# NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140 "2020-06-22T07:01:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 403
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8073 "2021-10-28T01:01:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Lest you thought the San Francisco event was a fluke, In-n-Out has confirmed that it has joined forces with covid and is halting dine-in at all its locations in Contra Costa County rather than enforce the county’s vaccine mandate. Are they still demanding the RIGHT, and the FREEDOM to have their staff shit into the raw burger meat? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8074 "2021-10-28T01:02:58Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > The cost of one employee that has to be posted at the door. Or, you know, the clerk at the counter who’s already being paid to ask people questions, since they’re still allowed to serve take-out without checking for vaccines and they can just ask to see the card right after they ask “for here or to go?” > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I highly doubt they’ll experience even a slight loss of business here. They’ll be losing a lot of business from people who don’t want their money going to anti-vax nutjobs. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8075 "2021-10-28T01:03:36Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > That makes zero sense. For one thing, the mandate includes employee vaccinations, something that they haven’t expressed any pushback for whatsoever. So there is zero evidence that they are somehow vaccine denialists or anything of the sort. The county does not appear to have any problem with their treatment of employees. > > There is a cost to enforcing the mandate. Many restaurants feel that this cost is worth continuing dine-in. In-n-Out does not; it’s entirely their right. And it should be no surprise either, since it’s in their _very fucking name_ that they are highly focused on drive-thru. They see the lost dine-in business as less than the cost of checking vaccination status at the door. > > You would have reasonable criticism if they continued to violate the order well after being told not to. They did not. They complied with the order by not offering dine-in. > > The net result is that their customers and employees are _better_ off than a typical restaurant that is still offering dine-in, which carries unavoidable risks even with vaccine enforcement. In N Out is privately owned, the sole owner is the granddaughter of the founders, who bills herself as an evangelical. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8076 "2021-10-28T01:08:46Z")
I’m aware of that. I’m also aware that In-n-Out by all accounts treats their employees well and at least around here has always offered well above minimum wage. If I refused to do business with people that simply held deranged, delusional beliefs, I’d have to be a hermit. I prefer to look at outcomes. Again, is there a single element of In-n-Out’s behavior here that actually puts anyone at risk, either their employees or customers? If not, then I don’t see what the objection is. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8077 "2021-10-28T01:09:19Z")
No, that’s an extra fee. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8078 "2021-10-28T01:09:46Z")
Ted Cruz defends Nazi salutes at school board meetings. > ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8079 "2021-10-28T01:10:30Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Again, is there a single element of In-n-Out’s behavior here that actually puts anyone at risk, either their employees or customers? The part where they’re refusing to check dine-in customers for their vaccination status and are having to be forced by the county into not actively endangering everyone in the building. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8080 "2021-10-28T01:12:07Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Or, you know, the clerk at the counter who’s already being paid to ask people questions, since they’re still allowed to serve take-out without checking for vaccines and they can just ask to see the card right after they ask “for here or to go?” So the unvaccinated are standing around for many minutes in line, spreading their germs, only to find that when they get to the counter they have to leave. Great. If the county is allowing that, it’s _their_ rule that’s in the face of science and a handout to whiny restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8081 "2021-10-28T01:14:10Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > So the unvaccinated are standing around for many minutes in line, spreading their germs, only to find that when they get to the counter they have to leave. Great. > > If the county is allowing that, it’s _their_ rule that’s in the face of science and a handout to whiny restaurants. 1. Standing in line, socially distanced, with a mask on, is orders of magnitude safer than sitting down and eating unmasked. 2. If the company was doing its job they wouldn’t just be finding out about the vaccine mandate when they get to the counter. 3. So you acknowledge that In-n-Out is being “whiny”, then? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8082 "2021-10-28T01:15:31Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > only to find that when they get to the counter they have to leave. Great. I assume they just order to go. