EW YORK — After ingesting a Shake Shack milkshake spiked with bleach Monday, NYPD Officer Ryan McGinley immediately made a full recovery from COVID-19 – forcing other restaurants patronized by police to consider whether they, too, should begin honoring law enforcement by adding disinfectants to their beverages and frozen treats.
Officer McGinley reportedly tested positive for the virus last week, though he had voluntarily remained on duty due to the ongoing threat of black rights. Following a trip to the local Poison Control Center, McGinley was again tested for the virus, with a negative result that local self-described “not a doctor, but a very smart guy” John Barron attributed to “almost a cleaning” from the bleach.
Shake Shack confirmed that, following President Trump’s late-April comments on the efficacy of bleach and ultraviolet rays on killing the virus, the company had been experimenting with infusing sunlight into their shakes and other beverages – a short-lived initiative that was derailed by the challenges of achieving nuclear fusion.
“Our police are on the front lines out there, and if they don’t have COVID-19 yet, they probably will soon, although we’re doing our best to make sure they don’t get tested for it,” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. “I applaud Shake Shack’s willingness to follow the president in pursuing alternative avenues to protect our law enforcement officers in the line of duty.”
Other competitors in the fast-casual space such as Chipotle, Panera and Five Guys were quick to announce that they were following in Shake Shack’s footsteps.
“We’re serious about fighting coronavirus by any means necessary,” said Juanita Mobley, Chief Beverage Officer for Panera Bread Company. “Social distancing and expanded contact-free delivery options can only go so far, but this pandemic demands bold action. So today, we’re moving forward with a new pilot program under which, at certain Panera locations, we will be quietly spiking our Passion Papaya Green Tea with ammonia for uniformed officers only.”
[Photo credit: Jim Nix on Flickr]
