Covid Advice #23 (06/30/2022):
Eating with Others at 6 Feet
Eating with Others at 6 Feet
- from Dr. Dennis Fong -
Almost all of my Covid patients, and I've had a lot lately because Covid is on a spike, have gotten it after eating with people who don't live with them, including family members who live apart. It doesn't help even if everyone eating together has gotten negative home tests that same day -- I have several cases who have gotten Covid that way. Home tests aren't that accurate in people who don't have symptoms, especially if they've been vaccinated.
What to do? We don't want to stop eating with others.
Simple: when eating with people who don't live with you, just stay apart at 6 feet mouth to mouth. Preferraby, do it outdoors. If indoors then open windows and have a HEPA filter going. 6 feet isn't that much, two ends of a picnic table is 6 feet; 4 couples can fit in a 10 foot by 10 foot room.
To show how effective this is, I have someone who, on a recent weekend for two days in a row eaten with someone who got sick and tested positive the next day. Both times, however, were outdoors and 6 feet apart mouth to mouth -- the hosts had arranged a separte table for each household, small tray tables for single people He didn't catch Covid, and neither did any of the other people at the two get-togethers.
I think it's important to eat and have a good time with your family and friends, because this helps you stay happy and positive. And your body including your immune system to fight off Covid, is in better shape then.
Since Covid is here to stay, I think it's important to change the way we normally have get-togethers, different households eat at 6 feet apart.
Wish you happiness! Stay healthy!
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