Who knew that this pandemic would be tantalising our taste buds? Nevertheless, the rumours are true. Now that restaurants have been re-opened for about a month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has introduced the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme, in an attempt to re-build tourism and the hospitality sectors. Since the 3rd August, restaurants registered onto this scheme have provided a mouth-watering 50% off food and drink during the month. What could be better than that? Catching up with friends and eating out at your favourite restaurants, including the most beloved outlets such as Domino’s, Wetherspoons and McDonald’s, where you can receive a Big Mac for only £1.60! That being said, is it as good as it seems? Was this the best time to implement this kind of scheme amid the pandemic, which is on the verge of a second wave, and with the contradicting ‘healthy eating’ scheme? I think not.
Even though life slowed down due to COVID-19, the public started to concentrate on their wellbeing, where the Ipsos Mori polling showed that 25% of people had upped their activity levels since restrictions were imposed. Perhaps we fell bored with the sheer amount of time we had, that we decided to try out new activities. Whether it was joining in on Joe Wicks’ ‘life-changing’ workout sessions or making the most out of our one trip out per day, the public delved into keeping fit. The public even became rebellious, or so limited to past-time possibilities that Statista data reveals that going ‘outside for exercise for more than an hour’ spiked to the highest figures (collectively 26%) despite the lockdown rules.
Facing the same limitations, online influencers needed to adapt and find interesting content within the perimeter of their houses. This is where TikTok’s platform provided humorous and authentic videos to escape this problematic time. No wonder the app endured a fascination surge, with an increase of 27%. Other than the thousands of dance routines, TikTok began the craze of baking banana bread and other recipes, which got more people experimenting in the kitchen. It increased the amount of people exploring cooking and baking new things at home because they have the time and opportunity to do so. Where once people were rushed from a busy day at work or university, something quick was more important than its health content. As well as physical health, cooking and baking may have even had a beneficial impact on the public’s mental health, forming better connections with family members. Although now that this ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme has been implemented, it may reverse the benefits that the lockdown has provided.
The predicament is that the Government has contradicted themselves with what could be perceived as tunnel vision. They are purely focusing on boosting the economy, to the detriment of public health, nutritional education, and long-term financial stability, both for themselves and the targets of their current campaign. The fact that the discount does not apply to food eaten off the premises, will only attract people in fear that they may miss out on the deal or that it may be too hard to resist. Based on the WorldPanel Plus Survey, it has been revealed that over half of the public are still uncomfortable with visiting a pub and 42% with visiting a café or restaurant. Through the scheme’s advertisement, the public is being tempted to have more than one day of indulgence, where it could adversely affect their health. As masks are unable to be enforced within restaurants, when the restaurants become crowded due to this scheme, it will only create an elevated risk of contracting the virus. This upsurge of bookings for the three days per week it is in operation may also attract boorish behaviour towards staff members, leaving them not wanting to work. Information obtained first-hand with people in the industry, stated that the scheme has shaped ‘a new weekend’.
Even though some countries in Europe are facing a second wave and Boris Johnson is ‘extremely concerned’ that the UK could be hit, it seems to not be enough to halt this scheme. What is worrying is that in the period that the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme was introduced, new evidence has found that people who are overweight or living with obesity that contract COVID-19 are more likely to be admitted to hospital into an intensive care unit and, sadly to die from COVID-19 compared to those of a healthy body weight status. Government statistics showed that nearly 8% of critically ill patients in intensive care units with the virus have been morbidly obese, compared with 2.9% of the general population. It is only since Johnson’s near-death experience in April, that he had decided it is time to launch a new obesity scheme. Tam Fry, Chairman of the National Obesity Forum UK, believes Johnson is not fully committed, with only implementing 7 of the 49 measures sent to him in October by the chief medical officer for England.
One of these measures is to get rid of the ‘buy one get one free deals’ on unhealthy food, which is plain foolishness, as the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme is only contradicting this by promoting fast foods chains. Adam Briggs believes that the strategy is likely to be a missed opportunity to getting to the underlying issues of obesity. Briggs explains that there are economic and social factors, like poverty and unemployment, that need to be addressed for any major changes to happen. For the public that have been furloughed within this pandemic period, the ideology of ‘go treat yourself’ seems like a slap in the face by the government. Until the government focuses on these underlying issues, obesity will not be solved by reducing advertisement and/or displaying calories on packaging etc. They need to realise the other problems they are causing through the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme. They are targeting the most vulnerable class in society, enticing them to over eat, even with the knowledge that those who are over-weight will have a higher chance of dying if they contract COVID-19. The Government need to find other ways to benefit the economy without putting the public’s health at risk.
From the latest recorded data, it has revealed that the R rate has risen above 1, which is not good news for all of the pupils starting the new academic year in September, with the addition that the virus takes two weeks to take effect. If the Government really have our best interests at heart and want the economy to benefit; wouldn’t stricter restrictions be more beneficial for the long term? Why introduce this scheme before the pandemic has ended, as there is a high probability that the restaurants may have to close again due to a second wave? Where is the help in that?
Despite all these concerns, the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme has been successful for many businesses and restaurants in these struggling times, resulting in the continuation through September for selected places. This is tremendous news for all those who have been enjoying the deals and for those who may have missed out. It is not over yet! Unfortunately, no restaurants in Plymouth have been confirmed for the extension of this scheme as of yet, but keep an eye out in case this changes. Regardless, Deliveroo has recently announced they are continuing the spirit of the scheme and offering £5 off meals every Monday to Wednesday in September to maintain this encouragement for the industry.
Please get in contact with us to let us know how you feel on the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme in relation to the ‘Obesity’ scheme being implemented in parallel, when we are in the middle of a pandemic. Let us know whether you were on board with this scheme or if you are still on the fence.