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Just saw on the news that Florida has opened up all restaurants  and bars both inside and out

Yes, this doesn't mean they all will of course.  Individuals can decide not to patronize any that look crowded.  Or not.

Most restaurants here are laboring to get even partial seating near full, at least the nicer ones are.


https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/usa/florida/

Active cases in Florida have been trending down, even as schools reopened.  There are several plausible explanations for this.


https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/sweden/

Sweden MIGHT be seeing a slight increase trend in new cases.  They report 400-500 per day, Georgia is 1400 or so.  Georgia still has limits on large gatherings of course, night clubs, etc.

It drives me crazy trying to tease out a solid explanation for all the data.

I wonder how many restaurants in FL need full capacity now.  Maybe on weekends?

I really worry that the "second phase" of unemployment is about to ravage the country.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/09/01/816707182/map-tracking-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-in-the-u-s

A lot of employers depend on foot traffic.  They tend to be employers of lower paid people, salespersons, wait staff, etc.  As retail and hospitality close, it's those folks most vulnerable, and they tend to have less of a cushion financially.

The Big Employers are doing OK, mostly, hospitality aside.  My problem is I can't "spend any money", which sounds absurd, but the things we used to enjoy are largely unavailable now, or very limited (travel, dining).

Any notion of going to Brazil is out, the wife's sister has told her most of her staff is infected.  Brazil has a bad outbreak.

France is obviously not on the table.  Any cruise is out.  These things are not even under slight consideration.  We do dine out a bit, but like many of youse, I don't mind cooking at home.  We have a three night driving trip planned for October, and I know I'm taking some additional risk there.  I think it is "OK".  

The symphony is out, football and soccer games are out, there are no conventions, downtown must be completely cracking.  The airport has to be struggling with all the vendors with places there.  Lots of folks must be behind on their rent or mortgage, the city has to be way under water, MARTA is way down, the state is losing big time.

When I think about it too much it's really depressing and I don't see a viable solution.

I stayed at Motel 6 and Super8 type places back in college.  I definitely haven't done it since.

Most of my status is with Starwood, so Westins and W hotels and Aloft are the places I tend to stay.  Even in years when I don't travel enough, I have a friend that's placed highly in the Luxury Comps group, so he keeps my status at the Platinum Elite level.   There are some pretty great perks at that level, over the past two decades I've gotten all kinds of upgrades, and quite a few free rooms for family and friends in New Orleans, Vegas, NY, Boston, and elsewhere.

I like Hiltons fine.  My favorite resort in Playa del Carmen was recently bought out by them, and the service got even better.

Most are, Delta and Hilton are already.  I think it worthwhile this year to pay a bit more for a nicer place.  We're staying at two Hiltons and one Holiday Inn property because I get one night at HI free each year.  I used points for the Hampton Inns in NC.