I’m sitting here trying to remember the last time I dined at a restaurant, café, or any eat-in venue, and honestly, I can’t recall. It must have been sometime in early 2020. That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed food from restaurants—I definitely have. We’ve ordered takeout occasionally, and once a month, my partner and I embark on a fun COVID-19 date, leaving our teenagers in charge of their siblings while we drive to our favorite taco spot, eat in the car, and jam to ’90s music.
Like many, I miss the experience of dining out with loved ones. I also empathize deeply with those in the restaurant industry. Yet, it’s a fact that restaurants are prime locations for COVID-19 transmission.
Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new study highlighting the importance of mask-wearing in combating COVID-19. Their findings indicated that regions allowing in-person dining experienced a significant uptick in daily infections roughly six weeks later, along with a rise in death rates two months down the line. The CDC reiterated their stance: “Mask mandates and limiting on-premises dining at restaurants can help curb community transmission of COVID-19 and reduce case and mortality rates.” Yet, many states, including Texas and Mississippi, are hastily removing mask mandates and fully reopening restaurants, as if the pandemic has been resolved.
Let me be clear: it’s not over.
While we are making impressive progress with vaccination efforts—over 54 million Americans have received at least one dose according to the New York Times—there’s still a long way to go. With around 2,000 COVID-19 deaths occurring daily, the stakes are high. Is it really worth the risk of contracting or spreading the virus just to enjoy some breadsticks?
Research from China, released in October 2020, found that indoor spaces like restaurants are among the most common places to catch COVID-19. A CDC study from September 2020 also revealed that confirmed COVID-19 cases were twice as likely to have dined out within the preceding two weeks.
Ventilation is a significant factor in virus transmission, and restaurants don’t always have great airflow. As Jose-Luis Jimenez, a chemistry professor at the University of Colorado, explained, diners emit aerosols into the air similarly to cigarette smoke. The guidelines urge outdoor gatherings when possible, yet indoor dining runs counter to that advice. You linger there, converse without masks, and share the same air.
I understand it’s been a challenging year. But we can wait. We can hold off on in-person dining until vaccination efforts are more widespread.
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—earlier than anticipated. There’s light at the end of this long tunnel.
So, if you’re in a state where restaurants are reopening for in-person dining, my advice is simple: don’t. Opt for takeout instead. Leave a generous tip when you can, and continue supporting local businesses while taking necessary precautions to curb the virus spread.
We’re making progress—vaccinations are increasing, and case numbers are decreasing—but we can’t rush into things. COVID-19 remains a serious threat, especially with new variants appearing globally. We need to do everything we can to reach herd immunity. Once it’s safe, we can enjoy dining out again, without the worry of a side of COVID with our meal.
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