If you’ve stalled at double vaxxed because the heat’s off, think about your friendly barista, restaurant or bar worker who’s still in the firing line every day.

Before we get into this article, let’s recognise what an awesome human being you are if you’re already double vaxxed.

You’ve helped keep people around you safe and beds free in our hospitals, and your two shots have allowed South Australian hospitality to flow freely again.

But COVID-19 is still circulating and impacting the hospo sector, which is why it’s really important to get your third shot even if you’ve had COVID.

Part Time Lover director Joshua Baker is dealing with one of his teams being sidelined, and waiting on test results for another, when CityMag speaks to him. As he talks with us about the impact of COVID-19, it’s not the expected profit and loss statements and nightly takings that troubles him most. It’s the people he works with and the impact on them.

“When you’ve got a great team, you want to… wrap them in cotton wool and keep them safe,” he says about working with COVID in the community.

“People that work in hospitality are quite resilient in themselves anyway, because it’s a hardcore industry.

“You’re working with a lot of people and you’re dealing with different emotions and customers. There’s many challenges, but also so many rewarding things.

“[Hospo workers] have got such positive energy. And that’s so important for the word ‘hospitality’ – what we do for a living is we’ve got to take people for an experience and a ride when they come into our venues.”

Adelaide has bounced back from the shadow of lockdown, and there’s an optimism in the air. Joshua says it’s “amazing” being able to operate at full capacity again.

“I think what’s happened is people are really embracing this [new] environment, to go out and experience these things. Our numbers are looking exceptional, to be honest with you, which is just such a breath of fresh air.

“We’re so lucky here in South Australia, and Adelaide, that we’ve got some of the best hospitality operators, and some of the best produce and the wine in the world.”

Part Time Lover co-owners Luke Turton and Josh Baker during the 2020 lockdown

However, with COVID still circulating for the foreseeable future, he says business-wise it’s “still scary”. Absences due to the illness are exacerbating the industry-wide staff shortages in kitchen and bar staff. And now the flu season is underway.

As you’d expect of someone so passionate about the industry and his team and customers, Joshua’s had three shots, plus his seasonal flu shot. He’s also come into contact with someone with COVID and didn’t contract it – something he puts down to having had his third shot, the ‘mask you can’t see’. Now he’s advocating for others to do the same.

“Let’s listen to the health advice that we’re getting, because COVID is real and it’s serious,” he says. “No one wants to go into another lockdown, or have any of these luxuries taken away from us. And if you’ve had two shots, get the third shot.

“And if there’s a fourth one, let’s get the fourth. And if it’s something that happens every year for the rest of our life to keep us going, let’s just do it.”

There are plenty of reasons to follow Josh’s lead, especially with a host of winter festivals and events popping up on the calendar.

So, if you really want to support your favourite bar or coffee spot, or just party like it’s 2019, don’t wait any longer, book your third shot now.

www.fullyvaxxed.sa.gov.au