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8083 "2021-10-28T01:21:19Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > If she loses money, she both “bet on DJT” _and_ can deduct the loss against other capital gains Good point, I hadn’t considered the tax implications. I guess I’d make a bad Republican 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8084 "2021-10-28T01:21:22Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Standing in line, socially distanced, with a mask on, is orders of magnitude safer than sitting down and eating unmasked. Who says these people are wearing masks? I’m pretty sure there’s a high correlation between the unvaccinated and anti-maskers. If that mandate is _also_ only being enforced at the counter, it’s just as useless. > [@Smapti](#): > > So you acknowledge that In-n-Out is being “whiny”, then? Yes, of course. They’re allowed to be whiny, just like anyone else. If your complaint here is with the way In-n-Out _worded_ their objection as opposed to any actual safety issues they’re causing that’s your problem. Actual anti-vaxxers spread lies about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. This is actively malevolent as far as I’m concerned and has no excuse. In-n-Out has not done this. They object to a particular rule and (after a slight delay) have nevertheless complied with the order in a way that should satisfy everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8085 "2021-10-28T01:23:45Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I assume they just order to go. Not sure that works, though I’m not familiar with the details of this particular mandate. At least in Sacramento, businesses wouldn’t serve you at all without a mask, to go or not. I saw one guy in a coffee shop try to order without a mask and was refused. Kinda dumb since he still spent all that time breathing on all of us. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8086 "2021-10-28T01:25:48Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Actual anti-vaxxers spread lies about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. This is actively malevolent as far as I’m concerned and has no excuse. In-n-Out has not done this. The net result is the same whether they’re lying or just ignorant. > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > They object to a particular rule and (after a slight delay) have nevertheless complied with the order in a way that should satisfy everyone. And all it took was the health department shutting down several of their locations. My, what conscientious and good-intentioned corporate citizens they are! Surely they deserve a medal for condescending to comply with the same laws as us lowly peasants. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8087 "2021-10-28T01:33:30Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The net result is the same whether they’re lying or just ignorant. You’re responding to some argument I didn’t make. Again: at no point, either due to lies or sheer ignorance, have they cast doubt on the effectiveness or safety of vaccines. Their own employees are vaccinated. Their objection is about enforcement of the mandate. Those are unrelated issues. The mandates are something on which reasonable parties can differ. Vaccine effectiveness is not. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8088 "2021-10-28T01:38:13Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > The mandates are something on which reasonable parties can differ. No it isn’t. It’s not something “reasonable parties can differ” on any more than the effectiveness of washing your hands is. In-n-Out is being unreasonable. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8089 "2021-10-28T01:43:00Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Not sure that works, though I’m not familiar with the details of this particular mandate. At least in Sacramento, businesses wouldn’t serve you at all without a mask, to go or not. I wonder how much of I/O’s business consists of people who line up at the counter and order to-go? I get the impression that they are encouraging people to use drive-thru, to judge by the massive drive-thru lines at the I/O near me (Merced County, not in the Bay Area). This whole brouhaha about In-n-Out Burger disappoints me. They have long been one of my preferred fast-food places. I am going to agree, somewhat reluctantly, with the proposition that it’s their prerogative to shut down dine-in altogether if their PTB feel so strongly about it – but that should mean drive-thru only, I think. It’s a shame (IMO) if their position is driven by religious nuttery, as is alleged. As mentioned above, I’ve always heard that they treat their workers well, pay well, and their fast food is good. With their famously limited menu, they do just a few things and do them well. AFAIK, the I/Os around here are not affected by all of this. Still, in light of all the above, I think I will be reluctantly boycotting them for the Near Foreseeable Future. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8090 "2021-10-28T01:45:24Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > The cost of one employee that has to be posted at the door. An employee who is willing to take considerable verbal abuse, and risk physical abuse as well. Service employees are getting enough shit already, I can’t really get too upset about not wanting them to have to take more. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8091 "2021-10-28T01:46:46Z")
As I stated above, there’s no need for a doorman - just work “Can I see your proof of vaccination?” into the order-taking process, and if they don’t have it, then the order has to be to go. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/8092 "2021-10-28T01:47:31Z")
Instead of those cheap-ass paper wallet cards, we should get a plastic card with a mag stripe and chip. Then businesses could put a card reader at the door, and we’d just need to swipe or insert card to get in – just like some banks do for people to get access to their ATM after hours. Oh I can hear the shrieking already about Vaccine Passports! Quick, pass the ear muffs! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=402) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=404)