truth in that. But I'm mindful that there are a lot of (mainly older, perhaps single, guys/gals) who rely on pubs, during the day, as their only point of social contact. I think we've all seen them in city centers, nursing their pints, watching the telly and just people watching. I feel for these 'fellahs' who don't have the cash for a meal. This is feeding a burgeoning mental health issue (no pun intended) . Especially when those who can't now afford a pint (and the obligatory meal) have to watch those who can, sit in their pubs scoffing and quaffing. A form of unintended social exclusion, increasing the sense of heightened social alienation for some more vulnerable members of our society.

The mayor of Middlesborough also made a salient point on the radio this morning, commenting how pubs in his area (inner city/urban) who cater for 'our fellah' above, or who don't have the clientele inclined to eat out, have to close effectively due to a devastation of their customer base. As they're not in Tier 3 they also don't receive any financial support from the Government. It's lose-lose.

Maybe a complete closure of all pubs (with all receiving financial support)would have been a better option and less divisive between the better of and those less well financially equipped, as well as dealing the virus a more effective blow? Not an easy call I appreciate.