OPINION | The Boot reopening: Recipe for disaster
Daisy Rymer | Production Manager
Students at The Boot Bar & Grill.
September 2, 2020
The Boot Bar and Grill remains a hallmark of the Tulane student experience. For returning students, memories of happy hour and the buzzing social ambiance were greatly missed after being sent home last March. For incoming freshmen, The Boot stands as a memorial of newfound independence and the beginning of an incredible college experience. Yet, though seemingly a joyous occasion, The Boot’s reopening ultimately marks the beginning of the end.
Bars are one of the primary hubs of coronavirus outbreaks in Louisiana and the rest of the U.S. The Boot is no exception, acting as an ideal petri dish for the virus. Public health officials around the country have warned against the risks of indoor and outdoor dining and drinking and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends food service remain primarily through drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick up.
According to the CDC, the protocol The Boot has advertised is the second riskiest form of reopening. In truth, The Boot can easily be classified as the highest risk environment. The Boot is providing both indoor and outdoor services with decreased seating capacity to foster social distancing. On top of that, they are allowing parties of up to six people and provide no way of verifying that customers are not experiencing symptoms.
This is a major shift from the known ambiance of the establishment, and it is impossible to expect The Boot to maintain 6 feet between tables at all times, enforce proper mask-wearing, and tend to the crowds waiting to come into the bar.
The danger of The Boot’s reopening is not just a question of social distancing practices. The physical act of drinking is incompatible with wearing a mask, which helps prevent the transmission of droplets.
This is coupled with the reality that regardless of the distancing of tables, bar-goers sit in groups with individuals who may have been exposed or are asymptomatic, another catalyst for infection. These factors are exacerbated by the need to speak loudly, which spreads 10 times more particles than coughing, and the presence of alcohol which may impede judgment and rule-following.
The risk of contagion at bars is inevitable, as was demonstrated when bars reopened earlier in the summer only to be subsequently closed after spiking a drastic rise in cases. When Louisiana attempted to reopen bars in July, more than 400 cases were reported to have stemmed from bars. Now, Louisiana has reached its second wave of coronavirus infections and the number of positive cases remains synonymous with those in July.
This has only worsened as New Orleans moved to Stage 2 of reopening and will continue as many schools begin to welcome students.
The fact of the matter is that while young people, like much of the student body, feel impervious to the virus, they are possibly the biggest threat to the New Orleans population and the smaller Tulane community. This spring, the New Orleans area had the highest coronavirus death rate in the country.
While these numbers may not apply to Tulane students, they are incredibly important to Tulane’s employees and faculty members who may be at a higher risk of serious medical complications. Regardless, Tulane students are consistently testing positive for the coronavirus, and around the country, more young people are contracting the virus. This same demographic is that of bargoers.
Upperclassmen may think that their off-campus residences protect them from spreading or contracting the virus. In reality, they are no safer going to The Boot and returning home to their housemates than they would be returning back to a dorm.
Incoming freshmen who looked forward to their newfound independence must also come to terms with the sacrifices of adulthood in the time of the coronavirus.
While returning to campus is often garnished with the temptation of enjoying time at The Boot, this activity is a catalyst for not only infection and death but also Tulane’s closing. Despite the administration flouting threats of suspension or probation for hosting gatherings, the crowds at The Boot depict the same high-risk behavior put under a new name. In these unprecedented times, all Tulane students need to refrain from prioritizing partying should they wish to experience college and Mardi Gras in the coming spring semester.
John Gilman • Sep 17, 2020 at 11:06 pm
Baffled, its spelled Kool-aid!
Ben • Sep 17, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Baffled Alum
You are a dutty wasteman
Baffled Alum • Sep 16, 2020 at 11:18 am
My fellow readers who responded to my previous comment have obviously never been to Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc. Masks in these places are a joke. Nearly everyone has them below their nose, mouth or chin. There are no 6′ distancing police in plumbing, lumber, or fruit flavored water departments. Just because “experts” tell you those places are safe doesn’t make it so. I challenge you to spend an afternoon taking a tour. Quit drinking to cool-aid. These places are no different than a bar patronized by young, healthy people.
