Check With The News Director Before You Go Out to Eat

I love the fact that station management is trying to keep their staff COVID free, but I’m not sure you should have to ask management before you go to McDonald’s.

The staff at Quincy’s WPTA in Ft. Wayne received a memo from Quincy’s CEO Ralph Oakley informing them that they need to stay vigilant in practicing the CDC guidelines when it comes to travel and eating out.

Anyone that does travel, will be asked to quarantine on their return.

That is a good rule and I think it is a great step in keeping all the employees safe.

WPTA News Director Jonathan Shelley followed up that memo from Oakley with this email to the staff:

All,

I hope everyone has had a chance to read the latest guidance from Ralph Oakley. As you know, we are in a transitional place right now regarding the coronavirus situation. Vaccines are being delivered – gradually – and the infection rate is on the decline. It’s all good news. But we aren’t in the clear, and it will always be a balancing act as long as COVID-19 is still prevalent.

I’ve spoken with a few people already about what the note from Quincy HQ means. In short: It means we want to be very prudent and not let our guard down. We’ve done a really, really great job of keeping our workplace and ourselves safe and healthy. People WILL be exposed to this thing in the future, as we have seen in the past. We need to continue to be smart.

First and foremost, there is an expectation from Ralph (and Merry and me) that good common sense will be employed in the months ahead. That said, it is ALWAYS OK – and encouraged – that you check in with me, Ian, Tom, Cindy or Merry to get feedback on something you are considering… but aren’t sure of. We know everyone wants to see people, go to weddings, travel and have a dinner date at Joseph Decuis (maybe Proximo?). Please continue to ask before finalizing plans.

I couldn’t be more proud of the way we have all worked through this together. As we head toward a home stretch, let’s finish strong.

Jonathan

Jonathan Shelley
News Director - WPTA TV

I understand where he is coming from, but I think it might be an overstepping of boundaries when it comes to telling people where they can and can’t eat on their own time.

For example, I have not eaten out in the past year and have mostly eaten my meals at home, got something to go, or used Door Dash.

But, on Sunday morning a friend and I went to Maple Street Biscuit Co. The place opened at 7 AM and we were the first and only customers in the restaurant on Palm Sunday. We wore masks when we went in and did not take them off until we sat down at a table in a completely empty dining room. While I have been very cautious when it comes to COVID, this was a trip out in which for the most part I felt safe, as we were the only two customers in the place.

Would I have gone there at 9 AM when the place is busy? Of course not. But, I think in rare cases using common sense, you can sometimes venture out.

Hopefully, WPTA News Director Jonathan Shelley hired people with common sense and can figure this out. If you have to ask your News Director over a year into a pandemic as to where you can eat, you might just not be quite ready for adulthood just yet.