Covid-19 So Far, So Good Shout

We’ve been getting messages, emails, even phone calls about a Covid-19 So Far-So Good Shout.

So far our inquiries have led to a well known fast food restaurant chain planning to put this shout on.

Calls to representatives have pretty much come to nought with no one prepared to be quoted. However, calls to other contacts in the fast food industry suggest that more than one restaurant chain could be taking part in a simulated manner . Our source indicated that the shout is more likely than not.

One source who didn’t want to be identified said generally it wouldn’t be that hard to do but added that due to the LockDown getting fresh produce and ingredients and calling in staff at short notice would be a challenge.

Our source added that if this was to go ahead at short notice, portion sizes would not be what customers expect under normal circumstances adding that customers might only get half a bun or little or no sauce.

They added that any such offer would definitely have to be for a strictly limited time only.

When pressed about areas where this particular restaurant chain or any type of fast food restaurant is not present and what people in these areas can expect our source said they could get a pie from the local garage. When we asked if that was really realistic as many pies could be at least 10 days old our source muttered “tough luck” and put the phone down abruptly.

We put calls into several contacts at the Beehive in Wellington to ask if any government department would be behind it.

An unnamed contact suggested the Provincial Growth Fund and added “they’re funding everything else aren’t they?”

So we tried Minister Shane Jones and contacts within the PGF. We are still waiting on replies to our calls and messages.

Even calls to the Prime Minister’s office have drawn a blank on this.

A spokesperson in the Police Commissioner’s office said in a statement said that while the idea is laudable in these uncertain times, having people go any where near fast food restaurants breaches by a long margin the Stay At Home message.

To counter all this one very highly placed Government source advised us to keep watch for an announcement by the Prime Minister at midday today.