zanesmomma03+1, Tulsa (8/28/2008 6:49:30 AM)

I am so sorry to hear this. Working in the food industry is a challenge on many levels. But when an outbreak of this sort is proven to have one source, in this case the Country Cottage, I feel it is necessary to severly punish or reprimand those that are in charge.

In the restaurant business, people trust us to provide them with safe and nutritious meals. When we do something as professionals to loose that trust, it can be devastating to the business. Sadly, this is probably due to one employee who didn't feel the need to follow the rules (which unfortunetly I see alot of in this industry), but the restaurant will ultimately pay for it.

When we decide to go into the business of serving others, we have to hold our position and yes our power up with the utmost regards for our customers. We literally hold their lives in our hands (as you have seen from this outbreak). So all I ask is if you are in the food industry, please be overly cautious of what you are doing. You alone can reak havoc in an individuals life just by not following proper sanitation and safety rules. If you are not sure, err on the side of caution. These customers are trusting us with their lives. View that as a compliment and with gratitude and do all you can to protect those you serve.

Again, I am sorry that this is happening to a great family-owned and operated restaurant that has always been supportive of its community. It truly saddens me to know that this could be its demise, but let this be a lesson to other restaurants that bend or just break the rules. Now we as Oklahoma's truly see firsthand the results that come from cross-contaimination and unproperly handling food and personal hygiene.

My prayers go out to not only the families and friends of the ill, but also to the owners and workers of this restaurant.

jimnsusie, pryor (8/28/2008 7:12:30 AM)

Yes this is awful, I lost a great friend and a wonderful co-worker, but most of all this could have happened anywhere. We as co-workers need to start taking responsibility for others. When we notice people not following the rules it should be reported. We all need to be responsiby. This could happen again anytime anywhere. Please advice your co-workers, friends, children, family no matter where you work, live or what you do we must wash our hands and get into a habit of singing Happy Birthday through two times and maybe we will stop being in such a hurry to go on do what it is we do. This keeps us all responsible for each other. I know Chad would want us to all take care of each other and pray for the families that have people sick and the ones that are fighting off this illness. Love One Another

zanesmomma03+1, Tulsa (8/28/2008 7:45:29 AM)

Unfortunetly "A",

I did read the article and it states in paragraph three, and I quote, "Also Wednesday, Bradley directly linked the outbreak to the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove".

That means the outbreak started at the Country Cottage and those that did not eat there were exposed to the disease by second-hand measures. The only thing they are uncertain of, is the exact source within the restaurant.

Also I am not condeming the restaurant, if you read my comment, I find it sad that a company will suffer due to the actions, again I am assuming just from being in the industry, of a single employee. I am heart broken to know that this restaurant may be out of business because of this. But it is a lesson for the rest of us.

I grew up in a small town just like this one, and I know what these little mom and pop shops do for the community. And like I said, my prayers not only go out to the family and friends of the ill, but also to the owners and employees of the Country Cottage.

My comment was mostly intended to let others in the industry know that there is a real risk to not practicing proper sanitation and food handling. I see too many people daily not take the whole situation seriously. So let this outbreak be a lesson to all of us that no matter what we choose to do in life, someone depends on us to be safe. It is up to us to protect eachother from things such as this.

Bubba in Glenpool, (8/28/2008 9:27:20 AM)

Tulsa World, I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you just made a typo in this: in the "Timeline" portion you have Sunday, the 24th listed after Monday, the 25th when we all know that the Sunday comes before Monday and the 24th comes before the 25th. One could make the argument that you are attempting to cover up for the OSDH by making it appear that it didn't take a person's death for them to notify the public that something went awry at the restaurant in Locust Grove, but indeed it did take this young mans life for the public to be notified of this health risk. Will you please change the "Timeline" portion of the article to properly reflect the true timeline of events! Thank you!

World Staff Writer Kelly Hines, Tulsa (8/28/2008 9:35:25 AM)

Bubba in Glenpool: The timeline was correct in our print editions, but online those two days were transposed and the past two days were inadvertently omitted. The errors have now been corrected. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

What were they thinking, bixby (8/28/2008 10:03:16 AM)

Wow, Kelly responding. This on line thing is really going places. I like it. Oh and good picture too Kelly.

What we fail to see hear is that , this could have been brought in by a customer, a delivery person. E-coli is very rugged.

But it does make everyone much more aware of the need to wash there hands more regular.

ARC, (8/28/2008 10:14:35 AM)

Williamjohn, again, you are not reading the article correctly. It could very well have been a customer who contaminated food and not the owner. There is no evidence they were negligent. So please stop blaming the owners. This could happen anywhere.

MovedAway, (8/28/2008 10:44:47 AM)

Would it be possible to have a sink outside of the restrooms where the employees were required to wash their hands under supervision? The supervisor would record the time and initial it.
It would have saved a life and several illnesses, including dialysis for children.

