Restaurant owner believes that restaurants and clubs are more safe than supermarkets. He suggested we have Christmas parties despite possible Covid infections.
On ITV’s Good Morning Britain, presenters Martin Lewis and Susanna Reid asked whether staff celebrations would cause a spike in Covid infection rates and questioned whether it would be more sensible to call the party off now to make sure there’s no restrictions ruining Christmas day this year.
Syira Ahsan (a clinical lead in urgent medicine from East London) appeared on the program. Her father, Dr Syira Ahsan died almost one year ago of Covid.
However, club and restaurant owner Alex Proud, from Brighton, instead insisted that clubs and restaurants are safer than supermarkets so we should keep the celebrations in the diary – adding that the number of Covid cases from hospitality is trivial compared to other sectors.
And many who took to Twitter seemed to agree: ‘Woman on Good Morning Britain saying they should cancel office parties to save Christmas because we didn’t last year and the cases spiked. Does she really believe that? We had few vaccinated then plus it’s been proven time & time again hospitality does not cause spikes.’
Alex Proud (a Brighton club owner and restaurateur) appeared today on Good Morning Britain. Proud argued that bars and restaurants were safer than supermarkets, so it was important to keep the celebrations going.
The clinical lead for urgent care, Dr Syira Ohsan (East London), whose father was killed by Covid nearly a year earlier, instead suggested that the hospitals were in trouble so it is time to call off
A second said: ‘What is the difference cancelling Christmas Office parties when borders are open and no quarantine? Doesn’t make sense ..’ while a third commented: ‘Cancel office Christmas parties ?! It’s fine for concerts and football matches, where there are many strangers…I don’t get this world.
During the segment of the show, Dr Syira argued: ‘It’s actually a daily reminder working in the font line in the urgent care centre where you see spikes.
You see it first at the front door. Covid is a very important thing that made everyone rethink how they do business…we now have a different norm.
“I think it is a bit premature to assume that everything should be normal again.” What is now normal, I believe we have a new normal that requires us to be more rational.
Elle continued, “We have received second doses of vaccines up to 70%. But Public Health England statistics state that even double vaccinations are not effective in reducing the chance of contracting Covid.
On Twitter, one user wrote the following: “What is it that cancelling Christmas Office parties while borders are open and there’s no quarantine makes?” This doesn’t make sense. (pictured)
Elle continued to encourage everyone to “sit on the side caution”.
She said that she spoke with restaurateurs and public officials and stated that people are now more aware of the fact that winter is approaching and have stayed home.
Alex Proud, the owner of the restaurant and club, argued that hospitality is safe and Covid figures are small compared with other industries.
He stated that he needed to know the statistics as you have used them in a way I disagree with. “Most restaurants in the sector have worked at full capacity since July when we reopened,” he said. Our reputation is well-respected and our facilities are air-conditioned – as we have been for many years.
According to him, “Government statistics have shown that the rates of hospitality infections were sub 2% during the pandemic.” This is in contrast with the over 30 percent for hospitals and over 40 percent for work areas. The only reason we saw an increase in infection rates was secondary school.
“Would we have seen a spike in hospitality if we had known months ago? We’re already full, so Christmas will be filled. Therefore, I doubt you will see any spike.
Martin Lewis and Susanna Reed, both presenters on ITV’s Good Morning Britain asked whether celebrations by staff would increase Covid rates. If so, they questioned whether it might be wiser to stop the festivities now in order to ensure that no restrictions are placed this Christmas.
“The rise in school attendance has resulted from the return of schools. But, it’s not about closing hospitality. More than three million jobs depend on this industry. Instead, we must be focusing our attention to those 12 million who qualify for a booster shot, but only half of them have been vaccinated. It’s time to focus on the 5 million who still have not had their first shot.
However, Dr Syira Ahsan went on to note how she sees patients coming through the door every day with Covid symptoms.
She explained that she sees the suffering and death of people. “I don’t think it’s necessary to cancel any of the things we have, but we must be careful and have some steps. I also believe we should limit our numbers. We’re not done yet.
However, many viewers who watched Alex argue with themselves on social media.
‘If it’s not safe to have an office Christmas party then why are people expected to turn up for work everyday?’ He wrote one.
A second commented: ‘GMB asking to cancel office Christmas parties to save Christmas, because if you go to the pub with same people you sit in an office with all day you’ll create a covid spike!! F*** off.’