Judith Smelser UnWineding - A COVID-19 Podcast, Wine News

Episode 11: Theme Parks

 

The COVID-19 death toll in the United States has topped 100,000, but in the hospitality capitol of Orlando, Florida, all three major theme parks have received the green light to reopen. That doesn’t mean everyone is going back to work, though. Many people who work in Florida’s food and beverage industry are still relying on spotty unemployment checks, and businesses classified as bars still can’t serve drinks. Some who supplement their income with theme park jobs are questioning whether it makes financial sense to go back, while others worry about an uptick in neighborhood crime as people grow increasingly desperate.

Thanks to Orlando composer Julian Bond for providing original music for UnWineding, Amy Tardif for editorial guidance, and WMFE for distribution and promotional assistance.

Subscribe to UnWineding on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher.

Judith Smelser UnWineding - A COVID-19 Podcast, Wine News

Episode 10: Left Out

 

Even as the United States’ COVID-19 death toll approaches 100,000, states are gradually reopening their economies, which are reeling from two months of shutdowns. In Florida, almost all businesses are now allowed to open with certain restrictions, including gyms, hair salons, restaurants, and even breweries. But bars are still waiting for the green light to serve drinks again, and people who make their living in the beverage business are getting short on patience – and finances.

Thanks to Orlando composer Julian Bond for providing original music for UnWineding, Amy Tardif for editorial guidance, and WMFE for distribution and promotional assistance.

Subscribe to UnWineding on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher.

Judith Smelser UnWineding - A COVID-19 Podcast, Wine News

Episode 9: Limbo

 

Businesses across the US are slowly starting to reopen, but some in the food and beverage industry fear they may be left out of the post-COVID economy, at least for awhile. In Florida, restaurants can open at 50% capacity now, as the state moves into Full Phase One. But bars are still retail-only, and owners are trying to find creative ways to satisfy impatient customers as they nervously watch the infection rates and wait for an elusive Phase Two.

Thanks to Orlando composer Julian Bond for providing original music for UnWineding, Amy Tardif for editorial guidance, and WMFE for distribution and promotional assistance.

Subscribe to UnWineding on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher.

Judith Smelser UnWineding - A COVID-19 Podcast, Wine News

Episode 8: Holding On

 

As restaurants begin to reopen in Florida, bar owners are still turning away frustrated customers and the money they would have spent. The road back to normalcy feels long and uncertain, with the tourism engines that drive Orlando’s economy unlikely to rebound anytime soon. Out-of-work food and beverage workers are starting to calculate just how long they can continue to wait for their jobs to come back. Meanwhile, they join the rest of the world in grappling with how to mark holidays and family milestones in a changed world.

Thanks to Orlando composer Julian Bond for providing original music for UnWineding, Amy Tardif for editorial guidance, and WMFE for distribution and promotional assistance.

Subscribe to UnWineding on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher.

Judith Smelser UnWineding - A COVID-19 Podcast, Wine News

Episode 7: Unanswered Questions

 

Florida’s restaurants were allowed to reopen at 25% capacity this week. It’s a faint light at the end of the tunnel for Orlando’s wine and food businesses, but there are still many unknowns. When will bars get the green light? How will they reconfigure their spaces and police their patrons’ behavior? How will servers and bartenders protect themselves?

Meanwhile, there’s a bit of hope on the government assistance front, but family health concerns continue, even as a socially distanced dinner with the kids provides a degree of solace.

Thanks to Orlando composer Julian Bond for providing original music for UnWineding, Amy Tardif for editorial guidance, and WMFE for distribution and promotional assistance.

Subscribe to UnWineding on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher.