title: To Mutex or Not To Mutex?
body: <p>Do I need a mutex if I have only one reader and one writer? The reader takes the next command (<code>food.front()</code>) from the queue and executes a task based on the command. After the command is executed, it pops off the command. The writer to the queue pushes commands onto the queue (<code>food.push()</code>).</p>
  
  <p>Do I need a mutex? My reader (consumer) only executes if <code>food.size() &gt; 0</code>. I am using a reader thread and send thread.</p>