A New CDC Study Claims That People Eating at Restaurants are Twice as Likely to Test Positive for COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control have released information claiming that people who have dined in a restaurant are twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19 while, persons who have gone to shopping centers, gym, or small gatherings are not at risk, according to Spectrum News....but why specifically restaurants?

Here's how the study was conducted. Within the States of  California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington, in July,  314 adults were tested or coronavirus, and 154 people tested positive for the virus, according to Spectrum News.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (MMWR) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report states that people are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 compared to 'those going to shopping, going to a gym, going into the office, or attending small gatherings'.  The CDC report also states this:

“In addition to dining at a restaurant,case-patients were more likely to report going to a bar/coffee shop, but only when the analysis was restricted to participants without close contact with persons with known COVID-19 before illness onset.”

The CDC report also goes on to explain and suggest that “direction, ventilation, and intensity of airflow” inside restaurants likely impacts COVID transmission, according to the Spectrum News report, along with this:

"Masks cannot be effectively worn while eating and drinking, whereas shopping and numerous other indoor activities do not preclude mask use."

According to Spectrum News, the CDC's Dr. Kiva Fisher, who is the lead author of the CDC study, told ABC News that restaurant employers should "encouraging employees who are sick to stay home, require frequent employee hand-washing, require employees wear masks at all times and offer options for delivery and pick-up."

Dr. Fisher also suggested this for restaurant-goers, according to the Spectrum News report.  She said that customers :

"should “take prevention steps when dining out, such as wearing a mask when not eating or drinking, staying at least 6 feet apart from others and washing hands frequently."  

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