Here’s a good tip for you to-go eaters

Those who had too little a month or so ago have less now.

Those who are doing OK? Well, this word’s for you.

If you can, pay a local restaurant to prepare your meal. And please keep this in mind if you go to pick up your chow.

“While our takeout orders have increased dramatically, the majority of people picking up are NOT tipping,” wrote an outstanding local waitress who asked that her name not be used. “I realize they feel they are not getting the same service as if they dined in, but because of the increase in to-go orders, we are almost as busy putting orders together (FYI — servers put takeout orders together, not the cooks) without receiving any compensation for it.”

Does that give you pause? Here’s a little more to munch on:

“Door Dash, UberEats and Postmates have nothing in place to tip the restaurant’s staff, just the drivers. I cringe when I get those phone orders. What really hurts is when customers tell us they really appreciate us being open and tell us they still have their jobs.”

The waitress noted that even though her hours have been cut and tips have virtually vanished, she can’t file for unemployment assistance because she hasn’t been laid off or fired.

Many customers are thinking of their favorite local restaurants, committing to spending money with them in hopes of helping keep them open. But the longtime Kootenai County waitress’s plea reminds us that part of the reason we have our favorite restaurants is because we get great service from those restaurants’ wait staff.

We’re all in this mess together.

Tip on takeout. Enjoy the good karma for dessert.