Experts say it takes this long to catch Covid-19 in a bar or restaurant
Several major risk factors converge in a perfect storm of exposure to coronavirus.
As much as we would like to go back to normal, the United States is nowhere close to the woods with the coronavirus pandemic. And while the economy exhausted begging for a renewal,Restaurants and bars reopened Across the country, we quickly identified as special concern when it comes to how the virus is still spread. Why do these places pose a risk as high?
Several factors are at stake here. First of all, we now know that coronavirus spreads people to a person via respiratory droplets as well asaerosol, which are even minor particles of liquid expelled through the breathing, laughing and talking. These mist droplets are invisible, but can browse greater distances through the air. While the chances of this type of transmission are considerably diminished by face coatings, some social situations in which wearing a mask is almost impossible. Eating and drinking in a restaurant or bar is one of them.
The proximity of the others also plays a huge role, as well as whether the socialization activities take place or not in an interior or outdoors. InConfined spaces like restaurant dining rooms, Droplets and aerosols can linger in the air longer, while outside, they dissipate faster, putting a risk of lower infection.
Prolonged exhibition is a major factor
Experts also identified the time exposed to respiratory droplets as an important factor to find out if a person will be infected or not. Dr. John Brooks, Chief Medical Officer of the CDC for Coronavirus Response, saidWall Street newspaper thisProlonged exposure to a person within 6 feet of distance is much more likely to spread the infection than the refreshing contact of the same nature.Prolonged exposure is defined as about 15 minutesBut Brooks warns the infection can be transmitted instantly if a person had to engage in more intimate contact forms, or if sneezing or coughing are involved.
In fact, prolonged contact can compose the risk of infection even in the outdoor settings where people generally feel more safe. Linsey Marr, Virginia Tech Professor with airborne transmission expertise, told WSJ that small and large droplets pose a risk outdoors if people are in close and prolonged contact.
Places that optimize the risk of coronavirus
Take all these factors into account, it is clear thatYou are at risk of contracting the coronavirus in close contact with others for a prolonged period in a closed or poorly ventilated space. Spending time in restaurants and bars in the interior checks almost all of these boxes - they are subject to crowds for prolonged periods of time (certainly more than 15 minutes) and customers will take their masks to consume Food and drinks. do not forget toSubscribe to our newsletterTo get the latest restaurants, the news comes directly to your inbox.