Regarding positive, uplifting stories…A rag’s sole purpose is not to attack. It’s purpose also is not to spew self righteous, all knowing indoctrination. I’ve had Corona and recovered. My entire household had it. We did all of the nonsense that the “experts” said to do and still got it. However, we all recovered. 99.9% of all people recover. Let it run it’s course and get back to life.
Ben • Sep 13, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Baffled Alum
If the paper of the past only ever wrote uplifting stories then it wasn’t doing its job properly. There are numerous things wrong with your comment, the big one being your comparison of the bars to retail stores.
Anonymous • Sep 11, 2020 at 11:55 am
The Boot seems to be taking extensive precautions regarding the spread of the virus. They have staff sanitizing tables frequently, requiring masks, and maintaining social distancing practices. I felt safe and like they were taking my health and the health of my peers into consideration. They are taking many more precautions than most establishments around the city and nation. The alternative is a house party, which is a much riskier option. So, thank you to the staff at The Boot for allowing me to come have a slice, drink my beer, and feel safe!
John Gilman • Sep 11, 2020 at 9:17 am
Baffled probably thinks the whole covid thing is a “hoax”. Big difference between a bar and Lowes! I am also an alumni and I think the article is right
on point. Stay safe Tulane students, faculty etc.
Gene R Bischoff • Sep 11, 2020 at 2:59 am
College experience is spreading the virus nationwide unfortunately. Bars in Alabama and Baton Rouge are proof. Large stores have social distancing 6 ft apart, not possible in bars, not possible to wear mask and drinking. Plus drinking negates social distancing. 15% of Penn State students with covid have an long term heart condition from covid imflamation in their hearts. Same problem with football players in the Big Ten. Whats unfair is money allows football players not to social distance on the football field but if students fail to social distance they get suspended. I would push this with the University, putting Football on a Pedestal versus the general student body. Rise up and compare!!!
Cody Samson • Sep 10, 2020 at 5:21 pm
So what about every other bar open in the city?
Why single out the boot?
From what I’ve seen they work hard to follow protocol, keeping groups from congregating in the street and maintaining distance between customers.
Why dont you call out some other local businesses and see if you cant put more people out of a job.
It not like people are already struggling to keep their jobs.
Tom Frankowski • Sep 10, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Bars are completely different from the other establishments, like grocery or home improvement stores. Bars are social, masks are taken off and put on until after a few drinks they’re abandoned. Part of the “college experience” should be learning personal and community responsibility.
Stella Rose • Sep 10, 2020 at 2:32 pm
It’s ok to protest en masse but not ok to socialize at a safe distance with your friends. The Boot should take temperatures at the door, turning away those with a fever and require masks when patrons are not at a safe social distance. Not rocket science.
Baffled Alum • Sep 10, 2020 at 8:53 am
“Bars are one of the primary hubs of coronavirus outbreaks in Louisiana and the rest of the U.S.” Ha! According to a bunch of bureaucrats who make it up on the fly. I guess Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Winn Dixie, Rouses, etc. have some magic immunity force field around them. This whole shutdown is a joke. How dare you social justice warriors pass judgement on young adults who come to Tulane for not only an education but also the “college experience”. I’m an alum and I have a child there now. That child already was ripped off of a spring semester.
Why don’t you write something uplifting and positive rather than always the devisive fodder. This is not the paper of my past. It’s become worthless.
j roger brown jr • Sep 7, 2020 at 1:00 pm
It would be interesting to see if the Boot follows the rule that drinks can only be served if food is also brought. and also if they verify ages on ids.
Anonymous • Sep 7, 2020 at 12:32 pm
Another thing that’s messed up is that the restaurant is technically a separate business, but all the personal pies are rung at the bar with no tip out to restaurant workers by the bartenders, so they’re making less than $20 in tips a shift for doing a huge amount of work, while the bartenders make hundreds.