As I sit here trying to remember the last time I enjoyed a meal at a restaurant or café, I realize it’s been so long that I can’t even pinpoint the date. It must have been sometime in early 2020. While I have certainly ordered takeout, my wife and I have created a routine where we designate our teenage son to take care of his younger sisters while we drive to our favorite taco joint, enjoy our food in the car, and listen to nostalgic ’90s tunes.
Like many others, I miss the experience of dining out with family and friends, and I deeply sympathize with those employed in the restaurant industry. However, we can’t ignore the fact that restaurants are a significant source of COVID-19 transmission.
Last Friday, new findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted the importance of mask-wearing in curbing COVID-19 spread. Their research revealed that as in-person dining became available, daily infection rates surged about six weeks later, alongside an increase in death rates two months after. The CDC reiterated its stance: “Mask mandates and restrictions on on-premises dining in restaurants can help limit community transmission of COVID-19 and reduce case and death growth rates.” Despite this guidance, some states, like Texas and Mississippi, are hastily lifting mask requirements and fully reopening restaurants, as though the pandemic is a thing of the past.
Let’s be clear: COVID-19 is still a pressing concern. While vaccination efforts are advancing—over 54 million Americans have received at least their first dose, according to the New York Times—there are still approximately 2,000 daily COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. Is it really worth risking exposure to the virus for the sake of a meal at your favorite restaurant?
Research from China in October 2020 indicated that indoor spaces, particularly restaurants, are prime locations for COVID-19 transmission. A CDC study from September 2020 found that confirmed COVID-19 cases were nearly twice as likely to have dined out in the two weeks prior to their illness.
Ventilation is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus, and restaurants often lack adequate airflow. Jose-Luis Jimenez, a chemistry professor and aerosol expert, explained that diners release aerosols into the air similarly to cigarette smoke. Safety guidelines recommend outdoor gatherings with household members and wearing masks, which contradicts the nature of indoor dining—where people linger, converse without masks, and share the same air.
It’s been a long year, but we can hold off on dining in until we make more progress with vaccine distribution. Just last week, President Biden announced that the U.S. is on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult by the end of May, a significant improvement from his earlier estimate of July. There is hope on the horizon.
So, for those in states where restaurants are reopening for in-person dining, my advice is simple: don’t do it. Opt for takeout and support local businesses while taking necessary precautions to prevent the virus’s spread.
There is clearly light at the end of this lengthy COVID-19 tunnel. Vaccination rates are increasing, and case numbers are declining. However, we must not rush to return to normalcy. COVID-19 remains a serious threat, especially with new variants emerging. We need to do everything possible to achieve herd immunity before we can safely dine out again—without worrying about a side of COVID with our meal.
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Summary
Dining in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic poses significant risks, as evidenced by recent CDC studies linking indoor dining to rising infection and death rates. While vaccination efforts are underway, the virus remains a serious threat. It’s crucial to prioritize safety by opting for takeout and supporting local businesses instead of rushing back to restaurants.
Keyphrase:
COVID-19 and in-person dining risks
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