All the cards that take out bouquets of flowers from a Chicago florist contain similar messages: “We hope to celebrate in person.”
“The notes aren’t sad,” said Kate Prince, co-owner of Flora Chicago, on the city’s north side. “They have hope.”
On this Valentine’s Day, Americans are looking for ways to celebrate love amidst so much pain and isolation that the coronavirus pandemic is spreading after their birthday. Some cling to hope, seen in the most vulnerable, front-line workers getting vaccinated, by easing restrictions on restaurants in the hardest-hit places, in case the numbers start to dwindle. But the death toll is still rising to half a million deaths in the United States and many remain locked up in their homes.
Prince said florists are struggling to keep up with the onslaught of orders from people trying to send their love from a safe distance.
“We’re crushed,” he said.
Phones are ringing in restaurants in cities that have eased restrictions on indoor food just in time for Valentine’s Day, one of the busiest days of the year for many restaurants that have been devastated by shutdowns designed to curb the spread of the virus. .
In Chicago, the mayor relaxed restrictions on indoor dining this week. After limiting restaurants to 25% capacity and 25 people per room, restaurants now have to stay at 25%, but can serve up to 50 per room.
Darling Restaurant is fully booked for this weekend and weeks ago.
Sophie Huterstein, the restaurant’s owner, said COVID-19 has allowed the two-year-old restaurant to accomplish the impossible: make people happy by accepting a reservation at 4 p.m.
“People are very flexible,” he said.
This Valentine’s Day they are also willing to do something else during a weekend where the high temperature will reach teenagers and the minimum will fall well below zero.
“We have 14 greenhouses and people come out with full ski equipment,” he said.
In New York City, America Bar Restaurant in the West Village is also fully booked for Valentine’s Day, with a long waiting list and high demand for 25% allowed capacity for indoor tables, he said. David Rabin, restaurant partner. More seats, along with the governor’s decision to allow closing hours to move from 10pm to 11pm, have allowed him to give more shifts to his workers.
“For us, it’s a welcome gift,” he said. “It’s been fantastic.”
T Bar NYC Steak and Lounge on the Upper East Side is also fully booked. Owner Tony Fortuna says some of his customers won’t dine indoors and he understands, but for those who have claimed to be back at the restaurant, 25% is a good start. It gives people a light of normalcy in a heartbreaking moment.
“It motivates everyone, we see a little bit of hope,” he said. “It’s about perception: seeing people come out and move around it makes everyone feel a different mood.”
In Portland, a 55-year-old married couple has special Valentine’s Day plans.
Gil and Mercy Galicia have barely left home in almost a year since the closures began, said their daughter, Cris Charbonneau. They had seen their close-knit family, three children and six grandchildren spread across the country.
Like many seniors, the year has cost them especially. They emigrated from the Philippines in the 1960s and have lived in their home on a half-acre plot for more than 40 years.
Mercy, 80, is a cancer survivor and has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Gil, 88, used to take daily walks around the mall to stay active, but he doesn’t for a year. He is afraid that isolation has pushed them back and he does not know how long they will be able to live alone.
“We’re wasting years, COVID has stolen this time which is so beautiful,” Charbonneau said.
They have no computer. When the vaccine was available, Gil called everywhere and couldn’t get through. Charbonneau made a video call with them Thursday and saw a tweet from a local news station that the grocery store near home had opened online dating.
I was struggling to get two dates. He ignored the appointment. She told them she had booked them for Sunday, February 14th.
“This is Valentine’s Day!” his father exclaimed and smiled at his wife.
“What a great way to celebrate my love for you.”
They hung up. Her daughter cried.
“That’s what we needed,” he said, “a little hope.”
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Babwin reported from Chicago and Galofaro from Louisville, Kentucky. Associated Press reporters Tom Hays and Julie Walker contributed from New York City.