The patio at downtown's newest restaurant, The Mezz, Wednesday afternoon. (CHAT News photo).

By Alex McCuaig

The Mezz and masks

COVID-19 health guidance not a black and white issue

Jul 23, 2020 | 3:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The restaurant business is tough enough at the best of times – and operating during a global pandemic is definitely not the best of times.

But Don Dempster says his Mezz restaurant has gotten a warm reception from Hatters since first opening his doors in May as part of the provincial stage one relaunch.

But the restaurant might be a victim of its own success.

Dempster says he has had many calls from public health officials in response to calls about his temporary patio which juts out into Second Street in the city’s downtown.

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“Some people aren’t aware of what the requirements are,” said Dempster of the current public health guidelines concerning restaurants and COVID-19. “And they want to inquire and they inquire with Alberta Health and as a result, we have conversations with Alberta Health about what people are seeing. But I can tell you we’re working very closely to make sure we’re compliant.”

However, Dempster says he understands the concerns in the community and believes that, combined with the Mezz’s location, is why there is the additional attention on the business.

“One of the things is we are on Second Street so we do get a lot of traffic that goes by and obviously people are – I wouldn’t say afraid but cautious with everything that is going on with COVID-19.”

The Mezz’s patio is far from the exception when it comes to patios in the city’s downtown – few if any masks can be seen being worn by wait staff or patrons.

But Dr. Lizette Elumir, AHS South Zone medical officer of health, is recommending wait staff do wear masks.

“I get that staffers don’t have to wear masks but I would consider using masks in your restaurant,” said Elumir. “It’s not that great, it kind of wrecks the environment but I would recommend it because staffers would be the highest risk because they interact with people with their mouths open.”

And she says there are concerns about where the recent Medicine Hat cases of COVID-19 are coming from.

“I am worried about Medicine Hat because I do see cases cropping up and I’m not clear where they came from,” said Elumir. “I’m just not clear the source. So I’m worried there is some underlying cases out there we just aren’t aware of.”

Elumir stresses public health rules aren’t black and white but nuanced to ensure flexibility and compliance by the largest number of people being asked to do things that are against usual human practice.

But due to the uncertainty of where cases in the Hat are coming from, she’s recommending Hatters maintain an up to 15-person friends and family cohort so if there is a continued uptick in cases, AHS can identify those who may have been exposed and stem the spread of COVID-19.