40 Days... And Here Comes The Sun

by Mozarts Coffee April 24, 2020

A Quarantine Reflection Written by Ken & Stacey Leonard, Owners and Partners of Mozart's Coffee Roasters

Stacey and I recently learned the word “quarantine” (thanks to NPR) is Italian (“quarantine giorni”). It apparently relates to holding immigrants for 40 days before it was “safe” to release them into the cities. Unlike ancient Italian ports, there’s never been an acceptance period at Mozarts for any guests. We say “You are always welcome here” … to everyone. Indian, Jew, Muslin, Arab, Asian, African American, Latino, Special Needs, Hearing Impaired, LBGTQ, Persons with Disabilities, Students, Families, Young, Seasoned, Rich, Not-So-Rich … everyone has always been welcome now for almost 30 years. It is simply One ATX Community at Mozart’s.

Today, it's been exactly 40 days since our President, Governor Abbott, Travis County Judge Eckhardt, and Mayor Adler issued disaster proclamations. These orders advised us all as a connected community in ATX to self quarantine, shelter in place, and adopt behaviors to help us slow the spread of the Coronavirus.

"40 days" has been used throughout time to signify a “long time”. Fasting in the desert, rain for 40 days and nights, Moses without food for 40 days, Lent, postpartum, rehab/detox, … its a length of time to usher in renewal of all types and manners, for all of us.

And so, the sun.

After 40 days of quarantine, here comes the sun.

“The virus dies quickest in the presence of sunlight” so says Homeland Security Directorate for Science and Technology, William Bryan. In that same report, researchers also found that isopropyl alcohol was a more effective disinfectant than bleach. We’ve been cleaning all surfaces with this cleanser and peroxide - since the new operating orders were delivered from our leaders and have it readily available in the Boat Towne Market.

We’ve got an open outlook which has us basking in sun for the next 10 days up until celebrating Mother’s Day. Fitting. During this 40 days of quarantine, Mozart’s if anything, has been a ritualistic refuge for folks all over ATX with our expansive decks, the calming influence of Lake Austin - and plenty of sun, sun, sun.

We invite you to come out and enjoy our facilities (and the beautiful sun) but ask you observe a few things as One ATX Community dedicated to keep this beautiful space safe and healthy:

Please wear a mask, if you don’t have one - we have plenty for purchase of all shapes and sizes;
Please be kind and generous to our staff - unlike other operations, Mozart’s has never closed during the pandemic and each made sacrifices to serve our guests and patrons;
Please allow us to respect, in full measure, how our leaders are advising us to operate - we believe it a privilege to be open and we will honor those orders in all cases;
Please help us support our First Responders, they are brave citizens risking their lives for all of us;