"Facts." LOL. I saw this yesterday as a friend shared
The Federalist's story
in which they lamely attempted to misrepresent
the study
in the same way as is characterized above by Jordan Schachtel (a link would be nice to have to confirm what else Jordan said).
The authors of the study published by the CDC discovered that
eating at restaurants is correlated with a higher likelihood of getting COVID, likely because
people take off their masks to eat and are thus exposing themselves to viral particles. Here's the critical paragraph that the Federalist author, Jordan Davidson, conveniently left out:
However, case-patients were more likely to have reported dining at a restaurant (aOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.5–3.8) in the 2 weeks before illness onset than were control-participants (Figure). Further, when the analysis was restricted to the 225 participants who did not report recent close contact with a person with known COVID-19, case-patients were more likely than were control-participants to have reported dining at a restaurant (aOR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.9–4.3) or going to a bar/coffee shop (aOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.5–10.1). Among 107 participants who reported dining at a restaurant and 21 participants who reported going to a bar/coffee shop, case-patients were less likely to report observing almost all patrons at the restaurant adhering to recommendations such as wearing a mask or social distancing (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively).
Davidson also cherry-picked one single sentence and tried to make it sound like social distancing and mask use were ineffective, stating: "In fact, the report suggests that “direction, ventilation, and intensity of airflow might affect virus transmission, even if social distancing measures and mask use are implemented according to current guidance.” When placed in context with the preceding and following sentences from the study, they make clear that it's not the mask use that is the problem, but airflow and <improper> mask use.
What was actually said in the study:
Reports of exposures in restaurants have been linked to air circulation (7). Direction, ventilation, and intensity of airflow might affect virus transmission, even if social distancing measures and mask use are implemented according to current guidance. Masks cannot be effectively worn while eating and drinking, whereas shopping and numerous other indoor activities do not preclude mask use.
As has been consistently stated, masks are not perfect, but they provide you extra protection for a period of time if you must be in an enclosed, indoor area with poor airflow and/or can't maintain at least 6' distance from people not in your immediate family/cohort. Taking them off in that kind of environment completely negates their protective effect, as a table in a restaurant is not a negative airflow space around your body.
Responsible reporting:
Close case contact, dining out tied to COVID-19 spread
