To date, the Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) has claimed lives of over 7,000 individuals. This contagious disease has affected at least 180,000 people around the world.
With the infectiousness of Coronavirus, we changed our daily habits. While in the Coronavirus-free world, we enjoyed a trip to Starbucks around the corner, this definitely changed over the past few weeks. Why? What did Coronavirus teach us about coffee?
Italy – an ultimate land of coffee – is on a lockdown
Italy is a place that cultivates coffee in its culture and tradition. If you have been to Italy before, you will know that Italians love sipping coffee at local cafes in the mornings, while enjoying the warm sun rays.
However, Italy has been on a national lock down for several days now. More than 3,000 cases are being diagnosed every day in Italy, and more than 2,000 people have passed due to complications. Therefore, Italians had to significantly alter their innate coffee habits.
Taking precautions in the US
While the United States has not yet reported such staggering numbers yet, we have taken precautions to avoid infection. We have stopped going to restaurants, cafes and other places typically filled with other people. This includes stopping going to Starbucks. But, Coronavirus also taught us lessons about coffee.
We strongly urge you to follow CDC’s recommendations. Those include but are not limited to:
- Avoid crowds (groups of 10 people or more)
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
Why stop going to Starbucks?
1. Significantly increased risk of infection (due to the number of people)
Starbucks coffee shops are typically filled with people.
In “normal” times when a deadly disease is not rampant, the setting can be quite attractive. The atmosphere is relaxing, and people are cheerful.
However, Coronavirus poses a risk to you and to other people around you. Right now, being in close proximity with other people is not safe.
The virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for hours. People sneeze, cough, and touch everything (mugs, merchandise and furniture). The contact with germs, bacteria and viruses is unavoidable.
If you are currently healthy, someone else may infect you. While most people recover without any problems, a fraction of people dies and others develop severe side effects like fibrosis.
2. Putting other people in danger
Some people can carry the Coronavirus, but remain asymptomatic. In other words, they do not exhibit any signs of the virus. This is extremely dangerous to others.
If you are sick and happen to be asymptomatic, you may pass the virus to someone who has a weakened immune system. This person can die due to the coronavirus complications.
That is why keeping yourself away from social situations is also a preventive measure against endangering the health of those who are more vulnerable. Those vulnerable people typically include our grandparents, parents, individuals with lower immunity or pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure, chest problems or auto-immune diseases.
Don’t put other people in danger.
3. Baristas are exposed to hundreds (if not thousands) of people a day
Starbucks baristas interact with hundreds, if not thousands, of people each day. They are in contact with people who may have the disease. Therefore, they may unknowingly pass it on to customers.
Do Starbucks baristas wear protective gloves? We have not seen this ourselves.
Are the mugs you drink from disinfected after each and every customer? Maybe, or maybe not?
Are the bartenders in perfect health? Unsure.
There’s many variables, and we feel it is better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, we decided to stay home where we know everything is washed and thoroughly cleaned.
3 unexpected lessons: what did Coronavirus teach about coffee?
In this self-imposed lock down, we were amazed how much Coronavirus taught us about coffee. Here’s what we found:
- We really enjoy the coffee brewing rituals at home. While preparing a cup of delicious coffee, the aroma is in the air.
- Brewing at home allowed us significant flexibility to experiment with ingredients, coffee and brewing. We have reached notes and flavors that we ADORE, and we know for sure the ingredients are healthy and virus-free!
- We saved money! There is also a financial aspect. Brewing coffee at home saves us money, about $4 per cup of coffee.
As the supply chain from China has ceased, we expect shortages in coffee machines around the summer. The prices may skyrocket, or insufficient inventory in stores around the country.
What do you think?
When it comes to health, we need to do our best. Health is a person’s wealth, as some say.
We do not encourage people to panic. However, we encourage people to practice some basic measures to live life, and let other live disease-free
Coronavirus has given us the opportunity to take a breather, to stop and look inside, to spend some quality time with our dear ones in our households or just with ourselves.
Do you still go to Starbucks? Are you worried about contracting Coronavirus? What protective measures do you take when going out for coffee at Starbucks?
Let us know in the comments!
I always prefer brewing coffee at home than going to Sturback. I totally agree with you. While preparing a cup of delicious coffee, the aroma is in the air. I have reached delicious notes and flavors of coffee. The time during coffee brewing is the time of relaxation and enjoyment.
It is a good idea to promote a such approach to brew coffee, especially when Coronavirus is dangeorous. Thanks for your good blog post.