Portland: Do You Feel Safe Dining Out Right Now?

Multnomah County has been open for onsite dining for almost three months now, and dozens — if not hundreds — of restaurants have extended their service beyond takeout and delivery. Some have taken reservations for tables inside their indoor dining rooms, while others have nabbed city permits to create open-air dining spaces. Some are seeing great numbers at those tables; others are struggling to fill the few seats they have. The choice to open to onsite diners is extraordinarily difficult for restaurant owners, who are weighing high-stakes pros and cons — stay closed and risk losing the business, or re-open and risk the health of employees.

In general, the state’s number of daily coronavirus diagnoses are trending downward. However, with winter just around the corner, outside dining will become increasingly difficult, and research suggests it’s more dangerous to dine in enclosed public spaces than it is to sit out on a patio. Still, some diners seem ready to take on that risk now that the governor has set in place health and safety mandates like mask requirements for indoor customers and staff.

So, Portland diners, how comfortable do you feel dining at a restaurant right now? Are you making reservations at all your favorite spots, or hunkering down inside until a vaccine hits the market? Share your comfort level via the poll below, or go into more detail in the comments. This poll will be open until Tuesday, September 15, at 1:30 p.m.

• Is It Safe to Eat at Restaurants Yet? [E]
• A List of Portland Restaurants Reopening for Patio or Dine-In Service [EPDX]