I’m trying to think back to the last time I enjoyed a meal at a restaurant, café, or any place where you sit down to eat, and honestly, I can’t recall. It must have been sometime in January or February of last year. That’s not to say I haven’t indulged in takeout; my partner and I often grab food to go. Once a month, we have what we like to call a “COVID-19 date night,” where we let our teenager supervise his younger sisters while we drive to our go-to taco joint, eat in the car, and jam to ’90s music.
Like many others, I miss dining out with loved ones and feel for those in the restaurant industry. However, the reality is that restaurants are prime spots for COVID-19 transmission.
Last Friday, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new study highlighting the benefits of mask-wearing in combating COVID-19. They discovered that in areas where indoor dining was allowed, there was a notable spike in daily infections about six weeks later, followed by an uptick in COVID-19-related deaths approximately two months after that.
The CDC reemphasized its stance: “Implementing mask mandates and limiting indoor dining at restaurants can significantly reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and lower the rates of cases and deaths.” Yet, numerous states are hastily lifting mask mandates and fully reopening restaurants, as if COVID-19 is already behind us.
Let’s be clear: it’s not behind us.
We are making progress with vaccinations. As reported by the New York Times, over 54 million people have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. There are three vaccines authorized and accessible, which is fantastic. In Oregon, for example, my partner works at our children’s school and recently received her first shot, with the second one coming up soon.
Despite these advances, we’re still facing around 2,000 COVID-19 deaths daily, and that figure is alarming. Is the risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 worth enjoying a plate of breadsticks at your favorite restaurant? The answer is a resounding “no.”
A study from China released in October 2020 indicated that indoor spaces like restaurants are among the most common sites for COVID-19 transmission. Additionally, a CDC study from September 2020 found that confirmed COVID-19 cases were nearly twice as likely to have dined in restaurants within the two weeks prior to falling ill.
Ventilation plays a crucial role in virus transmission, and indoor dining often lacks adequate airflow. As Jose-Luis Jimenez, a chemistry professor at the University of Colorado and aerosol expert, explained to The Denver Post, diners release aerosols into the air similar to cigarette smoke. While the guidelines encourage outdoor gatherings with members of your own household and wearing masks, dining indoors is essentially the opposite. “You spend significant time there, talking without masks, sharing the same air,” he stated.
I know it’s been a long year, but we can hold off. We really can. We can put a pause on in-person dining until we make more progress with vaccine distribution.
Just last week, President Biden announced that we’re on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May. That’s an improvement from the original projection of July. There is indeed a light at the end of this lengthy and dark tunnel.
So, to those living in states where restaurants are reopening for indoor dining, my advice is simple: don’t. Takeout is still an option. Leave a generous tip when you can, and support local businesses while also doing your part to halt the virus’s spread.
There is clearly hope on the horizon. Vaccination rates are rising, and case numbers are starting to decline. However, we mustn’t rush this process. We must acknowledge that COVID-19 remains a very real and deadly threat, especially with new variants emerging worldwide. We need to do everything in our power to see this through until we achieve herd immunity. Once it’s safe, we can return to dining out without the fear of an unwanted side of COVID with our meals.
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Summary:
As indoor dining resurfaces, recent studies indicate a correlation between in-person restaurant meals and spikes in COVID-19 infections and deaths. While vaccination efforts are progressing, the ongoing risks necessitate caution. Individuals are encouraged to support local restaurants through takeout while prioritizing safety until herd immunity is reached.
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