What in the World!, Hometown Tulsa / Edmond (8/28/2008 10:51:52 AM)

"Bradley directly linked the outbreak to the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove"! Sad story. I think I shall steer clear of buffets from now on!
I wish those sickened from this have a speedy recovery. My condolences to the family that lost their loved one due to this.

mobro, (8/28/2008 11:25:16 AM)

Does anyone know if the restaurant restrooms had paper towels, or do they have air dryers? An infected employee or customer who doesn’t wash their hands can leave the pathogen on the door handle. By using a paper towel to open the door employees (and customers) can avoid picking up the bacteria left by a previous user. But even this practice doesn’t reduce the chance transmission by using the common server utensils on the buffet.

Ray, (8/28/2008 1:02:05 PM)

We love/loved Country Cottage and drove there at least once a month but one thing that has always bothered us is the location of the restrooms. This should be examined as a possible problem. Both restrooms are in a narrow hallway with doors opening into both the restaurant and the kitchen. I've always asked to be seated away from the restroom because it just seemed unsanitary to have those doors swinging open constantly, with flying germs, real or imagined.

matt w, Tulsa (8/28/2008 1:39:05 PM)

MovedAway and Williamjohn322, They have said that there was no trace of E.coli in the restaurant. They are not sure how it got there. Washing hands may not have been the issue, so no it wouldn't have really saved anyone anything. Why would you bulldoze the place?? Thats just retarded!!

Ralph, (8/28/2008 1:43:49 PM)

One of the things I would like the state and the inspectors to do is follow the way eating establishments are rated in California. It is nice that we can look it up on the internet, but it would be much nicer if they were given a grade sign A, B, C, or D. This sign would have to be displayed in a front window at all times. When we visit California any restaurant with a B, C, or D is not the place to eat. It forces the owners to pay very close attention to the cleanliness and food handling.

Stanley, (8/28/2008 2:17:17 PM)

So, where's the connection to the restaurant? Not all ate there, not even close.

Stanley, (8/28/2008 2:23:16 PM)

I know for a fact that some never ate there and had no contact with anyone who had. How do they explain those cases?

grannyofpremie, Inola (8/28/2008 2:25:25 PM)

Everyone should pray over their food before eating whether in a public place or at home. God blesses our food and protects us if we only ask him to.... I went thru something similar in July with a grandchild, 6 days in the hospital, so I can say, my heart does go out for those involved and instead of condeming the Country Cottage, we should pray for it and the owners also, put yourself in their mocassins, how would you feel if it were you in their mocassins? And by the way, to the Locust Grove Water tester, have you tested the Spring Water over at the park? Is it ok? Alot of people get water from over there, I know that to be facts, get it there myself.... pray one for another, so pray for these who are sick , and their families, but also pray for the Cottage and the owners.....

Enough, (8/28/2008 4:08:20 PM)

Sad to say, but even with rules, signs, extra sinks, continuing education, and the like, there are always those who disregard them and will continue to do so.

We cannot blame the Moore's, as it is likely that they have all these things in place, but they cannot be held responsible to stand over a person and make them wash their hands.

This is about personal accountability, and it is at every level; rich or poor, educated or not. I have been in the corporate world for years, eat out regularly, and everywhere that I go, I see people who do not take responsibility for their own hygiene. I am truly amazed at those who use the facilities and walk right past the sink.

It is buyer beware, folks; assume a worst case scenario and take precautions for you and your family, but never assume that someone who is preparing your meal is worried about you.

Bullhead, Stilwell (8/28/2008 7:52:50 PM)

Maybe they need to have their employees wear those disposable gloves from now on. Everytime they handle food, use the gloves. They are cheap enough you can change them many times during your shift. I would also refrain from hiring people who smoke. Maybe that has nothing to do with this but it seems that them touching the cigarrette to your mouth, near your nose, then go back to work.. just doesn't seem right.

ifyouonlyknew, (8/29/2008 10:23:15 AM)

OK lets set the record straight! For all you health department investigators, news reporters, and local gossipers, I have a direct source to the gruesome details as to what really goes on in this particular restaurant. First of all, the health inspectors have reported that they conducted a surprise inspection. However, there was at least several hours of advanced notice which allowed crucial evidence to be discarded and lack of safe food handling procedures to be corrected. I know for a fact that many safety codes and health department guidelines are disregarded on a daily basis endangering the innocent people that are under the misconception that "this restaurant holds itself to the highest standard and food handling safety."

Second of all, I know for a fact there is no hot water available in any one of the four restrooms. So how would the owners expect or even assume that their employees hands are sanitized after a trip to the restroom. Is this an example of "Highest standards?"

Here is yet another gruesome but factual practice. Food that leaves the restaurant for caterings reappears on the buffet line the next day. Meaning any leftovers from caterings are fed to the general public. This is a major violation.

There are many more violations to numerous to mention, however I believe you get my point. No, I dont believe the Moores sat around plotting an E.coli outbreak, nor do I believe that they ever considered these practices would result in the death of anyone. However, their desire to yield higher profits has brought on much devastation to the community and those directly affected by this outbreak. If and when the restaurant reopens I really hope that the Moores will truly practice these so-called "highest of standards" and will keep in mind that their decisions and short cuts are endangering the lives of many.