With the restrictions on restaurants lifting in most states, many of us will venture out to eat at our favorite spots again in the coming weeks. This will be the first time in months that most will enjoy more than just carryout or delivery amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
While things will certainly look different–including extra space between tables, servers wearing masks and in many states, outside eating in makeshift patio/parking lots–you might have the tendency to fall back into old habits when eating out. Don’t! Experts warn that there is one very serious mistake that you should NOT make when dining out for the first time. What is it?
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To avoid the spread of COVID-19 never ever eat in a dining room that has an air conditioning or fan running!
Why? Well, to start--we know that the CDC says the virus spreads through droplets that are released into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Masks help prevent the spread of these droplets but you can't wear a mask when eating. Additionally, these particles can land on surfaces (like restaurant goers clothing) and live there for a few days. Yikes!
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If an infected person is sitting in a closed dining room with the A/C running, that machine can create a current of air that picks up droplets and spreads them around the room to all the tables. This is especially problematic when the A/C unit or fan are located above the tables. If you see this when you walk into a dining room, run don't walk out of there!
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These findings were established during a study done in China. In the study, one person infected nine because the restaurant had an air conditioner located above one of the tables. The restaurant also has no windows that could have aided in ventilation. Another sign that you should high tail it out of there!
So--what should you do? Sit away from the air conditioning or outside if you can. Wash your hands after touching the menu and before eating. Don't touch your phone during the meal, and if possible, leave your purse and other belongings outside. Don't eat at a restaurant with a salad bar or other areas where you might come into contact with shared kitchenware like pitchers or tongs.
